374 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. mind, in the midst of difficulties, temptations, troubles, and such other things as are apt to fill us with fears, despondencies, and disquietments. This is that which keeps the soul in its ownpower, free from transports by fears or passions, on all the abiding grounds of gospel consolation. For although this be a peculiar especial grace, yet it is that which is influenced and kept alive by the consideration of all the love of. God in Christ, and all the fruits of it. And whereas peace includes in the first notion of it, an inward freedom-from oppositions and troubles, which those in whom it is are outwardly exposed to, there are two things from which we are secured by this peace, which is an effect of being spiritually minded. The first is offences. There is nothing of whose danger we are more warned in the gospel than of of- fences. Wo to the world, saith our Saviour, because of offences. All ages, all times and seasons, are filled with them, and they prove pernicious and destructive to the souls of many. Such are the scandalous divi- sibns that are among Christians; the endless differ- ences of opinions, and diversity of practices in reli- gion and the worship of God; the falls and sins of professors; the fearful ends of some of them ; the re- proaches that are cast on all that engage into any pe- culiar way of holiness and strictness of life, with other things of the like nature, whereby the souls of innu- merable persons are disquieted, subverted, or infected, are to be reckoned to this head. Against any hurtful or noxious influence on our minds from these things, against disquietments, dejections of spirit, and discón- solations, are we secured by this peace. So the Psalmist assures us, Psal. cxix. 165. Great peace
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