By the strength of their natural abilities, men may frame thoughts of God, and heavenly things in their minds, accord- ing unto the knowledge they have of them. They may methodize them by rules of art, and express them elegantly unto others. But even while they do so, they may be far enough from being spiritually minded. For there may be in their thoughts no actings of faith, love, or holy delight in God, or any grace at all. But such alone are things which we inquire after, they are such only as wherein the graces of the Spirit are in their proper exercise. With re- spect unto them we have no sufficiency in ourselves, all our
358 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF
suflSciency must be of God. There is no truth among per- sons of light and knowledge more generally granted in the notion of it than this, that of ourselves we can do nothing; and none more neglected in daily practice. Men profess they can do nothing of themselves, and yet go about their duties as if they could do all things.
Thirdly, Remember that I have not at present treated of solemn stated meditation ; concerning which, other rules and instructions ought to be given. By solemn or stated medita- tion, I intend the thoughts of some subject spiritual and divine, with the fixing, forcing, and ordering our thoughts about it, with a design to affect our own hearts and souls with the matter of it, or the things contained in it. By this design it is distinguished from the study of the word, wherein our principal aim is to learn the truth, or to declare it unto others. And so also from prayer, whereof God himself is the immediate object. But in meditation it is the affecting of our own hearts and minds with love, delight, and humili- ation. At present I have only shewed what it is to be spi- ritually minded, and that in this instance of our thoughts as they proceed from the habitual frame of our hearts and affec- tions ; or of what sort the constant course of our thoughts ought to be, with respect unto all the occasions of the life of God. This persons may be in a readiness for, who are yet unskilful in, and unable for, stated meditation. For there is required thereunto such an exercise of our natural facul- ties and abilities, as some through their weakness and igno- rance are incapable of. But as unto what we have hitherto insisted on, it is not unattainable by any in whom is the spi- rit of faith and love ; for it is but the frequent actings of them that I intend. Wherefore, do your hearts and affections lead you unto many thoughts of God and spiritual things? Do they spring up in you, as water in a well of living waters? Are you ready on all occasions to entertain such thoughts, and to be conversant with them, as opportunity doth offer itself? Do you labour to have in a readiness what is useful for you with respect unto temptations and duties ? Is God in Christ, and the things of the gospel, the ordinary retreat of your souls? Though you should not be able to carry on an orderly stated meditation in your minds, yet you may be spiritually minded.
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A man may not have a capacity and ability to carry on a great trade of merchandise in the world. The knowledge of all sorts of commodities, and seasons, of the world and na- tions of it, with those contrivances and accounts which be- long unto such trade, may be above his comprehension, and he may quickly ruin himself in undertaking such an employ- ment. Yet may the abilities of this man serve him well enough to carry on a retail trade in a private shop, wherein perhaps he may thrive as well, and get as good an estate, as any of those whose greater capacities lead them forth unto more large and hazardous employments. So it may be with some in this case : the natural faculties of their minds are not sufficient to enable them unto stated meditation ; they cannot cast things into that method and order which is re- quired thereunto ; nor frame the conceptions of their minds into words significant and expressive; yet, as unto frequency of thoughts of God, and a disposition of mind thereunto, they may thrive and be skilful beyond most others of greater natural abilities. Howbeit, because even stated meditation is a necessary duty, yea, the principal way whereby our spi- ritual thoughts do profitably act themselves, I shall have regard thereunto in the following direction. Wherefore,
Fourthly, Whatever principle of grace we have in our minds, we cannot attain unto a ready exercise of it in a way of spiritual meditation or otherwise, without great dili- gence, nor without great difficulty.
It was shewed at the entrance of this discourse, that there is a difference in this grace, between the essence, sub- stance, or reality of it, which we would not exclude men from, under many failings or infirmities; and the useful de- grees of it, wherein it hath its principal exercise. As there is a difference in life natural, and its actings, in a weak dis- eased sickly body, and in that which is of a good constitu- tion and in a vigorous health. Supposing the first, the re- ality of this grace, be wrought in us, or implanted in our minds by the Holy Ghost, as a principal part of that new nature which is the workmanship of God, created in Ciirist Jesus unto good works; yet, unto the growth and improve- ment of it, as of all other graces, our own diligent care, watchfulness, and spiritual striving in all holy duties, are re- (juired. Unless the most fruitful ground be manured, it