OF SPIRITÚAt MINDEDNESS. 355 1 do, not say that our affections do attain to this full rest and satisfaction in this life : but what they come short of therein, ariseth not from any defect in the things themselves to give this rest and satisfaction, as it is with the whole world; but from the weakness of our affections themselves, which are in part only re- newed, and cannot take in the full measures of divine goodness, which in another world they will receive. But whilst we are here, the more we receive them into our minds and souls, the more firmly we adhere to them, the nearer approaches we make to our rest and centre. Secondly. Spiritual things are to be considered as they are filled with divine wisdom. I speak not of himself, whose essential wisdom is one of the most amiable excellencies of his holy nature ; but of all the effects of his will and grace by Jesus Christ. All spir- itual truths, all spiritual and heavenly things, whereby God reveals and communicates himself to the souls of men, and all the ways and means of our approach to him in faith and obedience through Christ Jesus, I now intend. All theseare filled with divine wisdom. See 1 Cor. ii. 7. Eph. i. 8, 9, and iii. 10. Now wisdom in itself, and in all the effects of it, is attractive of ration- al affections. Most men are brutish in them and their actings, for the most part pouring them out on things fleshly, sensual, and carnal. But where they are at all reduced under the conduct of reason, nothing is so attractive of them, so suited to them, which they de- light in, as that which hath at least an appearance of wisdom. A wise and good man commands the affec- tions of others, unless it be their interest to hate and opposehim, as commonly it is : and where there is true wisdom in the conduct of civil affairs, sober men
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