Yet I confine my selfe to the last , which I see our learned Interpreters have expressed also , whose judgement and authoritie I willingly follow , not troubling my selfe , or you , with any further anxious disputes , or curious Criticismes : the stones were hewed and squared in the mountaines , there was no noise of hammer in the building of Salomons Temple , which yet was so compact , they say , as if it had bin but one stone without any joynting or ciment .

The Astronomers cut the heaven into many circles , and plough up many barren furrowes by their suppositions , as lightly as the Mathematicians draw lines in the dust : but wee shall not neede many Hypotheses to salve the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or appearances of these heavens .

Observe also with mee in the whole Frame , but one line which you see written in legible Characters , as it were with a Sun-beame . The conversation of a Christian is in Heaven .

In which notwithstanding it will be usefull to consider , and distinguish three imaginary Points .

These shall be my Ecliptique Line , with in which , my Discourse shall bound it selfe .

First , I will explaine Quid sit , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . what it is , and how a 1. Christian hath his Conversation in Heaven .

Secondly , I will examine Quale 2. sit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Whether the life of ordinary Christians be according to this Rule , or not , and

Thirdly , I will suggest Quantum 3. sit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , How forcible motives may provoke us to this Heavenly conversation .

First , Let no man say , who shall 1. give me Elias Chariot , in which I may mount up to heaven a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . here needs no change of place , but a change of minde , which may lift it selfe up to heaven , while the body lies upon the earth , as Abraham went into the Mount , while the Servants and Asses staid below in the Valley .

Let no man say , what must I be like the prophane Gyants , which heaped mountaine upon mountaine to scale heaven ( although the violent take the kingdome of heaven by force , as our Saviour speakes in another sense ) or like proud Lucifer who made his nest among the starres ?

No , b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . blessed is he who hath a Low minde , in an high Conversation , God is high , as Austin sweetly , and yet the more we lift our selves up , the further we are from Him ; the more we humble our selves , the nearer : the swelling leaven of pride can never doe it , the true growth and stature of Grace , and Vertue , makes a Christian as high as heaven , makes him in heaven many wayes .

First , Affectu , in affection . A friend of Cyrus in Xenophon being asked where his treasure was which might enable him to bestow his daughter honourably , according to his ranke and place ; made this answer a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Where Cyrus is my friend : and a shame it is for a Christian , if hee either know not , or professe not that his treasure is there , b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . where the Lord is his friend . Where the body is , thither the Eagles , where Christ is , thither sharp-sighted and lofty soules will resort : for according to our Saviour , Where the Treasure is , there is the heart also : and according to the Philosopher , Animus est ubiamat , non ubi animat , the minde is where it loves , not where it lives .

No marvell then , if in this respect , we say , The conversation of a Christian is in heaven , though you see his person here upon earth : so you see the starres sometime in the water , you see them move , which notwithstanding you know are fixed above in the Firmament : so the Christian , though he seeme to flote up and downe in the troublesome waves of the lower world , yet there is he fastened with the Anchor of Hope , and thither is he carried with the sailes , and oares of desire : for c c Vt radi solis continguntquidem terram , sed ib sunt , unde mittuntur : sic animus magnus sacer conversatur quidem nobis cum sedhaeret Origin suae . as the raies of the Sunne touch the earth , yet still are there from whence they are darted ; so a lofty and pious , heart is familiarly conversant withus , but remaines fixed in his Originall ; as Seneca makes the comparison , where being mounted like Saint Paul in Gregory Nyssen , ᵈ He le ts fall a looke c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . upon these lower things from a loft , not without some scorne ; they seeme little or nothing in his eyes : and no wonder ; for as heavenly things seeme small to an earthly man , as the starres to him that beholds them from earth , appeare but as a point , ( a glistring point indeed , a golden point , and yet but a point ) so by a farre better reason to a godly man , whose affections have raised him to heaven , when hee beholds it from thence , the whole earth is contracted to a Point , or rather appeares like as they call a shadow nigrum nihil , a little blacke ; and darke nothing : So a Christian indeed during the time of his Pilgrimage , useth these earthly things as necessaries , though hee accounts them but as Accessaries ; like the haires upon our heads , they are but an excrement , yet they are an ornament ; and as Austin speakes of Maries , with which she wiped the feete of our Saviour , e e Capiti quidem superslua , sed pedibus Christi necessaria . They were superfluous for her owne head , yet they were necessary for the feet of Christ . The Church in the Revelation hath a crowne of starres upon her head , and the Moone is under her feete : The Spirit in the Acts descended upon the Head ( they thinke ) of the Apostles , the Disciples cast the money at their feete : Heavenly blessings , spirituall graces are the crowne of a Christian , earthly things he tramples under his feete , according to that of the Psalmist , Blessings are upon the head of the righteous , that is , heavenly , Thou hast put all things under his feete , that is , all earthly : Heavenly blessings they are Bona throni , the goods of the throne ; Earthly , they are Bona scabelli , the goods of the footestoole ( as Austin tearmes them ) in the account of a Christian , who in this is like God himselfe , of whom the Scripture speakes , Heaven is his Throne , and the earth is his Footestoole : for so a Christian useth all earthly blessings but as helps , as a footestoole to climbe into the throne of Heaven : and this use is lawfull ; for as Tertullian saith , a Christian may make a Nose-gay of flowers to smell to , but hee may not make a crowne of flowers to set upon his head : so God allowes the sweetnesse of outward blessings to his servants for a refreshing , alwayes provided , they set them not in the highest place , in the highest price . In a word , * * Res illi temporalis in usu est , aeterna in desiderio . Temporall blessings are for his use , but eternall , for his desire and affection , as Gregory speakes .

