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14
OF
SPIRITUAL MINDENESS.
containing
a
double
antithesis, the
one in
their
sub
-
jects,
the other
in
their predicates.
And
this
opposi-
tion
is
the highest
and
greatest, that
is,
between eter-
nal blessedness,
and
eternal
ruin.
The
opposite subjects, are the minding of the
flesh,
and
the minding of the
spirit;
or
the
being carnally
minded,
and
spiritually
minded. And
these
two
do
constitute
two
states
of mankind, unto the
one
of which
every
individual
person
in
the world doth belong.
And it
is
of
the highest concernment
unto the souls of
men,
to know unto
which of them
they
appertain.
As unto
the
qualities expressed
by
the
flesh and
the
spirit,
there
may
be a
mixture of them
in
the
same
per-
sons at
the
same
time
;
there
is
so in all
that
are re-
generate. For
in
them the
flesh
lusteth against
the
spirit,
and
the
spirit
lusteth
against
the
flesh,
and
these
are contrary.
Gal.
v.
17.
Thus
different con-
trary
actings
in
the
same
subject
constitute
not
distinct
states. But
where
either
of
them
is
predominant,
or
hath
a
prevalent rule
in
the
soul,
there
it makes
a
dif-
ferent state. This distinction
of
states,
the
apostle
expresseth,
v.
9.
c
But ye
are
not
in
the
flesh,
but
in
the
spirit.'
Some are in
the
flesh, and
cannot
please God,
v.
8.
They
are
after
the
flesh
v.
5.
they
walk
after
the
flesh,
v.
1.
they
live
after the
flesh
v. 13.
This
is
one
state. Others are
in the
spirit,
v.
9.
after the spirit,
v.
5.
walk after
the
spirit,
v.
1.
This
is
the other state.
The
first
sort are carnally
minded,
the
other
are spirit-
ually
minded. Unto
one
of these, doth every living
mansbelong
;
he
is
under
the ruling conduct
of
the
flesh,
or
of the
spirit;
there
is
no middle
state;
though
there
are
different
degress
in
each of these
as
to good
and
evil.
The
difference
between
these
two
states
is
great,