OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 67 thoughts.; for abound in thoughts we shall, whether we will or not. To this purpose is the advice of the Apostle, Eph. v. 18, 19. ' And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the spirit, speaking to your- selves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs.' When men are drunk with wine unto an excess, they make it quickly evident, what vain, foolish, ridiculous imaginations it fiïleth their minds with. In opposi- tion hereunto, the Apostle adviseth believers to be filled with the Spirit, to labor for such a participation of him as may fill their minds and hearts, as others fill themselves with wine. To what end, unto what purpose, should they desire such a participation of him, to be so filled with him l It is unto this end, namely, that he by his grace may fill them with holy spiritual thoughts, as on the contrary, men drunk unto an excess, are filled with those that are foolish, vain, and wicked. So the words of ver. 19 do declare, for he adviseth us to express our abounding thoughts in such duties as will give an especial vent to them. Wherefore, when we are spiritually minded, we shall abound in spiritual thoughts, or thoughts of spiritual things. That we have such thoughts, will not suffi- ciently evidence that we are so, unless we abound in them. And this leads us to the principal inquiry on this head ; namely, what measure we ought to assign hereof, howwe may know whenwe abound in spiritual thoughts, so as that they may be an evidence of our being spiritually minded. I answer in general, among other scriptures, read over Psalm, cxix. with understanding. Consider therein what David expresseth of himself, as to his constant delight in, and continual thoughts of the law
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=