Anaxagoras being asked whether he cared not for his countrey , with the ruine whereof he seemed to be little moved ; yes , said he , there is none of you that cares more than I doe for my countrey , pointing with his finger up to heaven , as though heaven were his countrey : and so it is a Christians indeed : for if the proposition of the Philosopher be true , a a Patria est ubicunque bene . that is our country where wee have the best fare , and entertainement , then his conclusion is infallible , therefore heaven is my countrey , without which I cannot live well , for b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Est quia non potuit dicere , dixit , erit . there is a plenty of all good things . Let then the Philosopher comfort himselfe that he was not banished ( though out of his countrey ) and that he was not confined to any place , like a Snaile to her shell , because he was a c c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . free denizan , and a Citizen of the world ; the Christian is not ashamed to confesse the whole worlds libertie to be but a banishment to him , who is but a Pilgrim in a strange Land here , because he is a free Denizan , and Citizen of Heaven . d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .

Nay more , he stayes in the world , as in some more free and noble Prison , where you must pardon him , if he cannot be in love with his fetters , though perhaps of gold : Hee is in the body as a child in the wombe , in a e e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . walking Sepulcher , his delivery from thence shall be his Nativity , from whence he meanes to begin the account of the tearme of his Life : To live with God is the onely life , to raigne with Christ , the onely libertie according to that of Simeon , f f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now lettest thy servant depart , so that the body is as the g g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Bridewell and Prison of our life , as Basil interprets it , this is that hee sighes and breaths after , Woe is me that I am constrained to dwell in Meshech : I desire to be dissolved and be with Christ ; Come Lord Jesus , come quickly : How long Lord , for ever ! Christ was borne in an Inne to teach him to make the world but a throwfare , where if hee take his rest , yet he must not set up his rest .

Secondly , Conatu , in Endeavour , without which affection is like Rahel , beautifull but barren , h h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neither doth a woman without a man , neither doth the Affection of hope , produce any thing serviceable without Endeavour .

Pythagor as was wont to say that he had another errand to the Olympick games , then the most that frequented them : some came for pleasure , and to pot it in a knot of good fellowes , which were like to meet there ; some for gaine , and to vent their commodities at a good rate in such a faire of people ; some for Glory , and hope to be crowned conquerours , and win the Garland for valour , and activitie in those sports and exercises ; but he professed that hee came onely as a looker on : pleasure , and gaine and glory are the Trinitie which the world adores , and the behaviour of the most is such , as though they came into the world upon no other errand , but to scramble for some of these .

They smile perhaps when they see children so fond , and busie and eager about their toyes , making Houses , and Pies of dirt , kissing their babies of clouts , blowing bubles into the ayre out of a shell , and running after them ; and when they reade that Domitian the Emperour persecuted the poore Christians abroad in his Empire , and persecuted the poore flies at home in his Palace , they would take respit perhaps to decide the controversie , whether that act had more crueltie , or this idlenesse more folly : but let them looke to it , whether they be not carius ineptis , haunted with a more tragicall and costly folly , who being placed by God in this August Palace of the world , where the Heaven is the sieling , the Earth the floore , can finde no better employment .

The carriage of a Christian I am sure hath passed this sentence upon them already , which is such , as though he repined that he was forced to be so much as a looker on at these Apish Anticks : which in , a scornefull silence he checkes with the severitie of his frowne , and confutes with the majestie of his countenance , in which you may reade his minde written in Hieroglyphicall letters , that he thinkes with Anaxagoras , that he was borne to contemplate heaven , & observe which way he may get thither : and therefore he followes the suite for these earthly things something coldly , & negligently as one that cares not much which end goes forward , or rather generously and nobly , tanquam Candidatus Caesaris , as a Favorite of Caesare ( as they were wont to say at Rome ) and if he speed , enjoyes his conquests moderatly , using them , as the dogs drinke at Nilus ; or as Gidions Souldiers , lap and away , lest if hee should let loose the reines , he might be guiltie in the use of his lawfull libertie , as a man ( they say ) may commit adultery with his owne wife ; in a word , useth them as though he used them not , tanquam aeternitatis Candidatus , as Tertullian speakes , as one that is a favorite of eternitie .

