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much of eternity is then spent? Nothing; for still infinitely more remains. In short, whatever is temporal, extend the continuance of it to the utmost possibility of conception, is infinitely short of eternity. A day, an hour, a minute, has some proportion with a thousand years; for that duration is determined by a certain number of days, and hours, and minutes; but millions of ages have no proportion to eternity, because it is an indeterminable duration. The mind is soon tired and lost, in searching after numbers to represent it: It is confounded and struck with amazing horror, and can only direct the eye upward or downward to the two habitations of eternity, the glorious and the miserable, heaven and hell. Now let us compare the things of the present world with those of the future state: the first are measured by flying time, the other remain in an unmoveable eternity. The comforts that spring from the earth, suddenly wither and fall to it: the tree of life flourishes only above. Frequent changes from prosperity to adversity, are the properties of this mortal state. As those who are in voyages at sea, sometimes are in a calm, and presently suffer a storm, and are forced to alter their course by the changing of the winds; so it is with us in our passage here. But upon the first entrance into another world, all the variations of this are at an end. "Verily every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. Surely every man walks in a vain shew, surely they are disquieted in vain.?" The visible felicity of man is of no continuance. We may frequently. observe in the evening cloud by the reflection of the sun invested with so bright a lustre, and adorned with such a pleasant variety of colors, that in the judgment of our eyes, if an angel were to assume a body correspondent to his glory, it were a fit matter for it. But in walking a few steps, the sun is descended beneath the horizon, and the light withdrawn, and of all that splendid flaming appearance, nothing remains but a dark vapor, that falls down in a shower. Thus vanishing is the show of felicity here. In this, sense assists faith; for the experience of every day verifies what the scripture declares, "that the fashion of this world passes away." And therefore the guilty folly of men is aggravated, "to set their eyes and hearts upon that which is not." To see one passionately dote on a face ruined and deformed with age, to be enchanted without a charm, raises wonder, and exposes to contempt. Yet such is the stupidity of men to embrace with their most entire affections the withered vanities of the world, that are hastening to their period. It was a stinging reproach to idolaters from God: "None considers in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding," to say, "I have burnt part of it in the fire; yea, I have also baked bread upon the coals thereof: I have roasted flesh and eaten it: and shall I make the residue an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?" And are not sensual men equally guilty of

such monstrous folly? for though universal experience convinces them, that all things under the sun are fading, and that many times their dearest comforts are snatched away from their embraees; yet who does not advisedly consider, and say to himself, shall I give my heart to transient shadows? Shall I cherish vain hopes, vain aims and desires of obtaining happiness in a perishing world? Although the worshiping a stock be idolatry of grosser infamy, yet it is as foolish as destructive to set our chief love and joy, that is only due to God, upon the creature. And what follows in the prophet, is justly applicable to such persons; "He feedeth on ashes, (that not only afford no nourishment, but is very hurtful to the body) a deceived heart has turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, is there not a lie in my right hand?" Thus carnal men are so blinded with their affections to these short-lived pleasures, that they cannot take the true liberty of judging and reflecting, they are deceived and delighted with empty shadows that will suddenly end in disappointment and sorrow? Briefly, these glittering fictions and false joys cannot please without an error in the mind, that shall last but a little while. And if you saw a distracted person sing and dance, with a conceit that he is a prince, would you be willing to lose sober reason for his fantastic pleasure; especially if you knew that his cheerful fit should suddenly change into a mournful or raging madness forever? But the blessedness above is unchangeable as God, the author and object of it; eternal, as the soul that enjoys it. And shall "the world, that passes away with the lusts thereof," turn our affections from the undefiled immortal inheritance? Shall the vanishing appearance, the fleeting figure of happiness, be preferred before what is substantial and durable? If a spark of true reason, of sincere love to our souls be left, we shall count all things but dross and dung, that we may gain the kingdom of glory." Thus eternity enlightens, thus it counsels us.

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CHAPTER XIV.

Other motives to seek the kingdom of heaven. God is very willing ment should partake of his glory. All who unfeignedly and earnestly seek, shall obtain it. Heaven is promised upon gracious terms. An answer to the carnal allegation, that we are commanded to pluck out the right eye, and cut off the right hand, and to submit to the sharpest sufferings. Fervent and constant prayer for divine grace, that we may fix our aims upon eternal happiness, and be diligent in the use of means to obtain it. The grace of the spirit, requisite to convince the mind thoroughly of the reality and greatness of an invisible and future happiness. It is requisite to purify the will and affections, that with full consent the soul may desire and prosecute its blessed end.

To encourage us to seek the kingdom of heaven, I shall propound other motives to consideration.

1. God is very willing that men should be saved and partake of his glory. For this end, "he has brought life and immortality to light in the gospel." The Lord Jesus, the Sun of righteousness, has dispelled the darkness of the Gentiles, and the shadows of the Jews, and rendered the blessed and eternal state so clear and so visible, that every eye may see it. Our assurance of it is upon infallible principles. And though the excellent glory of it is inexpressible, yet it is represented under variety of fair and lovely types to invite our affections. Besides, God makes an earnest offer of life to us in his word; he commands, counsels, excites, urges, nay entreats and beseeches with infinite tenderness, that men will accept of it. Thus the Apostle declares, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead be reconciled to God." Is it not evident then beyond the most jealous suspicion, God is desirous of our happiness? Can we imagine any design, any insincerity in his words? Why should heaven court a worm? It is his love to souls that expresses itself in that condescending compassionate manner, to melt and overcome the perverse and hardened sin.

