AChristianontheMount

ATreatiseConcerningMeditation

ByThomasWatson

ThePropositionAsserted

TheNatureofMeditation

MeditationisaDuty

HowMeditationDiffersfromMemory

HowMeditationDiffersfromStudy

TheSubjectsofMeditation

TheNecessityofMeditation

ReasonWhySoFewGodlyChristians

UseofReproof

UseofExhortation

ObjectionsAnswered

ConcerningOccassionalMeditations

TheMostFittingTimeforMeditatation

HowLongChristiansShouldMeditate

TheUsefulnessofMeditation

TheExcellenceofMeditation

DivineMotivestoMeditation

RulesConcerningMeditation

"HisdelightisinthelawoftheLord,andonhislawhemeditatesdayandnight."Psalm1:2

Having led you through the Chamber of Delight in my previousdiscourse, I will now bring you into the Withdrawing Room ofMeditation."Inhislawdoeshemeditatedayandnight."

I.TheopeningoftheWords,andthePropositionasserted.

Gracebreedsdelight inGod,anddelightbreedsmeditation.Meditationisadutywhereinconsiststheessentialsofreligion,andwhichnourishestheverylife-bloodofit.ThatthePsalmistmayshowhowmuchthegodlymanishabituatedtothisblessedworkofmeditation,hesubjoins,"Inhislaw does he meditate day and night;" not but that there may besometimesintermission:Godallowstimeforourcalling,hegrantssomerelaxation;butwhen it is said, the godlymanmeditatesdayandnight,themeaningis,frequently—heismuchconversantintheduty.

It is a command of God to pray without ceasing, 1 Thess. 5:17. Themeaning is—not thatwe should be always praying—but thatwe shouldeverydaysetsometimeapartforprayer.WereadintheOldlawitwascalledthecontinualsacrifice,Numb.28:24,notthatthepeopleofIsraeldidnothing else but sacrifice—but because theyhad their statedhours,every morning and evening they offered, therefore it was called thecontinualsacrifice.Thusthegodlymanissaidtomeditatedayandnight,thatis,heisoftenatthiswork,heisnostrangertomeditation.

Doctrine.Thepropositionthatresultsoutofthetextisthis—thatagodlyChristianisameditatingChristian,Psalm119:15."Iwillmeditateinyourprecepts." 1 Tim. 4:15, "Meditate upon these things."Meditation is thechewinguponthetruthswehaveheard.Thebeastsintheoldlawwhichdid not chew the cud, were unclean; the professor who does not bymeditationchew thecud, is tobeaccountedunclean.Meditation is likethewateringoftheseed,itmakesthefruitsofgracetoflourish.

II.ShowingtheNATUREofMeditation.

If it be inquiredwhatmeditation is, I answer—Meditation is the soul'sretiring of itself, that by a serious and solemn thinking upon God, theheartmayberaiseduptoheavenlyaffections.Thisdescriptionhasthreebranches.

1.Meditation is thesoul'sretiringof itself. AChristian,whenhegoestomeditate,mustlockuphimselffromtheworld.Theworldspoilsmeditation;Christwentbyhimselfintothemountainsidetopray,Matt.14:23,so,gointoasolitaryplacewhenyouaretomeditate."Isaacwentout to meditate in the field," Gen. 24:63; he sequestered and retiredhimselfthathemighttakeawalkwithGodbymeditation.Zaccheushadamind to seeChrist, andhe got out of the crowd, "He ranbefore, andclimbedupintoasycamoretreetoseehim,"Luke19:3,4.So,whenwewould see God, wemust get out of the crowd of worldly business; wemust climbup into the tree by retiredness ofmeditation, and thereweshallhavethebestprospectofheaven.

The world's music will either play us asleep, or distract us in ourmeditations.Whenamotehasgotten into theeye—ithinders the sight.Justso,whenworldlythoughts,asmotes,aregottenintothemind,whichis the eye of the soul—it cannot look up so steadfastly to heaven bycontemplation.Therefore,aswhenAbrahamwenttosacrifice,"helefthisservantandthedonkeyatthebottomofthehill,"Gen.22:5,so,whenaChristian is going up the hill ofmeditation, he should leave all secularcaresat thebottomofthehill, thathemaybealone,andtakeaturninheaven. If the wings of the bird are full of slime, she cannot fly.Meditation is the wing of the soul; when a Christian is beslimed withearth,hecannotflytoGoduponthiswing.Bernardwhenhecametothechurch-door,usedtosay,"Stayhereallmyworldlythoughts,thatImayconversewithGodinthetemple."Sosaytoyourself,"Iamgoingnowtomeditate,Oallyouvainthoughtsstaybehind,comenotnear!"Whenyouaregoingupthemountofmeditation,takeheedthattheworlddoesnotfollowyou,andthrowyoudownfromthetopofthispinnacle.Thisisthefirstthing,thesoul'sretiringofitself—lockandboltthedooragainsttheworld.

2. The second thing in meditation, is, a serious and solemnthinking upon God. The Hebrew word to meditate, signifies with

intenseness to recollect andgather together the thoughts.Meditation isnotacursorywork,tohaveafewtransientthoughtsofreligion; likethedogsofNilusthatlapandthenrunaway;buttheremustbeinmeditationa fixing the heart upon the object, a steeping the thoughts. Carnalprofessorshave their thoughts rovingupanddown, andwillnot fixonGod;likethebirdthathopsfromonebranchtoanother,andstaysinnooneplace.Davidwasaman fit tomeditate, "OGod,myheart is fixed,"Psalm108:1.

Inmeditationtheremustbeastayingofthethoughtsupontheobject;amanwhoridesquicklythroughatownorvillage—hemindsnothing.Butanartistwhoislookingonacuriouspiece,viewsthewholeportraitureofit,heobservesthesymmetryandproportion,hemindseveryshadowandcolor. A carnal, flitting professor, is like the traveler, his thoughts ridehastily—hemindsnothingofGod.AwiseChristian is like theartist, heviews with seriousness, and ponders the things of religion, Luke 2:19."ButMarykeptallthesethings,andponderedtheminherheart."

3.Thethirdthinginmeditation,is,theraisingoftheheart toholy affections.A Christian enters into meditation, as a man entersintothehospital—thathemaybehealed.Meditationhealsthesoulofitsdeadnessandearthliness;butmoreofthisafterwards.

III.ProvingMeditationtobeaDUTY.

MeditationisadutylyinguponeveryChristian,andthereisnodisputingourduty.Meditationisaduty,1.Imposed.2.Opposed.

1.Meditation isaduty imposed—it isnot arbitrary.The sameGodwhohasbidusbelieve,hasbidusmeditate,Josh.1:8."Thisbookofthelawshallnotdepartoutof yourmouth—butyoushallmeditate thereindayandnight."Thesewords,thoughspokentothepersonofJoshua,yetthey concern everyone; as the promise made to Joshua concerned allbelievers,Josh.1:5comparedwithHeb.13:5.SothispreceptmadetothepersonofJoshua,youshallmeditateinthisbookofthelaw,takesinallChristians. As God's Word does direct, so his will must enforceobedience.

2.Meditationisadutyopposed.Wemayconcludeitisagoodduty,becauseitisagainstthestreamofcorruptnature.Asonesaid,"youmayknow that religion is right—whichNero persecutes;" so youmay knowthat is a goodduty—which theheartopposes.We shall findnaturally astrange averseness frommeditation.We are swift to hear—but slow tomeditate.Tothinkoftheworld,ifitwerealldaylong,isdelightful.Butasfor holymeditation, how does the heart wrangle and quarrel with thisduty;itislikedoingofpenance.Nowtruly,thereneedsnootherreasonto prove a duty to be good, than the reluctancy of a carnal heart. Toinstanceinthedutyof"Letamandenyhimself,"Mat.16:24,self-denialisasnecessaryasheaven—butwhatdisputesareraisedintheheartagainstit?What!todenymyreason,andbecomeafoolthatImaybewise;nay,not only to deny my reason—but my righteousness? What, to cast itoverboard,andswimtoheavenupontheplankofChrist'smerits?Thisissuch a duty that the heart does naturally oppose, and enter its dissentagainst.Thisisanargumenttoprovethedutyofself-denialgood;justsoit is with this duty of meditation; the secret antipathy the heart hasagainst it, shows it to be good; and this is reason enough to enforcemeditation.

IV.ShowinghowMeditationdiffersfromMEMORY.

Thememory (a glorious faculty) which Aristotle calls the soul's scribe,sits and pens all things that are done. Whatever we read or hear, thememorydoesregister; therefore,Goddoesallhisworksofwonder thattheymaybehadinremembrance.Thereseemstobesomeanalogyandresemblancebetweenmeditationandmemory.ButIconceive there isadoubledifference.

1. Meditation has more sweetness in it, than the bareremembrance.Thememoryisthechestorcupboardtolockupatruth,meditationisthepalatetofeedonit.Thememoryislikethearkinwhichthemannawaslaidup,meditationislikeIsrael'seatingofmanna.WhenDavidbegantomeditateonGod,itwas"sweettohimasmarrow,"Psalm63:5,6.Thereisasmuchdifferencebetweenatruthremembered,andatruthmeditatedon,asbetweenacordialinaglass—andacordialdrunkdown.

2.Theremembranceofatruth,withouttheseriousmeditationonit,willbutcreatematterofsorrowanotherday.Whatcomfortcanitbetoamanwhenhecomestodie,tothinkherememberedmanyexcellentnotionsaboutChrist—butneverhadthegracesotomeditateonthem, as to be transformed into them! a sermon remembered—but notruminated,willonlyservetoincreaseourcondemnation.

V.ShowinghowMeditationdiffersfromSTUDY.

Thestudent'slifelookslikemeditation—butdoesvaryfromit.Meditationandstudydifferthreeways.

1.Theydifferintheirnature.Studyisaworkofthebrain,meditationofthe heart; study sets the mind on work, meditation sets the heart onwork.

2.Theydifferintheirdesign.Thedesignofstudyisnotion,thedesignofmeditationispiety.Thedesignofstudyisthefindingoutofatruth;thedesign of meditation is the spiritual improvement of a truth. The onesearchesfortheveinofgold;theotherdigsoutthegold.

3.Theydifferintheoutcomeandresult.Studyleavesamanneverawhitthe better; it is like a winter sun that has little warmth and influence.Meditationleavesoneinaholyframe:itmeltstheheartwhenitisfrozen,andmakesitdropintotearsoflove.

VI.ShowingtheSUBJECTSofMeditation.

Thenextparticulartobediscussed, is thesubject-matterofmeditation;whataChristianshouldmeditateupon.Iamnowgottenintoalargefield—but I shallonlyglanceat things; I shallbutdoas thedisciples,plucksomeearsofcornasIpassalong.

Somemaysay,"alas,IamsobarrenIknownotwhattomeditateupon!"TohelpChristiansthereforeinthisblessedwork,Ishallshowyousomechoiceselectmatterformeditation.TherearefifteenthingsintheWordofGod,whichweshouldprincipallymeditateupon.

Section1.MeditateonGod'sATTRIBUTES.

TheAttributesofGodare theseveralbeamsbywhichthedivinenatureshinesforthtous;andtherearesixspecialattributeswhichweshouldfixourmeditationsupon.

MeditateuponGod'sOMNISCIENCE.His eye is continually uponus;hehasawindowopenintotheconscience;ourthoughtsareunveiledbeforehim.Hecantellthewordswespeak"inourbedchamber,"2Kings2:12. He is described with seven eyes, to show his omniscience. "Younumbermysteps,"Job14:16.TheHebrewwordsignifiestotakeanexactaccount.Godissaidtonumberoursteps,whenhemakesapreciseandcriticalobservationofouractions;Godsetsdowneverystepofourlives,andkeepsasitwere,adaybookofallwedo,andentersitdownintothebook.Meditatemuchonthisomniscience.

MeditationonGod'somnisciencewouldhavetheseeffects.

1.Itwouldbeasabridletocheckandrestrainusfromsin.Willthethiefsteal—whenthejudgelookson?

2.MeditationonGod'somnisciencewouldbeagoodmeanstomaketheheartsincere.Godhassetawindowineveryman'sbreast,"doesnotheseeallmyways?"Job31:4.IfIharborproud,maliciousthoughts,ifIlookatmyowninterestmorethanChrist's, ifI juggle inmyrepentance—theGodofheaventakesnotice!Meditationonhisomniscience,wouldmakeaChristiansincere,bothinhisactionsandaims.OnlyafoolwoulddaretobeahypocritebeforeGod!

Meditate on the HOLINESS of God. Holiness is the embroideredrobeGodwears:itisthegloryoftheGodhead,Exod.15:11."Glorious inholiness!"Holinessisthemostorientpearlofthecrownofheaven.Godistheexemplarandpatternofholiness.ItisprimarilyandoriginallyinGodas light in the sun; youmay aswell separateweight from lead, or heatfrom fire, as holiness from the divine nature; God's holiness is thatwhereby his heart rises against any sin, as being most diametricallyoppositetohisessence,Hab.1:13."Youareofpurereyesthantobehold

iniquity."Meditatemuchonthisattribute.

MeditationonGod'sholinesswouldhavethiseffect;itwouldbeameanstotransformusintothesimilitudeandlikenessofGod;Godneverlovesus until we are like him. There is a story of a deformedman, who setlovely pictures before his wife, that seeing them shemight have lovelychildren,andsoshehad.Be thatas itmay,whilebymeditationwearelookinguponthebeamsofholiness,whicharegloriouslytransparent inGod, we shall grow like him, and be holy as he is holy. Holiness is abeautifulthing,Psalm110.Itputsakindofangelicalbrightnessuponus;it is the only coin which will pass current in heaven; by the frequentmeditationonthisattribute,wearechangedintoGod'simage.

MeditateontheWISDOMofGod.Heiscalled"theonlywiseGod,"1Tim.1:17.Hiswisdomshinesforthintheworksofprovidence;hesitsatthehelmguidingall things regularly andharmoniously; he brings lightoutofdarkness;hecanstrikeastraightstrokebyacrookedstick;hecanmakeuseoftheinjusticeofmentodothatwhichisjust;heisinfinitelywise, he breaks us by afflictions, and upon these broken pieces of theship,bringsussafelytoshore;meditateonthewisdomofGod.

MeditationonGod'swisdomwouldsweetlycalmourhearts.

1.Whenweseethingsgobadlyinthepublic.Theall-wiseGodholdsthereins of government in his hand; and whoever the earthly ruler—Godover-rules;heknowshowtoturnalltogood;hisworkwillbebeautifulinitsseason.

2.When things gobadlywithus inparticular, themeditation onGod'swisdomwould rock our hearts quiet. The wise God has setme in thiscondition,andwhetherhealthorsickness,hiswisdomwillorderitforthebest. God will make a golden cordial from poison, all things shall bebeneficial andmedicinal tome; either the Lordwill expel some sin, orexercisesomegrace.Meditationonthiswouldsilencemurmuring.

4. Meditate on the POWER of God. His power is visible in thecreation."Hehangstheearthuponnothing,"Job26:7.WhatcannotthatGoddo—whocancreate?Nothingcanstandbeforeacreatingpower!He

needsnopre-existentmatter toworkupon;heneedsno instruments toworkwith,hecanworkwithouttools;heitisbeforewhomtheangelsveiltheir faces, and the kings of the earth cast their crowns. He it is who"removestheearthoutofherplace,"Job9:6.Anearthquakemakestheearthtrembleuponherpillars—butGodcanshakeitoutofitsplace.Godcanwithaword,unpinthewheels,andbreaktheaxleofthecreation.Hecansuspendnaturalagents,stopthelion'smouth,causethesuntostandstill,makethefirenotburn!Xerxes, thePersianmonarch, threwfettersintothesea,asifhewouldhavechaineduptheunrulywaters;butwhenGodcommands,"thewindsandseaobeyhim,"Matt.8:27.Ifhespeakstheword,anarmyofstarsappear,Judg.5:20.Ifhestampswithhisfoot,amultitudeofangelsarepresentlyinbattalia;ifheliftsupanensign,anddoesbuthiss,hisveryenemiesshallbeupinarmstorevengehisquarrel,Isaiah5:56.WhowouldprovokethisGod!"ItisafearfulthingtofallintothehandsofthelivingGod,"Heb.10:31.Asalion—"hetearsinpieceshisadversaries,"Psalm50:22.OhmeditateonthispowerofGod.

