But before we do proceed, it is not amiss, as I suppose, to put a remark upon those important truths, which are di- rectly contained in the words proposed as the foundation of the present discourse. As,
1. To be spiritually minded is the great distinguishing character of true believers from all unregenerate persons. As such is it here asserted by the apostle. All those who are carnally minded, who are in the flesh, they are unregenerate, they are not born of God, they please him not, nor can do so, but must perish for ever. But those who are spiritually minded are born of God, do live unto him, and shall come to the enjoyment of him. Hereon depends the trial and de- termination of what state we do belong unto. -
2. Where any are spiritually minded, there, and there alone, is life and peace. What these are, wherein they do consist, what is their excellency and pre-eminence above all thino-s in this world, how they are the effects and conse- quents of our being spiritually minded, shall be afterward declared.
There is neither of these considerations but is sufficient to demonstrate of how great concernment unto us it is to be spiritually minded, and diligently to inquire whether we are so or no.
It will therefore be no small advantage unto us, to have our souls and consciences always affected with, and in due subjection unto, the power of this truth, namely, that 'to be spiritually minded is life and peace ;' whence it will follow, that whatever we may think otherwise, if we are not so, we have neither of them, neither life nor peace. It will, I say, be of use unto us, if we are affected with the power of it. For many greatly deceive themselves in hearing the word. They admit of sacred truths in their understanding, and assent unto them, but take not in the power of them on theii
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 221
consciences, nor strictly judge of their state and condition by them, which proves their ruin. For hereby they seem to themselves to believe that, whereof in truth they believe not one syllable as they ought. They hear it, they understand it in the notion of it, they assent unto it, at least they do not contradict it, yea, they commend it oftentimes and approve of it. But yet they believe it not. For if they did they would judge themselves by it, and reckon on it, that it will be with them at the last day according as things are determined therein.
Or such persons are, as the apostle James declares, ' like a man beholding his natural face in a glass ; for he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was ;' James i. 23,24. There is a repre- sentation made of them, their state and condition, unto them in the word ; they behold it, and conclude that it is even so with them, as the word doth declare. But immediately their minds are filled with other thoughts, acted by other affections, taken up with other occasions, and they forget in a moment the representation made of themselves and their condition. Wherefore, all that I have to offer on this subject will be utterly lost, unless a firm persuasion hereof be fixed on our minds, unless we are under the power of it, that to be spirit- ually minded is life and peace; so that whatever our light and profession be, our knowledge or our duty, without this we have indeed no real interest in life and peace.
These things being premised, I shall more practically open the nature of this duty, and what is required unto this frame of spirit. To be spiritually minded may be considered either as unto the nature and essence of it, or as unto its degrees ; for one may be so more than another, or the same person may be more so at one time than another. In the first way it is opposed unto being carnally minded ; in the other unto being earthly minded.
'To be carnally minded is,' as the apostle speaks, 'death ;' it is so every way ; and they who are so are dead in tres- passes and sins. This is opposed unto being spiritually minded as unto its nature or essence. Where a man, as unto the substance and being of the grace and duty intended, is not spiritually minded, he is carnally minded, that is, under the power of death spiritual, and obnoxious unto death
222 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF
eternal. This is the principal foundation we proceed upon ; whence we demonstrate the indispensable necessity of the frame of mind inquired after.
There aie tvA^o ways wherein men are earthly minded. The one is absolute, when the love of earthly things is wholly predominant in the mind. This is not formally and properly to be carnally minded, which is of a larger extent. The one denomination is from the root and principle, namely, the flesh; the other from the object, or the things of the earth. The latter is a branch from the former, as its root. To be earthly minded, is an operation and effect of the carnal mind in one especial way and instance. And it is as exclusive of life and salvation as the carnal mind itself; Phil. iii. 19. 1 Johnii. 16. This therefore is opposed unto the being of spiritual mindedness, no less than to be carnally minded is. When there is in any a love of earthly things that is predo- minant, whence a person may be rightly denominated to be earthly minded, he is not, nor can be, spiritually minded at all ; he hath no interest in the frame of heart and spirit intended thereby. And thus it is evidently with the greatest part of them who are called Christians in the world, let them pretend what they will to the contrary.