And it is an argument of very mean attainments, of a low and weak degree in this frame of heart, or in our being spi- ritually minded, when our thoughts of spiritual things do rise or fall according unto renewed occasional convictions. If when we are under rebukes from God in our persons or relations, in fears of death and the like, and withal have some renewed convictions of sin, in commission or omission of duties, and thereon do endeavour to be more spiritually minded in the constant exercise of our thoughts on spiritual things, which we fail in ; and these thoughts decay as our convictions in the causes of them do wear off or are removed,
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we have attained a very low degree in this grace, if we have any interest in it at all.
Water that ariseth andfloweth from a living spring runneth equally and constantly, unless it be obstructed or diverted by some violent opposition ; but that which is from thunder- showers runs furiously for a season, but is quickly dried up. So are those spiritual thoughts which arise from a prevalent internal principle of grace in the heart ; they are even and constant, unless an interruption be put upon them for a season by temptations. But those which are excited by the thunder of convictions, however their streams may be filled for a season, they quickly dry up and utterly decay.
2. Such thoughts may arise in the minds of men not spiritually minded from outward means and occasions. Such 1 intend as are indeed useful, yea appointed of God for this end among others, that they may ingenerate and stir up holy thoughts and affections in us. But there is a difference in their use and operation. In some they excite the inward principle of the mind to act in holy thoughts according imto its own sanctified disposition and prevalent affections. This is their proper end and use. In others they occasion- ally suggest such thoughts unto the minds of men, which spring only from the notions of the things proposed unto them. With respect unto this end also, they are of singular use unto the souls of men, hovvbeit such thoughts do not prove men to be spiritually minded. Where you till and manure your land, if it brings forth plentiful crops of corn, it is an evidence that the soil itself is good and fertile; the dressing of it only gives occasion and advantage to put forth its own fruit-bearing virtue. But if in the tilling of land, you lay much dung upon it, and it brings forth here and there a handful where the dung lay ; you will say, tlie soil is barren, it brings forth nothing of itself. These means that we shall treat of, are as the tilling of a fruitful soil, which help it in bringing forth its fruit, by exciting- its own virtue and power. They stir up holy affections unto holy thoughts and desires. But in others, whose hearts are barren, they only serve, as it were, some of them here and there, to stir up spiritual thoughts, which gives no evidence of a gracious heart or spirit. But because
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this is a matter of great importance, it shall be handled distinctly by itself.
CHAP. III.
Outward means and occasions cf thoughts of such spiritual things, tvhich do not prove men to he spiritually nmided. Preaching of the word. Exercise of gifts. Prayer. How ive may knotv whether our thoughts of spiritual thinys in prayer are tndy spiritual thoughts, proving us to be spiritually minded.
First, Such a means is the preaching of the word itself. 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 sucli thoughts, and being 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, Matt. xiii. 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 witli 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 innnediately 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. Those insensibly grow in know-
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