CHAP. XX.
Having considered the nature of spiritual affections as re- newed by grace, and those notions of their objects under which they cleave unto them, it remains only that we in- quire into the way of the soul's applicationof itself unto those objects by its affections, which belong also unto our being spiritually minded. And I shall give an account hereof in some few particulars, with brief observations on them.
1. It is required that our adherence unto all spiritual things with love and delight be firm and stable. The affec- tions are the powers and instruments of the soul whereby it makes application unto any thing without itself, and cleaves unto it. This is their nature and use with reference unto things spiritual. Transient thoughts of spiritual things, with vanishing desires, may rise cut of present convictions, as they did with them who cried out unto our Saviour, ' Lord, give us evermore of this bread,' and immediately left hira. Such occasional thoughts and desires are common unto all sorts of men, yea, the worst of them ; ' let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be as his.' Fading satisfaction with joy and delight do often befall men in their attendance on the word, who yet never come to have it rooted in their hearts.
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 479
There are sundry things wanting unto the sincerity of these affections,
1. Those in whom they are, never had a clear spiritual view of the things themselves, in their own nature, which they pretend to be aiFected withal.
2. They have not a sincere love unto them, and delight in them, for their own sakes, but are only affected with some outward circumstances and concernments of them.
3. They find not a suitableness in them unto the ruling principles of their minds. They do not practically, they can- not truly say, 'the yoke of Christ is easy, and his burden is light;' 'his commandments are not grievous ;' or, with the psalmist, * Oh ! how do I love thy law.'
4. Their affections are transient, unstable, vanishing, as unto their exercise and operations. They are on and off, now pleased, and anon displeased ; earnest for a little while, and then cold and indifferent. Hence the things which they seem to affect, have no transforming efficacy upon their souls ; they dwell not in them, in their power, . , ;
But where our affections unto spiritual things are sincere, where they are the true genuine application of the soul, and adherence unto them, they are firm and stable ; love and delight are kept up unto such a constant exercise, as ren- ders them immoveable ; this is that which we are exhorted unto, 1 Cor. xv. 58. ' Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.' Transient affections, with their occasional operations, deceive multitudes, ofttimes they are pregnant in their actions, as those that are most sincere ; and many effects in joys, in mournings, in complaints, they will pro- duce, especially when excited by any outward affliction, sick- ness, and the like. But their goodness is like the early cloud, or morning dew. Let none therefore please them- selves with the operations of transient affections with respect unto spiritual things, be they never so urgent, or so pleasant, or so frequent in their returns ; those that are sincere, are at all times firm and stable.
2. That the soul do find a spiritual relish and savour in the things which it so adheres unto. The affections are the palate of the soul, whereby it tastes of all things which
480 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF
it receiveth or refuseth ; and it will not long cleave unto any thing which they find not a savour and relish in. Something was spoken before of that sweetness which is in spiritual things ; and the taste of them consists in a gracious sense of their suitableness unto the affections, inclinations, and dis- positions of the mind. Hence they have no relish unto men of carnal minds. Whoever therefore would know whether his affections do sincerely adhere unto spiritual things, let him examine what relish, what sweetness, what savour he findeth in them. When he is pleased with them as the palate with suitable and proper food, when he finds that he receives nourishment by them in the inward man ; then doth he ad- here unto them in a due manner.
This spiritual taste is the ground of all experience; it is not what we have heard or understood only, but what we have tried and tasted, whereof we have experience. This makes us long for what we have formerly enjoyed, and strengthens faith, as unto what we pray for and expect.
In every darkness, in every damp of spirit, under every apprehension of deadness, or the withdrawing of the sense of divine love, the soul knoweth what it wants, and what it doth desire. Oh ! saith such a one, that it were now with me as in former days ; T know he who then gave me such refreshing tastes of his own goodness.who made every thing of himself sweet and pleasant unto me, can renew this work of his grace towards me; he can give me a new spiritual appetite and relish, and he can make all spiritual things savoury unto me again.