DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3689#0214
must leave it to them, to be redeemed by the death and resur-
rection of Christ. For it is the express doctrine of the text,
that for this end Christ died and rose again, that none of us
should live to himself. It is not that Priests, or Apostles, or
Monks, or Hermits, should live no longer to themselves; but
that none of us, that is, no Christian of what state soever, should
live unto himself.
If therefore there be any instances of piety, any rules of devo-
tion, which you can neglect, and yet live as truly unto Christ, as
if you observed them, this text calls you to no such devotion.
But if you forsake such devotion, as you yourself know is
expected from some particular sorts of people; such devotion
as you know becomes people that live wholly unto Christ, that
aspire after great piety ; if you neglect such devotion for any
worldly consideration, that you may live more to your own
temper and taste, more to the fashions and ways of the world,
you forsake the terms on which all Christians are to receive the
benefit of Christ's death and resurrection.
Observe further how the same doctrine is taught by St.
Peter ; ' As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in
'all manner of conversation.'*
If, therefore, Claudius, you are one of those that are here
called, you see what it is that you are called to. It is not to
have so much religion as suits with your temper, your business,
or your pleasures, it is not to a particular sort of piety, that may
be sufficient for Gentlemen of figure and estates ; but it is first,
to be ' holy, as He which hath called you is holy '; secondly, it is
to be thus holy in all manner of conversation ; that is, to carry
this spirit and degree of holiness into every part, and through
the whole form of your life.
And the reason the Apostle immediately gives, why this spirit
of holiness must be the common spirit of Christians, as such,
is very affecting, and such as equally calls upon all sorts of
Christians. ' Forasmuch as ye know,' says he, ' that ye were
'■ not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,
' from your vain conversation,—but with the precious blood
• of Christ,' &c.
As if he had said, Forasmuch as ye know ye were made
capable of this state of holiness, entered into a society with
Christ, and made heirs of his glory, not by any human means,
but by such a mysterious instance of love, as infinitely exceeds
everything that can be thought of in this world ; since God has
redeemed you to himself, and your own happiness, at so great
* i Peter i. 15.
rection of Christ. For it is the express doctrine of the text,
that for this end Christ died and rose again, that none of us
should live to himself. It is not that Priests, or Apostles, or
Monks, or Hermits, should live no longer to themselves; but
that none of us, that is, no Christian of what state soever, should
live unto himself.
If therefore there be any instances of piety, any rules of devo-
tion, which you can neglect, and yet live as truly unto Christ, as
if you observed them, this text calls you to no such devotion.
But if you forsake such devotion, as you yourself know is
expected from some particular sorts of people; such devotion
as you know becomes people that live wholly unto Christ, that
aspire after great piety ; if you neglect such devotion for any
worldly consideration, that you may live more to your own
temper and taste, more to the fashions and ways of the world,
you forsake the terms on which all Christians are to receive the
benefit of Christ's death and resurrection.
Observe further how the same doctrine is taught by St.
Peter ; ' As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in
'all manner of conversation.'*
If, therefore, Claudius, you are one of those that are here
called, you see what it is that you are called to. It is not to
have so much religion as suits with your temper, your business,
or your pleasures, it is not to a particular sort of piety, that may
be sufficient for Gentlemen of figure and estates ; but it is first,
to be ' holy, as He which hath called you is holy '; secondly, it is
to be thus holy in all manner of conversation ; that is, to carry
this spirit and degree of holiness into every part, and through
the whole form of your life.
And the reason the Apostle immediately gives, why this spirit
of holiness must be the common spirit of Christians, as such,
is very affecting, and such as equally calls upon all sorts of
Christians. ' Forasmuch as ye know,' says he, ' that ye were
'■ not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,
' from your vain conversation,—but with the precious blood
• of Christ,' &c.
As if he had said, Forasmuch as ye know ye were made
capable of this state of holiness, entered into a society with
Christ, and made heirs of his glory, not by any human means,
but by such a mysterious instance of love, as infinitely exceeds
everything that can be thought of in this world ; since God has
redeemed you to himself, and your own happiness, at so great
* i Peter i. 15.