'Let not the word heaven be in our mouths only; let it be in our

hearts. Let us do the will of God on earth, as it is done in heaven; and then we shall make it appear, that the kingdom of God is come, that it is come into us.

'Christians then live as such, when their life approaches nearer to the life of angels, and blessed saints; when a life of purity and holiness, a life of entire resignation and obedience to the divine will, is their nature and element, their choice and delight.' — Dr. John Worthington.

THE

NATURE AND EXCELLENCY

OF

THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

PART I.

THE OCCASION OF THIS DISCOURSE.

My dear Friend,

THIS designation gives you a title to all the endeavours whereby I can serve your interests; and your pious inclinations so happily conspire with my duty, that I need not step out of my road to gratify you. I may, at once, perform an office of friendship, and discharge an exercise of my function; since the advancing of virtue and holiness (which I hope you make your greatest study) is the peculiar business of my employment. This, therefore, is the most proper instance wherein I can vent my affection, and express my gratitude towards you; and I shall not any longer delay the performance of the promise I made you, to this purpose. For, though I know that you are provided with better helps of this nature, than any I can offer; and that you are not likely to meet with any thing here, which you knew not before; yet I

B

am hopeful, that what comes from one whom you are pleased to honour with your friendship, and which is more particularly designed for your use, will be kindly accepted by you; and God's providence, perhaps, may so direct my thoughts, that something or other may prove useful to you. Nor shall I doubt your pardon, if, in order to mould my discourse into the better frame, I lay a low foundation, beginning with the nature and properties of religion; and all along give such way to my thoughts, in the prosecution of the subject, as may bring me to say many things which were not necessary, did I only consider to whom I am writing.

MISTAKES ABOUT RELIGION.

I cannot speak of religion, without lamenting, that, among so many pretenders to it, so few understand what it means. Some place it in the understanding, in orthodox notions and opinions: and all the account they can give of their religion, is, that they are of this or the other persuasion, and have joined themselves to one of those many sects, into which Christendom is most unhappily divided. Others place it in the outward man, in a constant course of external duties: if they live peaceably with their neighbours, keep a temperate diet, observe the returns of worship, frequent the church, or their closet, and sometimes extend their hands to the relief of the poor, they think they have suffi. ciently acquitted themselves. Others, again, place all religion in the affections, in rapturous heats and ecstatic devotion: and all they aim at, is, to pray with passion, to think of heaven with pleasure, and

to be affected with those kind and melting expressions wherewith they court their Saviour; till they persuade themselves that they are mightily in love with him, and, from thence, assume a great confidence of their salvation, which confidence, they esteem the chief of Christian graces. Thus, are those things which have any semblance of piety, and which, at the best, are but means of obtaining it, or particular exercises of it, frequently mistaken for the whole of religion; nay, sometimes wickedness and vice pretend to that name. I speak not now of those gross impieties, wherewith the heathen were wont to worship their gods: there are but too many Christians, who would consecrate their vices, and hallow their corrupt affections; whose rugged humour, and sullen pride, must pass for Christian severity; whose fierce wrath, and bitter rage against their enemies, must be called holy zeal; whose petulancy towards their superiors, or rebellion against their governors, must have the name of Christian courage and resolution.

WHAT RELIGION IS.

But, certainly, religion is quite another thing: and they who are acquainted with it, will entertain far different thoughts, and disdain all those shadows and false imitations of it. They know by experience, that true religion is an union of the soul with God, a real participation of the divine nature, the very image of God drawn upon the soul; or in the apostle's phrase, it is Christ formed within us. Briefly, I know not how the nature of religion can be more fully expressed, than by calling it a divine

*

life. And under these terms I shall discourse of it showing, first how it is called a life; and then, how it is termed divine.

ances.

ITS PERMANENCY AND STABILITY.

I chuse to express it by the name of life: first, because of its permanency and stability. Religion is not a sudden start, or passion of the mind; not though it should rise to the height of a rapture, and seem to transport a man to extraordinary performThere are few who have not convictions of the necessity of doing something for the salvation of their souls, which may push them forward some steps, with a great deal of seeming haste. But anon they flag and give over: they were in a hot mood, but now they are cooled; they did shoot forth fresh and high, but are quickly withered - because they had no root in themselves. These sudden fits may be compared to the violent and convulsive motions of bodies newly beheaded, caused by the agitations of the animal spirits, after the soul is departed; which, however violent and impetuous, can be of no long continuance: whereas the motions of holy souls are constant and regular, proceeding from a permanent and lively principle. It is true, this divine life continues not always in the same strength and vigour; it many times suffers sad decays; and holy men often find greater difficulty in resist

*Such a life and knowledge as this is, peculiarly belongs to the true and sober Christian: who lives in him, who is life itself; and is enlightened by him, who is the truth itself; and is made partaker of the divine unction, and "knoweth all things," as St. John speaks. This life is nothing else, but God's own breath within him, and an infant-Christ, if I may use the expression, formed in his soul.' -John Smith. Select Discourses, p. 24..- ED.