Of HEAVEN. Chap. X The two pri~cipal Rules of the Spiritual Life are to begin and end well : to fix and elhblilh the mam Defign for everlal!mg ~ap~mefs, and from a determinate Refolution and ratified Purpofe of Heart, to purfue 1t wtth firmnefs and conl!ancy : to live for Heaven, and ~vith readinefs and courag~to die for it, if t~e Glory of God forequire. Perfeverance IS mdtfpenfably necelfary m all that wtll obtam the Eternal Reward. For the clearing this moll: important Point, I will, Firjl, Rcprefent from Scripture the Idea of Perfeverance, that is attended with Salvation. Second!;, Confider why 'tis fo C!l'ialy required. Firjl, Saving Perfeverance includes the permanent refidence of Grace in the Soul : 'Tis compofed of the whole Chain of Graces, the union of holy Habits that are at firll infufed into a Chrifiian by the fan/J:ifying Spirit. When Eternal Life is promifed to Faith or Love, or Hope, 'tis u~on fuppofal that thofe Graces. being planted in the Heart, !hall finally profper. He tlw ts fatthjul to the Death, fba/1 tnhmt the Crown of Life, Rev. 2 • ,Tts Love that never fads, 1 Cor. 13. that fhall enter into Heaven. ,Tts Hope firm unto ~ru~~:g ~~a~,fl~~:~a~~~~h~~~~.n :nt~~~0fu~f~;~!~~f· ou~1ri~::cfn ~~ed~~~1o: 0} Heaven. 2. Grace mull be continually drawn forth into exercife according to our feverall!ates and duties, and .the various occafions that happen in our courfe through t11e World. Thofe who are Lrght in_ the Lord, are commanded to walk as Children. of the Light ; to fignify the excellency and pumy of the Chnlltan L1fe. Tlroje who !we "'the Spmt, mu (I walk in the Sptrrt ; that is, by a confpicuous COUI{e of Holinefs declare the vigour and efficacy of the dtvinc Principle that is communica~ed to them. . Paul11m fepult.t dijlat mertu celatA v1rt«s : Venue that breaks not forth ulto vifible Aaions, is not worthy of the Name. The meer abilaining from evil is not fufficienr, but all the pofitive a/J:s of the holy Life are to bcconllantly done. In difcharging both thefe parts of our Duty, compleat Religion is expreft, and the power of Grace confifis. 1. Perfeverance includes not only continuance in well.doing, but fervour and progrefs towards Perfe/J:ion. There are two fix'd States, the one in Heaven, the other in Hell. The bleffed Spirits above are arrived to the height of Holincfs. The Devil and damned Spirits are funk to the lowell: extremity of Sin. But in rhe -middle llate here, Grace in the Saints is a rifing growing Lighr; and Sin in the Wicked improves every day, like l'orfoninaSerpent, thatbecomesmoredeadly by his Age. We are inJoincd nottoremain in our fir!! Imperfe/J:ions, but to follow Holinefi to the utmol! i/fue of our Lives to its intire confummation. For this end all the Difpenfations of Providence mul! be 'improved, whether profperous or affii/J:ing. And the Ordinances of the Gofper were appointed, that in the ufe of them we may be changed mto the divine Image from Glory to Glory. 4· Perfcvcrance is required notwithl!anding all Temptations that may allure or terrify us fi·om our Duties ; wharevcr aflC8:s us one way or other, while we are clotl1ed with frail Flen1. 'Tis the fundamental Principle of Chrillianity declar~d by our Saviour, If anJ Man will come after me, that i?, be my Difciple and Servant, let him deny himfi!f, and take up his Croji,and follow me ; even to be crucified with him, rather than wilfully forfeit • Nm~or his Integrity and Loyalty to Cht1 ill:. He mull: by a " facred fixt refolution devell himfelf amn<m >m<r· of all things, even the moll valued and defirable in the prefent World, and actually for- ~~~~~~: fal<c them, nay entertain what is mofr diftafteful, and reftfl u»tfJ Blood, rather than defert tur, n~ ta· his Duty. men l~oc tanto 1. He mull with unfainting Patience continue in doing his Duty, notwithftanding ail :{u'!;:[-;l,~;reo: Miferies and Calamities, Lolfes, Difgraces, Torments, or Death it felf, which wicked baver~r, u~nl· Men, and grc~ter Enemies, the Powers of Darknefs, can infliCl: upon him. To them_ who nar~b'rC mfi hy pAtient co11tmuance in well domg, feek for Glory, Honour And Immortality, EternAl Life is !f5n~~r~ 0~~ promifed, Rom. 2. He thllt endures to tbe end (notwithftandinf. the moll terrible Suffer.. ~~~cl;: cff~i~ia:~~& b~et~~ ::rc:c,di:;g~o7!,~:~:~~o"1r f:1~h[t;:. J:.~~t ·::;,fi; bJ~r:~;~~ "'"';.,;,ox· endured the Cro[s, rlejpi/id the Shame, and is [et rlown at the right Hand of God. Difgracc ~~~~;~:· ~~f,l;':d'i:i~ee :.~~~~P,:; a~~~~~ft~~~r~~d~:edm~~~nt~rt~~~i~~;J~~~~-on fie G:.; . fcorn'd as a feigned King, and a falfe Prophet. He f~ffered a bloody Death, and bt!~fs
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