These things being premised, I shall more practically open the nature of this duty, and what is required unto this frame of spirit. To be “spiritually minded” may be considered either as unto the na- ture and essence of it, or as unto its degrees; for one may be so more than another, or the same person may be more so at one time than another. In the first way it is opposed unto being “carnally minded ;” in the other unto being “ earthly minded.”
“To be carnally minded is,” as the apostle speaks, “death;” it is so every way; and they who are so are dead in trespasses and sins. This is opposed unto being “spiritually minded,” as unto its nature or essence. When aman, as unto the substance and being of the grace and duty intended, is not spiritually minded, he is carnally minded, —that is, under the power of death spiritual, and obnoxious unto death eternal. This is the principal foundation we proceed upon, whence we demonstrate the indispensable necessity of the frame of mind inquired after.
There are two ways wherein men are earthly minded. The one is absolute, when the love of earthly things is wholly predominant in the mind. This is not formally and properly to be. carnally minded, which is of a larger extent. The one denomination is from
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the root and principle, namely, the flesh; the other from the object, or the things of the earth. ‘The latter is a branch from the former, as its root. To be earthly minded is an operation and effect of the carnal mind in one especial way and instance; and it is as exclusive of life and salvation as the carnal mind itself, Phil. iii, 19; 1 John ii. 15,16. This, therefore, is opposed unto the being of spiritual mind- edness no less than to be carnally minded is. When there ig in any a love of earthly things that is predominant, whence a person may be rightly denominated to be earthly minded, he is not, nor can be, spiritually minded at all; he hath no interest in the frame of heart and spirit intended thereby. And thus it is evidently with the greatest part of them who are called Christians in the world, let them pretend what they will to the contrary.
Again; there is a being earthly minded which consists in an inor- dinate affection unto the things of this world. It is that which is sinful, which ought to be mortified; yet it is not absolutely incon- sistent with the substance and being of the grace inquired after. Some who are really and truly spiritually minded, yet may, for a time at least, be under such an inordinate affection unto and care about earthly things, that if not absolutely, yet comparatively, as unto what they ought to be and might be, they may be justly said to be earthly minded. ‘They are so in respect of those degrees in being spiritually minded which they ought to aim at and may attain unto, And where it is thus, this grace can never thrive or flourish, it can never advance unto any eminent degree.
This is the Zoar of many professors,—that “little one” wherein they would be spared. Such an earthly mindedness as is wholly inconsistent with being spiritually minded, as unto the state and condition which depends thereon, they would avoid; for this they know would be absolutely exclusive of life and peace. They cannot but know that such a frame is as inconsistent with salvation as liv- ing in the vilest sin that any man can contract the guilt of There are more ways of spiritual and eternal death than one, as well as of natural. All that die have not the plague, and all that perish eter- nally are not guilty of the same profligate sins. The covetous are excluded from the kingdom of God no less severely than fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, and thieves, 1 Cor. vi. 9,10. But there is a degree in being earthly minded which they suppose their interest, advantages, relations, and occasions of life do call for, which they would be a little indulged in; they may abide in such a frame with- out a disparagement of their profession. And the truth is, they have too many companions to fear an especial reflection on themselves. The multitude of the guilty take away the sense and shame of the guilt. But, besides, they hope well that it is not inconsistent abso-
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lutely with being spiritually minded; only they cannot well deny ; but that it is contrary unto such degrees in that grace, such thriving
in that duty, as is recommended unto them. They think well of others who are spiritually minded in an eminent degree, at least they do so as unto the thing itself in general; for when they come unto particular instances of this or that man, for the most part they esteem what is beyond their own measure to be little better than pretence. But, in general, to be spiritually minded in an eminent degree, they cannot but esteem it a thing excellent and desirable ;— but it is for them who are more at leisure than they are; their cir- cumstances and occasions require them to satisfy themselves with an inferior measure.