Set your affections] The original word varieth in signification.1 Sometimes it is rendered, to study: and it is (out of question) our duty to study and contemplate ⟨p. 8⟩of heavenly things. Sometimes it signifieth, to try by tasting, and it is sure that if carnal people had but once tasted of the sweetness of godliness and religious duties, they would not so securely neglect the provision for eternity: but especially they would see, that they have spoken evil of what they knew not. Sometimes it is translated, to be wise about a thing, and certainly, a Christian should be wise in the matters of his religion and profession, and show it, by forecast and diligence to compass what may be gotten of this true treasure, and by serpentine discretion in the manner and circumstances of welldoing, and by staidness in a Christian course, void of passion, rash zeal, and fickle inconstancy, growing more and more skilful and cunning in the soundness of knowledge, how with more power and spiritual advantage to practise every duty, or exercise every grace. Sometimes it signifieth, to savour of a thing, and it is true that all the carriage and dealings of Christians should savour of the things above; but I take it as it is here rendered. Set your affections] and so it manifestly teacheth us that we Uses. 1 must get not minds or thoughts only, but sound affections to heavenly things, which may both serve for reproof and comfort: for reproof, I say, both of the loathsome lukewarmness of the mostk, and of the dangerous Uses. 2 loss of first love in the better sortl. For comfort, for it is certain, if thou canst find thy heart upright in affections and constant desire after heavenly things,4 thou mayst be assured of three things. 1. That God will accept thy §1will for the deed. He will bear with many wants and weaknesses, where he §2sees a man or woman come to his service with hearts desirous to do their best, and tenderly affected. 2. That thou art not in danger of falling away: for Apostasy never discovers it self to hurt us, or endanger us, till it hath §3stolen away our hearts and the care of affections in holy duties. 3. That to that thou hast, 5more is and shall be given: as thy affections grow and continue, so doth true knowledge, grace and godliness grow also. And thus of the repetition.
Set your affections] The originall word varieth in signification.1 Sometimes it is rendred, to studie: and it is (out of question) our dutie to study and contemplate ⟨p. 8⟩of heauenly things. Sometimes it signifieth, to trie by tasting, and it is sure that if carnall people had but once tasted of the sweetnesse of godlinesse and religious duties, they would not so securely neglect the prouision for eternity: but especially they would see, that they haue spoken euill of what they knew not. Sometimes it is translated, to bee wise about a thing, and certainely, a Christian should bee wise in the matters of his religion and profession, and shew it, by forecast and diligence to compasse what may bee gotten of this true treasure, and by serpentine discretion in the manner and circumstances of welldoing, and by staydnesse in a Christian course, voyd of passion, rash zeale, and fickle inconstancie, growing more and more skilfull and cunning in the soundnesse of knowledge, how with more power and spirituall aduantage to practise euery dutie, or exercise euery grace. Sometimes it signifieth, to sauour of a thing, and it is true that all the carriage and dealings of Christians should sauour of the things aboue; but I take it as it is heere rendred. Set your affections] and so it manifestly teacheth vs that wee Ʋses. 1 must get not mindes or thoughts onely, but sound affections to heauenly things, which may both serue for reproofe and comfort: for reproofe, I say, both of the loathsome lukewarmensse of the mostk, and of the dangerous Ʋses. 2 losse of first loue in the better sortl. For comfort, for it is certaine, if thou canst finde thy heart vpright in affections and constant desire after heauenly things,4 thou mayst bee assured of three things. 1. That God will accept thy §1will for the deed. He will beare with many wants and weaknesses, where hee §2sees a man or woman come to his seruice with hearts desirous to doe their best, and tenderly affected. 2. That thou art not in danger of falling away: for Apostasie neuer discouers it selfe to hurt vs, or endanger vs, till it hath §3stollen away our hearts and the care of affections in holy duties. 3. That to that thou hast,
- 1[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- kReu. 3.19.
- lRevel. 2.Reuel. 2.
- 4Three benefits of tender affections.
- 5Matth. 13.
