4. And as the sanctified have the most Honourable dispositions, so have they the highest and most Honourable Designs. The End of their lives is incomparably above other mens. The rest of the world (though they may talk of Heaven, and wish for it rather ⟨p. 247⟩then Hell, when they can live no longer) do indeed drive on no greater trade, then providing for the flesh, and feathering them a nest which will quickly be pulled down: and like the spider, spinning themselves a web, which death will shortly sweep away. But the Design and daily business of the Godly is for everlasting Glory. Heb. 11. 10. They look for a City that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.] vers. 13, 14, 15, 16. They confess themselves strangers and pilgrims on earth, thereby declaring that they seek a Country. And truly if they were mindful of that (deceitful world) which they came out of (and have forsaken) they may have opportunities (and too many invitations) to return to it: But now they desire a better Country, that is, an Heavenly: Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called Their God: for he hath prepared for them a City] This Noble End ennobleth both the persons and conversations of believers. To Rule a Kingdom is a Nobler design then to play with children for pins or points. But to seek the Everlasting Kingdom is far above all the highest designs that are terminated upon earth. If Everlasting Glory with God in Heaven, be a nobler state then a worldly life, then must the seeking it be a nobler design. Paul showeth you the difference very pathetically, Phil. 3. 18, 19, 20. [For many walk (of whom I told you often, and now tell you weeping) that they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ; Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things: But our Conversation is in Heaven] that is, we live as Citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, and not as those that are here at home. It is Heaven that sanctified persons mind; that they study and care for, and labour and live for in the world. And therefore, though in their Natural capacity, they are but as other men, yet in their Moral and Relative capacity, I think I may say without Hyperbole, that they are much more advanced above the dignity of the great unsanctified Princes upon earth, then Reason, and learning, and manly designs advance a man above a beast.
4. And as the sanctified have the most Honorable dispositions, so have they the highest and most Honorable Designs. The End of their lives is incomparably above other mens. The rest of the world (though they may talk of Heaven, and wish for it rather ⟨p. 247⟩then Hell, when they can live no longer) do indeed drive on no greater trade, then providing for the flesh, and feathering them a nest which will quickly be pulled down: and like the spider, spinning themselves a web, which death will shortly sweep away. But the Design and daily business of the Godly is for everlasting Glory. Heb. 11. 10. They look for a City that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.] vers. 13, 14, 15, 16. They confess themselves strangers and pilgrims on earth, thereby declaring that they seek a Countrey. And truly if they were mindful of that (deceitful world) which they came out of (and have forsaken) they may have opportunities (and too many invitations) to return to it: But now they desire a better Countrey, that is, an Heavenly: Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called Their God: for he hath prepared for them a City] This Noble End ennobleth both the persons and conversations of believers. To Rule a Kingdom is a Nobler design then to play with children for pins or points. But to seek the Everlasting Kingdom is far above all the highest designs that are terminated upon earth. If Everlasting Glory with God in Heaven, be a nobler state then a worldly life, then must the seeking it be a nobler design. Paul sheweth you the difference very pathetically, Phil. 3. 18, 19, 20. [For many walk (of whom I told you often, and now tell you weeping) that they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ; Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things: But our Conversation is in Heaven] that is, we live as Citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, and not as those that are here at home. It is Heaven that sanctified persons mind; that they study and care for, and labour and live for in the world. And therefore, though in their Natural capacity, they are but as other men, yet in their Moral and Relative capacity, I think I may say without Hyperbole, that they are much more advanced above the dignity of the great unsanctified Princes upon earth, then Reason, and learning, and manly designs advance a man above a beast.
