CHAP. XIV.
Tits second difference between affections spiritually renewed and those who have been only changed by lif/ht and conviction. Grounds and reasons of men's delight in duties of divine worship, and of their diligence in their performance vjhose minds are not spiritually minded.
The second difference lieth herein. That there may be a change in the affections, wherein men may have delight in the duties of religious worship, and diligence in their ob- servance ; but it is the spiritual renovation of the affections that gives delight in God through Christ, in any duty of re- ligious 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 righteousness ; Tit. i. 16. Some attend unto them formally and cursorily, from the prin- ciples of their education, and, it may be, out of some con- victions they have of their necessity. But many there are who, in the way they choose and are pleased withal, are dili- o-ent in their observance, and that with great delight, who yet give no evidence of the spiritual renovation of their minds. Yea, the way whereby some express their devotion in them, being superstitious and idolatrous, is inconsistent with that or any other saving grace. This, therefore, we
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 407
must diligently inquire into, or search into tlie grounds and reasons of men's delight in divine worship, according unto their convictions of the way of it, and yet continue in their minds altogether unrenewed. And,
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 v. 35. ' He was a burning and a shining light ; and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in this light.' So many were delighted in the preaching of Ezekiel, because of his eloquence and elegancy of his parables; chap, xxxiii. 31, 32. This gave them both delight and diligence in hearing, whereon they call 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 refer- ence 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 dis- pensation of the word ; for they may find more spiritual ad- vantage thereby, than in the gifts of others, and things so prepared as to be suited unto their edification more than elsewhere. But that which at present we insist on, hath respect only unto some outward circumstances pleasing the minds of men ; 2 Tim. 2 — 4.
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 fhey were not so, yet were the body of them carnal and miholy, as is evident from the whole tract of God's dealing 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 insupport- able ; Acts XV. But those who were carnal delighted in the things themselves, and for their sakes rejected him who was the life and substance of them all. And this proved the great means of the apostacy of the Christian church also.
408 THE GRACE AND DC TV OF
For to maintain some appearance of spiritual affections, men introduced carnal incitations of them into evangelical wor- ship ; 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 therein. Could some men but in their thoughts separate divine service from that out- ward 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 excited unto the real actings of faith, love, and delight in God. Only order, cere- mony, music, and other incentives of carnal affections, make great impression on them. Affections spiritually renewed are not concerned in those 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 con- tent to lose their spiritual affections, acting themselves 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 de- light, 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 o-utward administration, another with its spiritual eflScacy, 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