The saints everlasting rest

1. The world is the chief end of thy desires and endeavour•; thy very heart is set upon it; thy greatest care and labour is to maintain thy estate, or credit, or fleshly delights. But the life to come hath little of thy care or labour. Thou didst never perceive so much excellency in the unseen glory as to draw thy heart so after it; but that little pains which thou bestowest that way, it is but in the second place. GOD hath but the world's leaving, and that time and labour which thou canst spare from the world, or those few cold and careless thoughts which follow thy constant, earnest, and delightful thoughts of earthly things: neither wouldst thou do any thing at all for heaven, if thou knewest how to keep the world: but lest thou shouldst be turned into hell, when thou canst keep the world no longer, therefore thou wilt do something.

2. Therefore it is that thou thinkest the way of GOD too strict, and wilt not be persuaded to the constant labour of walking according to the gospel-rule: and when it comes to trial, that thou must forsake Christ or thy worldly happiness, and the wind which was in thy back doth turn in thy face, then thou wilt venture heaven rather than earth, and (as desperate rebels use to say) thou wilt rather trust GOD's mercy for thy soul, than man's for thy body; and so deny thy obedience to GOD.

3. And certainly if GOD would but give thee leave to live in health and wealth for-ever on earth, thou wouldst think it a better slate than rest: let them seek for heaven that would, thou wouldst think this thy chiefest happiness. This is thy case if thou be yet an unregenerate person, and hast no title to the saints rest.

3. And certainly if GOD would but give thee leave to live in health and wealth for-ever on earth, thou woulst think it a better slate than rest: let them seek for heaven that would, thou wouldst think this thy chiefest happiness. This is thy case if thou be yet an unregenerate person, and hast no title to the saints rest.