The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

Be much in converse with God, and the Devil will have little converse with thee; or if he have, it will be to little purpose. How was ⟨p. 89⟩the Majesty of King Ahasuerus incensed at that affront of Haman, when he threw himself upon Queen Esters bed—what will he force the Queen in our presence? Esth. 7.8. Keep but in the presence of thy Lord, thy King, thy Husband, and the Ravisher will not offer to force thee there; or if he do, it will be but in vain. How secure is that Soul that lives under the deep, and warm, and constant sense of Gods being it's all in all? What a munition of rocks is this against all assaults and incursions of the Tempter. They are our tame and common Poultry, whose wings sweep the ground as they fly, and raise a dust: but the generous Eagle soon mounts above this smoky lower Region of the Air, till she makes the clouds a pillow for her head. Put on, Christian, thy Eagles wings (which are the same with those Doves wings which David pray's for, Psal. 55.6.) and flee away, that thou mayest be at rest. They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as Eagles, &c. Isa. 40.31. When the soul is once but upon the wing heaven-ward, O how easily then doth it soar away above this region of smoke and dust, above this Atmosphere of earnality, and fleshly lustings, into the pure & free Ethereal air, the blessed serenity and rest of Gods life and kingdom, which is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost, Rom. 14.17. it is cold iron that shows its rusty scales, they disappear when it is red hot. Get but thine heart on fire heaven-ward, be but ascending thither Elijah like, in a flaming Chariot of holy longings and paintings after God, and the lustings of the flesh shall no more appear to deform thy beauty, then the rust of iron appears, when the metal is Candent, i. e. all over of a light and glowing ardour. The Rule then is, Be sick of love to thy dear Master, and Lord, and thou shalt not be sick of sin. Stir up spiritual and holy lustings in thy soul after the love and favour, the grace and image of thy God, and thou shalt not fulfil the lustings of the flesh.