the love of God shed abroad into their hearts but when they come to the Word they cannot but say that they hear their fathers voice Perhaps the word is not a comforting word to thee as hereto fore I but is it not a directing word an instructing word an inlightening word Oh this now should support thee for the present Sixthly All that I will say further is this Keep thy self in a waiting frame for God Do not determine that because the Lord is gone he will ever be gone Oh no but keep still in the waies of God waiting for him resolve that though God leaves thee yet thou wilt not leave the path in which God was heretofore I am sure that God was once here Oh then keep the path wherein thou wert wont to meet with God for thou shalt meet with him again It 's better to keep the path the ordinary high-way of God for you are more like to meet with God there than if you should go out of the way I 'le give you a Scripture or two for that and so conclude The first is in Psal 101. 2. I will behave my self wisely in a perfect way Oh when wilt thou come unto me That which I quote this for is this the resolution of David to behave himself wisely in a perfect way together with his panting after the presence of God Oh when wilt thou come unto me as if he should say Lord Thou art absent from me now but Lord I will not go out of the way wherein I was wont to find thee Oh when wilt thou come I will not determine that I shall never see thee in this way as heretofore I have done no but I hope I shal afterwards meet thee And so in the 119. Psalm 8. verse I will keep thy Statutes what then Oh forsake me not utterly It seems that the Lord for the present to Davids apprehension had forsaken him but what was Davids resolution God hath forsaken me and I 'le forsake him Oh no But I 'le keep thy Statutes and Oh! leave me not utterly So keep on in the waies of God still go on in his way and wait for the presence of God until he come and conclude this Surely he will come Be not like to children that because they see the Sun going down therefore they conclude that the Sun is gone and will never come again Though God seems to withdraw the light of his face from thee do not conclude and determine well I shall never have those comforts from God in communion with God in walking with God as once I was wont to have do not say so but go on and keep in the waies of God wait upon him and look up towards him and so thou maiest come to have as much Communion Sweetness and Joy in God as ever thou hadst in all thy life And now know that God cals for the work of faith in such times as these are now God calls thee to walk by faith and not by sence FINIS AN EXACT ALPHABETICAL TABLE Of all the chief Matters handled in the Fourth VOLUMN A ADultery see Earthly-mindedness Accompt The Saints are carefull to make even their accompts with God Page 313 Aim The aim of the Saints is heaven-ward 107 Angel The Saints have the same confirmation of their happiness as the Angels have Page 104 Apostacie What the root of apostacie is 40 Astray By Nature men go astray from the waies of God 268 B Benefit What the benefit of grace is 36 See Conscience Beleeving By beleeving men take up their freedom of Heaven Page 103 Blessing see Jacob C Care Whence distracted cares arise 9 What our care should be 78 Calling How godly men are busy in their callings 16 Calling see Wicked Citizen The Saints are Citizens of heaven and how 100 We should walk as becomes Citizens of Heaven 105 See Priviledg Communion What the word Communion signifies 109 Communion with God what it is 110 Communion see Saints Content see Little Conversation Heavenly Conversations are to be followed 92 How far heavenly Conversations are to be followed 93 How the Saints Conversation is in Heaven 106 Reasons why the Saints Conversations are in Heaven 227 Heavenly Conversation is a convincing Conversation 240 Heavenly Conversation is attainable Page 251 Conversation see Faith Hell Evidence Godly Growing Glory Suffering Directions Converse What the Converse of the Saints is 116 Contrariety see Examples Comfort The Saints have comfort in little of this world 223 Comfort see Losses Confirmation see Angels Covenant What the Covenant on our parts is Conscience The benefits of a cleer conscience 215 Covetousness see Idolatry Creature How the Saints deal with the Creature 310 All the Creatures bring glory to God 245 Curse On whom the curse of the serpent is 44 D Danger see Example Death What is that hinders preparation for death 47 Devil The Devil casts thoughts into the heart of man Page 7 Delight Wherein the delight of the Saints lieth 115 Delight see Sabbath Depend For what Godly men depend upon God 277 Difference see Godly Jacob. Direction Directions how to get a heavenly Conversation 251 A godly soul depends upon God for directions 277 Directions how to walk with God 320 Destruction Earthly mindedness brings destruction 50 Distracted see Cares Doctrine see Reconciliation Drossie How a drossie heart is known 57 E Earth The Earth swallows up earthly men 13 Earth look higher Earthly things When men mind earthly things in a sinful manner 6 Earthly things carry a fair shew Page 65 Earthly things are many times the portion of reprobates 68 Earthly man When an Earthly man is in his element 10 Earthly-minded A man may be Earthly-minded and not know it 51 What shall become of earthly-minded men 72 Earthlimindedness What Earthly-mindedness is 5 Earthly-mindedness is adultery 20 Earthly-mindedness is Idolatry 21 See Enmity Earthly-mindedness deads the heart to prayer 42 Earthly-mindedness is a scandal to Religion 45 How earthly-mindedness may be known 54 Reasons of Earthly-mindedness 64 Earthly-mindedness brings guilt upon the spirit 18 The effects of earthly-mindedness another day 50 Earthly see Heavenly vilifie Conversation Element Spirituall Godlinesse Temptations Snares Ministry Lusts Death Destruction Vanity Humility Inducements Egyptians What Idolatrous worship the Egyptians had Page 21 End What it is that causeth a blessed End 299 Who they are that have the same ends God hath 275 Enoch Enoch's Prophesie 262 Evidence Evidences of mens conversations being in heaven 222 Evidences of walking with God 306 See Walking Example Examples of godly men should be followed and how far 92 Examples of godly men should make us enquire after the waies of godliness 94 Examples of godly men should confirm us in the truth 96 What we should do when examples of godly men are contrary 97 See Examination Danger in following the examples of wicked men 100 Examination Contrary examples should put us upon examination 98 Esau see Jacob Excellency The excellency of walking with God Page 267
Excellency see Walking Eye The souls of the godly eye God 272 F Faith The heavenly conversation of others is not the rule of our faith 93 Faith must be exercised 259 Familarity Whence our familarity with God ariseth 293 Folly The folly of earthly-mindedness 38 Formality Formality must not be rested on 253 Formality must be taken heed of 326 G Genius Wicked men fancy heavenly things according to their own genius 17 God God takes care of men concerning earthly things 78 Heavenly conversation brings glory to God 244 See Walking What a man trusts to he makes his God Page 54 Godly Difference between wicked and godly men 3 Godly mens Conversations should not be earthly 238 Godly men carry themselves as in Gods presence 274 Godly see Calling Godliness Earthly-mindedness is contrary to the work of godliness and how 26 See waies my stery Glory Heavenly Conversation brings glory to the Saints 246 What the glory of the soul is 239 Grace What the work of grace is 27 Grace see Benefit presence Growing Heavenly Conversation is growing 240 H Halting The Saints must take heed of halting 325 Heaven see Saints Profession Conversation Aim Heavenly The Saints are Heavenly in Earthly imploymonts Page 115 The Saints have great skill in Heavenly matters 218 See Genius Conversations Hell The Conversations of wicked men are in Hell 99 Heart The heart is best known by the thoughts 7 The heart of a wicked man is upon the things of the earth 16 The vileness yf mens hearts discovered 302 Heart see drossie Higher God made man for higher things than the things of the earth 96 Hypocrites Hypocrites rebuked 135 Honor see walking Humility