A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…

5. Consider also, that it must needs be the best and most desirable life, which is likest to our life in Heaven. And therefore as Heaven is a state of Joy, so Joy is the highest and best condition on earth. He is the best and happyest man, that is likest to the glorified Saints and Angels; And judge your selves whether a dejected ⟨p. 370⟩or a rejoicing Christian be liker to these inhabitants of Heaven?

5. Consider also, that it must needs be the best and most desirable life, which is likest to our life in Heaven. And therefore as Heaven is a state of Joy, so Joy is the highest and best condition on earth. He is the best and happyest man, that is likest to the glorified Saints and Angels; And judge your selves whether a dejected ⟨p. 370⟩or a rejoycing Christian be liker to these inhabitants of Heaven?

Object. But (you will say) by that rule we should not mourn at all; (for they do not;) Whereas God delighteth in the contrite soul, Christ blesseth mourners and weepers.

Answ. 1. Your resemblance of the Saints in Heaven, must be proportionable in all the parts. You must labour first to be as like them as you can in Holiness, and then in Joy. If you could be as far from sin as they, you need not mourn at all. But because you cannot, you must have moderate, regular sorrows and humiliation, while you have sin. But yet withal you must endeavour to imitate the heavenly Joys, according to the measure of your Grace received.

Answ. 1. Your resemblance of the Saints in Heaven, must be propertionable in all the parts. You must labour first to be as like them as you can in Holiness, and then in Joy. If you could be as far from sin as they, you need not mourn at all. But because you cannot, you must have moderate, regular sorrows and humiliation, while you have sin. But yet withall you must endeavour to imitate the heavenly Joyes, according to the measure of your Grace received.