The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

1. Such a Means is the preaching of the Word it self. It is observed concerning many in the Gospel, that they heard it willingly, received it with joy, and did many things gladly, upon the Preaching of it. And we see the same thing exemplified in multitudes every day. But none of these things can be without many thoughts in the minds of such Persons, about the Spiritual things of the Word. For they are the Effects of such Thoughts, and being ⟨p. 23⟩wrought in the minds of men, will produce more of the same Nature. Yet were they all Hypocrites, concerning whom these things are spoken, and were never spiritually minded.

1. SUch a Means is the preaching of the Word it self. It is observed concerning many in the Gospel, that they heard it willingly, received it with joy, and did many things gladly, upon the Preaching of it. And we see the same thing exemplified in multitudes every day. But none of these things can be without many thoughts in the minds of such Persons, about the Spiritual things of the Word. For they are the Effects of such Thoughts, and being ⟨p. 23⟩wrought in the minds of men, will produce more of the same Nature. Yet were they all Hypocrites, concerning whom these things are spoken, and were never spiritually minded.

The cause of this Miscarriage is given us by our Saviour, Math. 13.20, 21. He that receiveth the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the Word, and anon receiveth it with Joy; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while. The Good Thoughts they have, proceed not from any principle in themselves. Neither their Affections nor their thoughts of these things, have any internal root whereon they should grow. So is it with many who live under the present dispensation of the Gospel. They have thoughts of spiritual things continually suggested unto them; and they do abide with them more or less according as they are affected. For I speak not of them who are either despisers of what they hear, or way-side hearers, who understand nothing of what they hear, and immediately lose all sense of it, all thoughts about it. But I speak of them who attend with some Diligence, and receive the Word with some Joy. These insensibly grow in knowledge and understanding, and therefore cannot be without some thoughts of spiritual things. Howbeit for the most part they are, as was said, but like unto waters that run after a shower of rain. They pour out themselves as if they proceeded from some strong living Spring, whereas indeed they have none at all. When once the waters of the shower are spent their Channel is dry, there is nothing in it but Stones and dirt. When the Doctrine of the Word falls on such Persons as showers of rain, it gives a Course, sometimes greater sometimes less, unto their Thoughts towards spiritual things. But they have not a Well of water in them springing up into Everlasting life. Wherefore after a while their minds are dried up from such thoughts; nothing remains in them but earth, and that perhaps foul and dirty.