Humility takes the heart off from earthly mindedness 86 I Jacob Difference between Jacob's blessing and Esau's 6 Idolater Idolaters depart from God 22 Idolatry Covetousness is Idolatry Page 20 See Earthly-mindedness Vileness Ill see Success Ignorant see Religion Imployment see Heavenly Inducement Earthty Inducements oppose godliness 98 Intercourse The Saints have much intercourse to heaven 218 Joy What the joy of a Saint is See World 54 L Law The Saints are guided by the Laws of God 110 Little The Saints are contented with little in this world 222 Loss The Saints have comfort in all their losses 224 Lust Earthly-mindedness brings in foolish lusts and how 34 M Man Wherefore God made man 69 See Nature Mind Who they are that know the mind of God Page 94 Ministry How earthly-mindedness hinders the Ministry 30 Mystery The mystery of godlinesse ought to be studied 254 N Nature What man is by nature 268 P Petitions What men they are that shall have their petitions granted 295 Pilgrim We are pilgrims here upon earth 76 Prayer see Earthly-mindedness Preparation see Death Presence Gods presence draws forth grace 298 See God Principles see Saints Priviledge What the priviledges of a Citizen of heaven are 106 How the priviledges of a Citizen of Heaven are procured 107 Promise Wicked men do not trust to a promise Page 15 Protection The Saints have the protection of heaven 104 R Reconciliation How a wicked man conceives of the Doctrine of Reconciliation 17 Religion How Religion is scandalized 45 Why men are ignorant in Religion 59 Reprobates Reprobates have their portion in this life 68 Riches The Saints have right to the Richcs and common stock of heaven 103 Riches see Uncertainty S Saints The Saints names are inrolled in heaven 102 The Saints are no longer slaves 103 The Saints ' are guided by heavenly principles 108 The Saints have communion with God 109 The Saints trust God with much Page 220 The Saints are sensible of the stoppage between them and heaven 226 Sabbath To whom the Sabbath is a delight and to whom it is a wearinesse 16 The Saints keep a a perpetual Sabbath 115 Saints see Citizens Riches Angels Perfection Laws Delight Heavenly Sabbath Trading Intercourse Little Comfort Losses Safty Wherein the safty of a Saint lies 292 Scandal see Religion Self What self is 25 Secrets what manner of men they are that know Gods secrets 294 Seriousness What seriousness of spirit is 309 Serpent see Curse Sinful see Earthly Shortness What the shortness of our time here should lead us to 73 Snare Earthly-mindedness brings men into snares 29 Soul Of what value the soul of man is Page 70 The soul of man is from heaven 229 The soul of man ought to be beautified 324 Soul see Glory Walk Spiritual A wciked man is earthly in spiritual things a godly man is spiritual in earthly 11 Strictness We ought not to find fault with strictness in Gods waies 231 Stranger The world are strangers to walking with God 300 Success The reason of ill success 35 Suffering Heavenly Conversation makes suffering easie 249 T Temptation Earthly-mindedness puts men upon great temptations 28 Thoughts What the thoughts of the Saints are 111 Which way the thoughts of the Sainis tend 112 See Devil Heart Trade What the Saints trade for heaven is Page 213 The Saints have free trade to heaven 104 Trust see God Trusted Worldly things are not tobe trusted too 55 U Vanity All earthly things are vanity 53 Vilifie The Saints vilifie the things of the earth 222 Uncertainty The uncertainty of riches 71 Vileness The vileness of Idolatry 21 Vocation What vocation is 25 W Waies The waies of godlinesse should not be opposed 95 See Strictness Walk How the soul is brought to walk with God 268 He that walks with God depends not much upon reason 307 He that walks with God is the same in private that he is in publick 308 He that walks with God walks in his Commandements Page 310 What it is to walk with God 267 Walking What walking with God is 272 Wherein walking with God consists 280 Several excellencies of walking with God 286 The honor of walking with God 288 Particular evidences of walking with God Page 316 See Strangers Excellency Wearinesse see Sabbath Wicked Why wicked men are busie in their callings 16 See Godly Genius Example Hell Work see Godlinesse Grace Worldly Wherein worldly joy consists 54 See Trust Strangers A TABLE of those SCRIPTURES which are occasionally Cleared and briefly Illustrated In the Fourth VOLUMN The first number directs to the Chapter the second to the Verse the third to the Page of the Book Chap. Verse Page Genesis 6 9 263 27 28 6 27 29 6 33 9 52 45 20 239 Exodus 23 14 288 25 21 323 Leviticus 4 18 280 26 11 280 26 12 280 2 Kings 17 8 301 2 Chronicles 28 2 301 Nehemiah 5 9 317 Job 18 8 292 22 21 293 Psalms 16 3 277 16 6 277 23 4 292 37 4 295 45 13 325 45 14 325 49 11 66 49 13 66 62 10 77 62 11 77 63 8 283 583 3 277 72 9 268 86 11 305 89 15 289 89 16 289 119 37 42 119 45 279 138 7 292 139 17 61 Proverbs 2 20 92 13 20 294 23 7 7 23 17 274 Canticles 5 2 281 7 5 281 Isaiah 13 17 53 30 21 269 35 8 271 53 9 271 Jeremiah 2 12 23 17 13 44 Ezekiel 33 31 31 Daniel 7 10 107 7 18 107 Hosea 2 7 329 4 11 22 11 10 298 Micah 6 6 291 6 7 291 6 8 291 Luke 1 6 315 21 34 47 John 3 31 81 Acts 6 31 318 7 29 113 22 25 101 22 27 106 23 25 64 Romans 8 5 3 1 Corinthians 9 27 25 15 29 79 2 Corinthians 3 10 239 4 17 247 4 18 13 5 7 307 Galatians 6 12 65 6 26 310 Ephesians 2 6 107 2 11 251 2 18 272 2 19 130 4 17 309 5 5 20 Philippians 3 8 8 3 19 8 Colossians 3 1 249 3 2 79 3 3 79 2 Thessalonians 1 11 246 1 12 246 1 Timothy 6 9 28 6 9 34 6 9 50 2 Timothy 4 10 40 Hebrews 10 32 224 10 34 232 11 1 256 11 5 322 11 10 101 11 13 87 11 37 87 12 13 327 12 22 101 James 4 4 23 2 Peter 1 3 230 2 18 327 1 John 1 4 109 2 6 319 4 5 60 3 John 0 4 316 Jude 0 14 20 0 4 262 Revelation 3 4 287 13 6 102 13 8 102 14 4 287 FINIS 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 muniiceps coelorum nos gerimus Steph. Beza Piscat ad verbú nostra Civilis vita in coelis est Doct. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pri 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 terra extra terram sine terra Beda Acts 23. 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 terrae fillii 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 9. 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Castigo corpus meum vulg Comundo corpus meum Levidum reddo corpus Agust Est metophorasumpta à pugilibus suctantibus qui pugnis verberibus se mutuo obtundunt Chem. Jans Aret. Pareus Piscat First For Direction Secondly For Protection Thirdly For Assistance Fourthly For a blessing upon all it doth Gospel worship
peace with God by some thing that he himself must perform but for the point of Free justification by the grace of God in Christ it 's too Divine Spiritual and Heavenly for an earthly-minded man to apprehend in the Spiritualnesse of it an earthly-minded man his apprehensions of God are but in a carnal earthly way as the Prophet speaks in the 1 of Isa The Ox knows his owner and the Ass his masters crib Even after that manner doth an earthly-minded man know God as an Ox his owner and the Ass his masters crib as thus the ox knows his owner because he brings him fodder daily so an earthly-minded man hath no other apprehensions of God but this he thinks God gives him good things in this world God makes his corn to grow or Prospers his voyage An earthly-minded man may rise so high to have apprehensions of God as bringing good things unto him here on earth But one that is spiritual and heavenly doth apprehend God as God doth not look upon God meerly as good in respect of the benefit he receives from God here but he looks upon God as he is in himself he sees the face of God as there 's a great deal of difference between a man that knows another man and a beast that knows a man The ox knows his owner the ox knows the man that brings hay or provender to him but a man knows a man in another way knows what the nature of a man is knows what it is to be a rational creature so one that is spiritual knows what God is in himself he sees the face of God and understands what God is in another way than others do the difference between the knowledge of God that a spiritual soul hath one that is pure in heart and the knowledge of God that an earthly