42 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. may men of tolerable gifts continue all their days, unto the satisfaction of themselves and others, deceiving both them and their own souls. This being evident from the scripture and experience, an inquiry may be made thereon, as unto our own con- cernment in these things; especially of those who have received spiritual gifts of their own, and of them also in some degree, who usually enjoy the gifts of others in this duty. For it may be asked, how we shall know whether the thoughts which we have of spiritual things in and upon prayer, arise from gifts only, those of our own or other men's giving occasion unto them, or are influenced from a living principle and spring of grace in our hearts l A case this is (how- ever by some it may be apprehended) of great impor- tance, and which would require much time fully to resolve. For there is nothing whereby the refined sort of hypocrites more deceive themselves andothers, nothing whereby some men give themselves more countenance in an indulgence unto their lusts, than by this part of the form of godliness, when they deny the power thereof. And besides, it is that wherein the best of believers ought to keep a diligent watch over themselves, in every particular instance of the per- formance of this duty. With respect hereunto, in an especial manner, are they to watch unto prayer. If they are at any time negligent herein, they may rest in a bare exercise of gifts, when on a due examination and trial they have no evidence of the acting of grace in what they have done. I shall therefore, with what brevity I can, give a resolution unto this inqury. And to this end observe, 1. It is anancient complaint, that spiritual things are filled with great obscurity and difficulty ; and it is true.
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