Secondly. This Design is not general, unactive, useless and slothful. But such Persons diligently endeavour in the use of these Ordinances, and attendance unto them, to be found in the Exercise of these Graces. They have not only an Antecedent Design to be so, but a diligent actual Endeavour after it, not suffering their Minds by any thing to be diverted from the pursuit of that Design, Ecc. 5.1. Whatever is not quickened and enlivened hereby; they esteem utterly lost. Neither Outward Administrations, nor Order will give ⟨p. 239⟩them Satisfaction when these things are wanting in themselves. Without the Internal Actings of the Life of Faith, external Administrations of Ordinances of Worship, are but dead things. Nor, can any Believer obtain real Satisfaction in them, or Refreshment by them, without an Inward Experience of Faith and Love in them, and by them. And it is that, which if we are wise, we shall continually attend unto the Consideration of. A watchful Christian will be careful lest he loose any one Duty, by taking up the Carcass of it. And the danger of so doing, is not small. Our Affections are renewed but in part. And as they are still liable to be diverted, and seduced from Spirituality in Duty, even by things earthly and carnal, through the Corruption that remaineth in them; So there is a Disposition abiding in them, to be pleased with those external things in Religious Duties, which others, as we have showed before, who are no way graciously renewed do satisfy themselves withal. The Grace and Oratory of the Speaker in preaching of the Word; especially in these days wherein the Foppery of fine Language, even in Sacred things, is so much extolled; the Order and Circumstances of other Duties, with Inclination and Love unto a Party, are apt to insinuate themselves with great Complacency into our Affections, so far as they are unrenewed. And these things discover the true Grounds whence it is that the Ordinances of Divine Worship are so useless, as they are to many who seem to attend unto them with Diligence. They may be referred unto these three Heads.
Secondly. This Design is not general, unactive, useless and sloathful. But such Persons diligently endeavour in the use of these Ordinances, and attendance unto them, to be found in the Exercise of these Graces. They have not only an Antecedent Design to be so, but a diligent actual Endeavour after it, not suffering their Minds by any thing to be diverted from the pursuit of that Design, Ecc. 5.1. Whatever is not quickned and enlivened hereby; they esteem utterly lost. Neither Outward Administrations, nor Order will give ⟨p. 239⟩them Satisfaction when these things are wanting in themselves. Without the Internal Actings of the Life of Faith, external Administrations of Ordinances of Worship, are but dead things. Nor, can any Believer obtain real Satisfaction in them, or Refreshment by them, without an Inward Experience of Faith and Love in them, and by them. And it is that, which if we are wise, we shall continually attend unto the Consideration of. A watchful Christian will be careful lest he loose any one Duty, by taking up the Carcase of it. And the danger of so doing, is not small. Our Affections are renewed but in part. And as they are still liable to be diverted, and seduced from Spirituality in Duty, even by things earthly and carnal, through the Corruption that remaineth in them; So there is a Disposition abiding in them, to be pleased with those external things in Religious Duties, which others, as we have shewed before, who are no way graciously renewed do satisfy themselves withal. The Grace and Oratory of the Speaker in preaching of the Word; especially in these days wherein the Foppery of fine Language, even in Sacred things, is so much extolled; the Order and Circumstances of other Duties, with Inclination and Love unto a Party, are apt to insinuate themselves with great Complacency into our Affections, so far as they are unrenewed. And these things discover the true Grounds whence it is that the Ordinances of Divine VVorship are so useless, as they are to many who seem to attend unto them with Diligence. They may be referred unto these three Heads.
