Fourthly, Things are so ordered in the holy, wise dispensation o God’s providence, that ¢¢ requires much spiritual wisdom to dis- tinguish between the use and the abuse of these things, between a lawful care about them and an inordinate cleaving unto them. Few distinguish aright here, and therefore in these things will many find their great mistake at the last day. [For] the disappointments that they will fall under, as to what concerns their earthly enjoyments, and the use of them wherewith they were intrusted, see Matt. xxv. 34, to the end of the chapter.
It is granted that there is a lawful use of these things, a lawful care and industry about them; so it is also acknowledged, it cannot be denied, that there is an abuse of them, springing from an inordi-
‘CHAP. XI.] HOW THE AFFECTIONS ARE CALLED FROM THE WORLD. 405
nate love and cleaving unto them. But here men deceive them- selves, taking their measures by the most crooked, uncertain rules. Some make their own inclinations the rule and measure of what is lawful and allowable; some, the example of others; some, the course of the world; some, their own real or pretended necessities. They confess that there is an inordinate love of those things, and an abuse of them, in excesses of various sorts, which the Scripture plainly agirms, and which experience gives open testimony unto; but as unto their state and circumstances, their care, love, and industry are all allowable. That which influenceth all these persons is self- love, which inveterate, corrupt affections and false reasonings do make an application of unto these occasions.
Hence we have men approving of themselves as just stewards of their enjoyments, whilst others judge them hard, covetous, earthly- minded, no way laying out what they are intrusted withal unto the glory of God in any due proportion. Others also think not amiss of themselves in this kind, who live in palpable excesses, either of pride of life, or sensual pleasures, vain apparel, or the like. So, in particular, most men in their feastings and entertainments walk in direct contempt of the rule which our Saviour gives in that case, Luke xiv. 12-14, and yet approve themselves therein.
But what if any of us should be mistaken in our rule and the ap- plication of it unto our conditions? Men at sea may have a fair gale of wind, wherewith they may sail freely and smoothly for a season, and yet, instead of being brought into a port, be cast by it at last on destructive shelves or rocks.
And what if that which we esteem allowable love, care, and in- dustry, should prove to be the fruit of earthly affections, inordinate and predominant in us? What if we miss in our measures, and that which we approve of in ourselves should be disapproved of God? We are cast for ever; we belong unto the world; and with the world we shall perish.
It may be said, that “if it be so difficult to distinguish between these things,—namely, the lawful use of things here below and their abuse, the allowable industry about them and the inordinate love of them,—on the knowledge whereof our eternal condition depends, it is impossible but men must spend their time in solicitous anxiety of mind, as not knowing when they have aright discharged their duty.”
Ans. 1. I press these things at present no farther but only to show how dangerous a thing tt is for any to incline in his affections unto the things of this world, wherein an excess is ruinous and hardly dis- coverable. Surely no wise man will venture freely and frequently unto the edge of such a precipice. He will be jealous of his mea- sures, lest they will not hold by the rule of the word. And a due
406 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART IL
sense hereof is the best preservative of the soul from cleaving inor- dinately unto things below. And when God in any instance, by afilic- tions or otherwise, shows unto believers their transgression herein, and how they have exceeded, Job xxxvi. 8, 9, it makes them careful for the future. They will now or never be diligent that they fall not under that peremptory rule, 1 John ii. 15.
2. When the soul is upright and sincere, there is no need in this case of any more solicitousness or anxiety of-mind than there is unto or about other duties; but when it is biassed and acted by self-love, and its more strong inclinations unto things present, it is impossible men should enjoy solid peace, or be fréet from severe re- flections on them by their own consciences, in such seasons wherein they are awakened unto their duty and the consideration of their state, nor have I any thing to tender for their relief. With others it is not so, and therefore I shall so far digress in this place as to give some directions unto those who, in sincerity, would be satisfied in this lawful use and enjoyment éf earthly things, so ) as not to ad- here unto them with inordinate affection :—
1. Remember always that you are not proprietors or absolute possessors of those things, but only stewards of them. With respect unto men, you are or may be just proprietors of what you enjoy; but with respect unto Him who is the great possessor of heaven and. earth, you are but stewards. This stewardship we are to give an ac- count of, as we are taught in the parable, Luke xvi,1,2. This rule always attended unto will be a blessed guide in all instances and occasions of duty.