OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 53 the communication whereof the Lord Christ hath promised to continue his spirit with his church unto the end of the world, because by some they are abused l 2. Not only the same, but far greater evils may be found in and under the reading of prayers, which needs no further demonstration than what it gives of itself every day. 3. It is hard to under- stand, how any benefit at all can accrue to any by this relief, when the advantages of the other way are evident. Wherefore the inquiry remains, how we may know to our own satisfaction, that the thoughts we have of spiritual things in the duty of prayer, are from an internal fountain of grace,' and so are an evi- dence that we are spiritually minded, whereunto all these things do tend. Some few things I shall offer towards satisfaction herein. 1. I take it for granted on the evidence before given, that persons who have any spiritual light, and will diligéntly examine and try their own hearts, will be able to discern what real actings of -faith, of love, and delight' in God, there are in their duties ; and conse- quently what is the spring of their spiritual thoughts. In general we are-assured, that ' he that believeth, hath the witness, in himself.' 1 John, 5. 10. Sincere faith will be its own evidence: and where there are sincere actings of faith, they will evidence themselves, if we try all things impartially by the word. But if men do, as for the most part they do, content themselves with the performance of any duty, without an examination of their principles, frames, and actings of grace in them, it is no wonder if they walk in all uncertainty.-. 2. When the soul finds a sweet spiritual compla- cency in and after its duties, it is an evidence that 5
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