OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 359 to the contemplation of things above, and that only. Many, I confess, of them, were mistaken as to the practical part of their devotions, having various super- stitions imposed on their minds by the craft of others; but they missed it not in the principle, that tranquility of mind was attainable only in setting our affections upon things above. Jam. iv. 1. 'Fromwhence come wars and fightings among you ? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war inyour members ?' Whence are all the disorders in your minds, your vexations and disquietments, your passions breaking forth sometimes into unseemly brawlings l are they not from hence? The question is put toyourselves and your own con- sciences, namely, from your lusts, that is, the disor- derly affections that tumultuate in you. Dobut search yourselves, and you will quickly see whence all your troubles and disquietments arise. Your lusts, or cor- rupt and inordinate affections, war in you, continually inclining you to things earthly or sensual. Hence many are best and most at quiet when they are in the world, worst when at home in their families; but nev- er are they in such confusion, as when they are forced to retire into themselves. The due exercise of our affections on heavenly things, hath quite another tendency and effect. It so unites the mind to them, it so bringeth them to it, and gives them such a substance in it, as that all the powers and faculties of it are in a progress towards their per- fection. See 2 Cor. vii. 1. True wisdom and under- standing, with soundness ofjudgment, in eternal things, in the mind, holiness in the affections themselves, lib- erty in the will, power in the heart, and peace in the conscience, _ do in their measures all ensue hereon. Whatever tastes we may have of these things, what
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