OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 285 was that which inflamed him with desires after renew- ed opportunities to the same end. Secondly. This design is not general, inactive, use- less, and slothful. But such persons diligently endea- vor, in the use of these ordinances, and attendance to them, to be found in the exercise of these graces. They have not only an antecedent design to be so, but a diligent actual endeavor after it, not suffering their minds by any thing tobe diverted from the pursuit of that design. Eccl. v. 1. Whatever is not quickened and enlivened hereby, they esteem utterly lost. Nei- ther outward administrations nor order will give them satisfaction, when these things are wanting in them- selves. Without the internal actings of the life of faith, external administrations of ordinances of worship are but dead things. Nor can any believer obtain real satisfaction in them, or refreshment by them, without an inward experience of faith and love in them, and by them. And it is that which, if we are wise, we shall continually attend to the consideration of. A watch.. ful Christian will be careful lest he lose any one duty, by taking up the carcass of it. And the danger of so doing is not small. Our affections are renewed but in part. And as they are still liable to be diverted, and seduced from spirituality in duty, even by thingsearth- ly and carnal, through the corruption that remaineth in them ; so there is a disposition abiding in them, to be pleased with those external things in religious du- ties, which others, as we have showed before, who are no way graciously renewed, satisfy themselves with. The grace and oratory of the speaker in preaching the word, especially in these days wherein the foppery of fine language, even in sacred things, is so much ex- tolled, the order and circumstances of other duties,
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