OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 327 tinued endeavors to thrive in every grace, should not be required thereto. The whole beauty and glory of our religion depends hereon. To be spiritually mind- ed is life and peace. Fifthly. Such a decay as that described, is a dan- gerous symptom of an evil state and condition, and that those in whom it is, will at last be found to be but hypocrites. I know such persons will or may have pretended evidences to the contrary, and are well enough satisfied of, and with, their own sincerity, in many things ; so as that it is impossible to fix upon them the sense and conviction of being but hypocrites. But this apprehension ariseth from a false notion of hypocrisy. No man they suppose is a hypocrite, but he that generally or universally pretends himself in religion to be what he is not, and what he knows himself not to be, or at least, might easilyknow. And it is true that this is the broadest notion of Pharisaical hypocrisy. But take a hypocrite for him who under light, profession, gifts, duties, cloth habitually and wil- lingly fail in any point of sincerity, he is no less a perishing hypocrite than the former, and it may alter the case with them. I do not say that every one in whom there is this prevalent decay in spiritual affec- tions, is a hypocrite ; God forbid : I only say that where it continues without remedy, it is such a symp- tom of hypocrisy, as that he who is wise, and hath a care of his soul, will not rest until he hath searched it to the bottom. For it seems as if it were thus with such persons, they have had a false or imperfect work in that conversion unto God which they have pro- fessed. Conviction of sin, communication of spiritual light and gifts, alteration upon the affections, change Qf society and conversation, have made it up. Now it
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