[4.] It ts that which hath lost the reputation and glory of re- ligion in the world, and therein the honour of the gospel itself: for the most of professors do take up with such measures as put no lustre upon it, as give no commendation unto the religion they pro- fess; for their measures allow them such a conformity unto the world, in their ways, words, and actions, in their gestures, apparel, and attire, as that they are no way visibly to be distinguished from it; yea, the ground and reason why the most do rest in their pre- sent measures is, because they will not be farther differenced from the world. This hath greatly lost the glory, honour, and reputation of religion amongst us. And, on the other side, if all visible professors would endeavour continually to grow and thrive in spirituality of mind and heavenliness of affections, with fruits suited thereunto, it would bring a conviction on the world that there is a secret invi- sible power accompanying the religion they profess, transforming them daily into the image and likeness of God.
[5.] Whatever is pretended unto the contrary, it ts inconsistent with all solid peace of conscience; for no such thing is promised unto any who live in such a contempt of divine promises, nor is it attainable but by the diligent exercise of all those graces which lie neglected under this frame. Few men are able to judge whether they have real, internal, abiding peace or no, unless it be in case of trials and temptations, At other seasons, general hopes and confidences do ormay supply the want of it in their minds; but when any fear, danger, trial, or word of conviction, befalls them, they cannot but in- quire and examine how it is with them. And if they find their affec-
CHAP. XVI.]_ THE GROWTH OF SPIRITUAL AFFECTIONS. 453
tions cold, dead, earthly, carnal, withering, not spiritual or heavenly, there will be an end of their supposed peace, and they will fall into woful disquietments; and they will then find that the root of all this evil lies in this frame and disposition: They have been so far satisfied with their present measures or attainments in religion, as that the utmost of their endeavours has been but to preserve their station, or not to forfeit it by open sins,—to keep their souls alive from the severe reflections of the word, and their reputation fair in the church of God; spiritually to thrive, to prosper in their souls, to wax fat and flourishing in the inward man, to bring forth more fruit as age increaseth, to press towards perfection, are things they have not designed nor pursued.
Hence it is that so many among us are visibly at an unthrifty stand in the world—that where they were one year, there they are another, like shrubs in the wilderness; not like plants in the “ gar- den of God,” not as vines planted in “a very fruitful hill” Yea, though many are sensible themselves that they are cold, lifeless, and fruitless, yet will they not be convinced that there is a necessity of making a daily progress in spirituality and heavenly mindedness, whereby the inward man may be renewed day by day, and grace augmented with the increase of God. This is a work, as they sup- pose, for them who have nothing else to do; not consistent with their business, callings, and occasions; not necessary, as they hope, unto their salvation; nor, it may be, to be attained by them if they should set themselves about it. This apprehension or imagination, upon the beginning of the declension and decay of Christian religion in the many, cast off holiness and devotion unto a sort of men who undertook to retire themselves utterly out of the world; amongst whom also the substance of religion was quickly lost, and a cloud or meteor of superstition embraced in the room of it. But this folly is ominous unto the souls of men. ‘
Those who have made the greatest progress in the conformity of their affections unto things spiritual and heavenly know most of its necessity, excellency, and desirableness; yea, without some progress in it, these things will not be known. Such will testify that the more they attain herein, the more they see there is yet to to be attained, and the more they do desire to attain what is before. Forgetting those things which are behind, they reach forth unto the things that are yet before them, like men running in a race, whose prize and reward is yet before them, Phil. iii 13,14. It is a comely thing to see a Christian weaned from the world, minding heavenly things, green and flourishing in spiritual affections; and it is the more lovely because it is so rare. The generality of them take up with those measures which neither glorify God nor bring in durable peace unto their own souls.
454 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART IT.
That which men pretend and complain of herein is, the difficulty of the work. They can, as they suppose, preserve their present sta- tion, but to press forward, to grow in grace, to thrive in their affec- tions, this is too hard for them. But this complaint is unequal and unjust, and adds unto the guilt of their sloth. It reflects upon the words of our Saviour, that “his yoke is easy and his burden light,” that “his commandments are not grievous.” It expresseth unbelief in the promises of God tendering such supplies of grace as to render all the ways of Wisdom easy, yea, mercy and peace. It is contrary unto the experience of all who have with any sincerity and diligence engaged in the ways of gospel obedience. And the whole cause of the pretended difficulty lies in themselves alone, which may be re- duced unto these two heads:—