we afk, but it likewife imports a refolution on our part, to ufe all proper means for obtaining them; and the vigour of our endeavours is the beft proof of our fincerity. Should a person who is juft now praying, "Lead me not into temptation," rife immediately from his knees, and go forth to invite or even to meet a temptation, who could believe that fuch a man was in earneft? Let us be doing, and then we may, with greater confidence, both afk the divine aid, and hope to obtain it. If, in a humble dependence upon God, we faithfully employ the strength we have, more shall be added to us as our neceffities require: "For to him that hath fhall be given. ". -They that wait upon the Lord fhall re"new their ftrength, they fhall mount up with wings as eagles, they fhall run and not be weary, they fhall walk and not faint. "Wait therefore on the Lord be of good વ courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart : "wait, I fay, on the Lord." Amen.

SERMON

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SERMON IV.

2 TIMOTHY iii. 5..

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.

THE facrifice of the wicked is an abomi"nation to the Lord; but the prayer of the "upright is his delight." It is the heart of the worshipper which God principally regards; if that be wrong, external homage is only "vain "oblation," which can never afcend to his throne with acceptance. Happy were it for us, had we a juft impreffion of this interefting truth; but many, alas! are to apt too impofe upon themselves, instead of afpiring to that inward purity which is neceffary to qualify them for communion with God; they feem to have no higher aim, than to lull confcience afleep by the practice of fome cheap and common duties, left its galling reproofs fhould alarm their fears, and anticipate the horrors of approaching judgment. Thus they dream of fafety, when deftruction is faft coming upon them; and, with "untempered mortar," rear up for themselves "a re"fuge of lies," which, ere long, fhall be tumbled down, and bury them in its ruins.For awakening fuch perfons from their fatal fecurity, I have chofen this paffage of Holy Scripture, wherein the Apostle gives us a part of the cha

racter

racter of deceiving hypocrites, or rather, indeed, a comprehenfive defcription of them in few words: They have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. Their religion is a mere carcaís, a body without the foul, a lifelefs picture or image of godlinefs: they affume the garb and air of fanctity, but are ftrangers, nay, enemies, to the thing itself.--That the following difcourfe may be "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for "correction, and for inftruction in righteouf"nefs," I fhall, in the

First place, endeavour to open the nature of true godlinefs, and to fhew wherein the life and power of it confift.

Secondly, I fhall inquire, whence it is, that any who deny the power of godliness fhould fubmit to the drudgery of practising the forms of it?—and then point out the improvements which both faints and finners ought to make of this subject.

GODLINESS, in general, is the fubjection or devotedness of the foul to God himself. It is the practical acknowledgement of his unlimited fovereignty, and the unreferved dedication of the whole man to his fervice; or, to speak in the emphatical language of this Apostle, it is "Chrift "formed" in the heart, by the powerful energy of the Holy Spirit: in confequence whereof, the perfon becomes " a new creature," both with regard to his temper and practice; "he partakes "of the divine nature;" and "those members" which were formerly the "fervants of fin," are now employed as "inftruments of righteousness "unto God."

It is not a cold affent to the truths of religion; it is not a natural foftness and benevolence of temper;

temper; it is not the abftaining from grofs fins, or the giving to God a corner of our hearts, and fome vacant portions of our time, while the bulk of both is alienated from him,-that will intitle us to the character of godly men.--As he only is God, who is univerfal Lord, fupreme in wisdom, in power, and in goodness; fo that only is godlinefs which reveres and honours God, in a way fuited to that high and incommunicable character.-Genuine piety expreffeth itself thus: "Whom have I in heaven but thee, O Lord? "there is none upon earth that I defire befides "thee. We are not godly, whatever we profefs or feem, if, in our moft deliberate and affectionate choice, we do not prefer the one true God, and the enjoyment of his favour, to all that can be found throughout the wide extent of his works; if we make not his will the measure of ours, his law the fovereign guide of our conduct, and his glory the ultimate end of our obedience. But more particularly, in the

First place, Godliness includes a fupreme love to God himself, and a conftant prevailing defire to please him, mixed with a holy reverential awe, or fear of offending him. I have joined thefe together, because they appear to be of equal neceffity and ufe, to conftitute that frame and temper of mind wherein the effence of piety or true godliness doth confift.--Fear is necef fary to keep God in our eye: it is the office of love to enthrone him in our heart. Fear cautiously avoids whatever may offend: love yields a prompt and liberal fervice.--Fear regards God as a witnefs and judge: love cleaves to VOL. I.

F

him

him as a friend, nay a father.-Fear maketh us watchful and circumfpect: love renders us active and refolute.--In fhort, they go hand in hand, and mutually affift each other: Love keeps fear from being fervile and distrustful; and fear keeps love from being forward and fecure: and both fpring from one root, namely, Faith in God, as a Being poffeffed of infinite perfection, and related to us as our creator and governor, our redeemer, and our judge.

This distinguisheth true godliness from every counterfeit, or falfe appearance of it.--The feeming religioufnefs of the formalift, is either affumed to impofe upon the world, without any regard to God at all, or else it flows entirely from a tormenting fear of future wrath: in his heart there is an averfion from God and his fervice, at the very time he is profeffing to honour him with his body; reluctant, and hesitating at every step, he proceeds no farther in the road of duty, than he thinks may fuffice to efcape damnation: he doth more than he would do, were he not forced by neceffity; and if left to his own choice, he would rather live at large like the beafts that perish, and render no homage to God at all.

Secondly, The power of Godliness consists in the conqueft of our corrupt and rebellious paffions. Thefe indeed ftill live and fight within us; and will continue to do fo, in one degree or other, till death pull down these earthly tabernacles: but if we are truly fanctified, their ftrength fhall gradually languish and decay: victory is fown in that new nature we have göt; for whatfoever is born of God overcometh the " world: