CHAP. XVIII.
It remains only as unto this head now spoken unto, that we briefly consider what is the state of spiritual affections thus daily exercised and improved. And this we shall do by shewing,
First, What is their pattern.
Secondly, What is their rule.
Thirdly, What is their measure, or w hereunto they may atlam.
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First, The pattern which we ought continually to bear in our eyes, whereunto our affections ought to be conformed, is Jesus Christ, and the affections of his holy soul. The mind is the seat of all our affections ; and this is that we ought continually to design and endeavour, namely, that the * same mind be in us, that was in Christ Jesus ;' Phil. ii. 5. To have our minds so affected with spiritual things, as was the mind of Christ, is the principal part of our duty and grace. Nor do I think that any man can attain any considerable degree in spiritual rnindedness, who is not much in the contempla- tion of the same mind in Christ ; 2 Cor. iii. 18. To this pur- pose ought we to furnish our minds with instances of the holy affections that were in Christ, and their blessed exercise on all occasions. The Scripture makes a full representation of them unto us, and we ought to be conversant in our me- ditations on them. What glorious things are spoken of his love to God, and his delight in him, whence also he 'delighted to do his will, and his law was in the midst of his bowels ;' Psal. xl. 8. seated in the throne of his affections. What pity and compassion had he for the souls of men, yea, for the whole human kind, in all their sufferings, pains, and dis- tresses? How were all his affections always in perfection of order under the conduct of the spirit of his mind ? Thence was his self-denial, his contempt of the world, his readiness for the cross, to do or suffer according to the will of God. If this pattern be continually before ns, it will put forth a transforming efhcacy, to change us unto the same image. When we find our minds liable unto any disorders, cleaving inordinately unto the things of this world, moved with in- temperate passions, vain and frothy in conversation, dark- ened, or disturbed by the fumes of distempered lusts, let us call things to an account, and ask of ourselves, whether this be the frame of mind that was in Christ Jesus. This there- fore is an evidence that our affections are spiritually renewed, and that they have received some progress in an assimila- tion unto heavenly things ; namely, when the soul is de- lighted in making Christ their pattern in all things.
Secondly, The rule of our affections in their utmost spi- ritual improvement is the Scripture. And two things are respected in them :
1. Their internal actings.
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2. Their exercise iu outward ways and means whereby they are expressed. Of them both the Scripture is the entire rule. And with respect unto the former, it gives us one general law or rule that is comprehensive of all others ; namely, ' that we love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. The actings of all our affec- tions towards God in the utmost degree of perfection is re- quired of us ; that in all instances we prefer and value him above all things; that we inseparably cleave unto him, and do nothing whatever at any time, that is not influenced and directed by the love of God. This perfection, as we shall see immediately, is not attainable absolutely in this life ; but it is proposed unto us as that which the excellency of God's nature requires, and which the faculties and powers of our nature were created for, and which we ought in all things to design and aim at. But the indispensable obliga- tion of this rule is, that we should always be in a sincere endeavour to cleave unto God continually in all things, to prefer him above all, and delight in him as our chiefest good. When this frame and disposition is habitually fixed in our minds, it will declare and act itself in all instances of duties, on all occasions of trial, when other things put in for a pre- dominant interest in our affections, as they do every day. And if it be not so with us, we shall be at a continual loss in all our ways. This is that which makes us lifeless and heartless in duties, careless in temptations or occasions of them, forgetful of God, when it is impossible we should be preserved from sin without a due remembrance of his holi- ness. In brief, the want of a predominant love unto God, kept in continual exercise, is the spring of all that unprofit- able profession of religion that the world is filled withal.
2. There are outward ways and duties whereby our spiritual affections are expressed. The rule of them also is the Scripture. The way marked out therein, is the only channel wherein the stream of spiritual affections doth take its course unto God. The graces required therein, are to act themselves by ; the duties it prescribes, are those which they stir up and enliven ; the religious worship it appoints is that wherein they have their exercise. Where this rule hath been neglected, men's religious affections have grown irregular, yea, wild and ungovernable. All the superstitions that the