The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

In some, this vigour of Spiritual Affections is from the real Power of Grace, exerting its Efficacy on their Hearts and in their Minds. In others, it is from other Causes, as for Instance, Relief from Conviction by Spiritual Illumination, will produce this Effect. And this falls out unto their Advantage of such Persons that generally a Change is wrought in their younger days. For then their Affections in their natural Powers are active, and bear great sway in the whole Soul. Wherefore the Change that is made, is ⟨p. 272⟩most eminent in them, be it what it will. But as men Increase in Age, and thereon grow up in Carnal Wisdom, and a great valuation of Earthly things, with their Care about them and Converse in them, they abate and decay in their Spiritual Affections every day. They will abide in their Profession, but have lost their first Love.

In some, this vigiour of Spiritual Affections is from the real Power of Grace, exerting its Efficacy on their Hearts and in their Minds. In others, it is from other Causes, as for Instance, Relief from Conviction by Spiritual Illumination, will produce this Effect. And this falls out unto their Advantage of such Persons that generally a Change is wrought in their younger dayes. For then their Affections in their natural Powers are active, and bear great sway in the whole Soul. Wherefore the Change that is made, is ⟨p. 272⟩most eminent in them, be it what it will. But as men Increase in Age, and thereon grow up in Carnal Wisdom, and a great valuation of Earthly things, with their Care about them and Converse in them, they abate and decay in their Spiritual Affections every day. They will abide in their Profession, but have lost their first Love.

It is a shame and folly unutterable, that it should be so with any who make Profession of that Religion, wherein there are so many incomparable Excellencies to endear and engage them to it more and more; but why should we hide what Experience makes manifest in the Sight of the Sun; and what multitudes proclaim concerning themselves? Wherefore I look upon it as a great Evidence, if not absolutely of the Sincerity of Grace, yet of the Life and Growth of it, when men as they grow up in age, do grow in an Undervaluation of present things, in contempt of the World, in Duties of Charity and Bounty, and decay not in any of them. But I say, it is usual that the Entrances of Mens Profession of Religion and Conversation unto God, are attended with vigorous active Affections towards Spiritual things. Of them who really and sincerely believed, it is said that on their believing, they rejoiced with Joy unspeakable, and full of Glory. And of those who only had a work of Conviction on them, improved by temporary Faith, that they received the Word with Joy, and did many things gladly.