Nor can we be, any of us, delivered from this snare, at this season, without a watchful endeavour
p 2
CCXll PREFACE.
to keep and preserve our minds in the constant con- templation of things spiritual and heavenly, proceed- ing from the prevalent adherence of our affections mito them, as will appear in the ensuing discourse.
Again, there are so great and pregnant evidences of the prevalency of an earthly worldly frame of spirit, in many who make profession of religion, that it is high time they were called unto a due consideration, how unanswerable they are therein, unto the power and spirituality of that religion which they do pro- fess. There is no way whereby such a frame may be evinced to prevail in many ; yea, in the generality of such professors, that is not manifest unto all. In their habits, attires, and vestments, in their usual converse and mispense of time, in their over liberal entertain- ment of themselves and others unto the borders of excess, and sundry other things of a like nature, there is in many such a conformity unto the world (a thing severely forbidden), that it is hard to make a distinction between them. And these things do ma- nifest such a predominancy of carnal affections in the minds of men, as whatever may be pretended unto the contrary, is inconsistent with spiritual peace. To call men off from this evil frame of heart and mind, to discover the sin and danger of it, to direct them unto the ways and means whereby it may be effected, to supply their thoughts and affections with better objects, to discover and press that exercise of them which is indispensably required of all believers, if they design life and peace, is some part of the work of the ensuing discourse. It may be it will be judged but a weak attempt as unto the attaining of that end. But it cannot be denied to have these two advantages; first, that it is seasonable ; and secondly, that it is sin- cerely intended. And if it have this only success, that it may occasion others who have more abiHty
PREFACE. CCXlll
and opportunity than I have, to bring in their assist- ance for an opposition unto the vehement and impor- tunate insinuations of the world in these things, to have an entertainment in the minds of professors, this labour will not be lost. But things are come to that pass amongst us, that unless a more than ordinary vi- gorous exercise of the ministry of the word, with other means appointed unto the same end be engaged in, to recall professors unto that strict mortification, that sincerity of conversation, that separation from the ways of the world, that heavenly mindedness, that delight in the contemplation of spiritual things, which the gospel and the whole nataie of Chris- tian religion do require, we shalllosetheglory of our profession, and leave it very uncertain what will be our eternal condition. The same may be spoken concerning love of the world, as unto the advantages and emoluments which men trust to attain unto them- selves thereby. This is that which renders men earthly minded, and most remote from having their conversations above. In the pursuit of this corrupt affection do many professors of religion grow wither- ing, useless, sapless, giving no evidence that the love of God abideth in them. On these and many other accounts, do many Christians evidence themselves to be strangers from spiritual mindedness, from a life of meditation and holy contemplation on things above; yet, unless we are found in these things in some good measure, no grace will thrive or flourish in us. No duty will be rightly performed by us, no condition sanctified or improved, nor are we prepared, in a due manner, or 'made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light.' Wherefore, as was said, to direct and provoke men unto that which is the only remedy of all these evils, which alone is the means of giving
CCXIV - PREFACE.
them a view into, and a foretaste of, eternal glory ; especially unto such who are in my own- condition, namely, in a very near approach unto a departure out of this world, is the design and scope of the ensuing discourse ; which is recommended unto the grace of God for the benefit of the reader.
THE
GRACE AND DUTY
OF BEING
SPIRITUALLY MINDED
, 'But to be spifUudUy minded is life and peace.' — Rom. viii. 6,-~
CHAP. I.
The words of the text explained.
'I Hi; expression in our translation sounds differently from that in the original. 'To be spiritually minded/ say we. In the original it is (ppov^jia rov jrvevfiarog ; as that in the for- mer part of the verse, is (ppovnfxa t7]q aapKoq; which we render ' to be carnally minded.' In the margin we read, 'the minding of the flesh' and ' the minding of the Spirit.' And there is great variety in the rendering of the words in all translations both ancient and modern. ' Prudentia, sapieu- tia, intelligentia, mens cogitatio, discretio, id quod Spi- ritus sapit;' 'the wisdom, the understanding, the mind, the thought or contrivance, the discretion of the Spirit, that which the Spirit savoureth,' are used to express it. All our English translations, from Tindal's, the first of them, have constantly used, ' to be spiritually minded.' Neither do I know any words whereby the emphasis of the original, con- sidering the design of the apostle in the place, can be better expressed. But the meaning of the Holy Ghost in them must be fartlier inquired into.