HEAVENLY CONTEMPLATION, &C. 241 CHAPTER XVIII. The Nature of heavenly Contemplation ; with the Time, Place, and Temper, fittest, for it: §. 1. The duty of heavenly contemplation is recommended to the reader, § 2. and defined. § 3---6. (I.) The definition is illustrated. § 7. (II.) The time fittest for it is represented, as, § 8. (1) stated ; § 9 - - -12. (2) frequent ; § 13. and (3) seasonable every day par - ticularly every Lord's day ; § 14 - - -17. but more especially when our hearts are warmed with a sense of divine things; or when we are afflicted, or tempted ; or when we are near death. § 18. (III.) The fittest place for it, is the most retired : § 19. (IV.) And the fittest tempèr for it is, § 23. (1) when our minds are most clear of the world, § 21. (2) and most solemn and serious. 1. ONCE more I entreat thee, Reader, as thou makest conscience of a revealed duty, and darest not wilfully resist the Spirit; as thou vainest the high delights of a saint, and the soul- ravishing exer- cise of heavenly contemplation ; that thou diligently study, and speedily" and faithfully practise the follow- ing directions. If, by this means, thou dost not find an increase of all thy graces, and dost not grow beyond the stature of common Christians, and art not made more serviceable in thy place, and more .precious in the eyes of all discerning persons, if thy soul enjoy not more communion with God, and thy life be not fuller of comfort, and hast it not readier by thee at a dying hour; then cast away these directions, and exclaim against me for ever as a deceiver. 2. The duty which I press upon thee so earnestly, and in the practice of which I am now to direct thee, is,," Theset and solemn acting of all the power of thy soul in meditation upon thy everlasting rest." More fully to explain the nature of this duty, I will here illustrate a little the description itself, then point out the fittest time,8place, and temper oof hind, for it.
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