5. In all the instances of duty belonging unto your stewardship of earthly things, attend diligently unto the rule of the word. With- out this the grace exhorted unto may be abused. So of old, under a pretence of a relinquishment of the things of this world, because of the danger in adhering unto them, their own superstition and the craft of other men prevailed with many to part with all they had unto the service of others, not better, it may be not so good as themselves. This evil wholly arose from want of attendance unto the rule of truth, which gives no such direction in ordinary cases. But there is not much seen in these days of an excess in this kind; but, on the other hand, in all instances of duties of this nature, most men’s minds are habitually influenced with pretences, reasonings, and considera- tions, that turn the scales as unto what they ought to do, in propor- tion in this duty, on the side of the world. If you would be safe, you must, in all instances of duty,—as in works of charity, piety, and compassion,—give authority in and over your souls unto the rule of the word. Let neither self, nor unbelief, nor the custom and example of others, be heard to speak; but let the rule alone be attended unto, and to what that speaks yield obedience.
Unless these things are found in us, none of us, no man living, if it be not so with him, can have any refreshing evidence or assurance that he is not under the power of an inordinate, yea, and predomi- nant love unto this world.
And, indeed, to add a little farther on the occasion of this digres- sion, it is a sad thing to have this exception made against the state of any man on just grounds, “Yea, but he loves the world.” He is sober and industrious, he is constant in duties of religion; it may be, an earnest preacher of them; a man of sound principles, and blame-
CHAP. XI.] HOW THE AFFECTIONS ARE CALLED FROM THE WORLD. 409
less as unto the excesses of life;—“but he loves the world!” The ques- tion is, How doth this appear? it may be, what you say is but one of those evil surmises which all things are filled withal. Wherefore, I speak it not at all to give countenance unto the rash judging of others, which none are more prone unto than those who, one way or other, are eminently guilty themselves; but I would have every man judge himself, that we be none of us condemned of the Lord. If, notwith- . standing the things mentioned, any of us do centre in self, which is supplied and filled with the world,—if we prefer self above all other things, do aim at the satisfaction of self in what we do well or ill, are useless unto the only good and blessed end of these earthly things, in supplying the wants of others according unto the propor- tions wherewith we are intrusted,—it is to be feared that the world and the things that are in it have the principal interest in our affec- tions.
And the danger is yet greater with them who divert on the other extreme. Such are they who, in the pride of life, vanity in apparel, excess in drinking, pampering the flesh every day, tread close on the heels of the world, if they do not also fully keep company with it. Altogether in vain is it for such persons to countenance themselves with an appearance of other graces in, them, or the sedulous per- formance of other duties. This one rule will eternally prevail against them: “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” And, by the way, let men take heed how they walk in any instance against the known judgment and practice of the wiser or more experienced sort of Christians, to their regret and sorrow, if not unto their offence and scandal, or in any way whereunto they win the consent of their own light and conscience by such reasonings and considerations as will not hold weight in the balance of the sanctu- ary. Yet thus and no otherwise is it with all them who, under a profession of religion, do indulge unto any excesses wherein they are conformed unto the world.
Fifthly, God makes a hedge against the excess of the affections of men rational and any way enlightened unto the things of this world, by suffering the generality of men to carry the use of them, and to be carried by the abuse of them, into actings so filthy, so abominable, so ridiculous, as reason itself cannot but abhor. Men ‘by them transform themselves into beasts and monsters, as might be manifested by all sorts of instances. Hence the wise man prayed against riches, lest he should not be able to manage the temptations wherewith they are accompanied, Prov. xxx. 8, 9.
Lastly, To close this matter, and to show us what we are to expect in case we set our affections on things here below, and they have thereby a predominant interest in our hearts, God hath positively
410 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART IL
determined and declared that if it be so, he will have nothing to do with us, nor will accept of those affections which we pretend we can and do spare for him and spiritual things. “If we abstain from open sins, if we abhor the lewdness and uncleanness of men in the world, if we are constant in religious duties, and give ourselves up to walk after the most strict sort in religion, like Paul in his Pharisaism, may . we not,” will some say or think, “find acceptance with God, though our hearts cleave inordinately unto the things of this world?” I say, God hath peremptorily determined the contrary; and if other argu- ments will not prevail with us, he leaves us at last unto this, “Go, love the world and the things of it; but know assuredly you do it unto the eternal loss of your souls,” 1 John 1. 15; James iv. 4.