6 SPIRTTTJAL MINDEDNESS. 267 xxxiii. 31, 32. This gave them both delight and dili- gence in hearing, whereon they called themselves the people of God, though they continued to live in sin; their hearts went after covetousness. The same may befall many at present, with reference to the spiritual gifts of those bywhom the word is dispensed. I deny not but that men may be more delighted, more satis- fied with the gifts, the preaching of one than another, and yet be sincere in their delight in the dispensation of the word ; for they may find more spiritual advan- tagethereby, than by the gifts of others, and things so prepared as to be suited to their edification more than elsewhere. But that which at present we insist on, hath respect only to some outward circumstances pleasing the minds of men. 2 Tim. ii. 3, 4. This was principally evident under the Old Testa- ment, whilst they had carnal ordinances and a worldly sanctuary. Ofttimes under that dispensation, the peo- ple were given up to all sorts of idolatry and supersti- tion. And when they were not so, yet were the body of them carnal and unholy, as is evident from the whole track of God's dealings with them by his pro- phets, and in his providences. Yet had they great de- light in the outward solemnities of their worship, placing all their trust of acceptance with God therein. They who did truly and really believe, looked through them all to Christ, whom they did fore-signify; with- out which, the things were a yoke to them, and a bur- then almost insupportable. Acts xv. But those who were carnal, delighted in the things themselves, and for their sakes rejected himwho was the life and sub- stance of them all. And this proved the great means of the apostasy of the Christian church also. For to maintain some appearance of spiritual affections, men
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