CHAPTER XI.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEADING A HEAVENLY LIFB UPON EARTH.

§1. The reasonableness of delighting in the thoughts of the saint's rest. § 21 Christians exhorted to it, by considering, 3. (1) It will evidence their sincere piety; 4. (2) It is the highest excellence of the Christian temper; 5. (3) It leads to the most comfortable life; § 6-9. (4) It will be the best preservative from temptations to sin; § 10. (5) It will invigorate their graces and duties; § 11. (6) It will be their best cordial in all afflictions; $12. (7) It will render them most profitable to others; § 13. (8) It will honour God; § 14. (9) Without it, we disobey the commands, and lose the most gracious and delightful discoveries of the word of God; § 15. (10) It is the more reasonable to have our hearts with God, as his is so much on us; 16, 17. and (11) In heaven, where we have so much interest and relation; § 18. (12) Besides, there is nothing but heaven, worth setting our hearts upon. 19. Transition to the subject of the next chapter.

1. Is there such a rest remaining for us? Why then are our thoughts no more upon it? Why are not our hearts continually there? Why dwell we not there in constant contemplation? What is the cause of this neglect? Are we reasonable in this, or are we not? Hath the eternal God provided us such a glory, and promised to take us up to dwell with himself, and is not this worth thinking on? Should not the strongest desires of our hearts be after it? Do we believe this, and yet forget and neglect it? If God will not give us leave to approach this light, what means all his earnest invitations? Why doth he so condemn our earthlymindedness, and command us to set our affections on things above? Ah vile hearts! If God were against it, we were likelier to be for it? when he commands our hearts to heaven, then they will not stir one inch: Like our predecessors, the sinful Israelites; when God would have them march for Canaan, then they mutiny, and will not stir; but

when God bids them not go, then they will be presently marching. If God say, Love not the world, nor the things of the world; we dote upon it. How freely, how frequently can we think of our pleasures, our friends, our labours, car flesh and its lusts, yea, our wrongs and miseries, our fears and sufferings? But where is the Christian whose heart is on his rest? What is the matter? Are we so full of joy, that we need no more? Or is there nothing in heaven for our joyous thoughts? Or rather are not our hearts carnal and stupid? Let us humble these sensual hearts that have in them no more of Christ and glory. If this world was the only subject of our discourse, all would count us ungodly; why then may we not call our hearts ungodly, that have so little delight in Christ and heaven?

2. But I am speaking only to those, whose portion is in heaven, whose hopes are there, and who have forsaken all to enjoy this glory; and shall I be discouraged from persuading such to be heavenly minded? Fellow Christians, if you will not hear and obey, who will? Well may we be discouraged to exhort the blind, ungodly world, and may say, as Moses did, Behold the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me, how then shall Pharaoh hear me? I require thee, reader, as ever thou hopest for a part in this glory, that thou presently take thy heart to task, chide it for its wilful strangeness to God, turn thy thoughts from the pursuit of vanity, bend thy soul to study eternity, busy it about the life to come, habituate thyself to such contemplations, and let not those thoughts be seldom and cursory, but bathe thy soul in heaven's delights; and if thy backward

soul begin to flag, and thy thoughts to scatter, call them back, hold them to their work, bear not with their laziness, nor connive at one neglect. And when thou hast in obedience to God, tried this work, got acquainted with it, and kept a guard on thy thoughts till they are accustomed to obey, thou wilt then find thyself in the suburbs of heaven, and that there is, indeed, a sweetness in the work and way of God, and that the life of Christianity is a life of joy. Thou wilt meet with those abundant consolations which thou hast prayed, panted, and groaned after, and which so few Christians do ever here obtain, because they know not this way to them, or else make not conscience of walking in it. Say not, "We are unable to set our own hearts on heaven; this must be the work of God only." Though God be the chief Disposer of your hearts, yet next under him you have the greatest command of them yourselves. Though without Christ you can do nothing, yet under him you may do much, and must, or else it will be undone, and yourselves undone through your neglect. Christians, if your souls were healthful and vigorous, they would perceive incomparably more delight and sweetness in the believing joyful thoughts of your future blessedness, than the soundest stomach finds in its food, or the strongest senses in the enjoyment of their objects; so little painful would this work be to you. But because, I know, while we have flesh about us, and any remains of that carnal mind, which is enmity to God, and to this noble work, that all motives are little enough, I will here lay down some considerations; which, if you will deliberately weigh, with an impartial judgment, I doubt not, but they will

prove effectual with your hearts, and make you resolve on this excellent duty. More particularly consider; it will evidence your sincere piety; it is the highest excellence of the Christian temper; it is the way to live comfortably; it will be the best preservative from temptations to sin; it will enliven your graces and duties; it will be your best cordial in all afflictions; it will render you most profitable to others; it will honour God; without it you will disobey the commands, and lose the most gracious and delightful discoveries of the Word of God; it is also the more reasonable to have your hearts with God, as his is so much on you; and in heaven, where you have so much interest and relation; besides there is nothing, but heaven, worth setting your hearts upon.

§ 3. (1) Consider, a heart set upon heaven will be one of the most unquestionable evidences of your sincerity, and a clear discovery of a true work of saving grace upon your souls. You are often asking, "How shall we know that we are truly sanctified?" Here you have a sign, infallible, from the mouth of Jesus Christ himself; where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.* God is the saint's treasure and happiness; heaven is the place where they must fully enjoy him. A heart therefore set upon heaven is no more but a heart set upon God; and, surely a heart set upon God through Christ, is the truest evidence of sav. ing grace. When learning will be no proof of grace; when knowledge, duties, gifts will fail; when arguments from thy tongue, or hand may be confuted; yet then will this from the bent of thy heart prove thee sincere. Take a poor Christi,

*Matt. vi. 2.1.

of a weak understanding, a feeble memory, a stammering tongue; yet his heart is set on God, he hath chosen him for his portion, his thoughts are on eternity, his desires there, he cries, out, "O that I were there!" he takes that day for a time of imprisonment, in which he hath not had one refreshing view of eternity; I had rather die in this man's condition, than in the case of him, who hath the most eminent gifts, and is most admired for his performances, while his heart is not thus taken up with God. The man that Christ will find out at the last day, and condemn for want of a wedding-garment, will be one that wants this frame of heart. The question will not then be, how much have you known or professed, or talked? but, how much have you loved, and where was your heart? Christians, as you would have a proof of your title to glory, labour to get your hearts above. If sin and Satan keep not your affections from thence, they will never be able to keep away your persons.

§ 4. (2) A heart in heaven, is the highest excellence of your Christian temper. As there is a common excellence, by which Christians differ from the world; so there is this peculiar dignity of spirit, by which the more excellent differ from the rest. As the noblest of creatures, so the noblest of Christians are they, whose faces are set most direct for heaven. Such an heavenly saint, who hath been wrapt up to God in his contemplations, and is newly come down from the views of Christ, what discoveries will he make of those superior regions! how high and sacred is his discourse! Enough to convince an understanding hearer that he had seen the Lord, and that no man