The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Sermon 5
A very Heavenly SERMON Preached, if not after the Communion, yet very pertinent for ſuch an occaſion; however it is ſubjoined to the immediatly preceeding, becauſe of the affinity of purpoſes.
On Philip. 3.20. For our Converſation is in Heaven.
THE Life and work of a Chriſtian is a far othe… thing, then, for the moſt part, it is taken to be and, no queſtion, were we often thinking on, and ſtudying the qualifications and extent of a Chriſtian converſation, to which believers are called; we would walk with ſtopped mouths in the deep ſenſe of our great ſhort-coming; and there would not be ſuch deluſion under the conceit of ſelf-righteouſneſs; But the ignorance of this makes carnall men think themſelves to be ſomething; and makes even believers themſelves, that they walk not ſo humbly, nor preſs ſo ſeriouſly towards the mark, neither do they Propoſe to themſelves, as they ought, a juſt and perfect pattern to follow.
Amongſt other qualifications of a Chriſtian-walk and converſation, This is one and a very conſiderable one; that our Converſation should be in Heaven: A thing we fear the moſt part of the Chriſtians of this age ſcarcely believe, much leſs endeavour, that they ſhould live with their hearts above in Heaven, in the lively expectation of the Saviours coming, That they ſhould converſe in Heaven among the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect, before they come thither.
The Scope of theſe words is plain. The Apoſtle Paul hath to do with the Chriſtian Philippians, who were much tempted, and no doubt, in ſome hazard to be led aſide both from the faith, and from the Practiſe of Religion: And the way that he takes to keep them right as to both, is by propoſing His own example to them; as if he had ſaid, ye will readily think, that I ſhould be well acquainted with the way to Heaven: Now the way that I take for my Juſtification Before God, is not to ſeek after Righteouſneſs by the works of the Law, but to be found in Chriſt covered with his righteouſneſs taken hold of by Faith: And if ye would know what I do in reference to Sanctification, this is it, I forget thoſe things that are behind, and reach forth unto thoſe things that are before, preſſing towards the Mark for the Prize; being conſtantly as it were on the ſpur, that I may attain that which I have not as yet come at, even that perfection of Holineſs, that accompanies the reſurrection from the dead: And having laid this before them, as a fair copy and pattern; He improves it, by exhorting them thus, Brethren be ye followers together of me; take the way, that I take, both in the matter of Faith and of Practiſe; And he gives two reaſons why he would have them to do ſo; The Firſt whereof is taken from the danger that was in following thoſe falſe teachers, Verſ. 18.19. Many of whom walk ſo, as they are Enemies to the Croſs of Chriſt; That is, enemies to the doctrine of faith in Chriſt, and to the exerciſe of it on him, and to the Doctrine of his Croſs, and alſo to a truly ſpiritual walk, Whoſe end is diſtruction, and whoſe God is their Belly. The Second Reaſon is ſubjoyned in the Text, drawn from the great advantage, which they ſhould have by following him, For (ſaith He) Our converſation is in Heaven: This is the ſpiritual, Heavenly and divine walk, wherein he holds forth himſelf, and his fellow-Apoſtles as a pattern to be imitated by them, and ſo teacheth them their duty; We are not (as if he had ſaid) like thoſe falſe …eachers; But our Conve…ſation is in Heaven, Therefore follow us; and he gives an inſtance of this in the latter part of the Verſe, From whence (ſaith he) We look for the Saviour: He is like a perſon on the Watch tower, that is looking and longing for the coming of a friend; Plainly inſinuating thereby, that he looks not for much ſatisfaction in this world, but was earneſtly longing for and in continuall expectation of Chriſts coming; to which all his hope and expectation of compleat happineſs, and of full ſatisfaction to his ſoul, was cloſely confined.
So then the great thing that he aimes at here, is to commend a heavenly converſation, to theſe Chriſtian Philippians, & to all that ſhould hear the Goſpel, and this excellent piece of it amongſt the reſt.
There are only Two things ſhortly to be cleared, before we proceed further; The Firſt is, What is meaned by Converſation here; And the reaſon of the queſtion is, becauſe the word is ſo very ſignificant in the Original, that hardly can we get a word in our language to expreſs it by to the life; It's taken from that which ſignifies a Town-ſhip, corporation-ship (to ſpeak ſo) or Burges-ship; and it implyes theſe two things; Firſt, a title to ſuch and ſuch priviledges; as thoſe who were Romans or born Citizens of Rome, & whoever were made Burgeſſes of it; had ſuch and ſuch Priviledges attending their Burges-ship. The Second is a ſuitableneſs and peculiar manner of living and carrying according to the Lawes of that City; as it is often ſaid in the book of the Acts of the Apoſtles, After the manner of the Romans: who had their own lawes, cuſtomes, and uſages: and being applied here in a Spiritual ſenſe, it ſuppoſes. 1. A joint intereſt with the ſaints, (or being Fellow Citizens with the Saints: As it is Epheſ. 2.19.) Who are all Burgeſſes of the Heavenly Jeruſalem, though ſome of them be, as it were, in the Suburbs and lower Town, and ſome in the Higher; yet all here below have the ſame Maſter and Father with them who are above in Heaven. 2. It ſuppoſeth a way, walk, and converſation like Heaven, to be peculiarly indued with a nature, inclinations, deſires, deſignes, and qualifications ſuitable to heaven: We take it here, eſpecially in the latter ſenſe: becauſe Paul propoſeth himſelf as a pattern to them to imitat; and it holds his ſuitableneſs to Heaven.
