Chap. 1.1.1 A HEAVENLY LIFE UPON EARTH. . 167 CHAPTER XI. TIIE IMPORTANCE OF LEADING A HEAVENLY LIFE UPON EARTH% The reasonableness of delighting in the thoughts of the saints' rest. Christians exhorted to it, by considering, 1. It will evidence their sin- cere piety ; 2. It is the highest excellence ofthe Christian temper ; 3. It leads to the most comfortable life; 4. It will be the bestpreservative from temptations to sin ; 5. It will invigorate their graces-and duties; 6. It will be their best cordial in all afflictions ; 7. It will render them; most profitable to others ; S. It will honor God. 9. Without it, we diso- bey the commands, and lose the most gracious and delightfuldisco- veries of the word, of God. _10. It is the more reasonable to have our hearts with God, ashis is so much on us; and, 11. in heaven, where we have so much. interest and relation; 12. Besides, there is nothing but heavenworth setting our hearts upon. 1. Is there such a rest remaining for us ? Why, then, are our thoughts no more upon it ? Why are not our hearts con- tinually there? Why dwell we not there in constant con- templation? What is the cause of this neglect? Are we reasonable in this, or are we not ? Hath the eternal God provided us such a glory, and promised to take us up to dwell with himself? and is not this worth thinking on ? Should not the strongest desires of our hearts be after it ? Do we believe this, and yet forget and neglect it ? If God will not give us leave to approach this light, what mean all his earnest invitations ? Why doth he so condemn our earthly-mindedness, and command us to set our affections on things above ? Ah, vile hearts ! If God were against it, we were likelier to be for it; but when he commands our hearts to heaven, then they will not stir one inch : like our predecessors, the sinful Israelites, when God would have themmarch for Canaan, then they mutiny, and will not stir; but when God bids them not go, then they will be presently marching. IfGod say, "Love not theworld, nor the things of the world," we dote upon it. How freely, how frequently can we think of our pleasures, our friends, our labors, our flesh, and its lusts ! yea, our wrongs and miseries, our fears and sufferings! But where is the Chris- tian, whose heart is on his rest? What is the matter? Are we so full of joy that we need no more ? Or is there no- thing in heaven for our joyous thoughts ? Or, rather, are not our hearts carnal and stupid? Let us humble these sen- sual hearts, that have in them no more of Christ and glory. If this world was .the only subject of our discourse, all
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