ll is all; that is one of the chief things which
turns the wheel either backwards or forwards; and God knoweth that
full well, and so likewise doth the devil; and therefore they both
endeavor very much to strengthen the will of their servants. God is
for making his a willing people to serve him; and the devil doth what
he can to possess the will and affection of those that are his with
love to sin. And therefore when Christ comes close to the matter,
indeed, saith he, "Ye _will not_ come to me." "How often would I have
gathered you as a hen doth her chickens; but _ye would not_." The
devil had possessed their wills and so long he was sure enough of
them.

O therefore cry hard to God to inflame thy will for heaven and Christ.
Thy will, I say, if that be rightly set for heaven, thou wilt not be
beat off with discouragements; and this was the reason that when Jacob
wrestled with the angel, though he lost a limb as it were; (for the
hollow of his thigh was put out of joint as he wrestled with him;)
yet, saith he, "I _will not_" mark, "I WILL NOT LET THEE GO, EXCEPT
THOU BLESS ME." Get thy will tipt with the heavenly grace, and
resolution against all discouragements, and then thou goest full
speed for heaven; but if thou falter in thy will, and be not sound
there, thou wilt run hobbling and halting all the way thou runnest,
and also to be sure thou wilt fall short at last. The Lord give thee a
will and courage.

Thus have I done with directing thee how to run to the kingdom. Be
sure thou keep in memory what I have said unto thee lest thou lose thy
way. But because I would have thee think of them, take all in short in
this little bit of paper. 1. Get into the way. 2. Then study on it. 3.
Then strip, and lay aside every thing that would hinder. 4. Beware of
by-paths. 5. Cry hard to God for an enlightened heart, and a willing
mind;--and God give thee a prosperous journey?

CHAPTER III.

MOTIVES TO PURSUE THIS HEAVENLY COURSE.

Yet before I do quite take my leave of thee, let me give thee a few
motives to take along with thee. It may be they will be as good as a
pair of spurs to prick on thy lumpish heart in this rich journey.

THE FIRST MOTIVE.--Consider there is no way but this: _thou must
either win or lose._ If thou winnest, then heaven, God, Christ, glory,
ease, peace, life, yea, life eternal, is thine; thou shalt be made
equal to the angels in heaven; thou shalt sorrow no more, sigh no
more, feel no more pa