DISC, VIII. A SOUL PREPARED FOR HEAVEN, 433 Thou hast treasured up food for the , worm that never dies, for the eternal anguish of conscience; thou hast made thyself fit fuel by indulgence of thy sinful and re- bellious appetites and passions, for the fiery indignation of God ; and every day thou persistest in this state, thy preparation for the dark regions of sin and sorrow is -in- creased." But this leads me to the last remark. Remark IV. "How dangerous a thing it is for asinner to continue a'day longer in a state so unprepared for the heavenly world." Dost thou not know, whilst we are inhabitants in these regions of mortality, we are border- ers upon death; and if we are unprepared for heaven, we are borderers :upon damnation and hell? Oiw life is buta vapour, and the next puff may blow us away in- to the regions of everlasting darkness, misery, and de- spair. Alas ! how much of this divine preparation do the best of saints stand in need of for an immediate en- trance into heaven ? What care do they take, how con- stant are their labours, and how fervent their prayers to increase in this divine fitness, in these holy and heavenly qualifications! And dost thou vainly imagine to ex- change earth for heaven at once, and to be received into the pure and holy mansions of paradise, without anycon- formity to God or Christ, or the rest of the inhabitants of that world ? Objection. But some idle and slothful creatures will be ready to object and say, if it be God who creates his people anew, according to his own image, and fits them for heaven ; if we must be wrought up by his power and grace for the participation of this glory, what can we do towards it ourselves? Or why are we charged and ex- horted to prepare ourselves for heaven ? Since then it is God must do this work, whymay we not lie still, and wait till his grace shall prepare us ? I answer, No, by no means; for God is wont to exert his grace only while creatures are in the use of his ap- pointments, and fulfil their duty. This language there- fore, and these excuses, seem to be the mere cavils of a carnal mind, or the voice of sloth and indolence. Those who have no inclination to prepare themselves for the joys of the heavenly state, may wait and expect divine
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