Fifthly, Affections thus fixed upon things Spiritual and Heavenly, will give great Relief against the remainders of that Vanity of Mind which Believers themselves are oft times perplexed withal. Yea, I do not know any thing that is a greater Burden unto them, nor which they more groan for Deliverance from. The Instability of the Mind, its readiness to receive Impressions from things vain and useless, the irregularity of their Thoughts, are a continual Burden unto many. Nothing can give the Soul any relief herein, nothing can give bounds unto the endless vanity of foolish Imaginations, nothing can dry up the Springs from whence they arise, or render the Soil wherein they grow, barren as unto their Production and maintenance, but only the Growth of Spiritual Affections, with their continual vigorous Actings on Heavenly things. For hereby the Heart and Mind will be so united unto them, (that which the Psalmist prayers for, Psal. 86.11.) as that they will not be ready to depart from them, and give Entertainment unto vain, empty, foolish Imaginations. Thoughts of other things, greater and better than what this World can contain, will be continually arising in the Mind, not to be laid aside by any solicitations of Vanity. For he that is wise cannot but know and consider, that the spiritual things which it exerciseth its Thoughts about, have Substance in them, are durable, profitable, always the same, that the Advantage, Peace, Rest, Riches, and Reward of the Soul lieth in them; but other Imaginations which the foolish Mind is apt to give Entertainment unto, are vain, empty, fruitless, and such as end in Shame and Trouble.
Fifthly, Affections thus fixed upon things Spiritual and Heavenly, will give great Relief against the remainders of that Vanity of Mind which Believers themselves are oft times perplexed withal. Yea, I do not know any thing that is a greater Burden unto them, nor which they more groan for Deliverance from. The Instability of the Mind, its readiness to receive Impressions from things vain and useless, the irregularity of their Thoughts, are a continual Burden unto many. Nothing can give the Soul any relief herein, nothing can give bounds unto the endless vanity of foolish Imaginations, nothing can dry up the Springs from whence they arise, or render the Soyl wherein they grow, barren as unto their Production and maintainance, but only the Growth of Spiritual Affections, with their continual vigorous Actings on Heavenly things. For hereby the Heart and Mind will be so united unto them, (that which the Psalmist prayers for, Psal. 86.11.) as that they will not be ready to depart from them, and give Entertainment unto vain, empty, foolish Imaginations. Thoughts of other things, greater and better than what this World can contain, will be continually arising in the Mind, not to be laid aside by any solicitations of Vanity. For he that is wise cannot but know and consider, that the spiritual things which it exerciseth its Thoughts about, have Substance in them, are durable, profitable, alwayes the same, that the Advantage, Peace, Rest, Riches, and Reward of the Soul lyeth in them; but other Imaginations which the foolish Mind is apt to give Entertainment unto, are vain, empty, fruitless, and such as end in Shame and Trouble.
