The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Whenever the Affections do cleave intensely unto any Object, they receive an Impression from it, as the Wax doth from the Seal when applied unto it, which changeth them into its own likeness. So the Apostle affirms of sensual unclean Persons; they have Eyes full of Adultery, 2 Pet. 2.14. Their Affections are so wholly possessed and filled with their lustful Objects, as that they have brought forth their own likeness upon their Imaginations. That blots out all others, and leaves them no Inclinations but what they stir up in them. When men are filled with the Love of this World, which carries along with it all their other Affections, their Hopes, Fears, and Desires, unto a constant Exercise about the same Object, they become Earthly-Minded. Their Minds are so changed into the Image of the things themselves, by the effectual working of the corrupt Principles of Sin, Self-Love and Lust, as if they were made up of the Earth, and therefore have no Savour of any thing else.

Whenever the Affections do cleave intensely unto any Object, they receive an Impression from it, as the Wax doth from the Seal when applyed unto it, which changeth them into its own likeness. So the Apostle affirms of sensual unclean Persons; they have Eyes full of Adultery, 2 Pet. 2.14. Their Affections are so wholly possessed and filled with their lustful Objects, as that they have brought forth their own likeness upon their Imaginations. That blots out all others, and leaves them no Inclinations but what they stir up in them. When men are filled with the Love of this World, which carries along with it all their other Affections, their Hopes, Fears, and Desires, unto a constant Exercise about the same Object, they become Earthly-Minded. Their Minds are so changed into the Image of the things themselves, by the effectual working of the corrupt Principles of Sin, Self-Love and Lust, as if they were made up of the Earth, and therefore have no Savour of any thing else.

In like manner when by Faith men come to embrace Heavenly things, through the effectual Working of a Principle of Spiritual Life and Grace in them, they are every day more and more made Heavenly. The Inward Man is renewed day by Day. Love is more sincere and ardent, Delight is more ravishing and sensible, Desires are more enlarged and intense, and by all a Taste and Relish of