CHAP. XIII.] Heaven and earth compared. tial and durable? [HEAVEN. 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. CHAP. XIV. Motives to seek the kingdom of heaven-God is very willing that men should partake of his glory— All who unfeignedly and earnestly seek, shall obtain it-Heaven is promised upon gracious terms-Nature of the self-denial required→ Fervent prayer and diligence in the use of means necessary―The will and affections must be purified, to prosecute this blessed end. TO encourage us to seek the kingdom of heaven, I shall propose 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 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 a 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, urges, and beseeches with infinite tenderness, that men will accept of it. Thus the apostle declares : Now then we are ambassa CHAP. XIV.] Heaven promised to all Bolievers. [HEAVEN. dors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God.' Is it not evident then, beyond the most jealous suspicion, that God is desirous of our happiness? Can we imagine any design, any insiucerity 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 in 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 be received into his favour. The temporal judgments inflicted on sinners are medicinal in their nature, and designed to bring them to a sight and abhorrence of sin, in order 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 usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.' 2 Pet. iii. 9. HEAVEN.] Heaven promised to all Believers. [CHAP. XIV. But above all his other works, the giving of his Son to be a sacrifice for sin, is an incomparable demonstration how much be delights in the salvation of men. Since God has been at such cost to put them into a capacity of obtaining the kingdom of unchangable 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, who when Christ has opened heaven to us by his blood, refuse to enter into it. When Brutus the most noble Roman, proposed 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 so lightly esteemed. The redemption of mankind is without controversy the master-piece of God's works, in which his principal attributes appear in their excellent glory. But how astonishing is the unworthiness of men who wretchedly neglect salva tion, 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 undervalue so precious a redemption? CHAP. XIV.] Heaven promised to all Believers, [HEAVEN. How justly shall they be for ever 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 earn. estly 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, in the life of his Son. This methinks should turn the current of our desires and endeavours to heaven; for notwithstanding all our toil and sweat, the labour of the day and the watchings of the night for obtaining earthly things, 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 favour to men of skill, but time and chance happeneth to all.' Indeed such is the order of divine providence in the world, that there must be different conditions of men here; some rich, others poor; some noble, others mean; some in command, others in subjection. From hence t is evident that neither dignity, nor riches, nor pleasures are the happiness of man. For it is not |