Heaven taken

1. Meditation makes the Word preached to profit; it works it upon the Conscience. As the Bee sucks the flower; so by meditation we suck out the sweetness of a Truth. It is not the receiving of meat into the mouth; but the digesting of it makes it nutritive. So it is not the receiving the most excellent truths in at the ear, that nourisheth our souls, but the digesting them by Meditation. Wine poured into a sieve run• out. Many truths are lost, because Ministers pour this Wine into sieves, either into leaking Memories, or feathery minds. Meditation is like a soaking rain, that goes to the root of a Tree, and makes it bring forth fruit.

2. Holy meditation quickens the affections, Psal. 119. 97. O how I love thy Law! It is my meditation all the day. The reason our affections are so cold to ⟨p. 54⟩heavenly things, is, because we do not warm them at the fire of holy meditation. As the musing on amorous objects makes the fire of lust burn; the musing on injuries makes the fire of revenge burn: so meditating on the transcendent beauties of Christ, would make our love to Christ flame forth.

3. Meditation hath a transforming pow• in it. The hearing of the Word may affect us; but the meditating of it doth transform us, Meditation stamps the impression of Divine Truths upon our hearts. By meditating of God's holiness, we grow holy. As Jacob's Cattle by looking on the Rods, conceived like the Rods: so while by meditation we look upon God's purity, we are changed into his likeness, and are made partakers of his Divine Nature.