04. Because he professes more than others

A spot in scarlet, is worse than a stain in russet.

3. Another reason why Christians do more than others, is, Because they profess more than others.

Though there be many professors who are not true believers; yet there are no true believers but what are professors. As trees are known by their fruits, so believers are known by their works. Such as have received Christ's bounty, are unwilling to fight under Satan's banner.

There are many who profess to know God, but in works deny him; being abominable, disobedient, and to every good work reprobate. Man is not what he says, but what he does. For a man to say what he does, and not to do what he says, is to resemble those trees which are full of leaves but void of fruits—those barns, wherein there is much chaff, but no grain. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.

Ah, how intolerable will the punishment of those professors be, who have appeared as burnished gold to men, and are found only base metal in the sight of God! What will it profit, to put off the old manners, and not put off the old man? A snake may change its skin, and yet preserve its sting. The gospel professed, may lift a man unto heaven; but it is only the gospel possessed, that brings a man into heaven. To profess piety, and yet to practise impiety, will be so far from advancing a man's commendation, that it will assuredly heighten his condemnation.

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say? As if he had said, Either keep my words more, or else call me Lord no more; either take me into your lives, or cast me out of your lips.—As princes disdain to have their images on base counterfeits, so the Lord Jesus cannot delight to see his name on rotten hypocrites. Therefore he saith, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from all iniquity. If godliness be evil, why is it so much professed? if it be good, why is it so little practised?

Who hath saved, and called us with an holy calling. Now a holy calling will be attended with a holy carriage. Many may be found who can talk of grace, but very few can be found who taste of grace. It is not every one who looks like a Christian, that lives like a Christian. For there are some who make their boast of the law; and yet through breaking of the law they dishonour God. It is a greater glory to us that we are allowed to serve God, than it is to him that we offer him that service. He is not rendered happy by us; but we are made happy by him. He can do without such earthly servants; but we cannot do without such a heavenly master.

It is unnatural for a Christian's tongue to be larger than his hand. It is lamentable for him to hold a lamp to others, and yet to walk in darkness himself. There are generally more infected by the undue conduct of some, than there are instructed by the righteous doctrines of others. He that gives proper precepts, and then sets improper examples, resembles that foolish person who labours hard to kindle a fire, and when he has done it, throws cold water upon it to quench it. Though such a physician may administer the reviving cordial to some fainting disciple, yet he is in danger himself of dying in a swoon. I may say of such professors as was once said of a certain preacher, 'That when he was in the pulpit, it was a pity he should ever leave it, he was so excellent an instructor; but when he was out of it, it was a pity he should ever ascend it again, he was so wretched a liver.'

Many people are offended with the profession of religion, because all are not religious who make a profession. A little consideration will correct this error. Does the sheep despise its fleece, because the wolf has worn it? Who blames a crystal river, because some melancholy men have drowned themselves in its streams? The best drugs have their adultrates. And will you refuse opiate, because some have wantonly poisoned themselves with it? Though you have been cozened with false colours, yet you should not disesteem that which is dyed in grain. He is a bad economist who, having a spot in his garment, cuts off the cloth, instead of rubbing off the dirt. God rejects all religion, but his own.

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