The Second thing to be cleared a litle is, what it is to have a converſation in Heaven? I Anſwer, theſe Two are in effect one and the ſame, to have a converſation in heaven, and to be Heavenly in our converſation: it's even to have a converſation like that which Chriſtians hope to have in Heaven, and ſuch as are bounden, and on their way thitherward, should have: This is a generall hint of what a Heavenly Converſation, or a Converſation in Heaven is: and becauſe, in proſecuting the Doctrines to be deduced from the words, we will have occaſion to explain it More Particularly, we shall ſay no more of it now.
The Doctrines that ariſe from the words, are eſpecially theſe Four: The firſt whereof is, that There is a ſort of Heavenlineſs, in the Converſation of Chriſtians, that should be ſtudied by them all without exception, and that lyeth on them all as their duty.
The Second is, that, This Heavenlineſs of Converſation is in a great meaſure through Grace attainable: for Paul and other believers attained it; which is not ſo to be underſtood, as if there were an univerſall ſuitableneſs; or a ſuitableneſs in all things, in ſojourning Saints, to Glorified Saints in Heaven; for in Heaven they do not eat nor drink, neither are they married nor given in Marriage: But it's to be underſtood of a ſuitableneſs in reſpect of qualification, conformity and likeneſs, in ſo far as is incumbent to ſojourners who are walking thither-ward.
The Third is, That, It is a peculiar and contradiſtinguishing mark of a ſerious and ſuitably exerciſed Chriſtian, from all other men in the world: That his converſation is in Heaven, while that of others is not.
The Fourth is, That, It's not an ordinary and common, but a rare thing among Profeſſed Chriſtians, to have a Converſation in Heaven, Many (ſayes the Apoſtle) Walk, of whom I have told you, and now tell you weeping, that they are enemies to the Croſs of Chriſt: But I and ſome few others with me have our Converſation in Heaven: and the many that he ſpeaks of here, we take to be thoſe, of whom he ſpeaks in the Firſt Chapter, who preached Chriſt, but out of envy, and preſſed Holineſs, it is like with more then ordinary fervour, being zealous of the Law, and ſeeking to mix the righteouſneſs of it with the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt in the point of Juſtification: yet they had not their Converſation in Heaven, as he and ſome others had.
We ſhall not proſecute theſe Doctrines diſtinctly: ſeeing this is the ſcope of them all, even to hold forth and commend the Neceſſity and excellency of a Heavenly converſation: which we ſhall firſt clear. 2 Confirme: and then. 3. We ſhall ſpeak to the Uſe of it.
Firſt Then, for Clearing what a Heavenly Converſation is, ye would conſider, that the Apoſtle ſpeaks of his owne and of ſome few other Godly perſons their converſation, in oppoſition to thoſe many mentioned by him before: And it imports or implies theſe Four. Firſt it's to have Heaven propoſed to our ſelves as our great Scope and deſigne, next to the glory of God; even as, to have an earthly Converſation, is to mind earthly things, to have a bentneſs of ſpirit towards them, and to be wholly or Moſtly taken up about the things of the World: So to be Heavenly in our Converſation, is to have the mind taken up about Heaven, Prizing, affecting and ſeeking after Heaven and Heavenly things, as the word is, Col. 3.1. Seek after, or ſet your affections on thoſe things that are above. Secondly, As it imports, Prizing and affecting of Heaven and of Heavenly things, ſo it imports the taking of that way that leads to the end: and ſo it is, to be in the uſe of all means and duties that lead to Heaven, ſeek (ſaith the Apoſtle, in that Col. 3.1.) Thoſe things that are above: Set your affections on things above, not on things beneath, or on the earth: To hold forth the earneſtneſs and ardency of affections that Chriſtians ought to have towards things heavenly: and how very much they ſhould be with Holy care and ſolicitude, buſied in the uſe of all means, and in the Practice of all duties, for the furthering and promoting of an Heavenly deſigne: even as worldly men are taken up and exerciſed with carking cares, leaving (as it were) no ſtone unmoved to promove and compaſs their earthly deſignes. Thirdly, It imports the having of our Converſation like heaven, to be walking like thoſe that are in Heaven: not to be conformed to the World, or like the men of the world, but to be like Angels and Glorified Saints in Heaven, according to our Capacitie: as we are taught to pray, in the Lords Prayer, They will be done on earth, as it is done in Heaven: It's to have a native and kindly ſuitableneſs and proportionableneſs to them that are glorified in Heaven. Fourthly, It imports this, that we ſhould be often in Heaven as to our thoughts and affections, as to our deſires and delights: Though we be living on the earth: that we ſhould have as it were, more then our one half in heaven: as David hath it Pſal. 25.1. Unto thee O Lord, do I lift up my ſoul: or as the Word is, 2 Cor. 5. Though we be abſent in the Body, that yet we may be ſome way preſent in our Spirits with the Lord; that we ſhould make frequent viſits to Heaven; that we ſhould have much to do there, have much Traffique, commerce, correſpondence and intercourſe in and with Heaven; that (in a word) we ſhould converſe more where we love, then where we live: which is held forth and expreſſed in the Scripture, by walking with God, by having fellowship with him, by following hard after him, and the like: a ſuitableneſs to and a converſe in Heaven are mainly meant here.
As for the Second thing propoſed, viz. The Confirmation of this, that a Chriſtian ſhould ſtudy this Heavenlineſs of Converſation; the Argument is clear and preſſing from Verſ. 17. Where the Apoſtle exhorts the Philippians to be followers of him, and here he tells them that his Converſation is in Heaven: and if his Converſation was in Heaven, then certainly it was their duty and is ours, to have our Converſation in Heaven; for he propoſeth himſelf as our pattern in this, and we have it, from the Spirit of God, by him preſſed on us as our duty, to imitat him in this thing; It is not ſo ſingular a practice; as to be peculiarized, Monopoliz'd and engroſſed to him alone; but ſuch as was common to him, and other ſerious Chriſtians according to their meaſure; Therefore he ſays not, My Converſation, but Our Converſation; as if he had ſaid, it's mine and the Converſation of others, and of all that follow me; and I would have you in this to follow me and none other that doth not walk as I do. If it be needfull further to confirme it, ye may take this one reaſon, which hath ſeveral arguments in the boſom of it; A Chriſtians Converſation ſhould be Heavenly, becauſe, all that a Chriſtian hath, is from and in Heaven, and is ſome way Heavenly; as will manifeſtly appear, if ye look, firſt to a Chriſtians nature, it's from Heaven; He is Partaker of the Divine Nature, He is born of God, He is of the new Jeruſalem, his Father is Heavenly, as he is taught to pray; Our Father which art in Heaven, Or our Heavenly Father; to point out, that as we have born the Image of the earthly, ſo muſt we bear the Image of the Heavenly, as it is. 1 Cor. 15.49. Where is the elder Brother? Is he not in the Heavenly places? As the Apoſtle tells us Epheſ. 2.6. His Treaſure is in Heaven; His hope is in Heaven; Heaven is the City, the Manſion, the reſt whither He is travelling, or if Secondly, ye conſider the Believers calling and his obligation: Thereby he is partaker of the Heavenly calling: (as it is Heb. 2.1.) Separated from the reſt of the world, and therefore ought not to live as the world doth; He hath a Heavenly law to walk by: he hath Heavenly promiſes, to feed and live upon, and to comfort himſelf in; his happineſs is Heavenly; and all the Duties that he is called to are ſo; of which this is the ſubſtance and ſum, even to glorifie God, and to ſeek to enjoy him, and ſo to ſhine in his Converſation, as others may be provoked to glorifie God: are not his prayers and praiſes Heavenly? and can a believer poſſibly go aright about thoſe, and not be Heavenly? to be Tranſlated from darkneſs to light, to be a partaker of the Sanctifieing ſpirit of God, to be a new Creature, to have the ſpirit of Adoption, to have boldneſs of acceſs to God, to be an Heir and a joint-Heir with Chriſt &c. Are not theſe Heavenly? Or if Thirdly, We look to his company, is it not Heavenly? We are come (ſaith the Apoſtle Heb. 12.) To God the Judge of all, to Jeſus the Mediator of the new Covenant, to the new Jeruſalem, (which taketh in all the Saints in Heaven, & the Saints on earth) to an innumerable company of Angels, to the general aſſembly of the firſt born, & to the Spirits of juſt men made perfect. In a word, whatever we look to, whether to the Believers nature, or to his end, or to the rule of his walk, or to the Promiſes, or to his work and way wherein he is to go; all is Heavenly: is there not an oblidging neceſſity on the Believer, in reſpect of all theſe, to ſtudy to be Heavenly in his Converſation? Which is the great thing that the Apoſtle Paul preſſeth on you; and from theſe words is clearly preſſed on all Chriſtians.