And as his words, so his works are a convincing argument of his will his most gracious sustaining and supporting of sinful men, his innumerable benefits conferred upon them, in the provision of good, and preservation from evil, are for this end, that by the conduct of his merciful providence they may be led to repentance, and received into his favor. And the temporal judgments inflicted on sinners, are medicinal in their nature, and in

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his design to bring them to a sight and abhorrence of sin, to prevent their final ruin; if they prove mortal to any, it is from their obstinate corruption. The time allowed to those who are obnoxious to his justice every hour, is not a mere reprieve from torment, but a space of repentance to sue out a pardon they are spared in order to salvation. The Lord is long-suffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, 2 Pet. 3. 9.

But, above all his other works, the giving of his Son to be a sacrifice for sin, is an incomparable demonstration how much he delights in the salvation of men. Since God has been at such cost to put them into a capacity of obtaining the kingdom of unchangeable glory, far transcending the earthly paradise that was forfeited by sin, we have the strongest assurance that he desires their felicity. And how guilty and miserable will those sinners be, that when Christ has opened heaven to us by his blood, refuse to enter into it? When Brutus, the most noble Roman, propounded to a philosopher his design to restore Rome to liberty, he replied, that the action would be glorious indeed, but that so many servile spirits that tamely stooped under tyranny, were not worthy that a man of virtue and courage should hazard himself to recover that for them, which they did so lightly esteem. The redemption of mankind is without controversy the masterpiece of God's works, wherein his principal attributes appear in their excellent glory. But how astonishing is the unworthiness of men, who wretchedly neglect salvation, which the Son of God purchased by a life full of sorrows, and a death of infinite sufferings? Blessed Redeemer! may it be spoken with the humble, affectionate, and thankful sense of thy dying love, why didst thou give thyself a ransom for those who are charmed with their misery, and with the most foul ingratitude disvalue so precious a redemption? How justly shall they be forever deprived of it?" Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish.”

2. Consider, this glorious blessedness shall be the portion of all that unfeignedly choose it, and earnestly seek it. This motive was inclosed in the first, but deserves a separate consideration. And of this we have infallible assurance from the word of God, "who cannot lie. Godliness has the promise of the life to come. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation." The hope of a christian is so certain, that it is compared to an anchor fastened in heaven. And besides the fidelity of his word, God has given us security of the reward, the life of his Son. This methinks should turn the current of our desires and endeavors to heaven. For notwithstanding all our toil and sweat, the labor of the day, and the watchings of the night for the obtaining earthly things, yet we many times fall short of our aims and hopes. It was the observation of the wisest man, "I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift,

nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to all." Indeed such is the order of divine providence in the world, there must be different conditions of men here: some rich, others poor; some noble, others mean; some in command, others in subjection. And from hence it is also evident, that neither dignity, nor riches, nor pleasures are the happiness of man. For it is not becoming the wisdom and goodness of God to make the last end of the reasonable creature, which though sought with sincerity and diligence, may not be obtained, or of which without his own consent he may be deprived. But civil distinctions and qualities are of no value and consideration with respect to the obtaining or excluding from heaven. The rich and honorable that are in an exalted state, have not a more easy ascent and entrance into the kingdom of God, than those who are in the lowest degree. The stars appear with the same brightness to him that stands in the deepest valley, as on the highest hill. Is there any difference between the souls of the rich and great in the world, and the souls of the poor and despised? Are they not equally the offspring of God, and equally ransomed by the most precious blood of his Son? Are they not equally capable of eternal rewards? Are not the promises of the heavenly kingdom equally addressed to every one that has an immortal soul, that is faithful to his duty and covenant with God? This should inspire all with flaming desires, and draw forth their utmost industry, "and make them steadfast and unmoveable, always to abound in the work of the Lord, knowing our labor shall not be in vain in the Lord."

I know the carnal will is impetuous and impatient of delay; and earnest for what is present, with the neglect of the future glory. But the unreasonableness of this is evident to all: for it is not a new and strange thing to sow in hopes of reaping a harvest, for men to be industrious and active on land and sea for future advantage. Nay, it is the constant practice of the world: the merchant, the husbandman, the student, the soldier, and every man in the circle of his calling, are visible instances of this; and though many times the most flourishing hopes are blasted, they are not discouraged. And is it not a sight full of wonder, to observe men cheerful in labors and hardships in the service of the world, to carry it so lightly as if they had wings, and all for a poor and uncertain recompense, and to be slow and languid in their endeavors for a reward as great and as sure as God is glorious and true? How many ambitiously strive to please a prince, and wait long in his service, who is but a man, and therefore variable in his temper and state; sometimes is not willing to do what he can, and sometimes cannot do what he would to reward his servants? And is there not infinitely more

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