The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Fifthly, In all Instances of Duty belonging unto your Stewardship of earthly things, attend diligently unto the Rule of the Word: without this, the Grace exhorted unto, may be abused. So of old, under a pretence of a relinquishment of the things of this World, because of the danger in adhering unto them, their own, Superstition, and the Craft of other men prevailed with many, to part with all they had unto the Service of others, not better, it may be, not so good as themselves. This Evil wholly arose from want of attendance unto the Rule of Truth, which gives no such Direction in ordinary Cases. But there is not much seen in these days, of ⟨p. 197⟩an Excess in that kind. But on the other hand, in all Instances of Duties of this nature, most mens Minds are habitually influenced with Pretences, Reasonings, and Considerations, that turn the Scales as unto what they ought to do in proportion in this Duty, on the side of the World. If you would be safe, you must in all Instances of Duty, as in works of Charity, Piety, and Compassion, give Authority in and over your Souls, unto the Rule of the Word. Let neither Self nor Unbelief, nor the Custom and Example of others be heard to speak; but let the Rule alone be attended unto, and to what that speaks, yield, Obedience.

Fifthly, In all Instances of Duty belonging unto your Stewardship of earthly things, attend diligently unto the Rule of the Word: without this, the Grace exhorted unto, may be abused. So of old, under a pretence of a relinquishment of the things of this World, because of the danger in adhering unto them, their own, Superstition, and the Craft of other men prevailed with many, to part with all they had unto the Service of others, not better, it may be, not so good as themselves. This Evil wholly arose from want of attendance unto the Rule of Truth, which gives no such Direction in ordinary Cases. But there is not much seen in these days, of ⟨p. 197⟩an Excess in that kind. But on the other hand, in all Instances of Duties of this nature, most mens Minds are habitually influenced with Pretences, Reasonings, and Considerations, that turn the Scales as unto what they ought to do in proportion in this Duty, on the side of the World. If you would be safe, you must in all Instances of Duty, as in works of Charity, Piety, and Compassion, give Authority in and over your Souls, unto the Rule of the Word. Let neither Self nor Unbelief, nor the Custom and Example of others be heard to speak; but let the Rule alone be attended unto, and to what that speaks, yeild, Obedience.