The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

It may be, it will be said that the Circumstances mentioned, were necessary unto the Lord Christ, with respect unto the especial Work he had to do, as the Saviour and Redeemer, of the Church. And therefore it doth not thence follow, that we ought to be poor, and want all things as he did. I confess it doth not; and therefore, do all along make an allowance for honest Industry in our Callings. But this follows unavoidably hereon; that what he did forego and trample on, for our Sake; that ought not to be the Object of our Affections, nor can such Affections prevail in us, if he Dwell in our Hearts by Faith.

It may be, it will be said that the Circumstances mentioned, were necessary unto the Lord Christ, with respect unto the especial Work he had to do, as the Saviour and Redeemer, of the Church. And therefore it doth not thence follow, that we ought to be poor, and want all things as he did. I confess it doth not; and therefore, do all along make an allowance for honest Industry in our Callings. But this follows unavoidably hereon; that what he did forego and trample on, for our Sake; that ought not to be the Object of our Affections, nor can such Affections prevaile in us, if he Dwell in our Hearts by Faith.

Secondly, He hath done the same in his Dealings with the Apostles, and generally with all that have been most dear unto him, and instrumental unto the Interest of his Glory in the World, especially since Life and Immortality were brought to Light by the Gospel. He had great work to do by the Apostles, and that of the greatest use unto his Interest and Kingdom. The laying of the Foundations of the glorious Kingdom of Christ in the World, was committed unto ⟨p. 185⟩them. Who would not think that he should provide for them, if not Principalities or Popedoms, yet at least, Arch-Bishoprics, and Bishoprics, with other good Ecclesiastical Dignities and Preferments? Hereby, might they have been made meet to converse with Princes, and had been freed from the Contempt of the Vulgar: But Infinite Wisdom did otherwise dispose of them, and their Concerns in this World. For, as God was pleased to exercise them with the common Afflictions and Calamities of this Life; which he makes use of, to take off the Sweetness of present Enjoyments; so they lived and died in a Condition of Poverty, Distress, Persecution, and Reproach. God set them forth as Examples as unto other ends, namely of Light, Grace, Zeal, and Holiness in their Lives, so to manifest, of how little Concernment unto our own Blessedness, or an Interest in his Love, is the abundance of all things here below; as also, that the want of them all may consist with the highest Participation of his Love and Favour.