47G THE GRACE AND DUTY OF
thing here below, it is easy to discern how he goes off from his native worth, and debaseth himself therein.
But the fixing of spiritual affections on spiritual objects is perfective of our present state and condition. Not that we can attain perfection by it; but that therein our souls are in a progress towards perfection. This may be granted ; look how much vile affections fixed on, and furiously pur- suing, things carnal and sensual, do debase our natures be- neath its rational constitution, and make it degenerate into bestiality ; so much spiritual affections fixed on, and cleaving unto things spiritual and heavenly, do exalt our nature above its mere natural capacity, making an approach unto the state of angels, and of just men made perfect. And as brutish affections, when they have the reins, as they say, on their necks, and are pursued with delight and greediness, do darken the mind, and disturb all the rational powers of the soul (for 'whoredom, and wine, and new wine do take away the heart,' as the prophet speaks, and wickedness alter- eththe understanding); so holy affections fixed on spiritual things, do elevate, raise, and enlighten the mind with true wisdom and understanding. For the ' fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from iniquity, that is understanding.' And again, as the power of vile affections fill the soul and conscience with tumult, disorder, fear, and shame, where men are not utterly prefligate so as that the minds, thoughts, and consciences of persons under their power, is a very hell, for confusion and troubles ; so spiritual affections, duly exercised on their proper objects, do preserve all things in order in the whole soul; they are life and peace. All things are quiet and secure in the mind ; there is order and peace in the whole soul, in all its faculties, and all their operations, whilst the affections are in a due prevailing manner fixed upon the things that are above. Hence many persons, after great turmoilings in the world, after they have endeavoured by all means to come to rest and satisfaction therein, have utterly renounced all concernments in earthly things, and betaken themselves unto the contemplation of things above, and that only. Many, I confess, of them were mistaken as to the practical part of their devotions, having various super- stitions imposed on their minds by the craft of others ; but they missed it not in the principle, that tranquillity of mind
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 477
was attainable only in setting our affections on things above. James iv. 1. 'From whence come wars and fightings among you ? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war \n your members V Whence are all the disorders in your minds, your vexations and disquietments, your passions breaking forth sometimes into unseemly bravvlings ? are they not from hence ? The question is put unto yourselves, and your own consciences, namely, from your lusts, that is the disorderly affections that tumultuate in you. Do but search yourselves, and you will quickly see whence all your troubles and dis- quietments do arise. Your lusts, or corrupt and inordinate affections, do war in you, continually inclining you to things earthly or sensual. Hence many are best and most at quiet when they are in the world, worst when at home in their families ; but never are they in such confusion, as when they are forced to retire into themselves.
The due exercise of our affections on heavenly things, hath quite another tendency and effect. It so unites the mind unto them, it so biingeth them unto it, and gives them such a subsistence in it, as that all the powers and faculties of it are in a progress towards their perfection; see 2 Cor. vii. 1. True wisdom and understanding, with soundness of judgment in eternal things in the mind, holiness in the af- fections themselves, liberty in the will, power in the heart, and peace in the consi:ience, do in their measures all ensue hereon. Whatever tastes we may have of these things, whatever temporary experience we have of them, they will not flourish in us, they will not abide with us in any con- stancy, unless we are thus spiritually minded.
4. In the future enjoyment of the present object of our spiritual affections, doth our eternal blessedness con- sist. All men who are convinced of a future eternal condi- tion, do desire when they depart hence to enter into blessed- ness and glory. Howbeit what that blessedness, even as unto the geneial nature of it, is, they know nothing at all ; and if they did, they would not know how to desire it. For heaven or blessedness is nothing but the full enjoyment of what we are here to love and delight in above all, of that wiiich is the object of our affections as spiritually renewed. Herein have they neither interest nor concern. But this is that which giveth life unto the affections of believers ; they kjiow
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that in the enjoyment of God in Christ, their eternal blessed- ness doth consist. How this is their happiness and glory, how it will give them an everlasting overflowing satisfaction and rest, they understand in the first fruits of it which they here receive. And this is the ultimate object of their affec- tions in this world, and they go forth unto all other spiritual things in order thereunto. The more therefore their affec- tions are fixed on them, the more they are kept up unto that due exercise, the nearer approaches they make unto this blessed state. When their minds are possessed with this persuasion, when it is confirmed in them by daily experience of that sweetness, rest, and satisfaction, which they find in cleaving unto God with fervent love and delight, in vain shall any other objects rise up in competition to draw them off unto themselves. The more we love God, the more like we are unto him, and the more near the enjoyment of him.