OP SPIRITUAL MTNDEDNESS. 299 a torment to a soul spiritually alive to be tied to. There may be a season, indeed, when God will seem to hide himself from believers in their prayers, so as they shall neither find that life in themselves which they have done formerly, nor be sensible of any gra- cious communications from him ; but this is done only for a time, and principally to stir them up to that fer- vency and perseverance in prayer, as may recover them into their former, or a better estate than yet they have attainedto. The like may be said concerning all other duties of religion, or ordinances of divine wor- ship. Fourthly. Believers, whose affections are spiritually renewed, delight greatly in the duties of divine wor- ship, because they are the great institutedway where- by they may give glory to God. This is the first and principal end of all itties of religion, as they respect divine appointment, namely, to ascribe and give to God the glory that is his due ; for in them acknowl- edgment is made of all the glorious excellencies of the divine nature, our dependence on him, and relation to him. And this is that which, in the first place, believ- ers design in all the duties of divine worship. And the pattern set us by our blessed Saviour, in theprayer he taught his disciples, directs us thereto. All the first requests of it concern immediately the glory of God, and the advancement thereof. For therein also all the blessedness and safety of the church is includ- ed. Thosewho fail in this design, err in all that they do ; they never tend to the mark proposed to them. But this is that which principally animates the souls of them that believe in all their duties ; this, their uni- versal relation to him, and love in that relation, makes necessary. Wherefore, that way and means whereby
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