The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

For those who are pining away under Hectic Consumption, a general Decay of the vital Spirits of Religion, they have also false Notions, whereby they deceive themselves. As

For those who are pining away under Hectical Consumption, a general Decay of the vital Spirits of Religion, they have also false Notions, whereby they deceive themselves. As

First, that although they have some Cause to mistrust themselves, yet indeed their Condition is not so bad as some may apprehend it, or as they are warned it is. And this ariseth from hence, that they have not as yet been overtaken with any enormous Sin, which hath filled their Consciences with Terror and Disquietment. But this is a false Notion also; for every Decay is dangerous, especially, such as the Mind is ready to plead for, and to countenance it self in.

Secondly, They are prone to suppose that this Decay doth not arise from themselves, and the Evil of their own Hearts; but from their Circumstances, Business, present Occasion, and State of Life, which when they are freed from, they will at least return unto their former Love, and Delight in Spiritual things. But this is a false Notion also, by virtue of that Rule, Heb. 3.12. Let mens Circumstances and Occasions of Life be what they will, all their Departures from God, are from an Evil Heart of Unbelief.

Secondly, They are prone to suppose that this Decay doth not arise from themselves, and the Evil of their own Hearts; but from their Circumstances, Business, present Occasion, and State of Life, which when they are freed from, they will at least return unto their former Love, and Delight in Spiritual things. But this is a false Notion also, by vertue of that Rule,