(2.) This design is not general, inactive, useless, and slothful; but such persons diligently endeavour, in the use of these ordi- nances and attendance unto them, to be found in the exercise of these graces. They have not only an antecedent design to be so, but a diligent actual endeavour after it, not suffering their minds by any thing to be diverted from the pursuit of that design, Eccles. v. 1. Whatever is not quickened and enlivened hereby they esteem utterly lost. Neither outward administrations nor order will give them satisfaction when these things are wanting in themselves. Without the internal actings of the life of faith, external administrations of ordinances of worship are but dead things, nor can any believer _ obtain real satisfaction in them or refreshment by them without an inward experience of faith and love in them and by them; and it is that which, if we are wise, we shall continually attend unto the con- sideration of. A watchful Christian will be careful lest he lose any one duty by taking up with the carcass of it. And the danger of so domg is not small. Our affections are renewed but in part; and as they are still liable to be diverted and seduced from spirituality in duty even by things earthly and carnal, through the corruption that re- maineth in them, so there is a disposition abiding in them to be pleased with those external things and religious duties which others, as we have showed before, who are no way graciously renewed, do satisfy themselves withal. The grace and oratory of the speaker in preaching of the word, especially in these days wherein the foppery of fine language, even in sacred things, is so much extolled; the order and circumstances of other duties; with inclination and love unto a : party,—are apt to insinuate themselves with great complacency into our affections so far as they are unrenewed.
436 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART I.
And these things discover the true grounds whence it is that the ordinances of divine worship are so useless as they are to many who seem to attend unto them with diligence. They may be referred unto these three heads:—[1.] They do not come unto them as the means appointed of God for the exercise of faith and love unto Christ, so as to make it their design in.their approaches to them; without which all that is spoken of advantage in and by other duties is utterly lost. [2.] They do not, in and under them, labour to stir up faith and love unto their due exercise. [3.] They suffer their minds to be diverted from the exercise of these graces, partly by occasional temptations, partly by attendance unto what is outward only in the ordinances themselves.
Spiritual affections find no place of rest in any of these things. Such proposals of God in Christ, of his will and their own duty, as may draw out their faith, love, godly fear, and delight, into their due exercise, are that which they mquire after and acqui- esce in.
Two things alone doth faith regard in all duties of worship, as unto the outward administration of it,—the one absolutely, the other comparatively,—both with respect unto the ends mentioned, or the exercise, growth, and increase of grace in us. The first is, that they may be of divine appointment. Where their original and obsery- ance are resolved into divine authority, there, and there alone, will they have a divine efficacy. In all these things faith hath regard to nothing but divine precepts and promises. Whatever hath regard to any thing else is not faith, but fancy; and therefore those un- commanded duties in religion, which so abound in the papal church as that if not the whole yet all the principal parts of their worship consist in them, are such as in whose discharge it is impossible faith should be in a due exercise. That which it hath comparative respect unto is, the spiritual gifts of them unto whom the administration of the ordinances of the gospel in the public worship of the church is com- mitted. With respect unto them, believers may have more delight and satisfaction in the ministry of one than of another, as was touched — before. But this is not because one is more learned than another or more elegant than another, hath more ability of speech than another or more fervency in utterance than another, is more fervent or earnest in his delivery; but because they find the gifts of one more suited and more effectual to stir up faith and love unto a holy exercise in their minds and hearts than what they find in some others. Hence they have a peculiar value for and delight in the ministry of such persons, especially when they can enjoy it in due order, and without the offence of others. And ministers that are wise will, in holy ad- ministrations, neglect all other things, and attend unto this alone, —
CHAP. XV.] DELIGHT IN THE DUTIES OF DIVINE WORSHIP. 437
how they may be helpful unto the faith, and love, and joy of believers, so far as they are the object of their ministry.
This is the first reason and ground whereon affections spiritually renewed cleave unto ordinances of divine worship with delight and satisfaction,—namely, because they are the means appointed and blessed of God for the exercise and increase of faith and love, with an experience of their efficacy unto that end.