1. When 'tis fo general, that the bent and course of our lives is, for want of relish of the things of God, perverted and depraved; when we have no defigns, drive on no ends, that are fuitable to the excellency and dignity of our nature; to the holiness of our profeffion, and to the great and manifeft obligations of God: when we have no joys or pleasures, no thirsts or appetites, that do truly become a Christian; when we make no progress, no advance towards our great end; when our discourses and employments have no tincture of the Spirit, and no tendency to edification. I think we may then boldly conclude, that this is a state of carnality and death. And that this want of relish in the general courfe of our lives, proceeds from a real want of a fincere faith, and true illumination. For were the mind once truly enlightened; were it once clearly convinced, firmly and habitually perfuaded, of the beauty and excellency of the things of God; as we fhould have notions different from thofe of worldly carnal men, fo would there confequent

be a difference in the nature of our hopes and fears, of our defires and defigns, of our joys and forrows; and as neceffarily in the main fcope and tendency of our conversation. Whoever therefore finds this general ftupidity in the

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courfe of his life, let him not flatter himfelf in the performance of any of the duties of religion: he has a corrupt, carnal, and blind heart; his performances proceed not from true principles, and have not that life and vigour in them that they ought; they are as different from the performances of a man truly regenerate and fanctified, as the civilities and complements of a wellbred acquaintance, from the fustantial offices of a fincere and affectionate friend. Nor can any man, who will take the leaft pains to examine himself, be ignorant of, or mistaken in the condition of his soul, if this be it. For whoever will act honestly and impartially, ought not to pass a sentence of abfolution on himfelf, upon the bare performance of fome relative, or inftrumental duties of religion; but he ought to inquire, firft, what virtues he practiles, which put him upon expence, hazard, or travel; what works of piety or charity he performs; and what proportion they bear to his ability. Next, he ought to confider the defign and end he propofes to himself in all his religious performances; whether he feek the honour of God, the welfare of man, and his own improvement and growth in goodness; or whether he does this merely to acquit himself of a task, and discharge himself of what he takes Bb

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for granted as a duty, tho' he finds no pleafure, no advantage in it. Thirdly, He muft reflect upon the frame and temper of his mind in reference to these duties; what hunger and thirst he has for righteoufnefs; what warmth, ardor, elevation, or earnestness of mind accompanies his performances; what peace and pleasure his reflection on them; or whether religion be not a burthen to him, or fomething. to which custom only reconciles him. Laftly, He ought to examine what operation, what influence his religious performances have upon him. Prayer, hearing, reading, and fuch-like duties, do naturally tend to enlighten the mind, purify the heart, increase our love, ftrengthen our faith, and confirm our hope; and therefore, where this is not the effect of them, we may conclude, that they are not discharged in that manner and with that fincerity they ought. He therefore, that will examine himself aright, must not ask himfelf how often he reads, how often he hears, &c. and then reft there; but must ask himself what effect these performances have had upon his mind; which he will foon difcern, if he demand of himself, what the bent and fcope of his life is; how much he advances and improves in the conqueft of any vice, and the attain

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ment of any virtue; what he loves, or what he hates; what efteem he has for the things of God, and what for the things of men. And, in a word, how he follows after univerfal righteoufnefs; and how he increates in purity of heart, and poverty of fpirit.

2. Lukewarmness, and coldness, may be confidered more particulary, as it difcovers it felf in the performance of this or that duty; in hearing, reading, prayer, and participation of the Lord's Supper. Now, 'tis certain, that there is a deadnefs in these duties, which proceeds from a carnal and unfanctified heart, and is a plain fymptom of a state of fin: and yet it is too common, that they, who are fubject to it, make little reflection upon it, and are little concerned for it. On the other hand, many complain of lifelefnefs in duty, where there is no juft ground for this complaint; and this is no fmall evil to fuch; for it disturbs the peace of their minds, damps the chearfulness and alacrity of their fervice, and clogs and encumbers their religion with needlefs doubts and fcruples. Some have gone about to fet this matter right very unskilfully; and whilft they have, as they thought, fhunned enthufiaftic raptures, and irregular heats, have really betrayed the caule of true and folid fervency of Spirit; and talked of prayer, and fuch other duBb 2

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ties, in fuch a manner, as cannot but reflect disadvantageoufly on themselves, amongst fuch, as are moderately verfed in the fcriptures, and have any experience of the power of God's Word and Spirit upon their fouls. But what furprizes me moft is, that fome, of very deferved repute, have taught, that the feeking fpiritual pleasure in prayer, is an enemy to Perfection that heat and ardor of fpirit in prayer, does often happen to the weakest Chriftians; and very feldom to the perfect. But my business not being to combat the opinions of men, but to advance truths in the most charitable, and in the most effectual manner that I can: therefore, without taking notice of the motives or reafons which have byaffed any on this fubject, I will lay down two or three propofitions, which will, I hope, clear this matter, and promote the defign I am now carrying on.

1. then, Lifelefness or lukewarmness in thefe duties must never be constant. There is a vaft difference between habitual and accidental coldnefs in duty; the former is the fymptom of worldly, carnal, and unregenerate minds; but not the latter. Many are the accidents which disturb and indifpofe the body; many are the things which diftract and clog the mind:

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