The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

So also it is in the Duties of Prayer and Meditation. When the Soul of a Believer hath had Experience of the Communion which it hath had with God in them, or either of them; of the Spiritual Refreshment which it hath had from them, of the Benefits and Mercies which are obtained by them, in recovery from Temptations, Snares, Despondencies, in Victory over Sin and Satan, in Spiritual Impressions, working it unto an holy watchful Frame, which hath abode with it in other Ways and Occasions, with the like Advantages wherewith fervent and Effectual Prayer, and sincere Heavenly Meditation are accompanied, it cannot but have Love unto them, and Delight in them; But if indeed we have no Experience of these things, if we find not these Advantages in and by these Duties; they cannot but be a Burden unto us, nor do serve unto any other End but to satisfy Convictions. He who had the benefit of a serene and wholesome Air, in a recovery from many Diseases and Distempers, with the Preservation of his Health so obtained, will love it and prize it, and so will he these Duties, who hath been Partaker of any of these Saving Mercies and Privileges wherewith they are accompanied. Some have been delivered from the worst of Temptations, and the nearest Approach of their Prevalency (as to destroy themselves) by a sudden Remembrance of the Frame of their Souls, and the Intimations of Gods Love, in such or such a ⟨p. 251⟩Prayer, at such a time. Some have had the same Deliverance from Temptations unto Sin, when they have been carried away under the Power of their Corruptions, and all Circumstances have concurred under the Apprehensions of it, a Sudden Thought of such a Prayer or Meditation with the Engagement they made of themselves therein unto God, hath caused all the weapons of Sin to fall out of its hands, and all the Beauties of its Allurements to disappear.

So also it is in the Duties of Prayer and Meditation. VVhen the Soul of a Believer hath had Experience of the Communion which it hath had with God in them, or either of them; of the Spiritual Refreshment which it hath had from them, of the Benefits and Mercies which are obtained by them, in recovery from Temptations, Snares, Despondencies, in Victory over Sin and Sathan, in Spiritual Impressions, working it unto an holy watchful Frame, which hath abode with it in other VVayes and Occasions, with the like Advantages wherewith fervent and Effectual Prayer, and sincere Heavenly Meditation are accompanied, it cannot but have Love unto them, and Delight in them; But if indeed we have no Experience of these things, if we find not these Advantages in and by these Duties; they cannot but be a Burden unto us, nor do serve unto any other End but to satisfie Convictions. He who had the benefit of a serene and wholsome Air, in a recovery from many Diseases and Distempers, with the Preservation of his Health so obtained, will love it and prize it, and so will he these Duties, who hath been Partaker of any of these Saving Mercies and Priviledges wherewith they are accompanied. Some have been delivered from the worst of Temptations, and the nearest Approach of their Prevalency (as to destroy themselves) by a sudden Remembrance of the Frame of their Souls, and the Intimations of Gods Love, in such or such a