The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

A man may not have a Capacity and Ability to carry on a great Trade of Merchandise in the world. The knowledge of all sorts of Commodities, and Seasons, of the World and Nations of it, with those Contrivances and Accounts which belong unto such Trade may be above his comprehension, and he may quickly ruin himself in undertaking such an Employment. Yet may the Abilities of this man serve him well enough to carry on a retail Trade in a private Shop, wherein perhaps he may thrive as well, and get as good an Estate as any of those whose greater Capacities lead them forth unto more large and hazardous Employments. So it may be with some in this case. The natural Faculties of their minds are not sufficient to enable them unto Stated Meditation. They cannot cast things into that method and order which is required thereunto; nor frame the conceptions of their minds into words significant and ⟨p. 176⟩expressive; yet as unto frequency of Thoughts of God, and a disposition of Mind thereunto, they may thrive and be skilful beyond most others of greater natural Abilities. Howbeit, because even Stated Meditation is a necessary Duty, yea the principal way whereby our spiritual Thoughts do profitably act themselves, I shall have regard thereunto in the following Direction; wherefore,

A man may not have a Capacity and Ability to carry on a great Trade of Merchandize in the world. The knowledge of all sorts of Commodities, and Seasons, of the World and Nations of it, with those Contrivances and Accounts which belong unto such Trade may be above his comprehension, and he may quickly ruine himself in undertaking such an Employment. Yet may the Abilities of this man serve him well enough to carry on a retail Trade in a private Shop, wherein perhaps he may thrive as well, and get as good an Estate as any of those whose greater Capacities lead them forth unto more large and hazardous Employments. So it may be with some in this case. The natural Faculties of their minds are not sufficient to enable them unto Stated Meditation. They cannot cast things into that method and order which is required thereunto; nor frame the conceptions of their minds into words significant and ⟨p. 176⟩expressive; yet as unto frequency of Thoughts of God, and a disposition of Mind thereunto, they may thrive and be skilful beyond most others of greater natural Abilities. Howbeit, because even Stated Meditation is a necessary Duty, yea the principal way whereby our spiritual Thoughts do profitably act themselves, I shall have regard thereunto in the following Direction; wherefore,