heart hath is just so much difference as comes to this As the ox knows the man that drives him to fat pastures so doth an earthly man know God that gives him good things but a spiritual heart knows God as one man knows another not in his full excellency I mean not so but there is such a kind of difference in some degree between the apprehensions of God in a spiritual heart and the apprehensions of God in an earthly heart And so we might mention in many other Spiritual and Divine Truths that an earthly mind doth apprehend but in an earthly way consider of Heaven its self how doth an earthly mind apprehend that he apprehends that he shall be delivered from pain and shall have some kind of glory but knows not what it is conceives it according to the way of the earth some pompous glotious thing that he shall live in pleasures and not in pain and so apprehends all the glory of Heaven but in sensuality whereas a spiritual heart looks at Heaven in another kind of notion he looks upon the enjoyment of Communion with God and Jesus Christ in Heaven and living of the life of God in Heaven that 's a thing that an earthly heart hath no skill at all in neither doth such an heart so much as savour it Thus I have in these several particulars discovered what an earthly-minded man is Oh that you would lay your hands upon your hearts and every one consider how far these things do reach you But I have besides these divers other convincements to convince the consciences of men and women that yet there is much earthlinesse in them but of them we shall treat of in their order afterwards The Second head to consider is this The great evill that there is in earthly-mindedness They mind earthly things Is that any such great matter you will say indeed we cannot imagine the transcendency of the evil that there is in this We think there 's a great deal of evil in swearing whoring drinking and such kind of scandalous sins and indeed there is But to have an earthly mind we do not think this to be so exceeding evil yet you will find that the Scripture doth speak most dreadful things against this and if God please to set them home upon your hearts I hope there is much glory may come to God by it and much good unto you in particular CHAP. III. Fourteen Evils of Earthly-mindedness The First EVIL Fâ—â—â—â— The Scripture cals it Adultery it is spiritual Adultery in Jude 4. vers Ye Adulterers and Adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God They were Adulterers and Adulteresses in respect of their love to the world you that would abhor the thought of a temptation to Adultery yet you may commit spiritual Adultery a man or a woman may be an Adulterer or an Adulteresse before the Lord though they never commit the act of uncleannesse with another yet if their hearts be towards another they be guilty of uncleannesse for Christ saith whosoever doth but look after a woman to lust after her in his heart he hath committed adultery already that is hath sinned against that command that forbids adultery Is it so that if a man do but let his heart go after another woman more than his wife and a wife after another man more than her husband this is adultery before the Lord. So if our hearts be after any things more than the Lord Jesus Christ that we profess our selves married to and he to be our husband this is adultery in Scripture phrase The Second EVIL Yea further A worldly or an earthly-mind in Scripture phrase is called Idolatry in Ephes 5. 5. speaking of divers sins that should not be so much as named among them as it became Saints he hath Covetousness among the rest and he ads this And Covetousness which is Idolatry Now what is Earthly-mindednesse but Covetousnesse which is Idolaitry A man or woman is an Idolater that is of an Earthly mind Now Idolatry which is a worshiping of stocks and stones you all account to be a great sin but do you and al others take heed of another Idolatry that may be as bad that is To have your hearts to make the god of this world to be your God the cursed Mammon of unrighteousnesse to make the things of the earth to be your Christ to fall down and worship the golden-Calfe of the world It 's certain that that thing a mans heart is most taken with and set upon that 's his God and therefore here in this verse out of which my Text is it 's said They made earthly things their bellies their God The Voluptuous and Drunkard makes their Belly their God and the Unclean person makes his Strumpet to be his goddesse and worshppeth that whatsoever thy heart is most upon that 's thy God therefore that you must know to be the meaning of the Commandement Thou shalt have no other Gods before me That is thou shalt give me the strength of thy soul and nothing else So I am a God to my Creature when I have its strength exercised
see a beauty and excellencie in the waies of Religion by your Conversation Oh! better a thousand times better that you be cut short of these things in the world than that you should scandalize the waies of God and the profession of the Name and Gospel of Jesus Christ The Thirteenth Evil. Earthly-mindednesse it doth exceedingly hinder preparation for death and it is like to make death to be very grievous and terrible to them when it comes that are like the rich fool in the Gospel In the 21. of Luke the 34. verse this I have from the Scripture Take heed to your selves Christ here speaks to his Disciples lest at any time your hedrts be over-charged with surfitting and drunkenness and cares of this life he puts them together It 's very strange you will say that Christ should speak this to his Disciples to forewarn them of this we do not think that they were drunkards so as to follow after Taverns and Ale houses or to reel in the streets but by this drunkennesse he means any excesse in the use of the creatures in meat or drink and professors of Religion may be subject to that to give up themselves too much to sensual delights and excesse in the use of the creature but besides that though many there are that would abhor glutteny and drunkennesse yet the cares of this life takes up their hearts therefore saith Christ Take heed to your selves lest at any time your hearts he over charged with the cares of this life why what evil would the over-charging of the heart which the cares of this life bring mark saith the text And so that day come upon you unawares for as a snare shall it come upon all them that dwell upon the face of the whole earth watch ye therefore and pray alwaies c. I may apply this to death though the Scripture be speaking of Christs coming now in the time of death Christ comes particularly there is a particular day of Judgment at the day of death it may likewise be applied to the time of any affliction and then it may be inlarged thus and so then the evil of earthly-mindednesse appears in this that it doth hinder the preparation of the soul for afflictions Oh! earthly-mindednesse will make thine affliction to be grievous and heavie to thee an affliction is a very grievous thing to an earthly spirit if God comes to take away any comforts of this world now because thy heart cleaves so close to them there must be a rending of them from thee and that will put thee to pain a man that hath his garments loose he can easily put them off when he goes to bed at night but if a man hath a sore upon his body and his inward garments shall cleave to the sore If he puls them off then it puts him to a great deal of pain Oh then he cries out of his pain Truly this earthly-mindednesse comes from distemper of spirit and the things of the earth they cleave to the hearts of men and women that are earthly as the inward garment should cleave to a sore on a mans body and now when afflictions or death comes to take the things of the earth from them or them from the things of the earth Oh it 's painful to them it 's grievous to them and for one that hath an earthly spirit a hundred to one if he hath any light of conscience left in him but his conscience will trouble him in time of sicknesse and then tell him how he hath spent his time and strength of his spirit about the things of of the earth whereas they should have bin spent about more excellent things and when he comes to die then his spirit will be troubled I am now to leave all these things that I have spent