254 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. in ; because thegreat means whereby multitudes de- lude and deceive their own souls, persuading them- selves that there has been an effectual work of the grace of the gospel in them, is the change that they find in their affections, which may be, on many occa- sions, without any spiritual renovation. First. As to the temporary and occasional impres- sions in the affections before mentioned, whether from the word, or any other divine warning, by afflictionsor mercies, they are common to all sorts of persons. Some there are, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron, (1 Tim. iv. 2,) who thereon being past feel- ing, (senseless of all calls, warnings, and rebukes,) do give themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Eph. iv. 19. Such per- sons having hardened themselves in a long course of sin, and being given up to a reprobate mind or vile af- fections in a way of judgment, have, it may be, no such impressions on their affections on any occasion, as to move themwith a sense of things spiritual and eternal. They may be terrified with danger, sudden judgments, and other revelations of the wrath of Goa from heaven against the ungodliness of men ; but they are not drawn to take shelter in thoughts of spiritual things. Nothing but hell will awaken them to a due consideration of themselves and things eternal. It is otherwise with the generality of men, who are not profligate and impudent in sinning : for, although they are in a natural condition, and a course of sin, in the neglect of known duties, yet by one means or other, most frequently by the preaching of the word, their affections are stirred towards heavenly things. Sometimes they are afraid, sometimes they have hopes ana desire's about them. These put them on
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