First, The pattern which we ought continually to bear in our eyes, whereunto our affections ought to be conformed, is Jesus
468 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART II.
Christ and the affections of his holy soul. The mind is the seat of all our affections; and this is that we ought continually to design and endeavour, namely, that the “same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus,” Phil. ii. 5. To have our minds so affected with spiri- tual things as was the mind of Christ is the principal part of our duty and grace; nor do I think that any man can attain any con- siderable degree in spiritual mindedness who is not much in the contemplation of the same mind in Christ, 2 Cor. iii 18. To this purpose ought we to furnish our minds with instances of the holy affections that were in Christ, and their blessed exercise on all occa- sions. The Scripture makes a full representation of them unto us, and we ought to be conversant in our meditations on them. What glorious things are spoken of his love to God and his delight im him, whence also he “delighted to do his will, and his law was in the midst of his bowels,” Ps. xl 8,—seated in the throne of his affec- tions! What pity and compassion had he for the souls of men, yea, for the whole human kind, in all their sufferings, pains, and distresses! How were all his affections always in perfection of order, under the conduct of the spirit of his mind! Hence was his self-denial, his contempt of the world, his readiness for the cross, to do or sufter according to the will of God. If this pattern be continually before us, it will put forth a transforming efficacy to change us into the same image. When we find our minds liable unto any disorders, cleaving inordinately unto the things of this world, moved with in- temperate passions, vain and frothy in conversation, darkened or disturbed by the fumes of distempered lusts, let us call things to an account, and ask of ourselves whether this be the frame of mind that was in Christ Jesus, This, therefore, is an evidence that our affec- tions are spiritually renewed, and that they have received some pro- gress in an assimilation uito heavenly things,—namely, when the soul is delighted in making Christ their pattern in all things.
Secondly, The rule of our affections in their utmost spiritual im- provement is the Scripture. And two things are respected in them: —their internal actings; their exercise in outward ways and means, whereby they are expressed. Of them both the Scripture is the entire rule :—
1. And with respect unto the former, it gives us one general law or rule, that is comprehensive of all others,—namely, “That we love the Lorp our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.” The acting of all our affections towards God in.the utmost degree of perfection is required of us; that in all instances we prefer and value him above all things; that we inseparably cleave unto him, and do nothing whatever at any time that is not influenced and directed by the love of God. This perfection, as we shall see imme-
CHAP. XVIII.] THE STATE OF SPIRITUAL AFFECTIONS, 469
diately, is not attainable absolutely in this life; but it is proposed unto us as that which the excellency of God’s nature requires, and which the faculties and powers of our nature were created for, and _ which we ought in all things to design and aim at. But the indis- pensable obligation of this rule is, that we should always be in a sincere endeavour to cleave unto God continually in all things, to prefer him above all, and delight in him as our chiefest good. When this frame and disposition is habitually fixed in our minds, it will declare and act itself in all instances of duties, on all occasions of trial, when other things put in for a predominant interest in our affections, as they do every day; and if it be not so with us, we shall be at a continual loss in all our ways. This is that which makes us lifeless and heartless in duties, careless in temptations or occasions of them, forgetful of God, when it is impossible we should be preserved from sin without a due remembrance of his holiness. In brief, the want of a predominant love unto God, kept in con- tinual exercise, is the spring of all that unprofitable profession of religion that the world is filled withal.
2. There are outward ways and duties whereby our spiritual affections are expressed. The rule of them also is the Scripture. The way marked out therein is the only channel wherein the stream of spiritual affections doth take its course unto God. The graces re- quired therein are to act themselves by [them]; the duties it prescribes are those which they stir up and enliven; the religious worship it appoints is that wherein they have their exercise. Where this rule hath been neglected, men’s religious affections have grown irregular, yea, wild and ungovernable. All the superstitions that the world is filled withal owe their original principally unto men’s affections set at loose from the rule of the word. There is nothing so fond, absurd, and foolish, but they have imbondaged the souls of men unto, no- thing so horrid and difficult but they have engaged them in. And having once taken unto themselves this liberty, the corrupt minds of men are a thousand times more satisfied than in the regular exer- cise of them according to the word of God. Hence they will rejoice in such penances as are not without their austerities ; in such outward duties of devotion as are troublesome and chargeable; in every thing that hath a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and ne- glect of the body. Hence will all their affections be more sensibly moved by images and pictures, and a melting devotion be more stir- red up in them, than by all the motives and incentives which God proposeth unto them to draw their affections unto himself. No- thing is more extravagant than the affections of men, tinctured with some devotion, if they forsake the rule of the Scripture.