Page:Duty of redeeming the time in evil days, illustrated and enforced.pdf/11

Rh Bereans, who were "more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so," Acts xvii. 11.

3dly, Labour to be experimental Christians, to feel the power of truth in your own souls; "to know Christ, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death," Phil. iii. 10 Raw unfelt notions in the head are easily parted with in a day of trial; but experience of the power of truth rivets in the heart which is the true reason why many simple men and women hold fast the truth, when learned divines let it go; for all the human learning in the world will not give men such a hold of the truth as Christian experience will give. These duties the case of our day calls for at all hands.

But for your further direction, as to what is your duty at this day, when the harmony in the song of the watchmen is marred, and some are destroying what others build up, and a spirit of error is undoubtedly gone forth, I would say,

(1.) Be not ye unconcerned with the public state of affairs in that point. For the honour of God and the cause of truth, lie at stake: and there is a wo denounced against such careless ones, Amos vi. l. "Wo to them that are at ease in Zion.” Some, if they get their own worldly affairs right, they are little concerned to know what way it goes with the church and interest of Christ; they think it none of their business, Phil ii. 21. "For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.” Some, from a profane and wicked principal of looseness, look on the confusions of the day with satisfaction, saying in their hearts, Aha, so would we have it, like the children of Edom, who said in the day of Jerusalem's distress, "Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof," Psal. cxxxvii. 7. Others shew concern about them; but the great thing with them is, thereby to gratify their curiosity, or some particular humour of theirs: but their hearts are not affected with them as kindly children of Zion.

But I would advise you to a cordial concern, in your most secret retirements before the Lord, in these matters.