§ 19. Now, reader, are these considerations weighty, or not? Have I proved it thy duty to keep thy heart on things above, or have I not? If thou say, not; I am confident thou contradictest thy own conscience. If thou acknowledge thyself convinced of the duty; that very tongue of thine shall condemn thee, and that confession be pleaded against thee, if thou wilfully neglectest such a confessed duty. Be thoroughly willing, and the work is more than half done. I have now a few plain directions to give you for your help in this great work; but, alas! it is in vain to mention them, except you be willing to put them in practice. However, I will propose them to thee, and may the Lord persuade thy heart to the work! CHAP. XII. Directions how to lead a heavenly Life upon Earth. § 1. (I.) Hinderances to a heavenly life must be avoided; such as § 2. (1.) Living in any known sin; § 3. (2.) An earthly mind; § 4. (3.) Ungodly companions; § 5. (4.) A notional religion; § 6. (5.) A haughty spirit; § 7. (6.) A slothful spirit; § 8. And (7.) resting in preparatives for a heavenly life, without the thing itself—§ 9. (II.) The duties which will promote a heavenly life are these; § 10. (1.) Be convinced that heaven is the only treasure and happiness; § 11, 12. (2.) Labor to know your interest in it; § 13. (3.) And how near it is; § 14. (4.) Frequently and seriously talk of it; § 15. (5.) Endeavor in every duty to raise your affections nearer to it; § 16. (6.) To the same purpose improve every object and event; § 17, 18. (7.) Be much in the angelical work of praise; § 19. (8.) Possess your souls with believing thoughts of the infinite love of God; § 20. (9.) Carefully observe and cherish the motions of the Spirit of God; § 21. (10.) Nor even neglect the due care of your bodily health. § 1. As thou valuest the comforts of a heavenly conversation, I must here charge thee from God,—to avoid carefully some dangerous hinderances; and then—faithfully and diligently to practise such duties as will especially assist thee in attaining to a heavenly life. And, (I.) the hinderances to be avoided with all possible care, are,—living in any known sin,—an earthly mind,—the company of the ungodly,—a notional religion,—a proud and lofty spirit,—a slothful spirit,—and resting in mere preparatives for this heavenly life, without any acquaintance with the thing itself.