MeditationonGod'spowerwouldbeagreat stay to faith.AChristian'sfaithmayanchor safelyupon the rockofGod'spower. ItwasSamson'sriddle,"Outofthestrongcameforthsweetness;"Judges14:14.Whileweare meditating on the power of God, out of this strong comes forthsweetness. Is the church of God low? he can "create praises inJerusalem,"Isaiah65:28. Isyourcorruptionstrong?Godcanbreak theheadofthisleviathan.Isyourheartashardasastone?Godcandissolveit."TheAlmightymakesmyheart soft."Faith triumphs in thepowerofGod: out of this strong comes forth sweetness.Abrahammeditating onGod'spower, didnot stagger through unbelief, Romans 4:20.He knewGodcouldmakeadeadwombfruitful,anddrybreastsgivesuck.

5.MeditateupontheMERCYofGod.MercyisaninnatedispositioninGodtodogood;asthesunhasaninnatepropertytoshine,Psalm86:5."YouLordaregood,andreadyto forgive,andplenteous inmercy toallthem that call upon you.God'smercy is so sweet, that itmakes all hisother attributes sweet. Holiness without mercy, and justice withoutmercy,wouldbedreadful.GeographerswritethatthecityofSyracuseinSicilyiscuriouslysituated,thatthesunisneveroutofsight;thoughthechildrenofGodareundersomecloudsofaffliction,yetthesunofmercy

isneverquiteoutofsight.God'sjusticereachestotheclouds;hismercyreachesabovetheclouds.

HowslowisGodtoanger.HewaslongerindestroyingJericho, thaninmakingtheworld;hemadetheworldinsixdays—buthewassevendaysindemolishingthewallsofJericho.HowmanywarningarrowsdidGodshootagainstJerusalem,beforeheshotoffhisdestroyingarrow?Justicegoesbyfoot,Gen.18:21.Mercyhaswings.Theswordofjusticeoftenliesalongtimeinthescabbard,andrusts,untilsindrawsitoutandsharpensitagainstanation.God'sjusticeislikethewidow'soil,whichranawhile,andceased,1Kings4:6.God'smercyislikeAaron'soil,whichrestednotonhishead—butrandowntotheskirtsofhisgarment,Psalm133:2.Sothe golden oil of God's mercy does not rest upon the head of a godlyparent—but isoftenpouredonhis children, and so runsdown, "To thethird and fourth generation," even the borders of a pious seed. OftenmeditateuponthemercyofGod.

Meditationonmercywouldbeapowerful loadstone todrawsinners toGodby repentance. Itwouldbe as a cork to thenet—tokeep theheartfrom sinking in despair. Behold a city of refuge to fly to—"God is theFatherofmercies,"2Cor.1:3.Mercydoesasnaturallyissuefromhim,asthe child from the parent. God "delights in mercy," Micah 7:18.Chrysostomsays,itisdelightfultothemothertohaveherbreastsdrawn;andhowdelightfulisittoGodtohavethebreastsofmercydrawn!Mercyfinds out the worst sinner;mercy comes not only with salvation in itshand—butwithhealingunderitswings.

MeditationonGod'smercywouldmeltasinnerintotears:Onereadingapardonsenttohimfromtheking,fellaweeping,andburstoutintothesewords,"Apardonhasdonethatwhichdeathcouldnotdo,ithasmademyheartrelent."

6.Meditate upon the TRUTH of God.Mercymakes the promise,andTruthperformsit,Psalm89:33,"Iwillnotallowmyfaithfulnesstofail."Godcanaswelldenyhimselfashisword.Heis"abundantintruth,"Exod.34:6.Thatis—ifGodhasmadeapromiseofmercytohispeople,hewillbesofarfromcomingshortofhisWord,thathewillbebetterthanhisWord. God often doesmore than he has said, never less; he often

shootsbeyondthemarkofthepromisehehasset,nevershortofit.Heisabundantintruth.Godmaysometimesdelayapromise,hewillnotdenyit.Thepromisemayliealongtimeasseedhiddenunderground—butitisall the while a ripening. The promise of Israel's deliverance lay fourhundredandthirtyyearsunderground;butwhenthetimewascome,thepromisedidnotgoadaybeyonditsreckoning,Exod.12:41."ThestrengthofIsraelwillnotlie,"1Sam.15:29.MeditationonGod'struthwould—

1.Beapillarofsupportforfaith.TheworldhangsuponGod'spower,andfaithhangsuponhistruth.

2.Meditation onGod's truthwouldmake us ambitious to imitate him.Weshouldbe true inourwords, true inourdealings.Pythagorasbeingasked,"WhatmakesmenlikeGod?"answered,"Whentheyspeaktruth."

Section2.MeditateuponthePROMISESofGod.

The promises of God are flowers growing in the paradise of scripture;meditation, likethebee,sucksoutthesweetnessofthem.Thepromisesare of no use or comfort to us, until they are meditated upon. Roseshanging in the garden may give a fragrant redolence, yet their sweetwater is distilled only by the fire. Just so, the promises are sweet inreadingover—butthewateroftheseroses,thespiritsandquintessenceofthepromises,aredistilledintothesoulonlybymeditation.Theincense,whenitispoundedandbeaten,smellssweetest.Meditatingonapromise,likethebeatingoftheincense,makesitmorefragrantandpleasant.Thepromisesmaybecomparedtoagoldmine,whichonlyenricheswhenthegoldisdugout.Byholymeditation,wedigoutthatspiritualgoldwhichlieshiddeninthemidstofthepromise,andsowecometobeenriched!

Cardansaysthateverypreciousgem-stonehassomehiddenvirtue in it.Theyarecalledpreciouspromises,2Pet.1:4.Whentheyareappliedbymeditation,thentheirvirtueappears,andtheybecomeprecious indeed.Therearethreesortsofpromiseswhichweshouldmeditateupon.

1. Promises of REMISSION. "I, even I am he who blots out yourtransgressionsformyownsake,andwillnotrememberyoursins,"Isaiah43:25.Whereas thepoor sinnermaysay, "Alas, I amdeep indebtwith

God,IfearIhavenotfilledhisbottlewithmytears—butIhavefilledhisbookwithmydebts!"Well,butmeditateonhispromise, "I amhewhoblotsout,"etc.Thewordthere intheoriginal toblotout, isametaphoralludingtoamerchant,whowhenhisdebtorhaspaidhim,heblotsoutthedebt,andgiveshimanacquittance.SosaysGod,"Iwillblotoutyoursin,Iwillcrossoutthedebt-book!"IntheHebrewitis,"Iamblottingoutyour transgressions." "I have takenmy pen, and am crossing out yourdebt!"Oh, butmay the sinner say, "There is no reasonGod should dothusforme."Well,butactsofgracedonotgobyreason,"Iwillblotoutyour sins—formyname's sake."Oh, but says the sinner, "Will not theLordcallmysinsagaintoremembrance?"No,hepromisestosendtheminto oblivion; "I will not upbraid you with your sins—I will rememberyoursinsnomore."Hereisasweetpromisetomeditateupon;itisahivefullofthehoneyofthegospel.

2.MeditateuponpromisesofSANCTIFICATION.Theearthisnotso apt to be overgrown with weeds and thorns, as the heart is to beovergrown with lusts! Now, God has mademany promises of healing,Hos.14:4,andpurging,Jer.33:8.PromisesofsendinghisSpirit,Isaiah44:3,which, for itssanctifyingnature, iscomparedsometimes towaterwhichcleansesthevessel;sometimestowind,whichisthefantowinnowandpurifytheair;sometimestofire,whichrefinesthemetals.Meditateoftenonthatpromise,Isaiah1:18,"Thoughyoursinsbeasscarlet—theyshallbeaswhiteassnow!"Scarletissodeepadye,thatalltheartofmancannottakeitout;butbeholdhereapromise—Godwillwhitenthesoul;hewillmakeascarletsinner—intoasnowwhitesaint!Byvirtueof thisrefiningandconsecratingwork,aChristianismadepartakerofthedivinenature; he has a suitability and fitness to have communion with Godforever.Meditatemuchonthispromise.

3.Meditate uponpromises ofREMUNERATION. "The haven ofrest," Heb. 4:9. The beatifical sight of God, Matt. 5:8. The gloriousmansions, John 14:2. Meditation on these promises will be as choicecordialstokeepusfromfaintingunderoursinsandsorrows.

Section3.MeditateupontheLoveofChrist.

Christ is full of love, as he is of merit. What was it but love—that he

should save us—and not the fallen angels? Among the rarities of theloadstone,thisisnottheleast—thatleavingthegoldandpearl,itshoulddrawirontoit—whichisabaserkindofmetal.Justso,thatChristshouldleavetheangels,thosemorenoblespirits,thegoldandpearl—anddrawmankindtohim—howdoesthisproclaimhislove?Lovewasthewingonwhichheflewintothevirgin'swomb!

1. How TRANSCENDENT is Christ's love to the saints! Theapostle calls it a love "whichpasses knowledge,"Eph. 3:19. It is such aloveasGodtheFatherbearstoChrist; thesameforquality, thoughnotequality,John15:9."AstheFatherhaslovedme—sohaveIlovedyou."Abeliever'sheartisthegardenwhereChristhasplantedthissweetflowerof his love. It is the channel through which the golden stream of hisaffectionruns.

2.HowSOVEREIGNisChrist's love! "Brothers, thinkofwhat youwere when you were called. Not many of you were wise by humanstandards;notmanywere influential; notmanywere ofnoblebirth." 1Corinthians 1:26 In the old law God passed by the noble lion and theeagle—andtookthedoveforsacrifice.ThatGodshouldpassbysomanyofnoblebirthandabilities,andthatthelotoffreegraceshouldfalluponme—Othedepthofdivinegrace!

3.HowINVINCIBLEis the loveofChrist! "It is strongasdeath,"Cant.8:6.DeathmighttakeawayChrist's life—butnothis love!Neithercanoursinwhollyquenchthatdivineflameof love;thechurchhadherinfirmities,hersleepyfits,Cant.5:2,butthoughblackedandsullied,yetsheisstilladove;Christcouldseethefaith,andwinkatthe failing.Hewho painted Alexander, drew him with his finger over the scar on hisface.Justso,Christputsthefingerofmercyuponthescarsofthesaints!He will not throw away his pearls for every speck of dirt! That whichmakesthisloveofChristthemorestupendous,isthattherewasnothinginustoexciteordrawforthhislove!Hedidnotloveusbecausewewereworthy—butbylovingushemadeusworthy!

4.How IMMUTABLE is Christ's love! "Having loved his own, heloved them to the end," John 13:1. The saints are like letters of goldengraveduponChrist'sheart,whichcannotbeerasedout.Meditatemuch

upontheloveofChrist.

1. Seriousmeditationon the loveofChrist,wouldmakeus lovehim inreturn."Canonegouponhotcoals,andhisfeetnotbeburnt?"Proverbs6:28.WhocantreadbymeditationuponthesehotcoalsofChrist'slove,andhisheartnotburninlovetohim?

2.MeditationonChrist'slove,wouldsetoureyesabroachwithtearsforourgospelunkindnesses.OthatweshouldsinagainstsosweetaSavior!had we none to abuse—but our best friend? Had we nothing to kickagainst—but affections of love? Did not Christ suffer enough upon thecross—butmustweneedsmakehimsuffermore?Dowegivehimmoregall and vinegar to drink? O, if anything can dissolve the heart intomourning,it istheunkindnessofferedtoChrist.WhenPeterthoughtofChrist'slovetohim—ChristcoulddenyPeternothing,yethecoulddenyChrist,thismadehiseyestowater;"Peterwentoutandweptbitterly."

3.Meditation on Christ's love wouldmake us love our enemies. JesusChrist showed love to his enemies.We read of "the fire licking up thewater,"1Kings18:38.Itisusualforwatertoquenchthefire,butforfiretodryupandconsumethewater,whichwasnotcapableofburning,thiswasmiraculous!SuchamiracledidChristshow;his loveburnedwheretherewas no fitmatter towork upon—nothing but sin and enmity.Helovedhisenemies;thefireofhisloveconsumedandlickedupthewateroftheirsins!Heprayedforhisenemies,"Fatherforgivethem;"heshedhis tears—for thosewho shed hisblood! Thosewho gave him gall andvinegar to drink—to them he gave his sin-forgiving blood to drink.Meditation onhis love—shouldmelt our hearts in love to our enemies.Augustinesays,"Christmadeapulpitofthecross,andthegreatlessonhetaughtChristianswas,tolovetheirenemies."

4.MeditationonChrist'slovewouldbeameanstosupportusincaseofhisabsence.Sometimesheispleasedtowithdrawhimself,Cant.5:6,yetwhenweconsiderhowentireandimmutablehis loveis, itwillmakeuswaitwith patience until he sweetlymanifests himself to us.He is love,andhecannotforsakehispeopleverylong,Micah7:19.Thesunmaybegoneawhilefromourclimate—butitreturnsinthespring.MeditationonChrist's love may make us wait for the return of this Sun of

Righteousness;Heb.10:37,"Foryetalittlewhileandhewhoshallcomewillcome."Heistruth,thereforeheshallcome;he is love, thereforehewillcome.

Section4.MeditateuponSIN.

1.MeditateontheGUILTofsin.Weare inAdamas ina commonhead, or root—and he sinning, we become guilty, Romans 5:12,"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through oneman, and deaththroughsin,andinthiswaydeathcametoallmen,becauseallsinned."Byhistreason—ourbloodistainted.Thisguiltbringsshamewithit,asitstwin!Romans6:21.

2.MeditateupontheFILTHofsin.NotonlyistheguiltofAdam'ssin imputed, but thepoisonof his nature is disseminated to us! Ourvirginnatureisdefiled!Iftheheartisspotted—howthencantheactionsbepure?Ifthewaterinthewellisfoul—itcannotbecleaninthebucket!Isaiah64:6,"Weareallasanuncleanthing."Wearelikeapatientunderthephysician'scare—whohasnosoundpartinhim,hisheadisbruised,hisliverisswelled,hislungsaregasping,hisbloodisinfected,hisfeetaregangrened. Thus is it with us before saving grace comes! In themindthereisdarkness!Inthememorythereisslipperiness!Intheheartthereishardness!Inthewillthereisstubborness!"Youaresickfromheadtofoot—covered with bruises, welts, and infected wounds—without anyointments or bandages!" Isaiah 1:6. A sinner befilthied with sin, is nobetterthanadevilinman'sshape!

Andwhichissadlytobelaidtoheart--istheadherencyofthissin.Sinisnatural to us. The apostle calls it, "the sin that so easily ensnares us!"Heb.12:1.Sinisnoteasilycastoff.Amanmayaswellshakeofftheskinofhisbody—asthesinofhissoul!Thereisnoshakingoffthisviperuntildeath!

Oh,oftenmeditateonthiscontagionofsin.Howstrongisthatpoison—a drop whereof is able to poison a whole sea? How venomous andmalignant was that apple—a taste of which poisoned all mankind!Meditate sadly on this. Meditation on sin would make the plumes ofpride fall off! If ourknowledgemakes us proud—that is sin enough to

makeushumble.Thebestsaintalivewhoistakenoutofthegraveofsin—yethasthesmellofthegrave-clothesstilluponhim!

