George Whitefield
Sermon 20
Worldly Business no Plea for the Neglect of Religion
Matthew 8:22, "Let the dead bury their dead."
St. Paul preaching at Athens, tells them, that as he passed by and
beheld their devotions, he perceived they were in all things too
superstitious. But was this apostle to rise, can come publishing the glad
tidings of salvation in any of our populous cities, he would see no reason
why he should charge the inhabitants with this; but rather as he passed by
and observed the tenor of their life, say, I perceive in all things ye are
two worldly-minded; ye are too eagerly bent on pursuing your lawful
business; so eagerly, as either wholly to neglect, or at least too
heedlessly to attend on the one thing needful.
There cannot then be a greater charity shown to the Christian world,
than to sound an alarm in their ears, and to warn them of the inexpressible
danger, of continually grasping after the things of this life, without
being equally, nay a thousand times more concerned for their well-being in
a future state.
And there is still the more occasion for such an alarm, because
worldly-mindedness so easily and craftily besets the hearts of men. For out
of a specious pretense of serving God in laboring for the meat which
perisheth, they are insensibly lulled into such a spiritual slumber, as
scarce to perceive their neglect to secure that which endureth to
everlasting life.
The words of the text, if not at first view, yet when examined and
explained, will be found applicable to this case, as containing an
admirable caution not to pursue the affairs of this world, at the expense
of our happiness in the next.
They are the words of Jesus Christ himself: the occasion of their
being spoken was this; As he was conversing with those that were gathered
round about him, he gave one of them an immediate summons to follow him:
but he, either afraid to go after such a persecuted master, or rather
loving this present world, says, "Suffer me first to go home and bury my
father," or, as most explain it, let me first go and dispatch some
important business I have now in hand. But Jesus said unto him, "Let the
dead bury their dead;" leave worldly business to worldly men, let thy
secular business be left undone, rather than thou shouldst neglect to
follow me.
Whether this person did as he was commanded, I know not; but this I
know, that what Christ said here is person, he has often whispered with the
small still voice of his holy Spirit, and said to many here present, that
rise up early and late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness, Come
draw off your affections from the things of this life; take up your cross
and follow me. But they, willing to justify themselves, make answer, Lord,
suffer us first to bury our fathers, or dispatch our secular affairs. I say
unto all such, "Let the dead bury their dead," let your worldly business be
left undone, rather than you should neglect to follow him.
From the words thus explained, naturally arises this proposition, that
no business, though ever so important, can justify a neglect of true
religion.
The truth of which I shall first show, and then make an application of
it.
I. FIRST then, I am to prove, that no temporal business, though ever
so important, can justify a neglect of true religion.
By the word religion, I do not mean any set of moral virtues, any
partial amendment of ourselves, or formal attendance on any outward duties
whatsoever: but an application of Christ's whole and personal
righteousness, made by faith to our hearts; a thorough real change of
nature wrought in us by the invisible, yet powerful operation of the Holy
Ghost, preserved and nourished in our souls by a constant use of all the
means of grace, evidenced by a good life, and bringing forth the fruits of
the Spirit.
This is true and undefiled religion, and for the perfecting this good
work in our hearts, the eternal Son of God came down and shed his precious
blood; for this end were we made, and sent into the world, and by this
alone can we become the sons of God. Were we indeed to judge by the common
practice of the world, we might think we were sent into it for no other
purpose, than to care and toil for the uncertain riches of this life: but
if we consult the lively oracles, they will inform us, that we were born
for nobler ends, even to be born again from above, to be restored to the
divine likeness by Jesus Christ, our second Adam, and thereby be made meet
to inherit the kingdom of heaven; and consequently, there is an obligation
laid upon all, even the most busy people, to secure this end; it being an
undeniable truth, that all creatures ought to answer the end for which they
were created.
Some indeed are for confining religion to the clergy, and think it
only belongs to those who serve at the altar; but what a fatal mistake is
this, seeing all persons are indifferently called by God to the same state
of inward holiness. As we are all corrupt in our nature, so must we all be
renewed and sanctified. And though it must be granted, that the clergy lie
under double obligations to be examples to believers, in faith, zeal,
charity, and whatever else s commendable and of good report, as being more
immediately dedicated to the service of God; yet as we have been all
baptized with one baptism into the death of Christ, we are all under the
necessity of performing our baptismal covenant, and perfecting holiness in
the fear of God: for the holy scriptures point out to us but one way of
admission into the kingdom of Christ, through the narrow gate of a sound
conversion: And he that does not enter into the sheepfold, whether clergy
or lay-men, by this door, will find, to his everlasting confusion, there is
no climbing up another way.
Besides, what a gross ignorance of the nature of true religion, as
well as of our own happiness, does such a distinction discover? For what
does our Savior, by willing us to be religious, require of us? But to
subdue our corrupt passions, to root out ill habits, to engraft the
heavenly graces of God's most holy Spirit in their room; and, in one word,
to fill us with all the fullness of God.
And will men be so much their own enemies, as to affirm this belongs
only to those who minister in holy things? Does it not equally concern the
most active man living? Is it the end of religion to make men happy, and is
it not every one's privilege to be as happy as he can? Do persons in
business find the corruptions of their nature, and disorder of their
passions, so pleasing, that they care not whether they ever regulate or
root them out? Or will they consent that ministers shall be alone partakers
of the inheritance of the saints in light? If not, as they desire the same
end, why will they not make use of the same means? Do they think that God
will create a new thing upon the earth, and, contrary to the purity of his
nature, and immutability of his counsel, admit them into heaven in their
natural state, because they have been encumbered about many worldly things?
Search the scriptures, and see if they give any room for such a groundless
hope.
But farther, one would imagine there was something of the highest
concern and utmost importance in our temporal affairs, that they should
divert so many from purifying their hearts by faith which is in Christ
Jesus.
A covetous miser, who neglects religion by being continually intent on
seeking great things for himself and those of his own household, flatters
himself he herein acts most wisely; and at the same time will censure and
condemn a young prodigal, who has no time to be devout, because he is so
perpetually engaged in wasting his substance by riotous living and
following of harlots. But yet a little while, and men will be convinced,
that they are as much without excuse who lost their souls by hunting after
riches, as those who lose them by hunting after sensual pleasures. For
though business may assume an air of importance, when compared with other
trifling amusements, yet when put in the balance with the loss of our
precious and immortal souls, it is equally frivolous, according to that of
our Savior, "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lost his own soul; or what shall a man give in exchange for ...
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