The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Secondly, There is nothing in the ways of getting, enjoying or using of these things, but giveth its own Evidence unto Spiritual Wisdom, whether it be within the bounds of Duty or no. Men are not lightly deceived herein, but when they are evidently under the Power of corrupt Affections, or will not at all attend unto themselves and the Language of their own Consciences. It is a mans own Fault alone, if he know not wherein he doth exceed.

A due Examination of our selves in the Sight of God, with respect unto these things, the Frame and Actings of our Minds in them, will greatly give check unto our corrupt Inclinations, and discover the Folly of those Reasonings, whereby we deceive our selves into the Love of Earthly things; or justify our selves therein, and bring to Light the Secret Principle of Self-Love, which is the Root of all this evil.

Thirdly, If you would be able to make a right Judgement in this Case, be sure that you have another Object for your Affections, which hath a predominant Interest in your ⟨p. 195⟩Minds, and which will Evidence it self so to have on all Occasions. Let a Man be never so observant of himself, as unto all Outward Duties required to him, with respect unto these earthly things; let him be liberal in the Disposal of them on all Occasions, let him be watchful against all Intemperance and Excesses in the use of them; yet if he hath not another Object for his Affections, which hath a prevailing Influence upon them, if they are not set upon the Things that are above, one way or other, it is the World that hath the Possession of his Heart. For the Affections of our Minds will, and must be placed in chief, on things below, or things above; there will be a predominant Love in us; and therefore, although all our Actions should testify another Frame, yet if God, and the things of God be not the Principal Object of our Affections, by one way or other, unto the World we do belong; this is that which is taught us so expressly by our Saviour,