A cabinet of choice jewels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…A cabinet of choice jevvels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…

Mark, A sincere Christian, he looks to the manner as well as to the matter of his duties, he acts and performs duties, not only from strength of parts and acquired qualifications but from strength of grace and infused habits;¹ he acts from God and for God, he acts from a new heart, he acts from the Law written in his heart, he acts from the love of God shed abroad in his heart, he acts from the divine nature communicated to him, he acts from the spirits in-dwelling in his heart, he acts from the fear of God establishing his heart. These be the springs and principles of a sincere Christians spiritual life and actions; and where they act and bear rule, it is no wonder if such motions and performances as the world may admire but not imitate. Sauls life (after his conversion) was a kind of constant miracle;² so much he did, and so much he suffered, and so much he denied himself, that if he lived in these days, his life would be a miracle; but yet if we consider the principles that he was acted by, the great wonder will be, not that he did so much, but that he did no more;³ For, saith he, Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ⁴It was a great saying of blessed Bradford, That he could not leave a duty till he had found communion with Christ in the duty, till he had brought his heart into a duty-frame; he could not leave confession till he had found his heart touched, broken and humbled for sin, nor petition till he had found his heart taken with the beauties of the things desired, and carried out after them; nor ⟨p. 325⟩could he leave thanksgiving till he had found his spirit enlarged and his soul quickened in the return of praises. And it was a great saying of another, that he could never be quiet till he found God in every duty,⁵ and enjoyed communion with God in every prayer. O Lord (said he) I never come to thee but by thee, I never go from thee without thee. A sincere Christian that is taken with Christ above all, can't be satisfied nor contented with duties or ordinances, without he enjoys Christ in them, who is the life, soul and substance of them. But now hypocrites they do duties, but all they do is from common principles, from natural principles, and from an unsanctified heart, and that mars all.