OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 317 deluded with the apprehensions of insuperable difficul- ties, as to the growth of their affections in spirituality and heavenliness. Remove these things out of the way, as they ought to be removed, and we shall find all the paths wherein we are to walk towards God to be pleasantness and peace. This is the first cause whence it is, that there may be affections truly spiritual and graciously renewed in some persons, who yet do not thrive in an assimilation and conformity to heavenly things. Men take up with their present measures, and thereon pretend either necessary occasion, or discouragement from difficul- ties, in attempting spiritual growth in the inward man. But they may thank themselves, if, as they bring no honor to Christ, so they have no solid peace in their own souls. Secondly. As the evil proceedeth from folly, so it is always the consequent of sin, of many sins, of various sorts. Let us not dwell on heartless complaints that we do not find our affections lively and heavenly, that we do not find the inward man to thrive or grow. Let us not hearken after this or that relief or comfort, under this consideration, as many things are usually insisted on to that purpose. They may be of usewhen persons are under temptations, and not able to make a right judgment of themselves, but in the course of our ordinary walking withGod, they are not to be attended or retired to. The general reason of this evil state is our own sinful carelessness, negligence, and sloth, with, perhaps, an indulgence to some known lust or corruption. And we do in vain seek after refreshing cordials, as though we were only spiritually faint, when we stand in need of lancings and burnings, as nigh to a lethargy : it would be too long to give 27*
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