The Uſes are Four; The Firſt whereof ſerves for Inſtruction and Infirmation to all that bear the Name of Chriſt; know from this, what is the high pitch of Holineſs that ye are called to, It is even to be Heavenly in your Converſation; are there not many who have much need to be inſtructed in this? Who never walked under the Conviction of the neceſſity of this as a duty; otherwiſe, were it poſſible, that the moſt part of men and women, who are called Chriſtians and profeſs a hope of Heaven, could or durſt live as they do, ſome in Prophanity Riotouſneſs and gluttony; others in meer civility and Morall Honeſty; and others in Formality and Hypocriſie at the beſt? Let me ask you in good earneſt, are ye not convinced that this is a duty? or do you think that Paul was ſcorning or complementing, when he exhorts to follow him in this? Or is it poſſible that ye can enjoy ſo many Heavenly priviledges, or be to any purpoſe performing heavenly duties, except ye be Heavenly in your Converſation? And if ſo, Miſtake not Chriſtianity, as if when ye are exhorted to be Chriſtians, ye were only bidden not to be prophane; or only to go about the externall duties of Religion; or only to have a ſort of meerly Moral ſincerity, and ſeriouſneſs in the performing of them; which are indeed things good in themſelves, and we do not, we dare not diſallow them, but rather commend them; but ye are called to more, to much more, and that is to be Heavenly-minded and to have your Converſation in Heaven. I know ſome are ſo profane, and others are ſo misbelievingly diſcouraged, that when they hear ſuch doctrine as this, they will be ready, the one ſort to ſay, We cannot all be Saints; and the other, Alace! we cannot be Saints: but let all ſuch mouths be ſtopped; ye are called and oblidged indiſpenſibly to be Saints: and if ye be not Saints here, ye ſhall never be Saints hereafter: There are alſo ſome of ſo diſtempered diſpoſitions and humours, that they either put off all or moſt duties, or at leaſt go very heartleſly about them, becauſe they cannot attain perfection in them; but it's clear from the Scriptures, that there is a kind of Perfection to be win at here in this life, which is even this Holineſs and Heavenlineſs of Converſation: When ye ſhall be called to a reckoning, God will not ask you ſo much, whether ye did not Drink drunk, Whore, Swear, Lie, Cheat, Steal, or the like, as whether ye were Heavenly in your Converſation? and this is not to be aſtricted to one, or to ſome few particular duties; but is the requiſit qualification of a Chriſtian in all duties and in all his actions: whether he be Praying, Practiſing, Hearing, Reading, Buying, Selling, Eating, Drinking, &c. Or whatever He do and be about, he is to be Heavenly in all thoſe.
And if ye Ask more particularly; what that is? I ſhall ſhew you, in what reſpect a Chriſtian may be ſaid to have and ſhould have his Converſation in Heaven. And Firſt; in reſpect of the inward Holy frame and Divine ſe…t of his heart: he ſhould be Heavenly in that: free from thoſe diſtempering Paſſions, that the men of this world are ſubjected, nay enſlaved unto and hurried with: He ſhould not have his affections dragging on the earth, nor his delights, nor deſires taken up with things earthly: but he ſhould be Mortified unto and weaned from all thoſe things: He ſhould not be like unto thoſe who on all occaſions are toſſed with their humors and with every wind of temptation: but he ſhould be ſo calme, Compoſed and ſober, ſettled and fixed in a Heavenly temper of Spirit, that words of reproach may not much trouble him, nor croſſes and afflictions much diſquiet him: he ſhould have ſuch compoſure and ſedatneſs of ſpirit, that he may be much above the levity and unſtayedneſs that the men of the world are under the power of, and he ſhould endeavor to be defecat and purged from thoſe impure mixtures of ſelf-intereſts, that are regnant in worldly men. Secondly in reſpect of his work, he ſhould and may have his converſation in Heaven, and that is, when he is much in the exerciſe of thoſe Graces, and in the practiſe of thoſe duties, that he is to be taken up with in Heaven: to be much in love to God, taken up with delighting in him, much in Communion with God, Holily impatient to want him or to live without his company; to be much in the ſtudy and ſearching out of his perfections: to be ſtudying to have the heart fixed, as it were a pillar in his houſe and not to go out from him: to be much in admiring and adorning the free grace and love of God: and to be in a Holy manner raviſhed with the contemplation of thoſe: to be much in the work of Prayer, and much in the work of Praiſe, ſaying, Worthy is the Lamb to receive Glory, Honour, Dominion &c. Joining with the four beaſts and four and twenty Elders; ſaying, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty: to be much in prizing and valuing of God, in ſetting out and commending him: to be in all duties willing and cheerfull, doing Gods will cheerfully and with alacri…y: to be much in longing for the Sabbath to converſe more cloſely with him: longing of…en for privacie and retirement to pour out the heart before him: and to do all this with Holy coveting to do it better, praying that his will may be done on earth, as it is done in Heaven. Thirdly, A believer may be ſaid to have his Converſation, and you are called to have yours in Heaven, in reſpect of a Heavenly walk, and as having a heavenly impreſſe on all your Converſa…ion: to be walking as it were in Heaven, and as if Holineſs to the Lord were written on your foreheads: which being very comprehenſive takes in theſe, Firſt to have the heart fixed in meditating on God and his law, on Spirituall and Heavenly things, to have a ſublime and divine ſtrain of mind, not debaſing it ſelf to purſue vanities; but kept in a cloſe and conſtant purſuit after Communion with God and conformity to him; to be in caſe to ſay with David, Pſal. 139. When I awake I am ſtill with thee: Labouring to leave the heart and mind in Heaven, when ye ly down, and ſeeking to find it there, when ye ariſe. 2. To have your affections, love, deſires and delights in Heaven, or heavenly. 3. To have your words ſavouring of Heaven; Miniſtering Grace to the hearers; endeavouring to have your words weighty and grave in the commendation of God and his Grace. 