The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Secondly, An Evidence that such Persons love not, care not for Grace or Holiness for their own Souls, but merely to serve their turn at present as they suppose; nor do desire the least of Grace or Privilege by Christ, without which they can have any hopes to get to Heaven. This sufficiently discovers men to be wholly under the Power of Self-Love, and to centre therein; for if they may have so much Grace and Mercy, as may save them, they care for no more.

Secondly, An Evidence that such Persons love not, care not for Grace or Holiness for their own Souls, but meerly to serve their turn at present as they suppose; nor do desire the least of Grace or Priviledge by Christ, without which they can have any hopes to get to Heaven. This sufficiently discovers men to be wholly under the Power of Self-Love, and to center therein; for if they may have so much Grace and Mercy, as may save them, they care for no more.

Thirdly, It is repugnant unto the Honour of Gospel Grace, as though it would carry us so far, and no farther in the way to Glory. For it must be known that this sort of Persons who sit down in their present Measures and Attainments either really have no true Grace at all, or that which is of the lowest, meanest, and most imperceptible size and degree. For if any one hath attained any considerable Growth in Faith and Love, in the Mortification of Sin, in ⟨p. 265⟩Heavenly-Mindedness, it is utterly impossible but that ordinarily he will be pressing forward towards farther Attainments, and farther Degrees of Spiritual Strength in the Life of God. So the Apostle declares it in his own Example, Phil. 3.10, 11, 12, 13, 14. What thoughts can these Persons have concerning the Glory, Power, and Efficacy of Gospel Grace, which they suppose they have received. If they measure them by the Effects which they find in themselves, either as unto the Mortification of Sin, or Strength unto, and Delight in Duties of Holiness, or as unto Spiritual Consolation, they can see no Excellency nor Beauty in them. For they do not manifest themselves but in their Success, as they transform the Soul daily into the Image of Christ.