OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 201 3. Remember, that I have not at present treated of solemn, stated meditation; concerning which, other rules and instructions ought to be given. By solemn or stated meditation, I intend the thoughts of some sub- ject, spiritual and divine, with the fixing, forcing, and ordering our thoughts about it, with a design to affect our ownhearts and souls with the matter of it, or the things contained in it. By this design it is distin- guished from the study of the word, wherein our prin- cipal aim is to learn the truth, or to declare it to oth- ers. And so also from prayer, whereof God himself is the immediate object. But in meditation it is the af- fecting of our own hearts and minds, with love, delight, and humiliation. At present, I have only showed what it is to be spiritually minded, and that in this in stance of our thoughts, as they proceed from the hab- itual frame of our hearts and affections ; or of what sort the constant course of our thoughts ought to be, with respect to all the occasions of the life of God. This persons may be in a readiness for, who are yet unskilful in, and unable for, stated meditation. For there is required thereto such an exercise of our natu- ral faculties and abilities, as some, through their weak- ness and ignorance, are incapable of. But as to what we have hitherto insistedon, it is not unattainable by any in whom is the spirit of faith and love. For it is but the frequent actings of them that I intend. Where- fore, do your hearts and affections lead you to many thoughts of God and spiritual things'? Do they spring up in you, as water in a well of living waters'? Are you ready, on all occasions, to entertain such thoughts, and to be conversant with them, as opportunity doth offer itself? Do you labor to have in readiness what is useful for you, with respect to temptations and du-
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