A Body of Practical Divinity

(3.) Third Consideration. The Examples of those who have been Contemners and Despisers of the World. The Primitive Christians, as Clemens Alexandrinus observes, were sequestered from the World, and where wholly taken up in Converse with God; they lived in the World above the World. Like the Birds of Paradise,¹ who soar above in the Air, and seldom or never touch with their Feet upon Earth. Luther saith, That he was never tempted to this Sin of Covetousness. The Saints of old, tho they did live in the World, they did trade in Heaven. Phil. 3.20. [Greek or Hebrew], Our Conversation is in Heaven. The Greek Word signifies, our Commerce, or Traffic, or Burghership is in Heaven. Enoch walked with God, Gen. 5.24. His Affections were sublimated, he did take a turn in Heaven every Day. The Righteous are compared to a Palm-Tree, Psal. 92.12. Philo observes, That whereas all other Trees have their Sap in their Root, the Sap of the Palm-tree is towards the Top. The Emblem of the Saints, whose Hearts are above in Heaven, where their Treasure is.

(3.) Third Consideration. The Examples of those who have been Contemners and Despisers of the World. The Primitive Christians, as Clemens Alexandrinus observes, were sequestred from the World, and where wholly taken up in Converse with God; they lived in the World above the World. Like the Birds of Paradise,¹ who soar above in the Air, and seldom or never touch with their Feet upon Earth. Luther saith, That he was never tempted to this Sin of Covetousness. The Saints of old, tho they did live in the World, they did trade in Heaven. Phil. 3.20. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Our Conversation is in Heaven. The Greek Word signifies, our Commerce, or Traffick, or Burghership is in Heaven. Enoch walked with God,