2. This design is not general, inactive, useless, and slothful. But such persons diligently endeavour, in the use of these ordinances, and attendance unto them, to be found in the exercise of these graces. They have not only an ante- cedent design to be so, but a diligent actual endeavour after it, not suffering their minds by any thing to be diverted from
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 421
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 thing^s are wantino- 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 conside- ration of. A watchful Christian will be careful lest he lose any one duty, by taking up the carcase of it. And the danger of so doing 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 remaineth 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 shewed before, who are no way graciously renewed, do satisfy them- selves withal. The grace and oratory of the speaker in preaching of the word, especially" in these days vi^herein the foppery of fine language, even in sacred things, is so much extolled ; the order and circumstance 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. 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 ex- ercise of these graces, partly by occasional temptations, partly by attendance unto what is outward only in the ordi- nances themselves.
f'^^ THE GRACE AND DUTY OF
Spiritual affections find no place of rest in any of these things ; such proposals of God in Christ, of his will, and their pwn duty, as may draw out their faith, love, godly fear, and delight into their due exercise, is that which they inquire ftfter, and acquiesce in.
Two things alone doth faith regard in all duties of wor- ship as unto the outward administration of it. The one ab- solutely, the other comparatively; both with respect unto the end mentioned, or the exercise, growth, and increase of grace in us. The first is, that they may be of divine ap- pointment. Where their original and observance is resolved into divine authority, there and there alone will they have a divine efficacy. In all these things, faith hath regard to no- thing but divine precepts and promises. Whatever hath re- gard to any thing else, is not faith, but fancy. And there- fore these uncommanded duties in religion, which so abound in the papal church, as that if not the whole, yet all the prin- cipal parts of their worship consist in them, are such as in whose discharge it is impossible faith should be in a due ex- ercise. 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 committed. 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 fervency in ut- terance than another, is more fervent or earnest in his de- livery ; but because they find the gifts of one more suited, and more effectual to stir up faith and love unto a holy ex- ercise 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 mi- nisters that are wise, will in holy administrations neglect all other things, and attend unto this alone, 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 aflfections spiritually renewed cleave unto ordinances of divine wor- ship with delight and satisfaction; namely, because they are