Chap. 12.] S.1FE UPON EARTIL. 203 9. Carefully observe and cherish the motions of the Spirit of God. If ever thy soul get above this earth, and get ac- quainted with this heavenly life, the Spirit of God must be to thee as the chariot to Elijah ; yea, the very living prin- ciple by which thou must move and ascend. O, then, grieve not thy guide, quench not thy life, knock not off thy chariot wheels ! You little think how much the life of all your graces, and the happiness of your souls, depend upon your ready and cordial obedience to the Spirit. When the Spirit urges thee to secret prayer ; or forbids thee thy transgres- sions ; or points to thee the way in which thou shouldst go ; and thou wilt not regard ; no wonder if heaven and thy soul be strange. If thou wilt not follow the Spirit, while it would draw thee to Christ and thy duty ; how should it lead thee to heaven, and bring thy heart into the presence of God ? What supernatural help, what bold access, shall the soul find in its approaches to the Almighty, that constantly obeys the Spirit ? And how backward, how dull, how ashamed, will he be in these addresses, who hath often broke away from the Spirit that would have guided him ! Christian reader, dost thou not feel sometimes a strong impression to retire from the world, and draw near to God ? Do not dis- obey, but take the offer, and hoist up thy sails while this blessed gale may be had. The more of the Spirit we resist, the deeper will it wound ; and the more we obey, the speedier will be our pace. 10. I advise thee, as a further help to this heavenly life, neglect not the due care of thy bodily health. Thy body is a useful servant, if thou give it its due, and no more than its due ; but it is amost devouring tyrant, if thou suffer it to have what it unreasonably desires ; and it is as a blunted knife, if thou unjustly deny it what is necessary to its support. When we consider how frequently men offend on both extremes, and how few use their bodies aright, we cannot wonder if they be much hindered in their converse with heaven. Most men are slaves to their appetite, and can scarce deny any thing to the flesh, and are therefore willingly carried by it to their sports, or profits, or vain companions, when they should raise their minds to God and heaven. As you love your souls, " make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof;" but remember, " to be carnally minded is death; because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for
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