The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

There is a suitableness unto our Natural Constitution, and a secret Complacency of our Natures in the proper Actings of Life Natural, for its own Preservation and Increase. There is so in our Spiritual Constitution, in the proper Actings of the Powers of our Spiritual Life unto its Preservation and Increase. These Graces in their due Exercise, do Compose and Refresh the mind, as those which are Perfective of its State, which quell and cast out whatever troubles it. Thence a blessed Satisfaction and Complacency befalls the Soul. Herein he that believeth hath the witness in himself. Besides, Faith and Love are never really Acted on Christ, but they prepare and make meet the Soul to receive Communications of Love and Grace from him; which it never faileth of, although it be not always sensible thereof. (3.) From the Testimony of Conscience, bearing witness unto our sincerity, both in Aims, Ends and Performances of the Duty. Hence a gracious Repose of Mind and great Satisfactoriness doth ensue.

There is a suitableness unto our Natural Constitution, and a secret Complacency of our Natures in the proper Actings of Life Natural, for its own Preservation and Encrease. There is so in our Spiritual Constitution, in the proper Actings of the Powers of our Spiritual Life unto its Preservation and Encrease. These Graces in their due Exercise, do Compose and Refresh the mind, as those which are Perfective of its State, which quell and cast out whatever troubles it. Thence a blessed Satisfaction and Complacency befalls the Soul. Herein he that believeth hath the witness in himself. Besides, Faith and Love are never really Acted on Christ, but they prepare and make meet the Soul to receive Communications of Love and Grace from him; which it never faileth of, although it be not always sensible thereof. (3.) From the Testimony of Conscience, bearing witness unto our sincerity, both in Aims, Ends and Performances of the Duty. Hence a gracious Repose of Mind and great Satisfactoriness doth ensue.

If we have no Experience of these things, it is evident ⟨p. 40⟩that we walk at Random in the best of our Duties; For they are among the principal things that we do or ought to Pray for. And if we have not Experience of the Effects of our Prayers in our Hearts, we neither have advantage by them, nor give Glory unto God in them.