And to this end, amongst many other, observe with me these following directions.
1st Direct. First, For a preparation, hear the word of God ; for by this we are in heaven in part already. For where the word is preached, there is the presence of the blessed Trinity, and the holy angels bringing down heaven itself to us, teaching us in the laws of that kingdom. Use reading also ; for even thereby we talk with the saints who wrote those thmgs for
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our instruction, and that Spirit tliat guided them in writing will also guide thee in reading. Receive the sacraments often, for these ordinances are the heavenly manna to us, and strengthen us in our way to the spiritual Canaan.
2d Direct. Secondly, Bejolce in often communicati)H) ivith the saints. These earth moles that are delighted in aeno, not in ccclo* all company is alike to them ; hut a Christian will here converse with such as he shall be with hereafter, and the saints have found much help this way. Even Saul, in the company of prophets, became a prophet ; and the most earthly man that is amongst good men, in good discourse, will suit himself to them ; and indeed good discourse is of much avail this way, if it be frequent as it should be. I enforce it not as a duty to be done at all times, but it should be oftener than it is.
Sd Direct. Thirdly, Use such means as are of force to subdue the hindrances of this disposition. Such as are lusts of youth, which ought to be tamed by fasts, and such watchfulness that may make us at the length wise ; for so far as we overcome our lusts, so far we have our conversation in heaven ; and therefore we must often in private watch, and in private pray ; as the Scripture saith, we must watch unto prayer.
4i/i Direct. Fourthly, Use much meditation. Be ever setting our minds something to this end, that our affections may be wrought upon, to forsake the world with detestation, and to love and embrace heaven ; and for this duty we ought to redeem some time continually. Thus principally Enoch walked with God ; and David, though a king, meditated in God's law day and night.
bth Direct. And from this duty, let us he brought to a hohj use of soliloquies ; checking and shaming ourselves for following these pleasures, for unthank- fulness and want of cheerfulness, as David, ' Why art thou cast down 0 my soul, why art thou so disquieted ?' Ps. xlii. 5. By these recollections a Christian is indeed himself, and for the present even seated in heaven.
Qth Direct. In the last place, besides ejaculations, use daily a set prayer ; for thereby we ascend into heaven, and are fitted thereby to be more and more heavenly. It is the trade of citizens that make them rich. This is our trade, to trade by prayer with that heavenly city, where our treasure is, and by it we shall grow daily in riches. Thus is our soul strengthened and our affections stirred up to converse with God, and thus come we to set our faith in heaven, together with our love, where our Father is, where angels and saints, our city and eternal happiness, is. Thus is our hope strengthened, which carries us through all afflictions undauntedly, and so is a heaven to us before heaven ; and thus are our desires in heaven, to be at rest, to be with Christ, which is best of all.
Ohj. But some will say. We cannot always intendf such things as these, we have our callings, and are busied about earthly matters and cares.
Atis. 1. I answer : True it is, yet in the use of these things, we may be heavenly minded ; for God in mercy appoints us callings, to busy our minds about, which else would be delving in the idle pleasures of sin : only he requires, that we in the first place ' seek for heaven.' We shall not con- tinue here, but we are travelling still ; and therefore it is good for us ever to redeem some time for heaven, that we may come with more speed to our journey's end.
2. Secondly, As a help to us, he hath left us his Sabbaths, in pity to our
* That is, with the filth of earth, not with heaven. — G. t That is, ' attend.' — G.
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souls, which else would altogether be rooting in the earth. Let us have a care of the well spending of them ; for by this we pay homage to heaven, and are put in mind thereof.
3. Thirdly, Even/ day redeem some time for meditation of the vanity of this world. Hereby will our untunable souls be still set in tune ; and for our callings, every day sanctify them by prayer, and then all is clean.
4. Fourthly, Go about them as in obedience to God, knowing that God hath placed us in these callings, and he looks for service in employing those talents bestowed on us, and in our serving one another. And let ua endeavour to shew what our religion is, in avoiding the coiruptions of our callings. Labour also to see God in everything, in crossing ns, in encourag- ing and assisting us ; and this will stir us up accordingly to pray continually, and in all things to give thanks ; and it will make us fear always, for the same care and love of God that brings us to heaven, doth guide us in our particular actions and callings. And in other matters use ourselves so as we by these things raise our minds on high, for there is a double use of the creatures. Fii'st, temporal, and from thence a spiritual use is raised. Thus did Christ. By considering water he was raised to think of spiritual regeneration and washing ; and thus we should do, labour to see God in bis creatures, and thus shall we help our souls by our bodies. God will have it thus, and therefore setteth down heavenly things in earthly comparisons.