The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

(2) Our next enquiry is, how this Spiritual Mindedness is Life and Peace, or what it contributes unto them, how it produceth the Frame of Heart and Mind so expressed. And this it doth several ways.

(2) Our next enquiry is, how this Spiritual Mindedness is Life and Peace, or what it contributes unto them, how it produceth the Frame of Heart and Mind so expressed. And this it doth several wayes.

(1) It is the only means on our part, of retaining a Sense of Divine Love. The Love of God in a gracious Sense of it, as shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost, is the first and only Foundation of all durable Comforts; Such as will support and refresh us under all Oppositions and Distresses, that is, of Life and Peace in our Souls in any Condition. This God communicates by an Act of Sovereign Grace, for the most part without any Preparation for it in ⟨p. 326⟩our selves. He creates the Fruit of the Lips, Peace, Peace. But although Divine Love be in it self unchangeable, and always the same; yet this Sense of it may be lost, as it was in David, when he prayed that God would restore unto him the Joys of his Salvation, Psal. 51.12. And so many others have found it by woeful Experience. To insist upon all that is required on our parts, that we may retain a gracious refreshing Sense of Divine Love, after it is once granted unto us, belongs not unto my present purpose. But this I say, there is not any thing wherein we are more concerned, for to be careful and diligent in, than as unto what belongs to that end. For men who by a mere Act of Sovereign Grace, have tasted herein of the Goodness of God, who have had the Consolation and Joys of it, to be negligent in the keeping and preserving it in their Souls, is a Provocation that they will at one time or other be sensible of. There is nothing doth more grieve the Holy Spirit, than to have his especial Work, whereby he Seals us unto the Day of Redemption, neglected or despised. And it argues a mighty Prevalency of some Corruption or Temptation, that shall cause men willingly, and by their own Sloth, to forfeit so inestimable a Grace, Mercy and Privilege. And it is that which there are but few of us, who have not reason to bewail our Folly in. Every Intimation of Divine Love, is an inestimable Jewel, which if safely treasured up in our Hearts, adds unto our Spiritual Riches; and being lost, will at one time or another affect us with Sorrow.