OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 95 in things above, and not have many thoughts of them. It is the great advice of the apostle, on a supposition of our interest in Christ, and conformity to him. Col. iii. 1, 2. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth at-the right hand of God. Set your affections, (or your thoughts ;) mind much the things that are above. It becomes those who, through the virtue of the resurrection of Christ, are raised unto newness of life, to have their thoughts exercised on the state of things above; with respect to the presence of Christ among them, and the singular use of our prospect into these things, or our meditations on them, he instructs us in 2 Cor. iv. 16. 18. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Whilst we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.' Not to faint under the daily decays of our outward man, and the approaches of death thereby ; to bear afflictions as things light and momentary ; to thrive under all in the inward man, are unspeakable mercies and privileges. Canyou attaina better frame l Is there any thing that you would more desire, if you are believers 1 Is it not better to have such a mind in us, than to enjoy all the peace and security that the world can afford 1 One principal means whereby we are made partakers of these things, is a due meditation on things unseen and eternal. These are the things that are within the vail, whereon we ought to cast the anchor of our hope, in all the storms we meet with, (Heb. vi. 19, 20.) whereof we shall speak more afterwards,
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