01? SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 27 heart; but whatever a man bath, be it good or evil, there it is. This treasure is opening, emptying, and spending itself continually; though it can never be exhausted. For it hath a fountain in nature or grace, which no expense can diminish ; yea, it increaseth and getteth strength by it. The more you spend of the treasure of your hearts in any kind, the more will you abound in treasure of the same kind. Whether it be good or evil, it grows by expense and exercise; and the principal way whereby it puts forth itself, is by the thoughts of the mind. If the heart be evil, they are for the most part vain, filthy, corrupt, wicked, foolish; if it be under the power of a principle of grace, andso have a good treasure in it, it puts forth itself by thoughts suitable unto its nature, and complaint with its inclinations. Wherefore, these thoughts give the best masure of the frame of our minds and hearts. I mean such as are voluntary, such as the mind of its own accord is apt for, incilines, and ordinarily betakes itself unto. Men may have a multitude of thoughts about the af- fairs of their callings and the occasions of life, which yet may give no due measure of the inward frame of their hearts. So men whose calling and work it is to study the scriptures, or the things revealed therein, and to preach them unto others; cannot but have many thoughts about spiritual things; and yet may be, and oftentimes are, most remote from being spiritually minded. They may be forced by their work and call- ing, to think of them early and late, evening and morn- ing; and yet their minds be no way rendered or pro- ved spiritual thereby. It were well if all of us who are preachers, would diligently examine ourselves herein. So is it with them who oblige themselves to read the
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