56 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. principally consist There is a suitableness to our natural constitution, and a secret complacency of our natures, in the proper aetings of life natural, for its own preservation and increase : there is so in our spiritual constitution, in the proper actings of the powers of our spiritual life, unto its preservation and increase. These graces, in their due exercise, com- pose and refresh the mind, as those which are perfec- tive of its state, which quell and cast out whatever troubles it : thence a blessed satisfaction and compla- cency befalls the soul; herein he that believeth hath the witness in himself. Besides, faith and love are never really acted on Christ, but they prepare and make meet the soul to receive the communications of love and grace from him, which it never faileth of, although it be not always sensible thereof. 3. From the testimony of consciente, bearing witness to our sincerity, in aims, ends, and performances of the duty. Hence a gracious repose of mind, and great satisfactoriness, ensue. If we have no experience of these things, it is evi- dent that we walk at random in the best of our duties; for they are among the principal things that we do, or ought to pray for; and if we have not experience of the effects of our prayers on our hearts, we neither have advantage by them, nor give glory to God in them. But yet here, as in most other spiritual things, one of the worst of vices is ready to impose itself in the room and place of the best of our graces : and this is, self-pleasing in the performance of the duty. This, instead of a grace steeped in humility, as all true grace is, is a vile effect of spiritual pride, or the offering of a sacrifice to our own net and drag : it is a glorying in
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