The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Wherefore, as unto them who either by their voluntary choice or necessity of their Occasions, do enter and engage promiscuously into all Societies and Companies, let them know assuredly, that if they awe not their hearts and spirits continually with the Thoughts and apprehensions of the Omnipresence and Omniscience of God, that he is always with them, and his Eye always upon them, they will not be preserved from Snares and sinful miscarriages.

Wherefore, as unto them who either by their voluntary choice or necessity of their Occasions, do enter and engage pomiscuously into all Societies and Companies, let them know assuredly, that if they awe not their hearts and spirits continually with the Thoughts and apprehensions of the Omnipresence and Omniscience of God, that he is alwayes with them, and his Eye alwayes upon them, they will not be preserved from Snares and sinful miscarriages.

Yea, such Thoughts are needful unto the best of us all, and in the best of our societies, that we behave not our selves undecently in them at any time.

Again, unto some, Privacy, Secrecy, and Opportunity, are occasions of Temptation and Sin. They are so unto persons under Convictions not wholly turned to God. Many a good Beginning hath been utterly ruined by this occasion and Temptation. Privacy and Opportunity ⟨p. 160⟩have overthrown many such persons in the best of their Resolutions. And they are so unto all persons not yet flagitiously wicked. Cursed fruits proceed every day from these Occasions. We need no other Demonstration of their Power and Efficacy in Tempting unto sin, but the visible Effects of them. And what they are unto any, they may be unto all, if not diligently watched against▪ So the Apostle reflects on the shameful things that are done in the dark, in a concurrence of Secrecy and Opportunity. This therefore gives a Just season unto Thoughts of the Omnipresence and Omniscience of God, and they will not be wanting in some measure in them that are spiritually minded.