Dintliens tobe willing to die,. 10.22.5 245 death as death, yet were but felf-denial perfeet, there would benothing to keep you from ftsbmittin to it, and defiring to pafs through it to immortality. 0 that youwould but try fuch a Pelf-denying life, and you would certain )ydie a eafie, _cgirri- fortable death. virta.4. Suffer no(unworthy thoughts of God to abide inyout foul.Think not of his Infinite Love and Goodnefs with doubtfulnefs or diminution. You will never be willing to come to God, while you think ofhim as cruel, or as a defpifer of his creatures, or unwilling to do Good. But when once you think of him as the fureft greateft Good, and your fafloit friend, and the aloft lovely obje& that can be conceived of; and thefe thoughts are deep and wrought into the very nature of your foul, then you will be ready more chearfully to die. No man can love the prefenceofa tyrant or an enemy, or of him that is fo far above him, that there is no communion with him to be had. Ifyou entertain fuch blafphemous thoughts of God, you are unlikely ever to defire his prefence. See you think as honourably and magnificentlyof the Goodnefs and Love of God, as you doof his Knoweldge or his Power ; and as youwould. abhorr any extenuating conceptions of the one, fo do of the other ; And then the lovelinefs and glory of his face, will draw out your defires and make you long to be with God. DireEt . 5. And by fuch means as this aforefaid, Labour to bring up your fouls to live in the Love ofGod. It is love that is the Divine and heavenly nature in us : and therefore muff needs incline us heaven-wards. The nature of love is to long after communion with him that we love. The more Love, the more of God in the foul, and the more defire after God. This is the grace that muff live for ever, and therefore bendeth towards the place of its perfeftion. Its want ofLove to God, that maketh molt us fo contented to be from him. Strengthen andexercife all other graces, as far as inyou lieth : but above all live in the exercife of this enjoying, heaven ly grace. Direff .6. Confider of all the burdens that are here upon you, which fhould make you long to be with God. One would think the feeling of them fhould force you to confide- Gg ration
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