142 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. these two directions. (1.) Pray that the holy spirit may abide with you continually, to mind you of him, which he will do in all in whom he doth abide ; for it belongs to his office. (2.) For more fixed thoughts and meditations, take some express place of scripture, wherein he is set forth and proposed either in his person, office, or grace, to you. Gal. iii. 1. 4. This duty lies at the foundation of all that blessed communion and intercourse, that is between Jesus Christ and the souls of believers. This, I confess, is despised by some, and the very notion of it esteemed ridiculous. But they do therein no less than renounce Christianity, and turn the Lord Christ into an idol, that neither knoweth, seeth, nor heareth. But I speak to them who are not utter strangers to the life of faith, who know not what religion is, unless they have real, spiritual intercourse and communion with the Lord Christ thereby. Consider this, therefore, as it is in particular exemplified in the book of Canticles. There is not one instance of it to be found, which doth not suppose a continual thoughtfulness of him. And in answer to them, as they are actings of faith and love whereinhe is delighted, doth he, by his spirit, insinu- ate into our minds and hearts, a gracious sense of his own love, kindness, and relation to us. The great variety wherein these things are mutually carried on between him and the church, the singular endearments which ensue thereon, and blessed estate in rest and complacency, make up the substance of that holy discourse. No thoughts, then, of Christ, proceeding from faith, accompanied with love and delight, shall be lost : they that sow this seed shall return with their sheaves; Christ will meet them with gracious intimations of his acceptance of them, delight inthem,
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