OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 57 the flesh; for whatever of self any doth glory in, it is but flesh. When men have had enlargements in their expressions, and especially when they apprehend that others are satisfied or affected therewith, they are apt to have a secret self -pleasing in what they have done, which, before they are aware, turns into pride, and a noxious elation of mind. The same may befall men in their most secret duties, performed outwardly by the aid of spiritual gifts: but this is most remote from, and contrary to, that spiritual complacency in duty, which we speak of, which yet it will pretend to, until it be diligently examined. The language of this spiri- tual complacency is, ' I will go in the strength of the Lord God ; I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.' Ps. lxxi. 16. That of spiritual pride is, God, I thank thee that I have done thus and thus, as it was expressed by the Pharisee. That is, in God alone ; this is in self: that draws forth the savor of all graces; this immediately covers and buries them all, if there be any in the soul: that fills the soul emi- nently with humility and selfabasement; this with a lifting up of the mind and proud selfconceit : that casts out all remembrance of what we have done ourselves, retainingonly a sense of what wehave recei- ved from God, of the impressions of his love and grace ; this blots out all remembrance of what we have freely received from God, and retains only what we have done ourselves. Wherever it is, there is no due sense either of the greatness or goodness of God. Some, it may be, will say, that if it be so, they for their parts, are cut off. They have no experience of any such spiritual rest and complacency in God, in or after their prayers ; at the best, they begin them with tears, and end them in sorrow ; and sometimes they
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=