The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

It was showed at the entrance of this Discourse, that there is a Difference in this Grace, between the Essence, Substance or Reality of it, which we would not exclude men from, under many failings or infirmities; and the useful Degrees of it, wherein it hath its principal exercise. As there is a difference in Life natural, and its actings, in a weak diseased sickly Body, and in that which is of a Good Constitution and in a vigorous health. Supposing the first, the Reality of this Grace, be wrought in us, or implanted in our Minds by the holy Ghost, as a principal part of that new Nature which is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works; yet unto the growth and improvement of it, as of all other Graces, our own diligent Care, Watchfulness, and spiritual striving in all holy Duties are required. Unless the most fruitful Ground be manured, it will not bring forth an useful Crop. Let not any think that this frame of a Spiritual mind, wherein there is a disposition unto and a readiness for all holy Thoughts of God, of Christ, of spiritual, and heavenly things, at all times and on all occasions, will befall him and continue with him he knows not how. As good it is for a poor man to expect to be rich in this world without Industry, or a weak man to be strong and healthy without Food and Exercise; as to be spiritually minded without ⟨p. 177⟩an earnest endeavour after it. It may be enquired what is requisite thereunto? And we may name some of those things without which such an holy frame will not be attained. As,

It was shewed at the entrance of this Discourse, that there is a Difference in this Grace, between the Essence, Substance or Reality of it, which we would not exclude men from, under many failings or infirmities; and the useful Degrees of it, wherein it hath its principal exercise. As there is a difference in Life natural, and its actings, in a weak deseased sickly Body, and in that which is of a Good Constitution and in a vigorous health. Supposing the first, the Reality of this Grace, be wrought in us, or implanted in our Minds by the holy Ghost, as a principal part of that new Nature which is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works; yet unto the growth and improvement of it, as of all other Graces, our own diligent Care, Watchfulness, and spiritual striving in all holy Duties are required. Unless the most fruitful Ground be manured, it will not bring forth an useful Crop. Let not any think that this frame of a Spiritual mind, wherein there is a disposition unto and a readiness for all holy Thoughts of God, of Christ, of spiritual, and heavenly things, at all times and on all occasions, will befall him and continue with him he knows not how. As good it is for a poor man to expect to be rich in this world without Industry, or a weak man to be strong and healthy without Food and Exercise; as to be spiritually minded without