OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 47 make grace useful unto ourselves and others; yea, they may be made useful unto the grace of others, who have no grace in themselves. But as unto our own souls, they are of no other advantage or benefit, but to stir up grace unto its proper exercise ; and to be a vehicle to carry it on, in its proper use. If we do not always regard this in their exercise, we had better be without them. If instead hereof, theyonce begin to impose themselves practically upon us, so as that we rest in spiritual light, acting our inventions, memories and judgments with a ready utterance, or such as it is, there is no form of prayer can be more prejudicial unto our souls. As wine, if taken moderately and seasonably, helps the stomach in digestion, and quick- ens the natural spirits, enabling the powers of nature unto their duty, is useful and helpful unto it ; but if it be taken in excess, it doth not help nature, but oppress it, and takes on itself to do what nature should be assisted unto ; it fills men's bodies with diseases, as well as their souls with sin. So whilst spiritual gifts are used and employed only to excite, aid, and assist grace in its operations, they are unutterably useful: but if they put themselves in the room thereof, to do all that grace should do ; they are hurtful and perni- cious. We have need, therefore, to be very diligent in this inquiry, whether our spiritual thoughts, even in our prayers, be not rather occasioned from the duty, than springing from a gracious principle in our hearts, or are the actings of real sovereign grace. 2. Where thoughts of spiritual things in prayer are occasional only, in the way before described, such prayers will not be a means of spiritual growth to the soul. They will not make the soul humble, holy, watchful, and diligent in universal obedience. Grace
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