The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

1. Inward Force as it may be called. This is by Convictions. Convictions put a kind of a force upon the mind, or an Impression that causeth it to act contrary unto its own habitual Disposition and Inclination. It is in the Nature of water to descend. But apply an Instrument unto it, that shall make a compression of it, and force it unto a vent, it will fly upwards vehemently, as if that were its natural motion. But so soon as the force of the Impression ceaseth, it returns immediately unto its own proper tendency, descending towards its centre. So is it with mens Thoughts oft-times. They are earthly, their natural course and motion is downwards unto the Earth and the things thereof. ⟨p. 20⟩But when any efficacious Conviction presseth on the mind, it forceth the egress of its Thoughts upwards towards Heavenly things. It will think much and frequently of them; as if that were their proper motion and Course. But so soon as the Power of the Conviction decays or wears off, that the mind is no more sensible of its force and impression; the thoughts of it return again unto their old Course and Track, as the water tends downwards.

1. Inward Force as it may be called. This is by Convictions. Convictions put a kind of a force upon the mind, or an Impression that causeth it to act contrary unto its own habitual Disposition and Inclination. It is in the Nature of water to descend. But apply an Instrument unto it, that shall make a compression of it, and force it unto a vent, it will fly upwards vehemently, as if that were its natural motion. But so soon as the force of the Impression ceaseth, it returns immediately unto its own proper tendency, descending towards its center. So is it with mens Thoughts oft-times. They are earthly, their natural course and motion is downwards unto the Earth and the things thereof. ⟨p. 20⟩But when any efficacious Conviction presseth on the mind, it forceth the egress of its Thoughts upwards towards Heavenly things. It will think much and frequently of them; as if that were their proper motion and Course. But so soon as the Power of the Conviction decayes or wears off, that the mind is no more sensible of its force and impression; the thoughts of it return again unto their old Course and Track, as the water tends downwards.