The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Whither so fast my Friend? What meaneth this rising so early, and going to Bed late, eating the Bread of Carefulness? Why this Diligence, why these Contrivances, why these savings and hoardings of Riches, and Wealth? To what end is all this Care and Counsel? Alas, saith one, it is to get that which is enough in and of this World, for me and my Children, to prefer them, to raise an Estate for them, which if not so great as others, may yet be a Competency, to give them some satisfaction in their Lives, and some Reputation in the World. Fair Pretences, neither shall I ever discourage any from the exercise of Industry in their Lawful Callings. But yet I know, that with many, this is but a pretence and covering for a shameful Engagement of their Affections unto the World. Wherefore, in all these things, be persuaded sometimes to have an Eye to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith; behold, how he is set before us in the Gospel, poor, despised, reproached, persecuted, nailed to the Cross, and all by this World. Whatever be your Designs and Aims, let his Cross continually interpose between your Affections and this World. If you are Believers, your hopes are within a few days to be with him for evermore. Unto him you must give an Account of your selves, and what you have done in this World: will it be accepted with him to declare what you have saved of this World, what you have gained, what you have preserved, and embraced your selves in, and what you have left behind you? was this any part of his Employment and Business in this World; hath he left us an Example for any such Course. Wherefore, no man can set his Affections on things here below, who hath any regard unto the pattern of Christ, or is any measure influenced with the Power and Efficacy of his Cross. My Love is Crucified, said an ⟨p. 184⟩Holy Martyr of old; he whom his Soul Loved was so, and in him his Love unto all things here below. Do you therefore find your Affections ready to be engaged unto, or too much entangled with the things of this World; are your Desires of increasing them, your hopes of keeping them, your Fears of loosing them, your Love unto them, and Delight in them, operative in your Minds, possessing your Thoughts, and influencing your Conversations. Turn aside a little, and by Faith contemplate the Life and Death of the Son of God;

Whither so fast my Friend? What meaneth this rising so early, and going to Bed late, eating the Bread of Carefulness? Why this Diligence, why these Contrivances, why these savings and hoardings of Riches, and Wealth? To what end is all this Care and Councel? Alas, saith one, it is to get that which is enough in and of this World, for me and my Children, to prefer them, to raise an Estate for them, which if not so great as others, may yet be a Competency, to give them some satisfaction in their Lives, and some Reputation in the World. Fair Pretences, neither shall I ever discourage any from the exercise of Industy in their Lawful Callings. But yet I know, that with many, this is but a pretence and covering for a shameful Engagement of their Affections unto the World. Wherefore, in all these things, be perswaded sometimes to have an Eye to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith; behold, how he is set before us in the Gospel, poor, despised, reproached, persecuted, nailed to the Cross, and all by this World. Whatever be your Designs and Aims, let his Cross continually interpose between your Affections and this World. If you are Believers, your hopes are within a few dayes to be with him for evermore. Unto him you must give an Account of your selves, and what you have done in this World: will it be accepted with him to declare what you have saved of this World, what you have gained, what you have preserved, and embrac'd your selves in, and what you have left behind you? was this any part of his Imployment and Business in this World; hath he left us an Example for any such Course. Wherefore, no man can set his Affections on things here below, who hath any regard unto the pattern of Christ, or is any measure influenced with the Power and Efficacy of his Cross. My Love is Crucifyed, said an