The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

It were well if we would try our selves by things of so uncontrollable Evidence. What can any object unto the Truth of these things, or the Necessity of this Duty? If it be otherwise with us, it is from one of these two causes; either we are not convinced of the Truth and Reality of them, or we have no delight in them, because we are not spiritually minded. Do we think that men may turmoil themselves in earthly Thoughts all the day long, and when they are freed of their Affairs, betake themselves unto those that are vain and useless, without any stated converse with things above, and yet enjoy Life and Peace? We must take other measures of things, if we intend to live unto God, to be like him, and to come unto the enjoyment of him.

It were well if we would trye our selves by things of so uncontroulable Evidence. What can any object unto the Truth of these things, or the Necessity of this Duty? If it be otherwise with us, it is from one of these two causes; either we are not convinced of the Truth and Reality of them, or we have no delight in them, because we are not spiritually minded. Do we think that men may turmoyl themselves in earthly Thoughts all the day long, and when they are freed of their Affairs, betake themselves unto those that are vain and useless, without any stated converse with things above, and yet enjoy Life and Peace? We must take other measures of things, if we intend to live unto God, to be like him, and to come unto the enjoyment of him.

What is the matter with men that they are so stupid? They all generally desire to go to Heaven, at least when they can live here no longer. Some indeed have no other regard unto it, but only that they would not go to Hell. But most would dye the Death of the Righteous, and have their latter end like his, yet few there are who endeavour to attain a right Notion of it, to try how it is suited unto their Principles and Desires; but content themselves with such general notions of it as please their Imaginations. It is no wonder if ⟨p. 112⟩such Persons seldom exercise their Minds or Thoughts about it, nor do they so much as pretend to be Spiritually minded. But as for those who are instructed in these things, who profess their chiefest Interest to lye in them, not to abound in Meditation concerning them, it argues indeed that whatever they profess, they are earthly and carnal.