And as it is with believers, as unto the hearing of the word in general, so it is as unto the degrees of advantage which they find by it. When men have enjoyed the dispen- sation of the word in a peculiar manner, spiritual and eficc-
430 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF
tual, if they can be content to forego it for that which is more cold and lifeless, provided it possesseth the same time and outward form with the other, it is no great evidence that their souls do prosper. It is, therefore, those alone, who having a sense of the efficacy of the word on their souls and consciences unto all the holy ends of it, who cleave unto it with spiritual love and delight. They continually remember what holy impressions it hath made on them, what encouraoements it hath brought their souls into, what en- couragements unto faith and obedience it hath furnished them withal, and long after renewed sense of its enjoyments. When we do not find in ourselves this foundation of spiritual delight in the dispensation of the gospel, we can have no great evidence that our affections are renewed.
So also it is in the duties of prayer and meditation. When the soul of a believer hath had experience of the com- munion which it hath had of God in them, or either of them, of the spiritual refreshment which it hath had from them, of the benefits and mercies which are obtained by them in re- covery from temptations, snares, despondencies, in victory over sin and Satan, in spiritual impressions, working it unto a holy watchful frame, which hath abode in it in other ways and occasions, with the like advantages wherewith fervent and effectual prayer and sincere heavenly meditation are ac- companied, it cannot but have love unto them and delight in them; but if, indeed, we have no experience of these things, if we find not these advantages in and by these duties, they cannot but be a burden unto us, nor do serve unto any other end but to satisfy convictions. He who hadthebenefit of a se- rene and wholesome air in a recovery from many diseases and distempers, with the preservation of his health so obtained, will love it and prize it; and so will he these duties, who hath been partaker of any of these saving mercies and privileges wherewith they are accompanied. Some have been delivered from the worst of temptations, and the nearest approach of their prevalency (as to destroy themselves), by a sudden re- membrance of the frame of their souls, and the intimations of God's love in such or such a prayer, at such a time. Some have had the same deliverance from temptations unto sin, when they have been carried away under the power of their corruptions, and all circumstances have concurred
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 431
under the apprehensions of it : a sudden thought of such a prayer or meditation, with the engagement they made of themselves therein unto God, hath caused all the weapons of sin to fall out of its hands, and all the beauties of its allure- ments to disappear. ,.
When others have been under the power of such despon- dencies and disconsolations, as that no present tenders of relief can approach unto them, they have been suddenly raised and refreshed by the remembrance of the intimate love and kindness between Christ and their souls, that hath evi- denced itself in former duties. Multitudes in fears, dis- tresses, and temptations, have found relief unto their spirits, and encouragement unto their faith in the remembrance of the returns they have had unto former supplications in the like distresses. These are grounds of spiritual delight in these duties.
Heartless, lifeless, wordy prayer, the fruit of convictions and gifts, or of custom and outward occasions, however mul- tiplied, and whatever devotion they seem to be accompanied withal, will never engage spiritual affections unto them. When these things are absent, when the soul hath not ex- perience of them, prayer is but a lifeless form, a dead car- cass, which it would be a torment unto a soul spiritually alive to be tied unto. There may be a season indeed, when God will seem to hide himself from believers in their prayers, so as they shall neither find that life in themselves which they have done formerly, nor be sensible of any gracious com- munications from him : but this is done only for a time, and principally to stir them up unto that fervency and perse- verance in prayer, as may recover them into their former, or a better estate than yet they have attained unto. The like may be said concerning all other duties of religion, or ordi- nances of divine worship.
4. Believers, whose affections are spiritually renewed, do delight greatly in the duties of divine worship, because they are the great instituted way whereby they may give glory unto God. This is the first and principal end of all duties of religion as they respect divine appointment, namely, to ascribe and give unto God the glory that is his due. For in them all, acknowledgment is made of all the glorious excellencies of the divine nature, our dependance
432 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF
on him, and relation unto him. And this is that which, in the first place, believers design in all the duties of divine worship. And the pattern set us by our blessed Saviour in the prayer he taught his disciples, directs us thereunto. All the first requests of it concern immediately the glory of God,, and the advancement thereof: for therein also all the bless- edness and safety of the church is included. Those who fail in this design, do err in all that they do; they never tend unto the mark proposed unto them. But this is that which principally animates the souls of them that believe in all their duties ; this their universal relation unto him, and love in that relation, makes necessary. Wherefore that way and means whereby they may directly and solemnly ascribe and give glory unto God, is precious and delightful unto them. And such are all the duties of divine worship. These are some of the things wherein the respect of affections spiritu- ally renewed, unto ordinances and duties of divine worship, doth differ from the actings of affections toward the same object which are not so sanctified and renewed.