116 OF SPIItITUAL MINDEDNESS. deliverance from this woful condition, the means in- sisted on must be made use of. Especially this advice is needful to those who are rich, who have large possessions, or abound in the goods of this world. The poor, the afflicted, the sor- rowful, are prompted, from their outward circumstan- ces, as well as excited by inward grace, frequently to remember and to think of the things above, wherein lies their only reserve and relief against the trouble and urgency of their present condition. But the en- joyment of these things in abundance, is accompanied with a two-fold evil, lying directly contrary to this duty. 1. A desire of increase and adding thereunto. Earthly enjoyments enlarge men's earthly desires; and the love of them grows with their income. A moderate stock of waters, sufficient for our use, may be kept within ordinary banks. But if a flood be turned into them, they know no bounds, but overflow all about them. The increase of - wealth and riches enlargeth the desires of men after them, beyond all bounds of wisdom, sobriety, or safety. He that labors hard for his daily bread, hath seldom such earnest vehe- ment desires of an addition to what he hath, as many have, who already have more than they know how to use, or almost what to do with. Thus they must have more, and the last advantage serves for nothing but to stir them up to look out for another. And yet such men would, on other accounts, be esteemed good Christians, and spiritually minded, as all good Chris- tians are. 2. They draw the heart to value and esteem them, as those which bring in their satisfaction, and make them to differ from those whom they see to be poor
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