3.MeditateupontheCURSEofsin.Gal.3:10."CursediseveryonewhodoesnotcontinuetodoeverythingwrittenintheBookoftheLaw."Thiscurseislikeadeadlycankeruponfruit,whichkeepsitfromthriving.Sinisnotonlyadefilingthing—butadamningthing!Itisnotonlyaspotintheface—butastabattheheart!Sinbetraysusintothedevil'shands—whowritesallhis lawsinblood.SinbindsusovertothewrathofGod!What then, are all our earthly enjoyments—with the sword of divinevengeance hanging over our head! Sin brings forth the "scroll writtenwith curses" against a sinner, Zech. 5:5, and it is a "flying scroll"—itcomesswiftly—ifmercydoesnotstopit."Youarecursedwithacurse!"Mat.3:9.Thus it isuntil theheadof this curse is cut off by Christ.Ohmeditateuponthiscurseduetosin.

1.Meditationonthiscursewouldmakeusafraidofretainingsin.WhenMicahhadstolenhismother'smoney,andheardhercursehim,hedarednot keep it any longer, but restored it, Judg. 17:2.Hewas afraidofhismother'scurse;whatthenisGod'scurse!

2.Meditationonthiscursewouldmakeusafraidofentertainingsin.Wewouldnotwillinglyentertainoneinourhousewhohadadeadlyplague!Sin brings along with it, the plague of God's curse, which cleaves to asinner. Meditation on this, would make us fly from sin! While we situnder the shadow of this bramble of sin—fire will come out of thebrambleeternallytodevourus!Judg.9:15.

Section5.MeditateupontheVanityoftheCREATURE.

Whenyouhavesiftedoutthefinestflourthatthecreaturecangive,youwillfindsomethingeithertodissatisfyornauseate.Thebestwinehasitsfroth, the sweetest rosehas its prickles, and the purest comforts havetheirdregs.Thecreaturecannotbesaidtobefull—unlesswesaythatitisfullofvanity;asasailmaybefilledwithwind.Job20:22,"Attheheightof his success distress will come to him; the full weight ofmisery willcrush him." Those who think to find happiness here on earth, are likeApollowhoembraceda tree, insteadof the lovelyDaphne.Meditateon

this vanity of the creature. The world is like a broken looking glass—whichshowsafalsebeauty.

1.Meditationonworldlyvanitywouldbelikethediggingabouttherootsof a tree, to loosen it from the earth. Itwouldmuch loosen our heartsfrom the world, and be an excellent preservative against the love ofearthly things. Let a Christian think thus with himself, "Why am I soseriousabout suchaworthlessvanity? if thewholeearthwere changedintoaglobeofgold,itcouldnotfillmyheart!"

2. Meditation on the creature's vanity would make us look after moresolidcomforts—thefavorofGod,thebloodofChrist,theinfluencesoftheSpirit.When I see that the lifewhich I fetch from thecistern is vain—Iwillgothemoretotheocean!InChristthereisaninexhaustibletreasury!Whenamanfindstheboughbegintobreak,heletsgoofthebough,andcatchesholdonthetrunkofthetree.Justso,whenwefindthecreaturetobebutarottenbough,thenbyfaithweshallcatchholdonChrist,thetree of life! Rev. 2:7. The creature is but a shaking reed, God is theimmoveablerockofages!

Section6.MeditateontheExcellencyofGRACE.

1.Graceispreciousinitself.2.Pet.1:1,preciousfaith.

1.Graceisprecious,initsoriginal,itcomesfromabove,James3:17.

2.Graceisprecious,initsnature;itistheseedofGod,1John3:9.Graceis the spiritual embroidery of the soul; it is the very signature andengraving of theHoly Spirit. Grace does not lose its color: it is such acommodity, that the longerwe keep it, the better it is—it changes intoglory!

2.Asgraceispreciousinitself,soitmakesusprecioustoGod;asarichdiamondadornstheonewhowears it. Isaiah43:4, 'Sinceyouwerepreciousinmysight."Thesaintswhoareinvestedwithgrace,areGod'sjewels,Mal.3:17, though sulliedwith reproach, thoughbesmearedwithblood—yet,jewels!Alltheworldbesides,isbutchaff.Thesearethejewels—andheavenisthegoldencabinetwheretheyshallbelockedupsafe!A

graciousmanisthegloryoftheagehelivesin.SoillustriousinGod'seyeisasoulbespangledwithgrace,thathedoesnotthinktheworldworthyofhim,Heb.11:38,"Ofwhomtheworldwasnotworthy."ThereforeGodcalls his people home so fast, because they are too good to live in theworld, Proverbs 2:26, "The righteous is more excellent than hisneighbor."

Graceisthebestblessing;ithasatranscendencyaboveallotherthings.There are two things which sparkle much in our eyes—but graceinfinitelyoutshinesboth.

1.GOLD.The sun does not shine somuch in our eyes as gold; it is themirror of beauty, "money answers all things," Eccl. 10:19. But graceweighsheavierthangold;golddrawstheheartfromGod,gracedrawsthehearttoGod.Golddoesbutenrichthemortalpart,gracetheangelicpart.Goldperishes,1Pet.1:7,graceperseveres.Therose,thefulleritisblown,thesooneritsheds—isanemblemofallthings,besidesgrace.

2.GIFTS.Thesearenature'spride.Giftsandabilities,likeRachel,arefairto look upon—but grace excels. I had rather beholy than eloquent. Anheartfullofgrace,isbetterthananheadfullofnotions.Giftscommendnoman toGod. It is not the skinof the apple we esteem, though of avermilioncolor—butthefruit.Wejudgenotthebetterofahorseforhistrappingsandornaments,unlesshehasgoodmettle.Whatarethemostgloriousabilities,ifthereisnotthemetalofgraceintheheart?Giftsmaybebestoweduponone for thegoodofothers,as thenurse'sbreastsaregiven her for the child—but grace is bestowed for aman's own eternaladvantage.Godmay sendaway reprobateswithgifts, asAbrahamgavethe sons of the concubines some gifts, Gen. 25:6—but he entails theinheritanceonly upon grace. O, often meditate upon the excellency ofgrace!

1. The musing on the beauty of grace would make us fall inLOVEwithit.Hewhomeditatesontheworthofadiamond,growsinlovewith it.Damascen calls thegracesof theSpirit the very charactersand impressions of the divine nature. Grace is that flower of delight,which, like thevine in theparable,Judg.9:13, "cheers theheartofGodandman."

2.MeditationontheexcellencyofgracewouldmakeusearnestinthePURSUITafterit.Wedigforgoldinthemine,wesweatfor itinthefurnace.Didwemeditateontheworthofgrace,wewoulddiginthemineofordinances for it.Whatsweatingandwrestling inprayerwouldwe have!We would put on a modest boldness, and not take a denial."Whatwillyougiveme(saysAbraham)seeingIgochildless?"Gen.15:2.Sowouldthesoulsay,"Lord,whatwillyougiveme,seeingIgograceless?Whowillgivemetodrinkofthewaterofthewelloflife?"

3. Meditation on the excellency of grace would make usendeavor to be instrumental to CONVEY grace to others. Isgracesotranscendentlyprecious,andhaveIachildwholacksgrace?OhthatImightbeameanstoconveythistreasureintohissoul!IhavereadofarichFlorentine,whobeingabouttodie,calledallhissonstogether,andusedthesewordstothem,"Itmuchrejoicesmenowuponmydeath-bed,thatIshallleaveyouallwealthy;"butaparent'sambitionshouldberathertoconveysanctity,thathemaysay,"Omychildren,itrejoicesmethatIshallleaveyougracious;itcomfortsmethatbeforeIdie,IshallseeJesusChristliveinyou."

Section7.MeditateuponyourSPIRITUALSTATE.

Enterintoaseriousmeditationonthestateofyoursouls;whileyouaremeditatingonotherthings,donotforgetyourselves;thegreatwork liesat home. It was Solomon's advice, "know the state of your flock,"Proverbs27:23,muchmoreknowthestateofyoursoul; for lackof thismeditation, men are like travelers, skilled in other countries—butignorantof their own: so theyknowother things—butknownothowitgoeswiththeirsouls,whethertheyareinagoodstateorbad;therearefew who by holy meditation, enter within themselves. There are tworeasonswhysofewmeditateuponthestateoftheirsouls.

1. Self-guiltiness. Men are reluctant to look into their hearts bymeditation,lesttheyshouldfindthatwhichwouldtroublethem.Thecupisintheirsack.Mostarehereinliketradesmen,whobeingreadytosinkintheirestates,arereluctant;to lookintotheiraccountbooks, lest theyshouldfindtheirestatelow;buthadyounotbetterenterintoyourheartbymeditation, than God should in a sadmanner enter into judgment

withyou?

2.Presumption.Menhopealliswell;menwillnottaketheirlandupontrust—butwill have it surveyed; yet theywill take their spiritual estateupontrust,withoutanysurveying.Theyareconfidenttheircaseisgood;Proverbs14:16.Theypresumethatitisathingnottobedisputedon,andthisconfidenceisbutconceit.Thefoolishvirgins,thoughtheyhadnooilintheirlamps,yethowconfidentwerethey?"Theycameknocking"—theydoubtednotofadmittance.Justso,manydonotpossesssalvation—butremain secure; they presume all is well, never seriously meditatingwhethertheyhaveoilornot.OChristian,meditateaboutyoursoul!SeehowthecasestandsbetweenGodandyou;doasmerchants,castupyourestate,thatyoumayseewhatyouareworth.SeeifyouarerichtowardsGod,Luke12:21.Meditateaboutthreethings:

1.Aboutyourdebts,seeifyourdebtsarepaidornot, that is,yoursinspardoned;seeiftherebenoarrears,nosininyoursoulunrepentedof.

2. Meditate about your will; see if your will is made yet. Have youresignedupall the interest inyourself?Haveyougivenupyour love toGod?Have yougivenup yourwill?This is tomake yourwill.Meditateaboutyourwill;makeyourspiritualwillinthetimeofhealth;ifyouputoff themaking of yourwill until death, itmaybe invalid; perhapsGodwillnotacceptofyoursoulthen.

3.Meditateaboutyourevidences.TheseevidencesarethegracesoftheSpirit;seewhetheryouhaveanyevidences.WhatdesireshaveyouafterChrist?whatfaith?seewhetherthereareanyflawsinyourevidences;areyourdesirestrue?doyouaswelldesireheavenlyprinciples,asheavenlyprivileges?Omeditateseriouslyuponyourevidences.

To sift our hearts thus bymeditation, is very necessary; if we find ourestate is not sound, the mistake is discovered, and the danger can beprevented.Ifourspiritualestateissound,weshallhavethecomfortofit.WhatgladnesswasittoHezekiah,whenhecouldsay,"Remembernow,OLord,howIhavewalkedbeforeyouintruth,andwithaperfectheart,andhave done that which is good in your sight," Isaiah 38:3. So, whatunspeakable comfort will it be, when a Christian, upon a serious

meditation and review of his spiritual condition, can say, "I havesomethingtoshowforheaven—IknowIhavepassedfromdeathtolife,"lJohn3:14,andasaholymanoncesaid,"IamChrist's,andthedevilhasnothingtodowithme."

Section8.Meditateuponthesmallnumberofthosewhoshallbesaved.

Theeighthsubjectofmeditationis,thesmallnumberthatshallbesaved;"butfewarechosen,"Mat.20:16.AmongthemillionsinRome—therearebut few senators; andamong the swarmsofpeople in theworld—therearebutfewbelievers.Onesaid,allthenamesofthegoodemperorsmightbeengravedinalittlering.Therearenotmanynamesinthebookoflife.Wereadoffourkindsofgroundintheparable,andbutonegoodground,Matt.13.HowfewintheworldknowChrist.Howfewthatbelieveinhim?Who has believed our report? Isaiah 53:1. How few bow to Christ'sscepter.TheheathenidolatersandMahometanspossessalmostallAsia,Africa, America; inmany parts of the world the devil is worshiped, asamong theParthiansandPilapians;Satan takesupmostclimates—andhearts.Howmanyformalistsareintheworld?2Tim.3:5,"havingaformof godliness."Formalistsare likewool which receives a slight tincture,not a deep dye, whose religion is a paint—not an engraving, (which astormof persecutionwillwashoff). These look likeChrist'sdoves—butare the serpent's brood. They hate God's image, like the panther, thathatesthepictureofaman.

Ooftenmeditateonthesmallnumberofthosewhoshallbesaved.

1. Meditation on this, would keep us from marching along with themultitude."Youshallnotfollowamultitude,"Exod.23:2.Themultitudeusuallygoeswrong:mostmenwalk"afterthecourseofthisworld,"Eph.2:2.Thatis,thelustsoftheirhearts,andthefashionsofthetimes.Theymarchaftertheprinceoftheair.Meditationonthiswouldmakeusturnoutofthecommonroad.

2.Meditationonthefewnessofthosewhoshallbesaved,wouldmakeuswalk tremblingly. Few find the way; andwhen they have found it, fewwalkintheway.Thethoughtsofthiswouldworkholyfear,Heb.4:1,not

adespairing fear—buta jealousandcautious fear.This reverential fear,the eminent saints of God have had. Augustine says of himself, heknockedatheaven'sgatewithatremblinghand.Thisfearisjoinedwithhope, Psalm 147:1. "The Lord takes pleasure in thosewho fear him, inthosewhohope inhismercy."AchildofGod fears,becausethegate isstrait;buthopes,becausethegateisopen.

3.Meditation on the fewness of those who shall be saved, would be awhetstone to holy industry. It would put us upon working out oursalvation;iftherearesofewthatshallbecrowned,itwouldmakeustheswifter in the race. This meditation would be an alarm to sleepyChristians.

Section9.MeditateuponFinalAPOSTASY.

Thinkwhatasadthingitistobegininreligiontobuild,andnotbeableto finish. Joash was good while his uncle Jehoiada lived—but after hedied,Joashgrewwicked—allhisreligionwasburiedinhisuncle'sgrave.Weliveinthefalloftheleaf;howmanyarefallentodamnableheresies?2 Pet. 2:1. Meditate seriously on that scripture, Heb. 6:4-6. "It isimpossible for thosewhohave once been enlightened,whohave tastedtheheavenlygift,whohavesharedintheHolySpirit,whohavetastedthegoodnessof theWordofGodandthepowersof thecomingage, if theyfallaway,tobebroughtbacktorepentance."Amanmaybeenlightened,and that from a double lamp—the Word and Spirit; but these beams,though they are irradiating, yet not penetrating. It is possible he mayhaveatasteoftheheavenlygift;hemaytastebutnotbenourishedbyit.This taste may not only illuminate—but refresh; it may carry somesweetnessinit,theremaybeakindofdelightinspiritualthings.Thusfaramanmaygoandyetfallawayfinally.Nowthiswillbeverysad(itbeingsuchaGod-affronting,andChristreproachingsin)"Knowthereforeitisan evil and bitter thing that you have forsaken the Lord," Jer. 2:19.Meditateuponfinalrelapses.

1. Meditation on this would make us earnest in prayer to God—forsoundness of heart, "Make my heart sound in your statutes," Psalm119:80.Lord,letmenotbeanalmostChristian.Workathoroughworkofgrace upon me: though I am not washed perfectly, let me be washed

thoroughly, Psalm 51:2. That which begins in hypocrisy, ends inapostasy!

2.Meditationonhypocritesfinalfallingaway,wouldmakeusearnestinprayer for perseverance. "Hold up my goings in your paths that myfootsteps slipnot,"Psalm 17:5. "Lord, holdmeup that Imayhold out.Youhavesetthecrownattheendoftherace,letmeruntherace,thatImaywearthecrown!"ItwasBeza'sprayer—let itbeours,"Lordperfectwhatyouhavebeguninme,thatImaynotsuffershipwreckwhenIamalmostatthehaven."

Section10.MeditateuponDEATH.

