The saints everlasting rest

1. As this is a private and spiritual duty, so it is most convenient that thou retire to some private place; our spirits had need of every help, and to be freed from every hinderance in the work. For occasional meditation I give thee not this advice; but for set and solemn duty, I advise, that thou withdraw thyself from all society, that thou mayst awhile enjoy the society of Christ.

And as I advise thee to a place of retiredness; so also that thou observe more particularly, what place or posture best agreeth with thy spirit; whether within door, or without; whether sitting still, or walking. I believe Isaac's example in this also, will direct us to the place and posture which will best suit with most, as it doth with me, viz. His walking forth to meditate in the field at the even-tide. And Christ's own example gives us the like direction. Christ was used to a solitary garden; and though he took his disciples thither with him, yet did he separate himself from them for more secret devotions.

I am next to advise thee somewhat concerning the preparations of thy heart. The success of the work doth much depend on the frame of thy heart. When man's heart had nothing in it that might grieve the Spirit, then was it the delightful habitation of his Maker. GOD did not quit his residence there, till man did repel him by unworthy provocations. There grew no strangeness, till the heart grew sinful, and too loathsome a dungeon for GOD to delight in. And were this soul restored to its former innocency, GOD would quickly return to his former habitation: yea, […] far as it is renewed and repaired by the Spirit, the ⟨p. 337⟩LORD will yet acknowledge it his own, and Christ will manifest himself unto it, and the Spirit will take it for its temple and residence. So far as the soul is qualified for conversing with GOD, so far it doth actually enjoy him. Therefore keep thy heart with all diligence, for from thence are the issues of life.