? Hath not every beast and every bird its own outward
shape, outward gesture, and voice, and external workings, which declare
the inward nature of it? And is not this a staple, known rule in nature,
that every thing is known by the effects of it, a lion by his roaring, a
lark by its singing, a horse by his neighing, and an ox by his lowing? &c.
All these speak forth nothing but sincerity, insomuch, that if these marks
and signs should be confounded, and beasts use them indifferently, all
human knowledge should suddenly fall to nothing, this would put such a
confusion both in the world and mankind. O how doth this condemn those who
pretend to this high calling of Christianity! And yet there is no way left
to discern them by, nothing appearing in them, and ordinarily proceeding
from them, which may give a signification of the inward truth of their
fellowship with God, but rather that which gives a demonstration of the
vanity of the pretension. There were no consent in nature, if that were
not, neither is there any harmonious agreement in religion, where this
proportion and correspondence is not kept in a man's life. The very
heathens did not account them philosophers, but those that expressed their
doctrines in works, as well as words, and truly, the liveliest image of
truth is in practice. They commended them that were sparing in words, and
abundant in deeds, who had short speeches, but long and large discourses
in their life. And what is this, but that which our Saviour everywhere,
from his own example inculcates upon us? These words are emphatic, to _do
the truth_, to _walk in the light_, to _do his words_, to _believe with
the heart_, and such like, all which declare, that in so far we have the
truth and have fellowship with the Light as it is impressed in the
affection, and expressed again in the conversation. For the infinite truth
and the infinite life is one, and the original Light and primitive life
and love is one too and whoever truly receives the truth and light as it
is, cannot but receive him as the living truth and life giving Light and
so be heated and warmed inwardly by his beams, which will certainly cause
some stirring and working without. Forasmuch is in nature heat is always
working so is the fire of love kindled in the heart, incessant that way
"Faith worketh by love." For action is the very life of life, that which
both shows it and preserves it.

Now what shall we say, to carry these things home to y