, or SPI'UITÚÀL MINDEDNESS. 337 But now to return. , These things I say, through our sloth, negligence, and sin, maybefall us as to our spiritually renewed affections. Their progress, in conformity to spiritual and heavenly things, may be slow, imperceptible, yea, totally obstructed, for a sea- son; and not only so,. but they may fall under decays, and the soul therein be guilty of backsliding from God. But this is that which they are capacitated for by their renovation; this is that whereby the grace wherewith they are renewed leads to ; this is that which, in the diligent use of means, they will grow up to, whereonour comfort and peace depend ;: narnely, a holy assimilation to those spiritual and heavenly things which they are set and fixed on, wherein they are renewed and made more spiritual and heavenly every day. CHAPTER XVIII.. I-r remains only as to this head now spoken to, that we briefly consider what is the state of spiritual affec- tions thus daily exercised and improved.. And thiswe shall do by showing,. (1.) What is their pattern. (2.) What is their rule. (3.) What is their measure, or whereto they may attain. First. The patternwhich we ought continually to bear in our eyes, whereto our affections ought to be conformed, is Jesus - Christ, and the affections of his holy soul. The mind is the seat of all our affections; and this is that which we ought continually to design and endeavor, namely, that the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus, Phil. ii. 5. To have our 29 W i
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