We say we must all die—but how rare it is—that anyone meditatesseriouslyupondeath?

1.Meditateonthecertaintyofdeath;itisappointedforall,oncetodie,Heb.9:27.Deathisaninviolablereality.

2.Meditateupontheproximityofdeath,itisneartous.Wearealmostsettingourfeetuponthedarkentryofdeath.Thepoetspaintedtimewithwings;itflies—andcarriesusuponitswings.Therace isshortbetweenthecradleandthegrave!Thesentenceofdeath isalreadypassed,Gen.3:19. "Todust you shall return;" so that our life is but a short reprievefromdeathwhich isgrantedtoacondemnedman. "Youhavemademydaysamerehandbreadth;thespanofmyyearsisasnothingbeforeyou.Eachman's life is but a breath." Psalm 39:5. Nay, our life is less thannothing,reckonedwitheternity.

3.Meditateupontheuncertaintyoftime.Wehavenolease—butmaybe turned out the next hour; there are somany casualties, that it is awonderiflifebenotcutoffbyuntimelydeath.HowsoonmayGodsealusaleaseofejectment?Ourgravemaybedugbeforenight.Todaywemaylie upon a pillow ofdown, tomorrowwemay be laid upon a pillow ofdust.Todaythesermon-belltolls,tomorrowourdeathbellmaytoll.

4.Thinkseriously,thattodieistobebutoncedone,andafterdeathourstate is eternally fixed. If you die in your impenitency, there is no

repentinginthegrave.Ifyouleaveyourworkatdeathhalfdone,thereisnofinishingitinthegrave,Eccl.9:10,"Thereisnowork,nordevice,norwisdominthegravewhereyougo."Ifagarrisonsurrendersatthefirstsummons,thereismercy.Butifitbattlesuntilitisstormedandcaptured,thereisnomercythen.Nowitisadayofgrace,andGodholdsforththewhiteflagofmercytothepenitent;ifwebattlewithGoduntilhestormsusbydeath—thereisnomercy.Thereisnothingtobedoneforoursoulsafterdeath.Omeditateondeath.ItisreportedofZeleucus,thatthefirstpieceofhouse-holdstuffhebroughttoBabylon,wasatomb-stone;thinkoften of your tomb-stone. Meditation on death would work theseadmirableeffects.

1.Meditationondeathwouldpulldowntheplumesofpride;youarebutanimateddust!Shalldustandashesbeproud?Youbodywillbeturnedintograss—andshallshortlybemoweddown!

2.Meditationondeathwouldbeameanstogiveadeath-woundtosin.No stronger antidote against sin, says Augustine, than the frequentmeditationondeath.AmInowsinning—andtomorrowImaybedying?whatifdeathshouldtakemedoingthedevil'swork,woulditnotsendmeto him to receive double pay! Carry the thoughts of death as a bookalwaysaboutyou,andwhensintempts,pulloutthisbook,andreadinit—and you shall see sin will vanish.We should look upon sin in twolooking-glasses—theglassofChrist'sblood,andtheglassofdeath.

3. Meditation on death would be a bridle for intemperance; shall Ipamperthatbodywhichmust liedowninthehouseofrottenness?OurSavioratafeastbreaksforthintomentionofhisburial,Mat.26.Feedingupon the thoughts of deathwould be an excellent preservative againstgluttony.

4.Meditation on deathwouldmake us use timebetter, and crowd upmuchworkinalittlespace.Manymeetintavernstotrifleawaytime;theapostlebidsusredeemtime."Redeemingthetime."Our livesshouldbelikejewels,thoughlittleinbulk,yetgreatinworth.Somedieyoung,yetwithgrayhairsuponthem.Wemustbelikegrassofthefield,useful;notlikegrassof thehouse-top,whichwithersbefore it isgrownup.To liveandnotbeserviceable,isnotlife—butwastinglife.

5.Meditation on deathwould spur us on in the pursuit after holiness.Deathisthegreatplunderer,itwillshortlyplunderusofallouroutwardcomforts.Ourfeathersofbeautyandhonormustbelaidinthedust—butdeathcannotplunderusofourgraces.ThecommonwealthofVenice, intheir armory, have this inscription, "happy is hewho in time ofpeace,thinks ofwar." He who often meditates of death—will make the bestpreparationforit.

Section11.MeditateontheDayofJUDGMENT.

Feathersfloatuponthewater—butgoldsinksinit.Justso,lightfeatheryprofessorsfloatinvanity,theymindnotthedayofjudgment—butseriousspiritssinkdeepintothemeditationonit.Mostmenputfarawayfromthem,theevilday,Amos3:6.TheyreportoftheItalians, that inagreatthunder they use to ring the bells—that the sound of their bells maydrownthenoiseofthethunder.Justso,thedevildelightsmenwiththemusicof theworld, thatthenoiseshoulddrownthenoiseof thedayofjudgment,andmakethemforgetthesoundofthelasttrumpet.Mostmenare guilty, therefore they do not love to hear of the day of judgment.When Paul preached of judgment, Felix trembled, he had a badconscience. Josephus tells us of Felix, that he was a wicked man—thewomanthatlivedwithhim(Drusilla)heenticedawayfromherhusband,andwhenhe heard of judgment, he fell a trembling.Oh I beseech youmeditateupon this last and solemnday;while others are thinkinghowtheymaygetriches,letusbethinkourselveshowwemayfareonthedayofjudgment.

1.Meditationonthedayof judgmentwouldmakeustoevaluateallouractions;Christwill comewithhis fanandhissieve. "Will this actionofmine,bidethetestatthatgreatday.

2.MeditationonthelastdaywouldmakeuslabortoapproveourheartstoGod—thegreatjudgeoftheworld.Itisnomatterwhatmenthinkofus—butwhat isourJudge'sopinionof us?Tohimwemust standor fall.Thegalaxy,ormilkyway,astheastronomerscall it, isabrightcircle intheheavenscontainingmanystars—buttheyaresosmallthattheyhavenoname, nor are they taken cognizance of by the astrologers.Givemepermissiontoapplyit;possiblyothersmaytakenonoticeofus;weareso

smallas tohavenonameintheworld,yet ifwearetruestars,andcanapprove our hearts to God, we shall hold up our heads with boldness,whenwecometostandbeforeourJudge.

Section12.MeditateuponHELL.

1.Meditateuponthepainofloss,Matt.25:10,"andthedoorwasshut."TohaveChrist'sfaceveiledover,andaperpetualeclipseandmidnightinthesoul;tobecastoutofGod'spresence,inwhosepresenceisfullnessofjoy—thisaccentuatesandembitterstheconditionofthedamned.Itislikeminglinggallwithwormwood.

2.Meditate upon the pain of sense. Psalm 9:17, "The wicked shall beturnedintohell."Andheremeditateoftwothings,

1.Theplaceofhell.2.Thecompany.

1.Meditateon thePLACEofhell. It is called "aplaceof torment,"Luke16:28.Therearetwothingsespeciallyinhelltotorment.

1.TheFIRE.Rev. 20:15. It is called a lakeof burning fire.Augustine,PeterLombard,GregorytheGreat,say,thisfireofhellisamaterialfire,thoughtheysayitisinfinitelyhotterthananyculinaryfire—whichisbutpainted fire compared to hell-fire. I wish none of us may experiencewhatkindoffireitis!Iratherthinkthefireofhellispartlymaterial,andpartlyspiritual;thematerialfireistoworkuponthebody,thespiritualtotorturethesoul.ThisisthewrathofGod,whichisbothfireandbellows;"whoknowsthepowerofyouranger?"Psalm90:11.

Butitmaybeobjected,ifthereismaterialfireinhell,itwillconsumethebodiesthere.Ianswer,Itshallburnwithoutconsuming,asMoses'bushdid, Exod. 3:2. The power of God silences all disputes. If God by hisinfinite power could make the fire not to consume the three Hebrewchildren; cannot he make the fire of hell burn and not consume?Augustine tells of a strange salt in Sicily, which if it be put in the fire,swims; thatGodwhocanmakesalt, contrary to itsnature, swim in thefire—canmakethebodiesofthedamnednotconsumeinthefire.

2.TheWORM.Mark 19:44, "Where thewormneverdies."Homer inhisOdyssey feigns, thatTitus' liverwasgnawedby twovultures inhell.This never-dying worm Christ speaks of, is the gnawing of a guiltyconscience. Melancthon calls it a hellish fury—they that will not hearconsciencepreaching,shallfeelconsciencegnawing;andsogreatistheextremityof thesetwo,thefirewhichburns,andthewormwhichbites,that there will follow "gnashing of teeth,"Matt. 8:12, the damned willgnashtheirteethforhorrorandanguish.Thatmustneedsbesadfare(asLatimersays)whereweepingisservedforthefirstcourse,andgnashingofteethforthesecond.Toendurethishellwillbeintolerable,toescapeitwillbeimpossible!

2.Meditate of the COMPANY in hell—the devil and his demons,Matt.25:41.Jobcomplainshewasacompaniontoowls,chapter30:29.Whatwillitbetobeacompaniontodevils?Consider,

1.Theirghastlydeformity—theymakehelllookblacker.

2. Their deadly antipathy—they are fired with rage against mankind.Firsttheybecometempters—thentormentors.

Meditate much on hell. Let us go into hell by contemplation—thatwemaynotgointohellbycondemnation.Howrestlessandhopeless,isthecondition of the damned! The ancients feign of Endymion, that he gotpermissionfromJupiteralwaystosleep.Whatwouldthedamnedinhellgive for such a license! In their pains is neither intermission, normitigation.

1.Theseriousmeditationonhell,wouldmakeus fearsinashell.Sinishell'sfuel!SinlikeSamson'sfoxes,carriesdevouringfireinitstail.

2.MeditationonhellwouldcauserejoicinginachildofGod.Thesaint'sfearofhell is like thetwoMarys' fear,Matt.28:8, "Theydeparted fromthesepulcherwithfearandgreatjoy."Abelievermayfeartothinkoftheplaceoftorment—butrejoicetothinkheshallnevercomeintothatplace.Whenamanstandsuponahighrock,hetremblestolookdownintothesea,yetherejoicesthatheisnottherestrugglingwiththewaves.AchildofGod,whenhethinksofhell,herejoiceswithtrembling.Aprisonisnot

made for the king's son to be put in. A great naturalist observes thatnothingwillsosoonquenchfireassaltandblood;butIamsureofthis—thesaltbrinishtearsofrepentance,andthebloodofChristwillquenchthe fireofhell toabeliever.Christhimselfhas felt thepainsofhell foryou.TheLambofGodbeingroastedinthefireofGod'swrath—bythisburnt-offeringtheLordisnowappeasedtowardshispeople.Ohhowmaythegodlyrejoice!"ThereisnocondemnationtothosewhoareinChrist!"Romans8:1.WhentheSonofGodwasinthefurnace,Dan.3:25,thefiredidnohurtthethreechildren.Justso,Christbeingforatimeinthefieryfurnace of God's wrath, that fire can do a believer no hurt. The saintshavethegarmentofChrist'srighteousnessuponthem,andthefireofhellcanneversingethisgarment.

Section13.MeditateuponHEAVEN.

Fromthemountofmeditation,asfrommountNebo,wemaytakeaviewand prospect of the land of promise. Christ has taken possession ofheaveninthenameofallbelievers,Heb.6:20,"Jesus,whowentbeforeus, has entered on our behalf." Heavenmust needs be a glorious city,whichhasGodbothforitsbuilderandinhabitant.Heavenistheextractandquintessenceofallblessedness.Therethesaintsshallhaveall theirholyhearts candesire.Augustinewished thathemighthaveseen threethingsbeforehedied,Romeinitsglory,Paulinthepulpit,andChristintheflesh.Butthesaintsshallseeabettersight;theyshallsee,notRome—butheaveninitsglory;theyshallseePaul,notinthepulpit—butonthethrone,andshallsitwithhim;theyshallseeChrist'sflesh,notveiledoverwith infirmities and disgraces—but in its spiritual embroidery; not acrucified—butaglorifiedbody.Theyshall"beholdthekinginhisbeauty,"Isaiah33:17.

Whatagloriousplacewillthisbe!Inheaven"Godwillbeallinall,"1Cor.15:28,beautytotheeye,musictotheears, joytotheheart;andthishewillbe to thepoorest saint, aswell as the richest.OChristian,whoarenowat your hard labor, perhaps following the plough—you shall sit onthe throne of glory! Rev. 3:21. Quintus Curtius writes of one who wasdigginginhisgarden,andwassuddenlymadeking,andapurplegarmentrichlyembroideredwithgoldputuponhim.Justsoshallitbedonetothepoorestbeliever—heshallbetakenfromhislaboringwork,andsetatthe

righthandofGod,havingthecrownofrighteousnessuponhishead!

MeditateoftenontheJerusalemabove.

1. Meditation on heaven would excite and quickenOBEDIENCE. Itwouldput spurs toour sluggishhearts, andmakeus"aboundintheworkofGod,knowingthatourlaborisnotinvainintheLord,"1Cor.15:58.Theweightofglorywouldnothinderusinourrace—butcauseustorunthefaster!Thisweightwouldaddwingstoduty.

2. Meditation on heaven would make us strive after heartPURITY,becauseonlythe"pureinheartshallseeGod,"Matt.5:8.Itisonlyacleareyewhichcanlookonabrighttransparentobject.

3.MeditationonheavenwouldbeapillarofSUPPORTunderoursufferings.Heavenwillmakeamendsforall.Onehour inheavenwillmakeusforgetalloursorrows!Thesundriesupthewater;justso—onebeamofGod'sgloriousfacewilldryupallourtears.

Section14.MeditateonETERNITY.

Millionsofyearsstandonly forciphers ineternity,andsignifynothing.Whatanamazingwordiseternity!Eternitytothegodly--isadaywhichhasnosun-setting!Eternitytothewicked--isanightwhichhasnosun-rising!Eternityisagulfwhichmayswallowupallourthoughts:Meditateonthatscripture,"Andtheywillgoawayintoeternalpunishment,buttherighteouswillgointoeternallife."Matthew25:46.

1. Meditate upon eternal PUNISHMENT. The bitter cup thedamneddrinkof, shallneverpassaway fromthem.Thesinnerand thefurnaceshallneverbeparted.God'svialofwrathwillbealwaysdroppinguponawickedman.Whenyouhavereckonedupsomanymyriadsandmillionsofyears,nay,ages—ashavepassedtheboundsofallarithmetic,eternityisnotyetbegun!Thiswordforeverbreakstheheart!Ifthetreefallshell-ward—thereitliestoalleternity!NowisthetimeofGod'slong-suffering,afterdeathwillbethetimeofthesinner'slong-suffering,whenheshall"sufferthevengeanceofeternalfire!"Jude7.

2.MeditateuponeternalLIFE.Thesoul that isonce landedat theheavenly shore, is past all storms. The glorified soul shall be foreverbathingitselfintheriversofpleasure."Youhavemadeknowntomethepath of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternalpleasuresatyourrighthand."Psalms16:11.Thisiswhatmakesheaventobeheaven—"WeshallbeforeverwiththeLord!"1Thess.4:17.Augustinesays,"Lord,Iamcontenttosufferanypainsandtormentsinthisworld—ifImightseeyourfaceoneday.Butalas,wereitonlyaday, thentobeejected fromheaven—itwould ratherbeanaggravationofmisery!"Butthisword,"foreverwiththeLord,"makesupthegarlandofglory!Astateofeternity,isastateofsecurity.

1. Meditation on eternity, would make us very SERIOUS inwhatwedo.Zeuxesbeingasked,whyhetooksolongtopaintapicture,answered,"Ipaintforeternity."Thethoughtsofanirreversibleconditionafterthislife,wouldmakeusprayandliveasforeternity.

