The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…

yea doubtless I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I might win Christ. The glorious Gospel is the brightest and most pleasant Light that ever shone upon the World, a Revelation of the deepest Wisdom and most admirable Love, wherein the Combination of God's holy and wonderful Counsels for our Salvation is unfolded; and accordingly St. Paul, with the greatest Life of Affection, sets forth his value of it, and by full and most vilifying Expressions, rejects all things in comparison of it.

yea doubtless I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the Knowledg of Jesus Christ my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I might win Christ. The glorious Gospel is the brightest and most pleasant Light that ever shone upon the World, a Revelation of the deepest Wisdom and most admirable Love, wherein the Combination of God's holy and wonderful Counsels for our Salvation is unfolded; and accordingly St. Paul, with the greatest Life of Affection, sets forth his value of it, and by full and most vilifying Expressions, rejects all things in comparison of it.

2. The Sincerity of the Heavenly Choice is discovered by a zealous observance of the Means requisite in order to it. Inanimate things incline to rest in their Centre, the Rational intend and pursue it. The blessed End, when valued and respected according to its worth, excites and directs the Affections and Endeavours in that order and measure as is proportionable to its Excellency, and the Difficulties of obtaining it. There may be a naked estimation, and some desires of Eternal Happiness ⟨p. 381⟩simply considered, yet the Will remains incomplete and undetermined in its choice: for the End in conjunction with the Means is propounded to us, and the carnal Man will not consent to the Means. He dislikes the Holiness of Religion, and will rather forfeit Heaven, than submit to such strict terms. Though with Balaam, in a fit of Devotion, he says, O that I might die the death of the Righteous, and that my last End might be like his; yet from Indulgence to his sensual Inclinations, he will not live as the Righteous. All his Wishes of true Happiness are soon strangled by the predominant love of some Vanity. 'Tis said of the Israelites,