Inward religion
In the preceding chapter our Lord has described inward religion in its various branches. He has laid before us those dispositions of soul which constitute real Christianity: the inward tempers contained in that holiness without which no one shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14), the affections which, when flowing from their proper fountain, from a living faith in God through Christ Jesus, are intrinsically and essentially good and acceptable to God. He proceeds to show in this chapter how all our actions likewise, even those that are indifferent in their own nature, may be made holy and good and acceptable to God by a pure and holy intention. Whatever is done without this, he declares at length, is of no value before God. Whereas whatever outward works are thus consecrated to God are in his sight of great price.
1771 text
1. IN the preceding chapter our Lord has described inward religion, in its various branches. He has laid before us those dispositions of soul, which constitute real Christianity: the inward tempers contained in that holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord; the affections which, when flowing from their proper fountain, from a living faith in God thro’ Christ Jesus, are intrinsically and essentially good, and acceptable to God. He proceeds to shew in this chapter, how all our actions likewise, even those that are indifferent in their own nature, may be made holy and good and acceptable to God, by a pure and holy intention. Whatever is done without this, he largely declares, is of no value before God. Whereas, whatever outward works are thus consecrated to God, they are in his sight of great price.