2. Meditation on eternity, would make us overlook presentWORLDLY things—as flitting and fading. What is this presentworld,tohimwhohaseternityinhiseye?itisbutnothing.Hewhothinksofeternitywilldespise"thepassingpleasuresofsin."

3.Meditation on eternity would be ameans to keep us fromenvyingthewicked'sprosperity.Herethewickedmaybe"dressedinpurple and fine linen, and live in luxury every day." But what is this,comparedtoeternity?Aslongasthereissuchathingaseternity,Godhastimeenoughtoreckonwithallhisenemies!

Section15.MeditateuponyourEXPERIENCES.

The last subject of meditation is your experiences. Look over yourreceipts:

1.HasnotGodprovidedliberallyforyou,andgivenyouthosespiritualmercies,whichhehasdeniedtootherswhoarebetterthanyou?Hereisanexperience,Gen:48:15."TheGodwhohasfedmeallmydays."Younevereat—butmercy carves for you.Younevergo tobed—butmercydrawsthecurtain,andsetsaguardofangelsaboutyou.

Whateveryouhave,isoutofthetreasuryoffreegrace!Hereisanexperiencetomeditateupon.

2. Has not God prevented many dangers—has he not keptwatchandwardaboutyou?

1.WhattemporaldangershasGodscreenedoff?Yourneighbor'shouseonfire—butithasnotkindledinyourdwellings.Anotherisinfectedwiththeplague—butyouarehealthy.Beholdthegoldenfeathersofprotectioncoveringyou!

2.WhatspiritualdangershasGodprevented?whenothers have beenpoisonedwitherror,youhavebeenpreserved.Godhassoundedaretreattoyou;youhaveheard"avoicebehindyousaying—Thisistheway,walkinit!"Whenyouhadenlistedyourself,andtakenpayonthedevil'sside—yetGodhas"pluckedyouasabrandoutofthefire,"turnedyourheart,and now you espouse Christ's quarrel against sin. Behold preventinggrace!Hereisanexperiencetomeditateupon.

3.HasnotGodsparedyoualongtime?Whyisit,thatothersarestruckdeadintheactofsin—asAnaniasandSapphira—andyouarepreservedasamonumentofGod'spatience?

Here is an experience: God has donemore for you than for the fallenangels; he never granted them repentance—but he has waited for youyearafteryear,Isaiah30:18.Therefore"willtheLordwaitthathemaybegracious."Hehasnotonlyknockedat yourheart in theministryof theword—buthehaswaitedatthedoor.HowlonghashisSpiritstrivenwithyou;likeanimportunatesuitor,whoaftermanydenials,yetwillnotgiveoverthesuit.MethinksIseeJUSTICEwithaswordinitshandreadytostrike!ButMERCYstepsinforthesinner,"Lord,havepatiencewithhimawhile longer!"Methinks I hear the angels say to God, as the king ofIsraeloncesaidtotheprophetElisha,2Kings6:22,"ShallIsmitethem?shallIsmitethem?"MethinksIheartheangelssay,"Shallwetakeoffthehead of such a drunkard, swearer, blasphemer?" ButMERCY seems toanswerasthevine-dresser,Luke13:8,"Lethimalonethisyear,"seeifhewill repent. Is not here an experience worth meditating upon?Mercyturns justice into a rainbow; the rainbow is a bow indeed—but has no

arrowinit!Thatjusticehasbeenliketherainbowwithoutanarrow—thatithasnotshotyoutodeath—hereisamonumentofpatiencetoreadoverandmeditateupon.

4.HasnotGodoftencome inwithassistinggrace?Whenhehasbidyou mortify such a lust, and you have said as Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron.20:12,"Ihavenomightagainstthisgreatarmy!"ThenGodhascomeinwithauxiliary force, and "hisgracehasbeensufficient."WhenGodhasbid youpray for suchamercy, andyouhave foundyourself veryunfit;yourheartwasatfirstdeadandflat,allofasuddenyouarecarriedaboveyourownstrength;yourtearsdrop,andyourloveflames!Godhascomeinwithassistinggrace.If theheartburns inprayer—Godhasstruckthefire! The Spirit has been tuning your soul, and now you make sweetmelodyinprayer.Hereisanexperiencetomeditateupon.

5.HasnotGodvanquishedSatanforyou?Whenthedevilhastemptedtoinfidelity,toself-murder,whenhewouldmakeyoubelieveeitherthatyourgraceswerebutafiction,orGod'spromisebutacounterfeitbond;yetyouhavenotbeenfoiledbythetempter—itisGodwhohaskeptthegarrisonofyourheart,elseSatan'sfierydartswouldhaveentered!Hereisanexperiencetomeditateon.

6.Have younothadmany signaldeliverances?Whenyou have beeneven at the gates of death, God has miraculously recovered you, andrenewedyourstrengthastheeagle!MaynotyouwritethatwritingwhichHezekiahdid?Isaiah38:6,"ThewritingofHezekiahKingofJudah,whenhehadbeensick,andwasrecoveredofhissickness."Youthoughtthesunof your lifewas quite setting—but Godmade this sun turn backmanydegrees.Hereisanexperienceformeditationtofeedupon.

Whenyouhavebeenimprisonedbysin—yourfoottakeninthesnare,andtheLordhasbrokenthesnare,nay,hasmadethosetobreakit,whoweretheinstrumentsoflayingit—beholdanexperiencetomeditateon!Ohletusoftenrevolveinmind,ourexperiences.Youwhohaverarereceiptsofmercy—beoftenbymeditation,lookingoveryourreceipts.

1. Meditation on our experiences would raise us toTHANKFULNESS.ConsideringthatGodhassetahedgeofprovidence

aboutus—hehas strewedourwaywith roses—thiswouldmakeus taketheharpandviolin—andpraise theLord, (1Chron.16:4).Andnotonlypraise—but record our blessings. The meditating Christian keeps aregisterorchronicleofGod'smercies,thattheirmemorydoesnotdecay.Godwouldhavethemannakeptinthearkmanyhundredyears,thattheremembranceofthatmiraclemightbepreserved;ameditatingsoultakescarethatthespiritualmannaofanexperiencebekeptsafe.

2.Meditationonour experienceswould engageourhearts toGodinOBEDIENCE.Mercywouldbeaneedletosewus tohim!WewouldcryoutasBernard,"Ihave,Lord,twomites—asoulandabody—andIgivethembothtoyou."

3.Meditation on our experienceswould serve to convince usthatGODisnohardmaster.Wemightbringinourexperiencesasasufficient confutation of that slander.When we have been falling—hasnotGodtakenusby thehand?"WhenIsaid, 'Myfoot isslipping,'yourlove,OLord,supportedme!"Psalm94:18.HowoftenhasGodsupportedour head and heart—when we have been fainting? And is he a hardMaster? Is there any Master besides God—who will wait upon hisservants? Christians, summon in your experiences. What spiritualenjoyments have you had? What inward serenity and peace—whichneither the world can give, nor death take away! A Christian's ownexperiencesmaypleadforGod—againstthosewhodesiretocensurehiswaysratherthantotrythem;andtocavilatthem,ratherthantowalkinthem.

4. Meditation on our experiences would make uscommunicative to others.We would be willing to tell our childrenandacquaintances,whatGodhasdoneforoursouls—Atsuchatimewewere brought low, andGod raised us; at such a time in desertion, andGod brought a promise to remembrance which dropped in comfort.MeditationonGod's gracious dealingwith us,wouldmake us transmitandpropagateourexperiencetoothers,thatthemerciesofGodshowntous,maybearaplentifulcropofpraisewhenwearedeadandgone!

So much for the subjectmatter of meditation; I proceed next to thenecessityofmeditation.

VII.ShowingtheNECESSITYofMeditation.

Itisnotenoughtocarry'God'sbook'aboutus—butwemustmeditateonit.Thenecessityofmeditationwillappearinthreeparticulars.

1. The end why God has given us his Word written andpreached,isnotonlytoknowit—butthatweshouldmeditateinit.TheScriptureisaloveletterwhichthegreatGodhaswrittentous.Wemustnot run it over inhaste—butmeditateuponGod'swisdom inwriting,andhisloveinsendingittous.Whydoesthephysiciangivehispatient a remedy; is it only that he should read it over and know theremedy—orthatheshouldapplyit?TheendwhyGodcommunicateshisgospel remedies to us, is, that we should apply them by fruitfulmeditation.DoyouthinkthatGodwouldeverhavebeenatthepainsofwritinghislawwithhisownfinger—onlythatweshouldhavethetheoryandnotionofit?Is itnotthatweshouldmeditateonit?Wouldheeverhave been at the cost to send abroad his ministers into the world, tofurnishthemwithgifts,Eph.4,andmusttheyfortheworkofChristbenear unto death—that the Christians should only have an empty headknowledge of the truths published? Is it speculation or meditation—whichGodaimsat?

2.Thenecessityofmeditationappearsinthis,becausewithoutitwecanneverbegodlyChristians.AChristianwithoutmeditationislikeasoldierwithoutweapons,oraworkmanwithouttools.

Withoutmeditation,thetruthsofGodwillnotstaywithus.Theheart ishard, and the memory slippery—and without meditation all is lost!Meditationimprintsandfastensatruthinthemind.Seriousmeditationisliketheengravingoflettersingoldormarblewhichendures.Withoutmeditation,allourpreachingisbut likewriting insand,or likepouringwaterintoasieve.Readingandhearingwithoutmeditation,islikeweakmedicine which will not work. Lack of meditation has made so manysermonsinthisage,tohaveamiscarryingwombanddrybreasts!

3. Without meditation the truths which we know will neveraffectourhearts.Deut.6:6,"ThesewordswhichIcommandthisday

shallbe inyourheart."HowcantheWordbe in theheart—unless itbewrought inbymeditation?Asanhammerdrives anail to thehead—someditationdrivesatruthtotheheart.Itisnotthetakinginoffood—butthestomach'sdigestingit,whichmakesitturnintonourishment.Justso,itisnotthetakinginofatruthattheear—butthemeditatingonit,whichis the digestion of it in the mind, which makes it nourish. Withoutmeditation, theWord preachedmay increasenotion, but notaffection.There is asmuchdifferencebetween the knowledgeof a truth, and themeditation on a truth, as there is between the light of a torch, and thelight of the sun. Set up a lamp or torch in the garden, and it has noinfluence.Butthesunhasasweetinfluence,itmakestheplantstogrow,andtheherbstoflourish.Justso,knowledgeislikeatorchlightedintheunderstanding,whichhas littleorno influence—itdoesnotmakenotamanthebetter.Butmeditationisliketheshiningofthesun—itoperatesupon the affections, it warms the heart and makes it more holy.Meditationfetches life ina truth.Therearemanytruthswhich lie,as itwere, in the heart dead—which when wemeditate upon, they begin tohavelifeandheatinthem.Meditationonatruthislikerubbingamaninaswoon—itfetcheslife.Itismeditation,whichmakesaChristian!

4. Without meditation we make ourselves guilty of slightingGodandhisWord.Ifamanletsathinglieaside,andnevermindsit—itisasignheslightsit.God'sWordisthebookoflife;nottomeditateinit—istoundervalueit.Ifakingputsforthanedictorproclamation,andthe subjectsnevermind it—it is a slightingof theking's authority.Godputs forth his law as a royal edict; if we do notmeditate on it, it is aslightinghisauthority,andcontemptdonetothedivinemajesty!

VIII. Showing the reason WHY there are so few godlyChristians.

Use1.Information.

It gives us a true accountwhy there are so fewgodlyChristians in theworld;namely,becausetherearesofewmeditatingChristians.WehavemanywhohaveBibleears,theyareswifttohear—butslowtomeditate.Thisdutyisgrownalmostoutoffashion,peoplearesomuchintheshop,

that they are seldomon theMountwithGod.Where is themeditatingChristian? Where is he who meditates on sin, hell, eternity, therecompenseofreward—whotakesaprospectofheaveneveryday?Whereis the meditating Christian? It is to be bewailed in our times, that somany who go under the name of professors, have banished godlydiscoursefromtheirtables,andmeditationfromtheirclosets.SurelythehandofJoabisinthis.

Thedevilisanenemytomeditation;hecaresnothowmuchpeoplereadandhear;heknowsthatmeditationisameanstocomposetheheart,andbringitintoagraciousframe.SataniscontentthatyoushouldbehearingandprayingChristians,justsolongasyouarenotmeditatingChristians.Hecanstandyoursmallshot,providedyoudonotputinthisbullet.

IX.AREPROOFtosuchasdonotMeditateinGod'sWord.

Use2.Ofreproof.

Itserves toreprovethosewhomeditate indeed—butnot in theWordofGod.Theyturnalltheirmeditationsthewrongway;likeamanwholetsforththewaterofhismillwhichshouldgrindhiscorn,intothehighway,where it does no good. Just so, there are many who let out theirmeditationsuponotherfruitlessthingswhichareinnowaybeneficialtotheirsouls.

1. The farmermeditates on his acres of land, not upon his soul. Hismeditationishowhemayimproveabarrenpieceofground,nothowhemayimproveabarrenmind;hewillnotlethisgroundliefallow—butheletshisheartliefallow;thereisnospiritualculture,notoneseedofgracesownthere.

2. The physicianmeditates upon his remedies—but seldom on thoseremedies which the gospel prescribes for his salvation, faith andrepentance. Commonly the devil is physician to the physician, havinggiven him such stupefying drug, that for the most part he dies of alethargy.

3.Thelawyermeditatesuponthecommonlaw;butas forGod's lawheseldom meditates in it either day or night. The lawyer while he ismeditating on his client's evidences, often forgets his own; most havetheirspiritualevidencestoseek,whentheyshouldhavethemtoshow.

4. The tradesman is for themost part meditating upon his wares; hisstudyishowhemayincreasehisestate,andmakethetentalentsintoahundred.Heis"cumberedaboutmanythings;"hedoesnotmeditate inthe book ofGod's book—but in his account-book day andnight. In thelongrunyouwillseethesewerefruitlessmeditations,youwill findthatyou are but golden beggars, and have gotten but the fool's purchasewhenyoudie,Luke12:20.

5. There is another sort thatmeditate only uponmischief, "who deviseiniquity,"Mic.2:1.Theymeditatehow todefameand todefraud;Amos8:5,"Theymaketheephahsmall,andtheshekelgreat."Theephahwasameasureused inbuying, the shekelaweightused in selling.Manywhoshouldsupport,toooftensupplantoneanother.Andhowmanymeditaterevenge? It is sweet to them as dropping honey. "Their hearts shallmeditateterror,"Isaiah38:18.Thesinnerisafelontohimself,andGodwillmakehimaterrortohimself.

X.AholyPERSUASIVEtoMeditation.

Use3.OfExhortation.

I am in thenext place to exhortChristians to this sonecessarydutyofmeditation.IfevertherewereadutyIwouldpressuponyouwithmoreearnestnessandzeal,itwouldbethis,becausesomuchofthevitalsandspirit of religion lies in it. The plant may as well bear fruit withoutwatering, the food may as well nourish without digesting, as we canfructifyinholinesswithoutmeditation.Godprovidesthefood,ministerscanbut cook anddress it for you—but itmust be inwardly digested bymeditation. For lack of this you may cry out with the prophet, Isaiah24:16,"Myleanness,myleanness,woeuntome."Oletmepersuadesuchas fear God, seriously to set upon this duty. If you have formerlyneglectedit,bewailyourneglect,andnowbegintomakeconscienceofit!

Lock up yourselves with God (at least once a day) by holymeditation.Ascendthishill,andwhenyouhavegottentothetopofit—youshallseeafairprospect—Christandheavenbeforeyou.Letmeputyou inmindofthatsayingofBernard,"Osaint,knowyounotthatyourhusbandChristis bashful, and will not be affectionate in company, retire yourself bymeditationintothecloset,orthefield,andthereyoushallhaveChrist'sembraces." Cant. 7:11, 12, "Come, my beloved, let us go forth into thefield,therewillIgiveyoumylove."

