n, of your own flesh, but must have a spirit to serve him.
Alas! what are we doing with such empty names and shows of religion?
Busied with the outside of worship only, as if we had none to do with but
men who have eyes of flesh. All that we do in this kind is lost labour,
and will never be reckoned up in the account of true worship. I am sure
you know and may reflect upon yourselves, that you make religion but a
matter of outward fashion and external custom; you have never almost taken
it to heart in earnest. You may frequent the ordinances,--you may have a
form of godliness consisting in some outward performances and
privileges,--and O, how void and destitute of all spirit, and life, and
power! Not to speak of the removal of affection and the employing of the
marrow of your soul upon base lusts and creatures, or the scattering of
your desires abroad amongst them, for that is too palpable, even your very
thoughts and minds are removed from this business, you have nothing
present but an ear, or eye, and your minds are about other business, your
desires, your fears, your joys, and delights, your affections, never did
run in the channel of religious exercises, all your passion is vented in
other things. But here you are blockish and stupid, without any sensible
apprehension of God, his mercy, or justice, or wrath, or of your own
misery and want. You sorrow in other things, but none here, none for sin!
You joy for other things, but none here, you cannot rejoice at the gospel!
Prayer is a burden, not a delight. If your spirits were chiefly employed
in religious duties, religion would be almost your element, your pleasure
and recreation; but now it is wearisome to the flesh, because the spirit
taketh not the chief weight upon it. O! "be not deceived, God is not
mocked." You do but mock yourselves with external shows, while you are
satisfied with them. I beseech you, look inwardly, and be not satisfied
with the outward appearance, but ask at thy soul, where it is, and how it
is. Retire within, and bring up thy spirit to this work. I am sure you may
observe that any thing goes more smoothly and sweetly with you than the
worship of God, because your mind is more upon any thing else. I fear the
most part of us who endeavour, in some measure, to seek God, have too much
dross of outward formality, and much scum of filthy hypocrisy and guile.
O! pray that the present furnace may purge away this scum. It is the great
ground of God's pr