to enter into blessedness and glory; and yet, with what blessedness is, even as to the general nature of it, but few do know, and if they did, they would not know how to desire it. Heaven, or blessedness, is nothing but the full enjoyment of what we are here to love, and to delight in; of that which is the object of our affections as spiritually renewed. Herein, how few have either interest or concern! But this is that which giveth life to the affections of real Christians; they know that in the enjoyment of God in Christ doth consist their eternal blessedness. How this is their happiness and glory, how it will give them an everlasting overflowing. satisfaction and rest, they understand by the first-fruits which they here receive. This is the ultimate object of their affections in this world, and the more they are fixed and exercised upon them, the nearer approaches they make unto this blessed state. The more we love God, the more we are like unto him, and nearer to the enjoyment of him.

CHAP. XI.

Of the way of the soul's application to spiritual objects by its affections.

HAVING Considered the nature of spiritual affections as renewed by grace, and under what notions they cleave unto their proper objects, we come to inquire,

1II. Into the way or manner of their application to those objects, which is an essential branch of spiritual mindedness. This shall be described in a few particulars.

1. It is necessary that our adherence to all spiritual things, be not only with love and delight, but FIRM AND STABLE. The affections are the powers and instruments of the soul, by which it applies and cleaves to any object whatever; and this is their nature and use with reference to things spiritual. Transient thoughts of spiritual things, with vanishing desires, may arise from present convictions, as they did with them who cried out, " Lord, give us ever

more of this bread," and immediately left him. Such thoughts and desires are common to all sorts of men, yea, to the worst

"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." But affections which are transient, unstable, and vanishing as to their exercise and operations; affections on and off; earnest for a little while, and then cold and indifferent, are without a doubt INSINCERE, and can have no transforming efficacy upon the soul. Let none therefore please themselves with the operations of transient affections respecting spiritual things, be they never so urgent, pleasant, or frequent in their returns; they have deceived multitudes. If our affections unto spiritual things are SINCERE, where they are the true, genuine application of the soul, they are at all times firm and stable. Love and delight are kept to such a constant exercise, as renders them immoveable; and to this we are exhorted, 1 Cor. xv. 58: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

2. It is required that the soul hath a savour to the things to which it adheres. The affections are the palate of the soul, by which it tastes of all things, either received or refused; and it will not long cleave to any thing which the affections do not relish. When a man is pleased with spiritual things and exercises, as in the palate with suitable and proper food, and also finds internal nourishment and comfort from them, then doth he adhere to them in a due manner. This spiritual taste is the ground of all experience; it is not what we have heard or understood only, but what we have tried or tasted; this makes us to long for what we have formerly enjoyed, and strengthens faith as to what we pray for and expect.

As a man under a languishing sickness, or when chastened with strong pain, so as that his soul abhorreth bread and his daily meat, can remember what appetite he had, and with what gust he was used in the days of health to receive his food, which makes him to know that there is such a condition, and to desire a restoration to it; so is it with a sin-sick soul: it finds no savour, no sweetness in spiritual things, yet doth it remember former

days, when they were very sweet unto him; and if he hath any spark of spiritual life remaining, it will stir him up to seek with all diligence after a recovery. Have we tasted that the Lord is gracious, and experienced a relish in the word and ordinances of God? If we have not, it is to be feared we never yet had the least sincere love to spiritual things. If we have, how is it we can rest one moment, if under spiritual decays, without endeavours after healing and restoration?

3. It is necessary that our affections be so set on spiritual things, as to be a continual spring of spiritual thoughts and meditations. No man can be so forsaken of reason, as to suppose that he hath any sincere affections for what he thinks but little on, or not at all; or that he can have a true affection for any thing which will not excite and generate continual thoughts about it. Let men try themselves as to their relations, or their pleasures and enjoyments, or the objects of their predominant lusts, and they will find how things are stated in their own minds All men who pretend to love God, Christ, and spiritual things, and yet know in their own hearts that they very