OthatImightinviteChristianstothisrareduty.WhyisitthatyoudonotmeditateinGod'slaw?Letmeexpostulatethecasewithyou;whatisthereason? Methinks I hear some say, "We are indeed convinced of thenecessityoftheduty—butalastherearemanythingsthathinder!"Therearetwogreatobjectionsthatlieintheway,Ishallremovethem,andthenhopethebettertopersuadetothisduty.

XI.TheansweringofOBJECTIONS.

Objection1.Ihavesomuchbusinessintheworld,thatIhavenotimetomeditate.

Answer. Theworld indeed is a great enemy tomeditation. It is easy toloseone'spurseinacrowd;andinacrowdofworldlyemployments,itiseasytoloseallthethoughtsofGod.SolongastheheartisanExchange,Idonot expect that it shouldbe aTemple.But, to answer the objection;haveyou somuchbusiness that youhaveno time formeditation—as ifpietywereaminormatter—athingfitonlyforidlehours?What!Notimetomeditate!Whatisthebusinessofyourlife—butmeditation?Godneversent us into the world to get riches, (I speak not against labor in avocation)but I say this isnot theendofourexistence.TheerrandGodsentusintotheworldabout,issalvation;andthatwemayattaintheend,wemustusethemeans,namely,holymeditation.Now,haveyounotimetomeditate?justasifafarmershouldsaythathehassomuchbusiness,that he has no time to plough or sow;why,what is his occupation butplowingandsowing!

What a madness is it to hear Christians say they have no time to

meditate?whatisthebusinessoftheirlivesbutmeditation?Otakeheedlestbygrowingrich,yougrowworthnothingatlast.TakeheedthatGoddoes not sue out the statute of bankruptcy against you, and you bedisgraced before men and angels. No time for meditation! You shallobservethatothersinformerageshavehadasmuchbusinessasyou,andpublicaffairs to lookafter,yet theywerecalledupon tomeditate,Josh.1:8. "You shall meditate in this book of the Law." Joshua might havepleaded an excuse, he was a soldier, a commander, and the care ofmarshalinghisarmylaychieflyuponhim,yetthismustnottakehimofffrompiety; Joshuamustmeditate in the book ofGod's law.God neverintended that the great business of piety should give way to a shop orfarm;orthataparticularvocationshouldjostleoutthegeneralduty toholiness.

2.Objection.Butthisdutyofmeditationishard.Tosettimeaparteverydaytogettheheartintoameditatingframeisverydifficult;Gersonreportsofhimself, thathewassometimesthreeor fourhoursbeforehecouldworkhisheartintoaspiritualframe.

Answer.Doesthishinder?TothisIshallgiveathreefoldreply.

1.ThepricethatGodhassetheavenat,islabor.OursalvationcostChristblood, it may well cost us sweat. "The kingdom of heaven suffersviolence,"Matt.11:12.Itisasagarrisonwhichholdsout,andthedutiesof religion are the taking it by storm. A godly Christian must offerviolence to himself, (though not natural-self, yet sinful-self.) Self isnothingbut the flesh.The flesh criesout for ease, it is a libertine! It isreluctanttotakepains,reluctanttopray,torepent—itisreluctanttoputitsneckunderChrist'syoke!NowaChristianmusthatehimself;nomaneveryethatedhisownflesh,Eph.5:29.Yes,inthissensehemusthatehisownflesh,"Thelustsoftheflesh,"Romans8:13.Hemustofferviolenceto himself by mortification and meditation. You say that it is hard tomeditate.Isitnothardertolieinhell?

2. We do not argue so in other things; riches are hard to come by,therefore I will sit still and be without them. No! Difficulty is thewhetstoneofindustry.Howwillmenventureforgold?andshallwenotspend and be spent for that which is more precious than the gold of

Ophir?Bymeditationwesuckoutthequintessenceofapromise.

3.Thoughwhilewearefirstenteringuponmeditationitmayseemhard,yetwhenonceweareentereditissweetandpleasant.Christ'syokeatthefirst putting on, may seem heavy—but when once it is on, it becomeseasy; it is not a yoke, but a crown. "Lord," says Austin, "the more Imeditate on you, the sweeter you are tome!"According to holyDavid,"Mymeditationonyoushallbesweet,"Psalm104:34.ThepoetssaythetopofOlympuswasalwaysquietandserene.Justso,itishardclimbinguptherockyhillofmeditation—butwhenwearegotuptothetop,thereis a pleasant prospect, andwe shall sometimes think ourselves even inheaven.Byholymeditationthesouldoesasitwere,breakfastwithGodeverymorning.WhenaChristianisuponthemountofmeditation,heislikePeteronthemountwhenChristwastransfigured,Matt.17.Hecriesout,"Lord,itisgoodtobehere!"Heisreluctanttogodownthemountagain.Ifyoucometohim,andtellhimofapurchase,hethinksyoubidhimtohisloss!

Whathiddenmannadoesthesoultaste,nowthatitisonthemount!Howsweet are the visits of God's Spirit! When Christ was alone in thewilderness,thentheangelcametocomforthim.Whenthesoulisaloneinholymeditationandprayer, thennotanangel—butGod'sownSpiritdoescometocomforthim.AChristianwhomeetswithGodinthemount,wouldnotexchangehishoursofmeditationforthemostorientpearlsorsparklingbeautiesthattheworldcanafford.NowonderDavidspentthewholeday inmeditation,Psalm119:97.Nay, as if thedayhadbeen toolittle,heborrowsapartofthenighttoo,Psalm63:6,"whenIrememberyou upon my bed, and meditate on you in the night watches." Whenothers were sleeping, David wasmeditating. He who is givenmuch tomeditation,shallwithSampsonfindahoneycombinthisduty.Thereforelet not the difficulty, discourage. The pleasantness will infinitelycountervailthepains.

XII.ConcerningOCCASIONALMeditations.

Havingremovedthesetwoobjectionsoutoftheway,letmeagainrevivetheexhortationto"meditate inGod's lawdayandnight."Andthereare

twosortsofmeditationwhichIwouldpersuadeto—

1.Occasional,and2.Deliberate.

1.OCCASIONALmeditations, such as are taken up on any suddenoccasion. There is nothing almost which occurs—butwemay presentlyraisesomemeditationupon.Asagoodherbalistextractsthespiritsandquintessence out of every herb, so a Christian may extract matter ofmeditation, from every occurrence. A gracious heart, like fire, turns allobjects into fuel formeditation. I shall give you some instances.Whenyoulookuptotheheavens,andseethemrichlyembroideredwithlight,youmayraisethismeditation.Ifthefootstoolissoglorious,what is thethronewhereGodhimselfsits!Whenyouseetheskiesbespangledwithstars,think,whatisChristTheBrightMorningStar!Monica,Augustine'smother, standing one day, and seeing the sun shine, raised thismeditation, "Oh! if the sun is so bright, what is the light of God'spresence?" When you hearmusicwhich delights the senses, presentlyraisethismeditation,"Whatmusiclikeagoodconscience;thisisthebirdofparadisewithin,whose chirpingmelodydoesenchantand ravish thesoulwithjoy!"Hewhohasthismusicallday,maytakeDavid'spillowatnight, andsaywith that sweet singer, "Iwill laymedown inpeaceandsleep," Psalm. 4:8.How blessed is he who can find heaven in his ownbosom!

When you are dressing yourselves in the morning, awaken yourmeditation,thinkthus—buthaveIbeendressingthehiddenmanoftheheart?HaveIlookedatmyheartintheglassofGod'sWord?Ihaveputonmy clothes—but have I put onChrist? it is reported of Pambo, thatseeing a gentlewomandressingherself all themorning byher glass, hefella-weeping:"Osayshe,thiswomanhasspentthemorningindressingherbody,andIsometimesspendscarcelyanhourindressingmysoul!"When you sit down to dinner, let yourmeditation feed upon this firstcourse, "How blessed are those who shall eat bread in the kingdom ofGod!Whata royal feastwill thatbe,whichGodprepares!Whata love-feastwillthatbe,wherenoneshallbeadmittedbutfriends!"

When you go to bed at night, imagine thus, "Shortly I shall put off theearthlyclothesofmybody,andmakemybedinthegrave!"Whenyousee

the judge going to court, and hear the trumpet blow, think withyourselves, asHieromdid, that youare stillhearing that shrill trumpetsounding in your ears, "Arise you dead and come to judgment!"Whenyouseeapoormangoingonthestreets,raisethismeditation,"HereisawalkingpictureofChrist!"Hehadnoplacewheretolayhishead,Matt.8:10.MySaviorbecamepoor,thatIthroughhispovertymightbemaderich!"Whenyougotochurch, thinkthus,"IamnowgoingtohearGodspeak, letme not stopmy ear; if I refuse to hear him speaking in hisWord,Ishallnexthearhimspeakinginhiswrath!"Psalm2:5.

Whenyouwalkabroadinyourorchard,andseetheplantsbearing,andthe herbs nourishing, think how pleasing a sight it is to God—to see athrivingChristian;howbeautifularethetreesofrighteousnesswhentheyarehung full of fruit—when they abound in faith, humility, knowledge!When you pluck a rose-bud in your gardens, raise this contemplation,"Howlovelyaretheearlybuddingsofgrace!GodprizesaChristianinthebud,helikesthebloomingofyouth,ratherthanthesheddingofoldage!"Whenyoueat a grape from the tree, thinkofChrist the true vine; howpreciousisthebloodofthatgrape!suchrareclustersgrowthere,thattheangelsthemselvesdelighttotasteof!

It is saidofAugustine,hewasmuch in theseextemporemeditations.Agraciousheart,likethephilosopher'smagicstone,turnsallintogold—hehasheavenlymeditationsfromearthlyoccurrences.Theskilledchemist,whenseveralmetalsaremingledtogether,canbyhisskillextractthegoldand silver from the baser metals. Just so, a Christian, by a divinechemistry, can extract golden meditations from the various earthlyobjectshebeholds!Indeeditarguesaspiritualheart,toturneverythingtoaspiritualuse;andwehaveChrist'sownexamplefortheseoccasionalmeditations, John 4:7-14. While he sat on Jacob's well, he presentlymeditates on that, and breaks forth into a most excellent discourseconcerningthewateroflife.Somuchforoccasionalmeditations.

2.BeexhortedtoDELIBERATEmeditations,whicharethechief.Set some time apart every day, that youmay in a serious and solemnmannerconversewithGodinthemount:Agodlyman,isamansetapart,Psalm 4:3, as God sets him apart by election, so he sets him apart bymeditation.

XIII.ThefittestTIMEforMeditation.

Question1.Whatisthefittesttimeformeditation?

Answer. For the timing of it, it is rather hard to prescribe, because ofmen's various callings and employments. But if Imay freely speakmythoughts,themorningisthefittesttimeformeditation.Thebesttimetoconverse with God is, whenwemay bemost in private, that is, beforeworldlyconcernsstandknockingassomanysuitorsatthedoortobeletin. Themorning is, as itwere, the creamof the day—let the cream betakenoff,and letGodhave it. In thedistillingof strong-water, the firstwater that is drawn from the still is more full of spirits, the seconddrawingisweaker;sothefirstmeditationsthatarestilledfromthemindinamorning,arethebest,andweshallfindthemtobemostfulloflifeand spirits. Themorning is the goldenhour.God loved the first-fruits,Exod.23:19."Thefirstofthefirst-fruitsyoushallbringintothehouseofthe Lord." Let God have the first-fruits of the day; the first of ourthoughtsmustbereservedforheaven.Thestudenttakesthemorningforhisstudy.Theusurergetsupinthemorningandlooksoverhisbooksofaccount:aChristianmustbeginwithGodinthemorning.DavidwaswithGodbeforebreakofday,Psalm119:147."Irisebeforedawnandcryoutforhelp;IputmyhopeinYourWord."

Question2.Butwhythemorningformeditation?

Answer 1.Because in themorning themind is fittest forholyduties;aChristianismosthimselfthen.Whatwearydevotionwilltherebeatnightwhenamaniseventiredoutwiththebusinessoftheday!Hewillbefittertosleep,thantomeditate.Themorningis thequeenof theday;thentheimaginationisquickest,thememorystrongest, thespiritsfreshest,thebodymostrefreshed,havingrestoreditsstrengthbysleep.Itisasurerule,thenisthebesttimetoserveGod,whenwefindourselvesmostintune.Inthemorningtheheartislikeaviolin—strungandputintune,andthenitmakesthesweetestmelody.

2. The morning thoughts stay longest with us the whole day

afterwards.Thewooltakesthefirstdyebest,andisnoteasilywornout.Whenthemindreceivestheimpressionofgoodthoughtsinthemorning,itholdsthissacreddyethebetter;andlikeaningrainedcolor,itwillnoteasilybelost.Theheartkeepstherelishofmorningmeditations,asacupreceivesa tinctureandsavorof thewinewhich is firstput into it;oraslineninacedarchest—whichkeepsthescentagreatwhileafter.Perfumeyourmindwithheavenlythoughtsinthemorning—anditwillnotloseitsspiritualfragrancy!Windupyourhearttowardsheaveninthebeginningof the day—and it will go the better all the day afterwards. It is withreceivingthoughtsintothemind,asitiswithreceivingguestsintoaninn—the first guests which come, will get the best rooms in the house; ifothers come afterwards, they get the worse rooms. Just so, when themind entertains holy meditations for its morning-guests, if afterwardsearthlythoughtscome,theyareputintosomeoftheworstrooms—theylodge lowest in the affections. The best rooms are taken up in themorning,forChrist.Hewholoseshisheartinthemorning,intheworld;willhardlyfinditagainallthedayafter.

3.ItisapartofthatsolemnrespectandhonorwegivetoGod—to let himhave the first thoughts of the day.We give people ofquality,thebesttreatment—weletthemtakethefirstplace.IfwehonorGod(whosenameisreverendandholy)wewill let thethoughtsofGodtakefirstplace.Whentheworldhasthefirstofourthoughts,itisasigntheworldliesuppermost,weloveitmost.Thefirstthingacovetousmanmeditatesoninthemorning,ishismoney;asignhisgoldliesnearesttohisheart.O!Christians,letGodhaveyourmorningmeditations.Hetakesitindisdain,tohavetheworldservedbeforehim.Supposeakingandacriminalwere todine in the same room, and to sit at two tables; if thecriminalwould have his food brought up, and be served first, the kingmighttakeitinhighdisdain,andlookuponitasacontemptdonetohisperson. When the world is served first, all our morning thoughtsattendingit;andtheLordshallbeputoffwiththedregsoftheday,whenourthoughtsbegintorunlow—isnotthisacontemptdonetotheGodofglory!

4.Equityrequiresit.Goddeservesthefirstofourthoughts;someofhisfirstthoughtswereuponus;wehadabeinginhisthoughts;beforewe

hadabeinghethoughtuponus,Eph.1:4."Beforethefoundationsoftheworld." Before we fell, he was thinking how to raise us. We had themorningofhisthoughts.O!whatthoughtsoffreegrace,whatthoughtsofpeace has he had towards us! We have taken up his thoughts frometernity; ifwehavehadsomeofGod's first thoughts,wellmayhehaveourfirstthoughts.

5.Thisistoimitatethepatternofthesaints.Jobroseearlyinthemorning,andofferedsacrifice,Job1:5.David,whenheawaked,waswithGod,Psalm139:17,andindeedthisisthewaytohaveamorningblessing."In themorning thedew fell," Exod. 16:13. The dew of a blessing fallsearly—nowwe are likeliest to haveGod's company. If youwouldmeetwithafriend,yougoearlyinthemorningbeforehebegoneout.WereadthattheHolySpiritcamedownupontheapostles,Acts2:3,4,anditwasinthemorning,asmaybegatheredfromPeter'ssermon,verse15,itwasbut"thethirdhouroftheday."Themorningisthetimeforfruitfulness,"In themorning shall youmake your seed to flourish," Isaiah 17:11.Bymorningmeditation,wemaketheseedofgracetoflourish.

