29. He values an heavenly reversion above an earthly possession

The last singular action of a sanctified Christian, is, To value a heavenly reversion above an earthly possession.

Some say, that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; but surely such a bird in the bush is worth two in the hand. If others dote upon the streams, let us admire the fountain.

Socrates being asked what countryman he was; answered, 'I am a citizen of the whole world.' But ask a Christian what countryman he is; and he will answer, 'I am a citizen of all heaven.' Believers build their tombs where others build their tabernacles. The men of the world fix upon the things of the world; that is the cabinet wherein they lock up all their jewels. Though God has given the earth to beasts, yet such beasts are men, as to give themselves to the earth.

It was the saying of a cursed cardinal, 'I prefer a part in the honours of Paris, to a part in the happiness of paradise.' What is the glimmering of a candle, to the shining of the sun? or the value of brass, compared with gold? Thoughtless children are taken up more with present counters, than with future crowns. Thus, while the shadow is embraced, the substance is neglected; and short-sighted man courts the veil, when he should admire the face.

That man who is a labouring bee for earthly prosperity, will be but an idle drone for heavenly felicity. If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

There is no need of blotting out the characters

N of our affections, but of writing them on fairer paper. There is no necessity for drying up these running waters, but for diverting them into their proper channels. Why should we wholly destroy these valuable plants, when they might thrive so well in a better soil? He who looks upon heaven with desire, will look upon earth with disdain. Our affections were made for the things which are above us, and not for the things which are about us.

What is an earthly manor, compared to an heavenly mansion? As carnal things seem small to a spiritual man, so spiritual things appear small to a carnal man. There is no moving after things beyond the sphere of our own knowledge. Heaven is to the worldling as a mine of gold covered with earth and rubbish; or as a bed of pearl enclosed in a heap of sand. But if he had the eyes of an eagle to see it, he would wish for the wings of an eagle to soar unto it.

How little would the great world seem to us, if the great God were not so little in us. Either men have no thoughts of a future state, or else they have low thoughts of a future state. If we had souls without any bodies, then there would be no need of the earth to keep us; if we had bodies without any souls, there would be no need of heaven to crown us.

Such as have no present holiness, are for a present happiness. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Any good will serve the turns of those who know not the chief good. But David adds, Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. O how sordid is it for men to prefer the garlic and onions of Egypt, to the milk and honey of Canaan! Visible things to them, are better than invisible. They mind the world that is come so much, as if it would never have an end; and the world to come so little, as if it would never have a beginning.

Reader, why should you be so taken up with your riches, when you will be so soon taken from your riches? Why do you dote upon a flower, which a day may wither? As you are travelling beyond the world, so also it would be your wisdom to be trading above the world. But, alas, such are not easily awaked, who fall so fast asleep on the world's pillow.

When the Gauls had tasted the wine of Italy, they asked where the grapes grew; and would never be quiet till they came there. Thus may you cry, O that I had the wings of a dove, that I might fly away and be at rest! A believer is willing to lose the world, for the enjoyment of grace; and he is willing to leave the world, for the fruition of glory.

As the worst on this side eternity, compared with hell, is mercy; so the best on this side eternity, compared with heaven, is misery. There is no more comparison to be made between heaven and earth, than there is between a piece of rusty iron and refined gold. St. Austin saith, 'The hope of life immortal, is the life of our mortal lives.' It is the expectation of a future glorious heritage, which is the Jacob's-staff of saints, with which they walk through this dark pilgrimage.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most miserable; but because we have hope in Christ after this life, we may be of all men the most comfortable. Though we have desires in the world, yet we have no desires after the world. For in this we groan earnestly, desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven. A believer longs most for that place where he shall be best. He not only grows in grace, but groans for glory.

Perfection is the boundary of the strongest expectation. As it is satisfied with nothing less, so it looks for nothing more. Every thing in eternity is wound up to its highest capacity. It is in heaven that mercy will be received unmixed, and majesty viewed unveiled. What is a worthless pebble, compared with a matchless pearl?

What a sweet salutation is that of the Saviour to his servant, Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord! O, what joy shall enter into the believer, when he shall enter into the joy of his Redeemer! Then the vessels of mercy shall have sea-room enough in the ocean of glory.

Those whom love has closely united together, cannot contentedly dwell for ever asunder. Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, before the foundation of the world. That which makes hell so full of horror, is, that it is below all hopes; and that which makes heaven so full of splendour, is, that it is above all fears. The one is a night without the return of day; the other is a day free from the approach of night.

Who would not seek after glory with the greatest diligence, and wait for glory with the greatest patience? seeing we advance the interest, while we stay for the principal.

There are some deluded professors, who aspire after earthly grandeur; as if the place where saints are crucified were the place where they are gloried. This were to consider the church in a triumphant, rather than in a militant condition. The ark of the church, which is now tossed upon a tumultuous sea, shall then rest in the harbour of eternal tranquillity.

In my Father's house are many mansions: I go to prepare a place for you. Our Redeemer is our forerunner. He that takes possession of us on earth, takes possession for us in heaven. As we are not long here without him, so he will not be long there without us. Here all the earth is not enough for one carnal man, but there one heaven shall be enough for all Christian men. In this life there are showers of tears fall from the saint's eyes, but in that life there shall be a sunshine of glory in the saint's heart.

Many temptations may withstand a heaven-born soul, but no temptation shall finally prevail against him. Flying birds are never taken in a fowler's snare. What is all that we enjoy here, but as a dying spark of that living flame? as a languishing ray of that illustrious sun? or as a small drop of that overflowing spring?

In whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. If there be so much delight in believing, oh,

N 3 how much is there in beholding! What is the wooing day, to the wedding day? What is the sealing of the conveyance, to the enjoyment of the inheritance? or the fore-tastes of glory, to the fulness of glory? The good things of that life are so great, as not to be measured; so many, as not to be enumerated; and so precious, as not to be estimated.

If the picture of holiness be so comely in its rough draught, how lovely a piece will it be in all its perfections! Every grace which is here seen in its minority, shall be seen there in its maturity.

APPLICATION.

HAVING dispatched that which is doctrinal, I now come to the discussion of that which is practical. And I shall here propose two considerations:

First, For the erection of singular principles.

Secondly, The direction of singular practices.

I. For the erection of singular principles.

Natural men obey natural principles, and spiritual men obey spiritual principles. No man can expect that bitter roots should produce sweet fruits. Though civil principles may be kindled at the torch of nature, yet sacred principles are lighted at the blaze of scripture.

Now there are twenty singular principles, which I shall consider as the rise and spring of singular practices.

1.