1. Consider what proportion your thoughts of spiritual things bears with those about other things. Our principal interest and concern, as we profess, lies in things spiritual, heavenly, and eternal. Is it not then a foolish thing to sup- pose that our thoughts about these things, should not hold some proportion with those about other things, nay, that they should not exceed them ? No man is so vain in earthly things, as to pretend that his principal concern lieth in that whereof he thinks very seldom in comparison of other things. It is not so with men in reference unto their families, their
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trades, their occasions of life. It is a truth not only conse- crated by the testimony of him who is truth, but evident also in the light of reason, ' that where our treasure is there will our hearts be also.' And the affections of our hearts do act themselves by the thoughts of our minds. Wherefore, if our principal treasure be, as we profess, in things spiritual and heavenly, and woe unto us if it be not so, on them will our affections, and consequently our desires and thoughts, be principally fixed.
That we may the better examine ourselves by this rule, we must consider of what sorts men's other thoughts are; and as unto our present purpose, they may be reduced unto these heads.
1. There are such as are exercised about their callings and lawful occasions. These are numberless and endless; especially among a sort of men who rise early and go to bed late, and eat the bread of carefulness, or are particularly industrious and diligent in their ways. These thoughts men approve themselves in, and judge them their duty, as they are in their proper place and measure. But no heart can conceive the multitude of these thoughts, which partly in contrivances, partly in converse, are engaged and spent about these things. And the more men are immersed in them, the more do themselves and others esteem them dili- gent and praiseworthy. And there are some who have neither necessity nor occasion to be engaged much in the duties of any especial calling, who yet by their words and actions de- clare themselves to be confined almost in their thoughts unto themselves, their relations, their children, and their self-concerns, which though most of them are very imperti- nent, yet they justify themselves in them. All sorts may do well to examine what proportion their thoughts of spiritual things do bear unto those of other things. I fear with most it will be found to be very small, with many next to none at all. What evidence then can they have that they are spi- ritually minded, that their principal interest lies in things above ? It may be it will be asked, whether it be necessary that men should think as much and as often about things spiritual and heavenly, as they do about the lawful affairs of their callings ? I say, more, and more often, if we are what we profess ourselves to be. Generally it is the best sort of
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men, as to the things of God and man, who are busied in their callings, some of one sort, some of another. But even among the best of these, many will continually spend the strength of their minds and vigour of their spirits about their affairs ail the day long ; and, so they can pray in the morning and evening, with some thoughts sometimes of spi- ritual things occasionally administered, do suppose they acquit themselves very well. As if a man should pretend that his great design is, to prepare himself for a voyage unto a far country, where is his patrimony and his inheritance; but all his thoughts and contrivances are about some few trifles, which, if indeed he intend his voyage, he must leave behind him ; and of his main design he scarce thinketh at all. We all profess that we are bound for heaven, immor- tality, and glory : but is it any evidence v.e really design it, if all our thoughts are consumed about the trifles of this world, which we must leave behind us, and have only occa- sional thoughts of things above ? I shall elsewhere shew, if God will, how men may be spiritually minded in their earthly affairs. If some relief may not be thence obtained, I cannot tell what to say or answer for them, whose thoughts of spiritual things do not hold proportion with, yea, exceed them which they lay out about their callings.
This whole rule is grounded on that of our Saviour, Matt. vi. 31 — 34. * Take no thought, saying. What shall we eat? or. What shall we drink? or. Wherewith shall we be clothed ? But seek first the kingdom of God and his righ- teousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow.' When we have done all we can, when we have made the best of them we are able, all earthly things, as unto our interest in them, amount to no more but what we eat, what we drink, and wherewith we are clothed. About these things our Saviour forbids us to take any thought, not absolutely, but with a double limita- tion. As first. That we take no such thought about them as should carry along with it a disquietment of mind, through a distrust of the fatherly care and providence of God. This is the design of the context. Secondly, No thought that for constancy and engagement of spirit, should be like unto those which we ought to have about spiritual things. 'Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.* Let that