The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

All Grace and Spiritual Strength is originally seated in the nature of God, v. 28. But what relief can that afford unto us who are weak, feeble, fainting. He will act suitably unto ⟨p. 247⟩his nature, in the Communication of this Grace and Power, v. 29. But how shall we have an Interest in this Grace, in these Operations: wait on him in the Ordinances of his Worship, v. 31. The Word as Preached, is the Food of our Souls whereby God administereth Growth and Strength unto them, Joh. 17.17.— 1 Pet. 2.23. Desire, sayeth he the sincere Milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby. But what Encouragement have we thereunto, if so be, sayeth he, you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. If in and by the Dispensation of this Word, you have had Experience of the Grace, the Goodness, the Kindness of God unto your Souls, you cannot but desire it and delight in it. And otherwise, you will not do so. When men have fate some good while under the Dispensation of the Word, and in the enjoyment of other Ordinances, without tasting in them and by them, that the Lord is gracious, they will grow weary of it and them. Wherefore, Prayer is the way of his Appointment for the Application of our Souls unto him, to obtain a Participation of all needful Grace, which therefore he hath proposed unto us in the Promises of the Covenant, that we may know what to ask, and how to plead for it. In the Sacraments the same Promises are sealed unto us, and the Grace represented in them effectually exhibited. Meditation confirms our Souls in the Exercise of Faith about it, and is the especial Opening of the Heart unto the Reception of it. By these means I say, doth God communicate all Supplies of renewing, strengthening, and sanctifying Grace unto us, that we may live unto him in all Holy Obedience, and be able to get the Victory over our Temptations. Under this Apprehension do Believers approach unto God in the Ordinances of his Worship. They come unto them as the means of Gods Communication unto their Souls. Hence they cleave unto them with Delight, so far as their Affections are renewed. So the Spouse testifieth of her self; I sate down under his Shadow with great Delight, Cant, 2.3. In these Ordinances ⟨p. 248⟩is the protecting refreshing Presence of Christ. This she rested in with great Delight.