280 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. and to all other things according as their relation is to him, or they have a participation of him. Wherefore, in all duties of religion, in all ordinances of worship, their inquiry is after him whom their souls love. Cant, i. 7. But yet we must treat more particularly and dis- tinctly of these things. Those whose affections are spiritually renewed, do love, adhere to, and delight in, ordinances of divine service and duties of worship ; on the grounds and reasons ensuing. First. In general theydo 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 immedi- ate 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 ap- pointed for themselves, or accepted for themselves. Such thoughts the Jews of old had concerningtheir sacrifices ; namely, that they were appointed for their, own sakes, and were acceptable sere-ice to God, mere- ly on their own account. Wherefore God, to deliver them from their pernicious mistake, affirms ofttimes, that he never appointed them at all s that is, for any such end. Jer. vii. 22, 23. Isa. i. 12, 13, &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 desiringor endeavoring anyholy communion with God in them, or by them. This constitutes the state and condition mentioned, Rev. iii. 1.' And by following this track, the generality of Christians wan- der out of the way ; they cannot leave them, nor know how to use them to their advantage, until they come
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