OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 37 CHAPTER III. Outward means and occasions of thoughts of such spi. ritual things, which do not prove men to be spiritual- ly minded. Preaching of the word. Exercise of gifts. Prayer. How we may know whether our thoughts of spiritual things in Prayer, are truly spi- ritual thoughts, proving us to be spiritually minded. 1. SUCH a means is the preaching of the word itself. It is observed concerning many in the Gospel, that they heard it willingly, received it with joy, and did many things gladly, upon the preaching of it; and we see the same things exemplified in multitudes every day. But none of these things can be without many thoughts in the minds of such persons about the spiri- tual things of the Word ; for they are the effects of such thoughts, and being wrought in the minds of men, will produce more of the same nature : yet were they all hypocrites concerning whom these things were spoken, and were never spiritually minded. The cause of this miscarriage is given us by our Saviour, Matt .xiii. 20, 21. ' He that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word,' and anon receiveth it with joy; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while.' The good thoughts they have, proceed not from any principle in them- selves. Neither their affections nor their thoughts of these things, have any internal root whereon they should grow. So is it with many who live under the present dispensation of the Gospel. They have thoughts of spiritual things continually suggested unto them: and they do abide with them more or less, ac- cording as they are affected : for I speak not of them 4
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