236 DIRECTIONS HOW TO LEAD A full of joy, and so transports them above themselves Certainly God would not fail us in our duties, if we did not fail ourselves. Remember, therefore, always to pray for your minister, that God would put some divine message into his mouth, which may leave a heavenly relish upon your spirit. 16. (6) Improve every object, and every event, to mind thy soul of its approaching rest. As all provi- dences and, creatures are means to our rest, so they point us to that as their end. God's sweetest dealings with us at the present would not be half so sweet as they are, if they did not intimate some farther sweetness. Thou takest but the mean earnest, and overlookest the main sum, when thou receivest thy mercies, and forget- est thy crown. O that Christians were skilful in this art ! You can open your Bibles ; learn to open the vo- lumes of creation and providences, to read there also of God and glory. Thus we might have a fuller taste of Christ and heaven in every common meal, than most men have in a sacrament If thou prosper in the world, let it make thee more sensible of thy perpetual pros- perity. If thou art weary with labour, let it make the thoughts of thy eternal rest more sweet. If things go cross, let thy desires be more earnest to have sorrows and sufferings for ever cease. Is thy body refreshed with food or sleep ? remember the inconceivable re- freshment with Christ. Post thou hear any good news? remember what glad tidings it will be to hear the trump of God, and the applauding sentence of Christ. Art thou delighted with the society of the saints ? remem- ber what the perfect society in heaven will be. Is God communicating himself to thy spirit ? remember the time of thy highest advancement, when both thy com- munion and joy shall be full. Dost thou hear the raging noise of the wicked, and the confusions of the world ? think of the blessed harmony in heaven. Dost thou hear the tempest of war? remember the day when thou shalt be in perfect peace, under the wings of the Prince of Peace for ever. Thus every condition, and creature, affords us advantages fbr a heavenly life, if we had but hearts to improve them.
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