The saints everlasting rest

The CONCLUSION.

THUS, reader, I have given thee my best advice for the attaining and maintaining an heavenly conversation. The manner is imperfect, and too much my own; but for the main matter, I received it from GOD. From him I deliver it thee, and his charge I lay upon thee, that thou entertain and practise it. If thou canst not do it fully, do it as thou canst; only be sure thou do it seriously and frequently. If thou wilt believe a man that hath made some small trial of it, thou shalt find it will make thee another man, and elevate thy soul, and clear thy understanding, and leave a pleasant savour upon thy heart; so that thy own experience will make thee confess, that one hour thus spent will more effectually ⟨p. 395⟩revive thee, than many in bare external duties; and a day in these contemplations will afford thee truer content, than all the glory and riches of the earth. Be acquainted with this work, and thou wilt be acquainted with GOD: thy joys will be spiritual and lasting; thou wilt have comfort in life, and comfort in death: when thou hast neither wealth nor health, nor the pleasures of this world, yet wilt thou have comfort: comfort without the presence or help of any friend, without a minister, without a book, when all means are denied thee, or taken from thee, yet mayst thou have vigorous, real comfort. Thy graces will be active and victorious; and the daily joy which is thus fetched from heaven, will be thy strength: thou wilt be as one that standeth on the top of an exceeding high mountain; he looks down on the world as if it were quite below him; how small do the fields, and woods, and countries seem to him? cities and towns seem but little spots. Thus despicably wilt thou look on all things here below: the greatest princes will seem but as grasshoppers, and the busy, contentious, covetous world, but as heaps of ants. Men's threatenings will be no terror to thee; nor the honours of this world any strong enticement; temptations will be harmless, as having lost their strength; and afflictions less grievous, as having lost their sting; and every mercy will be better known and relished.

THUS, reader, I have given thee my best advice for the attaining and maintaining an heavenly conversation. The manner is imperfect, and too much my own; but for the main matter, I received it from GOD. From him I deliver it thee, and his charge I lay upon thee, that thou entertain and practise it. If thou canst not do it fully, do it as thou canst; only be sure thou do it seriously and frequently. If thou wilt believe a man that hath made some small trial of it, thou shalt find it will make thee another man, and elevate thy soul, and clear thy understanding, and leave a pleasant savour upon thy heart; so that thy own experience will make thee confess, that one hour thus spent will more effectually