The Saints' Everlasting Rest

Thus, Reader, I have given thee my best advice, for the attaining and maintaining a Heavenly Conversation. The manner is imperfect, and too much mine own; but for the main matter, I dare say, I received it from God. From him I deliver it thee, and his charge I lay upon thee, That thou entertain and practise it. If thou canst not do it methodically and fully, yet do it as thou canst; only, be sure thou do it seriously and frequently. If thou wilt believe a man that hath made some small trial of it, thou shalt find, it will make thee another man, and elevate thy soul, and clear thine understanding, and polish thy conversation, and leave a pleasant savour upon thy heart; so that thy own experience will make thee confess, That one hour thus spent will more effectually revive thee, then many in bare external duties; and a day in these contemplations will afford thee truer content, then all the glory and riches of the Earth. Be acquainted with this work, and thou wilt be (in some remote sort) acquainted with God: Thy joys will be spiritual, and prevalent, and lasting, according to the nature of their Blessed Object; thou wilt have comfort in life, and comfort in death: When thou hast neither wealth, nor health, nor the pleasure of this world, yet wilt thou have comfort: Comfort without the presence, or help of any Friend, without a Minister, without a Book, when all means are denied thee, or taken from thee, yet mayest thou have vigorous, real comfort. Thy ⟨p. 840⟩graces will be mighty, and active, and victorious; and the daily joy which is thus fetched from Heaven, will be thy strength. Thou wilt be as one that standeth on the top of an exceeding high Mountain; he looks down on the world as if it were quite below him: How small do the Fields, and Woods, and Countries, seem to him? Cities and Towns seem but little spots. Thus despicably wilt thou look on all things here below. The greatest Princes will seem below thee but as Grasshoppers; and the busy, contentious, covetous world, but as a heap of Ants. Mens threatenings will be no terror to thee; nor the honours of this world, any strong enticement: Temptations will be more harmless, as having lost their strength; and Afflictions less grievous, as having lost their sting; and every Mercy will be better known and relished.

THus, Reader, I have given thee my best advice, for the attaining and maintaining a Heavenly Conversation. The maner is imperfect, and too much mine own; but for the main matter, I dare say, I received it from God. From him I deliver it thee, and his charge I lay upon thee, That thou entertain and practise it. If thou canst not do it methodically and fully, yet do it as thou canst; onely, be sure thou do it seriously and frequently. If thou wilt believe a man that hath made some small tryal of it, thou shalt finde, it will make thee another man, and elevate thy soul, and clear thine understanding, and polish thy conversation, and leave a pleasant savor upon thy heart; so that thy own experience will make thee confess, That one hour thus spent will more effectually revive thee, then many in bare external duties; and a day in these contemplations will afford thee truer content, then all the glory and riches of the Earth. Be acquainted with this work, and thou wilt be (in some remote sort) acquainted with God: Thy joyes will be spiritual, and prevalent, and lasting, according to the nature of their Blessed Object; thou wilt have comfort in life, and comfort in death: VVhen thou hast neither wealth, nor health, nor the pleasure of this world, yet wilt thou have comfort: Comfort without the presence, or help of any Friend, without a Minister, without a Book, when all means are denied thee, or taken from thee, yet maist thou have vigorous, real comfort. Thy