l.Shew 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 concern- ments of them be ordered thereby. Our progress in obe- dience is our edification or building. Now it is but a very little furtherance unto a building, that a man brino- 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
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them not according to rule : and therefore dolh God express- ly reject a multitude of-duties, when not universally suited unto the rule, Isa. i. 11. 'To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices V and ver. 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 regular 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, Ephes. 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 matter 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 destroying of all the rest useless. Thus, when men will give alms, or perform other services, but not unto the proportion that the rule requireth, and which the mind by diligent attention unto it might discover, the whole duty is vitiated.
[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 believer, though that be necessary unto every good work, Ejihes. 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 ex- pressly said to be 'our life,' Col. iii. 4. our spiritual life, that is, the spring, author, and cause of it. Now as in life na- tural, no vital act can be performed, but by the actual opera-
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tion of the principle of life itself; so, in life spiritual, no spiritually-vital act, that is, no duty acceptable to God can be performed,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 lead in the flesh, is 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 supplies of grace and strength from him thereby. This therefore ought a believer diligent- ly to attend unto, namely, that every thing he doth to God be done in the strength of Christ ; which wherein it con- sisteth ought diligently to be inquired into by all who in- tend to walk with God.
[3.] In this respect unto rule, the manner of the per- formance of every duty is to be regarded. Now there are two things in the manner of the performance of any duty which a believer, who is trusted with spiritual light, ought to attend unto.
1st. That it be done in the way, and by the means that God hath prescribed with respect unto the outward manner of its performance. And this is especially to be re- garded in duties of the worship of God; the matter and out- ward manner whereof do both equally fall under his com- mand. If this be not regarded, the whole duty is vitiated. I speak not of them who suffer themselves to be deluded by the deceitfulness of sin, utterly to disregard the rule of the word in such things, and to worship God according to their own imaginations ; but of them principally, w ho although they in general profess to do nothing but what God requires, and as he requires it, yet do not diligently attend to the rule, to make the authority of God to be the sole cause and reason both of what they do, and of the manner of the per- formance of it. And this is the reason that God so often calls on his people to consider diligently and wisely, that they may do all according as he had commanded.