34a or SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. giversations and shiftings in duties, proneness to com- ply with diversion, all to keepoff the mind from closing with, and receiving of, those spiritual things which it is not suited to. Wherefore, as to the solemn way of proposing spiritual things to our minds which is in and by the ordinances of divine worship, when men have a prevalent loathness to engage in them, or when they are satisfied with an outward attendance on them, but are not enabled to a vigorous stirring up of the inward man, to an holy affectionate converse with spiritual and heavenly things, it is because they are carnal. When men can receive the fiery darts of Satan in his temptations into their bosoms, and suffer them to abide there, yea, foster and cherish them in thoughts of the lusts that they kindle, but quickly quench the motions of the Spirit, stirring them up to the embracing of heavenly things; they are carnal, and carnally minded. When providences of concernment in afflictions, trials, 'deliverances, do- not engage the mind in thoughts of 'spiritual things, and excite the affections to the attain- ment of them, men are carnal and earthly. When revery lust, corruption, or passion as anger, envy, dis- pleasure at this or that person or thing, can divert the mind from compliance with the proposal of spiritual :things that is made to it, we are carnal. It is otherwise, when our affections are conformed to things spiritual and heavenly. Upon every proposal of this, the mind finds a suitableness to itself, like that which a well disposed appetite finds to savory meat. As the full soul loathes the honey comb, so a mind under the power of carnal affections, hath an aversion to all spiritual sweetness. But spiritualized affections desire them, have an appetite to them, readily receive
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=