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Heavenly mindednesse of a Child of God. [ 1298]
IT is recorded of Edward the First,* 1.1 that he had a great desire to go to the Holy-Land, but being hindred by a domestick ••arre, he gave his Sonne a strict charge upon his death-bed, that after his death he should cause his heart to be conveyed thither, and to that purpose he had prepared two and thirty thousand pounds to defray the charge, and ordered that sevenscore Knights with their several retinues should attend it thither.* 1.2 Thus the Saints and dear Chil∣dr•••• of God, though they have not their bodies in Heaven, yet their hearts are there;* 1.3 they are like Eagles, alwayes mounting upwards, their treasure is in Heaven, and there will their hearts be also, they may have many weights of cor∣ruption without, that presse them downwards, yet they have an inward Prin∣ciple that works upwards: A speciall work of God so ordering it, that their Conversation is altogether in Heaven;* 1.4 and that though with the Church they be black and dark in regard of their infirmities, yet they are like unto pillars of smoke that ascend upwards.