And this form of godliness, as it is of very easy compliance with flesh and blood in this particular, in that according to this men only make their actions new, retaining still their old natures, so it is also of great credit and esteem with carnal preachers. How little is there, among all our plenty, of that preaching which is not in the plausible words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power! How few congregations among the many that are in this kingdom are gathered together in the spirit and power of our Lord Jesus Christ! How few of those Christians are there, in whom is the exceeding greatness of God’s power, together with the effectual working of it! But the form of godliness is now become almost the covering of all flesh and in these days of light and knowledge, it is accounted by all that are not downright Atheists, a great shame not “to seem to be religious.” And when men, and families, and congregations, are gotten into this form, they think themselves both safe and happy, as being near the suburbs of the kingdom of God, and close neighbors to the saints. How seldom do we see in Christians, in the discharge of their several duties, more than the power of men the greatest part by far, not only of those who are called Christians, but also of forward professors, being ignorant of what it is to be strengthened with might in the inner man. How few persons shall we find in Christendom who live and act in the strength of God! Generally, men do whatever they do in their own strength and that not only in human things, but in divine. The farm of godliness is very common in these days of ours but the power of it is very rare.
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