A Saint Indeed

5. The Heart may be kept humble by considering of what a clogging nature earthly things are to a soul heartily engaged in the way to Heaven, they shut out much of Heaven from us at present, though they may not shut us out of Heaven at last. If thou consider thy self under the notion of a stranger in this world, travelling ⟨p. 43⟩for Heaven, and seeking a better Country, thou hast then as much reason to be taken and delighted with these things, as a weary Horse hath with a heavy Cloak-bag: there was a serious truth in that Atheistical scoff of Julian, when he took away the Christians estates and told them, it was to make them fitter for the Kingdom of Heaven.

5. The Heart may be kept humble by considering of what a clogging nature earthly things are to a soul heartily engaged in the way to Heaven, they shut out much of Heaven from us at present, though they may not shut us out of Heaven at last. If thou consider thy self under the notion of a stranger in this world, traveling ⟨p. 43⟩for Heaven, and seeking a better Country, thou hast then as much reason to be taken and delighted with these things, as a weary Horse hath with a heavy Cloakbag: there was a serious truth in that Atheistical scoff of Iulian, when he took away the Christians estates and told them, it was to make them fitter for the Kingdome of Heaven.

6. Is thy Spirit for all this flatulent and lofty, then urge upon it the consideration of that awful day of reckoning, wherein according to our receipts of Mercies shall be our accounts for them: And methinks this should awe, and humble the vainest heart that ever was in the breast of a Saint. Know for certain, that the Lord records all the mercies that ever he gave thee, from the beginning, to the end of thy life, Micah 6. 5. Remember O my people, from Shittim unto Gilgal, &c. Yea, they are exactly numbered, and recorded, in order to an account; and thy account will be suitable,