The whole deportment of a Christian should declare him a pilgrim and a stranger here. “Onward” must be his motto – ever and only onward. Let his locality and his circumstances be what they may, he is to have his eye fixed on a home beyond this perishing, passing world. He is furnished, by grace, with spiritual ability to go forward – to penetrate, energetically, through all, and carry out the earnest aspirations of his heaven-born spirit. And while thus vigorously pushing his way onward – while “forcing his passage to the skies,” he is to keep his inward man fenced round about, and fast closed up against all external influences.
O! for more of the onward bent – the upward tendency! For more holy fixedness of soul, and profound retirement from this vain world!