'78 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. duly and carefully call over the consideration of those times and seasons, wherein we ought to have exercised ourselves in spiritual thoughts; and if we have lost them, or any of them, mourn over our own negligence. But if we can omit and lose such seasons or oppotu- nities from time to time, without regret or self-reflec- tions, it is to be feared that we wax worse and worse. Way will be made hereby for further omissions, until we grow wholly cold about them. And indeed that woful loss of time that is found amongst many professors, is greatly to be bewailed. Some lose it on themselves, by a continual track of fruitless impertinent thoughts about their own con- cerns.Some in vain converse with others, wherein for the most part they edify one another only unto vanity. How much of this time might, nay, ought to be redeemed for holy mediations'? The good Lord make all professors sensible of their loss of former seasons, that they may be the more watchful for the future, in this great concern of their souls. Little do some think what light, what assurance, what joy, what readiness for the cross or for heaven, they might have attained, had they laid hold on all just seasons of exer- cising their thoughts about spiritual things which they have enjoyed, who now are at a loss in all, and sur- prised with every fear or difficulty that doth befal them. This is the first thing that belongs unto our being spiritually minded; for although it doth not absolutely or essentially consist therein, yet is it inseparable from it, and the most undeceiving indication of it. And thus of abounding and abiding in thoughts about spiri- tual things, such as arise and spring naturally from a living principle, a spiritual frame and disposition of heart within.
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