4. To have your hearing of the word, and your praying, carrying much of a heavenly ſtamp and impreſſion on them; hearing, as if God were ſpeaking to you Immediatly from heaven, and praying; as if ye were even before his Throne. 5. In your more common and ordinary Converſation, as in your Eating and Drinking, in your recreating, and in following your lawful callings and employments, even the very courſeſt and loweſt of them, to propoſe to your ſelves another end, then the men of the world do, making that your main end to Glorifie God; and to have ſuch a heavenly and Divine way of going about theſe, as may be convincing, edifieing and gaining of on-lookers; not to be predominantly influenced by ſelfiſh humours, deſignes or intereſts, looking only, or mainly, to what may pleaſe or profit your ſelves, but levelling all at the Glory of God, and the edification and good of others, as well as your own. Fourthly, We may be ſaid to have our Converſation in Heaven, when we have a Holy commerce and trading (as it were) with Heaven; as a man is ſaid to converſe in France or Spain, when he trades and trafliques there; So, to have converſe in Heaven, is Spiritually to traffique there; to have Faith and Hope exerciſed in and about heaven, to ſend many prayers and deſires to heaven, as ſo many empty veſſels; and to be in the lively and longing expectation of their return full and richly loaden; to make many viſits (as I ſaid before) to heaven; and to be in all thoſe, neither ſeldome, nor tranſiently and at ſtarts only, but to be frequent and more continuing in them; and though they ſhould ſometimes return either with ſeeming loſſe, or with very litle gain, yet to keep up the trade and traffique, ſeeking to make up our loſſe by a new voyage thither: for the trade is not alwayes (to ſpeak ſo) alike quick. Fifthly, We may be ſaid to converſe in heaven, by our abiding (as it were) in heaven; and this is one of the higheſt ſteps of a heavenly Converſation. If ye ſhall ask How it is, that a believer, while on earth, doth or can abide in Heaven? I Anſwer theſe wayes, or in theſe reſpects: 1. By having his heart in heaven, where his treaſure is; For (as the Lord ſayes) Where a mans treaſure is, there is his heart: the man (as it were) dwels there, and if at any time he remove a litle, he leaves there his great ſtock, and his heart as a Factor: ſo, though the Chriſtian be diſcourſing, buying, ſelling, eating, drinking &c. Yet in all theſe, his heart may and ought ſome way to be in heaven. 2. To have his Faith in heaven, and, as it were, never to come out of it. 3. To have his love in heaven, folding its two armes about the Lamb and him that ſits on the Throne; holily loth to have them looſed from thoſe ſweet Soul ſolacing and ſatisfieing embraces. 4. To have his hope in heaven, which is an Anchor caſt within the vail, and makes the ſoul ſafe and ſure amidſt the greateſt tempeſts of outward trouble, as a ſhip rideth ſafely when ſhe hath caſt Anchor on firme ground, ſo that there is no fear ſhe will drive. In a word, theſe Four, The Heart, Faith, Hope, and Love, being in heaven, we may ſay that the mans beſt half and Part is in heaven: his …edder ſtake is looſed, and much of his Tabernacle taken down, and he made in a good meaſure meet, ready and ripe for his diſſolution and for heaven: Thus ye are called and oblidged to have your Converſation in heaven. Sixthly, A Believers converſation may be ſaid to be, and ought to be in heaven, when his contentment, delight and ſatisfaction are in heaven; when all that he deſires, all that he delights in, and on which his ſoul feeds, and all that he is comforted with, is in heaven, and he hath not a day to do well, nor one comfortable good hour, but that which is given him from heaven: and this is not only to be abiding with, but to be delighting in God: having the peace of God that paſſeth underſtanding, guarding the heart, and His love shed abroad therein: and having all that which entertains his life, coming from heaven: Thus Col. 3.3. It is ſaid, that our life is hid with Chriſt in God: So that the Believer is affected with nothing, feeds upon, and is ſatisfied with nothing ſo much as he is with that which comes from heaven: He awakes, he ſleeps, he reſts there: This is to live in Heaven, and to be heavenly in our Converſation: And this is it that ye are called and oblidged to: even to have your converſation in heaven in all theſe forementioned reſpects: that as ye believers are of another nature, ſo ye may be of another and more divine Frame of ſoul in your work and walk, in your thoughts and words, in your outward duties, and in the exerciſe of inward Graces, in your commerce and trading, in your contentment, delight, and ſatisfaction, to be heavenly in all.
And if any ſhall here ſay, This is a very hard task: I Anſwer firſt, Can it be hard to be in heaven? Nay, it's an eaſe rather, for Chriſt's yoke is eaſie and his burden is light: & in as much as our Converſation is in heaven we have ſo much true Spiritual eaſe & repoſe of ſoul: & it is what we leave behind in the world, that makes the difficulty to get our Spirits ſcrued up to heaven, and to be kept there: here lyes the difficulty: but the more the heart and the mind be there, we have really the more eaſe. 2. Will ye ſhift, deny or decline the duty, becauſe it's difficult and hard? As indeed it is to corrupt nature: Notwithſtanding all the difficulty of it, the Apoſtle Paul with his fellows and followers did win to it in a good meaſure, and we may attain it through Grace, according to our Meaſure; Is not this the way to heaven which our Lord calleth Strait, and which but few find? And yet, if ye would try and make proof of it in good earneſt: ye would find it to be not ſo very ſtrait or unpaſſable as ye Imagine it to be: It would be found to be waited with ſuch delight, as would much ſweeten any hardneſs in it: and ye would not want an inſight in thoſe heavenly myſteries, and the beholding your names written in heaven and in the Lambs book of life, nor one hours feeding upon and being ſolaced by them, for all he delights of the men of this world: and ſince it's only hard to corruption, it ſhould be ſo much the more endeavoured and plyed hard.
