Or THE MIND BT SIN. 3.41' the world is mad on such vain and foolish things as it give it countenance, that in many instances of vanity it is almost wholly given up unto. The consideration we is hard to give a distinction between them and the have insisted on, gives us a satisfactory account of the grounds and reasons hereof. The mind .of man, by nature, is wholly vain, under the power of vanity, and is an endless fruitful womb of all monstrous births. The "world is now growing towards six thousand years old, and yet is no nearer the bottom of the springs of its vanity, or the drawing out of its supplies, than it was the first day that sin entered into it. New sins, new vices, new vanities break forth continually; and all is from hence, that the mind of man, by nature, is alto- gether vain. Nor is there any way or means for put- ting a stop hereunto in persons, families, cities, nations, but so for as the minds of men are cured and renewed by the Holy Ghost. The world may alter its shape, and the outward appearances of things, it may change its scenes, and act its part in new habits and dresses, but it will still be altogether vain, so long as natural un- cured vanity is predominant in the minds of men; and this will sufficiently secure them fromattaining any sav- ing acquaintance with spiritual things. Sect 19.Again, it is one of the principal duties incumbent on us to be acquainted with, and diligently to watch over, theremainders_of this vanity in our own minds. The sinful distempers of our natures are not presently cured at once, but the healing and removing of them is carried on bydegrees unto the consumma- tion of the course of our obedience in this world. And there are three effects of this natural vanity of the mind in its depraved condition to be found among believers themselves: (1.) An instability in holy duties, as medi- tation, prayer, and hearing of the word; how ready is the mind to wander in them, and to give entertainment unto vain and fond imaginations, at least unto thoughts and apprehensions of things unsuited to the duties wherein we are engaged? How difficult is it to keep it up unto an even fixed stable frame of actingspiritually in spiritual things? How is it ready, at every breath, to unbend and let down its intention? All we experience or complain of in this kind, is from the uncured reliques of this vanity. (2.) This is that which inclines and leads men towards a conformity wills and unto a vain world, in its customs, habits, and ordinary converse, which are all vain and foolish. And so prevalent is it herein, and such arguments hath it possessed itself withal to Oo whole world that lies under the power of it. Profes- sors, it may be, will not comply wills the world in the things before-mentioned, that have no other use nor end, but merely to support, act, and nourish vanity; but from other things which being indifferent in them- selves, are yet filled with vanity in their use; how ready aremany fora compliance with the course of the world which lieth in evil, and passeth away? (8.) It acts itself in fond and foolish imaginations, whereby it secretly makes provision for the flesh and the lusts thereof; for they all generally lead unto self - exaltation and satisfac- tion. And these, if not carefully checked, will proceed to such an excess as greatly to taint the whole. soul. And, in these things, lies the principal cause and occa- sions of all other sins and miscarriages. Wehave there- fore no more important duty incumbent on us, than mightily to oppose this radical distemper. It is so also to attend diligently unto the remedy of it. And this consists (I.) In an holy fixedness of mind, and an habi- tual inclination unto things spiritual, which is com- municated unto us by the Holy Ghost, as shall be af- terwards declared, Ephes. iv. 23, 24. (2.) In the due and constant improvement of that gracious principle. (t.) By constant watchfulness against the minds acting itself in vain, foolish, unprofitable imaginations, so far at least that vain thoughts may lodge in us. (2.) By exercising it continually unto holy spiritual meditations, minting always Me things Mat are above, Col. iii. 3. (3.) By a constant conscientious humbling of our souls, for all the vain actings of our minds that wedo observe; all which might be usefully enlarged on, but that we must return. Sect. 20. The minds of men unregenerate being thus depraved and corrupted, being thus affected with darkness, and thereby being brought under the power of vanity, we may yet farther consider what other ef- fects and consequents are on the same account ascribed unto it. And the mind of man, in this state, may ha considered; either (I.) As to its dispositions and inclin- ations. (2.) As to its power and uctings, with respect unto spiritual supernatural things. (1.) As to its dispositions, it is (from the darkness described) perverse and depraved, whereby men are alienated from the life of God, Ephes. iv. 18. for this 22
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