OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 43 Not that there is any such thing in themselves, for they all come forth from the Father of lights, and are full of light, order, beauty and wisdom; and light and order are the only means whereby any thing makes a discovery of itself. But the ground of all darkness and difficulty in these things lies in ourselves. We can more clearly and steadily see and behold the moon and the stars, than we can see the sun, when it shines in its greatest lustre. It is not because there is more light in the moon and stars than in the sun, but because the light of the sun is greater than our visive faculty can directly bear and behold. So we can more clearly discover the truth and distinct nature of things moral, and natural, than we can of things that are heavenly and spiritual. See John iii. 14. Not that there is more substance or reality in them, but because the ability of our understanding is more suited unto the comprehension of them. The other are above us. We know but in part, and our minds are liable to be hindered anddisordered in their apprehension of things heavenly and spiritual, by ignorance, temptations, and prejudices of all sorts. In nothing more are men sub- ject unto mistakes, than in, the application of things unto themselves, and a judgment of their interest in them. Fear, self-love, with the prevalency of tempta- tions and corruptions, do all engage their powers to darken the light of the mind, and to pervert its judg- ment. In no case doth the deceitfulness of the heart, or of sin, which is all one, more act itself. Hence multitudes say peace to themselves, to whomGod doth not speak peace; and some who are children of light, do yet walk in darkness. Hence is that fervent prayer of the Apostle, for help in this case, Ephes. i. 16, 17, 18, 19. There is also a great similitude between tern-
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