my care and thoughts upon and let out my heart about and what good is it to me now that I shall leave so much more than my neighbor doth what great content is this to me when I am upon my sick and death bed what comfort can I have in all the good things I have enjoyed yes it may be through the earthlinesse of my spirit I have enjoyed but little of them but I have had carking thoughts about them But now death is like to be to me as a Strainer that strains out the good and leaves the drosse and the dirt behind it And so all the good of the things of this world is gone But the guiltinesse that I have contracted upon my spirit with my immoderate care and affections that I have let out upon the world that now is upon my spirit Oh! death hath been very grievous to worldly spirits I remember there 's one that liv'd in a place not far from the place that I have formerly liv'd in a covetous earthly spirit when he was to die cals for his Money and fals a swearing Must I leave you now speaking to his Bags and hugging of them What! must I leave you now An earthly man that had spent his spirits and strength upon these things and indeed let out his heart to them as his portion and then he sees that he must be stript from all must bid an eternal fare-wel to all no more houses nor lands nor comming-in nor money Oh! death is grievous to such a one Now what should be the life of a Christian but a continual preparation for death Many of the Heathens said of Philosophy that it was but a preparation for death A special excellency of Christianity consists in this that it is a Preparative for death and therefore you should let out your hearts to the things of this world so as to be continually thinking of death that when God cals you to depart from these things that you may do it with ease with as much ease as a man when he is going to bed casts off his cloaths that are loose about him for so the grave is as a bed to the Saints where they fall asleep when they die and so they may lay down all things and go to their sleep with ease and peace A man or woman that can have their consciences tell them I have been diligent in my calling but God knows through faithfulnesse to him rather than lâ—â—e to the world and I have kept my heart close to God and faithful to him I can bid the world now farewel as the world hath done with me so I have done with it so long as my time was to work for God God continued those things that this frail nature of mine had need of and now my work is done farewell the the comforts of this world I expect other kind of comforts that I am now going to So such a one that is spiritual may die with comfort but those that have their hearts overcharged with the cares of this life they will have the day of Christ come upon them unawares The Fourteenth Evil Earthly-mindednesse is that that will bring destruction
the Lord will condemn you from their example and say Did not such and such live in the familie and place where you liv'd and did not you behold their holie and gracious Conversation and shall the example of such and such vile wretches be followed rather than the example of my Saints I say this will stop your mouthes and aggravate your condemnation in the great Audit-day Some there are that are so far from following the example of those whose Conversations are in Heaven as they rage and fret against them and do what they can to darken the glorie of their holie lives and if they can but have any misreport of them they will follow it what possibly they can to the end that they might eclipse the holiness of their lives that so they may stop their own consciences whereas were there not something to darken the luster and beautie of the lives of the Saints certainlie mens hearts would condemn them for walking in contrarie waies unto them and therefore for relief of their consciences that they may not condemn them for walking in waies contrary to them they do what they can to spew upon their glory and are glad if they can hear any ill report of them and will follow them to their uttermost and all because their corrupt hearts are against the holiness of their lives and Conversations And then lastly Let those that profess Religion labor to walk so as their examples may be convincing others Is there such a power in holy examples to prevail with men you that profess Religion make this an argument to work upon your hearts that your Conversation may be more in Heaven that so your example may do the more good in the place where you live you that profess Religion and yet have earthly spirits and live scandalouslie and vilie Oh know you live to do as much mischief almost as a man can do in this world no greater mischief than for one to profess Religion and yet for his Conversation to be wicked and ungodly and so to give the Lye to his profession But for that we spake to heretofore when we treated upon that Scripture Only let your Conversation be as becomes the Gospel CHAP. IV. Two Doctrines observed from the Text. THus we proceed to the principal Doctrinal Truths For our Conversation is in Heaven Our Citie Conversation our Citizen-like behavior or Citie Burges estate for so the word signifies our carriage like free denizens it is in Heaven now from thence you have First That the Saints are the Citizens of Heaven Secondly That their behavior and Conversation even while they are in this world it is in Heaven For the first but briefly to make way to the second The Saints of God they are the Citizens of Heaven they are all free Denizens Burgesses of Heaven In the 2. Ephes 19. there you may see how God hath gathered all the Saints together to be fellow-Citizens of Heaven Now therefore ye are no more strangers and forreigners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God They have an Heavenly Citie here in the Church the Church it is a Heaven to the Saints and as a type of that Heaven that they shal come into to live for ever both with the Saints and Angels hereafter And in the 11. Heb. 10. it 's spoken of Abraham He sojourned in the Land of Promise as in a strange Country dwelling in Tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob the heirs with him of the same Promise for he looked for a City which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God It seems then that all the Cities in the world in comparison of this Citie have no foundations Abraham looked for a Citie that hath foundations and whose builder and maker is God The builders and makers of these Cities are men the founders of the most famous Cities in this world have been men and manie times wicked and ungodlie men are the builders of them The first Citie that we reade of was built by Cain The builders and makers I say of these Cities are men laboring men But Abraham look'd for a Citie that had foundations whose builder and maker is God And in the 12. Heb. 22. But ye are come unto mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem mark and to an innumerable company of Angels so that you are to have them your fellow Citizens The Heavenly Jerusalem that is here in the Church which is in comparison of Jerusalem that was in Canaan called the Heavenly Jerusalem so that they are Citizens of Heaven even as they are Members of the Church the Saints of God here in the Church are said to dwell in Heaven but in that their Citie there are an innumerable company of Angels also that plainly notes that it hath reference unto the glorious Heaven of the Saints that they are the Citizens of the Saints are the Citizens of Heaven there they dwell in the 13. of the Revelation 6 and 8. verses this would serve for proof of this thing and so for the other point that remains That their Conversation it is in Heaven And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme his Name and his Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven And it was given unto him to make war with the Saints and to overcome them Now these were not in Heaven that is in their bodies they were not in Heaven for the present But they are said to dwell in Heaven because they are of the Church here and they are free Denizens of Heaven too of the Heaven of the Saints that they shall live in hereafter in a more glorious way They are Now Citizens of it and they may be said to dwell in Heaven as we shall see afterward in the opening of their Conversations being in Heaven CHAP. V. How the Saints are Citizens of Heaven opened in Nine Particulars NOW the Saints are Citizens of Heaven For First Their names are all inrold in Heaven They are written in Heaven in the 10. Luke 20. Rejoyce in this That your names are written in Heaven In Heaven is the Books of life where all the Names of the Saints are written Philip. 4. 3. Whose names saith he are written in the Books of life Secondly The Saints are the Citizens of Heaven for they have Christ their Head gone before to take possession of Heaven in their names therefore they have a right to Heaven As a man may be a Citizen although he should travel in another Country yet his name being inrol'd there and he having possession there he may be said to be a Citizen though he be in a strange land for the present in his body So the Saints have their names inrold in Heaven they have Jesus Christ their head that is gone before in their names to take possession for them and to provide Mantions for them as in the 14. John Thirdly When ever they do actually beleeve they do take up their
