flISC. VIII.] A SOUL PREPARED FOR HEAVEN. 434 of nature, and they complain they are fit for no service in this world ; but if they can feel in themselves this holy fitness for the enjoyments of heaven, they have a. rich and living fountain of pleasure in their own breasts, ever springing, ever flowing, and such as will follow them with daily supplies of pleasure, ifthey are not wanting to themselves, through all this wilderness, till they arrive at that land where all the rivers of blessing meet and join in a full stream, to make the inhabitants for ever happy. " It may be, O christian, thou art afraid that thou hast felt but little of this divine preparation; thou seest so many defects in thyself daily, so much unlikeness to God, so much working of iniquity, such restless efforts of the body of sin, so much prevalence of temptation, so much coldness in duty, such deadness in acts of devo- tion, such frequent returns of guilt and pain in a tender conscience, and so many enemies to struggle with, every step of thy way to heaven, that thou art greatly discou- raged and afraid this divine preparation is not wrought in thee. Enquire then yet further: Are all these me- lancholy scenes both within and without, the matter of thy sincere grief and burden ? Canst thou say, in this tabernacle I groan, being burdened with the bodyof sin, as well as with the frailties,and pains of nature ? Canst thou say sincerely, that thy inmost desires are towards God and his glory in the present life, and towards his enjoyment in the life to come ? Dost thou maintain a constant converse with heaven as well as thou canst, though it be so much broken, and so often painfully in- terrupted? Hast thou a continual and settled aversion and hatred to sin, and a holy jealousy and fear of its de- filements? Hast thou a restless breathing of soul after greater likeness to God, and greater communion with him? Dost thou delight in spiritual and holy conversa- tion ; and does thy zeal för the honour of God, and -his Son Jesus, carry thee forth to those actions which are suitable to thy station, for the advancement of religion in theworld ? Beassured then that God is training thee up for this heavenly state, and hasin some measure pre- pared thee for it. God has begun in thee the business and blessedness of the upper world. In the midst of all .thy sorrows and complaints here below, peace be witil VOL. Ir. ;.? I.
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