The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

When others have been under the Power of such Despondencies and Disconsolations, as that no present tenders of Relief can approach unto them, they have been suddenly raised and refreshed by the Remembrance of the intimate Love and Kindness between Christ and their Souls, that hath evidenced it self in former Duties. Multitudes in Fears, Distresses and Temptations, have found Relief unto their Spirits, and Encouragement unto their Faith in the Remembrance of the Returns they have had unto former Supplications in the like Distresses. These are Grounds of Spiritual Delight in these Duties.

When others have been under the Power of such Dispondencies and Disconsolations, as that no present tenders of Relief can approach unto them, they have been suddenly raised and refreshed by the Remembrance of the intimate Love and Kindness between Christ and their Souls, that hath evidenced it self in former Duties. Multitudes in Feares, Distresses and Temptations, have found Relief unto their Spirits, and Encouragement unto their Faith in the Remembrance of the Returnes they have had unto former Supplications in the like Distresses. These are Grounds of Spiritual Delight in these Duties.

Heartless, Lifeless, wordy Prayer, the Fruit of Convictions and Gifts, or of Custom and outward Occasions however multiplied, and whatever Devotion they seem to be accompanied withal, will never engage Spiritual Affections unto them. When these things are absent, when the Soul hath not Experience of them, Prayer is but a lifeless Form, a dead Carcass, which it would be a torment unto a Soul Spiritually alive to be tied unto. There may be a Season indeed, when God will seem to hide himself from Believers in their Prayers, so as they shall neither find that Life in themselves which they have done formerly, nor be sensible of any gracious Communications from him, but this is done only for a time, and principally to stir them up unto that Fervency and Perseverance in Prayer, as may recover ⟨p. 252⟩them into their former, or a better Estate than yet they have attained unto. The like may be said concerning all other Duties of Religion, or Ordinances of Divine Worship.