The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Secondly, There are Outward Ways and Duties whereby our Spiritual Affections are expressed. The Rule of them also is the Scripture. The way marked out therein, is the only Channel wherein the Stream of our Spiritual Affections doth take its Course unto God. The Graces required therein, are to act themselves by: the Duties it prescribes, ar• those which they stir up and enliven; the Religious Worship it appoints is that wherein they have their Exercise. Where this Rule hath been neglected, mens Religious Affections have grown irregular, yea wild and ungovernable. All the Superstitions that the World is filled withal, owe their original principally unto mens Affections set at loose from the Rule of the word There is nothing so fond, absurd, and foolish, but they have imbondaged the •ouls of Men unto, nothing so horrid and ⟨p. 292⟩difficult but they have engaged them in. And having once taken unto themselves this Liberty, the corrupt Minds of men are a thousand times more satisfied, than in the regular exercise of them according to the Word of God. Hence they will rejoice in such Penances as are not without their Austerities; in such outward Duties of Devotion, as are troublesome and chargeable; in every thing that hath a Show of Wisdom in Will-Worship, and humility, and neglect of the Body. Hence will all their Affections be more sensibly moved by Images and Pictures, and a melting Devotion be stirred up in them, than by all the Motives and Incentives which God proposeth unto them to draw their Affections unto himself. Nothing is more extravagant than the Affections of Men, tinctured with some Devotion, if they forsake the Rule of the Scripture.

Secondly, There are Outward Wayes and Duties whereby our Spiritual Affections are expressed. The Rule of them also is the Scripture. The way marked out therein, is the onely Channel wherein the Stream of our Spiritual Affections doth take its Course unto God. The Graces required therein, are to act themselves by: the Duties it prescribes, ar• those which they stir up and enliven; the Religious Worship it appoints is that wherein they have their Exercise. Where this Rule hath been neglected, mens Religious Affections have grown irregular, yea wild and ungovernable. All the Superstitions that the World is fil'd withal, owe their original principally unto mens Affections set at loose from the Rule of the word There is nothing so fond, absurd, and foolish, but they have imbondaged the ouls of Men unto, nothing so horrid and