The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

1. A diligent search into our selves, and an holy Watch over our selves, with respect unto those ways and sins which the displeasure of God is declared against. That present Providences are Indications of Gods Anger and Displeasure, we take for granted. But when this is done, the most are apt to cast the Causes of them on others and to excuse themselves; so long as they see others more wicked and profligate than themselves, openly guilty ⟨p. 63⟩of such Crimes, as they abhor the Thoughts of, they cast all the wrath on them, and fear nothing but that they shall suffer with them. But alas! When the storm came on the Ship at Sea, wherein there was but one person that feared God; upon an Enquiry for whose sake it came, the Lot fell on him. Jon. 1.7. The cause of the present storm may as well be the secret sins of Professors, as the open Provocations of ungodly men. God will punish severely those which he hath known. Amos 3.2. It is therefore certainly our Duty to search diligently, that nothing be found resting in us, against which God is declaring his Displeasure. Take heed of negligence and security herein. When our Saviour foretold his Disciples, that one of them should betray him, he who alone was guilty, was the last that said, Master is it I. Let no ground of hopes you have of your Spiritual condition and acceptance with God, no Sense of your sincerity in any of your Duties, no visible difference between you and others in the World, impose themselves on your minds to divert them from diligence in this Duty; The voice of the Lord crieth unto the City, and the man of wisdom will see his Name.

1. A diligent search into our selves, and an holy Watch over our selves, with respect unto those ways and sins which the displeasure of God is declared against. That present Providences are Indications of Gods Anger and Displeasure, we take for granted. But when this is done, the most are apt to cast the Causes of them on others and to excuse themselves; so long as they see others more wicked and prosligate than themselves, openly guilty ⟨p. 63⟩of such Crimes, as they abhor the Thoughts of, they cast all the wrath on them, and fear nothing but that they shall suffer with them. But alas! When the storm came on the Ship at Sea, wherein there was but one person that feared God; upon an Enquiry for whose sake it came, the Lot fell on him.