Chap. 11.] LIFE UPON EARTH. l71 part of the earth, how do all things congratulate its ap- proach ! The earth looks green, the trees shoot forth, the plants revive, the birds sing, and all things smile upon us. If we would but try this life with God, and keep these hearts above, what a spring of joy would be within us ! How should we forget our winter sorrows ! How early should we rise to sing the praise of our great Creator ! O Christian, get above. Those that have been there have found it warmer; and I doubt not but thou hast sometime tried it thyself. When hast thou largest comforts ? Is it not when thou hast conversed with God, and talked with the inhabitants of the higher world, and viewed their mansions, and filled thy soul with the forethoughts of glory ? If thou knowest by experience what this practice is, I dare say thou knowest what spiritual joy is. If, as David pro- fesses, a the light of God's countenance more gladdens the heart than corn and wine," then, surely, they that draw nearest, and most behold it, must be fullest of these joys. Whom should we blame, then, that the are so void of con- solation, but our own negligent hearts ? God hath pro- vided us a crown of glory, and promised to set it shortly on our heads, and we will not so much as think of it. He bids us behold and rejoice, and we will not so much as look at it; and yet we complain for want of comfort. It is by believing that we are " filled with joy and peace," and no longer than we continue believing. It is in hope the saints rejoice, and no longer than they continue hoping. God's Spirit worketh our comforts, by setting our own spirits at work upon the promises, and raising our thoughts to the place of our comforts. As you would delight a co- vetous man by showing him gold, so God delights his peo- ple by leading them, as it were, into heaven, and showing them himself, and their rest with him. He does not cast in our joys, while we are idle, or taken up with other things. He gives the fruits of the earth, while we plough, and sow, and weed, and water, and dress, and with patience expect his blessing; so doth he give the joys of the soul. I en- treat thee, reader, in the name of the Lord, and as thou vainest the life of constant joy, and that good conscience which is a continual feast, to set upon this work seriously, and learn the art of heavenly-mindedness, and thou shalt find the increase a hundred fold, and the benefit abun
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