The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Before I proceed unto the next general Head, and which is the Principal thing, the foundation of the Grace and Duty enquired after, some things must be spoken to render what hath been already insisted on, yet more particularly useful. And this is, to enquire what are or what ought to be the special Objects of those Thoughts, which under the Qualifications laid down, are the Evidences of our being Spiritually minded. And it may be, we may be useful unto many ⟨p. 61⟩herein, by helping of them to fix their minds, which are apt to rove into all uncertainty. For this is befallen us through the disorder and weakness of the faculties of our Souls, that sometimes what the mind guides, leads and directs unto in things Spiritual and Heavenly, our wills and Affections through their Depravation and Corruption will not comply withal, and so the good designings of the mind are lost. Sometimes what the Will and Affections are inclined unto and ready for, the mind through its weakness and inconstancy, cannot lead them to the accomplishment of; so to will is present with us, but how to perform that will we know not. So, many are barren in this Duty, because they know not what to fix upon, nor how to Exercise their Thoughts when they have chosen a subject for their Meditations. Hence they spend their time in fruitless Desires that they could use their Thoughts unto more purpose, rather than make any Progress in the Duty it self. They tire themselves not because they are not willing to go, but because they cannot find their way. Wherefore both these things shall be spoken unto; both what are the proper Objects of our Spiritual Thoughts, and how we may be steady in our Contemplations of them. And I shall unto this purpose, first give some general Rules, and then some particular Instances in way of Direction.

BEfore I proceed unto the next general Head, and which is the Principal thing, the foundation of the Grace and Duty enquired after, some things must be spoken to render what hath been already insisted on, yet more particularly useful. And this is, to enquire what are or what ought to be the special Objects of those Thoughts, which under the Qualifications laid down, are the Evidences of our being Spiritually minded. And it may be, we may be useful unto many ⟨p. 61⟩herein, by helping of them to fix their minds, which are apt to rove into all uncertainty. For this is befallen us through the disorder and weakness of the faculties of our Souls, that sometimes what the mind guides, leads and directs unto in things Spiritual and Heavenly, our wills and Affections through their Depravation and Corruption will not comply withal, and so the good designings of the mind are lost. Sometimes what the Will and Affections are inclin'd unto and ready for, the mind through its weakness and inconstancy, cannot lead them to the accomplishment of; so to will is present with us, but how to perform that will we know not. So, many are barren in this Duty, because they know not what to fix upon, nor how to Exercise their Thoughts when they have chosen a subject for their Meditations. Hence they spend their time in fruitless Desires that they could use their Thoughts unto more purpose, rather than make any Progress in the Duty it self. They tire themselves not because they are not willing to go, but because they cannot find their way. Wherefore both these things shall be spoken unto; both what are the proper Objects of our Spiritual Thoughts, and how we may be steady in our Contemplations of them. And I shall unto this purpose, first give some general Rules, and then some particular Instances in way of Direction.