The saints everlasting rest

6. Another impediment to this heavenly life is, laziness, and slothfulness of spirit: and I verily think for knowing men, there is nothing hinders more than this. If it were only the exercise of the body, the moving of the lips, the bending of the knee; then men would as commonly step to heaven, as they go a few miles to visit a friend; yea, if it were to spend our days in numbering beads, and repeating certain words and prayers, or in the outward parts of duties commanded by GOD, yet it were comparatively easy: further, if it were only in the exercise of parts and gifts, it were easier to be heavenly-minded. But it is a work more difficult than all this: to separate our thoughts and affections from the world; to draw forth all our graces in their order, and exercise each on its proper object, to hold them to this, till the work doth thrive and prosper in their hands; this is the difficult task. Heaven is above thee, the way is upwards; dost thou think, who art a feeble sinner, to travel daily this steep ascent without a great deal of labour and resolution? Canst thou get that earthly heart to heaven, and bring that backward mind to GOD, while thou liest still, and takest thine ease? If lying down at the foot of the hill, and looking toward the top, and wishing we were there, would serve the turn, then we should have daily travellers for heaven. But the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. There must be violence used to get the first-fruits, as well as to get the full possession. Dost thou not feel it so, though I should not tell thee? Will thy heart get upwards except thou drive it? Dost thou find it easy to dwell in the delights above? It is true, the work is sweet, and no condition on earth so desirable; but therefore it is that our hearts are so backward, especially in the beginning, till we are acquainted with it. O how many who can easily bring their hearts to ordinary duties, as reading, hearing, praying, conferring, could never yet in all their lives, bring them, ⟨p. 306⟩and keep them to an heavenly contemplation one half hour together! Con•i•e, here, reader, as before the LORD, whether this be not thine own case. Thou hast known that heaven is all thy hopes; thou knowest thou must shortly be turned hence, and that nothing below can yield thee rest;

6. Another impediment to this heavenly life is, laziness, and slothfulness of spirit: and I verily think for knowing men, there is nothing hinders more than this. If it were only the exercise of the body, the moving of the lips, the bending of the knee; then men would as commoly step to heaven, as they go a few miles to visit a friend; yea, if it were to spend our days in numbering beads, and repeating certain words and prayers, or in the outward parts of duties commanded by GOD, yet it were comparatively easy: further, if it were only in the exercise of parts and gifts, it were easier to be heavenly-minded. But it is a work more difficult than all this: to separate our thoughts and affections from the world; to draw forth all our graces in their order, and exercise each on its proper object, to hold them to this, till the work doth thrive and prosper in their hands; this is the difficult task. Heaven is above thee, the way is upwards; dost thou think, who art a feeble sinner, to travel daily this steep ascent without a great deal of labour and resolution? Canst thou get that earthly heart to heaven, and bring that backward mind to GOD, while thou liest still, and takest thine ease? If lying down at the foot of the hill, and looking toward the top, and wishing we were there, would serve the turn, then we should have daily travellers for heaven. But the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. There must be violence used to get the first-fruits, as well as to get the full possession. Dost thou not feel it so, though I should not tell thee? Will thy heart get upwards except thou drive it? Dost thou find it easy to dwell in the delights above? It is true, the work is sweet, and no condition on earth so desirable; but therefore it is that our hearts are so backward, especially in the beginning, till we are acquainted with it. O how many who can easily bring their hearts to ordinary duties, as reading, hearing, praying, conferring, could never yet in all their lives, bring them,