Life eternalLife eternall

Quest. But how shall I come to get such a desire?

Answ. There is no way in the world but this: Labour to be humbled for thy sins, to get a broken heart for them: for then a man comes to prize grace exceeding much, and worldly things as nothing. For this is a sure rule, When thou feelest thy sins to lie heavy upon thee, then all the things in the world will appear light: therefore labour to know the bitterness of sin; it is that which sets an edge upon all our spiritual desires: without this a man doth but cheapen the kingdom of heaven, he doth as the people did with Rehoboam, they expostulated with him about their serving him: so we do capitulate with the Lord, as it were, and stand upon terms with him, until we are humbled; and then we are ready to take heaven upon any condition. Till a man be thus humbled, his desires are remiss, and weak, and flaggy desires; they raise up great buildings upon no foundation; the foundation is weak and crazy, and so the building comes down. And hence is it, that men put their hand to the plough, and look back again. A scholar will serve the Lord, if he may have eminency in gifts, and outward excellency, or some honour in the flesh; but all ⟨p. 122⟩this while his desires are remiss: but when he is once humbled, then he will say with Saint Paul, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? and I will do it, whatsoever it is, and whatsoever thou wouldest have me to suffer, I will suffer it. He will take the kingdom of heaven by violence: and then his resolutions continue constant that way. For what can Satan do to him? will he take away his pleasure from him, his wealth, or his credit? they are things that he hath despised before: he can take nothing from him, but what he cares not for. It is the bitterness of sin, that makes him now to prize Gods love and favour above all thing.

Answ. There is no way in the world but this: Labour to be humbled for thy sinnes, to get a broken heart for them: for then a man comes to prize grace exceeding much, and worldly things as nothing. For this is a sure rule, When thou feelest thy sinnes to lie heavie upon thee, then all the things in the world will appeare light: therefore labour to know the bitternesse of sinne; it is that which sets an edge upon all our spirituall desires: without this a man doth but cheapen the kingdome of heaven, he doth as the people did with Rehoboam, they expostulated with him about their serving him: so wee doe capitulate with the Lord, as it were, and stand upon termes with him, untill we are humbled; and then we are ready to take heaven upon any condition. Till a man be thus humbled, his desires are remisse, and weake, and flaggy desires; they raise up great buildings upon no foundation; the foundation is weake and crazie, and so the building comes downe. And hence is it, that men put their hand to the plough, and looke backe againe. A scholler will serve the Lord, if hee may have eminency in gifts, and outward excellency, or some honour in the flesh; but all