Chap. 13.] HEAVENLY CONTEMPLATION. 209 quent delights ; to that God whom I have met in my:medi- tation so often ! My heart hath been at heaven before now, and hath often tasted its reviving sweetness ; and ifmy eyes were so enlightened, and my spirits so refreshed, when I had but a taste, what will it be when [ shall feed on it freely?" On the contrary, what a terror will it be to think, "I must die, and go, I know not whither; from a place where I am acquainted, to a place where I have no familiarity or knowledge !" It is an inexpressible horror to a dying man to have strange thoughts of God and heaven. I am persuaded the neglect of this duty so commonly makes death, even to godly men, unwelcome and uncomfortable. Therefore I persuade to frequency in this duty. And as it will prevent shyness between thee and God, so also, It will prevent unskilfulness in the duty itself. How awkwardly do men set their hands to a work they are sel- dom employed in ! Whereas, frequency will habituate thy heart to the work, and make it more easy and delightful. The hill which made thee pant and blow at first going up, thoumayest easilyrunup, when thouart once accustomed toit. Thou wilt also prevent the loss of that heat and life thou hast obtained. If thou eat but once in 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, thyformer cold- ness will soon return ; especially as the work is so spiritual, and against the bent of depraved nature. It is true, the in- termixing 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. 3. Choose also the most seasonable time. All things are beautiful and excellent in their season. Unseasonableness may lose the fruit of thy labor, may raise difficulties in the work, and may turn a duty to a sin. The same hour may be seasonable to one, and unseafonable to another. Servants and laborers must take that season which their business can best afford ; either while at work, or in travel- ling, 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. 1 have always found that
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