The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

1. It is not spoken of absolutely as unto what it is in it self, but with respect unto its Power and Prevalency in us; significantly rendered, to be spiritually minded; that is, to have the mind changed and renewed by a Principle of spiritual Life and Light, so as to be continually acted and influenced thereby unto thoughts and Meditations of spiritual things, from the Affections cleaving unto them with delight and satisfaction. So on the contrary it is, when Men mind earthly things. From a Principle of love unto them, arising from their suitableness unto their corrupt Affections, their Thoughts, Meditations and Desires are continually engaged about them. Wherefore,

1. It is not spoken of absolutely as unto what it is in it self, but with respect unto its Power and Prevalency in us; significantly rendred, to be spiritually minded; that is, to have the mind changed and renewed by a Principle of spiritual Life and Light, so as to be continually acted and influenced thereby unto thoughts and Meditations of spiritual things, from the Affections cleaving unto them with delight and satisfaction. So on the contrary it is, when Men mind earthly things. From a Principle of love unto them, arising from their suitableness unto their corrupt Affections, their Thoughts, Meditations and Desires are continually engaged about them. Wherefore,

2. Three things may be distinguished in the great Duty of being spiritually minded under which Notion it is here recommended unto us.

1. The actual exercise of the Mind in its thoughts, Meditations and desires about things spiritual and Heavenly. So is it expressed in the Verse foregoing. They that are after the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh; they think on them, their contrivances are about them, and their desires after them. But they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. They mind them by fixing their Thoughts and Meditations upon them.