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

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, ¹they despised the pleasant Land, not absolutely in it self, for it was the Glory of all Lands, abounding with things for the support and delight of Man; but considering its distance, a Wilderness waste and wild interposing, and the Enemies to be encountered, they did not think it worthy of undergoing such Hazards and Difficulties. The Land of Canaan was a Type of Heaven, both with respect to its pleasantness, and the manner of the Israelites obtaining it. Their Title to it was derived from the rich Bounty of God, ⟨p. 382⟩therefore 'tis called the Land of Promise; but it was to be possessed by Conquest. Thus the Celestial Canaan is the pure Gift of God, but the actual enjoyment of it is obtained by victorious resistance, against the Enemies of our Salvation. And Carnal Men despise this pleasant Land, the Promise being inseparably joined with Precepts of Duty and Obedience, from which they are averse. But he that chooses sincerely, is joyful and vigorous in the use of means for acquiring his most desired Good. Ardent Affections, like Elijah's Chariot of Fire, ravish the Soul above this sensible World, to the place where God dwells in Glory.