2 2 `1 be Define ofthe Saints, the things of this life ; their affe&ions were alienated,cftrangcd,and divorced from the world ; they had bywatchings, fsliingc, grovelings on the ground, tears and groans fcoured off the drofs of their fouls , and made them polished statues of piety ; they had made up their accounts between God and themfelves, and had sued out their pardon for their defcs s and failings, andhad that feated in theircon- fciences ; they did penetrate the clouds with the eye of faith, and did fec the im- menfe good things laidup forthem in heaven, with which being ravished, and in- patient ofcunftation and delay,, they defter to bevested in the poflèfiion of them; thoughit were with thedepoutionof their houf ofclay, which they did bear about them. Of there things they had not a bare conjecurc; but a certain knowledge, For we know, verf I. that if our earthly hoof ofthis tabernacle bediolved, we have a building not made with hands, eternal in theheavens : from this full perfwauon did arife this heavenlyaffeftion, in thiswegroanearneflly. But alas, howdifferent is our difpofitionfrom this heavenly temper ! how pale, howwan is our countenance at thementionof Death ! at the least fummons of our laft accounts ! as vinegar to oar teeth , as fwoak, to our eyes, as a hidden damp to òur lights, as anhorrid crack of thunder in the tniddlt of our jollities, fo is the mention of Death. If any ask the reafon of this, it is too manifeft ; Want of judgement , what is the true good of the Eons of men; Want of apprehension of the happinefs of the Saints ; Want of faith in God, of Union with Chrift ; our foals never tl+alte am holy peregrination from the body , and feat them- felves with` Angels and Archangels,, and trace the ftrects of New ferufalem ; we anticip*cnot the joys of the life eel come by devout meditations and contempla- tions : we have not dffr converfailon in heaven, fromwhence we lookfor Rjdee- mrr s Our foul thirs7eth not, ourfiefh longeth not after the livino God. The reafon of this is, we hang upon the teats of the world like babes and children, we fuck venome out of it to our fouls ; we walk upon our bellies as unclean bcafis, xego: xç.PKh,7 g u, we jute againft God, and offend him; our accounts are notltreight and even, therefore we are afraid at the appeatanccOf our Saviour, and ofour citation toappear beforëhis Tribunal ; we gross; whenvehearofdeath,wegroanl not that we may die, this is our condition ; and arc not theí different one unto! another ? Doth not this (lain the verdure of our countenances, and 'cover us with' Blame andconfuhon,to observe fo matlifeft a declination of the fervor of theSpirit ?,' That youdefite this heaveot temper, I doubt not, I(}could offer violence toCharity,' the uenofGraces, ifIthould think otherwise? Forthis cattle many of you are' ftrithin the performance of holy duties, agreeable, and convenient to this facred, timeT-Th-aTyOurdevotions may attain a happy end , let me lend you a helping' hand, whilft I dilcoutfe there words which even now founded in your ears.' In this we groan, earnestly, &c. Which I will rcfolve into three Propofti- ons. i. Thatwe areflrangers in this life withoutourhoufe. a. That the saints delire their trite and proper houle. The interff noftheir c}eflre, 1P thiswegroan,&c. That we are grangers, do not the facred Oracles declare ? -oser converfation, our polity is in heaven, faith the Doctor of the Gentiles, Our life it is hid up with Girijly: Col, z : we, are fellow Citizen with the Saints, of the houfloold ofgod. Bpbef z: Doth not thechief of the Apotties intreat us ae Pilgrims and¡trangers, to abláin from fleshly lugs, which fightagainft the foul ? and do not these and the like demontftrate untous, that a Christian lives with men, yet above men ; inearth, 'yes in heaven ; bond, yet free ; detained with us,yet far above us ; living a double life ; one manifeft; the other Flidwieb Christ; one contemptible, the other glo- rious ; one natural,the other fpiritual; that hisPirenta eisfromHeaven; thathis Tresefure is in heaven; that his heart is in heaven ; that his root is faftned in the everlaftïngmountains, though his lyranches are here below, that his dwelling is in heaven;; though his peregrination be here on earth,aad,did not thefeOraclestell us thnsmuch,yet are there notinforcingargumentsto ewrlvisrcc us'of thisMidi. Are theyffrangerr.that are out o.their proper; place.? and are not Chriftians while
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