82O OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. Of them, who really and sincerely believed, it is said that on their believing, they rejoicedwith joyunspeak- able and full of glory. And of those who only had a work of conviction on them, improved by temporary faith, that they received the word with joy, and did many things gladly. In this state do many abide and thrive, until their affections be wholly transformed into the image and likeness of things above. But with many of all sorts it is not so ; they fall into woful decays as to their affections about spiritual things, and consequently in their whole profession and conversation, theirmoisture becomes as the drought in summer. They have no experience of the life and actings of them in them- selves, nor any comfort, or refreshment from them; theyhonor not the gospel with any fruits of love, zeal, or delight, nor ar,e useful any way to others by their example. Some of them have had seeming recoveries, and are yet again taken into a lifeless frame : warn- ings, afflictions, sicknesses, the word, have awakened them, but they are fallen again into a dead sleep ; so as that they seem to be trees whose fruit withereth; without fruit; twice dead; plucked up by the roots. Some things must be spoken to this woful condition in general, as that which is directly opposite to the grace and duty of being spiritually minded; and con- trary to, hnd obstructive of, the growth of spiritual áffectioxss in an assimilation unto heavenly things. And what shall be spoken, may be applied to all the degrees of these decays, though all of them are not alike dangerous or perilous. First. There may be a time of temptation, iTherein a soul may apprehend in itself not only decay in, but an utter loss of, all spiritual affections, when ye; it is
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