Psalm 15:5 He that puts not out his money to usury, nor takes reward against the innocent. He that does these things shall never be moved. Religion consists in action; the truth and power of piety lie in practice. "He that DOTH these things." Prove — (1) From the subject of religion, the mind, heart, soul of man. Actions are the best expressers of the mind. (2) From the nature of the covenant betwixt God and us. Action is the condition on our part. (3) From the manner of procedure on the great day of accounts, when the eternal retributions shall be adjusted to men according to their works. It is not a bare external profession which many poor ignorant souls content themselves with that will serve the turn. A Christian profession, without a life answerable, will be so far from saving anyone that it will highly aggravate his condemnation. There are those who think it enough barely to believe, and take faith alone to be the only Gospel term, and of itself all sufficient for salvation. Faith is, however, not a strong fancy or a rash presumption. Faith is no unactive principle, but a stirring grace that purges and purifies the heart, the source of actions and works by love. He that would be sure of his justification by faith must first be sure to justify his faith by his works. If faith will not do, much less can opinion. It cannot be imagined that any system of notions swimming in the brain should bear us out, and help us to attain our end. What shall we say of those whose whole religion is built upon uncertainty, and whose main principle is irresolution? Neither can I approve the ordinary mode of some that pretend to more than ordinary piety, to place all religion in the ear, that take up so much of their time in hearing that they have scarce leisure to practise. It is not lining the ears, nor tipping the tongue with religious discourses that will do the business. Neither preaching nor prayer of themselves will do. We must work as well as pray. A word must be said of the "well wishers," who rest upon their good intentions, and take it for a sufficient ground for them to hope well because they mean well. This harmless "meaning well" is not enough to approve a man's spiritual state, or acquit his obligations. (Adam Littleton, D. D.). Parallel Verses KJV: He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. |
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