The Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin

First, For the right performance of any Duty, it is not enough that the thing it self required be performed, but that it be universally squared and fitted unto the rule of it. Herein lies the great duty of the mind, namely, to attend unto the Rule of ⟨p. 140⟩duties, and to take care that all the concernments of them be ordered thereby. Our progress in obedience, is our edification or building. Now it is but a very little furtherance unto a building, that a man bring wood and stones and heap them up together without order. They must be hewed and squared, and fitted by line and rule, if we intend to build. Nor is it unto any advantage unto our edification in faith and obedience, that we multiply duties, if we heap them upon one another, if we order and dispose them not according to rule. And therefore doth God expressly reject a multitude of duties when not universally suited unto the Rule, Isa. 1. 11. To what purpose is the multitude of your Sacrifices; and v. 14. They are a trouble unto me, I am weary to bear them. And therefore all acceptable obedience is called a proceeding according unto rule, Gal. 6. 16. it is a Canonical, or regular obedience. As letters in the Alphabet heaped together signify nothing, unless they are disposed into their proper order; no more do our duties without this disposal. That they be so, is the great duty of the mind, and which with all diligence it is to attend unto, Ephes. 5. 15. Walk circumspectly, exactly, accurately, that is, diligently in all things, take heed to the Rule of what you do. We Walk in duties, but we walk circumspectly in this attention of the mind.

First, For the right performance of any Duty, it is not enough that the thing it self required be performed, but that it be universally squared and fitted unto the rule of it. Herein lyes the great duty of the mind, namely, to attend unto the Rule of ⟨p. 140⟩duties, and to take care that all the concernments of them be ordered thereby. Our progress in obedience, is our edification or building. Now it is but a very little fartherance unto a building, that a man bring wood and stones and heap them up together without order. They must be hewed and squared, and fitted by line and rule, if we intend to build. Nor is it unto any advantage unto our edification in faith and obedience, that we multiply duties, if we heap them upon one another, if we order and dispose them not according to rule. And therefore doth God expresly reject a multitude of duties when not universally suited unto the Rule,