Page:Dissertation on family worship, or, A guide, to domestic happiness.pdf/15

 pentrates the soul, the wheels of obedience move with celerity: but when it is wanting, every duty, if not neglected, will be indifferently informed. If Christians, therefore be not spiritual in their conversation, unreserved in in obedience to the commands of God, & have in the performance of every duty, it evident that their souls are barren, & their profession, however specious, dwindled into sin. Such men, Philetus, are no ornament but a discredit to religion; and if saved best, it will be, as the apostle expresses it, here. Circumspection was perhaps never be necessary than in the present age, in order to guard against an evil so prevalent and common in the christian world. It is certain the most diligent attendance on the duty of religion can neither merit nor command any blessing; but it is equally certain almost every spiritual, and even temporally is communicated not by the neglect, in the use of means. To use these means duty, the work, and privilege of man; convey a blessing, the work and prerogative of God.