But for heavenly things ( good Lord ) what alacritie shewes he ! what diligence ! what resolution ?

They report of Mahomet an ordinary Turke that this was the first step of his advancement to the Empire , his Master Solyman the great , let fall a letter out of a window , which while the rest to approve their diligence to their Lord ran about for Ladders , he without any more deliberation , or circuit leapt out of the window and returned presently : This is the nature of Love and Zeale to overlook all danger , to forget themselves to please God , and these are they that came to preferment , to be favorites in the Court of Heaven , when they that are so wise to looke before they leape , may look long enough before they rise , and a foole he is that lookes for any other ladder to climbe to Honour besides his Masters favour .

What diligent ? The Ancients were wont to paint fortune taking Cities in a net , for one Timotheus an Athenian Captaine whom they drew sleeping by : but our Timothy knowes the new Ierusalem , the Citie above cannot be taken otherwise , and therefore plants a streight siege about it with an army of vertues , plies the battery with the ordinance of prayer , casts up mounts against it , giving all diligence that he may adde to faith vertue , and to vertue knowledge , and to knowledge temperance , and to temperance patience , and to patience godlinesse , and to godlinesse brotherly kindnesse , and to brotherly kindnesse , mountaine upon mountaine as the Gyants did , that at last he may scale heaven .

What resolution ? the famous Artificer Phidias advised the Athenians , to make the statue of Minerva the Tutelary goddesse of the Citie , of Marble rather then Ivory , alleadging two reasons .

First , because Marble was more durable and this passed with allowance .

Secondly , because Ivory was more chargeable : at the mention whereof , with infinite indignation they commanded him silence : base wretches , that study to beate downe the price of heaven , and will not deale , except they may have it under foot : the ancients were wont to call an Holocaust prodigam hostiam , the prodigall Sacrifice : but a Christian thinkes it the best thrift , and most saving bargaine , when he can offer himselfe wholly to God a living Sacrifice , pleasing and acceptable in his sight : and therefore resolves with David , I will not serve the Lord of that which cost me nothing , and followes our Saviour whose counsell it is , Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doth , doe not anxiously compute the charge of a good worke , as men doe some Summe upon the fingers end , consult not with flesh and blood , for what can be so bard , that hee is affraid to undergoe ? or what so sweete , that he is not resolved to forgoe , that he may gaine heaven ? The way is a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Sic Clemens Alexandrinus . straight and narrow , yet he will strive to enter , for the way to heaven is not easie , he is like to meete scoffes , and scarres , and a Non est ad astra , mollis é terris via . thousand Scarcrowes ( for many thwarting inconvenience , and discouragements lie crosse in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the way to heaven ) but hee accounts these the glory of his triumph , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I have fought the good fight , saith the Apostle Paul as a word in a boasting ; it is a goodly thing to goe to heaven any way , lame , maimed , or blind , even the right foote , the right hand , the right eye , if it offend him , cut it off , plucke it out , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , it is a goodly thing . * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Burne my foote if you will , that it may dance everlastingly with the blessed Angels in heaven , stil'd the Martyr in Basel nobly . He is a wise Merchant , that can purchase heaven at any price .

To conclude , hee knowes this life is but a way to life , as the Spartan mother comforted her sonne , who in a battell where hee fought valiantly , had received a wound , of which he was like to limpe ever after , that his halting would but make him remember vertue every step : so the worst that can happen to him , doth but make him remember vertue every steppe , that every steppe may set him so much nearer to heaven : hee thinkes hee is placed in this world as in a royall Theatre : the Earth , the Stage , the Heavens the Scaffolds round about : the spectators , God , men , and Angells , himselfe an Actor , his part , Piety ; his reward , Eternity ; his conscience alwayes prompting him behinde the Curtaine ; it skils not what the spectators thinke , or say , looke to the Iudge , a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , saith a Father . be ambitious to please God who beholds thee : and therfore resolves b b Populus me sibilat , at mihi plaudo . though the world hisses me , yet I heare , I eare not , so I may heare a plaudite from him , Well done good servant , enter into thy masters joy : O blessed plaudite , he stirres his hands to clappe them , and droppes a crowne of life from betweene them upon my head .

