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. Consideration must be frequent to keep eternal Objects present, and powerful upon us. Such is the natural Levity and Inconstancy, Sloth and Carnality of the Mind, That the Notions of Heavenly Things quickly pass through, but of Earthly abide there. If a Stone be thrown upwards, it remains no longer in the Air, than the impression of the force by which it was thrown continues; but if it falls on the Earth, it rests there by Nature. When the Soul is raised in contemplation to Heaven, how apt is it to fall from that height, and lose the esteem, the lively Remembrance and Affections of Eternal Things? But when the Thoughts are excited by the presence of what is pleasing to Sense, the withdrawing the Object does not deface the Idea of it in the Memory, nor lessen the Conceit, ⟨p. 198⟩nor cool the Desires of it, because the Heart is naturally inclined to it. Therefore 'tis necessary every day to refresh and renew the conceptions of eternal Things, that although they are not always in act, yet the efficacy may be always felt in the Heart and Life. The Soul habituated to such Thoughts will not easily yield to Temptations, that surprise and overcome others that are Strangers in their Minds to the other World: Nay the presence of Temptations, as by Antiperistasis, will reinforce the Resolutions for Heaven; like the pouring Water upon Lime, that revives a hidden Fire in it, which seems a natural Miracle. 'Tis therefore of great advantage frequently to sequester our selves from the World, to redeem Time from secular Affairs, for the recollecting of our Thoughts and their solemn exercise upon the Eternal World. Sense that reveals natural things, darkens spiritual. How can the Thoughts be sixth on invisible things so distant from Sense, if always conversant with secular Objects that draw them down? In the silence of the Night a small Voice is more distinctly heard, and a little distant Light more clearly seen: so when the ⟨p. 199⟩Soul is withdrawn from the noisy throng of the World, and outward things are darkened, the Voice of Conscience is better heard, and the Light of Heaven more perfectly received.

2. Consideration must be frequent to keep eternal Objects present, and powerful upon us. Such is the natural Levity and Inconstancy, Sloth and Carnality of the Mind, That the Notions of Heavenly Things quickly pass through, but of Earthly abide there. If a Stone be thrown upwards, it remains no longer in the Air, than the impression of the force by which it was thrown continues; but if it falls on the Earth, it rests there by Nature. When the Soul is raised in contemplation to Heaven, how apt is it to fall from that heighth, and lose the esteem, the lively Remembrance and Affections of Eternal Things? But when the Thoughts are excited by the presence of what is pleasing to Sense, the withdrawing the Object does not deface the Idea of it in the Memory, nor lessen the Conceit,