The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

But if a man be left in Trust with Houses and large Possessions, as a Steward for the right Lord, Owner, and Proprietor of them, if he fall into a pleasing Dream, that they are all his own, and use them accordingly, it will be a woeful Surprisal unto him, when he shall be called to account for all he hath received and laid out, whether he will or no. And when indeed he hath nothing to pay. It will scarce be otherwise with them at the great Day, who forget the trust which is committed to them, and suppose they may do what they will, with what they call their own.

But if a man be left in Trust with Houses and large Possessions, as a Steward for the right Lord, Owner, and Proprietor of them, if he fall into a pleasing Dream, that they are all his own, and use them accordingly, it will be a woful Surprisal unto him, when he shall be called to account for all he hath received and laid out, whether he will or no. And when indeed he hath nothing to pay. It will scarce be otherwise with them at the great Day, who forget the trust which is committed to them, and suppose they may do what they will, with what they call their own.

Secondly, There is nothing in the ways of getting, enjoying or using of these things, but giveth its own Evidence unto Spiritual Wisdom, whether it be within the bounds of Duty or no. Men are not lightly deceived herein, but when they are evidently under the Power of corrupt Affections, or will not at all attend unto themselves and the Language of their own Consciences. It is a mans own Fault alone, if he know not wherein he doth exceed.

A due Examination of our selves in the Sight of God, with respect unto these things, the Frame and Actings of our Minds in them, will greatly give check unto our corrupt Inclinations, and discover the Folly of those Reasonings, whereby we deceive our selves into the Love of Earthly things; or justify our selves therein, and bring to Light the Secret Principle of Self-Love, which is the Root of all this evil.