OF SI'IItITU1iL MINDEDNESS. 385 delight, wherein the soul and being of them do con- sist, are out of the way, unready for a due exercise; so as that men take up and satisfy themselves with the mere outward performance of them. The heart and mind have been taken up with other things; due pre- paration hath been wanting; men come to them with reeking thoughts of earthly occasions ; and it is no easy matter in, or immediately out of, such a frame, to stir up grace to a due exercise. But herein lieth the very life of being spiritually minded. The nature of it consists in the keeping and preserving all grace in a readiness for its exercise as our occasions require. And this is an effectual way, whereby this grace comes to be life and peace. For they cannot be attained, they cannot be preserved, without such a constancy ,and ° spirituality in all holy duties, as we shall neverarrive at, unless we are spiritually minded. Lastly ; this frame of mind brings the soul to, and keeps it at, its nearest approaches to heaven and bless- edness, wherein lie the eternal springs of life and peace. According to the degrees of this grace= in us,.. such are those' of our approaches to God. Nearness to him will give us our initial conformity to him, by the renovation of his image in us, as our presence with him will give us perfection therein;: for when we see him we shall be like unto him. God therefore alone,. as he is in Christ, being the fountain of life and peace,. by our drawing nigh to him, and by our likeness of him, will they thrive and flourish in our souls. THE END.
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