OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 45 our principles, aims, ends, actings, with the whole de- portment of our souls in every duty. See 2 Cor. 13, 5. If a man receiveth much money, and look only on the outward form and superscription, when he suppo- seth that he hath great store of current coin in gold and silver, he may have only heaps of lead or copper by him. But he that trades in it, as the comfort and support of his natural life and condition, he will try what he receives, both by the balance and the touch- stone, as the occasion requires, especially if it be in a time when much adulterated coin is passing in the world. And if a man reckons on his duties by tale and number, he may be utterly deceived, and be spiri- tually poor and a bankrupt, when he esteems himself rich, increased in goods, and wanting nothing.Some duties may appearingly hold in the balance as to weight, which will not hold it at the touch - stone, as to worth. Both means are to be used, if we would not be mistaken in our accounts. Thus God himself, in the midst of a multitude of duties, calls the people to try and examine themselves, whether or not they are such as have faith and grace in them, and so like to have acceptance with him. Isa. lviii. 2 -5. 2. We must add unto our own diligent inquiry, fer- vent prayers unto God, that he would search and try us, as to our sincerity, and discover unto us the true frame of our hearts. Hereof we have an express ex- ample, Psalm cxxxix. 23, 21. ' Search me, O God, and know my heart ; try me, and know my thoughts ; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.' This is the only way whereby we may have the spirit of God witnessing unto our sin- cerity, with our own spirits. There is need of calling in divine assistance in this matter, both from the im-
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