The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

With what loving Countenances do men look upon their temporal Enjoyments; with what tenacious Embraces do they cleave unto them? They see that in them which is amiable, which is desirable and suitable unto their Affections. Let them pretend what they please, if they see not a greater Goodness, that which is more amiable, more desirable in Spiritual ⟨p. 303⟩things, they love them not in a due manner; it is temporal things that hath the Rule of their Affections. Our Psalmist prefers Jerusalem before his chiefest Joy, Psal. 137.6. Another affirms that the Law of Gods Mouth was better to him than Thousands of Gold and Silver, Psal. 119.72. More to be desired are the Statutes of the Lord than Gold, yea, than much fine Gold, sweeter also than Honey, or the Honey-comb, Psal. 19.1. For Wisdom is better than Rubies, and all things that may be desired are not to be compared unto it, Prov. 8.11. This is the only stable Foundation of all divine Affections. A spiritual view and Judgement of a Goodness, an Excellency in them, incomparably above whatever is in the most desirable things of this World are required thereunto. And if the Affections of many pretending highly to them, should come to be weighed in this Balance, I fear they would be found light and wanting. However it is the Duty of them who would not be deceived in this matter, which is of Eternal importance, to examine what is that Goodness and Excellency which is in Spiritual things, which they desire in them, upon the account whereof they do sincerely value and esteem them above all things in this World whatever. And let not any deceive themselves with vain Words and Pretences whilst their Esteem and Valuation of present Enjoyments, doth evidently engage all their Affections, their Care, their Diligence, their Industry, so as that a man of a discerning Spirit may even feel them turned into self, whilst they are cold, formal, negligent about spiritual things, we must say, How dwelleth the Love of God in them?

With what loving Countenances do men look upon their temporal Enjoyments; with what tenacious Embraces do they cleave unto them? They see that in them which is amiable, which is desirable and suitable unto their Affections. Let them pretend what they please, if they see not a greater Goodness, that which is more amiable, more desirable in Spiritual