194+ OF SPi&ITUAL MINDEDNESS. with inexpressible usefulness. But although they of- ten try and attempt it, they cannot attain to any thing, but what makes them ashamed both of it and them- selves. Their minds they find are unsteady, apt to rove and wander, or give entertainment to other things, and not to abide on the object which they de- sign their meditation towards. Their abilities are small," their invention barren, theirmemories frail, and their judgments, to dispose of things into right order, weak and unable. They know not what to think on for the most part ; and when they fix on any thing, they are immediately at a loss as to any progress, and so give over. Hence other things, or thoughts of oth- er things, take advantage to impose themselves on them, and what began in spiritual meditation ends in carnal vanity. On these considerations, ofttimes they are discouraged to enter on the duty, ofttimes give it over so soon as it is begun, and are glad if they come off without being losers by their endeavors, which often befalls them. With respect to other duties, it is so with them. To such as are really concerned in these things : to whom their want and defect is a bur- den; who mourn under it, and desire to be freed from it, or refreshed in their conflict with it, I shall offer the things that ensue. 1. That sense of the vanity of our minds, which this consideration, duly attended to, will give us, ought greatly tohumble and abase our souls. Whence is it thus with us, that we cannot abide in thoughts and meditations of things spiritual and heavenly l Is it because they are such things as we have no great con- cernment in It may be they are things worthless and unprofitable, so that it is to no purpose to spend our thoughts about them : the truth is, they alone are
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