There are yet other things, accompanied with the same evidence of the difference between affections spiritually renewed and those which have only a general change wrought in them by convictions and some outward occasions, which must in one or two instances more be insisted on, with the consideration of such cases as derive from them; for my design herein is not only to declare when our
CHAP. XVI] ASSIMILATION UNTO HEAVENLY THINGS. 445
minds are spiritually renewed, but also what is the nature and ope+ ration of our affections whereby we are constituted and denominated “ spiritually minded,” which is the subject of our whole inquiry. Herein, then, we shall proceed.
~ CHAPTER XVI.
Assimilation unto things heavenly and spiritual in affections spiritually renewed— This assimilation the work of faith; how, and whereby—Reasons of the want of growth in our spiritual affections as unto this assimilation.
WGEN affections are spiritually renewed in their exercise, or fixing of themselves on spiritual things, there is an assimilation wrought in them, and in the whole soul, unto those spiritual and heavenly things, by faith. But when there is a change in them only from other causes and occasions, and not from renewing grace, there is an assimilation effected of spiritual and heavenly things themselves unto those affections, by imagination.
This must somewhat at large be spoken unto, as that which gives the most eminent distinction between the frames of mind whose difference we inquire into. And to that end we shall cast our con- sideration of it into the ensuing observations :—
1. A ffections spiritually renewed are, in all their actings, in their whole exercise, under the guidance and conduct of faith. It is faith which, in its spiritual light, hath the leading of the soul in the whole life of God. We live here by faith, as we shall do hereafter by sight. If our affections deviate or decline in the least from the guidance of the faith, they degenerate from their spirituality, and give up themselves unto the service of superstition. Next unto corrupt secu- lar interest in the management of crafty, selfish seducers, this hath been the great inlet of all superstition and false worship into the world. Blind affections groping in the dark after spiritual things, having not the saving light of faith to conduct them, have seduced
‘the minds of men into all manner of superstitious imaginations and practices, continuing to do so at this day. And wherever they will lead the way, when faith goeth not before them to discover both way and end, they that lead and the mind that is led must fall into one snare and pit or another.
Wherefore, affections that are spiritually renewed move not, act not, but as faith discovers their object and directs them unto it. Itis faith that works by love. We can love nothing sincerely with divine love but what we believe savingly with divine faith. Let our affec- tions unto any spiritual thing be never so vehement, if they spring not from faith, if they are not guided by it, they are neither accepted
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with God nor will promote the interest of spirituality and holiness in our own souls, Heb. xi. 6; Matt. vi. 22,23. And this is the rea- son whence we ofttimes see great and plausible appearances of spiri- tual affections, which yet endure only for a season: They have been awakened, excited, acted, by one means or another, outward or in- ward; but not having the light of faith to guide them unto their proper object, they either wither and die, as unto any appearing of spiritual motions, or else keep the mind tossed up and down in per- petual disquietment, without rest or peace. “The foolish man wearieth himself because he cannot find the way to the city.” So was it with them who, on the account of their attendance unto the doctrine of Christ, are called his disciples, John vi. Having preached unto them about the bread which came down from heaven and giveth life unto them that feed, they were greatly affected with it, and cried out, “ Lord, evermore give us this bread,” verse 84; but when he proceeded to declare the mystery of it, they having not faith to discern and apprehend it, their affections immediately decayed, and they forsook both him and his doctrine, verse 66.
We may consider one especial instance of this nature. Persons every day fall under great and effectual convictions of sin, and of their danger or certain misery thereby. This stirs up and acts all their affections, especially their fears, hopes, desires, sorrow, self-re- venge, according as their condition calls for them. Hence sometimes they grow restless in their complaints, and turn themselves every way for relief, like men that are out.of the way and bewildered in the night. But in this state and condition, tell them of the only proper way and means of their relief,—which, let the world say what it will, is Christ and his righteousness alone, with the grace of God in him, —and they quickly discoverthat they are strange things unto them, such_as they do not understand, nor indeed approve. They cannot see them, they cannot discern them, nor any beauty in them for which they should be desired.
Wherefore, after their affections have been tossed up and down for a season under the power and torment of this conviction, they come unto one or other of these issues with them ;- for, either they utterly decay, and the mind loseth all sense of any impressions from them, so as that they wonder in themselves whence they were so - foolish as to be tossed and troubled with such melancholy fancies, and so commonly prove as bad a sort of men as live upon the earth; or they take up in a formal, legal profession, wherem they never attain to be spiritually minded. This is the best end that our affections towards spiritual things, not guided by the light of faith, do come unto.