230 DIRECTIONS HOW TO LEAD A may draw exact maps of countries, and yet never . see them, nor travel toward them ; so you may describe to others the joys of heaven, and yet never come near it in your own hearts. A blind man, by learning, may dispute of light and colours ; so may you set forth to others that heavenly light, which never enlightened your own souls, and bring' that fire from the hearts of your people, which never warmed your own hearts. What heavenly passages bad'Balaam in his prophecies, yet how little of it in his spirit ! Nay, we are under a more subtle temptation, than any other men, to draw us from this heavenly life. Studying and preaching of heaven, more resembles a heavenly life, than thinking and talking of the world does ; and the resemblance is apt to deceive us. This is to die the most miserable death, even to famish ourselves, because we have bread on our tables ; and to die for thirst, while we draw water for others, thinking it enough that we have daily to do with it, though we never drink for the refreshment of our own souls. SS 9. (II.) Having thus showed thee what hinder - ances will resist thee in the work, I expect that thou resolve against them, consider them seriously, and avoid them faithfully, or else thy labour will be in vain. I must also tell thee, that I here expect thy promise, as thou vainest the delights of these foretastes of heaven, to make conscience of performing the following duties; the reading of which, without their constant practice, will not bring heaven unto thy heart. Particularly, be convinced that heaven is the only treasure and hap- piness; tabour to know that is is thy own,and how near it is ;frequently and seriously talk of it ; en- deavour to raise thy affections nearer to it in every duty ; to the same purpose improve every object and event ;be much in the angelical work of praise ; possess thy soul with believing thoughts of the infinite love of God ;carefully observe and cherish the mo- tions of the Spirit of God ;--nor even neglect the due care of thy bodily health. § 10. (1) Be convinced that heaven is the only trea
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