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it will not bring forth a useful crop. Let not any think that this frame of a spiritual mind, wherein there is a disposition unto, and a readiness for, all holy thoughts of God, of Christ, of spiritual and heavenly things, at all tinaes and on all oc- casions, will befall him and continue with him he knows not how. As good it is for a poor man to expect to be rich in this world without industry, or a weak man to be strong and healthy without food and exercise ; as to be spiritually minded without an earnest endeavour after it. It may be inquired, what is requisite thereunto ? and we may name some of those things without which such a holy frame will not be attained. As
1. A continual watch is to be kept in and on the soul, against the incursions of vain thoughts and imagina- tions, especially in such seasons wherein they are apt to obtain advantage. If they are sufifered to make an inroad into the mind, if we accustom ourselves to give them enter- tainment, if they are wont to lodge within, in vain shall we hope or desire to be spiritually minded. Herein consists a principal part of that duty which our Saviour so frequently, so emphatically chargeth on us all ; namely, to watch, Mark iii. 37. Unless we keep a strict watch herein, we shall be betrayed into the hands of our spiritual enemies ; for all such thoughts are but making provision for the flesh to fulfil its desires in the lusts thereof, however they may be disappointed as unto actual sin. This is the substance of the advice given us in charge, Prov. iv. 23. * Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.'
2. Careful avoidance of all societies and businesses of this life, which are apt, under various pretences, to draw and seduce the mind unto an earthly or sensual frame. If men will venture on those things which they have found by experience, or may find by their observation, that they seduce and draw off their minds from a heavenly frame unto that which is contrary thereunto, and will not watch unto their avoidance, they will be filled with the fruit of their own ways. Indeed, the common converses of pro- fessors among themselves and others, walking, talking, and behaving themselves like other men, being as full of the world as the world is of itself, hath lost the grace of being spiritually minded within, and stained the glory of profes-
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sion without. The rule observed by David will manifest how careful we ought to be herein, Psal. xxxix. 1 — 3. * I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue : I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burn- ed; then spake I with my tongue.' Which place was spoken unto before.
3. A holy constraint put on the mind to abide in the duty of spiritual thoughts and meditations, pressing it con- tinually with the consideration of their necessity and useful- ness. The mind will be apt of itself to start aside from, duties purely spiritual, through the mixture of the flesh abiding in it. The more inward and purely spiritual any duty is, which hath no outward advantages ; the more prone will the mind be to decline from it. It will be so, more from private prayer than public, more from meditation than prayer. And other things will be apt to draw it aside by objects without, and various stirrings of the affections within. A holy constraint is to be put upon it, with a sudden rejection of what rises up to its diversion or dis- turbance. Wherefore, we are to call in all constraining motives, such as the consideration of the love of Christ, 2 Cor. V. 14. to keep the mind steady unto its duty.
4. Diligent use of means to furnish the soul with that light and knowledge of heavenly things, which may admi- nister continual matter of holy thoughts and meditations from within ourselves. This hath been spoken unto at large before. And the want hereof is that which keeps many from the least proficiency in these duties. As a man may have some skill or ability for a trade, yet if he have no materials to work upon, he must sit still and let his trade alone. And so must men do as unto the work of holy meditation : whatever be the ability of the natural faculties, their inventions, or memories, if they are not furnished with knowledge of things spiritual and heavenly, which are the subject matter of such meditations, they must let their work alone. Hence the apostle prays for the Colossians, that the word of God might * dwell in them richly in all wisdom ;' chap. v. 16. that is, that they might abound in the
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knowledge of the mind of Christ, without which we shall be unfit for tliis duty.
5. Unweariedness in our conflict with Satan, who by various artifices, and the injection of fiery darts, labours con- tinually to divert us from these duties. He is seldom or never wanting unto this occasion. He who is furnished in any measure with spiritual wisdom and understanding, may find him more sensibly at work in his craft and opposition with respect unto this duty, than any other way. When we stand thus before the Lord, he is always at our right hand to resist us ; and ofttimes his strength is great. Hence, as was observed, ofttimes men design really to exercise themselves in holy thoughts, but end in vain ima- ginations, and rather take up with trifles than continue in this duty. Steadiness in the resistance of him on these occasions, is one great part of our spiritual warfare. And we may know that he is at work by his engines and methods. For they consist in his suggestions of vain, foolish, or cor- rupt imaginations. When they begin to rise in our minds, at such times as we would engage them in spiritual medita- tion, we may know assuredly from whence they are.