The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

(1) Their Internal Actings.

(2) Their Exercise in outward Ways and Means whereby they are expressed. Of them both the Scripture is the entire Rule. And with respect unto the former, it gives us one general Law or Rule that is comprehensive of all others; namely, that we Love the Lord our God with all our hearts, Souls, Minds and Strength. The Actings of all our Affections towards God in the utmost Degree of Perfection is required of us; that in all Instances we prefer and value him above all things; that we inseparably cleave unto him, and do nothing whatever at any time, that is not influenced and directed by the Love of God. This Perfection, as we shall see immediately, is not attainable absolutely in this Life; But it is proposed unto us as that which the Excellency of ⟨p. 291⟩Gods Nature requires, and which the Faculties & Powers of our nature were created for, and which we ought in all things to design and aim at. But the indispensable Obligation of this Rule is, that we should always be in a sincere Endeavour to cleave unto God continually in all things, to prefer him above all, and delight in him as our chiefest Good. When this Frame and Disposition is habitually fixed in our Minds, it will declare and act it self in all Instances of Duties on all Occasions of Trial, when other things put in for a predominant Interest in our Affections, as they do every day. And if it be not so with us, we shall be at a continual Loss in all our Ways. This is that which makes us lifeless and heartless in Duties, careless in Temptations or Occasions of them, forgetful of God, when it is impossible we should be preserved from Sin without a due Remembrance of his Holiness. In brief, the want of a Predominant Love unto God, kept in continual Exercise, is the Spring of all that unprofitable Profession of Religion that the World is filled withal.

(2) Their Exercise in outward Wayes and Means whereby they are expressed. Of them both the Scripture is the entire Rule. And with respect unto the former, it gives us one general Law or Rule that is comprehensive of all others; namely, that we Love the Lord our God with all our hearts, Souls, Minds and Strength. The Actings of all our Affections towards God in the utmost Degree of Perfection is required of us; that in all Instances we prefer and value him above all things; that we inseperably cleave unto him, and do nothing whatever at any time, that is not influenced and directed by the Love of God. This Perfection, as we shall see immediately, is not attainable absolutely in this Life; But it is proposed unto us as that which the Excellency of