4. The unreadiness of grace for its due and proper exer- cise, is another thing which defeats us of the benefit of holy duties. The seasons of them are come, sense of duty car- ries men unto an attendance unto them, and the performance of them. But when they should enter upon them, those graces of faith, love, fear, and delight, wherein the soul and being of them do consist, are out of the way, unready for a due exercise ; so as that men take up and satisfy themselves with the mere outward performance of them. The heart and mind have been taken up with other things ; due preparation hath been wanting ; men come unto them with reeking thoughts of earthly occasions ; and it is no easy matter in, or immediately out of, such a frame, to stir up grace unto a due exercise. But herein lieth the very life of being spi- ritually minded. The nature of it consists in the keeping and preserving all grace in a readiness for its exercise as our occasions require.
And this is an effectual way whereby this grace comes to be life and peace. For they cannot be attained, they cannot be preserved, without such a constancy and spirituality in all holy duties, as we shall never arrive at, unless we are spi- ritually minded.
Lastly ; this frame of mind brings the soul unto, and keeps it at, its nearest approaches unto heaven and blessed- ness, wherein lie the eternal springs of life and peace. Ac- cording unto the degrees of this grace in us, such are those of our approaches unto God. Nearness unto him gives us our initial conformity unto him, by the renovation of his image in us, as our presence with him will give us perfec- tion therein ; for when we see him, we shall be like unto him. He therefore alone as he is in Christ being the fountain of life and peace, by our drawing nigh unto him, and by our likeness of him, will they thrive and flourish in our souls.
THE END.
Printed by J. F. Dove, St. John's Square.
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