Iwouldnotbythis,whollyexcludeEVENINGmeditation.Isaacwentouttomeditate intheeventide,Gen.24:63.Whenbusinessisover,andeverythingcalm, it isgood to takea turnwithGod in theevening.Godhadhiseveningsacrifice,aswellashismorning,Ex.29:39.Asthecreamatthetopissweet,soisthesugaratthebottom;intwocases,theeveningmeditationdoeswell.

1.Incasesuchhasbeentheurgencyofbusiness,thatyouhavetimeonlyfor reading and prayer; then recompense the lack of the morningmeditation,witheveningmeditation.

2. In case you find yourself more inclinable to good thoughts in theevening, for sometimes there is a greater impetus upon the heart, agreateraptitudeandtuneablenessofmind,darenotneglectmeditationatsuch a time.Who knows but itmay be a quenching the Spirit; do notdrivethisblesseddovefromthearkofyoursoul.Inthesecaseseveningmeditation is seasonable. But I say, if I may cast in my verdict, themorningistobepreferred;astheflowerofthesunopensinthemorningtotakeinthesweetbeamsofthesun,soopenyoursoulinthemorningto

takeinthesweetthoughtsofGod.Somuchforthetimingofmeditation.

XIV.HowLONGChristiansshouldmeditate.

Question2.ButhowlongshouldImeditate?

Answer.Ifweconsiderhowlongtheworldhas,itisfitthatwegiveGodatleast one half hour every day. I shall only say this for a general rule—meditatesolonguntilyoufindyourheartgrowwarminthisduty.

If when aman is cold, you ask how long he should stand by the fire?Surely, until he be thoroughly warm, and made fit for his work. So,Christian, your heart is cold; never a day, no not the hottest day insummer—butyourheartfreezes;nowstandatthefireofmeditationuntilyou find your affections warmed, and you are made fit for spiritualservice.Davidmuseduntilhisheartwaxedhotwithinhim,Psalm39:3.Iwill conclude this with that excellent saying of Bernard, "Lord, I willnever come away from you—without you." Let this be a Christian'sresolution—not to leave off his meditations of God until he findssomethingofGod inhim—some"movingofaffectionsafterGod,"Cant.5:4.Some"flamingsoflove,"Cant.6:8.

XV.ConcerningtheUSEFULNESSofMeditation.

Having answered these questions, I shall next show the benefit andusefulness of meditation. I know not any duty that brings in greaterincome and revenue than this. It is reported of Thales, that he left theaffairsofstate tobecomeacontemplatingphilosopher.O!didweknowtheadvantagewhichcomesbythisduty,wewouldoftenretirefromthenoiseandhurryoftheworld,thatwemightgiveourselvestomeditation.

Thebenefitofmeditationappearsinsevenparticulars.

1. Meditation is an excellent means to profit by the Word.Readingmay bring a truth into thehead,meditation brings it into theheart!Itisbettertomeditateononesermon—thantohearfivesermons.

Many complain that they do not profit from sermons; thismay be thechief reason—because they chew not the cud—they do notmeditate onwhattheyhaveheard.Ifanangelshouldcomefromheaven,andpreachtomen,nay,ifJesusChristhimselfweretheirpreacher,theywouldneverprofitwithoutmeditation.Itisthesettlingofthemilkthatmakesitturntocream;anditisthesettlingofatruthinthemind,thatmakesitturntospiritualnourishment.Thebeesuckstheflower,andthenworksitinthehive, and makes honey of it. The hearing of a truth preached is thesuckingofaflower,theremustbeaworkingitinthehiveoftheheartbymeditation, then it turns tohoney.There is adisease in children calledtherickets,whentheyhave largeheads—buttheir lowerpartsare smallandthrivenot.Manyprofessorshavethespiritualrickets,theyhavelargeheads,muchknowledge—butyettheythrivenotingodliness,theirheartis faint, their feet feeble, theydon'twalkvigorously in thewaysofGod;and the cause of this disease is, the lack of meditation. Bibleknowledgewithoutmeditation,makesusnobetterthandevils!Satanisanangeloflight,yetblackenough.

2.Meditationmakestheheartserious,andthenitiseverbest.Meditationballaststheheart;whentheshipisballasted,itisnotsosoonoverturnedbythewind;andwhentheheartisballastedwithmeditation,it is not so soon overturned with vanity. Some Christians have lighthearts,Zeph.3:4,"hisprophetsarelight."AlightChristianwillbeblownintoanyopinionorvice;youmayblowafeatheranyway:therearemanyfeathery Christians; the devil no sooner comes with a temptation buttheyarereadytotakefire.Butmeditationmakestheheartserious,andGod says of a serious Christian, as David of Goliath's sword, "there isnone like that,give it tome."MeditationconsolidatesaChristian;solidgold is best; the solidChristian is the onlymetal thatwill pass currentwithGod.Themoreserioustheheartgrows,themorespiritual,andthemorespiritual,themoreitresemblestheFatherofspirits.Whenamanisserious he is fittest for employment. The seriousChristian is fittest forservice, and it is meditation which brings the heart into this blessedframe.

3.Meditationisthebellowsoftheaffections.Meditationhatchesgoodaffections, as thehenhatchesher youngonesby sittingon them.

Welightaffectionatthisfireofmeditation,"whileIwasmusingthefireburned,"Psalm39:3.Davidwasmeditatingonmortality,andseehowhisheartwasaffectedwithit,verse4,"Lord,remindmehowbriefmytimeonearthwillbe.Remindmethatmydaysarenumbered,andthatmylifeis fleeing away." The reason our affections are so chill and cold inspiritualthings,is,becausewedonotwarmourselvesmoreatthefireofmeditation.Illuminationmakesusshining lamps,meditationmakes usburning lamps. What is it to know Christ by speculation, and not byaffection?Itistheproperworkofmeditationtoexciteandblowupholyaffections. What sparkling of love in such a soul! When David hadmeditatedonGod'slaw,hecouldnotchooseit,butloveit,Psalm119:97."OhowloveIyourlaw!itismymeditationalltheday."Whenthespousehadbymeditationviewed those singularbeauties inherbeloved,whiteandruddy,Cant.5.shegrewlovesick,verse8.GaleatiusCaraccialus,thatfamousMarquis of Vico, who had been much in the contemplation ofChrist,breaksoutintoaholypathos,"Lettheirmoneyperishwiththem,whoesteemallthegoldintheworldworthonehour'scommunionwithJesusChrist!"

4. Meditation fits for holy duties. The musician first puts hisinstrumentintune—andthenheplaysasong.Justso,meditationtunestheheart—andthenitisfitforanyholyservice.Asthesailstotheship,soismeditationtoduty,itcarriesonthesoulmoreswiftly.

1.Meditation fits forHEARING. When the ground is softened bymeditation,nowisafittimefortheseedoftheWordtobesown.

2.Meditation fits forPRAYER. Prayer is the spiritual pulse of thesoul, by which it beats strongly after God. There is no living withoutprayer;amancannotlive—unlesshebreathes;nomorecanthesoullive—unless itbreathesout itsdesires toGod.Prayerushers inmercy, andprayersanctifiesmercy, itmakesmercy tobemercy, 1Tim.4:5.Prayerhaspower overGod,Hos. 12:4.Prayer comeswith letters of request toheaven.Prayeristhespiritualleech—whichsucksthepoisonofsinoutofthe soul. What a blessed (shall I say duty or) privilege is prayer!Meditation is a help to prayer; Gerson calls it the nurse of prayer.Meditation is like oil to the lamp; the lamp of prayer will soon go outunlessmeditation feeds it.Meditation and prayer are like two turtles-

doves—ifyouseparateone,theotherdies.Askillfulanglerobservesthetimeandseasonwhenthefishbitebest,andthenhethrowsinhishook.Justso,whentheheartiswarmedbymeditation,nowisthebestseasontothrowinthehookofprayer,andfishformercy.AfterIsaachadbeeninthefieldmeditating,hewasfitforprayerwhenhecamehome.Whenthegunisfullofpowder,itisfittesttodischarge.Sowhenthemindisfullofgoodthoughts,aChristianisfittestbyprayertodischarge,nowhesendsupwholevolleysofsighsandgroanstoheaven.

Meditationhasadoublebenefitinit—itpoursin,andpoursout.First itpoursgoodthoughtsintothemind,andthenitpoursoutthosethoughtsagain into prayer. Meditation first furnishes withmatter to pray, andthenit furnisheswithahearttopray,Psalm39:3."Iwasmusing,"saysDavid,andtheverynextwordsareaprayer,"Lordmakemetoknowmyend;"andPsalm143:5,6,"Imuseontheworksofyourhands,Istretchforth my hands to you;" the musing of his head made way for thestretchingforthofhishandsinprayer.WhenChristwasuponthemount,thenheprayed.Justso,whenthesoulisuponthemountofmeditation,nowitisintuneforprayer.Prayeristhechildofmeditation.Meditationleadsthevan,andprayerbringsuptherear.

3. Meditation fits for HUMILIATION. When David had beencontemplating the works of creation, their splendor, harmony,motion,influence—theplumesofpridefalloff—andhebeginstohaveself-abasingthoughts,Psalm8:3,4."WhenIconsidertheheavens,theworkofyourfingers,themoonandstarswhichyouhaveordained—Whatismanthatyouaremindfulofhim!"

4. Meditation is a strong antidote against SIN. Most sin iscommitted for lack of meditation. Men often sin through ignorance.Would they be so brutishly sensual as they are, if they did seriouslymeditateuponwhatsin is?Wouldtheytakethisviper intheir hand—iftheydidbutconsideritssting?Sinputsawormintoconscience,astingintodeath,anda fire intohell.Didmenmeditateon this—thatafteralltheirdaintydishes,deathwillbringinthereckoning,andtheymustpaythereckoninginhell—theywouldsayasDavidinanothersense,"letmenoteatoftheirdainties,"Psalm141:4.Thedevil'sapplehasabittercoreinit.Didmenthinkofthis—surelyitwouldputthemintoacoldsweat,

and be as the angel's drawn sword to affright them!Meditation is agoldenshield tobeatbacksin!WhenJoseph'smistresstemptedhimtowickedness, meditation did preserve him, "How can I do this greatwickedness and sin againstGod?"Meditationmakes the heart likewettinder—itwillnottakethedevil'sfire!

5.MeditationisacureofCOVETOUSNESS.Thecovetousman isan idolater, Col. 3:5. Though he will not bow down to an idol, yet heworships engraved images in his coins.Nowmeditation is an excellentmeanstolessenouresteemoftheworld.Greatthingsseemlittletohimwhostandshigh;ifhecouldliveamongthestars—theearthwouldseemas nothing. To a Christian who stands high upon the pinnacle ofmeditation—howdoallworldlythingsdisappear,andseemasnothingtohim!Hedoesnotsee in them,whatmenof theworldsee.He isgotteninto his tower, and heaven is his prospect. What is said of God, "Hedwells on high, he humbles himself to behold the things done on theearth,"Psalm 113:6, Imay allude towith reverence. TheChristianwhodwellsonhighbymeditation,accounts itanabasingofhimself, to lookdownupon the earth, and behold the things done in this lower region.Paul, whose meditations were sublime and seraphic, looked at thingswhichwerenotseen,2Cor.4ult.Howdidhe trampleupon theworld,howdidhescornit?"Iamcrucifiedtotheworld,"Gal.6:14,asifhehadsaid,"itistoomuchbelowme,tomindit!"Hewhoiscatchingatacrown,willnotfishforminnows.AChristianwhoiselevatedbyholymeditation,willnotsethisheartwherehisfeetshouldbe—upontheearth.

6.Holymeditationbanishesvainandsinfulthoughts. Itpurgesthe imagination, "How long shall vain thoughts lodgewithin you," Jer.4:14.Themind is the shopwhere sin is first framed.Sin begins at thethoughts. The thoughts are the first plotters and contrivers of evil. Themindandimaginationarethestagewheresinisfirstacted.Themaliciousmanactsoversininhisthoughts,hecontemplatesrevenge.Theimpureperson acts over immorality in his thoughts, he contemplates lust. TheLordhumblesus forour contemplativewickedness,Proverbs30:32. "Ifyouhavethoughtevil, layyourhanduponyourmouth."Howmuchsindomencommitinthechamberoftheirimagination?

Meditating inGod's lawwould be a goodmeans to banish these sinful

thoughts. If David had carried the book of the law about him, andmeditatedinit,hewouldnothavelookedonBathshebawithalasciviouseye,2Sam.2:11.Holymeditationwouldhavequenched thatwildfireoflust.TheWordofGodispure,Psalm119:140,notonlysubjectively—buteffectively. It is not only pure in itself—but it makes them pure whomeditate in it.Christwhipped thebuyersand sellersoutof the temple,John 2:15.Holymeditationwouldwhip out idle and vagrant thoughts,andnotallowthemtolodgeinthemind.Whatisthereasontheangelsinheavenhavenotonevainthought?TheyhaveasightofGod,theireyeisneveroffhim.IftheeyeofthesoulwerefixedonGodbymeditation,howwould vain impure thoughts vanish! As when that woman was in thetower, andAbimelech camenear to the tower to have entered, but shethrewamill-stoneoutofthetoweruponhim,andkilledhim,Judg,9:52.Just so, when we have gotten into the high tower of meditation, andsinfulthoughtswouldcomeneartoenter,wemayfromthistowerthrowamillstone upon them, anddestroy them.And thus you have seen thebenefitofmeditation.

XVI.TheEXCELLENCYofMeditation.

Aristotleplaces felicity, in thecontemplationof themind.Meditation ishighly commended by Augustine, Chrysostom, and Cyprian—as thenurseryofpiety.HieromcallsithisParadise.WithwhatwordsshallIsetit forth? Other duties have done excellently—but "you excel them all."Meditationisafriendtoallthegraces,ithelpstowatertheplantation.Imay call it in Basil's expression, the treasurywhere all the graces arelockedup;andwithTheophylact,theverygateandportalbywhichweenterintoglory.Bymeditationthespiritsareraisedandheightenedtoakind of angelic frame.Meditation sweetly puts us in heaven, beforewearrivethere.MeditationbringsGodandthesoultogether,1John3:2.

Meditationisthesaints'lookingglass,bywhichtheyseethingsinvisible.Meditation is the golden ladder by which they ascend to paradise.Meditationisthespytheysendabroadtosearchthelandofpromise,anditbringsaclusterofthegrapesofEshcolwithit.Meditationisthedovethey sendout, and it brings anolive branchof peace in itsmouth. Butwhocantellhowsweethoneyis,savetheythattasteit?Theexcellencyof

meditationIleavetoexperiencedChristians,whowillsaythecomfortofitmaybebetterfeltthanexpressed.

Toexcitealltothissouseful,excellent(Ihadalmostsaidangelic)duty,letmelaydownsomedivinemotivestomeditation;andhowgladwouldIbe,ifImightrevivethisdutyamongChristians.

XVII.DivineMOTIVEStoMeditation.

1.Meditationmanifestswhatamanreallyis.Bythishemaytakeameasureofhisheart,whetheritbegoodorbad.Proverbs23:7,"Forashethinks in his heart—so he is." As the meditation is—such is the man.Meditation is the touchstone of a Christian, it shows whatmetal he ismadeof.Meditationisaspiritualindex.Theindexshowswhat is inthebook—someditationshowswhatisintheheart.Ifallaman'smeditationsarehowhemaygetpoweragainstsin,howhemaygrowingrace,howhemayhavemorecommunionwithGod; thisshowswhat is inhisheart—theframeofhisheartisspiritual.Bythebeatingofthispulse,judgeofthehealthofyoursoul.Itismadethecharacterofagodlyman—thathefearsGod, "and thinksonhis name,"Mal. 3:17.As are the thoughts—such istheheart.

