Appendix: Meditation

That the vacant pages may be supplyed, it wil not be impertinent here to annex a Specimen or Example, to help the working thoughts, in the great duty of Meditation, yet here I shal not undertake to handle the common-place of Meditation, which you may finde insisted upon, purposely by Mr. Fenner, Mr. Ball, Mr. Baxter, in his Saints Rest, and many others, and abundant examples thereof in those incomparable works of that reverend contemplative Divine, Dr. Hall; But what I shal do on this behalf, is only to pursue the design of the foregoing Treatise, in presenting some considerations, to help the Christian to a treasure of good thoughts, that he may not want any matter of Meditation, whereever he is: before I proceed to the examples, I shal speak a few words concerning thoughts, and good thoughts, and deliberate good thoughts in the duty of Meditation.

Thoughts in general (according to Scripture) are the internal acts of the soul, of what faculty soever, minde, wil, memory, [Note 1] affections, to remember is to think on a man or thing, to take care is to take thought, to be troubled is expressed by thoughts of heart, and so thoughts denote any internal workings of reasonings, ends, desires, designs, and resolutions, as opposed to external words or works, so Isa 66:18. I know their works and their thoughts, but thoughts are also taken more strictly, as being the proper products of the understanding faculty, the immediate musings of the speculative part, and so not only opposed to words and works, but also to the motions of the soul of another nature, [Note 2] and thus Criticks distinguish (as the word it self acts the critick) betwixt the thoughts of the heart, and the intents of the heart, in Heb 4:12. The thoughts then are the souls self-conferences, discourses, parleys, interviews, hence there's mention in Scripture of speaking in the heart, Deut 9:4. Communing with our own hearts, Ps 4:4. Applied both to the godlie and the wicked, [Note 3] the subjects of these discourses within, are either from without, or from within,; sometimes the subjects are fetcht from abroad, as if good, the thoughts are furnished from the word of God, or otherwaies, Prov 6:22.— When thou awakest, it shal talk with thee, i. e. Thou shalt finde the word as a sweet companion affording thee matter of self conference; [Note 4] so also the matter of thoughts may arise from within, but they are ordinarily evil, and so every imagination of the thoughts of Mans heart is evil, the word signifies every Figment, Creature, or workmanship that the mind hammers within it self, as in a Forge, Mint, or on an Anvil; for thoughts are as it were spun out of our own bowels, they are Eggs of our own laying, Webs of our own weaving, for thoughts can work of themselves when there's no outward objects presented.

Now my design is to furnish and rectifie these internal operations of the heart, and to help the soul with such subjects and objects as may finde it profitable work when it hath no creature to converse with, that the thoughts may be holy, sweet, savoury, and heavenly; Now there are four qualifications essentially requisite to the constitution of good thoughts.

1.They must be materially good, not employed about sinful or trifling things, that do either prejudice, or not at all profit the soul, but exercised in some spiritual, suitable meditations about God, Christ, the Word, or what may tend to edification.#

2.They must be formally good, i. e. regulated by the Word of God, as the Rule thereof, to square and order the thoughts, both for Principle, Manner, and End.#

3.They must be seasonably good every thing is beautiful in its season: a thing may be good in its own nature, yet not good as to those circumstances of time and other respects wherwith it may be cloathed.#

4.They must be eventually good, as to the fruit, effect, impression of these thoughts, he that thinks, should aim at Gods glory and his own souls good; and the fruit of the thought must be good, tending to quicken or strengthen some grace, kill and crucifie some lust, enlarge or encourage the straitened or sadened heart: Alass, this is not a meer exercise of the mind and memory about good things, but a working them upon the heart, the sinking of these things into the will and affections: 'tis not meerly speculative, but practical and experimental, it must be a set and solemn acting all the powers of the soul upon divine things in order to spiritual advantage, or raising the heart Heaven-wards.#

And now I shal present to your thoughts to. usefull Subjects to meditate upon, which may by the Lords assistance, become in your souls a sacred Treasure of heavenlie thoughts.

1.Let your thoughts insist upon the infinite, eternal and incomprehensible Majesty of God, here you may soon lose your selves in the vast Ocean of his blessed essence, yet lanch not too far, but bound your thoughts by the sure Card of Scripture-discovery; thus think,#

1.Oh what an holy omniscient, omni present Spirit is the Almighty maker and possessor of heaven and earth! What transcendent mysteries are lockt up in the Trinitie of Persons in the unitie of Essence! how impossible is it for a mortal eye to approach that inaccessible Light! none can see God and live, yet have poor sinners a glorious reflection of the Godhead in the Person of our dear Redeemer, and in his sweet proclaiming his blessed Name, and displaying his glorious Attributes of Wisdome, Power, Holinesse, Justice, Goodnesse and Truth to the Sons of men: by these we taste and see what a One the Lord is: Oh how great is this Jehovah whom we worship? the heaven of Heavens cannot contain him, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He sitteth upon the Circle of the earth, and the Inhabitants thereof are as Grashoppers, He is cloathed with honour and Majestie, thousand thousands minister unto him, ten thousand times ten thousand stand before him, He is the God in whose hands my breath is, the searcher of hearts, the hearer of Prayers, the Lord of Hosts, and King of Saints: O my soul admire him for his greatnesse, fear him for his Justice, love him for his Goodnesse, trust him for his Faithfulnesse, worship him in the beauty of holinesse, and delight thy self in his transcendent Perfections:#

2.Fix your thoughts upon the works of Creation, study this large voluminous Book, every page thereof will finde you fresh matter of meditation and admiration: every creature hath a tongue to tell us of the power and wisdome of its Maker: and thus let your thoughts be working; surely this goodly Fabrick of Heaven and Earth speaks aloud the glory of the great Creator; if this vast Globe of the Earth be above twenty thousand miles in compasse, then what a vast extent are the Heavens of? which are stretched out as a Curtain; how admirably hath God laid the beams of his Chambers in the waters, and hanged the earth upon nothing? how firmly hath God builded his stories in the Heaven, and fixed the glorious Constellations as fountains of Light? oh what beauty is there in the Father of Lights that hath set up resplendent Luminaries? these great bodies were created of nothing by the word of Gods power, and yet there is deep mysteries in the least and lowest creature, every Herb, Flower, Plant, spire of grass, Twig and Leaf, Worm or Fly, Scale or Feather, Billow or Meteor, hath enough in it to puzzle the most profound Philosopher, and speaks the power and wisdome of our great Creator: how much more the curious piece of mans Bodie? I am fearfully and wonderfully made, but much more may I stand admiring the strange nature of my immortal soul: and still reflect with thankfulness and admiration upon the power and goodnesse of my omnipotent Creator.#

