OF SFIIIITUAL NIINDEDNESS. 121 in Christ, by the pardon of it. He that truly hatessin and abhors it, whose principal desire and design of life is to be freed from it, as far as it is possible ; who walks in self-abasement, through a sense of his many disappointments, when he hoped it should act in him no more, cannot, as I judge, but frequently betake him- self for refreshment to thoughts of that state wherein he shall be freed from it, and triumph over it to eter- nity. This is a notion of heaven that is easily appre- hended and fixed on the mind, which we may dwellupon, to the great advantage and satisfaction of our souls. Frequent thoughts and meditations of heaven, under this notion, argue a man to be spiritually minded. For it is a convincing evidence that sin is a burden to him, that he longs to be delivered from it and all its consequents; that no thoughts are more welcome to him, than those of that state wherein sin shall be no more. And although men are troubled about their sins, and would desirously be freed from them, so far as they perplex their minds, and make their con- sciences uneasy ; yet if they are not much in thepros- pect of this relief, if they find not refreshment in it, I fear their trouble is not such as it ought to be. Where- fore, when men can so wrangle and wrestle with their convictions of sin, and yet take up the best of their relief in hopes that it will be better with them, at some time or other, in this world, without longing desires after that state wherein sin shall be no more; they can give no evidence that they are spiritually minded. It is quite otherwise with sincere believers in the exercise of this duty. The considerations of the grace and love of God, of the blood of Christ, of the purity and holiness of that good spirit that dwelleth in them, of the light, grace, and mercy, which they have 11
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