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sensual, earthly, selfish, such is the treasure that is in our hearts, and such are we. But where the thoughts that thus naturally proceed from the treasure that is in the heart are spiritual and holy, it is an argument that we are spiritually minded.

Where it is not thus with our thoughts, they give no such evidence as that inquired after. Men may have many and frequent thoughts of spiritual things, which do not arise from this principle, but may be resolved into two other causes. 1. Inward force. 2. Outward occasions.

But so

1. Inward force, as it may be called. This is by convictions. Convictions put a kind of force upon the mind, or an impression that causeth it to act contrary to its own habitual disposition and inclination. It is in the nature of water to descend. But apply an instrument to it, that shall make a compression of it, and force it into a vent, it will fly upwards vehemently, as if that were its natural motion. soon as the force of the compression ceaseth, it returns immediately to its own proper tendency, descending towards its centre. So it is oft-times with men's thoughts. They are earthly; their natural course and motion is downwards to the earth, and the things thereof. But when any efficacious conviction presseth on the mind, it forces the egress of his thoughts upwards towards heavenly things. It will think much and frequently of them, as if that were their proper motion and course. But so soon as the power of the conviction decays, or wears off, that the mind is no more sensible of its force and impression, the thoughts return again unto their old course and track, as the water tends downwards.

And

This state and frame is graphically described:"When he slew them, then they sought him, and they returned, and inquired early after God. they remembered that God was their rock, and the High God their Redeemer. Nevertheless, they did but flatter him with their mouths, and they lied unto him with their tongues; for their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant."

Men in troubles, dangers, sickness, fear of death, or under effectual conviction of sin from the preaching of the word, will endeavour to think and meditate on spiritual things. Yea, they will be greatly troubled that they cannot think of them more than they do, and esteem it their folly that they think of any thing else. But as freedom and deliverance approach, so these thoughts decay, and disappear. The mind will not be compelled to give place to them any more. The prophet gives the reason of it: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil." They have had another haunt, been taught another course; the habit and inclination of the mind lies another way, and they will no longer tend towards spiritual things, than an impression is on them from their convictions.

And it is an argument of very mean attainments, of a low and weak degree in this frame of heart, or in our being spiritually minded, when our thoughts of spiritual things rise or fall, according to renewed occasional convictions. If, when we are under rebukes from God in our persons or relations, in fears of death, and the like, and withal have some renewed convictions of sin, in commission, or omission of duties, and thereon endeavour to be more spiritually minded, in the constant exercise of our thoughts on spiritual things, in which we fail; and these thoughts decay, as our convictions in the causes of them wear off, or are removed, we have attained a very low degree in this grace, if we have any interest in it at all.

Water that ariseth and floweth from a living spring, runneth equally and constantly, unless it be obstructed or diverted, by some violent opposition; but that which is from thunder-showers, runs furiously for a season, but is quickly dried up. So are those spiritual thoughts which arise from a prevalent internal principle of grace in the heart; they are even and constant, unless an interruption be put upon them for a season by temptations. But these which are excited

by the thunder of convictions, however their streams may be filled for a season, they quickly dry up, and utterly decay.

2. Such thoughts may arise in the minds of men not spiritually minded, from outward means and occasions. Such are indeed useful, yea, appointed of God for this end, among others, that they may ingenerate and stir up holy thoughts and affections in us. But there is a difference in their use and operation. In some, they excite the inward principle of the mind to act in holy thoughts, according to its own sanctified disposition, and prevalent affections:-this is their proper end and use. In others, they occasionally suggest such thoughts to the minds of men, which spring only from the notions of the things proposed to them. With respect to this end, also, they are of singular use to the souls of men, howbeit such thoughts do not prove men to be spiritually minded. Where you till and manure your land, if it brings forth plentiful crops of corn, it is an evidence that the soil itself is good and fertile; the dressing of it only gives occasion and advantage to put forth its own fruit-bearing virtue. But if, in the tilling of land, you lay much dung upon it, and it bring forth here and there a handful where the dung lay, you will say, the soil is barren, it bring forth nothing of itself.These means that we shall treat of, are as the tilling of a fruitful soil, which help it in bringing forth its fruit, by exciting its own virtue and power. They stir up holy affections, to holy thoughts and desires. But in others, whose hearts are barren, they only serve, as it were, here and there, to stir up spiritual thoughts, which gives no evidence of a gracious heart or spirit. But because this is a matter of great importance, it shall be handled distinctly by itself.

CHAPTER III.

Outward means and occasions of thoughts of such spiritual things, which do not prove men to be spiritually minded Preaching of the Word-Exercise of Gifts Prayer. How we may know whether our thoughts of spiritual things in prayer are truly spiritual thoughts, proving us to be spiritually minded.

1. SUCH a means is the preaching of the word itself. It is observed concerning many in the gospel, that they heard it willingly, received it with joy, and did many things gladly, upon the preaching of it. And we see the same thing exemplified in multitudes every day. But none of these things can be, without many thoughts in the minds of such persons, about the spiritual things of the word. For they are the effects of such thoughts; and, being wrought in the minds of men, will produce more of the same nature. Yet were they all hypocrites, concerning whom these things are spoken, and were never spiritually minded.

The cause of this miscarriage is stated by our Saviour:-" He that receiveth the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon receiveth it with joy; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while." The good thoughts they have, proceed not from any principle in themselves: neither their affections, nor their thoughts of these things, have any internal root whereon they should grow. So is it with many who live under the present dispensation of the gospel. They have thoughts of spiritual things continually suggested to them; and they do abide with them, more or less, according as they are affected. For I speak not of those who are either despisers of what they hear, or way-side hearers, who understand nothing of what they hear, and immediately lose all sense of it, all

thoughts about it. But I speak of those who attend with some diligence, and receive the word with some joy. These insensibly grow in knowledge and understanding, and, therefore, cannot be without some thoughts of spiritual things. Howbeit, for the most part, they are but like waters that run after a shower of rain. They pour out themselves as if they proceeded from some strong living spring, whereas, indeed, they have none at all. When once the waters of the shower are spent, their channel is dry, there is nothing in it but stones and dirt. When the doctrine of the word falls on such persons as showers of rain, it gives a course, sometimes greater and sometimes less, to their thoughts towards spiritual things; but they have not a well of water in them springing up into everlasting life. Wherefore, after a while, their minds are dried up from such thoughts, nothing remains in them but earth, and that, perhaps, foul and dirty.

It must be observed, that the best of men, the most holy and spiritually minded, may have, nay, ought to have their thoughts of spiritual things excited, multiplied, and confirmed by the preaching of the word. It is one end of its dispensation, one principle use of it in them by whom it is received. And it hath this effect two ways. 1. As it is the spiritual food of the soul, whereby its principle of life and grace is maintained and strengthened. The more this is done, the more shall we thrive in being spiritually minded. 2. As it administers occasion to the exercises of grace. For proposing the proper object of faith, love, fear, trust, reverence to the soul, it draws forth all those graces into exercise. Wherefore, although the vigorous actings of spiritual thoughts be occasional from the word, be more under and after the preaching of it than at other times, it is no more but what ariseth from the nature and use of the ordinance, by God's own appointment, nor is it any evidence, that those with whom it is so, are not spiritually minded; but, on the contrary, that they are. Yet where men have no other thoughts of this matter but what are occa

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