SO OF sPIßITUAL NIINDEDNESS. progress in the duty itself. They tire themselves, not because they are not willing to go, but because they cannot find their way. Wherefore both these things shall be spoken to i both what are the proper objects of our spiritual thoughts, and how we may be steady in our contemplations of them. And I shall to this pur- pose, first give some general rules, and then some par- ticular instances, in way of direction. 1. Observe the especial calls of Providence, and apply your minds to thoughts of the duties required in them, and by them. There is a voice in all signal dispensations of Providence. ' The voice of the Lord crieth unto the city, the men of wisdom shall see thy name; hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.' Mie. vi. 9. There is a call, a cry in every rod of God, in every chastening providence; and therein makes a declaration of his name, his holiness, his power, his greatness. This every wise, substantial man will labor to discern, and so comply with the call. God is greatly provoked when it is otherwise. ' Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see, but they shall see and be ashamed.' Isa. xxvi. 11. If therefore we would apply ourselves to our present duty, we are wisely to consider what is the voice of God, in his present providential dispensations in the world. Hearken not unto any who would give another inter- pretation of them, but that they are plain declarations of his displeasure and indignation against the sins of men. Is not his wrath in them revealed from heaven against the ungodliness of men, especially such as detain the truth in unrighteousness, or false hypocriti- cal professors of the gospel? Doth he not also signally declare the uncertainty and instability of earthly enjoyments, from life itself to a shoe-latchet?
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