Set your affections on things above
For unless the affections are set on them, they will never be
sought after in a proper manner. The word signifies to mind them,
and think on them, to favour and approve of them, to be
affectionately desirous of them, and concerned for them; for
where the treasure is, the heart should be; and as the saints'
best things are above, their minds and affections should be there
likewise; their contemplation should be on those things, and
their conversation should be in heaven; nor should they regard
anything but what is there, or comes from thence, for they belong
not to this world, but to another and better country: their
citizenship is in heaven, and there, in a short time, they must
have their everlasting residence; and therefore should seek
after, and highly prize and value heavenly things, and set their
affections on them, and
not on things on the earth;
not mind earth and earthly things, temporal enjoyments, riches,
and honours; and though food and raiment, and the necessaries of
life, are to be sought after, and cared and provided for, yet not
with anxiety and perplexity of mind, in an over thoughtful and
distressing manner; nor should the heart be set on those outward
things, or happiness placed in the possession of them. Moreover,
worldly lusts, the members which are on the earth, earthly
pleasures that are sinful, may be here meant. Worldly lusts are
to be denied, the deeds of the body are to be mortified, carnal
desires are not to be gratified and indulged, provision is not to
be made for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts; and particularly the
vain philosophy of Jews and Gentiles, the traditions of the
elders, the ceremonies of the law, which lay in earthly things,
in worldly observances, the difference of meats and drinks,
keeping of days, months, and years, new moons, feasts, and
sabbath days; the rudiments of the world, the commandments and
doctrines which were of the earth, and lay in not touching,
tasting, and handling certain things that are on earth, and which
perish with the using, as opposed to the doctrines of the Gospel,
and ordinances of Christ, which are from above, and come from
heaven, and have a spiritual and heavenly use: and which is the
sense chiefly intended, though it is best to understand the words
in their largest compass.