re many different
dispositions and conditions of men, there are generally one of two. Some
have a kind of abstinence from many gross sins and are called civil honest
men,--they can abide an inquest and censure of all their neighbours, they
can say no ill of them. But alas, there is as little good to be said; he
drinks not, swears not, whores not, steals not. Nay, but what doth he
well? Alas, the world cannot tell what he doth, for he prays not in
secret, nor in his family,--he is void of some offences towards men, but
there are many duties called to, towards both God and men, he is a
stranger to. He oppresses not the poor, nay, but he is not charitable
either to give to them, he defrauds no man, but whom helps he by his
means? Again, there are others, they will boast of some things done, they
pray, they keep the church well, they do many good turns, and yet for all
that, they do not cease to do evil. They were drunkards, so they are, they
can swear for all their prayers, are given to contention, to lying, to
filthiness, &c. Now, I say, neither of these religions is pure and
undefiled. Religion is a thorough and entire change, it is like a new
creation, that must destroy the first subject, to get place for that which
is to come. It is a putting off old garments, to put on new, the putting
off an old form and engraven image, to make place for a new engraving. Men
do not put a seal above a seal, but deface the old, and so put on the new,
men do not put new clothes upon the old, but put the old off, and so they
have place for the new. Religion must have a naked man. Godliness is a new
suit, that will not go on upon so many lusts, no, no, it is more meet and
more conformed unto the inwards of the soul than so. The cold must go out
as the heat comes in. Many men do not change their garments, but mend
them, put some new pieces unto them. They retain their old lusts, their
heart idols, and they will add unto these a patch of some external
obedience, but alas, is this godliness? Hypocrisy will be content of a
mixture,--sin is the harlot, whose heart could endure to see the child
parted. It can give God a part, to get leave to brook the most part; sin
will give God liberty to take some of the outward man, if it keep the
heart and soul. But God will not reckon on these terms, he will have all
the man or nothing, for he is the righteous owner. True godliness cannot
mix so, but false and counterfeit may do it well. Other men, again,