CIONTE71iPLATION [Chap. 16. CONCLUSION. Thus, reader, I have given thee my best advice for main- taining a heavenly conversation. If thou canst not thus me- ditate methodically and fully, yet do it as thou canst ; only be sure to do it seriously and frequently. Be acquainted with this heavenly work, and thou wilt, in some degree, be ac- quainted with God; thy joys will be spiritual, prevalent, and lasting, according to the nature of their blessed object ; thou wilt have comfort in life and death. When thou hast neither wealth, nor health, nor the pleasures of this world, yet wilt thou have comfort. Without the presence, or helps of any friend, without a minister, without a book, when all means are denied thee, or taken from thee, yet mayst thou have vigorous, real comfort. Thy graces will be mighty, active, . and victorious ; and the daily joy which is thus fetched from heaven, will be thy strength. Thou wilt be as one that stands on the top of an exceeding high mountain ; he looks down on the world as if it were quite below him ; fields and woods, cities and towns, seem to him but little spots. Thus despicably wilt thou look on all things here below. The greatest princes will seem but as grasshoppers ; the busy, . contentious, covetous world, but as a heap of ants. Men's threatenings will be no terror to thee, nor the honors of this world any strong enticement ; temptations will be more harmless, as having lost their strength ; and afflictions less grievous, as having lost their sting; and every mercy will be better known and relished. It is now, under God, in thy own choice, whether thou wilt live this blessed life or not ; and whether all this pains I have taken for thee shall pros- per, or be lost. If it be lost through thy laziness, thou thy- self wilt prove the greatest loser. O man, what hast thou to mind but God and heaven ? Art thou not almost out of this world already ? Dost thou not look every day, when one disease or other will let out thy soul ? Does not the grave wait to be thine house ; and worms to feed upon thy face and heart ? What if thypulse must beat a few strokes more ? What if thou hast a little longer to breathe, before thou .
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