OP SPIRITUAL MTNDFnNÈSS. 211 requires as much, if not more watchfulness, m re care, more humility, for a minister to be spiritually minded in the discharge of his calling, than to any sort of men in theirs : and that, as for otherreasons, so because the commonness of the exercise of such thoughts, with their design upon others in their expression, will take off their power and efficacy. And he will have little benefit byhis own ministry, who endeavors not, in the first place, an experience in his own heart of the pow- er of the truths which he doth teach to others. And there is evidently as great a failing herein among us, as among any other sort of Christians, as every occa- sion of trial doth demonstrate. 2. Although industry inany honest calling be allow- able, yet unless men labor to be spiritually minded in the exercise of that industry, they have neither life nor peace. Hereunto all the things before men- tioned are necessary; I know not how any of them can be abated, yea, more is required than is expressed in them. If you burn his roll, another must be writ, ten, and many like things must be added to it. And the objection from the expense of time in the observ- ance of them, is of no force. For a man may do as much work whilst he is spiritually minded, as whilst he is carnal. Spiritual thoughts will no more hinder you in yóur callings, than those that are vain and earthly, which all sorts of men can find leisure for, in the midst of their employments. If you have filled a vessel with chaff, yet you may pour into it a great deal of water, which will be contained in the same space and vessel. And if it be necessary that you should take in much of the chaff of the world into your minds, yet are they capable of such measures of grace as shall preserve them sincere to God.
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