The Stoop of Grace (Part 2)
To live soberly, righteously, and godly, the Christian practice is not made up of “don’ts” alone there must be doing good as well as eschewing evil. (CCC HYMN 13 verse 1 line 3) is sincerity proved and the gospel adorned. We should live soberly with respect to ourselves, in the due government of our appetites and passions, keeping the limits of moderation and temperance, avoiding all inordinate excesses and live righteously towards all men, rendering to all their due, and injuring none, but rather doing good to others, according to our ability and their need: this seems a part of justice and righteousness, for we are not born for ourselves alone, and therefore may not live to ourselves only. We are members one of another, and must seek every man another’s wealth(well-being), 1 Corinthians 10:24 . The public, especially, which includes the interests of all, must have regards for all. Selfishness is a sort of unrighteousness it robs others of that share in us which is their due.
How amiable then will a just and righteous conduct be? It secures and promotes all interests, not particular only, but general and public, and so contributes to the peace and happiness of the world. Live righteously therefore as well as soberly. And godly towards God, in the duties of his worship and service. Regards to him indeed should run through all. Whether you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God, 1 Corinthians 10:31. Personal and relative duties must be done in obedience to his commands, with due aim at pleasing and honoring him, from principles of holy love and fear of him. But there is an express and direct duty also that we owe to God, namely, belief and acknowledgment of his being and perfections, paying him internal and external worship and homage, loving, fearing, and trusting in him, depending on him, and devoting ourselves to him, observing all those religious duties and ordinances that he has appointed, praying to him, praising him, and meditating on his word and works. This is godliness, looking and coming to God, as our state now is, not immediately, but as he has manifested himself in Christ so does the gospel direct and require. To go to God in any other way, namely, by saints or angels, is unsuitable, contrary to the gospel teachings.
All communications from God to us are through his Son, and our returns must also be through him.
God in Christ we must look at as the object of our hope and worship. Thus must we exercise ourselves to godliness, without which there can be no adorning of that gospel which is according to it, a gospel conversation must needs be a godly conversation, expressing our love and fear and reverence of God, our hope and trust and confidence in him, as manifested in his Son. We are the circumcision (who have in truth what was signified by that sacrament) who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. See in how small a compass our duty is comprised it is put into few words, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. The gospel teaches us not only how to believe and hope well, but also to live well, as becomes that faith and hope in this present world, and as expectant of another and better. There is the world that now is, and that which is to come. The present is the time and place of our trial, and the gospel teaches us to live well here, not, however, as our final state, but with an eye chiefly to a future: for it teaches us in all.