204 IIC'IT'OrRTAl\T'CrE +O.I:' ï<-,EADING A selves with earthly pleasures, rather than they will ascend to heaven to seek it ; and yet when all is done, they must have it there or be without it. § 6. (4) A heart in heaven will be a most excellent preservative against temptations to sin. It will keep the heart well employed. When we are idle, we tempt the devil to tempt us ; as careless persons make thieves. A heart in heaven can reply to the tempter, as Nehe- miah did, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot 'come. It bath no leisure to be lustful or wanton, am- bitious or worldly. If you were but busy in your law - ful callings, you would not be so ready to hearken to temptations ; much less if you were also busy above with God. Would a judge be persuaded to rise from the bench, when he is sitting upon life and death, to go and play with children in the streets ? No more will a Christian, when he is taking a survey of his eternal rest, give ear to the alluring charms of Satan. The children of that kingdom should never have time for trifles, -especially when they are employed in the affairs of the kingdom ; and this employment is one of the saint's chief preservatives from temptations. § 7. A heavenly life is the freest from sin, be- cause it bath truer and livelier apprehensions of spi- ritual things. He hath so deep an insight into the evil of sin, the vanity of the creature, the brutishness of fleshly, sensual delights, that temptations have lit- tle power over him. In vain the net is spread, says Solomon in the sight of any bird. And usually in vain doth Satan lay his snares for the soul that plainly sees them. Earth is the place for his temptations, and the ordinary bait ; and how shall these ensnare the Chris- tian, who bath left the earth, and walks with God ? Is converse with wise men the way to make one wise? much more is converse with God. If travellers re- turn home with wisdom and experience, how much more he that travels to heaven ? If our bodies are suit- ed to the air and climate we most live in : his under- standing must be fuller of light, who lives with the Fa- ther of lights. The men of the world that dwell below,
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