The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

This Disease with many is mortal; and will not be throughly cured in any but by the due exercise of this part of Spiritual-mindedness. There are other Duties required also unto the same end, namely, of the Mortification of our Desires and Affections unto earthly things, whereof I have treated elsewhere. But without this or a fixed contemplation on the Desirableness, Beauty and Glory of Heavenly things, it will not be attained. Further to evince the Truth hereof, we may observe these two things. First, If by any means a man do seem to have taken off his Heart from the Love of present things, and be not at the same time taken up with the Love of things that are Heavenly, his seeming Mortification is of no advantage unto him. So persons frequently through Discontent, Disappointments or dissatisfaction with Relations, or mere natural Weariness, have left the world, the Affairs and cares of it, as unto their wonted conversations in it, and have betaken themselves to Monasteries, Convents, or other Retirements suiting their Principles, without any Advantage to their Souls. Secondly, God is no such severe Lord and Master, as to ⟨p. 92⟩require us to take off our Affections from, and mortify them unto those things which the Law of our Nature makes dear unto us, as Wives, Children, Houses, Lands and Possessions, and not propose unto us somewhat that is incomparably more excellent to fix them upon. So he invites the Elect of the Gentiles unto Christ, Psal. 45.10. Hearken O Daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear, forget also thine own People and thy Fathers house; that is, come into the Faith of Abraham, who forsook his Country and his Fathers house to follow God whither ever he pleased. But he proposeth this for their encouragement, ver. 11. So shall the King greatly desire thy Beauty, for he is thy Lord, and worship thou him. The Love of the Great King is an abundant satisfactory Recompense for parting with all things in this world. So when Abraham's Servant was sent to take Rebekah for a Wife unto Isaac, he required that she should immediately leave Father and Mother, Brothers and all enjoyments, and go along with him; But withal, that she might know her self to be no loser thereby, he not only assured her of the Greatness of his Master, but also at present he gave her Jewels of Silver, and Jewels of Gold, and Raiment, Gen. 24.53.