3.Think on the capacity, excellency, and immortalitie of the precious Soul, you cannot think without it, and should you not spend some thoughts upon it, this distinguisheth you from beasts, thus then meditate, what divine spark is this that God hath breathed into this lump of clay? this immortal soul which God immediately created is greater and better than the world, and cannot be satisfied with the world, 'tis of a spiritual being, and of the same nature with the Angels: 'tis of an active nature, and can make quick excursions to the creatures, and sallies thorough this vast Universe, and must return with Noahs Dove, that there's no place to rest her weary foot of affections upon, God alone, is the anchor and center of this tossed Wanderer: this soul is capable of communion with God in spiritual Ordinances and eternal happinesse, it must return at last to God that gave it, to receive from him a sentence of absolution or condemnation; Oh my soul, thou art in constant motion, whether art thou moving? what art thou doing? what condition art thou in? and what must become of thee when thy body shall be left a stinking carcass? Soar aloft my soul, and mind things above, debase not thy noble nature with pursuit of things that are below thy self: get well adorned with the graces of the Spirit, and enriched with an interest in Jesus Christ, make God thy portion, lay up lasting treasures in Heaven, and then return unto thy Rest, and God will deal bountifully with thee.#

4.Think much upon the sacred Word of God, meditate of it day and night, let the Word of God dwell richly in you, and let your thoughts be furnished with, and dwell much upon it what is in your Bibles is Gods, but what is in your hearts is your own; thus then let your thoughts be working: Oh the infinite condescention of the great Jehovah! What is worthless man that God himself should write so large an Epistle from Heaven to him with the hand of his blessed Spirit! What care hath God taken to direct, move, incite, encourage fallen sinning man to the attaining of eternal happinesse? What Precepts, Promises Threatnings, Examples are sprinkled up and down in this blessed Book! Oh the Antiquity, Authority, Excellency and Efficacy, Power and Purity, Perfection and sufficiency, verity and perpetuity of the sacred Bible! Methinks when I take up this holie Book, I take wonders into my hands, and when I look within it I meet with Mysteries, that the wisdome of the greatest Clarks can never reach, and yet the meanest capacity by the help of that Spirit which indited them, may wade this deep foard of divine secrets: how plainly held forth therein are necessary truths and duties that lead the soul to God and eternal happiness! How familiarly and affectionately doth God converse with man therein? how pat and proper to my state are the precious Promises in these blessed pages? every word hath its weight, and comes as pertinently as if the Lord had named me; methinks, there's no such vertue or savour in any other Writings, what reviving doth it bring into my heart! O blessed be God for the holy Scriptures.#

5.Let your thoughts be employed about the glorious works of Providence: oh how sweet are they? who so is wise will consider them: pause after this manner, O my soul, take a view of this beautiful Checker-work of divine Providence; consider the days of old, and the years of many generations, recollect what the Scripture records, of drying up the Sea, driving back Jordan, the standing still, and going back of the Sun in the Firmament, reflect upon the miracles of Mercie for the Church, and of judgment upon the Enemies: nay, consider O my soul what wonders God hath wrought in thy daies, in thine eies: Oh what national, domestical, personal deliverances hast thou seen? even such as may astonish the Atheist, and silence Unbelief for ever: thou needest not want matter of holy musing, if thou take a strict survey of the course of thy life, and particular providences about thy Soul, Body, Estate, Name, Relations, and all thy Concernments, which may afford a vast Field of devout Meditation: those waies of Providence that seemed uncouth and unlovely whilst seen but in their birth and parts, how comely now are they in their mature product and perfection? I saw not then, but I have fully seen since what the Lord aimed at in his strange Dispensations: Oh the happy composure, symmetrie, and contexture of all things, conspiring together by the concurrence of Providence to accomplish, and to center in the grand end of all things, viz. the glory of God. How wonderful are his Judgments, and his wayes past finding out?#

6.Think sadly upon mans Apostacy: let your thoughts be sometimes taking a view of the original of all our present sinfulness and wretchedness in such thoughts as these: Wo is me, whence and whether are wee fallen! God made man upright, but he sought out many inventions, once man was created after the Image of God, now is he defaced after the Image of the Devil: once was man intire and straight, now deformed and crooked in all his faculties, once was he holy and happy, now filthy and subject to all sin and misery: once he was the darling of God, Lord of the world, and a fit companion for the blessed Angels now he is Gods enemie, the Devils slave, and the basest part of the whole Creation: Oh mutable free-will that chose to fall, that might have chosen to stand! surely man in his best estate was subject to vanity: Oh how little was the pleasure, and how lasting is the pain! But O my soul, finde not fault with Adam, if thou hadst been in his stead, thou wouldst have done as he did, yea, thou dost the same every day, too too voluntarily, and of choice, sin is a transgression of the Law, and this holy Law thou breakest every moment, Oh my soul, what miserable case art thou in! what enmity to God, antipathy to good, and constant tendency to all evil is in thy depraved nature! Wo is me, wheres the light in my understanding, the rectitude of my will, the regularity of my affections: where is the tendernesse of my conscience, the tenacity of my memory, and the victory over my lower unruly passions! Lord, where am I, and what will become of me, except Free-grace interpose for my deliverance?#

7.Think, Oh think much upon the stupendious work of mans Redemption: here the ransomed of the Lord may and must expatiate in the heart-melting meditations of the way of their recovery. Thus, here stand and pause, my soul, upon the sweet transcendent contrivance of saving lost man: Oh why, wherefore was it, that the heart of God was working for men, and not for devils? they were as near and dear to God (when standing) and as perfect in their natures, was it because man had a Tempter, and they had none? no certainly, though that may be a truth, yet no reason of chusing man, and leaving devils to be reserved in chains of darkness to the judgment of the great Day; no, no, Free-grace alone made the difference: But, what was the way of mans Redemption? why surely, the Son of God, the second Person of the glorious Trinitie must become man, and put himself into the sinners stead, to do and endure, be, and bear what man must have gone through and under-gone: Oh stupendious mysterie, oh transcendent Mercy? who could have devised such a way? who durst have desired such a thing, that God should part with his only and beloved Son for such an end? Oh the manifold wisdome of God! Oh the inconceivable love of the Father to send his Son, and of his Son to come upon such an Errand ! Great is the mercie of God great is the mysterie of godlinesse, God manifest in the flesh &c. O the wonders in the strange hypostatical union! the compleatnesse of his Person, the usefulness of his Offices! Oh the bitterness of his temptations, travels, trials, reproaches, agonies, desertions, death, sharp to him, sweet to us: these will be the subject of Saints thoughts and praises in Heaven, to all Eternity.#

