But, notwithstanding these differences, affections spiritually re- newed do cleave unto all spiritual things as such; for the true for- mal reason of their so doing is the same in them all,—namely, God in them: only they have several ways of acting themselves towards them, whereof I shall give one instance.
Our Saviour distributes spiritual things into those that are hea- venly and those that are earthly, that is comparatively so: John iii. 12, “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?”
The “heavenly things” are the deep:and mysterious counsels of the will of God. These renewed affections cleave unto with holy admi- ration and satisfactory submission, captivating the understanding unto what it cannot comprehend. .So the apostle declares it, Rom. xi, 33-36, “ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and know- ledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him.again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” What the mind cannot comprehend the heart doth admire and adore, delighting in God, and giving glory unto him in all.
The “earthly things” intended by our Saviour in that place are the work of God upon the souls of men in their regeneration, wrought here in the earth. Toward these the affections act themselves with delight and with great thanksgiving. The experience of the grace of God in and upon believers is sweet unto their souls. But one way or other they cleave unto them all; they have not a prevailing aver- sation unto any of them. They have a regard unto all God’s precepts, a delight in all his counsels, a love to himself and all his ways.
Whatever other change is wrought on the affections, if they be not spiritually renewed, it is not so with them; for as they do not cleave unto any spiritual things, in their own true proper nature, in a due manner, because of the evidences of the presence of God in them, so
CHAP. XIV.] DELIGHT IN THE DUTIES OF DIVINE WORSHIP. 423
there are always some of them whereunto those whose affections are not renewed do maintain an aversation and an enmity. And although this frame doth not instantly discover itself, yet it will do so upon any especial trial. So was it with the hearers of our Saviour, John vii There was a great impression made on their affections by what he taught them concerning “the bread of God, which came down from heaven and gave life unto the world;” for they cried thereon, “Lord, evermore give us this bread,” verse 34: but when the mystery of it was farther explained unto them, they liked it not, but cried, “This is an hard saying, who can hear it?” verse 60; and thereon fell off both from him and his doctrine, al- though they had followed him so long as to be esteemed his disciples, verse 66. I say, therefore, whensoever men’s affections are not re- newed, whatever other change may have been wrought upon them, as they have no true delight in any spiritual things or truths for themselves and in their own nature, so there are some instances wherein they will maintain their natural enmity and aversation unto them.
This is the first difference between affections spiritually renewed and those which, from any other causes, may have some kind of change wrought in them.
CHAPTER XIV.
The second difference between affections spiritually renewed and those which have been only changed by light and conviction—Grounds and reasons of men’s delight in duties of divine worship, and of their diligence in their performance, whose minds are not spiritually renewed.
THE second difference lieth herein, that there may be a change in the affections, wherein men may have delight in the duties of reli- gious worship and diligence in their observance; but rt ts the spire- tual renovation of the affections that gives delight in God through Christ, in any duty of religious worship whatever.
Where the truth of the gospel is known and publicly professed, there is great variety in the minds, ways, and practices, of men about the duties of religious worship. Many are profane in their minds and lives, who, practically at least, despise or wholly neglect the observance of them. These are stout-hearted and far from righteous- ness, Tit. i. 16. Some attend unto them formally and cursorily, from the principles of their education, and, it may be, out of some convictions they have of their necessity. But many there are who, in the way they choose and are pleased withal, are diligent in their observance, and that with great delight, who yet give no evidence
424. OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS, [PART IL
of the spiritual renovation of their minds; yea, the way whereby some express their devotion in them, being superstitious and idola- trous, is inconsistent with that or any other saving grace. This, there- fore, we must diligently inquire into, or search into the grounds and reasons of men’s delight in divine worship, according unto their convictions of the way of it, [while they] yet continue in their minds altogether unrenewed. And,— |