unto eternity of those leisure times, those precious moments, which might have been improved for their advantage unto eternal blessedness. If we intend, therefore, to maintain a title to this grace of spiritual mindedness, if we would have any evidence of it in ourselves-without which we can have none of life or peace, and that we may pretend thereof is but an effect of security-we must preserve the claim and right of spiritual thoughts unto such seasons, and put them in possession of them.

seasons.

3. Let us consider, how we are affected with our disappointments respecting these Have we by negligence, by temptations, cr by occasional diversions, or the affairs of life, been taken off from thoughts of God, of Christ, and of heavenly things, when we ought to have been engaged in them; how are we affected with the review? A carnal mind is well enough satisfied with the omission of any duty, so it hath the pretence of a necessary occasion; and if it hath lost a temporal advantage, through attendance on spiritual duty, it will also deeply reflect on itself, and perhaps like that duty the

worse ever afterwards. But he that is truly spiritually minded, will mourn under a review of such omissions, and by every one of them is excited to more watchfulness for the future; the soul will say, Alas! how little have I been with Christ this day! How much time hath passed without a thought of him! How foolish was I, to omit such an opportunity! I am deeply in arrears, and can have no rest until they are discharged.

If we can omit and lose such seasons from time to time, without self-reflections and great regret, it is to be feared that we wax worse and worse; way will be made for more omissions, till we shall be wholly negligent and unconcerned about them. And, indeed, that woeful loss of time that is found among 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, in which for the most part they -edify one another but unto vanity. How much of this time might, nay ought to be, redeemed for spiritual exercises! The good Lord make all professors sensible of

their loss of former seasons, that they may be the more watchful and assiduous for the future in this great concern of their souls! Little do some think, what light, what joy, what readiness for the cross, or for heaven, they might have attained, had they improved all the proper 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 befals them.

Thus have I set before you the first thing that belongs to and characterizes spiritual mindedness; thoughts about spiritual things, springing naturally from a living principle, a spiritual disposition of heart, abounding and abiding in the mind; these are inseparable from the most undeceiving indication, and the strongest evidence of being spiritually minded.

CHAP. IV.

Shewing the general objects of those thoughts which are evidences of a spiritual mind.

BEFORE I proceed to the next general head, the foundation of the grace and duty inquired after, some things should be offered and considered, to render what hath been already suggested more particularly useful; and there is nothing more necessary and important, than to see what are, or what ought to be, the OBJECTS of those thoughts, which, under the qualifications laid down, are the evidences of our being spiritually minded.

This may be useful to many, by helping them to fix their minds, which are too apt to rove into all uncertainty. Many are barren in this duty, because they know not what to fix upon, nor how to exercise their thoughts, when they have chosen a subject for meditation; they tire them

selves and faint, not because they are unwilling to go, but because they cannot find their way. I shall therefore just mention the proper objects of our spiritual thoughts, and afterwards endeavour to help you to a steady contemplation of them.

1. Observe the especial calls of Providence, and apply your mind unto thoughts of the several duties required in and by them. There is a voice in all dispensations of Providence; a call, a cry in every rod of God, in every chastising providence; he therein makes a declaration of his name, holiness, and power, and this every wise man will endeavour to discern, and so comply with the call. "The voice of the Lord crieth unto the city, the men of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it. Micah vi. 9. Hearken not to any who would give any other interpretation of present providential dispensations in the world, but that they are plain declarations of his displeasure against the sins of men. Is not his wrath in them revealed from heaven against the ungodliness of men, especially