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A heavenly mind is also fortified against temptations, because the<br />
affections are thoroughly prepossessed with the high delights of another<br />
world. He that loves most, and not he that only knows most, will most easily<br />
resist the motions of sin. <strong>The</strong> will doth as sweetly relish goodness as the<br />
understanding doth truth; and here lies much of a Christian's strength. When<br />
thou hast had a fresh, delightful taste of heaven, thou wilt not be so easily<br />
persuaded from it. You cannot persuade a child to part with his sweetmeats<br />
while the taste is in his mouth. O that you would be much in feeding on the<br />
hidden manna, and frequently tasting the delights of heaven! How would this<br />
confirm thy resolutions, and make thee despise the fooleries of the world,<br />
and scorn to be cheated with such childish toys. If the devil had set upon<br />
Peter in the mount of transfiguration, when he saw Moses and Elias talking<br />
with Christ, would he so easily have been drawn to deny his Lord? What!<br />
with all that glory in his eye? No. So if he should set upon a believing soul,<br />
when he is taken up into the mount with Christ, what should such a soul say?<br />
"Get thee behind me, Satan; wouldst thou persuade me hence with trifling<br />
pleasures, and steal my heart from this my rest? Wouldst thou have me sell<br />
these joys for nothing? Is any honor or delight like this? or can that be profit,<br />
for which I must lose this?" But Satan stays till we are come down, and the<br />
taste of heaven is out of our mouths, and the glory we saw is even forgotten,<br />
and then he easily deceives our hearts. Though the Israelites below eat and<br />
drink, and rise up to play before their idol, Moses in the mount will not do<br />
so. O, if we could keep the taste of our souls continually delighted with the<br />
sweetness above, with what disdain should we spit out the baits of sin!<br />
Besides, whilst the heart is set on heaven, a man is under God's<br />
protection. If Satan then assault us, God is more engaged for our defence,<br />
and will doubtless stand by us and say, "My grace is sufficient for thee."<br />
When a man is in the way of God's blessing, he is in the less danger of sin's<br />
enticing. Amidst thy temptations, Christian reader, use much this powerful<br />
remedy; keep close with God by a heavenly mind; follow your business<br />
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