8.Think upon the termes and tenour of the Gospel, how and upon what conditions Christ and all his benefits may be made over to you, and that is a Cordial accepting of Christ in his mediatorie latitude, as be is tendered in the Gospel, to justifie, sanctifie, and to save, thus then conceive thereof. Oh strange mercie, boundless love, God might have appointed the conditions of salvation to have been travelling tedious journeys, conquering Kingdomes, or lying so manie years in miserie; he might have said, thou must either keep the moral Law exactlie or die eternallie; but he saith, believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, nor hath he left thee, O my soul, to do this by thine own strength, (which had been as impossible as the forme) but he that requires faith of thee, promiseth to give faith to thee; faith is in the Covenant as wel as forgiveness, Jesus Christ hath purchased strength to believe, as wel as salvation for believers. Oh blessed contrivance, all is laid upon the back of our sweet and solid surety, he is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, he is the way, the truth, and the life, the Author and finisher of our faith, he saves to the utmost, all the Elect shal have faith, and none of them shal miscarry; this, this is the kernel and marrow of the Gospel, that Christ is the suretie for all the Elect, and hath undertaken to bear them all to Heaven by the power of his spirit, and by the vertue of his merit, and he wants neither abilitie nor fidelitie to bring about this glorious enterprize for poor souls.#

9.Think and think again what interest you have in this Redeemer and redemption, for all are not sharers in it, all shal not be saved by it, nay, but few of those that hear the tidings of it: think thus, oh my soul, what is thy state? where is thy standing? what interest hast thou in Christ? what title to the promises of the Covenant? hast thou a sound and saving faith, a through heart-shaking, heart-breaking repentance? I hear in the word that Christ becomes the Author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him, oh my soul, hast thou given up thy self to him in the obedience of faith? what operations of the spirit hast thou felt for thy effectual vocation? what regenerating work, hath passed upon thee? art thou translated from death to life, from darkness to light? art thou indeed trasplanted out of the old stock, into the new and living Vine? what particular application hast thou made of this general redemption? hast thou viewed a bleeding Christ with a bleeding heart? and looked on him whom thy sins have pierced with a repenting believing frame of spirit? hast thou accepted of Jesus Christ in his mediatory latitude, as Prophet, Priest, and King, to subdue thy lusts, to guide thee by his Scepter, and save thee in his own way? oh my soul, be serious in this inquiry, it's no trifling matter, it's as much as thy soul is worth, it's of great concernment to all eternity, the way is strait and narrow, thousands are deceived and spend no thoughts upon it, til they be past hopes or remedie: the stroke of death wil suddenlie determine the business, oh look to it before that blow be given, lest it be too late.#

10.When thou hast cleared thy state, then think with comfort; oh the rich priviledges of believers! here thou maist have a spacious field of contemplation, God allows thee to solace thy soul in such thoughts as these, oh the inestimable, incomparable, invaluable advantages of the Saints! what saist thou, oh my guilty weary soul, is it nothing to have sin pardoned, thy debts paid, the Bond cancelled? certainlie to a soul heavie laden under the sense of guilt, the sense of pardon is the most joyful tidings in the World: and shal my filthy naked soul be cloathed with this blessed robe of Christs perfect righteousness? oh the riches of free grace? shal such a base and bank-rupt beggar become the beautiful spouse of the King of Heaven? it was infinite mercy that kept me thus long out of Hel, but wil the Lord also make this sinful soul an heir of Heaven? shal Jesus Christ be my elder Brother, the spirit my Comforter, and God himself my Father? oh boundless and bottomless riches of free grace! moreover, oh my soul, thou hast interest in all the promises, the assistance of the spirit in prayer, and free access to the Throne of Grace: the providences of God are working for thy good, the protection of Heaven shal be on thy person, and the blessing of the Al-mighty shal be upon thy undertakings; thou hast, oh my soul, sweet fellowship with God, the benefit of communion of Saints, and the presence and service of the holy Angels: he wil guide thee with his counsel, and at last receive thee to glorie: and is not this a ne plus-ultra of preferment? can thy covetous or ambitious thoughts reach any further, oh my soul? no, no, God hath done for thee beyond thy expectation, even to admiration.#

11.Now then, my soul, let thy thoughts be working upon some returns; what doth God require of thee in lieu of all these rich and royal favours? oh set thy heart to studie dutie, lie under the sense of the Law of thankfulness, desire the Lord to write that blessed Law upon the Tables of thy heart, consider what thou hast to do, but here my soul is non-plust, alas, what returns can I make unto my God for all these benefits? what can a poor worthless worm do, in requiting infinite kindness? my self, and all I am, or can do, are the Lords due, and here I offer up all, to thee, oh Lord, as a whole burnt sacrifice, which is most reasonable, oh that it may be acceptable through Jesus Christ; my heart, my lips, my life shal praise thee, bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name: oh that my heart were wel tuned to sing the song of Moses, and of the Lamb, alas my soul, how low and dul art thou? how short and shallow in thy poor returns for these rich receits, surely my soul wil sing a new, and another kinde of song amongst the heavenly Quite of blessed Saints and Angels in eternal Mansions; in the mean time, oh my soul, be winding up thy heart, skruing up thy faint affections, be much in the work of thankfulness, lay out thy self for the glory of thy Redeemer, sin no more, serve him better, walk with God, wait upon him, worship him with all thy heart, do all the good thou canst in thy place, hie apace towards Heaven, and lift up thy head with expectation, desire, and exultation, til the day of Redemption draw neer,#

12.Think much and seriously of the evil of sin, how offensive it is to God, how destructive to the soul, that so you may eschew and abhor the very risings and appearance thereof, thus let your thoughts be employed, what a monstrous, prodigious, venemous thing is sin! it is the very Epitome of all evil, worse than the Devil himself, the most loathsome Creature that crawls is very good, if compared with sin, 'tis a heart-Plague, more evil than all the Plagues and diseases that are incident to the body of man, 'tis worse than Hell it self: oh sin, what hast thou done? was it not sin that cast the Angels out of Heaven, Adam out of Paradice, and thousands, yea, thousands of millions of souls headlong into Hel? was it not sin that drowned the old World, burned Sodome, and wil set the whole World in a flame at the last day? is it not sin only that provoketh the eyes of Gods glory, grieveth his spirit, breaketh his Laws, and bringeth swift destruction on impenitent sinners? nay, oh my soul, consider, was it sin that betrayed, arraigned, accused, condemned, crucified and buried the Lord of life and glory? oh then who would have any thing to do with these unprofitable, pernicious works of darkness, what fruit hast thou poor soul of sin, but shame, and grief, and death? oh what hurt hath it done thee? what griefs, and tears, and sorrows, and dolours hath it cost thee? and all these better than the proper product of it, even eternal damnation: Oh my soul, hate sin with a perfect hatred, God only hates it, or with respect unto it, sin no more, lest thou offend a good God, gratifie Sathan, and damn thy soul for ever.#

