The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

4. This Duty lies at the Foundation of all that blessed communion and intercourse, that is between Jesus Christ and the Souls of Believers. This I confess is despised by some and the very Notion of it esteemed ridiculous. But they do therein no less than renounce Christianity, and turn the Lord Christ into an Idol, that neither knoweth, seeth, nor heareth. But I speak unto them who are not utter strangers unto the Life of Faith, who know ⟨p. 119⟩not what Religion is, unless they have real spiritual intercourse and communion with the Lord Christ thereby. Consider this therefore as it is in particular exemplified in the Book of Canticles. There is not one Instance of it to be found, which doth not suppose a continual Thoughtfulness of him. And in answer unto them, as they are actings of Faith and Love wherein he is delighted, doth he by his Spirit insinuate into our Minds and Hearts, a gracious sense of his own Love, Kindness and Relation unto us. The great variety wherein these things are mutually carried on between him and the Church, the singular endearments which ensue thereon, and blessed Estate in Rest and Complacency, do make up the substance of that Holy Discourse. No Thoughts then of Christ, proceeding from Faith, accompanied with Love and Delight, shall be lost: They that sow this seed shall return with their sheaves; Christ will meet them with gracious Intimations of his Acceptance of them, delight in them, and return a sense of his own Love unto them. He never will be, he never was behind with any poor Soul in returns of Love. Those gracious and blessed Promises which he hath made of coming unto them that believe in him, of making his abode with them, and of supping with them, all expressions of a Gracious Presence and intimate Communion, do all depend on this duty. Wherefore we may consider three things concerning these Thoughts of Christ. (1.) That they are exceeding acceptable unto him, as the best pledges of our Cordial Affection. Cant. 2.14. O my Dove that art in the clefts of the Rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

4. This Duty lyes at the Foundation of all that blessed communion and entercourse, that is between Jesus Christ and the Souls of Believers. This I confess is despised by some and the very Notion of it esteemed ridiculous. But they do therein no less than renounce Christianity, and turn the Lord Christ into an Idol, that neither knoweth, seeth, nor heareth. But I speak unto them who are not utter strangers unto the Life of Faith, who know