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Certainly, beloved, it will prove so in end, and it will prove so many times by the way, that blessed is that man whose God is the Lord, and who has that assurance wrought into their souls. And therefore, since there is no blessedness but that, and we say all of us that we would be at blessedness, it is our part to be drawing nearer to God, and to be making use of the means we have, whereby we may know him, while we have the opportunity. If we will be considering of this, the Lord will continue the means with us, and he will also supply what is deficient, for to him that has shall be given. But if we use not that which we have, and be seeking more of the outward means, it is but like the dealing of the hypocrite Jews, who cried, “The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” and yet, in the meantime, did not labor with their hearts to draw near to God. Surely the Lord will not take it in good part that we be crying for a reformation in the kirk, if in the meantime we be not crying also, and laboring earnestly, for a reformation into our own hearts: if there be any abomination and hypocrisy in the sight of God, this is it. They, I am sure, are more acceptable to God, who live in security and corruption, and yet sometimes are getting some drops of grace, than these who have the means of God’s worship and of their own salvation in purity, and does not make use of them. And, therefore, let us acknowledge this to be our guiltiness, for what can we do more to have religion and the means of God’s worship kept in purity among us? Yet what better is the greater part of you, in your life and conduct, than you were at the beginning? This is nothing else but only to seek to have the means, but not to make use of them: this is not to draw near to God, and to know how great a favor it is to have God for your Lord. This, indeed, is your guiltiness, all of you; and it is the greatest guiltiness that can be, for it is the contemning and despising of the gospel. And what shall we do to get this mended? For there is a remedy for the breach of the law, to run to Christ in the gospel; but when we have slighted the gospel, where shall we run then for expiation? Is this enough, think we, to serve God at our hours, upon our days, and as we please, according as our carnal and fleshly minds says to us, and not according to the rule which God has set down? This, indeed, is not the way of God’s children; but if you would serve God aright, you must deny yourselves, and whatever he directs you to do, follow that. Thus shall there be honor to God, good example to others, and comfort to your own souls.