13.Think much upon the vanity of the World, and uncertainty of all things here below, read to your selves sometimes Lectures of the instability of all worldly excellencies, and knock off your own fingers from playing with them, lest God use some severer course to loosen your hearts from things below, thus think, oh my sensual soul, what is it that thou seest in this garish strumpet to allure and intangle thy affections? how comest thou to doat upon her painted beauty? what real good, what solid comfort hast thou ever found therein? what are the profits of it, but a little white and red earth, of the same nature and original, with thy vile and perishing body, and far inferiour to thy noble soul? what are the sorry honours of the World, but froth and some, hanging on the slipperie tongues and eares of mutable men, that can kiss and kil with a breath and beck? and what are the sordid pleasures here below, but swinish epicurisme, that debase the best part of man, transform Men into Beasts, and leave a stinging guilt behinde them? Alas, my soul, why wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? what wil riches avail thee in the day of wrath? where is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained the whole World, when God taketh away his soul? what was Cain better for all his fair Cities, or Nimrod for his large Dominions, or Absalon for his beauty, or Achitophel for his policy, or Judas for his bags, or Dives for his delicate fare? Hell-fire burns up all these, and Heaven cannot be purchased with them: alas, the fashion of the World passeth away, and when its gone, what's a Man better for being a Gentleman, a Knight, a Lord, a Prince? Mors sceptra ligonibus aequat.#

14.Let your thoughts be exercised about the present, and final state of all the Children of Men, the vast difference betwixt the good and bad, the godlie and the wicked, in this World, and the World to come, and thus let your hearts be musing, what though the wicked flourish like a green bay-tree, and do injoy the World at wil? they are not in trouble as other Men, but eat and drink, and laugh and play, and change their sports for more delight, and wash their steps in butter, and have more than heart can wish: in the mean time, the godly are daily afflicted by God, tempted by Sathan, persecuted by the world, they are chastened every morning, and lie down with sorrow every evening, they eat their bread, and water their beds with tears: Oh the bitter heart-breaking griefs, by reason of the with-drawings of God, the unkindness of men, but especially from corruptions within! Well now, my soul, wilt thou call this the onely wretched man, and the former the only happy person? God forbid, so shouldst thou offend against the generation of Gods Children, thou must not acquit the wicked or condemn the Righteous: No, my soul, look not with carnal, but with spiritual eyes, judge righteous judgement, hee is not happy that hath the world at will, but he is onely happy whose God is the Lord, search the Scriptures, and see there who is called and accounted happy: Mark the perfect man, the end of that man is peace, whatever be his trouble in the way, observe the wicked, it cannot be well with him in the end: Crassus at last found Solons words true, there's no man happy before death; O my soul, wisely consider the stare of the godly and the wicked, and it will beget strange effects upthee for thy encouragement and astonishment:#

15.Sometimes let your thoughts run out upon the state of the Church and people of God, that you may joy or sorrow, pray or praise God, with or for Zion, and the Saints: upon blessed Paul's heart lay the care of all the Churches, and shall wee cast away the thoughts thereof? Well then, my soul, art thou a member of the Church, and wilt thou not spend some thoughts of it and for it? let mee feel the pulse of Christs mystical bodie, how fares it with her? is she in health, or is she sick? what diseases is she labouring under? Do her sacred lungs move fast in prayer to God? Doth she flourish in her pure and powerfull administration of divine Institutions? Is she fair as the Moon in the holinesse of her members? clear as the Sun in the soundnesse of her doctrine, especially in that fundamental point of Justification by Christs Righteousnesse imputed? (hence the Woman, the Church, is to be cloathed with the Sun) and is she terrible as an Army with banners, in the due administration of wholesome discipline, and execution of the Censures; Do the lights shine clear in the Candle-sticks? Are Ministers in their places burning and shining Lights, and do the Faithful walk in the light of the Lord? Have the Saints communion in all Ordinances, walking together in mutual edification? Or, are they broken in pieces by persecutions or separations? How is it with this militant Church? O my soul, take a full view thereof, that thou maist rejoice with her, or mourn for her.#

16.Think, O think often upon Death, your own death, O that you were wise to consider your latter end, amongst all your thoughts, spend some upon your dying day, set a Deaths-head before your eyes, and think to this purpose, oh what a dying, fading creature am I? I dwell in a tottering Tabernacle, in a House of clay, that's readie to bee crushed every moment like a moth, this vile body of mine is made of perishing ingredients, and my life is like a vapour; O my soul, thou lodgest in a brittle case, how certainly shal, how suddenly may it be broken? and then thou lanchest forth into the vast Ocean of Eternitie: Death will shortly loose the knot betwixt these old companions soul and body, Nature abhors a dissolution, but what saith Grace? is the sting of death pluckt out by the death of Christ? Hath the Lord of Life warmed and perfumed the Grave for thee? Canst thou, O my soul, look thorough death at Glory? and own it as thy Fathers Porter that takes thee by the hand to lead thee into his Palace and Presence-Chamber? surely if thou have a grounded sense of Gods love, thou wilt with the wearied Traveller long to be at home, and go to bed to take thy rest, thou wilt desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, which is best of all: onely be sure, poor soul, that thy work bee not to do when thy time is done; get readie for that fatal stroak, it is a solemn businesse to dye, it is but once to be done, and it must be well done, or thou art undone for ever: look upon every day as the last day, defer not another day to repent and make thy peace with God, that thou maist be found of him in peace.#

17.Pass on a little further in thy meditations, and let thy thoughts thus be acted about the great things of the Resurrection of the dead, and the solemn day of Judgment; O my soul, consider what an illustrious day will that be, when the great Trumpet shall sound, the Graves shall be opened, the dead shal be raised, and the living shall bee changed, the holy Angels shall gather from the ends of the earth the scattered bodies and bones of all the Saints, from righteous Abel to the last Convert on earth, & again marry the the blessed pair of soul and body together, and hoyse them up to meet their blessed Saviour in the ayr, that they may with him judge the world of ungodly sinners: methinks I hear on the contrary the wretched howlings of despairing souls, whose bodies, wil they, nill they, are dragged out of their cursed holes, and are forced to come trembling before the just Judge; fain would they skulk in holes and not appear, being convicted of their consciences, and not able to stand in judgement, but appear they must, and yet they dare not: Methinks I see the Judge set, the Books opened, and myriads of rational creatures set before the righteous Judge to receive their final Sentence: on the right hand stand the blessed Saints in white Raiment, lifting up their heads to their beloved Husband, who absolves them, saying, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdome prepared for you; welcome home from a weary world, here's mansions ready for you; sit upon these Thrones; take these victorious Palmes into your hands, I set these Crowns upon your heads, and you shall be with me for ever: On the left hand lye the filthie Goats, despairing wicked wretches expecting the dreadful sentence of, go yee cursed, wishing they had never been, or that now they might not be, calling to the sensless Rocks to fall upon them, but all in vain; appear they must, and yet they dare not; the despised Saviour is their angry Judge, Devils are attending the pronouncing of the Sentence, ready to hurry them to the execution of the Sentence.#

