A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

When men do usually and ordinarily suffer other things to divert them from Duties of Obedience in their season, Obedience is not their principal design. (2) When it possesseth the chiefest place in our valuation and esteem. And this it doth absolutely where we attain that frame, that whilst the work of Faith and Obedience thrives in our Hearts and Lives, we are not much moved with whatever else befalls us in this world. This was the frame of our Apostle, Acts 21. 13. Phil. 3. 7, 8. But because of the weakness, and engagement of our natural affections unto the lawful comforts of this Life, some are not able to rise unto that height of the undervaluation and contempt of these things whilst the work of our Obedience goes on, which we ought all to aim at; yet we must say, that if there be any sincerity in making our Obedience the principal design of our lives, there will be a constant preference of it unto all other things. As when a man hath many particular losses, he may be allowed to be sensible of them, yet if he have that still remaining wherein his main stock and wealth doth consist, he will not only be relieved or refreshed but satisfied therewith. But if a man who pretends much unto a great Stock and Trade in another Country, gives up all for lost upon some damages he receiveth at home in his House or Shop, it is plain he hath no great confidence in the other Treasure that he pretended unto. No more have men any especial Interest in the work of Obedience, which whilst they suppose it to be safe, do yet lose all their comforts in the loss of other things. (3) When any thing is the object of our chief design, the principal contrivances of our minds will be concerning it. And this makes the great difference in Profession and Duties. Men may multiply Duties in a course of them, and yet their Spirits not be engaged in and about them as their business. Consider how most men are conversant about their secular affairs: They do not only do the things that are to be done, but they beat as we say their Heads and Minds about them. And it is observed that however industrious in their way many men may be, yet if they have not a good contrivance and projection about their Affairs, they seldom prosper in them. It is so also in things Spiritual. The Fear of the Lord is our Wisdom; it is our Wisdom to keep his Commandments and walk in his ways.

When men do usually and ordinarily suffer other things to divert them from Duties of Obedience in their season, Obedience is not their principal design. (2) When it possesseth the chiefest place in our valuation and esteem. And this it doth absolutely where we attain that frame, that whilst the work of Faith and Obedience thrives in our Hearts and Lives, we are not much moved with whatever else befalls us in this world. This was the frame of our Apostle,