The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

By the strength of their natural Abilities, men may ⟨p. 174⟩frame Thoughts of God, and heavenly things in their Minds, according unto the knowledge they have of them. They may Methodize them by Rules of Art, and express them elegantly unto others. But even while they do so, they may be far enough from being spiritually minded. For there may be in their Thoughts, no actings of Faith, Love or holy Delight in God, or any Grace at all. But such alone are things which we enquire after, they are such only as wherein the Graces of the Spirit are in their proper Exercise. With respect unto them we have no sufficiency in our selves, all our sufficiency must be of God. There is no Truth among persons of Light and Knowledge more generally granted in the notion of it than this, that of our selves we can do nothing; and none more neglected in daily practice. Men profess they can do nothing of themselves, and yet go about their Duties as if they could do all things.

3. Remember that I have not at present treated of solemn stated Meditation. Concerning which other Rules and Instructions ought to be given. By solemn or stated Meditation, I intend the Thoughts of some Subject Spiritual and Divine, with the fixing, forcing and ordering our Thoughts about it, with a design to affect our own Hearts and Souls with the matter of it, or the things contained in it. By this design it is distinguished from the study of the Word, wherein our principal aim is to learn the Truth, or to declare it unto others. And so also from Prayer, whereof God himself is the immediate Object. But in Meditation it is the affecting of our own Hearts and Minds with Love, Delight and Humiliation. At present I have only showed what it is to be Spiritually minded, and that in this Instance of our Thoughts as they proceed from the habitual frame of our hearts and affections; or of what sort the constant course of our Thoughts ought to be, with respect unto all the occasions of the Life of God. This persons may ⟨p. 175⟩be in a readiness for, who are yet unskilful in, and unable for stated Meditation. For there is required thereunto such an Exercise of our Natural Faculties and Abilities, as some through their weakness and Ignorance are incapable of. But as unto what we have hitherto insisted on, it is not unattainable by any in whom is the Spirit of Faith and Love. For it is but the frequent actings of them that I intend. Wherefore, do your Hearts and Affections lead you unto many Thoughts of God, and Spiritual Things? do they spring up in you, as water in a well of living Waters? Are you ready on all occasions to entertain such Thoughts, and to be conversant with them, as opportunity doth offer it self? Do you labour to have in a readiness what is useful for you with respect unto Temptations and Duties? Is God in Christ, and the things of the Gospel, the ordinary Retreat of your Souls? Though you should not be able to carry on an orderly stated Meditation in your minds, yet you may be spiritually minded.