Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

Thatlbe are cirizensefbe4Net. 8r9 tightly called citizens ofHeauen, and as it were free burgef- fes ofthe new Ierufalem. Now what can he a more forci- ble argument to weane our hearts and affeElions from the world andworldly vanities,then toconlider, that as wee are here (hangers, and haue no abiding or refiing place; fo we are fubieets and citizens ofthat glorious Kingdome,w here- ofthe Lord himfelfe, and hisSon Chrill is Ruler and chiefe Soueraigne? Forwho would not contemne a flitting tent in comparifon ofa goodly manfion and Rarely palace ? Who would not fet light by a poore tenemet, which is po(hefled at the will and plcafure ofthe Landlord, in refpeCt ofa rich in- l+eritance,and a large lord(hip,in which he bath affurance to him and his heires for euer? Who would be a fubie& of that kingdome, where the prince and foueraigne is but aflaue; whereas he might be apt eftcemed member ofa great com- manding monarchie? And who would preferre his pedling freedö in acountry village for a few dab s; before hisenfran_ chizement and priuileges in the chicle city ofthecountrie, which hemayha>ie for euer? And yet all thefe fimilitudes are but forte little fhadowes and dark refemblances, to expreffe the incomparable difference between ÿ earth and heauen,the momentany trifles of this life and thofe vnualuable and erer- nail excellencies,which are referued for the Saints in the life to come. For looke how much a monarchie is to be prefer- red before amolehill, the brightneffe of the Sunne, before the dim íhining of a glow - worme, and the richefl treafures, beforethe bafett pebble (lone; and fo, andmuch more are thofe euerlafing ioies ofheauen, to be preferred before the bell things the world can bra off,though it were a long and flouri(hingMonarchic ouer all theKingdonies of the Earth. It is true indeed, that thefe earthly things being neeee veto vs,and fubie& to our fenfes,doe make a flourifhing Phew at the firfl fight,to thofe who are ftill conuerfant among them, and neuer knew arty thing better; but if in diuine contern- vlation,our mindsand meditations could mount aloft, and be awhile exercifed in the view and'cortfideration of thofe incomparable ioies, which God bath prepared for his eleet, there worldly and tranfitory things below would Ggg z feeme