QF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 244 Christ. Gal. vi. 14. Whatever thoughts you may have of yourselves in this matter, unless you have the experience of a work of mortification on your affec- tions, you can have norefreshing ground of assurance, that you are in any thing spirituallyminded. Fifthly. In all instances of duty belonging to your stewardship of earthly things, attend diligently to the rule of the NVord3 without this, the grace exhorted to may be abused. So of old, under a pretence of a re- linquishment of the things of this world, because of the danger in 'adhering to them, their own supersti- tion, and the craft of other men, prevailed with many, to part with all they had, to the service of others, not better, it may be, nor so good as themselves. This evil wholly arose from want of attendance to the rule of truth, which gives no such direction in ordinary cases. But there is not much seen, in these days, of an excess in that kind. On the other hand, in all in- stances of duties of this nature, most men's minds are habitually influenced with pretences, reasonings, and considerations, that turn the scales as to what they ought to do in proportion, in this duty, on the side of the world. If you wouldbe safe, you must in all in- stances of duty, as in works of charity, piety, and compassion, give authority in and over your souls, to the rule of the word. Let neither self, nor unbelief, nor the custom and example of others, be heard to speak ; but let the rule alone be attended to, and to what that speaks, yield obedience. Unless these things are found in us, none of us, no man living, if it be not so with him, can have any re- freshing evidence or assurance, that he is not under the power of an inordidate, yea, and predominant love to this world. 21
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