18.Let this then carry thy thoughts, O my soul, a little further to the serious meditation upon the intollerable torments of Hell, as soon as that sentence is out, then take them Devil, surely the punishment of losse is inconceivable; Oh how bitter is it to a poor Childe of God in this World to endure the short with-drawings of Gods pleasant Face from their souls: what bitter lamentations and expostulations hath it wrung from them? and yet what is that in comparison of being banished from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power? Cains mark of trembling proceeded from the dreadfull sense of this formidable expulsion: though wicked men care not for Gods presence here, yet they shall feel to their cost what it is to want his presence hereafter: together with God they lose all that is comfortable, they shall never have good day hereafter, they lose Ordinances, mercies, hopes of Heaven, they shall never hear Sermon more, nor enjoy a day of grace again; above them is the wrath of the Lamb, whose melting bowels are turned into a consuming fire to them; under them is the devouring Lake of fire and Brimstone gaping to receive them; on their right hand are the blessed Saints whom they despised, triumphing in the execution of Justice on them, and entring into their Masters joy; on the left hand stands that cursed Fiend who drew them into sin, now as ready to draw them into Hell to be tormented with himself for ever; behind them are their short and sorry pleasures in this World, and multitudes of abominations in wicked life; before them is a sad Eternity of never-ceasing torments; within them is a gnawing conscience; without them the saddest objects that ever eyes beheld; old Companions in sin roaring under wrath, legions of Devils blaspeming God, and scourging their fellow prisoners, their beloved Minion the World all in a flame, and themselves fire-brands therein for ever: O my soul, think on these dolorous subjects sometimes, and let it work kindly on thy heart, to make thee eschew the way to Hell, and to walk in the way to Heaven:#

19.On the contrary, O my soul, mount up to Heaven in thy contemplations, soar above the Clouds, and take a view of Paradise, as soon as the Bridegroom of his Church hath admitted his beloved Spouse into his Presence-chamber; O the ravishing joys, and sweet embraces at this blessed meeting; Heaven ecchoes again at the triumphant Hallelujahs of all the Redeemed ones: how shall sorrow and sighing flee away? Sin and sicknesse shall be known no more, Sathan with his fiery darts, and wicked men with their drawn swords cannot reach thither; there shall be no more complaints of ignorant and erroneous heads, of dead and hard, unbelieving and distracted hearts, of lame decrepit feet, there shall not be a tear upon a Saints cheek, for God will wipe away teares from all Faces, not one complaint heard, nothing but joy and triumph, solace and satisfaction, the blessed presence of the eternal God shal be all in all to these happie souls: Oh what is a sight of God worth! but what will it be above, where it is immediate, constant and un-interrupted? no need there of Ordinances, God himself will be instead of all, it wil be another kind of enjoying of God then poor souls felt in this World, though that was sweet, yet this shall be infinitely sweeter: now at the best wee see but through a glass darkly, then face to face; communion with God is the Heaven of that Heaven, yet shal there be every thing beautiful and desirable: there my soul shal be filled with all perfections, and Grace shal be compleat, the mind shal in an instant have as large a comprehension, as Salomon, or Adam in innocency, my will shal bee conformed to the divine Wil in a perfect rectitude and integrity, my affections shal be spirituallie and regularlie fixed on the Lord my God with fulnesse of delight and joy, my body shal shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament, yea, it shal be made like unto the glorious body of Jesus Christ, my whole man shal be fit for the high emploiment in Heaven, and enjoiment of God: there shall I meet with Abraham, and all the Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and all my Christian Friends that died in the Faith; and oh the spritful joies that wil arise from such a blessed sight! There wee shal meet, and part no more, agree, and fall out no more, rejoice together, and be sad no more: Oh blessed Day! my soul, be thou revived in the fore-thoughts and fore-tasts thereof.#

20.Once more, then, O my soul, and but this once, fix thy thoughts upon Eternity; how canst thou forget it? What is this sorry point of time in comparison of the vast Ocean of Eternitie? Alas poor mortals, act a part upon this Stage a while, and then are gone into another VVorld, that must endure for ever; this little inch of time is a seed-plot for Eternitie, upon the wel or ill improving of this time depends an everlasting state in weal or woe: Oh what wretched folly is it to lose eternal happinesse for a transient draught of sensual delight! Oh what would not any endure here a short moment, to escape eternal torments! Methinks nothing hath weight in it, but as it relates to Eternity; Eternitie is the onely accent and emphasis of joy and sorrow; this is that which makes the joyes of Heaven joyes indeed, and the torments of Hell torments with a witnesse: Oh for a poor damned soul that hath been, as it were, a thousand yeares, thousand thousands of Ages roaring in Hell, to think that it is not one moment nearer an end than at first instant when it was cast into that devouring fire: This cuts to the heart, this adds new terrours to the despairing soul: here must I abide for ever. Oh that I might be consumed so as not to be, cannot, may not I poor wretch bee once at last annihilated, and be as if I never had been? No no, once in Hel and for over in Hel, the great Gulf of Gods Decree once fixt is irrevocable: so on the contrary, Eternitie encreaseth every moment the joy of the glorified, here I am, and here I shal bee for ever, saith the happy soul, my estate is better than Adams in the earthly, or the fallen Angels in the Heavenly Paradise, I shal never lose these joyes: Oh what a durarable reward have I for a little temporary service, my sorrow is past, my joy remains: how comes it to passe that those light afflictions that were but for a moment have wrought out for me this exceeding and eternal weight of Glorie? Surely because it was my Fathers good pleasure to give me this Kingdome, this Eternal Life is the gift of God: Oh, who would not do or endure any thing for this eternity of joys? Thus the soul wil bathe it self in these Rivers of pleasures at Gods right hand for evermore.#

I have now dispatcht these set and solemn subjects for your thoughts to work upon; I shal but briefly add some occasional grounds for holy thoughts, which (if you have a right frame of spirit) you may gather much from, to be a sufficient Treasure for heavenly Thoughts. Take some instances in such as these:

1.VVhen you awake in the morning, think the great Jehovah can, and wil as easily raise our mortal bodies at the general Resurrection, as my frail body now; this sleep is the Image of death, Death is but a sleep, the Grave my Bed, the Resurrection the Morning; Oh that when I awake, I might be stil with God, and then at my last awaking, I shall be satisfied with his likenesse, and the upright shal have dominion in that blessed Morning.#

2.VVhen you have had a good night, think, blessed be the keeper of Israel, that neither slumbers, nor sleeps, the Lord onely makes me dwell in safety, even thus hee gives his beloved sleep; and if natural sleep be so refreshing, Oh, what is it to lye in the armes of my best Beloved Christ? what soft and sweet embraces have those souls that walk all the day in the Light of his Countenance? and sleep all the night of affliction upon the lap of his Love!#

