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

To persuade us to the serious practice of this Duty, there are many Enforcements.

To perswade us to the serious practice of this Duty, there are many Enforcements.

Is any Man so foolish, so regardless of his Convenience, to purchase a House wherein he must live all his Days, and will not first see whether it will be convenient, and secure for his Habitation? Shall we not then consider Heaven the Mansion of Blessedness, and Hell the Seat of Misery and Horror? for according as we choose here, we shall be in the one or other place for ever. I shall in the fourth part of this Treatise, endeavour to represent something of the inexpressible Misery of the Wicked hereafter, and show how congruous and powerful the Thoughts of it are to restrain Men from Sin; but at present shall briefly excite to the Meditation of the Heavenly Glory, as the most noble, delightful and fruitful Work of the Soul, whiles confined to the Body of Flesh. 'Tis the most exalted Exercise of the Mind, the purest converse with God, the Flower of consecrated Reason. 'Tis most like the Life of glorified Spirits above, who are in continual contemplation of the Divine ⟨p. 454⟩Excellencies, and 'tis most raised above the Life of Carnal Men, that are sunk into Sensuality and Brutishness. 'Tis the most joyful Life, in that it sheds abroad in the Soul Delights that neither satiate, nor corrupt, nor weaken the Faculties, as the Delights of Sense do, but afford Perfection as well as Pleasure. 'Tis the most profitable Life. As in those parts of the Earth where the Beams of the Sun are strongly reflected, precious Metals and Jewels are produced, wherein the refulgent resemblance of that bright Planet appears: so the lively and vigorous Exercise of the Thoughts upon the heavenly Glory, will produce heavenly Affections, heavenly Discourses, and a heavenly shining Conversation. This will make us live like the blessed Society above, imitating their Innocence and Purity, their joyful, entire and constant Obedience to God. This confirms the Holy Soul in its Choice, with an invincible efficacy against the Temptations and Lusts of the World. The serious considering Believer is filled with ravishing Wonder of the Glory that shall be revealed, and looks down with Contempt upon the Earth, and all that has the Name of Felicity