Butthethoughtsoftheungodlyaretakenupwithprideandlust."Theirthoughtsare thoughtsof iniquity," Isa,59:7.Whenvainsinful thoughtscome,ungodlymenmakemuchofthem,theymakeroomforthem,theyshalleatandlodgewiththem.Butifagoodthoughthappenstocomeintotheirmind, it is soon turnedout of doors, as anunwelcomeguest; thisarguesmuchunsoundnessofheart.Letthisprovoketoholymeditation.

2. The thoughts of God, as they bring delightwith them—sothey leavepeacebehindthem.Those are the best hourswhich arespentwithGod.Conscience,asthebee,giveshoney.Itwillnotgrieveuswhenwecometodie—thatwehavespentourtimeinholysoliloquiesandmeditations. But what honor will the sinner have, when he shall askconscience the question as Joram did Jehu, 2 Kings 9:22, "Is it peace,conscience,isitpeace?"AndconscienceshallsayasJehu,"Whatpeace,aslongasthewhoredomsofyourmotherJezebel,andherwitchcraftsare

somany?"Ohhowsadwillitbewithamanatsuchatime?Christians,asyoudesirepeace,"meditateinGod'slawdayandnight."

Thisdutyofmeditationbeingneglected,theheartwillrunwild,itwillnotbeavineyard—butawilderness.

3.Meditationkeepstheheartinagoodspiritualhealth.Itplucksuptheweedsofsin,itprunesthewastefulbranches,itwaterstheflowersofgrace,itsweepsallthewalksintheheart,thatChristmaywalktherewithdelight.Forlackofholymeditation,theheartlieslikethesluggard'sfield, Proverbs 24:31, all overgrown with thorns and briars—withunclean,earthly thoughts. It is rather thedevil'shogstye, thanChrist'sgarden. It is like a house fallen to ruin, fit only for unclean spirits toinhabit.

4.Thefruitlessnessofallworldlymeditations.Onemanlaysouthis thoughts about laying up money; his meditations are how to raisehimself in the world, and when he has arrived at an estate, oftenGodblowsuponit,Hag.1:9.Hiscareisforhischild,andperhapsGodtakesitaway,orifitlives,itprovesacross.Anothermeditateshowtosatisfyhisambition, "Honor me before the people," 1 Sam. 15:30. Alas, what ishonor—butameteor in theair;a torch lightedby thebreathof people,withthe leastpuffblownout!Howmany live toseetheirnamesburiedbeforethem?Whenthissunisinitsmeridiansplendor—itsoonsetsinacloud.

ThusfruitlessarethosemeditationswhichdonotcenteruponGod.Itisbut to carrydust against thewind.But especially at death; thenamansees all those thoughtswhichwerenot spentuponGod, tobe fruitless,Psalm146:4."Inthatverydayhisthoughtsperish."Imayalludetoitinthis sense—all worldly, vain thoughts, in that day of death perish, andcometonothing!Whatgoodwillthewholeglobeoftheworlddoatsuchatime?Thosewhohavereveledouttheirthoughtsinimpertinences,willbutbe themore disquieted; itwill cut them to the heart, to think howtheyhavespunafool'sthread!

A Scythian captain having, for a draught of water, yielded up the city,criedout,"WhathaveIlost!"Sowillitbewiththatmanwhenhecomes

to die, who has spent all his meditations upon the world; he will say,"What have I lost! I have lost heaven, I have betrayed my soul!" Andshouldnot theconsiderationof this fixourmindsuponthethoughts ofGodandglory?Allothermeditationsarefruitless;likeapieceofgroundwhichhasmuchcostlaidoutuponit—butityieldsnocrop.

5.Holymeditationisneverlost.Godhasapentowritedownallourgoodthoughts,Mal.3:5."Abookofremembrancewaswrittenforthosewhothoughtuponhisname."Godhasallourmeditationswritteninhisbook.Godpensourclosetdevotion.

6. See the blessedness affixed to the meditating Christian."Blessed is themanwhodoesnotwalk in the counsel of thewickedorstandinthewayofsinnersorsitintheseatofmockers.ButhisdelightisinthelawoftheLord,andonhislawhemeditatesdayandnight."Psalm1:1-2.Saynotitishardtomeditate.Itbringsmuchblessedness.LycurguscoulddrawtheLacedemonianstodoanything,bygivingthemrewards.Ifungodlymencanmeditatewithdelightonthatwhichwillmakethemcursed;shallnotwemeditateonthatwhichwillmakeusblessed?nay,inthe Hebrew it is in the plural, blessednesses, we shall have oneblessednessuponanother.

7.DelightfulmeditationinGod'slawisthebestwayforamanto prosper in his estate. Josh. 1:8. "This book of the law shall notdepartoutofyourmouth—butyoushallmeditatetherein;forthenshallyoumakeyourwayprosperous." I leave this to theirconsiderationwhoare desirous to thrive in the world; and let this serve for a motive tomeditation.

Thenextthingremaining,istolaydownsomerulesaboutmeditation.

XVIII.RULESconcerningMeditation.

Rule 1. When you go to meditate—be very SERIOUS in thework.Lettherebeadeepimpressionuponyoursoul.Thatyoumaybeseriousinmeditation,dothesetwothings:

1.Getyourselfintoapostureofholyreverence.Over-aweyourheartwiththethoughtsofGod,andtheincomprehensiblenessofhisMajesty.Whenyouare at theworkofmeditation, remember youarenow to dealwithGOD.Ifanangelfromheavendidappointtomeetyouatsuchanhour,would you not prepare yourself with all seriousness and solemnity, tomeethim?Behold—agreater thananangel is here; theGodof glory ispresent!Hehasaneyeuponyou,heseesthestateofyourheartwhenyouare alone. Think with yourself, O Christian, when you are going tomeditate—thatyouarenowtodealwithhiminprivate—beforewhomtheangels adore, and the devils tremble! Thinkwith yourself, that you arenow in his presence before whom you must shortly stand and all theworldwithyou—toreceivetheireverlastingsentence.Youmustdie,andhowsoonyouknownot;fromtheclosettothetribunal.

2.That yourheartmaybe serious inmeditation, labor to possess yourthoughtswiththesolemnityandgreatnessoftheworkyouarenowgoingabout.AsDavidsaidconcerninghisbuildingahouseforGod—theworkisgreat,1Chron.29:1.Soitmaybesaidofmeditation—theworkisgreat,andwehadneedgatherandrally togetherall thepowersof thesoultothe work! If you were to set about a work wherein your life wasconcerned, how serious would you be in the thoughts of it? In thebusinessofmeditation,yoursoulisconcerned;eternitydependsuponit!Ifyouneglect it,orareslight in it—itwillhaveeternalconsequences. IfArchimedes was so serious in drawing his mathematical line, that hemindednotthesackingofthecity;OhowseriousshouldaChristianbewhenheisdrawingalineforeternity!Whenyouaregoingtomeditate,youaregoingtothegreatestworkintheworld!

Rule.2.READbeforeyoumeditate."DonotletthisBookoftheLawdepartfromyourmouth;meditateonitdayandnight,sothatyoumaybecareful to do everythingwritten in it. Then youwill be prosperous andsuccessful." Joshua 1:8.Readbefore youmeditate.TheLawmustbe inJoshua'smouth;hewasfirsttoread--andthenmeditate.

"Giveattendancetoreading,"1Timothy4:13.Thenitfollows,"meditateon these things," verse 15. Reading furnishes the mind with matter.Readingis theoilwhichfeedsthe lampofmeditation.Readinghelpstorectifymeditation.Augustinewellsaysthat,"meditationwithoutreading

will be erroneous." Naturally, the mind is defiled, and will be mintingthoughts;andhowmanyuntruthsdoesitmint!Thereforefirstreadinthebook of the Law—and then meditate! Be sure your meditations aregroundeduponScripture.

There is a strange Utopia in the imaginations of somemen; they takethose for true principles, which are false; and if they mistake theirprinciplestheymustneedsbewrongintheirmeditations.Thusthemindhavinglaidinwrongprinciples--themeditationmustbeerroneous,andamanatlastgoestohelluponamistake!Thereforebesureyoureadbeforeyoumeditate--thatyoumaysay,"itiswritten!"Meditateonnothingbutwhatyoubelievetobeatruth;believenothingtobeatruth,butwhatcanshowitslettersofcredencefromtheWord.

Observe this rule--let reading usher in meditation. Reading withoutmeditation—isunfruitful!Meditationwithoutreading—isdangerous!

Rule 3. Do not multiply the subjects of meditation. That is,meditatenotontoomanythingsatonce;likethebirdthathopsfromonebranchtoanother,andstaysinnooneplace.Singleoutrathersomeonetopicatatime,whichyouwillmeditateupon.Toomuchvarietydistracts.Onetruthdrivenhomebymeditation,willmostgreatlyaffecttheheart!Amanthatistoshoot,setsuponetargetwhichheaimsattohit.Whenyouare to shoot your mind above the world by meditation, set one thingbeforeyoutohit!IfyouaretomeditateonthepassionofChrist,letthattake up all thoughts! If you are to meditate upon death, confine yourthoughtstothat.Onesubjectatatimeisenough.Marthawhileshewascumberedaboutmanythings,neglectedtheoneneedfulthing;sowhileourmeditationsaretakenupaboutmanythings,welosethatonethingwhich should affect our hearts, and do us more good. Drive but onewedgeofmeditationatatime—butbesureyoudriveithometotheheart.Thosewhoaimatawholeflockofbirdshitnone.Severalmedicinestakentogether, the one hinders the virtue of the other; whereas a singlemedicinemightdogood.

Rule4.Tomeditation,joinEXAMINATION.Whenyouhavebeenmeditating on any spiritual subject, put an enquiry to your soul, andthough it is short, let it be serious. "Omy soul, is it thuswith you—or

not?"Whenyouhavebeenmeditatingabout the fearofGod—that it isthe "beginning of wisdom"—make an enquiry, "Omy soul, is this fearplantedinyourheart?Youarealmostcometotheendofyourdays,areyou yet come to the beginning of wisdom?" When you have beenmeditatingonChrist,hisvirtues,hisprivileges,makeanenquiry,"Omysoul,doyoulovehimwho is so lovely;andareyou ingrafted intohim?Are you a living branch of this living vine?" When you have beenmeditatingupon thegracesof theSpirit,makeanenquiry, "Omysoul,areyouadornedasthebrideofChristwiththischainofpearl?Haveyouyour certificate for heaven ready? Will my graces be to seek, when Ishouldhavethemtoshow?"ThusshouldaChristianinhisretirements,parleyoftenwithhisheart.

For lack of this examination, meditation evaporates and comes tonothing.Forlackofexaminationwhileinmeditation,manyarestrangerstotheirownhearts;thoughtheyliveknowntoothers,theydieunknownto themselves.Meditation is like a telescope by which we contemplateheavenlyobjects;butself-examinationislikealookingglassbywhichweseeintoourownsouls,andcanjudgehowitiswithus.Meditationjoinedwithexamination, is like thesunon thedial,whichshowshowthedaygoes,itshowsushowourheartsstandaffectedtospiritualthings.

Rule 5. Seal up meditation with PRAYER. Pray over yourmeditations. Prayer sanctifies everything; without prayer they are butunhallowed meditations. Prayer fastens meditation upon the soul.Prayerisatyingaknotattheendofmeditation—sothatitdoesnotslip.PraythatGodwillkeepthoseholymeditationsinyourmindforever,thatthesavorofthemmayabideuponyourhearts,1Chron.29:18."OLord,keepthisdesireintheheartsofyourpeopleforever,andkeeptheirheartsloyaltoyou."Soletuspray,thatwhenwehavebeenmusingonheavenlythings,andourheartshavewaxedhotwithinus,wemaynotcoolintoasinfultepidnessandlukewarmness—butthatouraffectionsmaybeasthelampofthesanctuary—alwaysburning.

Rule 6. The last rule is, let meditation be reduced toPRACTICE.Liveoutyourmeditation."DonotletthisBookoftheLawdepartfromyourmouth;meditateonitdayandnight,sothatyoumaybecarefultodoeverythingwrittenin it.Thenyouwillbeprosperousand

successful."Joshua1:8.Meditationandpractice,liketwosisters,mustgohand in hand. Cassian says, that "the contemplative life cannot beperfectedwithoutthepractice."Wereadthattheangelshadwings,andhandsunder theirwings,Ezek. 1:8. Itmaybeanemblemof this truth;Christiansmustnotonlyflyuponthewingofmeditation—buttheymustbeactiveinobedience,theymusthavehandsundertheirwings!Theendofmeditation is action.Wemust not onlymeditate in God's law—butwalkinhislaw,Deut.28:9.Withoutthis,wearelikethoseGnostics,whohadmuchknowledge—butwerelicentiousintheirlives.Christiansmustbelikethesun,whichdoesnotonlysendforthheat—butgoesitscircuitround the world. It is not enough that the affections are heated bymeditation—butwemustgoourcircuittoo,thatis,moveregularlyinthesphereofobedience.Afterwarmingatthefireofmeditation,wemustbefitter forwork.Meditation is the lifeofpiety; andpractice is the lifeofmeditation.ItissaidinthehonorofGregoryNazianzen,thathelivedouthisownsermons.SoagodlyChristianmustliveouthisownmeditations.Forinstance:

1.When you have beenmeditating on sin, which, for its bitterness, iscomparedtograpesofgall; for itsdamnablenesstopoisonofasps,andyou begin to burn in a holy indignation against sin—now put yourmeditationsinpractice—givesinabillofdivorce,Job11:14."Ifiniquityisin your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in yourtabernacles."

2.When youhave beenmeditating on thegracesof the Spirit, let theverdure and luster of these graces be seen in you. Live these graces.Meditate, "that you may observe and do." It was Paul's counsel toTimothy, "Exercise yourself to godliness." Meditation and practice arelike a pair of compasses, the one part of the compass fixes upon thecenter, and the other part goes round the circumference. Just so, aChristian by meditation fixes upon God as the center, and by practicegoesaroundthecircumferenceofthecommandments.

Amanwhohas lethis thoughtsrunoutuponriches,willnotonlyhavetheminthenotion—butwillendeavortogetriches.Letyourmeditationbepractical.Whenyouhavebeenmeditatinguponapromise,liveuponapromise.When you have beenmeditating on a good conscience, never

leaveuntilyoucansayasPaul,"HereinIexercisemyself,tohaveagoodconscience," Acts 24:16. Beloved, here lies the very essence of truereligion.

Thatthisrulemaybewellobserved,consider,

1.Itisonlythepracticalpartofreligion,whichwillmakeamanblessed.Meditation isabeautiful flower—butRachel said toherhusband: "GivemechildrenorIdie,"Gen.30:1.So,Ifmeditationisbarren,anddoesnotbringforththechildofobedience—itwilldieandcometonothing!

2.IfwhenyouhavemeditatedinGod'slaw,youdonotobeyhislaw,youwill come short of those who have come short of heaven. It is said ofHerod, Mark 6:20, "He didmany things;" he was in many things apracticerofJohn'sministry.ThosewhomeditateinGod'slaw,anddonotpractice it, are not so good asHerod.Nay, they are no better than thedevil;heknowsmuch—butstillheisadevil.

3.Meditationwithoutpracticewill increaseaman's condemnation. If afatherwrites a letter tohis son, and the son shallreadover this letter,andstudyit—yetnotdoashisfatherwrites,thiswouldbeanaggravationofhisfault,andwouldbutprovokehisfatherthemoreagainsthim.Thuswhenwehavemeditatedupontheevilofsin,andthebeautyofholiness—yetwedonoteschewtheone,norespousetheother, itwillbut incensethedivineMajestysomuchthemoreagainstus,andweshall"bebeatenwithmanystripes."