The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

It may be said, that if it be so difficult to distinguish between these things, namely the lawful use of things here below, and their abuse, the allowable Industry about them, and the inordinate Love of them, on the Knowledge whereof our Eternal Conditions depends, it is impossible but men ⟨p. 193⟩must spend their time in solicitous anxiety of Mind, as not knowing when they have aright discharged their Duty.

Ans. (1) I press these things at present no further, but only to show how dangerous a thing it is for any to incline in his Affections unto the Things of this World, wherein an excess is ruinous, and hardly discoverable. Surely, no Wise-man will venture freely and frequently unto the edge of such a Precipice. He will be jealous of his Measures, lest they will not hold by the Rule of the Word. And a due Sense hereof is the best preservative of the Soul, from cleaving inordinately unto these things below. And when God in any Instance, by Afflictions, or otherwise, shows unto Believers their Transgression herein, and how they have exceeded, Job. 38.8, 9. it makes them careful for the future. They will now or never be diligent, that they fall not under that peremptory Rule. 1 Joh. 2.14.

Ans. (1) I press these things at present no further, but only to shew how dangerous a thing it is for any to encline in his Affections unto the Things of this World, wherein an excess is ruinous, and hardly discoverable. Surely, no Wise-man will venture freely and frequently unto the edge of such a Precipice. He will be jealous of his Measures, lest they will not hold by the Rule of the Word. And a due Sense hereof is the best preservative of the Soul, from cleaving inordinately unto these things below. And when God in any Instance, by Afflictions, or otherwise, shews unto Believers their Transgression herein, and how they have exceeded,