OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 31 sons have eyes full of an adulteress, that cannot cease from sin, ii. Eph. 2, 14. Their own affections make them restless in their thoughts and contrivances about sin. So is it with them who are given to excess in wine or strong drink. They have pleasing thoughts raised in them from the object of their lust represen- ted unto them. Hence Solomon gives that advice against the occasien of them, Prov. xxiii. 31. But it is their own habitual disposition which carries them unto pleasing thoughts of the satisfaction of their lusts, which he describes, v. 34, 35. So is it in other cases. The thoughts of this latter sort, are men's inward thoughts: and such must these be of spiritual things, wherever we may be esteemed spiritually minded. Psalm 45, 1. Saith the Psalmist, 'My heart is indi- ting a good matter; I speak of the things which I have made touching the King. He was meditating on spiritual things; on the things of the person and king- dom of Christ. Hence his heart bubbled up (as it is in the original) a good matter. It is an allusion taken from a quick spring of living waters ; from its own life and fulness it bubbles up the water that runs and flows from it. So is it with these thoughts, in them that are spiritually minded. There is a living fulness of spirit- ual things in their mind and affections, that springeth up into holy thoughts about them. From hence doth our Saviour give us the great de- scription of spiritual life. It is a well of living water, springing up into everlasting life.' John iv. 12. The spirit, with his graces, residing in the heart of a believer, is a well of living water. Nor is it such a well as, content with its own fulness, doth not of its own accord, without any instrument or pains in draw- ing, send out its refreshing waters, as it is with most
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