The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Hence it is that so many among us, are visibly at an unthrifty stand in the World; that where they were one Year, there they are another, like Shrubs in the Wilderness, not like the Plants in the Garden of God, not as Vines planted in a very fruitful Hill. Yea, though many are sensible themselves, that they are cold, lifeless, and fruitless, Yet will they not be convinced, that there is a necessity of making a daily progress in Spirituality and Heavenly-Mindedness, whereby the Inward man may be renewed day by day, and Grace augmented with the Increase of God. This is a work as they suppose for them who have nothing else to do; not consistent with their Business, Callings, and Occasions; not ⟨p. 267⟩necessary as they hope unto their Salvation, nor it may be, to be attained by them, if they should set themselves about it. This Apprehension of Imagination, upon the beginning of the Declension, and decay of Christian Religion in the many, Cast of all Holiness and Devotion unto a sort of men who undertook to retire themselves utterly out of the World, amongst whom also the Substance of Religion was quickly lost, and a Cloud, or Meteor of Superstition embraced in the Room of it. But this Folly is ominous unto the Souls of men.

Hence it is that so many among us, are visibly at an unthrifty stand in the World; that where they were one Year, there they are another, like Shrubs in the Wilderness, not like the Plants in the Garden of God, not as Vines planted in a very fruitful Hill. Yea, though many are sensible themselves, that they are cold, lifeless, and fruitless, Yet will they not be convinced, that there is a necessity of making a dayly progress in Spirituality and Heavenly-Mindedness, whereby the Inward man may be renewed day by day, and Grace augmented with the Increase of God. This is a work as they suppose for them who have nothing else to do; not consistent with their Business, Callings, and Occasions; not ⟨p. 267⟩necessary as they hope unto their Salvation, nor it may be, to be attained by them, if they should set themselves about it. This Apprehension of Imagination, upon the beginning of the Declension, and decay of Christian Religion in the many, Cast of all Holiness and Devotion unto a sort of men who undertook to retire themselves utterly out of the World, amongst whom also the Substance of Religion was quickly lost, and a Cloud, or Meteor of Superstition embraced in the Room of it. But this Folly is ominous unto the Souls of men.