3.VVhen you are putting on your Apparrel, Think, how came I to the necessitie of covering my nakednesse? By Adams fall, sin ushered in shame, and these garments hide our shame, shal I then glory in my shame, or be proud of that for which I should be humbled? O rather let me be truly sensible of my spiritual nakedness, and look after the Robes of Christs Righteousness to cover my souls deformity, that the shame thereof may not appear:#

4.VVhen you see the Morning sky, or rising Sun, then think, truly Light is sweet, and it's a pleasant thing for the eyes to behold this Sun; blessed be God that hath set up this Candle by which poor mortals may see to walk or work, what a dark Dungeon, and confused Chaos would this World be without it! But oh the blessed Mercie wee have in the light of the glorious Gospel! without which wee should be in the darknesse of ignorance, and go to utter darkness:#

5.When you pray in your Chambers, think now my Father in Heaven sees me in secret, darkness or closeness hides not from him, my God sees the motions of my body, and imaginations of my heart, Oh for an upright frame of spirit! Oh that my heart were now seasoned for God all this day? the searcher of hearts wil have his eye upon me whether soever I go, oh that I could set the Lord in my sight in all places, companies, occasions.#

6.When your Families are together, think how sadly and suddenly might a breach have been made! Oh that God should make this Image of death, a meanes of life! we are alive, that's rich mercy, we are in health, that's more, we are called together, so wil God gather his Saints together, how many of this Family shal be of that number! Lord, that none under my charge may be an Ismael, an Esau, Oh that we may all meet in Heaven.#

7.When you are to read the word, or go to prayer in your Families, think, oh what mercy is it, that I may read this blessed book! Lord open mine eyes, that I may understand the wonders of the Word: what an infinite, glorious, gracious God is this, to whom I am to pray, oh for a suitable frame of heart! oh the mercy of a throne of grace, of a blessed Advocate! who knows but some soul may be toucht now, if I pray aright?#

8.When you go out of your houses to work or travel, think, the World is full of snares and temptations, and my heart as full of sin and treachery, little, ah little do I know what corruptions may break out, or afflictions break in upon me before my return, the least occasion of sin wil overturn me, the least accident wil overthrow me, the Lord bless and preserve my going out, and my coming in from this time forth and for ever more.#

9.When you are travelling by the way, think, my life is a journey, I am in constant motion towards eternity, every action is a step, Heaven is my home, I cannot get thither without diligent travel; Lord let me not miss my way, or miscarry in the end, take me by the hand, support me by thy spirit, keep me from fainting, give me some good baits, and bring me to the end of my faith at last, even the Salvation of my Soul.#

10.VVhen you see various objects before your eyes, deduct some holy matter therefrom, as thus, what a vast World is this? and yet what is this to the Heavens? and what are both Earth and Heavens to the immense and infinite God? what multitudes of people are there in this City? but oh what assemblie wil meet at the great day? oh my soul, art not thou too like yonder hard Rock, or fruitless Tree, or barren Mountain? look about thee, make something of these objects.#

11.When you are discoursing with others think, of every idle word I must give an account, and in multitude of words there wanteth not sin; Oh my soul, think twice before thou speak once, wil this be to the glory of God and others edification? let no corrupt communication proceed from thee, what if Jesus Christ stood by in his humane nature? speak here as thou must speak in Heaven, or would'st be sound speaking at death.#

12.When you are alone, oh think, I am now in the presence of the omni-present God, these are precious hours that go over my head, why should I squander away my time and thoughts about trifles? oh my soul, thou hast a noble faculty of reflection, finde work at home, busie thy self about thy soul, thou may'st finde work enough, oh that I might be never less alone than when alone: when thou hast no Creature to converse with, my soul, converse with God.#

13.VVhen you eat, think, oh how officious are the Creatures to us living, and how serviceable, being dead? they accomplish the end of their Creation and appointment; oh my soul, sit thou as Queen-regent over thy sensual appetite, take heed of excess, put a Knife to the throat of intemperate desires, be not bruitish in a sinful abuse, be Saint-like in a sanctified use of the Creature, look up to God for a blessing, else these dead things cannot preserve life.#

14.VVhen you rise up wel fed, think, if the Creatures be so nourishing and refreshing, what is the Creator! oh the sweetness of the blessed Feast of fat things in the Gospel? oh the delicacy of the VVine in my Fathers Kingdome? why should I abuse the gifts, forget the donor, eat and drink, and rise up to play? many better than I want these refreshments: Oh for a thankful heart! what a bountiful Master do I serve! what a great house-keeper is the Lord? that provides for so great a Family in Heaven and Earth!#

15.VVhen you go to publick Ordinances, think, oh how glad am I when people say, Come let us go up to the House of the Lord! what a mercy is the Sabbath, this sweet day of rest? what a blessed thing to have the benefit of these publick places, and solemn Assemblies! 'tis a comely sight to see people flock to Ordinances, as Doves to the Windowes: Lord, that some Soul may be catcht this day in the Net of the Gospel: oh for a prepared and profiting heart? this may be the last day of grace.#

16.VVhen you are to hear a Sermon, think, the Preacher comes as an Embassador, from God to me, 'tis God that speaks, the great Jehovah that can command audience and attendance, and with a word can command us into Hel-torments; the truths, oh my soul, thou art to hear, are words of eternal life, and do nearly concern thy everlasting peace: prepare thy self for the receit of them, slight them not, for ought thou knowest, life or death may depend upon this Sermon: Heaven and Hell is now before thee.#

17.VVhen you are to partake of the Lords Supper, think, I am this day to sup with Christ, and have I on my soul a Wedding Garment? have I an interest in Christ the maker and matter of this blessed Feast? where's thy stomack, oh my soul? dost thou rightly discern the Lords body? rouse up thy faith, and love, thy hope and desire, his flesh is meat indeed, his blood is drink indeed, his love is better than VVine, Lord fil and fatten my famishing soul with spiritual repasts.#

18.VVhen you depart from publick VVorship, think thus, oh my soul, thy, work is not done when publick work is over; when that is ended, thou must now begin, ruminate upon the VVord, what hast thou got? VVhat light to thy understanding? VVhat conviction to thy wil, what direction unto thy affections? Oh my soul look to it, thou art either a step neerer to Heaven or to Hell this night for this day; get good, be good, do good, or all these helps wil render thee inexcusable.#

19.VVhen you meet with, or part from your acquaintance, think, if it be so sweet a thing to meet with my dear and ancient friends, how much better is it to meet with God, my best beloved, most loving friend, God is a friend that's nearer than any brother or neighbour, I meet now with friends, oh that I knew how to improve them, to get good by them; or do good to them, we must part once for all, on that we may meet in Heaven at the Resurrection of the just?#

