The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

(2) That which is Objective with respect unto Spiritual things.

First, Sanctification extends it self unto the whole Spirit, Soul and Body, 1 Thes. 5.23. When we say that we are Sanctified in part only, we do not say that any Part, Power or Faculty of the Soul is unsanctified, but only that the work is not absolutely perfect in any of them. All Sin may retain Power in some one Affection, as Anger, fear, or Love as unto actual Irruptions and Effects more than in all the rest. As one Affection may be more eminently Sanctified in some than in others. For it may have advantages unto this End from Mens natural Tempers, and various outward Circumstances. Hence some find little Difficulty in the Mortification of all other Lusts or corruptions, in Comparison of what they meet withal in some one inordinate Affection or Corruption. This it may be David had regard unto, Psal. 18.23. I have known Persons shining exemplarily in all other Graces, who have been scarce free from giving great Scandal by the excess of their Passions and easy Provocations thereunto. And yet they have known that the setting themselves unto the sincere vigorous Mortification of that disorder, is the most eminent Pledge of their Sincerity in other things. For the Trial of our self denial lies in the things that our natural Inclinations lye strongest towards. Howbeit as was said, there is no Affection where there is this Work of Renovation, but it is sanctified and renewed; none of them is left absolutely unto the Service ⟨p. 212⟩of Sin and Satan, And therefore whereas by reason of the advantages mentioned, Sin doth greatly contend to use some of them unto its Interest and Service in a peculiar manner, yet are they enabled unto, & made meet for gracious Actings, and do in their proper Seasons, put forth themselves accordingly. There is no Affection of the Mind from whence the Soul and Conscience hath received the greatest Damage, that was as it were the Field wherein the Contest is managed between Sin and Grace, but hath its Spiritual Use and Exercise, when the Mind is renewed.