A Golden Chain

For they have wandered so far astray, that in so short a space they cannot be able to come into the right way again. Yet generally this is the state of most among us, whose security is so much the more grievous and fearful, because Christ hath done all that heart can wish. There is nothing else required, but only that by his grace we should walk in the way. There was never any that knew the state of the people in these days, but he will grant, that this is most true which I say. Besides, as by this, we are brought to a sight of the desperate security of this age: so we may further ⟨p. 403⟩learn our own duties. Is Christ gone to heaven before hand to prepare a place for thee, then practise that which Paul teacheth:¹ Have thy ^aconversation in heaven. The words which he useth are very significant, and the meaning of them is: Ye are free-denizens of the city of God, and therefore as freemen in Gods house, let all your cares and studies, all your affairs and doings be in heaven. In the world if a man make purchase of an house, his heart is always there: there he pulls down and builds again: there he makes him orchards & gardens: there he means to live and die. Christ Jesus hath bought the kingdom of heaven for us (the most blessed purchase that ever was) and hath paid the dearest price for it that ever was paid, even his own precious blood: and in this city he hath prepared for us a dwelling place, and made us free denizens of it: therefore all our joy, and all our affairs ought to be there. It will be said, how shall a man upon earth have his conversation in heaven. Ans. We must converse in heaven, not in body but in heart: and therefore, though our bodies be on earth, yet our hearts, joy, and comfort, and all our meditation must be in heaven. Thus must we behave our selves, like good freemen in Gods house. It must be far from us, to have our joy and our hearts set on the things of this world.

For they haue wandered so farre astray, that in so short a space they cannot be able to come into the right way againe. Yet generally this is the state of most among vs, whose securitie is so much the more grieuous and fearefull, because Christ hath done all that heart can wish. There is nothing else required, but onely that by his grace we should walke in the way. There was neuer any that knew the state of the people in these daies, but he will graunt, that this is most true which I say. Besides, as by this, we are brought to a sight of the desperate securitie of this age: so we may further