Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

XIII. 1. A Christian indeed is one that maketh God and Heaven the End, Reward and Motive of his Life: And liveth not in the world for any thing in the world, but for that endless happiness which the next world only can afford. The Reasons which actuate his thoughts, and choice, and all his life, are fetched from Heaven. The interest of God and his soul as to eternity, is the ruling interest in him. As a traveller goeth all the way, and beareth all the difficulties of it, for the sake of the End or Place that he is going to: (how ⟨p. 33⟩ever he may talk of many other matters by the way:) so is it with a Christian: he knoweth nothing worthy of his life and labours, but that which he hopeth for hereafter. This world is too sinful, and too vile, and short, to be his felicity. His very trade and work in the world is to lay up a treasure in heaven, Mat. 6.20. and to lay up a good foundation against the time to come, and to lay hold on eternal life: 1 Tim. 6.19. And therefore his very heart is there Mat. 6.21. and he is employed in seeking and setting his affections on the things above Col. 3.1.2, 3. And his conversation and traffic is in Heaven Phil. 3.20, 21. He looketh not at the things which are seen which are temporal, but at the things which are not seen which are eternal 2 Cor. 4.18. He is a stranger upon earth, and Heaven is to him as his home.

XIII. 1. A Christian indeed is one that maketh God and Heaven the End, Reward and Motive of his Life: And liveth not in the world for any thing in the world, but for that endless happiness which the next world only can afford. The Reasons which actuate his thoughts, and choice, and all his life, are fetcht from Heaven. The interest of God and his soul as to eternity, is the ruling interest in him. As a traveller goeth all the way, and beareth all the difficulties of it, for the sake of the End or Place that he is going to: (how