they should find Callis in her heart And so it may be said of Saints whose Conversations are in Heaven I speak not of all Professors of Religion for it 's said of bodies when Paul speaks of the resurrection there are bodies Celestial and bodies Terrestial so I may say There are Professors Celestial and Professors Terrestial but as for such whose Conversations are in Heaven who walk with God and live here the lives of Heaven upon Earth If they were rip'd up you should find Heaven in their hearts un-rip many mens hearts and there 's nothing but the earth uncleanness and baseness suppose God should come this moment and rip up all your hearts and disclose them to all the men of the world what a deal of filthy stuff would be found in many of your hearts but for such whose Conversations are in Heaven they would be ready to have God unrip their hearts when he pleaseth Lord try Lord search me Lord examine and see what is in my heart I 'le but put this now to you as in the Name of God and let conscience answer What do you think would be found in your hearts if they should be unrip'd now and if your consciences tell you Oh Lord if my heart should be rip'd up now there would be a filthy deal of ugly and abominable stuff there surely I have not had my Conversation in Heaven my heart hath been sinking even down to low and base things but now for those whom this text concerns it will be an exceeding comfort to them and I hope that there are divers of you that may be able to say if the Lord should at this present rip our hearts and shew them to all the world I hope the world should see that Heaven is stamped upon our hearts We account it sad weather when we cannot see the Heavens for many daies when we cannot see Heaven many times for a week together and we account it an ill dwelling where men dwell in narrow lanes in the City so that they can scarce see the Heavens except they go abroad in the fields My brethren surely it 's a sad time with a gracious heart when any one day passes without converse with Heaven without the sight of Heaven and meditations of Heaven and having their hearts there Thus it should be with Christians whose Conversations are in Heaven they should never love such dwellings wherein they cannot see the beams of the Sun It 's a most comfortable thing for to see the light a man that dwels in some dark house it 's very comfortable for him to walk out into the open air and to behold the Heavens Oh my brethren our souls dwell in dark houses every one of us for our bodies are to our souls like a dark and low celler but the Lord gives us liberty to go abroad to be conversing with the things of Heaven that he hath revealed in his Word and in his Ordinances And as many Citizens that live in dark rooms keep a long time close to their work yet at such times as they cal days of Recreation they walk abroad in the Fields and take the fresh air and oh how delightsom is it to them The same should be to a gracious heart that hath a great many businesses indeed in the world I but on the Lords day Oh that he may now enjoy God in his Ordinances more than before his thoughts are upon those waies wherein he may come to have more of Heaven Oh! that I may come to converse more with God than at other times And upon that the Sabbaths are the joy of his soul his delight he longs after the Sabbath he thirsts after Ordinances for indeed his heart is in them for he finds there is more of Heaven in them than in other things and in that regard the Saints having their thoughts and hearts in Heaven thus he proves to have his Conversation to be in Heaven Moses never came to Canaan and yet God gave Moses a sight of it carried him up to mount Nebo Heavenly meditations are as it were mount Nebo whereby when the heart is raised a little upon the mount it 's able to see Heaven behold the glorious things there The Scripture speaks of Lucifer that he had his nest among the stars A Saint hath as it were his nest his dwelling among the stars yea above the stars in the highest Heavens As 't is with wicked men that when they seem to draw nigh to God yet their hearts are far from him then they are in their shops they are among their ships when they seem to be worshipping of God So when the Saints seem in regard of their bodies to be far from God yet their hearts are in Heaven in the mean time Sixtly For the opening of a Heavenly Conversation it consists in this When in the course of mens lives they do converse and delight in the same things that are done in Heaven they make their happiness the same happiness that is in Heaven and make their exercise to be the same exercise that is in Heaven As for instance What is there in Heaven There is the fight of the face of God Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God And the Angels Alwaies behold the face of God So the Saints may be said to have their Conversations in Heaven because their exercise here while they live it is in the beholding the face of God in standing before God seeing his face the greatest delight and contentment of their souls it is that they can see somewhat of God What 's to be done further The Work of Heaven it is in the Praisings and Blessings of God What do the Saints and Angels of Heaven but continually blesse and magnifie and praise the Name of that God whom they see to be so infinitly worthy of all praise and honor from his creatures Then is a mans Conversation in Heaven when as he doth the same things when he joyns with Angels Saints in doing of the same work of magnifying and blessing and praising God What 's done in Heaven but the keeping of a perpetual Sabbath Then are our conversations in Heaven when we delight in Gods Sabbath yea and indeed to keep a constant Sabbath unto God though busied about earthly things yet still we keep a Sabbath to God in resting from sin and being spiritually imployed And that 's a Sixth thing Seventhly Then our Conversation is in Heaven When in Earthly imployments yet we are Heavenly when we use earthly things after a heavenly manner it is not the place that God looks at so much where his Saints are But what they do Though while we live in the earth we use earthly things yet when we can use them in an heavenly manner then our Conversation may be in heaven though we upon earth As thus first When in the use of earthly things we do quickly passe through earthly things to God we make use of them but
