October 21

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.—Colossians 3:1, 2.

In the duties now to be considered, we are required to fix our thoughts and love on things above, and to withdraw them from things on the earth.

First. Set your affections on things above. The Greek word, phronectes, rendered in our translation set your affection, embraces two acts; the act of the mind or of the understanding reflecting about any thing; and the act of the will and affections approving and loving any thing. Therefore, the apostle would have us raise our minds to heaven, and perpetually have those things above at heart; neither that alone, but that we should ardently love those things, and fix our affection upon them. Unless we join these two, no one will prepare to seek heavenly things; for there is no desire of a thing unknown. It is, therefore, necessary to know, and frequently to revolve in mind, these heavenly things; for no one seeks that about which he thinks not. But neither is it sufficient to think, unless it is done with love and affection; for nothing is sought by us except that which is desired and loved. Bernard truly observed, "The understanding and the affection in men are sometimes opposed to each other, so that the one knows and approves the things which are above, although the other is found to desire the things on earth." When that happens, the mind is distracted and torn away, not excited to seek. Hence it is that Paul exhorts us not only to know, but to savor the things which are above. Hence we learn:

1. That it is the duty of a pious and Christian man, always to have in mind that heavenly kingdom, and those heavenly good things which relate to the attainment of it. We observe this in Abraham, the father of the faithful, of whom the apostle testifies, that he looked for a city which hath foundations. This we read of the Christians of the primitive church, who had this kingdom above so frequently in their minds and discourse, that from thence they fell under the suspicion, among the heathen, of aiming at the sovereignty.

2. It is also their duty who hope they shall obtain eternal blessedness, to order the course of their life according to heavenly considerations; and to judge of all matters with a constant reference to these supernal things: for this is effectually to savor the things above,—to be so affected by their excellency and sweetness, as to thirst for them with an insatiable desire, and refer all things to the attainment of them. The psalmist felt this love in his heart, and well expressed it, As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Hence we may conclude, that all they who promise themselves the happiness above, when, in the mean while, they do not at all savor the things above, are delighted by a certain pleasing dream, and never will be satisfied with those things, because they were never wont to thirst or hunger for them at heart. The last branch of this exhortation remains.

Secondly. Set not your affection on things on the earth. The apostle calls all those things, in which the kingdom of God does not consist, things on the earth; as riches, pleasures, honors; and I add, in fine, those ceremonies and observances which centre in things earthly and corporeal: for this exhortation being drawn from our death and resurrection with Christ, it shows all those things to be of no esteem. But now they are said to savor of or seek earthly things, who place their happiness in these things, who by these earthly blessings, as they are called, are influenced in all their judgments and decisions. These sensualities are well depicted by the apostle, in Philippians 3:18, 19: Many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is their shame: who mind earthly things. They were men of this kind whom our Saviour censured in his parable, Luke xiv., because, while they regarded fields, oxen, and wives, altogether neglected the call of salvation.

Hence we may observe,

1. That no one can savor of things heavenly and things of the earth at the same time. For if this could be done, there would have been no need of this clause denying and forbidding it; but it would have been sufficient to have said, set your affection on things above, without its being added, and not on things on the earth. But that saying of the Saviour is true, No man can serve two masters. If, therefore, we be slaves to our earthly desires, we shall never be watchful to promote our salvation. The poet therefore sang, Our bosoms do not admit two cares; and the apostle said, foolish and hurtful lusts drown men in perdition.

2. We must observe, that Paul forbids us to seek and savor earthly things, he does not forbid us to use earthly things, much less, indeed, to obtain them. We can not live without the use of earthly things; but they would not serve for necessary uses, unless they were before acquired. Therefore, to seek and effect them, means in this place, to desire them with the whole heart, with every labor and industry: and to acquiesce in those things as in the greatest good. This carnal and worldly men do, whatever they pretend: this is evinced by their coveting these earthly things in every way and without measure. Now it is plain, that that is sought and proposed as their sole end, which is sought immeasurably: for in that which is sought on account of some end, a measure is admitted in proportion to the end.

3. We may add a reason why it is not fit to affect earthly things, but those alone which are above; and that twofold. One taken from the vanity of these things; for earthly things "can not impart satisfaction to him that hath them, nor support to him that rests upon them, nor profit to him who labors for them." What then shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? The other from their contrariety to true and heavenly pleasures. For, as the heavenly manna failed after the children of Israel had eaten of the fruits of the earth; so the sweetness of spiritual pleasure is not perceived by those who have a longing after these earthly things. Whence said Augustine, "If the mind hath delight from what is external, it will remain without delight from what is internal." The Christian pilgrim's home is there, where are the things above.

"His freed affections rise, To fix on things above, Where all his hope of glory lies,— Where all is perfect love.

"There we our treasure place; There let our hearts be found; That still, where sin abounded, grace May more and more abound."