e men's bodies are
not capable of this walk after the Spirit principally. Outward ordinances
are but the shell wherein the kernel must be enclosed. All our walking
that is visible to men, is but like a painted or engraven image and
statue, that hath no breath nor life in it, unless the Spirit actuate and
quicken the same. I say not only the Spirit of God, but the spirit and
soul in man; for the Spirit's immediate and divine operations are upon
such a suitable subject as the immortal soul. Verily, there is a spirit in
man, and the inspiration of the Almighty gives him understanding. We must
not abolish the outward form, because it hath some divinity in it, even
the stamp of God's authority; and therefore, those who are swelled above
ordinances, I fear they be monstrous Christians. A man is composed of a
spirit and a body, acted and quickened by that Spirit. Without either of
these he is not a complete man. So I say, he is not a Christian that doth
not worship God in the spirit and in truth both; and it is not religion
that excludes either the inward soul-communion with God, or the outward
ordinance and appointment of God. But, alas! this may be our complaint,--we
come and worship God, and draw nigh with our bodies, but our hearts are
far removed. Here is the death of many's worship,--the soul is separated
from the body of it. These are but pictures and images of Christians. We
have mouths and faces of saints: but O how little of divine affection or
of soul-desires, breathes in us! We are deniers of the power of godliness,
by resting in a form, and this is the great sin of this generation. The
essentials, the vital spirits of Christianity are exhausted, and some dry
bones, like an anatomy of a Christian, remain behind. I beseech you,
gather your spirits to this spiritual walking: they only can follow the
Spirit. Your bodies are earthly and lumpish, and the way is all upward to
the holy hill. Look inwardly and measure yourselves so. Outward appearance
is no just measure. Retire within your souls, and engage them in this
exercise, and enter them to this motion, and your spirits will sweetly and
surely act your bodies and externals, in all matters of godliness.

Sermon VI.

Verse 1.--"Who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

It is one of the greatest mysteries in a Christian's practice, to join
these two together, which the gospel hath conjoined,--justification and
sanctification, and to place the