Chap. 13.] HEAVENLY CONTEMPLATION. 205 set and solemn actingof all the powers of thy soul in medi- tation upon thy everlasting rest." More fully to explain the nature of this duty, I will here illustrate a little the descrip- tion itself; then point out the fittest time, place, and temper of mind for it. It is not improper to illustrate a little the manner in which we have described this duty of meditation, or the consider- ing and contemplating of spiritual things. It is confessed to be a duty by all, but practically denied bymost. Many, that make conscience of other duties, easily neglect this. They are troubled if they omit a sermon, a fast, or a prayer, in public or private ; yet were never troubled that they have omitted meditation, perhaps all their lifetime to this very day ; though it be that duty, by which all other duties are improved, and by which the soul digesteth truths for its nourishment and comfort. It was God's command toJoshua, " This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein." As digestion turns food into chyle and blood, for vigorous health, so meditation turns the truths received and remem- bered into warm affection, firm resolution, and holy conver- satión. This meditation is the acting of all the powers of the soul. It is the work of the living, and not of the dead. It is a work, of all others, the most spiritual and sublime, and therefore riot to be well performed by a heart that is merely carnal and earthly. They must necessarily have some relation to heaven, before theycan familiarly converse there. I suppose them to be such as have a title to rest, when I persuade them to rejoice in the meditations of rest. And supposing thee to be a Christian, I am now exhorting thee to be an active Christian. And it is the work of the soul I am setting thee to, for bodily exercise Both here profit but little. And it must have all the powers of the soul to distinguish it from the common meditation of students ; for the understanding is not the whole soul, and therefore cannot do the whole work. As in the body, the stomach must turn the food into chyle, and prepare for the liver, the liver and spleen turn it into blood, and prepare for the heart and brain ; so in the soul, the understanding must take in truths, and prepare them for the will, and that for the affections. Christ and heaven have
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