by hear-say they hear Ministers speak of Heaven and reade it in the Word of God but they know it in themselves they know it by what God hath revealed in their own hearts yea though tâ—â—â—â— were no books that ever they should see more though they be not book-learn'd and though they cannot reade a letter in the book though they should hear no more Sermons yet by what is revealed in themselves They know in themselves that they have a more better and enduring substance That 's a truth But the words may be more proper to the original read thus Kowing that you have Heaven in your selves a Better and Enduring substance Eternal life is begun alreadie in the hearts of the Saints there is Heaven alreadie in the Saints and therefore no marvel though their Conversations be in Heaven The Fourth Reason God hath so ordered things in this world on purpose that he might wean the hearts of the Saints from the world The Lord loves to have the hearts of his Saints to be in Heaven where he hath treasured up such glorious things for them and because that the Saints while they are here in the world have so much of the world in them they would feign be living here in the world therefore God doth so order things that they shall meet with little content in this world that they may be weary of it and be wearied from it and indeed here 's the reason why Gods people have met with such crosses in the world why the Lord hath kept his Saints so low and mean in the world It may be you are ready to draw ill conclusions from thence and to think I am afraid God doth not love me that he keeps me so low and mean and I meet with such crosses and others do not Oh! gather not such ill conclusions as these are It is because he would gather your hearts to Heaven and wean you from the world that you might long to be with him in Heaven for you are absent from him here in this world and the Lord would have the full stream of your affections to run after those things that you shal have with him in Heaven This use you are to make of those afflictions you meet withal and those crosses that befall you in this world And thus we have gone through the Doctrinal point of the Saints having their Conversations in Heaven CHAP. X. WEE have treated long upon that point of An Heavenly Conversation and have opened to you what that Heavenly Conversation is wherein it consists in many particulars But now we shal proceed to the Application of al. Though as I have gone along I have endeavoured not only to speak to your heads but your hearts and to quicken what I have said so as might quicken your hearts yet from the consideration of all there are divers Uses that may be profitable unto you The First Vse The first is this If the Saints live such a Heavenly Conversation as hath been opened to you Oh how far are they from being Saints from being godly Who are so far from having their Conversations in Heaven as they have their Conversations in Hell There are a generation of men that profess themselves to be Christians say that they hope to go to Heaven and yet if you behold their Conversation it is no other than the Conversation of hell Certainly 't is not what men say but how they live that will cast them another day he that is of Heaven or for Heaven his Conversation is in Heaven and he that is for hell his Conversation is hellish now that 's a Conversation in hell that is like to what is done in hell what is there in hell but blaspheming and cursing What is there in hell but hatred and malice what is there in hell but raging and filthiness These things are the Conversations of many men who are even devils incarnate In many families there 's the Name of God blasphemed there 's cursing and railing and malice and wrath and pride so that though they be here in this world yet they manifest to what place they do belong So that as the Saints have their Conversations in Heaven when they die they go to their own place that is to heaven where their Conversations were so on the contrary the wicked having their Conversations in hell when they die they go to their own place as it was said of Judas He went to his own place So a wicked man dying having his Conversation in hell while he liv'd I say when he dies he goes to his own place that 's his own proper place he took content and delight in those things that were done there and so when he dies there he shall go As the tree falls so it lies As thy Conversation is and the bent of thy heart is there so it must lie to all eternity CHAP. XI The Second Vse THis Point likewise rebukes Hypocrites as wicked prophane ones that have their Conversations in hell so there 's another kind of men that are unsound professors Hypocrites and they have their Conversations between Heaven and Earth It 's not in Heaven nor in Hell nor altogether upon the Earth but between Earth and Heaven and Hell Sometimes they seem to be a loft above sometimes very forward and zealous in the profession of Religion sometimes much inlarged in Duties at other times again they are as base earthly spirits as any yea somtimes there 's much of Hell in their hearts and in their waies they professe themselves the seed of Abraham but they are not as the stars of heaven but as Meteors that are between Heaven and Earth we call them blazing stars but they are not so bright as the stars nor are they of such a heavenly nature as the stars they are but made of a few unclean vapours that come out of the earth which being got up neer the heavens do make a shew as if they were some star in heaven but you find a great deal of difference between the stars and them in this for within a little while they fall and vanish and come to nothing and so it is with many hypocrites they by the Word are raised up a little for the present and seem to be above the stars and they have a glittering shew as if they had somthing heavenly in them even like the stars of heaven they seem to be got above others your blazing star a child would think it a great deal bigger than one of the stars that is an hundred times bigger than that is so 't is with many hypocrites they have a greater shew of Religion than many that have truth of Godliness and that are truly gracious they look upon them as wondering at the excellent parts that they have excellent abilities it may be they will discourse sometimes in an excellent manner about heavenly things you shall find some that have no soundness at all yet will have very excellent discourse they
speak the very language of Canaan but it is in such company where they may gain respect by it but still are but as meteors that hang between heaven and earth whereas the truth is while they seem to be so high above others and so heavenly yet their hearts are groveling upon the earth many times while they have most excellent expressions in prayer yet God sees their hearts basely cleaving to some earthly thing there is some base earthly contentment that their hearts are upon while they seem to be so heavenly much like to the Kite that flies on high as if it were an Eagle but the eye of it while it is above in the air is fixed upon some carrion upon some prey that it hath upon the earth and as soon as ever it sees a fit opportunity to seise upon the prey it comes down to seise upon it and that 's the place the Kite would be at that 's the place he doth most delight in to be upon his prey And so an hypocrite though he rises high in some actions yet the truth is his eye is upon some earthly prey and when he sees his opportunity thither he goes and finks down to those things and that 's his most proper place there he takes most delight and content in his Conversation though his actions may seem to be Heavenly and therefore he will fall down and never attain to the highest Heavens that the Saints shall go to but to hell at the last CHAP. XII The Third Vse THE Third Use is this The Saints Conversation is in Heaven Hence then for shame let us not find fault with strictness in the waies of God let not man speak against the waies of God as being too strict and what need we be so Circumspect and so precise and so pure what need we labor to do so much what canst thou attain to a more strict and holy Conversation than a Heavenly Conversation It is a very carnal expression that some have Why we cannot be Saints we are not Saints yes the holy Ghost cals all beleevers all that have the very least degree of true grace he call them Saints When we come to Heaven then we shall live better but while we are in this world we cannot Yeâ— while you are in this world your Conversation is to be in Heaven surely men either are not acquainted with the Word or they shut their eyes and will not see and consider what the Word saith about a strict Conversation Sometimes you find in Scripture that we are commanded to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect It 's a strange speech and yet it 's the speech of Christ himself And we must walk as Christ walked and he that hath this hope purifieth himself as he is pure and then our Conversation is in Heaven Put these together Perfect as our Heavenly father is perfect