20.When you are busie in your particular callings, think, who sets me a work? is it not God? whom do I work for? is it not for God? do I seek my self, or strive to grow rich? then I am carnal: oh my soul, be moderate in the pursuit of the World, let not the cares of the World drown thee: drive on evenly, both thy general and particular calling: let nothing interpose betwixt thy God and thee, or hinder thee in spiritual worship, abide with God in thy calling.#

21.When you reflect upon the nature of your callings, gather something in your Meditations there-from; as thus, am I Magistrate? I judge not for Man but for God, who wil judge the unrighteous Judge, and now sits among the Gods: am I a Minister? the charge of souls is upon me, that crie out we are perishing, study, travel, pray for us: oh what account shal I give? if I be a Merchant, Trades-man, Husband-man, Weaver, Lawyer, Souldier, Schollar, oh the spiritual improvement I may make of all these?#

22.VVhen you consider your relation, think, am I am husband? I must dwel with my VVife, as a Man of knowledge: am I a Wife? I must be an help to my Husband in all things: am I a Parent? I must not provoke, but profit my Childe, and train it up for God: am I a Childe? I must yield all reverence and obedience to my Parents, as unto God, in whose stead they are; am I a Master or Superiour? my Master in Heaven, sees how I carry and respects no persons; am I a Servant? oh for a submissive spirit.#

23.When you hear any news, good or bad, oh what blessed tidings is the Gospel? good news from Heaven, glory to God in the highest, on Earth peace, good wil towards Men, the best message that ever Angel brought, or Man received: Let God say, I am thy salvation, I am fortified against bad news, the righteous is not afraid of evil tidings, his heart is fixed, trusting in God: let Christ be advanced, Anti-christ destroyed, and I am satisfied.#

24.When you see or hear of any Prodigies, think, who knoweth the power of Gods anger? oh the dreadful Majesty of the Lord of Hosts, who made the Sea and dry Land, who commands all the Elements, and works his wonders in the Fire, Water, Earth, and Aire; they that dwel in the uttermost parts of the Earth are afraid at his tokens, Lord, what mean these things? what wilt thou do with us? our sins cry for vengeance, prevent it, or hide thy Saints til thy wrath be past.#

25.When you hear or see the sinful acts of Men, think, oh, what are the best of us by nature? who makes me to differ? free grace stops my course, else I had been reeling with the Drunkard, blaspheming with the swearer, revelling with the wanton, Lord, let me not bless my self in morality, but arive at sincerity, never leave me to wayes of mine own heart: ah, how is God dishonoured? what long-suffering doth he exercise? but justice wil awake.#

26.VVhen your own corruptions break out, think, oh the vileness of this naughtie heart, oh wretched Creature that I am, Who shall deliver me from this body of death? little did I think to have been thus beguiled, and surprized, God is just, and I am vile, I grow secure, and God hath left me, oh how might he have taken me in the act of sin and cast me headlong into Hell! my soul, defer not to humble thy self, and make thy peace with God.#

27.VVhen any sad crosses befal you in body, estate, name, relations, think, oh, what sin is it that God now whips me for? Lord, bore mine eares, to hear the voice of the rod, bow my heart in obedience to thy wil; oh that instruction might come along with correction, my soul, search thy heart and wayes, this hand of God is either a token of Gods love, or the beginnings of his wrath: oh that I may see a Fathers heart, and feel a Fathers hand, and attain my Fathers end therein.#

28.VVhen you are delivered out of apparent danger of death by sickness or sad accidents, consider, oh my soul, what if thou hadst now been snatcht away, and thy bodie left a stinking Carcass! where hadst thou been? wast thou readie for glorie? what assurance hadst thou of a better state? didst thou not then wish thy soul had been in a better posture: mend the matter now, give God the glorie of thy deliverance, serve him better, be more prepared against another time.#

29.VVhen night approacheth Candles are brought in, and the bright Skie is ful of Stars, think there's one day more of my life now past and gone, I am thus far nearer Eternity; Lord, set up the Candle of thy Grace in my soul in this night of darkness, errour and terrour, shew me the light of Life, let the blessed Day star arise in my heart, Oh when shal my soul be translated above yonder twinkling Stars, to shine as a Star in the Firmament of glory.#

30.VVhen you put off your Cloaths, and go to bed, think thus, even thus, must thou my soul, put off thy body at death, thou must be uncloathed, that thou maist be cloathed upon with a House from Heaven; O my soul, be daily undressing thee of the body of sin, and lay thy self in the Grave of Christ, be buried with him in spiritual Baptism, give up thy self into his hands, and lay thy self to sleep as thou wouldest be found at Death, or be raised at the great day of Resurrection.#

These, and such like Occurrences must put you in mind of such meditations, and thus may your thoughts both have, and be a blessed Treasure.

I shal now conclude all with a few considerations to move us all, thus to employ our thoughts upon profitable Subjects:

1.Consider the strictness of Gods Command, Josh 1:8. Thou shalt meditate therein, (i.e. in the Book of the Law) day and night, Col 3:1. Set your affections on things above: how dare you neglect a positive Dutie: the same God that commands thee to pray and believe, forbids thee to steal, murder, doth enjoin thee to meditate: it's not a thing indifferent.#

2.Remember Gods Omniscience and Omni-presence, when David had duly considered that God did search and know him, sitting down, rising up, understand his thoughts afar off, and was acquainted with all his wayes, &c. He tels God that his thoughts were precious, Ps 139:17. and vers. 18. When I awake I am still with thee: Let Gods Omni-presence produce in you the like meditations:#

3.The Saints of God have thus employed their thoughts, and the better the Saints, the more holy have been their thoughts: Isaac went into the fields to meditate, Gen 24:63. [Note 5] David meditated in the Night-watches, Ps 63:6. on the Word, on the works of God, Ps 143:5. Oh be not unlike the Saints, resemble your Brethren, follow them to Heaven.#

4.This is a true Character of a Childe of God, [Note 6] all Saints are described to be such as have thought upon his Name, Mal 3:17. for indeed they that are of the Spirit, do mind the things of the Spirit, Rom 8:5. Holie thoughts are proper fruits of a sanctified mind: none sees the thoughts but God, a good heart approves it self to the searcher of hearts.#

5.Holy thoughts help against Satans temptations: these are as cool water to quench Satans fiery Darts: these are a precious Antidote against the poysonous allurements of the world; for these finde the soul something else to do than to mind toys, the best way to silence scolding Women, [Note 7] and barking dogs, is to mind our work and way, and let them alone; will a Judge go off the Bench to play with boys? Give them Nehemiah's answer, Chap. 6.3.#

6.This exercise of the thoughts wil help against corruptions, [Note 8] thereby you'l see more of the evil of sin, and in vain is the Net spread before any Bird, Prov 1:17. and it lifts the soul Heaven-wards, a Bird in the the ayr is not taken by a Net on the ground: yea, when the heart is taken up with divine Dainties, it cannot rellish the husks of sin: the childe will not part with the apple, while the taste of it is in his mouth.#

