Any devotion that is not to the greater advantage of him that uses it, than any thing he can do in the room of it; any devotion that does not procure an infinitely greater good, than can be got by neglecting it, is yielded up.
But if people will live in so much ignorance, as never to put these questions to themselves, but push on a blind life at all chances, in quest of they don’t know what, or why; without ever considering the worth, or value, or tendency of their actions; without considering what God, reason, eternity, and their own happiness requires of them: it is for the honour of devotion that none can neglect it, but those who are thus inconsiderate, who dare not enquire after that which is the best and most worthy of their choice.
4. *It is true, Claudius, you are a man of figure and estate, and are to act the part of such a station in life; you are not called, as Elijah was, to be a prophet, or as St. Paul, to be an apostle.
But will you therefore not love yourself? Will you not seek and study your own happiness?
You would think it very absurd for a man not to value his own health, because he was not a [♦]physician; or the preservation of his limbs, because he was not a bone-setter: yet it is more absurd for you, Claudius, to neglect the improvement of your soul, because you are not an apostle, or a bishop.
[♦] ‘physycian’ replaced with ‘physician’
*Consider, we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad, 2 Cor. v. 10. Now, if your estate would excuse you from appearing before this judgment-seat; if your figure could protect you from receiving according to your works, there would be some pretence for your leaving devotion to other people: but if you, who are now thus distinguished, must then appear naked amongst common souls, without any other distinction from others, but such as your virtues or sins give you, does it not as much concern you, as any prophet, or apostle, to make the best provision for that great day?
Consider the words of St. Peter, As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, 1 Pet. i. 15.
If therefore, Claudius, you are one of those 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 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, that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation,—but with the precious blood of Christ.