OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 113 satisfaction with relations, or mere natural weariness, have left the world, the affairs and cares of it, as unto their wonted conversations in it, and have betaken themselves to monasteries, convents, or other retire- ments suiting their principles, without any advantage to their souls. Secondly, God is no such severe lord and master, as to require us to take off our affections from, and mortify them under, those things which the law of our nature makes dear to us, as wives, chil- dren, houses, lands, and possessions, and not propose to us somewhat that is incomparably more excellent to fix them upon. So he invites the elect of the Gentiles to Christ, Psal. xlv, 10. ` Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear, forget also thine own people, and thy father's house ;' that is, come into the faith of Abraham, who forsook his country and his father's house, to follow God wheresoever he pleased. But hepropseth this for their encouragement, ver. 11. So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty, for he is thy Lord, and worship thou him.' The love of the Great King, is an abundant satisfactory recompense for parting with all things in this world. So when Abraham's servant was sent to take Rebecca for a wife unto Isaac, he required that she should immediately leave father and mother, brothers, and all enjoyments, and go along with him ; but withal, that she might know herself to be no loser thereby, he not only assur- ed her of the greatness of his master, but also a pres- ent gave her jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment. Gen. xxiv. 53. And when our Saviour re- quires that we should part with all for his sake and the gospel, he promiseth an hundred fold in lieu of them, even in this life; namely, an interest in things spiritual and heavenly. Wherefore without an assid- 10*
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