The term here translated " Set your affections on things above," is more literally rendered, in the margin, " Mind the things that are above." The term imports, not an exercise of the intellectual powers only, but also of the will and the affections ; and such an exercise of them as demonstrates the supreme attachment of the soul. Perhaps it was on this account that our translators preferred the translation ; which, though less proper in itself, more exactly conveyed the sense to those who were unacquainted with the original. But, not to separate the words, let us take them in their collective import ; and consider,]
2. The precept relating to them —
[I have said, that all concern about earthly things is not forbidden: on the contrary, there are many things which require an ardour and intensity in the pursuit, and cannot be attained without. But they must not engage the affections of the soul ; they must not be permitted to stand in competition with heaven and heavenly things. In comparison with the knowledge of Christ, all that the world contains must be in our eyes no better than " dung and dross." The favour of an
offended God the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in
all its sanctifying operations the witness of the Holy
Spirit testifying of our adoption into his family, and of our
interest in Christ and, finally, the eternal possession
of his glory — What deserves to be sought after, like
these? What will bear any comparison with these ? These, then, are to occupy our supreme regard ; and every thing else must give way to them. Earthly satisfactions of any kind, if they stand in competition with them, must all be sacrificed without hesitation and without regret. So permanent must be the ascendency of these things in our minds, that no labour for them shall appear too great, and no suffering too intense. In comparison of them, even life itself must be of no value in our eyes, and the whole world be only as the small dust upon the balance.]
This precept does indeed appear to impose a duty that is quite impracticable : but, to shew that it de- serves our most attentive regards, I will display,
II. Its reasonableness —
Let us take a more distinct survey of the two different objects which are here contrasted ; and the preference required in behalf of heavenly things will be found precisely such as it becomes us to manifest. For,
1. They are more excellent in themselves —