The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

(3) What is their Measure, or whereunto they may attain.

First, The Pattern which we ought continually to bear in our Eyes, whereunto our Affections ought to be conformed is Jesus Christ, and the Affections of his holy Soul. The Mind is the Seat of all our Affections; and this is that we ought continually to design and endeavour, namely, that the same Mind be in us, that was in Christ Jesus, Phil. 2.5. To have our Minds so affected with Spiritual things, as was the Mind of Christ, is the principal Part of our Duty and Grace. Nor do I think that any man can attain any considerable Degree in Spiritual Mindedness, who is not much in the Contemplation of the same Mind in Christ, 2 Cor. 3.18. To this purpose ought we to furnish our Minds with Instances of the holy Affections that were in Christ, and their blessed Exercise on all Occasions. The Scripture makes a full Representation of them unto us, and we ought to be conversant in our Meditations on them. What glorious things are spoken of his Love to God, and his Delight in him, whence also he delighted to do his Will, and his Law was in the midst of his Bowels; Psal. 40.8 Seated in the throne of his Affections. What Pity and Compassion had he for the Souls of ⟨p. 290⟩men, yea for whole humane Kind, in all their Sufferings, Pains, and Distresses? How were all his Affections always in Perfection of Order under the Conduct of the Spirit of his Mind? Thence was his Self-denial, his Contempt of the World, his Readiness for the Cross, to do or suffer according to the Will of God. If this Pattern be continually before us, it will put forth a transforming Efficacy, to change us into the same Image. When we find our Minds liable unto any Disorders, cleaving inordinately unto the things of this World, moved with intemperate Passions, vain and frothy in Conversation, darkened, or disturbed by the Fumes of distempered Lusts, let us call things to an account, and ask of our selves, whether this be the Frame of Mind that was in Christ Jesus; This therefore is an Evidence that our Affections are Spiritually renewed, and that they have received some Progress in an Assimilation unto heavenly things; namely, when the Soul is delighted in making Christ their Pattern in all things.