The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

A man may read a long Prayer that expresseth Spiritual things, and yet never have one Spiritual thought arise in his mind about them. For there is no exercise of any Faculty of his mind required unto such reading, but only to attend unto the words that are to be read. This I say may be so, I do not say that it is always so, or that it must be so. But as was said in the Exercise of Gifts, it is impossible but there must be an Exercise of Reason, by Invention, Judgement, and Memory; and consequently thoughts of spiritual things. Yet may they all be merely occasional from the present external performance of the Duty, without any living spring or exercise of Grace. In such a Course may men of tolerable Gifts continue all their days, unto the satisfaction of themselves and others, deceiving both them and their own Souls.

A man may read a long Prayer that expresseth Spiritual things, and yet never have one Spiritual thought arise in his mind about them. For there is no exercise of any Faculty of his mind required unto such reading, but only to attend unto the words that are to be read. This I say may be so, I do not say that it is always so, or that it must be so. But as was said in the Exercise of Gifts, it is impossible but there must be an Exercise of Reason, by Invention, Judgement, and Memory; and consequently thoughts of spiritual things. Yet may they all be meerly occasional from the present external performance of the Duty, without any living spring or exercise of Grace. In such a Course may men of tolerable Gifts continue all their days, unto the satisfaction of themselves and others, deceiving both them and their own Souls.

This being evident from the Scripture and Experience, ⟨p. 27⟩an Enquiry may be made thereon, as unto our own concernment in these things; especially of those who have received Spiritual Gifts of their own, and of them also in some degree, who usually enjoy the Gifts of others in this Duty. For it may be asked, how we shall know whether the thoughts which we have of spiritual things in and upon Prayer do arise from Gifts only, those of our own or other mens, giving occasion unto them, or are influenced from a living Principle and Spring of Grace in our Hearts. A case this is (however by some it may be apprehended) of great importance, and which would require much time fully to resolve. For there is nothing whereby the refined sort of Hypocrites do more deceive themselves and others, nothing whereby some men do give themselves more Countenance in an Indulgence unto their Lusts, than by this Part of the Form of Godliness, when they deny the Power thereof. And besides, it is that wherein the best of Believers ought to keep a diligent watch over themselves; in every particular Instance of the Performance of this Duty. With respect hereunto in an especial manner are they to watch unto Prayer. If they are at any time negligent herein, they may rest in a bare exercise of Gifts, when on a due examination and trial, they have no Evidence of the acting of Grace in what they have done. I shall therefore with what brevity I can give a Resolution unto this Enquiry. And to this end Observe,