The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

2. We must choose Heaven as our supreme Happiness, and regard it as the main end of our Lives. Man fell from his Duty and Felicity by preferring sensual Pleasure before the Favour of God, and ⟨p. 94⟩became guilty of the greatest Disobedience and Dishonour to his Maker, and is restored by the holy change of his Will, the setting his Affections on a pure Spiritual Blessedness. This subliming the Will, and turning its Love and Choice from the Creatures to God, is the effect of Divine Grace, and wrought in a rational way. For Man is not moved as artificial Engines by force, nor as Brutes from necessity, their Faculties being determined by the outward application of Objects: he is not drawn up to Heaven by such a natural impression, as Steel by the Load-stone, nor forced by a violent motion as a Stone ascends, but as an understanding free Agent, by the direction of the enlightened Mind, and the consent of the Will, an elective unconstrained Faculty. And herein the Wisdom, Goodness and Equity of God's Transactions with Man appears. His Wisdom, in that as he has ordered in the whole sphere of Nature, that the active Powers of every Creature, be drawn forth into exercise for their preservation, and accordingly he is pleased to work in and by them, so the Understanding and Will, the Principles of Operation in Man, are to deliberate ⟨p. 95⟩and choose in order to his Happiness. Otherwise the rational Faculties would be in vain. His Goodness and Equity, in that he sets before them Eternal Life as the Reward of Obedience. God will be glorified by him as a Law-giver and a Benefactor, and has ordained in the Gospel, that all who choose and diligently seek the Kingdom of Heaven shall infallibly obtain it, and none be deprived of it, but for their neglect. The Decree of a final state of Misery, though not in time, yet is consequent in the order of causes to the obstinate reluctancy of Sinners against restoring Grace, and the wilful forsaking their own Mercies. Therefore God vindicates the Equity of his Proceedings with Men by their own Principles, and with tender pity expostulates, Why will ye dye? The corrupt Will declining from God, and adhering to the Creature as its Happiness, is the true cause of Mans ruin. This will infinitely clear the Wisdom and Justice, the Purity and Goodness of God from all Imputation.

2. We must chuse Heaven as our supream Happiness, and regard it as the main end of our Lives. Man fell from his Duty and Felicity by preferring sensual Pleasure before the Favour of God, and