is merely done, but that it is done as instructed. This is the great duty
where the word "spirit" is used to express spiritual gifts, it is, as to those gifts, opposed to our "understanding,'' 1 Corinthians 14:15, which is there taken a rational perception of things; but as that word is applied to any faculty of our souls, it is the mind that it expresses. This, then, being our spirit, its actions are hidden, and not to be revealed without spiritual wisdom and diligence. We cannot dwell too long on this, for it is of so great importance to us, and yet so hidden, and which we are apt to be unaware of; and yet our carefulness in this matter is one of the best evidences of our sincerity. Let us not, then, be like a man who complains when he has a cut finger, but not of a decay of spirits tending to death. There remains under this heading the responsibility of the mind in reference to particular duties and sins; so we shall do these two things:
1. Show what is required in the mind of a believer regarding particular duties.
2. Declare the way that the deceit of sin works, to draw it away from it.
1. For the right performance of any duty, it is not enough that the thing is merely done, but that it is done as instructed. This is the great duty of the mind; to attend to the rule of duties, and to take care that all that relates to them is properly arranged. Our progress in obedience is our edification. Now, it is little help to a building, if a man brings wood and stones, and heaps them up together without order; they must be hewed and squared, and fitted by line and rule, if we intend to build. Nor is it to any advantage to our growth in faith and obedience that we multiply duties, if we heap them on one another, and do not order them according to rule; so God rejects a multitude of duties, when not suited to the rule: Isaiah 1:11, "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices?" and, verse 14, "They are a trouble to me; I am weary to bear them." So all acceptable obedience is according to "rule," Galatians 6:16; it is a regular obedience. As letters in the alphabet heaped together signify nothing, unless they are in the right order, no more do our duties without this. That they may be so is the great duty of the mind, which it is to attend to with all diligence: Ephesians 5:15,