The saints everlasting rest

4. A fourth hinderance to heavenly conversation, is, disputes about lesser truths, and especially when a man's religion lies only in his opinions; a sure sign of an unsanctified soul. If sad examples be regarded, I need say the less upon this. It is legibly written in the faces of thousands; it is visible in the complexion of our deceased nation. They are men least acquainted with a heavenly life, who are the violent disputers about the circumstantials of religion: he whose religion is all in his opinions, will be most frequently and zealously speaking his opinions: and he whose religion lies in the knowledge and love of GOD in Christ, of that time when he shall enjoy GOD and Christ. As the body doth languish in consuming fevers, when the native heat abates within, and an unnatural heat inflaming the external parts succeeds; so when the zeal of a christian doth leave the internals of religion, and fly to externals, or inferior things, the soul must need consume and languish. Yea, though you were sure your opinions were true, yet when the chief of your zeal is turned thither, and the chief of your conference there laid out, the life of grace decays within.

Therefore let me advise you that aspire after this joyous life, spend not your thoughts, your time, your zeal, or your speeches upon quarrels that less concern your souls: but when others are feeding on husks or shells, or on this heated food which will burn their lips, far sooner than warm and strengthen their hearts; ⟨p. 303⟩then do you feed on the joys above. I could wish you were all understanding men, able to defend every truth of GOD; but still I would have the chief to be chiefly studied, and none to shoulder out your thoughts of eternity: the least controverted points are usually most weighty, and of most necessary use to our souls.