If we are spiritually minded, if thoughts of spiritual things do abound in us, they will ordinarily, and that with constancy, possess these seasons, look upon them as those which are their due, which belong unto them. For they are expressly assigned unto them in the way of rule, express- ed in examples and commands. See Psal. xvi. 7,8. xcii. 2. Deut. vi. 7. If they are usually given up unto other ends and occasions, are possessed with thoughts of another na- ture, it is an open evidence that spiritual thoughts have but little interest in our minds, little prevalency in the conduct of our souls. It is our duty to afford unto them stated times, taken away from other affairs that call for them. But if in- stead thereof we rob them of what is as it were their own, which no other things or business can lay any just claim unto, how dwelleth the love of spiritual things in us? Most professors are convinced that it is their duty to pray morn- ing and evening, and it is to be wished that they were all found in the practice of it. But if ordinarily they judge themselves in the performance of that duty, to be discharged from any farther exercise of spiritual thoughts, applying
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them unto things worldly, useless, or vain, they can make no pretence to be spiritually minded.
And it must be observed, which will be found to be true, that if the seasons which are as it were due unto such medi- tations be taken from them, they will be the worst employed of all the minutes of our lives. Vain and foolish thoughts, corrupt imaginations, will make a common haunt unto the minds of men in them, and habituate themselves unto an ex- pectation of entertainment ; whence they will grow importu- nate for admission. Hence, with many, those precious mo- ments of time which might greatly influence their souls unto life and peace, if they were indeed spiritually minded, make the greatest provision for their trouble, sorrow, and confu- sion. For the vain and evil thoughts which some persons do accustom themselves unto in such seasons, are, or ought to be, a burden upon their consciences more than they can bear. That which providence tenders unto their good is turned into a snare ; and God doth righteously leave them unto the fruits of their own folly, who so despise his gracious provision for their good. If we cannot afford unto God our spare time, it is evident that indeed we can afford nothing at all. Micah ii. 1. ' They devise iniquity upon their beds ;' the seasons proper for holy contemplation, they make use of to fill their minds with wicked imaginations, ' and when the morning is light they practise it ;' walking all day on all occasions, suitably unto their devices and imaginations of the night. Many will have cause to complain unto eter- nity, of those leisure times which might have been improved for their advantage unto eternal blessedness.
If we intend therefore to maintain a title unto this grace of being spiritually minded, if we would have any evidence of it in ourselves, without which we can have none of life or peace, and what we pretend thereof is but an effect of secu- rity, we must endeavour to preserve the claim and right of spiritual thoughts unto such seasons, and actually put them in possession of them.
3. Consider how we are affected with our disappoint- ments about these seasons. Have we by negligence, by temptations ; have we by occasional diversions or affairs of life, been taken off from thoughts of God, of Christ, of hea- venly things, when we ought to have been engaged in them;
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how are we affected with a view hereof? A carnal mind is well enough satisfied with the omission of any duty, so it have the pretence of a necessary occasion. If it hath lost a temporal advantage, through attendance unto a spiritual duty, it will deeply reflect upon itself, and it may be like the duty the worse afterward. But a gracious soul, one that is truly spiritually minded, will mourn under a review of such omissions, and by every one of them is stirred up unto more watchfulness for the future. Alas, will it say, how little have I been with Christ this day ! How much time hath passed me without a thought of him ! How foolish was I, to be wanting to such or such an opportunity ! I am in arrears unto myself, and have no rest until I be satisfied.
I say, if indeed we are spiritually minded, we will duly and carefully call over the consideration of those times and seasons, wherein we ought to have exercised ourselves in spiritual thoughts ; and if we have lost them, or any of them, mourn over our own negligence. But if we can omit and lose such seasons or opportunities from time to time, with- out regret or self-reflections, it is to be feared that we wax worse and worse. Way will be made hereby for farther omissions, until we grow wholly cold about them.
And indeed that woful loss of time that is found amongst many professors, is greatly to be bewailed. Some lose it on themselves, by a continual track of fruitless impertinent thoughts about their own concerns ; some in vain converse with others, wherein for the most part they edify one another unto vanity. How much of this time might, nay ought to be redeemed for holy meditations ? The good Lord make all professors sensible of their loss of former seasons, that they may be the more watchful for the future, in this great con- cernment of their souls. Little do some think what light, what assurance, what joy, what readiness for the cross, or for heaven, they might have attained, had they laid hold on all just seasons of exercising their thoughts about spiritual things which they have enjoyed, who now are at a loss in all, and surprised with every fear or difficulty that doth befall them.