HEAVENLY LIFE UPON EARTH. 21.9 § 19. Now, Reader, are these considerations weigh- ty, or not ? Have I proved it thy duty to keep thy heart on things above, or have I not ? If thou say, Not, I am confident thou contradictest thy own con- science. If thou acknowledge thyself convinced of the duty, that very tongue of thine shall condemn thee, and that confession be pleaded against thee, if thou wilfully neglect such a confessed duty. Be tho- roughly willing, and the work is more than half done. I have now a few plain directions to give you for your help in this great work ; but, alas, it is in vain to mention them, except you be willing to put them into practice. However, I will propose them to thee, and may the Lord persuade thy heart to the work ! CHAPTER XII. Directions how to lead a heavenly Life upon Earth. § 1. (I) Hinderances to a heavenly life must be avoided ; such as, § 2. (1) Living in any known sin : § 3. (2) An earthly mind ; § 4. (3) Ungodly companions ; § 5. (4) A notional religion ; § 6. (5) A haughty spirit ; § 7. (6) A slothful spirit ; 8. (7) Resting in preparatives for a heavenly life, without the thing it- self. § 9. (II.) the duties which will promote a heavenly life are these : § 10. (1) Be convinced that heaven is the only trea- sure and happiness; 11, 12. (2) Labour to know your interest in it ; 13. (3) And how near it is ; § 14. (4) Frequently and seriously talk of it § 15. (5) Endeavour in every duty to raise your affections nearer to it ; § 16. (6) To the same purpose im- prove every object and event; § 17, 18. (7) Be much in the an- gelical work of praise; § 19. (8) Possess your souls with be- lieving thoughts of the infinite love of God ; _§ 20. (9) Carefully observe and cherish the motions of the Spirit of God ; § 21. (10) Nor even neglect the due care of your bodily health § 1. AS thou valuest the comforts of heavenly con- versation, I must here charge thee from God, to avoid carefully some dangerous hiuderances ; and then
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