446 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF
fections. But in general, when men are careless as unto that continual watch which they ought to keep over their hearts ; whilst they are negligent in holy duties, either as unto the seasons of them, or the manner of their perform- ance ; when they are strangers unto holy meditation and self-examination ; whilst they inordinately pursue the things of the world, or are so tender and delicate, as that they will not undergo the hardship of a heavenly life, either as unto the inward or outward man ; much more when they are vain in their conversation, corrupt in their communication, espe- cially if under the predominant influence of any particular lust; it is vain to think of thriving in spiritual affections. And yet thus it is with all who ordinarily, and in their con- stant caurse, are thriftless herein.
CHAP. XVII.
Decays in spiritual affections, with the causes and danger of them. Advice unto them who are sensible of the evil of spintual decays.
It must be acknowledged, that there is yet that which is worse than what we have yet insisted on, and more opposite unto the growth of affections in conformity unto heavenly things, which is the proper character of those that are spi- ritually renewed. And this is their spiritual decay mani- festing itself in sensible and visible effects.
Some there are, yea many, who upon the beginning of a profession of their conversion unto God, have made a great appearance of vigorous, active, spiritual affections ; yea, it is so with most, it may be, all who are really so converted. God takes notice of the love of the youth in his people, of the love of their espousals.
In some, this vigour of spiritual affections is from the real power of grace, exerting its efficacy on their hearts and in their minds. In others, it is from other causes, as for in- stance, relief from conviction by spiritual illumination will produce this effect. And this falls out unto their advantage of such persons that generally a change is wrought in their younger days ; for then their affections in their natural powers are active, and bear great sway in the whole soul.
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Wherefore the change that is made is most eminent intliem, be it what it will. But as men increase in age, and thereon grow up in carnal wisdom, and a great valuation of earthly things, with their care about them and converse in them, they abate and decay in their spiritual affections every day. They will abide in their profession, but have lost their first love.
It is a shame and folly unutterable, that it should be so with any who make profession of that religion, wherein there are so many incomparable excellencies to endear and engage them to it more and more : but why should we hide what experience makes manifest in the sight of the sun, and what multitudes proclaim concerning themselves ? Wherefore I look upon it as a great evidence, if not absolutely of the sincerity of grace, yet of the life and growth of it, when men, as they grow up in age, do grow in an undervaluation of present things, in contempt of the world, in duties of charity and bounty, and decay notin any of them. But, I say, it is usual that the entrances of men's profession of religion and conversation unto God, are attended with vigorous, active affections toward spiritual things. Of them who really and sincerely believed, it is said that on their believing, ' they rejoiced with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.' And of those who only had a work of conviction on them, improved by temporary faith, that ' they received the vi^ord with joy, and did many things gladly.'
In this state do many abide and thrive, until their affec- tions be wholly transformed into the image and likeness of things above. But with many of all sorts it is not so; they fall into woful decays as unto their affections about spiritual things, and consequently in their whole profession and con- versation, their moisture becomes as the drought in summer. They have no experience of the life and actings of them in themselves, nor any comfort or refreshment from them ; they honour not the gospel with any fruits of love, zeal, or delight, nor are useful any way unto others by their ex- ample. Some of them have had seeming recoveries, and are yet again taken into a lifeless frame : warnings, afflictions, sicknesses, the word, have awakened them, but they are fallen again into a dead sleep ; so as that they seem to be trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.
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Some things must be spoken ^lnto this woful condition in general, as that which is directly opposite unto the grace and duty of being spiritually minded ; and contrary unto, and obstructive of, the growth of spiritual affections in an assimilation unto heavenly things. And what shall be spoken may be applied unto all the degrees of these decays, though all of them are not alike dangerous or perilous.
1. There may be a time of temptation, wherein a soul may apprehend in itself not only a decay in, but an utter loss of, all spiritual affections, when yet it is not so. As believers may apprehend and judge that the Lord hath forsaken and forgotten them when he hath not done so, Isa. xlix. 14, 15. So they may under their temptations apprehend, that they have forsaken God, when they have not done so : and a man in the night may apprehend he hath lost his way, and be in great distress, when he is in his proper road. For tempta- tion brino-s darkness and amazement, and leads into mistakes and a false judgment in all things. They find not, it may be, grace working in love, joy, and delight as formerly, nor that activity of heart and mind in holy duties which spi- ritual affections gave unto them. But yet, it may be, the same grace works in godly sorrow, by mourning, humilia- tion, and self-abasement, no less effectually, nor less accep- tably unto God. Such as these I separate from the present consideration.