170 THE WORLD TO COME. tender conscience, and so many enemies to struggle with every, step of thy way to heaven, that thou are greatly discouraged and afraid this divine preparation is not wrought in thee. Enquire then yet further; Are all these melancholy 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 body of sin, as well as with the frailties and pains of nature ? Cans[ thou say sincerely, that thy inmost desires are towàrds God and his glory in the present life, and towards his enjoyment in the life to come ? Dost thou maintain a constant converse wills heaven as well as thou canst, though it be so much broken, and so often painfully interrupted ? Hest thou a continual and settled aversion and hatred to sin, and a holy jealousy and fear of its defilements ? Hast thou a restless breathing of soul after greater likeness to God, and greater communion with him ? Dost thou delight in spiritual and holy conversation ; and does thy zeal for 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 the world ? Be assured then that God is training thee up for this heavenly state, and has in some measure prepared thee for it. God has begun in thee the business and blessedness of the upper world. In the midst of all thy sorrows and com- plaints here below, peace be with thee, and joy in the Lord, for thy salvation and thy felicity shall be completed." IH. " How vain, and idle, and unreasonable, are all the hopes of sinners, that they shall ever arrive at heaven without any preparation for it here ?" There is nothing, divine and holy begun in them in this world, and yet they hope to be made happy in the world that is to come ; there is nothing of true grace wrought jn their hearts here, and yet they vainly expect to be made perfect in pleasure and glory hereafter. " Think with thyself, O carnal creature, that heaven will be a burden to thee ; the powers, the appetites, and passions of thy sinful nature, will not suffer thee to relish the joys of the heavenly state. Dost thou imagine that a worm or serpent of the earth, or a swine which is ever tumbling in the mire, can be en- tertained with the golden ornaments and splendors of a palace? Or will the stupid ass he delighted with the harmony of a harp or viol ? No more can a soul of a carnal and sensual taste, and which is ever seeking and groveling after earthly gratifications be pleased or gratified with the refined enjoyments of the hea- venly world. Thou must have a new nature, new appetites and affections, ere thou canst partake of the divine joys, or relish them if thou wert placed in the midst of them. Holy adoration of God, and humble converse with him in worship, converse with the saints about divine things, perfect purity and devotion, with the meditation of the excellencies of Christ, and the sight of him
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