Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applied unto unconverted sinners, and saints…Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applyed unto unconverted sinners, and saints…

1. THEY may be so, with respect unto that Spirituality and Intention of mind unto the Exercise of all Grace, which are required unto such Duties. These are the Life, the Soul, the animating ⟨p. 56⟩Principle of them, without which their outward performance is but a dead Carcass. Men may draw nigh to God with their Lips, when their Hearts are far from him. This is that which becomes God in his Worship, and is useful to our own Souls; for God is a Spirit, and he will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth; which he is not, but in the Exercise of the Graces of his Spirit in the Worshippers; For bodily exercise profiteth little, but Godliness is profitable unto all things, 1 Tim. 4. 8.

1. THEY may be so, with respect unto that Spirituality and Intention of mind unto the Exercise of all Grace, which are required unto such Duties. These are the Life, the Soul, the animating ⟨p. 56⟩Principle of them, without which their outward performance is but a dead Carkass. Men may draw nigh to God with their Lips, when their Hearts are far from him. This is that which becomes God in his Worship, and is useful to our own Souls; for God is a Spirit, and he will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth; which he is not, but in the Exercise of the Graces of his Spirit in the Worshippers; For bodily exercise profiteth little, but Godliness is profitable unto all things, 1 Tim. 4. 8.

TO keep up the Mind unto this frame, to stir up all Grace unto a constant vigorous Exercise in all Holy Duties, is a matter whereunto great Spiritual Diligence and Watchfulness is required: Watch unto Prayer. A thousand pretences rise against it; all the Arts of Sloth, Formality, weariness of the Flesh, and the business of Life, do contend to frustrate the design of it. And the suitableness of resting in the work done unto the Principles of a Natural Conscience, gives efficacy to them all: And when Men come to satisfy themselves herein, it may be it were better that for a time such Duties were wholly omitted; for in that case Conscience it self will urgently call on Men not hardened in Sin, to a consideration of their Condition: wherefore much Spiritual Labour and Diligence is required in this matter. The outward performance of Religious Duties, be they never so many, or however strictly enjoined, as the daily and nightly Canonical hours amongst the Popish Devotionists, is an easy task, much inferior unto the constant labour which