34 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS towards its centre. So is it with men's thoughts oft - times. They are earthly; their natural course and mo tion is downwards unto the earth, and the things thereof : but when any efficacious conviction presseth on the mind, it forceth the egress of its thoughts up- wards towards heavenly things; it will think much and frequently of them, as if that were their proper motion and course ; but so soon as the power of the conviction decays or wears off, that the mind is no more sensible of its force and impression, the thoughts of it return again unto their old course and track, as the water tends downwards. This state and frame is graphically described, Psal. lxxviii. 34-37.. ` When he slew them, then they sought him, and they returned, and inquired early after God. And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their Redeemer. Nevertheless, they did but flatter him with their mouths, and they lied unto him with their tongues; for their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.' Men in troubles, dangers, sickness, fears of death, or under effectual conviction of sin, from the preaching of the word, will endeavor to think and meditate on spiritual things : yea, they will be greatly troubled that they cannot think of them more than they do, and esteem it their folly that they think of any thing else. But as freedom and deliverance hp- preach, so these thoughts decay and disappear; the mind will not be compelled to give place unto them any more. The Prophet give the reason of it, Jer. xiii. 23. ' Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots l then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.' They have had another haunt ; been taught another cause ; the habit and in
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