Chap. 12.] LIFE UPON EARTH. 197 takes. For as groundless hopes tend to confusion, and are the greatest cause of most men's damnation ; so ground- less doubts tend to, and are the great cause of, the saints' perplexity and distress. Therefore, lay thy foundation for trial safely, and proceed in the work deliberately and reso- lutely, nor give over till thou canst say, either thou hast or bast not yet a title to this rest. O if men did truly know that God is their own Father, and Christ their only Re- deemer and Head, and that those are their own everlast- ng'habitations, and that there they must abide and be hap- py for ever; how could they choose but be transported with the forethoughts thereof! If a Christian could but look upon sun, moon, and stars, and reckonall his own in Christ, and say, " These are the blessings that my Lord hath procured me, and things incomparably greater than these ;" what holy raptures wouldhis spirit feel ! The more do they sin against their own comforts, as well as against the grace of the Gospel, who plead for their unbelief, and cherish distrustful thoughts of God, and in- jurious thoughtsof their Redeemer; who represent the co- venant as if it were of works, and not of grace; and Christ as an enemy, rather than a Savior; as if he were willing they should die in their unbelief, when he hath invited them so often and so affectionately, and suffered the ago- nies that they should suffer. Wretches that we are! to be keeping up jealousies of our Lord, when we should be re- joicing in his love. As if any man could choose Christ, before Christ bath chosen him ; or any man were more willing to be happy, than Christ is to make him happy. Away with these injurious, if not blasphemous thoughts ! If ever thou hast harbored such thoughts in thy breast, cast them from thee, and take heed how thou ever enter- tainest them more. God hath written the names of his people in heaven, as you use to write your names or marks on your goods; and shall we be attempting to raze them out, and to write our names on the doors of hell ? But blessed be " God, whose foundation standeth sure ;" and who "keepeth us by his power through faith unto salva- tion." 3. Labor to apprehend how near thy rest is. What we thinknear at hand, we are more sensible of than that which e behold at a distance. When judgments or mercies are
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