The Second Uſe ſerves for Tryall, that we may know who is a Chriſtian indeed and a Thriving Chriſtian; or it may ſerve rather to be an uſe of Diſcovery and of Conviction; and indeed it may very eaſily and quickly make diſcovery of the unſoundneſs of many, and of the ſhort-coming of all: Need we inſiſt on this? Is it not a truth obvious to all, viz. That Chriſtians are called and oblidged to be heavenly in their Converſation? Are not theſe the Characters of ſuch a Converſation? Nay is there not yet much more requiſit in a Chriſtian, even a divineneſs above what we can expreſs? And if ye be (as ye may be) convinced that this is a truth; then let me in the next place ask you, if your Converſation be ſuch? Put your own conſciences to it; enquire at them whether your trade be to Heaven, whether your peace and joy, your delight and ſatisfaction be there? Would God ye would eſſay it, and could upon good ground ſay, that it is ſo: But Ah! is there any that can ſay it without ſome heſitation? Is not the beſt exceeding defective? Or if many of you ſhall ſay, it is ſo; What then means your carnalneſs, your prevailing luſt, diſtempering humours and paſſions? What means your ſo much pleading for ſelf-intereſts, this turning (as it were) of the World up-ſide down for our own particulars? How comes it to paſs, that ye who are profane do ſpend ſo much of your precious time in Tipling, and trifle away ſo much of it unprofitably many other wayes? Dare ye ſay, that ye who walk thus, are indeed followers of the Apoſtle Paul? Or if ye dare not ſay, that ye are followers of him in his Heavenly Converſation; can ye think or expect to dwel with him in Heaven? O! be not deceived, for God will not be mocked: when ye reflect ſeriouſly on your ſelves and on your way, will ye not find juſt ground for being aſhamed and confounded before God? or is there any of us all, that needs to want an errand to the Throne of Grace, to confeſs and crave Pardon for our ſinfull ſhort-coming in this? I ſhall only ſpeak a word or two in further proſecution of this Uſe, to you that are Stout-hearted and know no changes, that have alwayes a good opinion and a good word to ſay of your ſelves, Who are ready to ſay, that ye have a good meaning, and to think and ſay that ye loved God all your dayes; and who at beſt content your ſelves with and ſit down on a form of Religion, who never ſtudied to die to the world, and never made it your buſineſs in good earneſt, to Mortifie your luſts, and to be holy in the inward frame of your ſouls: Is this, think ye, to have your Converſation in Heaven? Would ye know then, if ever ye have ſtudied Chriſtianity ſeriouſly; try it by this, viz. Whether ye have been heavenly in your converſation; for however ye Judge of your ſelves, God will moſt certainly Judge you according to this Rule and qualification of a Chriſtian: It is both ſad and ſtrange to think, how it comes to paſs, that many of you bear and bolſter up your ſelves with a hope of Heaven, and profeſs that ye have no doubt but you ſhall come thither, who yet want and are void of this qualification.
I know ſuch will be ready to Object, Who are they that come this length? To which I ſhall only Anſwer, That, as I would be very loth to quench any ſmoking flax, or to break any bruiſed reed (whereof our Lord and Maſter is very tender) or to caſt water of diſcouragement upon any the leaſt ſpark or ſpunk of ſincerity, where there is any honeſt aiming to walk according to this Rule; So, I cannot, I dare not but ſay to others, in the firſt Place; have ye walked under the conviction of this as a duty incumbent on you? and have ye ſeriouſly Propoſed it to your ſelves as your great buſineſs in the World, to be ſincerely aiming at, and endeavouring after this Converſation in Heaven? or have ye not rather had peace (ſuch as it was) when ye ſaid your prayers morning and evening, though ye did not ſo much as deſigne or aime at this throughout the day? And can ye with any ſhadow of reaſon think, ye have attained it or can attain it, who never ſeriouſly propoſed this as a Rule to your ſelves to walk by, nor never had a Conſcience-diſquieting challenge for ſuch neglect and manifeſt ſhort-coming? 2. What Labour are ye at, what pains take ye to proſecute ſuch a deſigne and bleſſed project as this? It's one thing to pray, to be about external duties of Religion, and to be a Chriſtian in the letter; and another thing to be in theſe duties after a heavenly manner, and to be a Chriſtian indeed, a Chriſtian inwardly and in the ſpirit, whoſe praiſe is not of men but of God; Is it really your honeſt aime, deſigne and endeavour (whatever be the attainment) to be as much Heavenly in your converſation, as it is to be civil and formal, or to attend the outward Ordinances? I fear many of you cannot ſay, it is. 3. What weight lyes on your ſpirits, for your ſhort coming in this? Ye will (be like) ſay, we are all ſhort; which is a ſad truth, for indeed ſo we are; but are ye really weighted and grieved for your ſhort-coming in this? Have there been any times taken, to deal purpoſely with the Lord to remove the earthly mind, and to help to Heavenly-mindedneſs? Have there been challenges and any meaſure of ſerious heart-exerciſe, becauſe of the want of a heavenly mind? and that not only ſometimes at the hearing of a Sermon, or in time of ſickneſs, or when under ſome other trouble; but in your more conſtant and habituall walk? Is it one of the great things for which ye blame and find fault with your ſelves before God? And though your outſide and viſible Converſation be blameleſs: yet while you look on the carnalneſs and earthlineſs of your mind, and on the want of this Divine and heavenly frame of ſoul, it makes you hang the head, marres your boldneſs, and (as it were) layes your feathers: becauſe, do what ye can, your heart will not abide in heaven: If it be thus, It's a token for good, and ſome ground of peace: but O! How rare is this? many of you, be like, have often overly prayed, Forgive us our ſins; who never took with, nor prayed for the Pardon of this ſin: but have lyen down at night and riſen up in the morning, having your hearts plunged and pudled in the world, without once minding heaven in earneſt, and yet have never been challenged for it: Q ſad ſtate!
