3. If you would be able to make a right judgment in this case, be sure that you have another object for your affections, w^hich hath a predominant interest in your minds, and which will evidence itself so to have on all occasions. Let a man be never so observant of himself, as unto all out- ward duties required of him, with respect unto these earthly things ; let him be liberal in the disposal of them on all oc- casions ; let him be watchful against all intemperance and excesses in the use of them ; yet, if he hath not another ob- ject for his affections, which hath a prevailing influence upon them, if they are not set upon the things that are above, one way or other, it is the world that hath the pos- session of his heart. For the affections of our minds will, and must be placed in chief, on things below, or things above ; there will be a predominant love in us ; and there- fore, although all our actions should testify another frame, yet if God, and the things of God, be not the principal ob- ject of our affections, by one way or other, unto the world we do belong : this is that which is taught us so expressly by our Saviour, Luke xvi. 9 — 13. ' And I say unto you. Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting- habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much. If therefore you have not been faith- ful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own ? No servant can serve two masters ; for either he will hate the one, and love the other ; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other : ye cannot serve God and mammon.'
4. Labour continually for the mortification of your affections unto the things of this world. They are in the state of corrupted nature set and fixed on them, nor will any rea- sonings or considerations effectually divert them, or take them off in a due manner, unless thev are mortified unto
BEING SPIIIITUALLY MINDED. 387
them by the cross of Christ. Whatever change be other- wise wrouoht in them, it will be of no advantage unto us. It is mortification alone that will take them off from earthly things unto the glory of God. Hence the apostle, having given us that charge, * Set your affections on things above, and not on things below on the earth,' Col. iii. 2. adds this as the only way and means we may do so, ' Mortify there- fore your members that are on the earth ;' ver. 5. Let no man think that his affections will fall off from earthly things of their own accord. The keenness and sharpness of them, in many things, may be abated by the decay of their natural powers in age, and the like : they may be mated by fre- quent disappointments, by sicknesses, pains, and afflictions, as we shall see immediately ; or they may be willing unto a distribution of earthly enjoyments, to have the reputation of it, wherein they still cleave unto the world, but under an- other shape and appearance. They may be startled by con- victions, so as to do many things gladly, that belong to an- other frame : but, on one pretence or other, under one ap- pearance or other, they will for ever adhere or cleave unto earthly things, unless they are mortified unto them, through faith in the blood and cross of Christ; Gal. vi. 14. Whatever thoughts you may have of yourselves in this matter, unless you have the experience of a work of mortification on your affections, you can have no refreshing ground of assurance, that you are in any thing spiritually minded.
5. In all instances of duty belonging unto your stew- ardship of earthly things, attend diligently unto the rule of the word : without this, the grace exhorted unto may be abused. So of old, under a pretence of a relinquishment of the things of this world, because of the danger in adhering unto them; their own superstition, and the craft of other men, prevailed with many to part with all they had unto the service of others, not better, it may be, not so good as them- selves. This evil wholly arose from want of attendance unto the rule of truth, which gives no such direction in ordinary cases. But there is not much seen in these days of an ex- cess in that kind. But, on the other hand, in all instances of duties of this nature, most men's minds are habitually in- fluenced with pretences, reasonings, and considerations, that turn the scales as unto what they ought to do in proportion
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388 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF
in this duty, on the side of the world. If you would be safe, you must, in all instances of duty, as in works of charity, piety, and compassion, give authority in and over your souls, unto the rule of the word. Let neither self nor unbelief, nor the custom and example of others, be heard to speak ; but let the rule alone be attended unto, and to what that speaks, yield obedience.