Chap. X .._ __O..:._'f_H_E_A_·v_E::_ ·· _N_._:_..::...'-- dercandwoiow, nor. Lo~e afcend too big!~: for refle£\ing upon·our narUI·alarld_- inoral Imperfcllions, fhar we are raif.;d from norlung, that we arc defiled and debafcd Wit h .S_w, we cannot have too low thoughts of our felves. And fince God the Sovere1gn .Bemg, ~~ finite in Perfellions, '!nd infinitely amiable, is rhe Objetl , no bounds or meafurc mu!t be fct to otlr Affe&l-ions, but wlth a11 our united Powers, all the'Ht:trrt, and wt tb all the Soit!; and with all the Mind, and with all the Strength, we muj/l071e him, and plcafe him, and en~ deavour to be beloved of him. . .... There are others will acknowlecfg their defctls, ~n<l tell you they 'do not pretend tO eminent Santlity, to the Graces of the Apoftles ancj .Martyrs, nor afpu·c, to their degrees In Glory ; they are content with a lower place in Heaven, and lefs lhiEt Religion isfufficient for their purpofe. This Deceit is !trengthned by Popery, that enervates and ddfolves many of our Saviour's Precepts, by teaching they are not Laws obliging aii Chrillians to Obedience, that will attain to eternal Life, but Counfcls of Perfeaion: il they are not ~~rdil;~s~~~t: i~~~~~~~~~e~~i~~ltaf~~~~irm!:~~~~~o~lfc~f~~~ ;~t a ~~c::efti~~o~~~: gatory in the way, t,l)~Y- may come to Heaven on eaficr terms, than a univerfal refpea ro God's Commands, and ail equal <;are to obferve them. But Death will confute all thefe feeble wretched Pretences : for tho t(le Saints above fhine with an unequal brightnefs, as the Stars differ in Glory ; yet none are th<;re but Saints. And thofe who do not mourn un< der their l!DpcrfeEtions, and unfeig_nedly ·defirc and endeavour to be better, were never really good. The flothful Servanr 'that did not .wa!te but neglea to improve his Talent, was caft into 011/er D"rknefi. There are qilfcrent degrees of punifhments in Hell, but the Ieall miferablc there arc miferable for ever. In fhort, 'tis a perfea contradiaion, a Prodigy, fo'r anyMan to think-he is fincerc in his Choice, and prepar'd in his Alfe£\ion~ for the pure gloriousFelicity in Heaven, that does not labour to deanfi himfilf from all pollutions of Flefh and Spirit, and to perfeEl Holmefi in the Fear of God. CHAP. X. The ~boice Of He~lJen mufl be early,_ in tlie prime of. our Jayr. The Ch,oice mufl 6e conflant. Sal'll(g per(elJ<rance mc/udes the permanent rejidmce of Grace in the Soul, and the exercife. of it, and progrefs towards !f'etfeE!ion. PerfolJerance is reqwred, IIOtUJlthjlandll(g all Temptations that may aOure or terrify us from our 'Duty. SalJil(g Perjellerimce excluder not all Sim, ~ut total Apoftacy and final ltitpenitency: The jince~ity if Obedirnce ir difcolJered by its Conftancy. A corrupt C~nfidence, o; a lJtCtous .J'Je[l10n of Sptnt, th_e_ truj/ll(g i11 our felller, and dijlru(lmg God, are equai!J perntctonr to the ftabtltty of a Chrijlian. 2d/y.THE choiceofEier~aiFciicityli)ufrb~eariy, i~ theprimeo_f otirdays. The . rule of our.Duty, and ~eafonbmds us torememher our Creator m our Toutb, to pay to lum the firtl: fr111ts of ourTrme and Strength. When weare furrolrnded with in' ~icing ObjeEts, and the Senfes arc entire_and moftcapable to enjoy them, when the elect. mg Po.wers are m their vtgou_r,_ then '~IS J~lft ~e illoulc( live to God ' obey him aS our Lawgtver, and prefer the frUitiOn of htm m Heaven, tlrc reward of Obedience- before all the pleafures of Vanity. 'Tis very honourable and plcafing to God to give the Heart to h1m, when the Flefi1_and the World firongl~ folicit to withdraw it 'Tis a highendearment of the Soul to hrm, when hiS Excellenctes are prevalent in the Efteem and AfleEtions above all the Charms of the Creatures. And 'tis an unfpeakable fatisfa£\ion to the Spirit of aMan, to declare_th<; truth and firength of h!s Love to God, by defpifing Temptat,ions '!"hen they are malt IOVItmg? and the Appetite IS eager for the cnroyment of them. But alas! how many negleatherr Duty, and defer their Happinefs? They think ittoofoon to lrve for Heaven ~efore the evil Dayuome, wherein they {hall have noJleajure; when they cannot fin, and vamly prefume they can repent. The danger of thiS I haveconfider'd in the Drfcourfe of De.th, and fhall therefore proceed to the next Head. ; Jil/y. OurCl10iceof He•ven mull becorifiantand !ailing.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=