The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

(1) Men may be greatly affected with the Outward Part of Divine Worship, and the manner of the performance thereof, who have no delight in what is internal, real, and Spiritual therein, Joh. 5.35. He was a burning and a shining Light; and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in this Light. So, many were delighted in the preaching of Ezekiel because of his Eloquence and Elegance of his Parables, Chap. 33.31, 32. This gave them both delight and diligence in hearing, whereon they call themselves the People of God, though they continued to live in Sin; their Hearts went after Covetousness. The same may befall many at present, with reference unto the Spiritual Gifts of those by whom the Word is dispensed. I deny not but that Men may be more delighted, more satisfied with the Gifts, the Preaching of one than another, and yet be sincere in their delight in the Dispensation of the Word; for they may find more Spiritual Advantage thereby, than by the Gifts of others, and things so prepared as to be suited unto their Edification more than elsewhere. But that which at present we insist on, hath respect only unto some outward Circumstances pleasing the Minds of men, 2 Tim. 2.3, 4.

(1) Men may be greatly affected with the Outward Part of Divine Worship, and the manner of the performance thereof, who have no delight in what is internal, real, and Spiritual therein, Joh. 5.35. He was a burning and a shining Light; and ye were willing for a season to rejoyce in this Light. So, many were delighted in the preaching of Ezekiel because of his Eloquence and Elegancy of his Parables, Chap. 33.31, 32. This gave them both delight and diligence in hearing, whereon they call themselves the People of God, though they continued to live in Sin; their Hearts went after Covetousness. The same may befall many at present, with reference unto the Spiritual Gifts of those by whom the Word is dispensed. I deny not but that Men may be more delighted, more satisfyed with the Gifts, the Preaching of one than another, and yet be sincere in their delight in the Dispensation of the Word; for they may find more Spiritual Advantage thereby, than by the Gifts of others, and things so prepared as to be suited unto their Edification more than elsewhere. But that which at present we insist on, hath respect only unto some outward Circumstances pleasing the Minds of men,