Again ; there is a being earthly minded, which consists in an inordinate affection unto the things of this world. It is that which is sinful, which ought to be mortified ; yet it is not absolutely inconsistent with the substance and being of the grace inquired after. Some who are really and truly spiritually minded, yet may for a time, at least, be under such an inordinate affection unto, and care about, earthly things, that if not absolutely, yet comparatively, as unto what they ought to be and might be, they may be justly said to be earthly minded. They are so in respect of those de- grees in being spiritually minded, which they ought to aim at and may attain unto. And where it is thus, this grace can never thrive or flourish, it can never advance unto any emi- nent degree.
This is the Zoar of many professors ; tiiat little one wherein they would be spared. Such an earthly mindedness as is wlioUy inconsistent with being spiritually minded, as unto the state and condition which depends thereon, they would avoid. For this thev know would be absolutely ex-
. BEING SPIUITUALLY MINDED. 223
elusive of life and peace. They cannot but know that such a frame is as inconsistent with salvation as living in the vilest sin that any man can contract the guilt of. There are more ways of spiritual and eternal death than one, as well as of natural. All that die have not the plague; and all that perish eternally are not guilty of the same profligate sins. The covetous are excluded from the kingdom of God no less severely than fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, and thieves; 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10. But there is a degree in being- earthly minded, which they suppose their interest, advan- tages, relations, and occasions of life do call for, which they would be a little indulged in ; they may abide in such a frame without a disparagement of their profession. And the truth is, they have too many companions to fear an especial reflection on themselves. The multitude of the guilty take away the sense and shame of the guilt. But besides, they hope well that it is not inconsistent absolutely with being spiritually minded ; only they cannot well deny but that it is contrary unto such degrees in that grace, such thriving in that duty, as is recommended unto them. They think well of others who are spiritually minded in an eminent degree. At least they do so as unto the thing itself in general ; for when they come unto particular instances of this or that man, for the most part, they esteem what is beyond their own measure to be little better than pretence. But in ge- neral, to be spiritually minded in an eminent degree, they cannot but esteem it a thing excellent and desirable. But it is for them who are more at leisure than they are : their cir- cumstances and occasions require them to satisfy themselves with an inferior measure.
To obviate such pretences, 1 shall insist on nothing in the declaration of this duty and the necessity of it, but what is incumbent on all that believe, and without which they have no grounds to assure their conscience before God. And at present in general I shall say, whoever he be, who doth not sincerely aim at the highest degree of being spiritually minded, which the means he enjoyeth would lead him unto, and which the light he hath received doth call for; who judgeth it necessary unto his present advantages, occasions, and circumstances, to rest in such measures or degrees of it as he cannot but know that thev come short of what he ought
224 THE GRACE AXD DUTV OF
to aim at, and so doth iiot endeavour after completeness in the will of God herein, can have no satisfaction in his own mind ; hath no unfailing grounds whereon to believe that he hath any thing at all of the reality of this grace in him. Such a person possibly may have life which accompanies the essence of this grace, but he cannot have peace which follows on its degree in a due improvement. And it is to be feared, that far the greatest number of them who satisfy themselves in this apprehension, willingly neglecting an en- deavour after the farther degrees of this grace and growth in this duty, which their light or convictions, and the means they enjoy do suggest unto them, are indeed carnally minded, and every way obnoxious unto death.
CHAP. II.
A particular account of the nature of this grace and duty of being spiritually minded. How it is stated in, and evidenced by, our thoughts.
Having stated the general concernments of that frame of mind which is here recommended unto us, we may proceed to inquire more particularly into the nature of it, according unto the description before given, in distinct propositions. And we shall carry on both these intentions together ; first, to shew, what it is, and wherein it doth consist ; and then, how it doth evidence itself, so as that we may frame a right judgment whether it be in us or no. And we shall have no regard unto them, who either neglect or despise these things on any pretence whatever. For this is the word according unto which we shall all shortly be judged, * To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.