The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

If we intend therefore to maintain a Title unto this Grace of being Spiritually minded, if we would have any Evidence of it in our selves, without which we can have none of Life or Peace, and what we pretend thereof is but an effect of security, we must endeavour to preserve the claim and right of Spiritual Thoughts unto such seasons, and actually put them in possession of them.

3. Consider how we are affected with our Disappointments about these seasons. Have we by Negligence, by Temptations, have we by occasional Diversions or Affairs of Life been taken off from Thoughts of God, of Christ, of Heavenly things, when we ought to have been engaged ⟨p. 59⟩in them; how are we affected with a review hereof? A carnal mind is well enough satisfied with the omission of any Duty, so it have pretence of a necessary Occasion. If it hath lost a temporal Advantage, through Attendance unto a Spiritual Duty, it will deeply Reflect on it self, and it may be like the Duty the worse afterwards. But a gracious Soul, one that is truly Spiritually-minded, will mourn under a review of such Omissions, and by every one of them is stirred up unto more watchfulness for the future. Alas, will it say, how little have I been with Christ this day? How much time hath passed me without a thought of him? How foolish was I, to be wanting to such or such an Opportunity? I am in Arrears unto my self, and have no rest until I be satisfied.

3. Consider how we are affected with our Disappointments about these seasons. Have we by Negligence, by Temptations, have we by occasional Diversions or Affairs of Life been taken off from Thoughts of God, of Christ, of Heavenly things, when we ought to have been engaged ⟨p. 59⟩in them; how are we affected with a review hereof? A carnal mind is well enough satisfied with the omission of any Duty, so it have pretence of a necessary Occasion. If it hath lost a temporal Advantage, through Attendance unto a Spiritual Duty, it will deeply Reflect on it self, and it may be like the Duty the worse afterwards. But a gracious Soul, one that is truely Spiritually-minded, will mourn under a review of such Omissions, and by every one of them is stirred up unto more watchfulness for the future. Alas, will it say, how little have I been with Christ this day? How much time hath passed me without a thought of him? How foolish was I, to be wanting to such or such an Opportunity? I am in Arrears unto my self, and have no rest untill I be satisfied.