Again, if this be so,1 that God hath provided such things as neither eye hath seen, nor ear hath heard, &c. Beg of God first, the Spirit of grace to conceive of them as the Scripture reveals them: and then beg of God a further degree of revelation, that he would more and more reveal to us by his Spirit those excellent things. For the soul is never in a better frame, than when it is lift up above earthly things. When shall a man use the world, as though he used it not? when he goes about his business in a commanding ⟨p. 101⟩manner, as seeing all things under him,2 when he is raised up to conceive the things that are reserved for him above the world: that keeps a man from being drowned in the world: what makes men drowned in the world? to be earth-worms: they think of no other heaven but this, they have no other thing in their eye. Now by the Spirit discovering these things to the• that have weaned souls, it makes them go about the things of the world in another manner, they will do them, and do them exactly, with conscience, and care, considering that they must give an account of all: but they will do them with reserved affections to better ⟨p. 104⟩thing. Therefore let us oft think of this, and labour to have a spirit of faith to believe them, that they are so, that there are such great things; and then upon believing, the meditation of such excellent things will keep the soul in such a frame, as it will be fit for any thing without defiling of it self. A man that hath first faith, that these things are so: and then that hath faith exercised to think, and meditate what these things are,3 he may be turned loose to any temptation whatsoever: For first of all, if there be any solicitation to any base sin, what will he think? shall I for the pleasures of sin for a season, if not lose the ⟨p. 105⟩joys of heaven and happiness, that eye hath not seen, &c. yet surely I shall lose the comfort and assurance of them. A man cannot enjoy the comfort of heaven upon earth, without self-denial, and mortification: shall I lose peace of conscience, and joy in the holy Ghost for these things? When Satan comes with any bait, let us think he comes to rob us of better than he can give: his bait is some present pleasure, or preferment, or contentment here; but what doth he take from us? that which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, &c.
Againe, if this be so,1 that God hath provided such things as neither eye hath seen, nor eare hath heard, &c. Begge of God first, the Spirit of grace to conceive of them as the Scripture reveals them: and then begge of God a further degree of revelation, that hee would more and more reveale to us by his Spirit those excellent things. For the soule is never in a better frame, than when it is lift up above earthly things. When shall a man use the world, as though hee used it not? when he goes about his businesse in a commanding ⟨p. 101⟩manner, as seeing all things under him,2 when he is raysed up to conceive the things that are reserved for him above the world: that keepes a man from being drowned in the world: what makes men drowned in the world? to be earth-wormes: they think of no other heaven but this, they have no other thing in their eye. Now by the Spirit discovering these things to the• that have weaned soules, it makes them goe about the things of the world in another manner, they will doe them, and doe them exactly, with conscience, and care, considering that they must give an account of all: but they wil doe them with reserved affections to better ⟨p. 104⟩thing. Therefore let us oft thinke of this, and labour to have a spirit of faith to believe them, that they are so, that there are such great things; and then upon believing, the meditation of such excellent things will keepe the soule in such a frame, as it will bee fit for any thing without defiling of it selfe. A man that hath first faith, that these things are so: and then that hath faith exercised to thinke, and meditate what these things are,3 he may bee turned loose to any temptation whatsoever: For first of all, if there be any solicitation to any base sin, what will he thinke? shall I for the pleasures of sin for a season, if not lose the ⟨p. 105⟩joyes of heaven and happinesse, that eye hath not seene, &c. yet surely I shall lose the comfort and assurance of them. A man cannot enjoy the comfort of heaven upon earth, without self-deniall, and mortification: shall I lose peace of conscience, and joy in the holy Ghost for these things? When Sathan comes with any bait, let us thinke hee comes to rob us of better than he can give: his bait is some present pleasure, or preferment, or contentment here; but what doth he take from us? that which eye hath not seene, nor eare heard, &c.
- 1Use.Vse.
- 2Why men are drowned in the world.
- 3How to get the conquest of any temptation.
