144 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. did not experience in himself the sweetness, life, and power of the testimonies given concerning the real communications of the love of Christ unto, and the in- timation of his presence with, believers. He knew well enough the doctrine of it, bnt did not feel the power of it; at least he understood there was more in it, than he had experience of. God carried him by faith through that darkness ; but taught him withal, that no sense of these things was to be let into the soul, but by constant thoughtfulnessand contemplation on Christ. How many blessed visits do we lose, by not being exercised to this duty l See Cant. v. 1, 2, 3. Sometimes we are busy, sometimes careless and neg- ligent, sometimes slothful, sometimes under the power of temptations, so that we neither inquire after, nor are ready to receive, them. This is not the way to have our joys abound. Again : I speak now with especial respect to him in heaven. The glory of his presence, as God and man eternally united ; the discharge of his mediatory office, as he is at the right hand of God; the glory of his pre- sent acting for the church, as he is the minister of the sanctuary, and the true tabernacle whichGod hath fix- ed, and not man ; the love, power, and efficacy of his intercession, whereby he takes care for the accomplish- ment of the salvation of the church ; the approach of his glorious coming to judgment ; are to be the objects of our daily thoughts and meditations. Let us not mistake ourselves. To be spiritually minded, is not to have the notions and knowledge of spiritual things in our minds; it is not to be constant, no, not to abound, in the performance of duties, both which may be where there is no grace in the heart at
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