The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

First, That it hath a real Worth or Excellency in it self.

Secondly, That it is suitable and desirable unto us. And it is to be bewailed to see how many walk at random in Profession, that know neither what they do, nor where they go.

Secondly, As we must see a Goodness and Probableness in Spiritual things absolutely, so as that we may fix our Affections on them in a due manner, so we must see it comparatively with respect unto all other things, which gives them a preference in our Affections before and above them all. The Trial of Love lies in the prevailing Degree; on more or less. If we love other things, Father, Mother, Houses, Lands, Possessions more than Christ, we do not love him at all. Nor is there any Equality allowed in this matter, that we may equally love temporal and Spiritual things. If we love not Christ more than all those things, we love him not at all. Wherefore that our Affections may cleave unto them in a due manner, we must see an Excellency in things Spiritual and heavenly, rendering them more desirable than all other things whatever.

Secondly, As we must see a Goodness and Probableness in Spiritual things absolutely, so as that we may fix our Affections on them in a due manner, so we must see it comparatively with respect unto all other things, which gives them a preference in our Affections before and above them all. The Tryal of Love lyes in the prevailing Degree; on more or less. If we love other things, Father, Mother, Houses, Lands, Possessions more than Christ, we do not love him at all. Nor is there any Equality allowed in this matter, that we may equally love temporal and Spiritual things. If we love not Christ more than all those things, we love him not at all. Wherefore that our Affections may cleave unto them in a due manner, we must see an Excellency in things Spiritual and heavenly, rendring them more desirable than all other things whatever.