166 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS, and represent itself in the horror of guilt alone. And in that condition all the properties of the divine nature are suited to increase the dread and terror of the sin ner. Adam had heard God's voice beforewith delight and satisfaction; but on the hearing of the same voice after he had sinned, he hid himself, and cried that he was afraid. There is a way for men to think of God with the guilt of sin upon them, which they intend to forsake ; but none for any to do it with the guilt of sin which they resolve to continue in. Wherefore, 'of all these sorts of persons it may be said, that God is not in all their thoughts, and therefore are they far enough from being spiritually minded. For unless we have many thoughts of God, we cannot be so. Yea, more- over, there are two things required to those thoughts whichwe have of God, that they may be an evidence of our being so. 1. That we take delight in them. Psalm xxx. 4. "Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness." The re- membrance of God delighteth and refresheth the hearts of his saints, and stirs them up to thankfulness. 1. They rejoice in what God is in himself. What- ever is good, amiable, or desirable; whatever is holy, just, and powerful; whatever is gracious, wise, andmer- ciful ; and all that is so, they see and apprehend in God. That God is what he is, is the matter of their chiefest joy. Whatever befalls them in this world, whatever troubles and disquietment they are exercised with, the remembranceof God is a satisfactory refresh- ment to them. For therein they behold all that is good and excellent, the infinite centre of all perfections. Wicked men would have God to be any thingbut what he is. Nothing that God is, really and truly, pleaseth
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