fINDWNLLING SIN. 447 f7andings, Cor. xiv. 15. Which is there taken for the firft aft of the mind in a rational perception of things. But as that word is applyed unto any faculty of our fouls, it is the mind that it expreffeth. This then being our fpirit, the adings of it are fecret and hidden, and not to be difcovered without fpiritual wifdom and diligence. Let us not fup- pofe then that we dwell too long on this confideration, which is of fo great importance to us, and yet fo hidden, and which we are apt to be very infenfible of and yet our carefulnefs in this matter is one of the heft evidences that we have of our fincerity. Let us not then be like a man that is fenfible, and complains of a cut finger, but not of a decay of fpirits tending unto death. There remains therefore as unto this head of our difcourfe, the confi- deration ofthe charge of the mind in reference unto particular duties and fins. And in theconfideration of it, we shall do theft two things. 1. Shew what is required in the mind of a believer in reference unto particular duties. 2. Declare the way of the working of the deceit of fin to draw it off from its attendance thereunto. The like alfo fhall be done with refpe& unto particular fins, and their avoidance. a. What is required in reference to particular duties? (i.) For the right performance of any duty, it is not enough that the thing itfelf required be performed, but that it be univerfally fquared and and fitted unto the rule of it. Herein lies the great duty of the mind, namely, to attend unto the rule of duties, and to take care that all the concernments of them be ordered thereby. Our progrefs in obedience, is our edification or building. Now it is but a very little furtherance unto a building, that a man bring wood and ftones, and heap them up together without order. They muff be hewed and fquared, and fitted by line and rule, if we intend to build. Nor is it unto any advantage unto our edi- fication in faith and obedience, that we multiply duties, if we heap them upon one another, if we order and difpofe them not according to rule. And therefore doth God exprefly rejeft a multitude of duties when hot univerfally fuited unto the rule, !fa. i. 11. To what purpofe is the multitude ofyour facrifice f and v. 14. Theyare a trouble unto me, I am mealy to beat them. And therefore all acceptable obedience is called a proceeding accor- ding unto rule, Gal. vi. 16. it is a canonical, or regular obedience. As letters in the alphabet heaped together fignify nothing, unlefs they are difpofed into their proper order; no more do our duties without this difpofal. That they be fo, is the great duty of the mind, and which with all diligence it is to attend unto, Ephef. v. 15. Walk circumfpebíly, exactly, accurately, that is, diligently in all things, takeheed to the rule of what you do. We walk in duties, but we walk circumfpeftly in this attention of the mind. (2.) There are force fpecial things which the rule direfs unto, that the mind is to attend in every duty. as, [I.] That as to the matter of it, it be full and compleat. Under the law, no beaft was allowed to be a facrifice that had any member want- ing, and defe&ofparts. Such were rejefted as well as thofe that were lame or blind. Duties muff be compleat as tothe parts, the matter ofthem. There maybe fuch apart of the price kept back, as may make the tendering of all the refidue unacceptable. Saul (paring Agag and the fateft ofthe cattle, ren- dered the deftroying of all theref} ufelefs. Thus when men will give alms, or perform other fervices, but not the proportion that the rule requireth, and which the mind by diligentattention unto it might difcover, the whole duty is vitiated. [a.] As
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