A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

2. Salvation is that which imports rest and satisfaction. Salvation, it is the Soul's quietation and ease. Heaven is that centre of the Soul: you are never at rest till you come there. Now the object of rest is speedily to be pursued. How doth every thing hasten to its rest, its centre? how doth the stone with eagerness hasten to the Earth, when thrown from the top of an high steeple? how swiftly doth the fire fly upwards to its rest, to its centre? with what a rapid motion, with what a fierce career, do the Rivers run into the Sea? they are going to their place, the place of waters. Is Heaven thy rest? is Heaven thy centre? why is thy tendency to it so sluggish? You owe unto life Eternal all those propensions and all those inclinations, wherewith all the things of the World are carried to the centres. The speed that the wicked make in getting to Hell, proclaims that Hell is their proper place and centre; though not for rest, but restlessness. Shall every thing hasten to rest, but thy Soul? it was the speech of Naomi to her Daughter: my Daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee? Oh that every one would say unto his Soul, my Soul, shall I not look after rest for thee in the bosom of God and the eternal fruition of himself? the little Infant that cries for sleep will rise up in judgment against a sinner that doth not look after the rest of his Soul. That little Infant that cries for sleep out-goeth thee in wisdom.

2. Salvation is that which imports rest and satisfaction. Salvation, it is the Soul's quietation and ease. Heaven is that center of the Soul: you are never at rest till you come there. Now the object of rest is speedily to be pursued. How doth every thing hasten to its rest, its center? how doth the stone with eagerness hasten to the Earth, when thrown from the top of an high steeple? how swiftly doth the fire fly upwards to its rest, to its center? with what a rapid motion, with what a fierce career, do the Rivers run into the Sea? they are going to their place, the place of waters. Is Heaven thy rest? is Heaven thy center? why is thy tendency to it so sluggish? You owe unto life Eternal all those propensions and all those inclinations, wherewith all the things of the World are carried to the centers. The speed that the wicked make in getting to Hell, proclaims that Hell is their proper place and center; though not for rest, but restlessness. Shall every thing hasten to rest, but thy Soul? it was the speech of Naomi to her Daughter: my Daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee? Oh that every one would say unto his Soul, my Soul, shall I not look after rest for thee in the bosom of God and the eternal fruition of himself? the little Infant that cryes for sleep will rise up in judgment against a sinner that doth not look after the rest of his Soul. That little Infant that cryes for sleep out-goeth thee in wisdom.