The Third Uſe Serves to Reprove and Expoſtulat for this unworthy carriage; for having either nothing at all, or but very litle of a Converſation in Heaven: We take it for granted, that many of us are far from it, and that all of us are litle in it; but very few even of the beſt are dayly and conſtantly Converſing in Heaven; Alace! it's but now and then with many ſad interruptions. For quickning this reproof and expoſtulation a litle, let me propoſe theſe few Queries to you; and in the Firſt place, do ye not know that the neglect of this is a ſin and the breach of a Command; Be ye followers of me? 2. Is not this an excellent duty and royall priviledge, to be admitted to converſe in Heaven? And therefore the neglect of it muſt not only be a ſin, but a great ſin, even a trampling on the Grace of God, a ſlighting of heaven and of a moſt noble priviledge and dignity. 3. Think ye Heaven to be of great worth; if ſo, muſt not converſing in heaven be of much worth? Will ye never ſo much as once go to ſee the houſe, wherein ye ſay ye are to dwel? Q! How unſuitable a thing is it, that thoſe who are but dayes men here, ſhould ſit down and ſettle on the earth without minding Heaven, and be ſo confined within time, as not ſeriouſly to mind eternity? 4. How can ye come before God with confidence and boldneſs, who do not endeavour thus to walk with him? Can ye ſay with Holy boldneſs; Our Father which art in Heaven, Whoſe Converſation is not Heavenly? Can ye pray for Holineſs, and ſay theſe words, Thy will be done on Earth, as it is done in Heaven, who never ſtudied to be heavenly in any duty, that ye put hand to? But 5. And above all, I would ask you, can ye hope to die comfortably, nay can ye hope to die in ſafety, as to your ſouls, who know not heaven, nor what is there, nor what is the way to it? It gives a man confidence and comfort at death, that he hath converſed in heaven in his life-time; ſuch a man hath but litle to do, when he comes to die, he knows the way and is not afraid, he knows the company and longs to be with them; he knows the privileges and longs for the full enjoyment of them; he hath litle here, his Treaſure is above in heaven, and his heart, Faith, Love, and hope are there; his Anchor is caſt within the vail, and he would fain be aſhore: ſure this is the Believers both duty and priviledge; do not think, that it is only called for from ſome More then ordinary Chriſtians, and who have nothing elſe to do: the matter is not ſo, it's moſt certainly a duty, to which ye are all called that have a mind to land fairly in heaven, when ye come off the troubleſome toſſing and tempeſtuous Sea of this world.
Now Therefore in the Laſt room (as the Fourth Uſe of the Doctrine) I Exhort, beſeech and Obteſt, in the Name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, all of you that lay any claim to the hope of heaven, that ye would, and more then ever, ſtudy to have your Converſation in heaven; Q! Be followers of Paul and of his fellows in this thing: Need we adduce any motives to preſs this? Is not the duty clear? And is it not a moſt excellent duty, a moſt deſireable qualification of a Chriſtian walk? Is not heaven Tranſcendently excellent? And is it not excellent to be heavenly minded, and converſant in heaven? Wherein may we expect to prevail with you, if not in bringing you to heaven? what is the thing that ſhould ſweeten the ſtudy of holineſs to you? Is it not this, even, that by having your converſation in heaven; ye come thither? Thoſe who are now in heaven think it a great motive, and if it be not a motive to you, ye will one day curſe your ſelves that ye Neglected it: ſtudie it therefore in due time: This is the way to be free of the encombrances of an evil World: there is no hazard of this eſtate its being forfeited or ſequeſtred, there are no Plunderings nor quarterings here, no poverty nor pain, nor any ſad evil occurrent here; Q! what a deſirable life is it to be above all thoſe things? And indeed in ſo far as your Converſation is heavenly in ſo far ye are above them, and live the life of Angels.