Thirdly , Actu , In act ; for hee cannot be out of heaven , whose conversation makes that place heaven , wheresoever he is , and that by a double Analogie , and conformity with heaven , of sanctity and felicitie , of happinesse and holinesse .

First , Conformit as sanctitatis , a conformity of sanctitie , which appeares in every part of his life , as the light of the candle breakes out at every side of the Lanthorne , and as the leaven in the Gospell , which the woman put into three pecks of meale , insinuates it selfe into his thoughts , words , and deedes , all which it makes to rise and swell toward heaven : for what shall wee say of his Heavenly Meditations , in which methinkes hee resembles a Bird of Paradise , so called , which is reported by the Naturalists to flie continually without any rest , and was never observed so much as to touch upon the earth : no more doth this blessed Bird of Paradise , but is alway upon the wing in divine medi●●tious , unlesse perhaps you may thinke he comes nearer the Phoenix , which is said to beget her heire of her owne ashes , to which she is resolved in her bed of spice , her neast being nothing else but a pile of the most precious spices of Arabia , curiously collected by her afore for that purpose , and kindled by the heate of the Sunne-beames : as a Christian kindles by frequent meditation the sweete notes that hee hath collected in reading or hearing , which like the Angel in the sacrifice of Manoach , carries him up to heaven in a flame of heavenly affection , and leaves her selfe an heire behinde of her owne ashes , a never failing succession of the like heavenly meditations .

I know this practise is not vulgar , or easie ; for the Monke said truely , that to be * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . a Monke in outward shew , was easie , but to be a Monke in inward reality , was hard ; it is no hard matter in comparison to make the outward man , the visible man a Monke , immure him in a Cloyster , and retire him from worldly distractions : nor is it any easie matter to circumscribe the infinite libertie of the inward man .

But a Christian labours to be the same without , that he is within , like the beautie of a Diamond , not skinne deepe onely , like the ordinary beauty ; for if you could have a window in his breast , you should see nothing within but heavenly thoughts : hee breathes not oftner than hee thinkes on God , according to the Father : he climbs often into Mount Nebo , the mount of Meditation , for a prospect of the land of Promise , from whence his blessed eyes of Faith and Hope ; like Calib , and Joshua , the faithfull Spies , animate him to a noble resolution by their happie tidings , The land is good , let us goe up and fight for it : and if he chance to step aside sometime among worldly affaires , you must understand he is there , not as a a a Tanquam explorator , non ut Transfuga . turne-coate Traytour , but as a wise Intelligencer , as a Spie : was the Spies that went to Iericho to avoid being snared by any ambush , he returnes by the Hill-countrey , that is , as I interpret it , improves even humane occurrences to some divine expedience , and reduceth temporall occasions , to spirituall use : Wherefore saith Chrysostome very sweetly , b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The literall foules of the heaven have wings , and these mysticall foules of the heaven have wisedome to flie aloft , that the snares and lime-twigges of the world may not entangle them ; & surely in vaine is the net spread before the eye of all that hath wings , as Salomon speakes .

Such in the second place is their Conversation , for as our Saviour after his Resurrection conversing with his Disciples , spake of such things , as concerned the Kingdome of God : and Moses descended from the Mount , where he had conference with God , brought the Tables of the Law to the people : so the Law of Grace is in his lippes , and out of the Abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh . As the posts of the doore of the house without were sprinkled with the blood of the Lambe which was eaten within ; so the heart that is washed with the blood of Christ , cannot be ashamed to have their lippes painted with the same . It is Nazianzens comparison ; for this is the beauty of the Spouse in her Lords eye , who like some elegant Lover , makes this a great part of her commendation , Thy lippes are like a threed of scarlet : this is the safetie of the Spouse , as the blood sprinkled upon the Posts , was the Israelites , as the scarlet thread in the window was Rahabs ; for with the heart man beleeveth unto righteousnesse , and with the mouth man confesseth to salvation .

The Latines call the roofe of the mouth , Coelum , Heaven , and the lower part , Solum palati , the ground of the palate : The most mens speech is altogether of earth , as though they had no heaven in their mouth , they dash all their words against the earth , like the fish in the Gospel , either dumbe , or nothing but gold in their mouth : It is cleane contrary with S. Pauls Christian , who not content to be a silent , and dumbe spectatour of heaven , like the fish so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so to suffer the conceptions of his minde to die there , like abortive birthes smothered in the wombe , but labours to bring them to the light , and deliver them to others , that they may also partake of his sweetnesse , and so dividing himselfe betweene solitarinesse , and company , meditation and communication , thoughts , and speech , that one may make the other profitable , a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 3. the one being begunne , and inducted into the soule by the Spirit , and the other having instructed others in the way of godlinesse , as the Father hath it .