The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

2. Where any are Spiritually minded, there and there alone is Life and Peace. What these are, wherein they do consist, what is their Excellency and Preeminence above all things in this World, how they are the Effects and Consequents of our being spiritually minded, shall be afterwards declared.

2. Where any are Spiritually minded, there and there alone is Life and Peace. What these are, wherein they do consist, what is their Excellency and Preheminence above all things in this World, how they are the Effects and Consequents of our being spiritually minded, shall be afterwards declared.

There is neither of these Considerations, but is sufficient to demonstrate of how great Concernment unto us it is to be spiritually minded, and diligently to enquire whether we are so or no.

It will therefore be no small Advantage unto us, to have our Souls and Consciences always affected with, and in due Subjection unto the Power of this Truth; Namely, that to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace; whence it will follow, that whatever we may think otherwise, if we are not so, we have neither of them, neither Life nor Peace. It will, I say, be of use unto us, if we are affected with the Power of it. For many greatly deceive themselves in hearing the Word. They admit of Sacred Truths in their Understanding, ⟨p. 8⟩and assent unto them; but take not in the Power of them on their Consciences, nor strictly judge of their State and Condition by them, which proves their Ruin. For hereby they seem to themselves to believe, that whereof in truth they believe not one Syllable as they ought. They hear it, they understand it in the Notion of it, they assent unto it, at least they do not contradict it, yea they commend it oftentimes and approve of it. But yet they believe it not. For if they did, they would judge themselves by it, and reckon on it, that it will be with them at the last day, according as things are determined therein.