The Heavenly Footman | Page 8

consider, though it seem ever so pleasant, yet if thou do not find that in
the very middle of the road there is written with the heart blood of
Christ, that he came into the world to save sinners, and that we are
justified, though we are ungodly, shun that way. For this it is which the
apostle meaneth when he saith, we have "boldness to enter into the
holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath
consecrated for us through the vail, that is to say, his flesh." How easy
a matter is it in this our day, for the devil to be too cunning for poor
souls, by calling his by-paths the way to the kingdom! If such an
opinion or fancy be but cried up by one or more, this inscription being
set upon it by the devil, "This is the way of God," how speedily,
greedily, and by heaps, do poor simple souls, throw away themselves
upon it; especially if it be daubed over with a few external acts of
morality, if so good! But this is because men do not know painted
by-paths from the plain way to the kingdom of heaven. They have not
yet learned the true Christ, and what his righteousness is; neither have
they a sense of their own insufficiency; but are bold, proud,
presumptuous, self-conceited. And therefore, take
THE FIFTH DIRECTION.--_Do not thou be too much in looking too
high in thy journey heavenwards_. You know men that run a race do
not use to stare and gaze this way and that; neither do they use to cast
up their eyes too high; lest haply, through their too much gazing with
their eyes after other things, they in the mean time stumble, and catch a
fall. The very same case is this; if thou gaze and stare after every

opinion and way that comes into the world, also if thou be prying
overmuch in God's secret decrees, or let thy heart too much entertain
questions about some nice, foolish curiosities, thou mayst stumble and
fall; as many hundreds in England have done, both in Ranting and
Quakery, to their eternal overthrow, without the marvellous operation
of God's grace be suddenly stretched forth to bring them back again.
Take heed therefore. Follow not that proud, lofty spirit, that, devil-like,
cannot be content with his own station. David was of an excellent spirit,
where he saith, "Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty:
neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for
me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned
of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child." Do thou so run.
THE SIXTH DIRECTION.--Take heed that you _have not an ear open
to every one that calleth after you, as you are in your journey_. Men
that run, you know, if any do call after them, saying, 'I would speak
with you,' or, 'Go not too fast, and you shall have my company with
you,'--if they run for some great matter, they use to say, 'Alas! I cannot
stay, I am in haste; pray, talk not to me now; neither can I stay for you;
I am running for a wager: if I win, I am made; if I lose, I am undone;
and therefore hinder me not.' Thus wise are men, when they run for
corruptible things; and thus shouldst thou do. And thou hast more cause
to do so than they, forasmuch as they run but for things that last not,
but thou for an incorruptible glory. I give thee notice of this betimes,
knowing that thou shalt have enough call after thee, even the devil, sin,
this world, vain company, pleasures, profits, esteem among men, ease,
pomp, pride, together with an innumerable company of such
companions; one crying, 'Stay for me;' the other saying, 'Do not leave
me behind;' a third saying, 'And take me along with you.' 'What! will
you go,' saith the devil, 'without your sins, pleasures and profits? Are
you so hasty? Can you not stay and take these along with you? Will
you leave your friends and companions behind you? Can you not do as
your neighbors do--carry the world, sin, lust, pleasure, profit, esteem
among men, along with you?'--Have a care thou do not let thine ear
now be open to the tempting, enticing, alluring, and soul-entangling
flatteries of such sink-souls as these are. "My son," saith Solomon, "if

sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
You know what it cost the young man whom Solomon speaks of, (in
the 7th of Proverbs,) that was enticed by a harlot. With her much fair
speech she won him, and caused him to yield;