The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

First. In general they do so, as they find Faith, and Love, and Delight in God through Christ, excited and acted in and by them. This is their first and immediate End in their Institution. It is a pernicious mistake to suppose that any external Duties of Worship, as hearing the Word, Prayer, or the Sacraments, are appointed for themselves, or accepted for themselves.

Such thoughts the Jews of Old had concerning their Sacrifices; namely, that they were appointed for their own Sakes, and were acceptable Service unto God, merely on their own Account. Wherefore, God to deliver them from this pernicious Mistake, affirms ofttimes, that he never appointed them at all; that is for any such End, Jer. 7.22, 23. Isa. 1.12, 13, 14, &c. And now under the Gospel; Sundry things destructive to the Souls of men, have proceeded from such a Supposition. Some hereon have always satisfied and contented themselves with the external Observance of them, without desiring or endeavouring any holy communion with God in them, or by them. This constitutes the State and Condition mentioned, Rev. 3.1. And by following this tract, the generality of Christians do wander out of the Way; they cannot leave them, nor do know how to ⟨p. 235⟩use them unto their Advantage until they come wholly unto that woeful State, Isai. 29.13. And some to establish this Deceit, have taught that there is much more in the Outward Work of these Duties, than ever God put into them, and that they are sanctified merely by Virtue of the Work wrought.

Such thoughts the Jews of Old had concerning their Sacrifices; namely, that they were appointed for their own Sakes, and were acceptable Service unto God, meerly on their own Account. Wherefore, God to deliver them from this pernicious Mistake, affirms ofttimes, that he never appointed them at all; that is for any such End,