CONTEMPLATION CONSIDERED. 247 it more easy and delightful. The hill which made thee pant and blow at first going up, thou mayest easily run up, when thou art once accustomed to it. § 12. Thou wilt also prevent the loss of that heat and life thou bast obtained. If thou eat but once iñ two or three days, thou. wilt lose thy strength as fast as it comes. If in holy meditation thou get near to Christ, and. warm 'thy heart with the fire of love, and then come but seldom, thy former coldness will soon return; especially as the work is so spiritual, and against the bent of depraved nature. It is true, the intermixing of other duties, especially secret prayer, may do much to the keeping thy heart above; but meditation is the life of most other duties, and the view of heaven is the life of meditation. § 13. (3) Chuse also the most seasonable time. All things are beautiful and excellent in their season. Unseasonableness may lose thefruit of thy labours, may raise difficulties in the work,, and may turn a duty to a sin. The same hour may be seasonable to one and unseasonable to another. Servants and labourers must take that season which their business can, best, afford; either while at work, or in travelling ; or when they lie awake in the night. Such as can choose what time of the day they will, should observe when they find their spirits most active and fit for contemplation, and "fix upon that as the stated time. I have always found that the fittest time for myself is the evening, from sun set- ting to the twilight. .1 the rather mention this, because it was the experience of a better and wiser man.; for it is expressly said, Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the even- tide.(a) The Lord's day is exceeding season- able for this exercise. When should we more season- ably contemplate our rest, than on that day of rest, which typifies it to us ? It being a day appropriated to spiritual duties, methinks we should never exclude this duty, which is so eminently spiritual. I verily . think this is the chief work of a Christian Sabbath, and. Most agreeable to the design of its positive institution. (a) Genesis xxiv. 63.
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