The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

1. It is our Duty greatly to mind the things that are above, eternal things, both as unto their Reality, their present State, and our future enjoyment of them. Herein consists the Life of this Grace and Duty. To be Heavenly Minded, that is, to mind the things of Heaven, and to be Spiritually Minded is all one; Or it is the effect of being Spiritually Minded, as unto its Original and essence; or the first proper actings of it. It is the Cause of it, as unto its growth and Degrees; and it is the Evidence of it in Experience. Nor do I understand how it is possible for a Man to place his chief Interest in things above, and not have many thoughts of them. It is the great Advice of the Apostle on a supposition of our Interest in Christ and Conformity unto him, Col. 3.1, 2. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your Affections (or your Thoughts) Mind much, the things that are above. It becomes those who through the virtue of the Resurrection of Christ are raised unto Newness of Life, to have their Thoughts exercised on the State of things above, with respect unto the Presence of Christ among them. And the singular use of our Prospect into these things, or our Meditations on them, he instructs us in, 2 Cor. 4.16, 17, 18. For which cause we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light Affliction which is but for a Moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory. Whilst we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Not to faint under the daily Decays of our outward man, and the Approaches of Death thereby, to bear afflictions as things light and Momentary, to thrive under all in the inward man, are unspeakable Mercies and Privileges. Can you attain a better frame? Is there any thing that you ⟨p. 76⟩would more desire, if you are Believers? Is it not better to have such a mind in us, than to enjoy all the Peace and security that the world can afford? One principal means whereby we are made partakers of these things, is a due Meditation on things unseen and Eternal.