The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

1. It is an ancient Complaint, that Spiritual things are filled with great obscurity and difficulty; and it is true. Not that there is any such thing in themselves, for they all come forth from the Father of lights, and are full of Light, Order Beauty and Wisdom. And Light and Order are the only means whereby any thing makes a discovery of it self. But the Ground of all darkness and difficulty in these things lies in our selves. We can more clearly and steadily see and behold the Moon and the Stars, than we can the Sun when it shines in its greatest Lustre. It is not because there is ⟨p. 28⟩more light in the Moon and Stars than in the Sun, but because the light of the Sun is greater then our visive Faculty can directly bear and behold. So we can more clearly discover the Truth and distinct Nature of things Moral and Natural, than we can of things that are Heavenly and Spiritual. See John 3.14. Not that there is more substance or reality in them, but because the Ability of our Understanding is more suited unto the Comprehension of them. The other are above us. We know but in Part, and our minds are liable to be hindered and disordered in their apprehension of things Heavenly and Spiritual, by Ignorance, Temptations, and Prejudices of all sorts. In nothing more are men subject unto mistakes than in the application of things unto themselves, and a Judgement of their Interest in them. Fear, self-love, with the prevalency of Temptations and Corruptions, do all engage their Powers to darken the light of the mind and to pervert its Judgement. In no case doth the deceitfulness of the heart, or of sin which is all one, more act it self. Hence Multitudes say Peace to themselves, to whom God doth not speak Peace; and some who are Children of Light do yet walk in darkness. Hence is that fervent Prayer of the Apostle for help in this case, Ephes. 1.16, 17, 18, 19. There is also a great similitude between Temporary Faith, and that which is Saving and durable; and between Gifts and Grace in their Operations, which is that that is under present Consideration. It is acknowledged therefore, that without the especial light and conduct of the Spirit of God, no man can make such a Judgement of his State and his Actions, as shall be a stable Foundation of giving Glory to God, and of obtaining peace unto his own soul.