The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

We are all of us liable unto Temptations. Those who are not sensible of it, are under the Power of what the Temptation leads unto. And they are of two sorts. First, Such as are extraordinary, when the hand of God is in them in a peculiar manner for our Rebuke, It is true, God tempts none, as Temptation formally leads unto sin. But he orders Temptations so far forth as they are Afflictive and Chastisements. Thus it is when he suffers an especial corruption within to fall in conjunction with an especial Temptation without, and to obtain a prevalency thereby. Of these there is no doubt, but any ⟨p. 72⟩man not judicially hardened, may know both his Disease and the Remedy. But that ordinary course of Temptations which we are exercised withal, needs a diligent Attendance for their Discovery as well as for our Deliverance from them. And it is to be feared, that many are kept in Spiritual weakness, useless, and in darkness all their days through the Power of their Temptations, yet never know what they are, or wherein they consist. These grey hairs are sprinkled on them, yet they know it not; some approve themselves in those very things and ways which are their Temptations. Yet in the exercise of due Watchfulness, Diligence and Prudence, men may know both the Plague of their own hearts in their prevailing Corruptions, and the ways whereby it is excited through Temptation, with the occasions it makes use of, and the Advantages it takes. For Instance: One may have an Eminency in Gifts, and usefulness or success in his labours, which gives him great Acceptance with others. Such an one shall hardly avoid a double Temptation. First of Spiritual Pride and self Exaltation. Hence the Apostle will not admit a Novice, one unexperienced in the ways of Grace and deceits of Sin, into the Office of the Ministry, lest he should be lifted up with Pride, and fall into the condemnation of the Devil, 1 Tim. 3.6. He himself was not without danger hereof, 2 Cor. 12.17. The best of men can hardly fortify their minds against the secret workings of Pride upon successes and applause, unless they keep them constantly balanced with Thoughts of their own vileness in the sight of God. And Secondly, Remissness unto exact universal Mortification, which they countenance themselves against, by their Acceptance and Success above others in the Ministry.