The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Wherefore in the first place it belongs unto the true Notion of Heaven, that it is a State wherein we shall be eternally ⟨p. 99⟩freed from sin, and all the concernments of it, but only the exaltation of the Glory of Gods Grace in Christ, by the pardon of it. He that truly hates sin and abhors it, whose principal Desire and Design of Life is to be freed from it so far as it is possible; who walks in self Abasement through a sense of his many Disappointments, when he hoped it should act in him no more, cannot as I judge but frequently betake himself for Refreshment unto Thoughts of that state wherein he shall be freed from it and triumph over it unto eternity. This is a Notion of Heaven that is easily apprehended and fixed on the Mind, which we may dwell upon, unto the great advantage and satisfaction of our Souls.

Wherefore in the first place it belongs unto the true Notion of Heaven, that it is a State wherein we shall be eternally ⟨p. 99⟩freed from sin, and all the concernments of it, but only the exaltation of the Glory of Gods Grace in Christ, by the pardon of it. He that truely hates sin and abhorrs it, whose principal Desire and Design of Life is to be freed from it so far as it is possible; who walks in self Abasement through a sence of his many Disappointments, when he hoped it should act in him no more, cannot as I judge but frequently betake himself for Refreshment unto Thoughts of that state wherein he shall be freed from it and triumph over it unto eternity. This is a Notion of Heaven that is easily apprehended and fixed on the Mind, which we may dwell upon, unto the great advantage and satisfaction of our Souls.

Frequent Thoughts and Meditations of Heaven under this notion, do argue a man to be Spiritually minded. For it is a convincing Evidence that sin is a Burden unto him, that he longs to be delivered from it and all its consequents; that no Thoughts are more welcome unto him, than those of that state wherein sin shall be no more. And although men are troubled about their sins, and would desirously be freed from them, so far as they perplex their Minds, and make their Consciences uneasy; yet if they are not much in the prospect of this Relief, if they find not Refreshment in it, I fear their trouble is not such as it ought to be. Wherefore, when men can so wrangle and wrestle with their Convictions of sin, and yet take up the best of their Relief in hopes that it will be better with them at some times or other in this world, without longing Desires after that state wherein sin shall be no more, they can give no evidence that they are Spiritually minded.