110 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS, this is, that when men are so confident in the good state and measure of their affection and 'their actings towards earthly things, as that they will oppose their engagements in them to known duties of religidn, pie- ty and charity, they are gone into a sinful excess. Is there a state of the poor that requires their liberality and bounty l you must excuse them, they have fami- lies to provide for; when what is expected from them signifies nothing at all, as untoa due provision for their families, nor is what would lessen their inheritances or portions one penny in the issue. Are they called to an attendance on seasons of 'religious duties; they are so full of business, that it is impossible for them to have leisure for any such occasions ; so by all ways declaring that they are under the power of a preva- lent predominant affection to earthly things. This fills all places with lifeless, sapless, useless professors, who approve themselves in their condition, whilst it is visibly unspiritual and withering. r. The heart will have something whereon in a way of pre-eminence, it will fix itself and its affections. This in all its perpetual motions it seeks for rest and satis- faction in; and every man hath an edge, the edge of his affections is set in one way or other, though it be more keen in some than others. And whereas, all sorts of things, that the heart can fix upon or turn the edge of its affections unto, are distributed by the Apostle into things above and things beneath, things heavenly and things earthly, if we have not such a view and prospect of heavenly things as to cause our hearts to cleave to them and delight in them, let us pretendwhat we will, it is impossible but that we shall be under the power of a predominant affection unto the things of this world.
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