Unless these things are found in us, none of us, no man living, if it be not so with him, can have any refreshing evi- dence or assurance, that he is not under the power of an in- ordinate, yea, and predominant love unto this world.
And indeed to add a little farther on the occasion of this digression, it is a sad thing to have this exception made against the state of any man, on just grounds ; yea, but he loves the world. He is sober and industrious ; he is constant in duties of religion, it may be, an earnest preacher of them, a man of sound principles, and blameless as unto the excesses of life ; but he loves the world. The question is, how doth this appear ? it may be, what you say is but one of those evil surmises which all things are filled withal. Wherefore I speak it not at all to give countenance unto the rash judg- ing of others, which none are more prone unto than those who one way or other are eminently guilty themselves : but I would have every man judge himself, that we be none of us condemned of the Lord. If, notwithstanding the things mentioned, any of us do centre in self, which is supplied and filled with the world : if we prefer self above all other things, do aim at the satisfaction of self in what we do well or ill, are useless unto the only good and blessed ends of these earthly things, in supplying the wants of others, ac- cording unto the proportions wherewith we are intrusted ; it is to be feared, that the world, and the things that are in it, have the principal interest in our affections.
And the danger is yet greater with them who divert on' the other extreme. Such are they, who, in the pride of life, vanity in apparel, excess in drinking, pampering the flesh every day, tread close on the heels of the world, if they do not also fully keep company with it. Altogether in vain is it for such persons to countenance themselves with an ap- pearance of other graces in them, or the sedulous perform- ance of other duties. This one rule will eternally prevail
BEING SPIIUTUALLY MINDED. 389
against them ; ' If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.' And by the way, let men take heed how they walk in any instance against the known judg- ment and practice of the wiser or more experienced sort of Christians, to their regret and sorrow, if not unto their of- fence and scandal, or in any way whereunto they win the consent of their own light and conscience, by such rea- sonings and considerations, as will not hold weight in the balance of the sanctuary. Yet thus, and no otherwise, is it with all them who, under a profession of religion, do in- dulge unto any excesses wherein they are conformed unto the world.
Fifthly, God makes a hedge against the excess of the affections of men, rational and any way enlightened, unto the things of this world, by suffering the generality of men to carry the use of them, and to be carried by the abuse of them, into actings so filthy, so abominable, so ridiculous, as reason itself cannot but abhor. Men by them transform themselves into beasts and monsters, as might be manifested by all sorts of instances : hence the wise man prayed against riches, lest he should not be able to manage the temptations wherewith they are accompanied; Prov. xxx. 8, 9.
Lastly, To close this matter, and to shew us what we are to expect, in case we set our affections on things here below, and they have thereby a predominant interest in our hearts, God hath positively determined and declared, that if it be so, he will have nothing to do with us, nor will accept of those affections which we pretend we can, and do spare for him, and spiritual things. If we abstain from open sins, if we abhor the lewdness and uncleanness of men in the world, if we are constant in religious duties, and give ourselves up to walk after the most strict sort in religion, like Paul, in his Pharisaism, may we not, will some say or think, find acceptance with God, though our hearts cleave inordinately unto the things of this world? I say, God hath perempto- rily determined the contrary ; and if other arguments will not prevail with us, he leaves us at last unto this. Go, love the world and the things of it 5 but know assuredly you do it unto the eternal loss of your souls ; 1 John ii. 15. James iv. These few instances have 1 given of the aiguments and mo- tives whereby God is pleased to deter us from fixing our
390 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF
affections on things here below. And they are most of them such only, as he maketh use of in the administration of his providence. There are two other heads of things that ofter themselves unto our consideration.
1. The ways, means, arguings, and enticements which the world makes use of, to draw, keep, and secure the affec- tions of men unto itself.
2. The secret, powerful efficacy of grace, in taking off the heart from these things, turning and drawing it unto God, with the arguments and motives that the Holy Spirit maketh use of, in and by the word unto this end ; and where- in we must shew what is the act of conquering grace, wherein the heart is finally prevailed on, to choose and adhere unto God in love immutable. But these things cannot be handled in any measure, according to their nature and importance, without such length of discourse, as I cannot here divert unto. I shall therefore proceed unto that which is the proper and peculiar subject before us.