3. *We may learn from hence, in the _third_ place, what is the proper nature of religion, of the religion of Jesus Christ. It is Θεραπεία ψυχῆς· God’s method of healing a soul which is _thus diseased_. Hereby the great Physician of souls applies medicines to heal _this sickness_; to restore human nature, totally corrupted in all its faculties. God heals all our Atheism, by the knowledge of himself, and of Jesus Christ whom he hath sent; by giving us faith, a divine evidence and conviction of God and of the things of God: in particular, of this important truth, Christ loved _me_, and gave himself for _me_. By repentance and lowliness of heart, the deadly disease of pride is healed: that of self-will by resignation, a meek and thankful submission to the will of God. And for the love of the world in all its branches, the love of God is the sovereign remedy. Now this is properly religion, _faith_ thus _working by love_, working the genuine, meek humility, entire deadness of the world, with a loving, thankful acquiescence in and conformity to the whole will and word of God. 4. Indeed if man were not thus fallen, there would be no need of all this. There would be no occasion for this work of the heart, this _renewal in the spirit of our mind_. The _superfluity of godliness_ would then be a more proper expression than the _superfluity of naughtiness_. For an outside religion without any godliness at all, would suffice to all rational intents and purposes. It does accordingly suffice, in the judgment of those who deny this corruption of our nature. They make very little more of religion than the famous Mr. _Hobbes_ did of reason. According to him, reason is only, “A well-ordered train of words:” according to them, religion is only a well-ordered train of words and actions. And they speak consistently with themselves: for if the inside be not _full of wickedness_, if this be clean already, what remains, but to _cleanse the outside of the cup_? Outward reformation, if their supposition be just, is indeed the one thing needful.