The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

These things mentioned have been premised in General, as unto the nature, manner and way of exercise of our Thoughts on God. That which remains is to give some particular instances, of what we are to think upon in an especial manner; and what we will be conversant withal in our Thoughts, if so be we are Spiritually ⟨p. 150⟩minded. And I shall not insist at present on the things which concern his Grace and Love in Christ Jesus, which belong unto another head, but on those which have an Immediate respect unto the Divine Nature it self, and its holy essential Properties.

THese things mentioned have been premised in General, as unto the nature, manner and way of exercise of our Thoughts on God. That which remains is to give some particular instances, of what we are to think upon in an especial manner; and what we will be conversant withall in our Thoughts, if so be we are Spiritually ⟨p. 150⟩minded. And I shall not insist at present on the things which concern his Grace and Love in Christ Jesus, which belong unto another head, but on those which have an Immediate respect unto the Divine Nature it self, and its holy essential Properties.

(1.) Think much of the Being and Existence of God. Herein lies the Foundation of all our Relation and access unto him. Heb. 11.6. He that cometh unto God, must believe that he is. This is the first Object of Faith; and it is the first Act of Reason; and being the sole Foundation of all Religion, it is our duty to be exercised unto multiplied Thoughts about it, renewed on all occasions. For many who are not direct Atheists, yet live without any solid well-grounded Assent unto the Divine being; They do not so believe it as to be practically influenced with the Consideration of it. It is granted, that the inbred Light of Nature, in the due exercise of Reason, will give any Rational creature satisfaction in the Being of God. But there is in the most an Anticipation of any Thoughts of this nature by Tradition and Education, which hath invited men into an assent unto it, they know not how. They never called it into question, nor have as they suppose any cause so to do. Nature it self startles at the first Thoughts of denying of it, but if ever such persons on any urgent occasions come to have real Thoughts about it, they are at a loss and fluctuate in their minds, as not having any certain indubitable conviction of its truth. Wherefore, as our Knowledge of the Divine Being is as to the Foundation of it laid in the Light of Nature, the Operation of Conscience, and the due exercise of Reason about the works and effects of infinite Power and Wisdom; so it ought to be increased, and rendered useful by faith in Divine Revelations, and the Experience of Divine power through them. By this Faith we ought to let in frequent thoughts of the Divine being and Existence.