234 THE NATURE AND POWER OF INDWELLING SIN.
fore, as unto this head of our discourse, the consideration of the charge of the mind in reference unto particular duties and sins; and in the consideration of it we shall do these two things: 1. Show what is required in the mind of a believer in reference unto particular duties. 2. Declare the way of the working of the deceit of sin, to draw it off from its attendance thereunto. The like also shall be done with respect unto particular sins, and their avoidance : —
1. For the right performance of any duty, it is not enough that the thing itself required be performed, but that it be universally squared and fitted unto the rule of it. Herein lies the great duty of the mind, — namely, to attend unto the rule of duties, and to take care that all the concernments of them be ordered thereby. Our progress in obedience is our edification or building. Now, it is but a very little furtherance unto a building, that a man bring wood and stones, and heap them up together without order; they must be hewed and squared, and fitted by line and rule, if we intend to build. Nor is it unto any advantage unto our edification in faith and obedience that we multiply duties, if we heap them upon one another, if we order and dispose them not according to rule; and therefore doth God expressly reject a multitude of duties, when not universally suited unto the rule: Isa. i. 11, "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices?" and, verse 14, ''They are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them." And therefore all acceptable obedience is called a proceeding according unto "rule," Gal. vi. 16; it is a canonical or reg-ular obedience. As letters in the alphabet heaped together signify nothing, unless they are disposed into their proper order, no more do our duties without this disposal. That they be so is the great duty of the mind, and which with all diligence it is to attend unto: Eph. v. 15, " Walk circumspectly," exactly, accurately, that is, diligently, in all things ; take heed to the rule of what you do. We walk in duties, but we walk circumspectly in this attention of the mind.
(1 .) There are some special things which the rule directs unto that the mind is to attend in every duty. As, —
[1.] That, as to the inatter of it, it be full and complete. Under the law no beast was allowed to be a sacrifice that had any member wanting, any defect of parts. Such were rejected, as well as those that were lame or blind. Duties must be complete as to the parts, the matter of them. There may be such a part of the price kept back as may make the tendering of all the residue unacceptable, Saul sparing Agag and the fattest of the cattle, rendered the destroy- ing of all the rest useless. Thus, when men will give alms, or per- form other sei'vices, but not unto the proportion that the nde re- quireth, and which the mind by diligent attention unto it might dis- cover, the whole duty is vitiated.
THE MIND DIVERTED FROM PARTICULAR DUTIES BY SIN. 235
[2.] As to the principle of it, — namely, that it be done in faith, and therein by an actual derivation of strength from Christ, John XV. 5, without whom we can do nothing. It is not enough that the person be a belie^•er, though that be necessary unto every good work, Eph. ii. 10, but also that faith be peculiarly acted in every duty that we do ; for our whole obedience is the " obedience of faith," Rom. i. 5^ — that is, which the doctrine of faith requireth, and which the grace of faith beareth or bringeth forth. So Christ is expressly said to be "our life," Col. iii. 4, our spiritual hfe; that is, the spring, author, and cause of it. Now, as in life natural, no vital act can be performed but by the actual operation of the principle of life itself; so, in life spiritual, no spiritually- vital act, — that is, no duty accept- able to God. — can be perform.ed but by the actual working of Christ, who is our life. And this is no other way derived unto us but by faith; whence saith the apostle. Gal. ii. 20, " Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God." Not only was Christ his life, a living principle unto him, but he led a life, — that is, discharged vital actions in all duties of holiness and obedience, — by the faith of the Son of God, or in him, deriving sup- plies of grace and strength from him thereby. This, therefore, ought a believer diligently to attend unto, — namely, that everything he doth to God be done in the strength of Christ ; which wherein it consisteth ought diligently to be inquired into by all who intend to walk -with God.
[3.] In this respect unto rule, the manner of the performance of every duty is to be regarded. Now, there are two things in the man- ner of the performance of any duty which a believer, who is trusted with spiritual light, ought to attend unto : —