Tap. 13.] HEAVENLY CONTEMPLATION. 207 more intermix other matters with it, than you would with prayer, or other stated solemnities. This meditation is upon thyeverlasting rest. I would not have you cast off your other meditations; but surely, as heaven hath the pre-eminence in perfection, it should have it also in our meditation. That which will make us most happy when we possess it, will make us most joyful when we meditate upon it. Other meditations are as numerous as there are lines in the Scripture, or creatures in the universe, or particular providences in the government of the world. But this is a walk to Mount Sion ; from the kingdoms of this world to the kingdom of saints ; from earth to heaven; from time to eternity: it is walking upon sun, moon and stars, in the garden and paradise of God. It may seem far off; but spirits are quick ; whether in the body or out of the body, their motion is swift. You need not fear, like the men of the world, lest these thoughts should make you mad. It is heaven, and not hell, that I persuade you to walk in. It is joy, and not sorrow, that I persuade you to exercise. I urge you to look on no deformed objects, but only upon the ra- vishing glory of saints, and the unspeakable excellencies of the God of glory, and the beams that stream from the face ofhis Son. Will it distract a man to think of his only hap- piness ? Will it distract the miserable to think of mercy*, or the prisoner to foresee deliverance, or the poor to think of approaching riches and honor ? Methinks it should rather make a man mad to think of living in a world of wo, and abiding in poverty and sickness, among the rage of wicked men, than to think of living with Christ in bliss. " But wis- dom is justified of all her children." Knowledge hath no enemy but the ignorant. This heavenly course was never spoken against by any but those that never knew it, or never used it. I fear more the neglect of men that approve it, than the opposition or arguments of any against it. First. As to the fittest time for this heavenly contempla- tion, let me only advise, that it be, statedfrequent--and seasonable. 1. Give it a stated time. If thou suit thy time to the ad- vantage of the work, without placing any religion in the time itself, thou hast no need to fear superstition. Stated time is a hedge to duty, and defends it against many temp- tations to omission. Some have not their time at command,
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