OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 295 As they come to them with these designs and ex- pectations, so they have experience of the spiritual benefits and advantages which they receive by them, which more and more engageth them to them in their affections and delight. All these things, those who have a change wrought in their affections, but not a spiritual renovation, are strangers to. They neither have the design before mentioned in coming to them, nor the experience of this efficacy now proposed in their attendance on them. But these benefits are great ; as, for instance, when men find the worth and effect of the word preached on their souls, in its en- lightening, refreshing, strengthening, transforming power ; when they find their hearts warmed, their graces excited and strengthened, the love of God im- proved, their desponding spirits under trials and tempt- ations relieved, their whole souls gradually more and more conformed to Christ ; when they find themselves by it extricated out of snares, doubts, fears, tempta- tions, and brought to satisfaction and rest ; they can- not but delight in the dispensation of it, and rejoice in it as the food of their souls. And it is a great hin- derance to the increase of spiritual life, and obstruc- tion to fruitfulness, thankfulness, and consolation, when we are negligent in our meditation about the benefits that we receive by the word, and the advan- tages which we have thereby. For whilst it is sowith us, we can neither value the grace of God, in granting us this inestimable privilege, nor perform any duty with respect to it, in a right manner. This renders it an especial object of our affections as spiritually re- newed. That secret love to, and heavenly delight in, the statutes and testimonies of God, which David ex- presseth, (Psal. cxix,) arose from the spiritual benefit
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