The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Those views which such an one hath had by Faith, of the increated Glories above, of the things in Heavenly Places, where Christ sits at the right hand of God, of the Glory within the Veil, whereby they have been realized and made present unto his Soul, will now visit him every moment, abide with him continually, and put forth their efficacy unto his supportment and refreshment. Alas! what will become of many of us, who are grovelling continually on the Earth, whose Bellies cleave unto the Dust, who are strangers unto the Thoughts of Heavenly Things, when distressing troubles shall befall us? Why shall we think that refreshing Thoughts of things above will then visit our Souls, when we resisted their admittance in days of Peace? Do you come to me in your distress, saith Jephthah, when in the time of your Peace you drove me from you? When we would thus think of Heavenly things to our Refreshment, ⟨p. 86⟩we shall hardly get them to make an abode with us. I know God can come in by the mighty Power of his Spirit and Grace, to support and comfort the Souls of them who are called and even surprised into the greatest of Sufferings. Yet do I know also that it is our Duty not to Tempt him in the neglect of the ways and means which he hath appointed for the communication of his Grace unto us.

Those views which such an one hath had by Faith, of the increated Glories above, of the things in Heavenly Places, where Christ sits at the right hand of God, of the Glory within the Vail, whereby they have been realized and made present unto his Soul, will now visit him every moment, abide with him continually, and put forth their efficacy unto his supportment and refreshment. Alas! what will become of many of us, who are grovelling continually on the Earth, whose Bellies cleave unto the Dust, who are strangers unto the Thoughts of Heavenly Things, when distressing troubles shall befall us? Why shall we think that refreshing Thoughts of things above will then visit our Souls, when we resisted their admittance in dayes of Peace? Do you come to me in your distress, saith Jepthe, when in the time of your Peace you drove me from you? When we would thus think of Heavenly things to our Refreshment, ⟨p. 86⟩we shall hardly get them to make an abode with us. I know God can come in by the mighty Power of his Spirit and Grace, to support and comfort the Souls of them who are called and even surprized into the greatest of Sufferings. Yet do I know also that it is our Duty not to Tempt him in the neglect of the ways and means which he hath appointed for the communication of his Grace unto us.