A Goodly Heritage

1. Is the Spirit withdrawn? Endeavour to maintain a sensibility of his absence. For it is a good sign that he is not totally withdrawn, while there is left in our souls a distressing, humbling sense of his absence. But if we grow careless and indifferent about his presence and influence, and now think to recover ourselves by virtue of the use of means in our power, we have missed the way, and can never attain to what we want, until our souls are led out after his gracious influences. 2. Inquire into the particular cause or occasion of the Spirit's withdrawal; and when you have found out the sin or sins which have occasioned it, then go and humbly confess before God, loathe yourselves for them, and bring them unto the cross of Christ to be pardoned and crucified. 3. Never omit spending some time in secret, daily to converse with God, with his word, and with your own souls. Keep steady to closet-religion, and endeavour to make the best of it. By no means neglect the duty itse...

 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...