HEAVENLY LIFE UPON EARTH. 201 doubtless stand by us, and say, My grace is sufficient for thee.. When a man is in the way of God's blessing, he is in the less danger of sin's enticing. Amidst thy temptations, ,Christian Reader, use much this power- ful remedy keep close with God by a heavenly mind; follow your business above with Christ, and you will find this a surer help than any other. The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell he neath.((1) Remember that Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generation ; for he walked with God and that God said to Abraham, walk before me, and be thou perfect. 10. (5) The diligent keeping your hearts in hea- ven, will maintain the vigour of all your graces, and put life into all your duties. The heavenly Christian is the lively Christian. It is Our strangeness to heaven that makes us so dull. How will the soldier hazard his life, and the mariner pass through storms and waves, and no difficulty keep them back, when they 'think of an uncertain perishing treasure ! What life then would it put into a Christian's endeavours, if he would frequently think of his everlasting treasure! We run so slowly, and strive so lazily, because we so little mind the prize. Observe but the man who is much,in heaven, and you shall see he is not like other Christians; there is something of what he hath seen above appear - eth in all;his dutyond conversation. If a preacher, how heavenly are his sermons ! If a private Christian, what heavenly converse, prayers, and deportment ! Set upon this employment, and others will see the face of your conversation shine, and say, surely he bath been with God on the mount. But if you lie complaining of deadness and dulness; that you cannot love Christ, nor rejoice in his love ; that you have no life in prayer, nor any other duty, and yet neglect this quickening em= ployment; you are the cause of your own complaints. Is not thy life hid with Christ in God ? Where must thou go but to Christ for it ? And where is that, but to heaven, where Christ is? Thou wilt not come to Christ, (d) Prov. xv. 24.
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