It's like ye will Ask, what are the means or ſteps by which, we may win in and aſcend to this heavenlineſs of Converſation? which is indeed a very ſuitable and neceſſary queſtion, and would God we were ſerious in propoſing of it, and were convinced of the neceſſity of it: However, let ſuch as would fain be at it, know, Firſt, That they muſt be much mortified, and denyed to Creature-Comforts: therefore Col. 3. Theſe two are oppoſed, Seek thoſe things which are above, ſet your affections on things in heaven; and not on things of the earth: to go both up and down at once is impoſſible: if ye would be heavenly in your Converſation, ſeek to have the world litle and low in your eſtimation: to be not only free from the ſinfull intanglements of it, but to be Mortified to things lawfull: I preſs you not to negligence in your honeſt and lawfull callings, far leſs to lay them aſide, but to a heavenly mindedneſs and holy denyedneſs in your diligence: Uſe the things of this world as not abuſing them: as not being taken with them, nor glued to them: the minding of earthly things too much clogs and keeps mens hearts, that they do not mount up to heaven: It's impoſſible, while the heart is ſurfeited with the cares of this life, that it can thus ſore aloft. And therefore, Secondly, Thoſe that would be heavenly in their converſation muſt lay up their treaſure in heaven, For where the Treaſure is, there will the heart be alſo: were ye under the deep and due conviction of the vanity of earthly things, and of the excellencie of heaven and heavenly things, and laying your reckoning ſoberly and ſeriouſly, that heaven ye muſt have, it would be much more eaſie to Scrue up your affections to it: as where mens ſtock and treaſure is, there is their heart: even ſo, were your great ſtock and treaſure in heaven, your heart would certainly be there: your hope, your love and delight would be there: But your ſeeking after contentment and ſatisfaction in earthly vanities, where it cannot be found, keeps your heart out of heaven. Thirdly, Be much in the duty of meditation and contemplation of heavenly things: this is, (as it were) the great wheel and firſt mover of the Clock, to have the mind heavenly, often converſing in heaven, and often thinking of it, and often recounting the bleſſed advantages, the glorious and great happineſs that are there, even till your meditation of God be made ſweet, and till your delight in him, thereby ſtirred up and ſtrengthened, make a heavenly converſation: for litle ſuch meditation makes litle heavenly-mindedneſs; and when the mind is not on heaven, ſomething that's worſe comes in the place of it; ye that know the bent and inclination of your own minds to be naturally downward, and how natively (to ſpeak ſo) it runs on vanities; and how difficult it is to keep it, but alongſt two or three ſentences, fixed on heavenly things: and how preternatural a motion it is, (as it were) to make it aſcend and mount upward, will eaſily aſſent to the truth of this; It is an excellent word that David hath Pſal. 139. When I awake I am ſtill with thee. Fourthly, We commend this to you (hinted at before) that ye would be much in trading and Trafficking with Heaven; to be often and ſerious in Prayer, frequently ſending up deſires thither, and bringing thence returns of prayer in g…eat meaſures of Grace; catching hold of and griping at ſomewhat above you, whereby ye may be helped up that high and Holy hill; It transforms into the ſame Image from Glory to Glory, to be keeping love to Chriſt freſh, to have hope as an anchor caſt within the vaile; In a word, love to Chriſt and delight in him, being, as a conſiderable part, ſo alſo the reſult of Holineſs; There muſt be a ſtudy of Holineſs in all the Parts of it, of Holineſs in all manner of Converſation, and a Heavenly frame aimed at, and endeavoured in all duties, and in all the ſteps of our walk and converſation, in order to the keeping in, cheriſhing and increaſing of love to, and delight in him; and often thinking on that which helps to it, viz. Let thy will be done on earth, as it is done in Heaven; A word often in the mouths of many, but litle in their hearts: And Q! how lamentably unlike are the practiſes of many of you to it? We may indeed bluſh and think ſhame to ſpeak, and you may think ſhame to hear of having a Converſation in heaven, there being ſo litle of it amongſt us; But we muſt ſpeak of it and ye muſt hear it ſpoken of: ſince it is a part and a great part of our duty, and will be a part, and a great part of our reckoning: and we lay and leave it upon you from the Lord, to be ſtudied by you: Do not think that ye ſhall ever have your Converſation in Heaven afterward, who have not your Converſation in Heaven here; many of you that have a fair Profeſſion of Religion, and ſeem to come near to that harbour of reſt and yet never enter into it, are like to a ſhip that comes, as it were, with up-ſails, very near the Port, and is unexpectedly blowen back to the Sea again; whereas the Believer who has his Anchor caſt on firm and ſure ground within the vail, is enabled to endure toſſing, being like a tight ſhip that is able to ride out the ſtorme and to ſtem the Port: His Treaſure is in Heaven, and there is a ſure and indiſſoluble knot caſt betwixt Heaven, where his treaſure is, and his heart. Now from all this judge, what a mighty prejudice it is to be earthly minded, and to ſlight this walk with God, and Converſation in heaven: and who are they that dare offer or preſume to come before God the righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth, in whoſe ſight the very Heavens are not pure, to abide his tryall, who have been puddling all their dayes in the world, never once ſeriouſly and ſuitably minding a Converſation in Heaven? O let the conſideration of eternal Happineſs on the one hand, and of Eternal miſerie on the other, provoke you, and neceſſitat you all to ſtudy in good earneſt to have your converſation in Heaven; and ye believers in Chriſt and Children of light, walk in the light, ſuitably to your Heavenly Father and to the hope of your Heavenly inheritance. O! be more converſant in Heaven, before ye come to it, and where ye ſhall be by and by for evermore.