The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs

7. If it be Faith that takes off the Heart, such a one is not content that he is taken from under the Antichristian government, unless he meets with Christ in the Ordinances: he does not content it self with the bare husks, and to make all his Religion to consist merely in Church discipline, and Church constitution, and to think therefore, he hath Religion enough, because he hath the Ordinances, and yet never finds any panting of Heart, after union and communion with Christ Jesus in this way of Church Government, but goes on from year to year, merely in the outward performances of Religion. I do not speak against the thing it self but to show it is not of Faith, if men do not pant after union with Christ, if they be not sensible of the want of it, and do not labour for the enjoyment of it.

7. If it be Faith that takes off the Heart, such a one is not content that he is taken from under the Antichristian government, unless he meetes with Christ in the Ordinances: he does not content it self with the bare huskes, and to make all his Religion to consist meerly in Church discipline, and Church constitution, and to think therefore, he hath Religion enough, because he hath the Ordinances, and yet never finds any panting of Heart, after union and communion with Christ Jesus in this way of Church Government, but goes on from year to year, mearly in the outward performances of Religion. I do not speak against the thing it self but to shew it is not of Faith, if men do not pant after union with Christ, if they be not sensible of the want of it, and do not labor for the enjoyment of it.

8. If it be Faith that brings thee from this way, certainly thou wilt grow more Spiritual: As thy heart will pant after Christ; so there will be a Spiritualness of thy Soul in the ways of Christ, because thou comest nearer to the rule: And this is the difference between ⟨p. 214⟩Actions of Religion, and civil Actions; civil Actions that are done by civil rule have not always success, but a Spiritual Action that is done by the rule, that hath a Spiritual success, though not an outward success, it does make the heart ever more Spiritual: But for people though they be come from the yoke of Antichrist, yet to be as dead as ever no more Spiritualness in their way then before, no more savour of Godliness in their society and company then before: those that knew them before can say; I knew them a great deal more spiritual and savoury in that which is good then they are now, This is a dangerous thing.