The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

(1.) Vain Curiosity. (2.) Carnal Boldness. It is inimaginable how the subtle disquisitions and disputes of men, about the Nature, Properties and Counsels of God, have been corrupted, rendered sapless and useless by vain Curiosity, and striving for an artificial Accuracy in the expression of mens apprehensions. When the Wits and Minds of men are engaged in such Thoughts, God is not in ⟨p. 147⟩all their Thoughts, even when all their Thoughts are concerning him. When once men are got into their Metaphysical Curiosities, and Logical Niceties in their Contemplations about God and his Divine Properties, they bid farewell for the most part unto all Godly Fear and Reverence. Others are under the power of Carnal Boldness, that they think of God with no other respect, than if they thought of Worms of the earth like themselves. There is no holy Awfulness upon their Minds and Souls in the mention of his Name. By these things may our Thoughts of God be so vitiated, that the heart shall not in them be affected with a Reverence of him, nor any Evidence be given that we are spiritually minded.

(1.) Vain Curiosity. (2.) Carnal Boldness. It is inimaginable how the subtle disquisitions and disputes of men, about the Nature, Properties and Councels of God, have been corrupted, rendred sapless and useless by vain Curiosity, and striving for an artificial Accuracy in the expression of mens apprehensions. When the Wits and Minds of men are engaged in such Thoughts, God is not in ⟨p. 147⟩all their Thoughts, even when all their Thoughts are concerning him. When once men are got into their Metaphysical Curiosities, and Logical Niceties in their Contemplations about God and his Divine Properties, they bid farewell for the most part unto all Godly Fear and Reverence. Others are under the power of Carnal Boldness, that they think of God with no other respect, than if they thought of Worms of the earth like themselves. There is no holy Awfulness upon their Minds and Souls in the mention of his Name. By these things may our Thoughts of God be so vitiated, that the heart shall not in them be affected with a Reverence of him, nor any Evidence be given that we are spiritually minded.