Meditation

 That the chief part of the experience of religion is included and contained in a right performance of this great duty. It is in holy meditation that we feel all the experiences of a spiritual life, and exercise all the graces of the Spirit. What is the exercise of faith, but realizing thoughts upon divine and spiritual truths? What is holy desire, but a realizing view of the desirableness of God in covenant, so as to draw forth our longings after him? What is the exercise of the grace of hope, but serious meditation upon the promises and blessings promised, with suitable affection? Wherein consists the exercise of the grace of love, but in endearing thoughts and views of God in Christ? And what is the grace of humility, but the having low and abasing thoughts of ourselves? So that I may venture to affirm, that true grace is no farther exercised by us, than as our thoughts are employed by holy meditation, in viewing and realizing spiritual things in a spiritual, heart affecting manner. And this duty of meditation is of such a nature, that it is included in all other spiritual duties, so far as they have anything of the exercise of grace in them. For instance, in prayer we have no exercise of grace, but so far as our souls take notice of our own wants, and of Christ's grace and fullness. In reading, we have no exercise of grace, any farther than as we understand, realize, and apply to ourselves what we read. The same may be said concerning singing the divine praises, hearing the divine word, confessing our sins, and the like. So far then as there is anything of the power of religion in our souls, so far the thoughts of our very hearts are engaged in, and employed about, the spiritual things we are conversant with. And thus, when any grace is exercised, there is some spiritual meditation, let the duty engaged in be what it will. But sometimes this duty of holy meditation is performed alone as a separate duty, namely, when the soul is enabled to look with a spiritual eye, and in an affectionate, realizing manner, upon the things which are not seen, and are eternal; when we set ourselves designedly to think on spiritual subjects, have thoughts flowing in upon us, and have the doctrines, promises, or precepts of the word brought to our minds, and we receive them to ourselves, and apply them to our own cases. But whether meditation be performed by itself, or in any other duty, remember, that if it be rightly performed, is always includes in it the exercise of grace, and the exercise of grace includes meditation. From what has been said concerning this duty, it immediately follows, that none but the lively Christian can daily perform it in a right manner.

 There is a necessity for the spiritual operations of the Spirit of God, in order to a right spiritual performance of this duty. Let us contemplate as well as we can upon what we read, hear, or know; yet unless we are favoured with the presence and influences of the divine Spirit, we shall find ourselves incapable of true meditation. Without him all our contemplations will be dry study, speculative thought, and laborious attempt, without success. But if the divine Spirit takes of the things of Christ, and shows them to our souls, then we can see them, then we can realize them, then we can feel them, and apply them to ourselves, and can think upon them with spiritual affection.