2So How Divine Worfhip S E x M, neglea of the proper and moft becoming X. exercife of our thinking powers, for which our hearts muff condemn us ; it proceedeth from a deep rooted depravity, from a dif- affeélion to God and goòdnefs, and the pre - valence of the carnal mind, which is enmity againfi him. But there is a great difference in the degrees of this evil ; unhappy is the (late of that mind, in which it altogether prevaileth, and habitually; whofe devotions, as they are called, are nothing but a con- tinued empty pageantry, a tedious circulation of thoughtlefs and taftelefs formalities. Even good men, though far from that abandoned hypocrify I have been mentioning, are thro'. through their infirmity caught in abfence, fometimes, or a thoughtlefs levity of mind, during the performance of worfhip ; but it is generally otherwife ; and as their failures of this kind are the fubjea of their regret, they always watch againft them, and endea- vour habitually more and more to have their hearts fixed, and be of prefent fpirits in the fervice of God. My brethren, let us always regard it, as a matter of great importance, to acquit ourfelves well in the pofitive and in- ftrumental duties of piety, becaufe of the ex- cellent ends they ferve, and the great advan- tage to ourfelves, of which they are moft ufeful
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=