1. Men may be greatly affected with the outward part of divine worship, and the manner of the performance thereof, who have no delight in what is internal, real, and spiritual therein: John vy. 35, “ He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.” So, many were delighted im the preaching of Ezekiel, because of his eloquence and the elegancy of his parables, chap. xxxiii.-31, 82. This gave them both delight and dili- gence in hearing, whereon they called themselves the people of God, though they continued to live in sin; their hearts went after covet- ousness. The same may befall many at present with reference unto the spiritual gifts of those by whom the word of God is dispensed. I deny not but that men may be more delighted, more satisfied, with the gifts, the preaching, of one than another, and yet be sincere in their delight in the dispensation of the word; for they may find more spiritual advantage thereby than in the gifts of others, and things so prepared as to be more suited unto their edification than else- where: but that which at present we insist on hath respect only unto some outward circumstances, pleasing the minds of men, 2 Tim. iil. 5,
This was principally evident under the old testament, whilst they had carnal ordinances and a worldly sanctuary. Ofttimes under that dispensation the people were given up unto all sorts of idolatry and superstition ; and when they were not so, yet were the body of them carnal and unholy, as is evident from the whole tract of God’s deal- ing with them, by his prophets and in his providences: yet had they great delight in the outward solemnities of their worship, placing all their trust of acceptance with God therein. They who did really and truly believe looked through them all unto Christ, whom they did foresignify, without which the things were a yoke unto them and a burden almost insupportable, Acts xv. 10; but those who were carnal delighted in the things themselves, and for their sakes re- jected Him who was the life and substance of them all. And this proved the great means of the apostasy of the Christian church also; for, to maintain some appearance of spiritual affections, men intro- duced carnal incitations of them into evangelical worship, such as singing, with music and pompous ceremonies; for they find such things needful to reconcile the worship of God unto their minds and affections, and through them they appear to have great delight
CHAP, XIV.] DELIGHT IN THE DUTIES OF DIVINE WORSHIP. 425
‘therein. Could some men but in their thoughts separate divine service from that outward order, those methods of variety, show, and melody, wherewith they are affected, they would have no delight in it, but look upon it as a thing that must be endured. How can it be otherwise conceived of among the Papists? They will with much earnestness, many evidences of devotion, sometimes with difficulty and danger, repair unto their solemn worship, and when they are present understand not one word whereby their minds might be ex- cited unto the real actings of faith, love, and delight in God! Only order, ceremony, music, and other incentives of carnal affections, make great impression on them. Affections spiritually renewed are not concerned in these things; yea, if those in whom they are should be engaged in the use of them, they would find them means of diverting their minds.from the proper work of divine worship, rather than an advantage therein. It will also appear so unto themselves, unless they are content to lose their spiritual affections, acting them- selves in faith and love, embracing in their stead a carnal, imaginary devotion, Hence, two persons may at the same time attend unto the same ordinances of divine worship, with equal delight, on very distinct principles: as if two men should come into the same garden, planted and adorned with a variety of herbs and flowers, one ignorant of the nature of them, the other a skilful herbalist; both may be equally delighted, the one with the colours and smell of the flowers, the other with the consideration of their various natures, their uses in physical remedies, or the like. So may it be in the hearing of the word. For instance, one.may be delighted with the outward ad- ministration, another with its spiritual efficacy, at the same time. Hence Austin tells us that singing in the church was laid aside by Athanasius at Alexandria; not the people’s singing of psalms, but a kind of singing in the reading of the Scripture and some offices of worship, which began then to be introduced in the church. And the reason he gave why he did it was, that the modulation of the voice and musical tune might not divert the minds of men from that spi- ritual affection which is required of them in sacred duties. What there is of real order in the worship of God,—as there is that order which is an effect of divine wisdom,—it is suited and useful unto spi- ritual affections, because proceeding from the same Spirit whereby they are internally renewed: “ Beholding your order,” Col. ii. 5. Every thing of God’s appointment is both helpful and delightful unto them. None can say with higher raptures of admiration, “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lorp of hosts!” Ps. lxxxiv. 1, 2, than they whose affections are renewed; yet is not their delight termi- nated on them, as we shall see immediately.