in the Contrivance of the Work of~J\!demption; . 2 93· 3· Abounding in this Duty is the moft effectual means of freeing us in par~icular from thejhame and 6ane ofProfe.flion in Earth/y mindednefs. There is nothing fo. unbecoming a Chrifiian,as to have his mind alwaies exercifed about, alwaies filled with thoughts of Earthly things. And according as . mens thoughts are exercifed about them, their affeEtion.s are encreafed and enflamed towards them. Thefe ~hings mutu· ally promote one another, and there is akind of circulation in them. Multiplied thoughts enflame affdlions, and enfla– ~ed affeEtions encreafe the number of thoughts concerning_ them. Nothing is more repugnant unto the whole life of Faith, nothing more. obfiructive unto the exercife of all: Grace, than a prevalency of this frame of mind. Ano at this feafon in an ef11ecial manner it is vi{ibly preying, on the vitals of Religion. To abound in the contemplation of this. 0 Myfrery, and in the exercife of Faith about it, as it is cliametrically oppofed unto this frame, fo it will gradually caft it out of the fouL And without this we flmll labour in the . fire for deliverance from this pernicous evil. 4- And hereby are we prepared for the enjoyment ofGlory abo'Ve. No fina11 part of that Glory confifis in the eternal contemplation and adoration of theWifdom, Goodnefs, Love and Power ofGod in this Myfiery and the effects of it, as . fhall afterwards be declared. And how can we better or otherwife be prepared tor it,– but by the implanting a fenfe ofit on our minds by fedulous contemplation whilft we are in this world. God will not take us into Heaven, into the Vijion and F~[[ej]ion of heavenly Glory, .with our heads and h~arts reaking with the thoughts and affeClions of earthly things, He bath appointed means . to make us meet for the Inheritance of tJ;e J'aints in Light, . before he will bring us unto the enjoyment ofit. And this:~ , is the }?rincipal :vay whereby he cloth it. For hereby it is' that.- ' .
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