The Danger of Self-security.
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As great serenity of weather is a presage of an earthquake and whirlwind; so great security of life, awfully portends the soul's earthquake, trembling and astonishment of spirit. He who is formal and self-secure, is raising his building upon a foundation of sand, which will meet with a dreadful overthrow. A man who is only brought out of open profaneness, into outward profession; who has taken down the frame of his gross iniquity, to exhibit a superficial form of piety; who has covered his face with the mask of religion—is sleeping the sleep of death! For while he thinks that he is well, he will not seek to be better; so that he slumbers away his time, until he hears the midnight cry, and then he awakes, and sees the bridge of mercy drawn up, and the gates of heaven closed!
See with what confidence these formalists in the gospel came to Christ under the relation of servants! "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out devils, etc." They made no question of salvation—but presented their worksas if they would command wages. But hear Christ's answer, "Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you!" "What, Lord! never knew us? That is strange! Have we not heard your word, received your sacraments, and relieved your members? Have we not spoken for you, and prayed to you, and done many things in your name—yet did you never know us?" "No!" says Christ, "I never knew you—but with an utter and absolute rejection! I never approved of you in your specious ways, and glorious shows, in which you prided yourselves; because all was done in formality—and nothing in sincerity; therefore depart from me!"
They little thought of such an awful expulsion, such a dreadful separation. The external Christian, because he has reformed in some things, and performs many duties; concludes, like Agag, that the bitterness of death is past. He arms himself with smooth imaginations, and deceitful apprehensions, until he is hewn asunder before the Lord. Lord, may I not only name your name—but depart from all iniquity.