A77360:764
Christ and the covenant the work and way of meditation
Christ and the covenant the work and way of meditation. : Gods return to the soul, or nation; together with his preventing mercy. : Delivered in ten sermons, (viz.) 1. Christs personal excellencies, the object of our love. 2. Christ crucified, the object of our faith. 3. The new covenant of grace opened. 4. Christ the mediator of the new covenant. 5. The way and spirit of the new covenant, or New Testament. 6. The blood of sprinkling. 7. The sweetness and profitableness of divine meditation. 8. The work and way of this meditation. 9. Gods return to the soul and nation. 10. Preventing mercy. / By W.B.
London: printed for N. Ranew, 1667
Sermons › Sermon 7: The Sweetness and Profitableness of Divine Meditation. SERM. VII.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
5. And as it is soul-satisfying work, so this work of Meditation to a gracious soul, is a most delightful work: What greater delight, than to think on that God in whom he doth most delight? Is it delightful to a wicked man to sit and muse, and meditate on his sinful ways; and will it not be delightful to a gracious ⟨p. 427⟩soul, to sit and think, and muse, and meditate on the Lord? Certainly, it is a work that is most delightful to a gracious soul.
5. And as it is soul-satisfying work, so this work of Meditation to a gracious soul, is a most delightful work: What greater delight, than to think on that God in whom he doth most delight? Is it delightful to a wicked man to sit and muse, and meditate on his sinful wayes; and will it not be delightful to a gracious ⟨p. 427⟩soul, to sit and think, and muse, and meditate on the Lord? Certainly, it is a work that is most delightful to a gracious soul.
Object. But how can it be so delightful? 'tis a hard work, Meditation work is hard work, and therefore how can it be so delightful to a gracious soul?
Yes, very well, for though it be hard in regard of its practice, yet it may be sweet and delightful in regard of its profit. Is it not a hard work to the Husbandman to plough, to sow, to reap; and yet delightful in regard of its profit? Is it not a hard wo•k for a man to be digging in the Mines, digging up of Silver; and yet delightful in regard of the profit? Is it not a hard work for a man to make such ventures at Sea, through all storms; and yet it is delightful in regard of its profit; the profit of the Voyage makes it delightful: Why, you have heard now the profitableness of the work of Meditation—It is an help to Knowledge, thereby your knowledge is raised— Thereby your Memory is strengthened — Thereby your Hearts are warmed — Thereby you will be freed from sinful thoughts — Thereby your hearts will be tuned to every duty — Thereby you will grow in grace — Thereby you will fill up all the chinks and crevices of your lives — And know how to spend your spare time, and improve that for God— Thereby you will draw good out of evil— And thereby you will converse with God, have communion with God, and enjoy God: And I pray, is not here profit enough to sweeten the voyage of your thoughts in Meditation?