7.This is the highest excellency and improvement of our Spirits: it is the noblest employment of the soul, and advancement of its faculties: the soul is of an high birth, its a debasing of it to mind low things: the Saints are of an high and generous extract by their second birth, must and wil mind the things of Heaven, in all things besides excelling others, in this excelling themselves, as 'tis said of Bucholzer.#

8.This is the best way for the exercise and encrease of grace; gifts are promoted by verbal, but grace by mental discourses: If the thoughts feed on Christ, the soul becomes comes spiritual, like its food; the Ayr, Food and Climate hath great influence upon bodies, conversing with wise and Learned Men makes persons such, Exercise encreaseth Habits, holy thoughts encrease Faith, Love, Joy, sorrow for sin, &c.#

9.Holy thoughts excite heavenly affections; While I was musing the fire burned, Ps 39:3. Thoughts are the bellows of the soul, and stir up suitable motions in the heart: VVould a Christian have an humble, tender, melting heart? let his thoughts bee acted upon the Law and love of God, or on such subjects as are proper to beget such affections, and try what impression they wil make.#

10.Holy thoughts are a good preparative to holy duties, and help in performances, [Note 9] Divid joins prayer and meditation together, Ps 5:1, Give ear to my words, consider my meditation: when the heart is meditating a good matter, the tongue is as the Pen of a ready Writer, Ps 45:1. Meditation fixeth the heart, and tuneth the Instrument for Prayer, Hearing, Reading: oh how it composeth the Spirit!#

11.Yea, holy thoughts are a great piece of a Christians devotion, and such a part of it, when publick Ordinances are obstructed, private Societies interrupted, yet the holy soul may sally out to its God, upon the wings of holy thoughts, in the presence of the most spiteful adversaries, thoughts are free from men, no bolts can hinder this access to God.#

12.This is an excellent part of Time-redemption, when we are walking or riding by the way, working in our Callings, shut up in prison, deprived of Pen, Ink and Paper, stil our thoughts may be busie, we may have good thoughts where-ever we are, though we can do nothing else, yet we may think of God and good Subjects: and that's the way to obey that excellent Precept, To redeem our time.#

13.This exercise of the thoughts is indeed a Christians walking with God, as Enoch and Noah are said to do: 'tis the way to have our conversations in Heaven: 'tis a Communion with God; a walking in Paradise, an enjoying of God; 'tis indeed an Angelical Life, the life of Heaven, an anticipation of Glory, and a taking possession of Heaven in our thoughts: Oh blessed Frame!#

14.This helps the Christian in sad pressures, Soul conflicts, good thoughts counter-work bad. David could out-argue his dis-quieting thoughts, Ps 42:5. so may the Christian; Thoughts fed and furnished from the Word, wil encounter and conquer the saddest trials, Ps 119 92. Vnlesse thy Law had been my delights, I should have perished in mine affliction; These Thoughts are an Antidote that keep sufferings from the vital spirits.#

15.Holy thoughts help the Christian to rivet and retain divine Truths in the Memorie, ruminating on Truths, turns them into blood and Spirits, juice and nourishment: our heads and hearts are like riven Vessels, all runs out, unless the Vessels be wel soaked by heavenly Meditation. Oh, what a tenacious memory, large understanding, and vast abilities have some attained to by this means?#

16.Holy thoughts prepare the tongue for profitable discourse, and render Christians useful: He that hath his thoughts best employed when alone, wil have his tongue best exercised in Company: if you converse with such a one in your Houses, in Trading, on a Journey, upon any occasion, stil his thoughts wil prompt his tongue to profitable conference; and oh the good that such a One may do!#

17.Holy thoughts answer Gods thoughts, I know the thoughts, saith God, that I think towards you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil,—Jer 29:11. and can we approve our heart to God, that he knows the thoughts we have towards him, not evil, but good thoughts, how acceptable wil it be to God? On the contrary, what grosse ingratitude wil it bee if our thoughts be not Godwards?#

18.Divine things are only worth thinking of; other matters are not worth a glance of our eye, or a thought of our mind, what ever relates not to the soul and to Eternity is not worth minding; Wee look not, saith the Apostle, at things that are seen, but at things which are not seen, 2 Cor 4:18. These latter are things of great moment, and nearest concernment to our immortal souls.#

19.Thinking upon these heavenly Subjects helps the soul to the end of its Creation and Redemption, the supream and ultimate end is Gods glory, the subordinate End, (yet involved in the former) the souls salvation; the God of Heaven takes himself to be highly honoured by the heavenly-minded Christian, this is a sanctifying, (and so a glorifying) God in our thoughts or hearts, 1 Pet 3:15.#

20.Lastly, This is an actual preparing the soul for Heaven, the heart is there already, and this is a part of making meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in Light, Col 1:12. Blessed is the soul, whom its Lord, when he comes shall find thus thinking and wel-doing: Oh the blessed change they shal make! They may say, as sweet Dr. Sibs, Going to dye, I shall change my place, but not my Company; and when the poor soul arrives at Glory, the thoughts shall be fixed, grace compleated, and the soul ravished with those everlasting Embraces.#

I have been the shorter in hinting onely these Motives, because Mr. Baxter hath fully driven this Nail to the head in such like Arguments to Heavenly-mindedness in his Book of Saints Rest, part. 4. page

51.to page#

96.Read them seriously.#

I have done with this Subject also. Oh. that God would undertake to write all these things with Power upon the tables of your Hearts, and elevate your thoughts to Heavenly Subjects, and bring suitable things to your minds to meditate upon, and work them upon your souls, and keep alive those impressions upon your hearts, that you may not lose the divine Savour of the things of God, after your working and awakening Meditations, but pray with holy David, in 1 Chron 29:18. O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel our Fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee.

I shall conclude all with a Poem of divine Herbert's in his Temple, called, The Temper.

How should I praise thee Lord, how should my Rhymes
Gladly ingrave thy loves in steel,
If what my soul doth feel sometimes
My soul might ever feel!

Although there were some forty Heavens, or more,
Sometimes I peer above them all,
Sometimes, I hardly reach a score
Sometimes to Hell I fall.

O rack me not to such a vast extent,
Those distances belong to thee,
The World's too little for thy Tent,
A Grave too big for me.

Wilt thou mete Armes with Man, that thou dost stretch,
A crumb of dust from Heaven to Hell?
Will great God measure with a wretch?
Shall be thy stature spell?

O let me, when thy roof my soul hath hid,
O let me roost and nestle there,
Then of a sinner thou are rid,
And I of hope and fear.

Yet take thy way for sure thy way is best,
Stretch or contract me, thy poor debter,
This is but tuning of my brest,
To make the Musick better.

Whether I flie with Angels, fall with dust,
Thy hands made both, and I am there,
Thy power and love, my love and trust,
Make one place every where.

FINIS.