Walk as Christ walked Purge our selves as he is pure Our Conversation is in Heaven what do all these things tend to Surely it tends to a great deal of strictness and holiness of life And these things shew that the work of a Christian here in this world is a busie work that a Christian-life it is not an idle dull heavy or sluggish life you that are Christians you had need quicken up your selves you had need awaken those drousie spirits of yours if this be required of you that you should be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect Walk as Christ walked Purifie your selves as he is pure Holy as he is holy and to have your Conversations in Heaven surely there need be a great deal of quickness and life in the hearts of Christians and you are not to content your selves in a meer possession and doing some little matter in the way of Religion or being somewhat better than others you are to aim at heaven look up there and make that to be your pattern CHAP. XIII The Fourth Vse AND that rebukes even such as are truly godly many that yet do fail exceeding much in this thing Oh! their Conversations are too low are too earthly If they would examine their hearts strictly they cannot say that their Conversations are in heaven I am a stranger upon earth saith David But many may say that they are strangers in heaven Whereas earth should be the place of our pilgrimage and heaven our home but it 's quite otherwaies heaven is rather the place where most professors are strangers and earth is the place of their habitation they cast up a thought now and then to heaven as now and then men will cast up their eyes and look upon heaven but where 's your heart where 's the great workings of your spirits It 's a speech of the Lord saith he Heaven is my Throne and Earth is my Foot-stool Spiritual things they are to be look'd upon as the good things as the Throne of God those earthly things only as the things of Gods foot-stool but now How many are there that have Earth their throne and Heaven their foot-stool that is Heavenly things are made subordinate to earthly things Oh! this should not be in any of those that professe themselves to be Christians none of the Saints should satisfie themselves in any life but this to be able to say I blesse God my Conversation is in Heaven though God let me live upon the earth yet my conversation is in Heaven What an unworthy thing it is for one that doth professe to have his portion and his inheritance in Heaven yet to have the heart so mingled here with the earth In Gen 45. 20. saith Joseph in sending for his father Regard not your stuffe for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours Regard not the stuff do not let it grieve you to forsake your stuff leave all your lumber behind you for all the good things of Egypt are yours Oh what a shameful thing is it that Christians should regard their stuff so much as they do that hope to have the good things not of Egypt but of Heaven its self to be theirs Surely if we have seen the things of Heaven one would think that all the things of the earth should be darkened in our eyes 2 Cor. 3. 10. That which was glorious saies the text had no glory in comparison of the greater glory That Scripture I confesse is spoken in comparing of the Law and the Gospel there was a glory in the delivering of the Law but that had no glory in comparison of the greater glory that is in comparison of the Gospel for in the Gospel we behold as in a glasse with open face the glory of God and are changed into the same image as from glory to glory But we may apply it thus As the things of the earth that were glorious before in your eyes yet in comparison of the greater glory should not at all be glorious though before conversion these things were glorious grant it that there is some kind
It will cause an abundant enterance into the Kingdom of Heaven When they come to die Oh how joyfully wil they die what abundant enterance will be made into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ For when they die they shall but change their place they shall not change their company they shall but go to their Fathers house to be partakers of those mansions Christ before hath prepared Oh my brethren labor to have your Conversations in Heaven and know that this is not a matter only that concerns eminent Christians but all Christians and see how the Apostle charges this upon the Thessalonians 1. Epistle 2. 11. As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a Father doth his children that you would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory That is That you would walk in a Conversation answerable to the glorious Kingdom of God that you are called to according to your high calling we should walk worthy of it We are charged so to do and as it 's said concerning Christ in the Gospel by Saint John he spake concerning himself But the Son of man which is in Heaven So it should be said of every child of God such a one that is in Heaven not only such a one that shall go to Heaven but that is in Heaven for the present CHAP. XXII Seven Rules or Directions how to get Heavenly Conversation BUt you will say How should we do to get this our Conversasation to be in Heaven it's an excellent Conversation indeed Oh that we might attain unto it The First Rule First Take this Rule Be perswaded that it is attainable Let Christians conclude thus with themselves it is possible for me to live a life of Heaven while I am upon the earth There is a Heaven to be got it will mightily stir up the spirit of a Christian if he do beleeve this I may live in Heaven here with God and Christ and his Angels and Saints there are some that have attain'd to this and how have they attain'd to it not by their own strength they were men subject to the same infirmities that you are even Paul himself that had his Conversation in Heaven was subject to many infirmition But through the strength of Christ he can do all things he was nothing in himself reade but the 7. of the Romans Paul saith there of himself that he was even sold under sin and when he would do good evil was present with him and he was led captive and he found a Law in his members rebelling against the law of his mind and he had many corruptions and was feign to have a prick in the flesh a messenger of Satan to humble him and he spake of this Heavenly Conversation not only that he had it himself but writing to the Philippians they attain'd to it they were a Church that were very spiritual but were but poor and mean in respect of some others and they had not those eminent gifts that the Corinthians had and yet the Philippians had their Conversations in Heaven therefore it is a thing that is attainable The Second Rule Secondly If you would get your Conversations in Heaven Labor to keep a cleer conscience keep a Heaven in your conseience Those men that do fully and defile their consciences they lose their intercourse with Heaven and indeed the presence of the God of Heaven is tedious to them they be loth to go into his presence when once they have defiled consciences If there be a Hell in a mans conscience there will not be a Heaven in his Conversation but let men and women labor to keep conscience clean and a Heaven there and then there will be a Heaven in their Conversations The Third Rule Watch opportunicies for Heavenly exercises though you have much business in the world watch time You that are servants you should not indeed neglect your Masters business for you may serve God in the work of your Master but yet you must watch opportunities get alone and if you cannot have any long time let it be so much the frequenter watch all opportunities for Heavenly exercises for meditation for prayer for reading for conversing with God Oh! we might get many opportunities to get our souls in Heaven if we would but watch and those that are diligent to watch opportonities for Heavenly exercises and prize opportunities for them they are the men and women that will come to attain to a Heavenly Conversation that do not ' make it as a light matter whether they have converse with God or no in holy duties Christians that would have their Conversations in Heaven they must look upon their opportunities for Heavenly exercises they eye them as that wherein much of the joy and comfort of