ÒP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 301 grace, there is an assimilation effected of spiritual and heavenly things to themselves, to those affections, by imagination. This must somewhat at large be spoken to, as that which gives the most eminent distinction between the frames of mind, whose difference we inquire into.. And to that end we shall cast our consideration of it into the ensuing observations. First. Affections spiritually renewed are, in all theiractings, in the whole exercise, under the guidance and conduct of faith. It is faith which, in its spiritual light, hath the leading of the soul in the whole life of God; we live here by faith, as we do hereafter by sight. If our affections deviate or decline in the least from the guidance of faith, they degenerate- from . their spirituality, and giveup themselves to the service of superstition. Next to corrupt, secular interest, in the manag ement of crafty, selfish seducers, this hath been the great inlet of superstition and false worship in the world. Blind affections, groping in the dark af- ter spiritual things, having not the saving light of faith to conduct them, have seduced the minds of men into' all manner of superstitions, imaginations., and prac- tices continuing to do so at this day. And wherever they will lead the way, when faith goeth not before them to discover both way and end, they that lead, and the mind that is led, must fall into one snare and pit or another. Wherefore, affections that are spiritually renewed, move not, act not, but as faith discovers their object, and directs them to it. It is faith that works by love ; we can love nothing sincerely with divine love, but what we believe savingly with divine faith. Let our affections to any spiritual things be never so vehe- 26
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