The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

But what if any of us should be mistaken in our Rule and Application of it unto our Conditions? Men at Sea may have a fair Gale of Wind wherewith they may sail freely and smoothly for a Season, and yet instead of being brought into a Port, be cast by it at last on destructive Shelves or Rocks.

But what if any of us should be mistaken in our Rule and Application of it unto our Conditions? Men at Sea may have a fair Gale of Wind wherewith they may sail freely and smoothly for a Season, and yet insteed of being brought into a Port, be cast by it at last on destructive Shelves or Rocks.

And what if that which we esteem allowable Love, Care and Industry, should prove to be the Fruit of earthly Affections, inordinate and predominant in us; what if we miss in our measures, and that which we approve of in our selves, should be disapproved of God; we are cast for ever, we belong unto the World, and with the World we shall perish.

It may be said, that if it be so difficult to distinguish between these things, namely the lawful use of things here below, and their abuse, the allowable Industry about them, and the inordinate Love of them, on the Knowledge whereof our Eternal Conditions depends, it is impossible but men ⟨p. 193⟩must spend their time in solicitous anxiety of Mind, as not knowing when they have aright discharged their Duty.