The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Thirdly, The carnal Minds of men, having no Proper Distinct apprehensions and notions of Spiritual things in their own Nature, do Endeavour to present them under such •otions and Images as may suit them unto their carnal unrenewed Affections. For it is implanted a most indelibly upon them, that the end of all Knowledge of Spiritual things is to propose them unto the Embraces of the Affections. It were easy to manifest that from these three corrupt Springs, arose that Flood of Idolatry and False-Worship which spread it self over the Church of Rome, and with whose Machinations the Minds of men are yet too much replenished.

Thirdly, The carnal Minds of men, having no Proper Distinct apprehensions and notions of Spiritual things in their own Nature, do Endeavour to present them under such •otions and Images as may suit them unto their carnal unrenewed Affections. For it is implanted a most indel•bly upon them, that the end of all Knowledge of Spiritual things is to propose them unto the Embraces of the Affections. It were easy to manifest that from these three corrupt Springs, arose that Flood of Idolatry and False-Worship which spread it self over the Church of Rome, and with whose Machinations the Minds of men are yet too much replenished.

Fourthly, Where it is not thus, yet carnal Affections do variously debase Spiritual things, to bring them into a Conformity with themselves. And this may proceed so far, until men think wickedly, that God is altogether like unto them. But I shall not insist on these things any farther.

Lastly, Where Affections are Spiritually renewed, the Person o• Christ is the Centre of them, but where they are changed only, they tend unto an End in Self. Where the new man as ut on, Christ is all in all,