198 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. of my duty towards him; and where now in a few minutes do I findmyself ? I am got into the ends of the earth, into things useless and earthly; or am at such a loss as that I have no mind to proceed in the work wherein I was engaged. O ! wretched man that I am, what a cursed enemy have I withinme ! I am ashamed of myself, weary of myself, loathe myself, who shall deliver me from this body of death Such thoughts may be as useful to him, as those which he first designed. True it is, we can never be freed absolutely from all the effects of this vanity and instability of mind in . this world. Unchangeable cleaving to God, always, in all the powers and affections of our minds, is re- served for heaven. But yet great degrees may be at- tained in the conquest and expulsion of it, such as I fear few have experience of; yet ought all to labor after. If we apply ourselves as we ought, to the in- crease of spiritual light and grace ; if we labor dili- gently to abide and abound in thoughts of spiritual things, and that in love to them, and delight in them ; if wewatch against the entertainment and approbation of such tho ughts and things in our minds, as whereby this vain frame is pleased and confirmed; there is, though not an absolute perfection, yet a blessed degree of heavenly mindedness to be attained, and therein the nearest approach to glory, that in this world we are capable of. If a man cannot attain an athletic consti- tution of health, or a strength like that of Samson; yet, if he be wise, he will not omit the use of such means as may make him to be useful in the ordinary duties of life. And althoughwe cannot attain perfec- tion in this matter, which yet is our duty to be contin- uallypressing after; yet, if we are wise, we will be
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=