Rom. xii. 3; it signifies, to "set the affections," Col. iii. 2, or to have such an apprehension of things, as to cleave unto them with our affection. Again, "to mind," Phil. iii. 19, mind earthly things, which includes that relish which the mind finds in the things it is fixed upon. No where doth it design only a notional conception of things; but chiefly the engagement of the affections to the things discerned and apprehended by the mind: so that the minding of the spirit is the actual exercise of the mind, as renewed by the Holy Ghost, as furnished with a principle of spiritual light and life in its conception of spiritual things, and the setting of its affections on them, as finding that relish and savour in them, wherewith it is pleased and satisfied.

But let it be observed, this definition of the "minding of the spirit," is not spoken of as to what it is in itself absolutely, but with respect to its power and prevalence in us, significantly rendered spiritually minded: the mind is continually acted or influenced thereby to thoughts and meditations of spiritual things, from the affections cleaving unto them with delight and

satisfaction; so, on the contrary, it is the same when men mind earthly things: therefore to be spiritually minded includes three things:

1. The actual exercise of the mind in its thoughts. But they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; they think on them, their desires are after them, and their contrivances are continually for them; but they that are after the spirit, mind the things of the spirit; their desires are after, their thoughts and meditations are on, things spiritual and heavenly.

2. This minding of the spirit resides habitually in the affections, so that spiritual mindedness is the exercise of the thoughts on, and aspirations of the soul in, its desires after spiritual things, proceeding from the love of its affections, and their engagements unto them.

3. A complacency of mind, from that gust or delight which it finds in spiritual things, from their suitableness to its constitution, frame, inclinations, and desires. There is a SALT in spiritual things to the renewed mind, while to others, they are like the white of an egg, without taste or

savour. Speculative notions about divine things, when alone, are sapless and barren. It is in this savour of them, that the sweetness and satisfaction of the spiritual life consist: thus, we taste by experience that God is gracious, and that the love of Christ is better than wine, or whatever hath the most grateful relish unto a sensual appetiie; and this is the only proper foundation of that joy, which is unspeakable and full of glory.

As these three things concur in minding of the spirit, or constitute a person spiritually minded; so you must have remarked the two following important truths as directly contained in the text:

1. That spiritual mindedness is the great distinguishing character of true believers, or real Christians, from all others; and,

2. Where any are spiritually minded, there alone is life and peace; what these are, what their excellency and pre-eminence above all other things, and how they are the effects of spiritual mindedness, will be shewn hereafter.

Either of these considerations is sufficient to demonstrate of how great con

cernment to us this subject is; and must excite us to inquire diligently, whether we are spiritually minded, or not. There are many professors, who greatly deceive themselves in this important point; they admit of sacred truths, with their understanding; they assent to them, yea, they approve and often commend them; but admit not their power in and over the conscience, nor judge of their state by them, which proves their ruin, and demonstrates that they believe not one syllable of Christianity as they ought. Again, there are others who, "like a man beholding his face in a glass, goeth his way and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." James i. 24. The word of God represents unto them their spiritual state and condition; they behold it, and conclude that it is even so with them, as the sacred oracles declare: but immediately their minds are filled with other thoughts, acted by other affections, and taken up with other things, and they forget in a moment the representation of themselves, and their situation: wherefore, all that will or can be mentioned on this subject, will be utterly lost, unless a

firm persuasion hereof be fixed in our breasts, unless we are really affected with, and under the power of, this momentous truth, "that to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Whatever our light, knowledge, or profession may be, destitute of minding the spirit, there is no real interest in, nor any claim to, life and peace.

I shall now more practically open the nature of this duty, which may be considered either as to the ESSENCE of it, or its degrees; for one man may be so more than another, or the same person may be more so at one time, than at another. In the first way it is opposed unto carnal mindedness; in the other, unto being earthly minded.

Carnal mindedness is opposed unto being spiritually minded, as to its nature and essence: where a man, as to the substance and being of the grace and duty, is not spiritually minded, he must be carnal; dead in tresspasses and sins, and obnoxious unto death eternal; and as this is the principal foundation on which we proceed, so it demonstrates