their lives consists The Fourth Rule Forget not this in the next place I speak now to Christians that would feign have their Conversations in Heaven I say to you Take heed and be careful that you rest not in formallity watch to get opportunities but be not formal in duties in them Oh! this will mightily darken your Conversations it will make them very earthly there will be no beauty at all in them if you come to rest in formallity in holy performances There 's many Christians that we hope may have some good at the bottom yet growing to a form in Religion they never honor their profession they have little comfort to their own souls they go on in a dead hearted condition they know not what it is to have communion with God Oh beware of that that we are all by nature subject too those that have enlightenings of conscience they dare not but take opportunities for Heavenly duties but then comes in the temptation of the Devil and the corruption of our own hearts when I have done my task then it 's over I have prayed I but you have been in Heaven that while what converse with God have you had there Oh take heed of formallity it will exceedingly hinder your Conversation But now a Christian though of never such weak parts can but chatter to God and speak a few broken words and half sentences yet if he doth not rest in formallity he may have much converse with God whereas others that have excellent parts yet resting in the work done never knows what the meaning is of having a Conversation in Heaven The Fifth Rule Labor to beat down your Bodies That is take heed of making provision for the flesh beware of sensual lusts how came Paul to have his Conversation in Heaven saith he I beat down my body The word is Black and blue club'd it down as if he should say This body of mine would draw my heart aside from spiritual things and make me earthly and sensual I wil keep down my body I will not give that satisfaction to the flesh and body so as to strengthen any temptation that should
the soul is exercised in the Ordinances it hath converse with Christ it hearkens what Christ saith and Christ hearkens what such a soul saith I will hearken what he will say and the soul knows the voice of Christ 5. Cant. 2. It is the voice of my beloved saith the Spouse Oh it knows what the voice of Christ is when they walk together in Ordinances Christ speaks to the soul and the soul knows his voice and the soul speaks again to Jesus Christ there is a blessed converse between them Christ lets himself into the heart and the heart opens its self to Christ Oh! the Communion that a gracious heart hath with Jesus Christ in Ordinances it is unspeakable Only those that are acquainted with it understand what the meaning of conversing with God there means It is with many even as it was with Adam that when God came to walk in the garden we read that he was hid in the bush The Ordinances and Duties of Worship are as Paradice as Eden and God comes many times to walk with us and would feign have communion and converse with us yet Oh! how many times are many of his servants hid in the bush they have walked loosly and contracted some guiltiness upon their spirits and so the presence of God is terrible to them and the more the voice of God and the presence of God is in an Ordinance the more they are afraid because of some guiltinesse they are intangled in the bush when as they should be conversing with God Oh the difference that there is between some Christians and others in the exercising themselves in the Duties of Worship There are some that when they are worshiping of God Oh what sweet and blessed terms have they with God and Communion between God and their souls and others though it may be they have some good in them yet they are intangled in the bryars of the world and though God be in the midst of his Ordinances yet they have no converse no communion with him at all Walking with God causeth the soul to follow God more as be reveals himself more The Ninth Particular is this The soul that walks with God as God reveals himself unto it still more and more so it follows God more and more and still seeks to glorifie God more and more that 's walking There is a progresse in the waies of godliness where there is a walking The soul when first it is led by the hand of Jesus Christ to God and comes and walks with him Oh 't is sweet and comfortable but still as God reveals himself more and more to the soul so the soul still grows up in godlinesse more and more and still is more holy and more gracious and honours God more in the Conversation of it than formerly it hath done it gets neerer and neerer to Heaven every day this is to walk with God There 's a notable Scripture in the 63. Psal 8. David saith there My soul follows hard after thee O Lord thy right hand upholdeth me As a poor child that is walking with the father it may be he is weak and cannot go so fast as it doth desire but the father puts forth his hand and takes hold of him and so upholds and strengthens the child and it follows hard after the father so 't is here Oh Lord thy right hand upholds me If it did not uphold me I could not walk but thy right hand upholds me and then my soul follows hard after thee and so increases in godliness more and more I will praise thee more and more saith David in another place speaking of the honor that he disir'd to give to God in his way he profess'd he would still ad to the praise of God and praise him more and more These are the principal things wherein walking with God consists Now to all these take in that consideration that we have mentioned all along and that makes it up That all these are in a constant course of a mans life This walking with God Some other men that know not what it is to walk with God perhaps they may come and walk a step or two in Gods waies but they quickly turn out again and they find them tedious and irksom to them But the heart that walks with God doth all this that I have named That is Eyes God in all his waies Behaves its self as in the presence of God Walks in the same way God doth Observes Gods designs And so likewise the rest and all this in the constant course of his life It 's true Through the violence of some temptation there may chance to be a step astray or there may be perhaps some fall in the way but still the heart is God-ward and still is towards God it gets up again and walks again in the way it doth not meerly go a step into the way of God as some carnal men do it may be somtimes when Gods hand is upon them or upon the hearing of some Sermon then their hearts are a little touch'd and they seem to be a little froward but take the constant course of their lives and it 's in the way of sin But the constant course of the waies of the Saints are in the waies of God As now a Swine may go through a fair meadow I but that 's not the place that it doth so much regard but it would be in the mire and dirt and there it wallows So it is with many wicked men they will come and hear and pray and do some good duties this is a Swine in a meadow but when they come to those waies that may satisfie the lusts of the flesh there they wallow that 's their proper place and therefore far from walking with God A begger will perhaps follow a man a little way so long as he hath hopes of getting any thing by him but if the man goes still away from him he turns aside to another way he will go no further along with him so 't is with many men even many professors they would seem to follow God perhaps for comfort and for something that they would have from him but if they cannot find presently what they would have from God then they turn aside whereas I beseech you observe this the difference between a friends walking with another out of delight of Communion with him and a begger that only goes along with another man begging for an alms The man that goes along begging for the alms he doth not regard the company of this man any further than he may have hopes of an alms from him if he cannot have what he would have or if he have once what he would have he turns aside from the man But a friend that is walking with his friend that that satisfies him is the company of his friend and the converse that he hath with him while he is walking and so he goes on in a constant way and walks to the end of