But the fixing of Spiritual Affections on Spiritual Objects is perfective of our present State and Condition. Not that we can attain Perfection by it; but that therein our Souls are in a Progress towards Perfection. This may be granted; look how much vile Affections fixed on, and furiously pursuing things carnal and sensual, do debase our Natures beneath its rational Constitution, and make it degenerate into Bestiality; so much Spiritual Affections fixed on, and cleaving unto things Spiritual and Heavenly, do exalt our Nature above its mere natural Capacity, making an approach unto the State of Angels, and of Just men made perfect. And as brutish Affections when they have the Reins, as they say, on their Necks, and are pursued with Delight and Greediness, do darken the Mind, and disturb all the rational Powers of the Soul, (for Whoredom, and Wine, and new-Wine do take away the Heart, as the Prophet speaks and Wickedness altereth the Understanding) So holy Affections ⟨p. 308⟩fixed on Spiritual things, do elevate, raise, and enlighten the Mind with true Wisdom and Understanding. For the Fear of the Lord, that is Wisdom, and to depart from Iniquity, that is Understanding. And again, as the Power of vile Affections fill the Soul and Conscience with tumult, disorder, Fear, and Shame where Men are not utterly Profligate so as that the Minds, Thoughts, and Consciences of Persons under their Power, is a very Hell for Confusion and Troubles; so Spiritual Affections duly Exercised on their proper Objects, do preserve all things in order in the whole Soul, they are Life and Peace. All things are quiet and secure in the Mind, there is Order and Peace in the whole Soul, in all its Faculties, and all their Operations, whilst the affections are in a due prevailing manner fixed upon the things that are above. Hence many Persons after great turmoilings in the World, after they have endeavoured by all means to come to rest and satisfaction therein, have utterly renounced all Concernments in Earthly things, and betaken themselves unto the Contemplation of things above, and that only. Many I confess of them were mistaken as to the practical part of their Devotions, having various Superstitions imposed on their Minds by the craft of others; but they missed it not in the Principle, that Tranquillity of Mind was attainable only in setting our affections upon things above. Jam. 4.1.
But the fixing of Spiritual Affections on Spiritual Objects is perfective of our present State and Condition. Not that we can attain Perfection by it; but that therein our Souls are in a Progress towards Perfection. This may be granted; look how much vile Affections fixed on, and furiously pursuing things carnal and sensual, do debase our Natures beneath its rational Constitution, and make it degenerate into Bestiality; so much Spiritual Affections fixed on, and cleaving unto things Spiritual and Heavenly, do exalt our Nature above its mere natural Capacity, making an approach unto the State of Angels, and of Just men made perfect. And as brutish Affections when they have the Reins, as they say, on their Necks, and are pursued with Delight and Greediness, do darken the Mind, and disturb all the rational Powers of the Soul, (for Whordom, and Wine, and new-Wine do take away the Heart, as the Prophet speaks and Wickedness altereth the Understanding) So holy Affections ⟨p. 308⟩fixed on Spiritual things, do elevate, raise, and enlighten the Mind with true Wisdom and Understanding. For the Fear of the Lord, that is Wisdom, and to depart from Iniquity, that is Understanding. And again, as the Power of vile Affections fill the Soul and Conscience with tumult, disorder, Fear, and Shame where Men are not utterly Profligate so as that the Minds, Thoughts, and Consciences of Persons under their Power, is a very Hell for Confusion and Troubles; so Spiritual Affections duely Exercised on their proper Objects, do preserve all things in order in the whole Soul, they are Life and Peace. All things are quiet and secure in the Mind, there is Order and Peace in the whole Soul, in all its Faculties, and all their Operations, whil'st the affections are in a due prevailing manner fixed upon the things that are above. Hence many Persons after great turmoilings in the World, after they have endeavoured by all means to come to rest and satisfaction therein, have utterly renounced all Concernments in Earthly things, and betaken themselves unto the Contemplation of things above, and that only. Many I confess of them were mistaken as to the practical part of their Devotions, having various Superstitions imposed on their Minds by the craft of others; but they missed it not in the Principle, that Tranquillity of Mind was attainable only in setting our affections upon things above. Jam. 4.1.
