The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

At this Day, the greatest, most noble, wealthy and Fruitful Parts of the Earth, are given unto the Great Turk, with some other Eastern Potentates, either Mahometans or Pagans, who are prepared for Eternal Destruction. And if we look nearer home, we may see in whose Hands is the Power of the Chiefest Nations of Europe, and unto what end it is used. The utmost of what some Christian Professors among our selves are intent and designing upon, as that which would render them wondrous happy in their own Apprehensions, put Hundreds of them together, and it would not answer the Wast made by the forementioned Beasts every Day.

At this Day, the greatest, most noble, wealthy and Fruitful Parts of the Earth, are given unto the Great Turk, with some other Eastern Potentates, either Mahumetans or Pagans, who are prepared for Eternal Destruction. And if we look nearer home, we may see in whose Hands is the Power of the Chiefest Nations of Europe, and unto what end it is used. The utmost of what some Christian Professors among our selves are intent and designing upon, as that which would render them wondrous happy in their own Apprehensions, put Hundreds of them together, and it would not answer the VVast made by the forementioned Beasts every Day.

Doth not God proclaim herein, that the things of this World are not to be valued or esteemed? if they were so, and had a real worth in themselves, would the Holy and Righteous God make such a Distribution of them. The most of those whom he Loves, who enjoy his Favour, not only comparatively have the meanest Share of them, but are exercised with all the Evils that the Destitution and want of them can be accompanied withal? His open and avowed Enemies in the mean time, have more than they know what to do withal. Who would set his Heart and Affections on those things which God poureth into the Bosoms of the vilest Men, to be a Snare unto them here, and an Aggravation of their Condemnation for ever; It seems, you may go and take the World, and take the Curse, Death and Hell along with it, and what will it profit a Man to gain the whole World and loose his own Soul. What can any Man do on the Consideration hereof, who will not forego all his Hopes and Expectations from God, but retreat unto the Faith of things Spiritual and Eternal, as containing an Excellency in them incomparably above all that may be enjoyed here below.