Difference between revisions of "Meditation CV."
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Latest revision as of 12:33, 7 January 2020
Meditation CV.
BAD COMPANY.
Hamoaze, January 11, 1761.
Sometimes our situation may be solitary, our friends being cut off from us by death, or we from them by distance. Or, our company may be such, as the safety of our souls forbids us to converse with them. It has become customary with us to complain of this, and to cry out for the communion of the saints; and indeed it must be owned, that as iron sharpens iron, so does the face of a man his friend.
Yet, if grace is at work to find God in every circumstance, even this prejudice may be turned into a spiritual advantage. When my company is such that I shun to sit with them, then I dwell alone, and seek after communion with God himself; and while faith gets a view of his divine love, and dazzling perfections, I can never lack matter for meditation.
Thus the right improvement of a cross, which in itself is heavy and afflicting, even sojourning in Mesech with the sons of consummate folly—may produce the greatest blessing—even communion with the Most High God! And, though I am not to expect a voice from heaven to carry on a dialogue with me, yet, by his Spirit speaking in the scriptures, and breathing on my soul, I may converse with God, and talk of the glories of the world to come. Yes, this situation, though in itself mournful, is not barren of useful instructions; for I learn,
1. What a pleasant place the church and Zion of God is, where saints may talk together of redeeming love, until their hearts burn within them.
2. That the expectants of the better country are too shy to tell to one another what God has done for their souls, that all may give him praise.
3. That one Christian is readier to receive hurt from the worldly and carnal discourse of another professor, than from the belchings of the profane. For the profane man drives him to God—but speech of the worldly professor harms him.
4. That no confusion or confinement can hinder the rightly-exercised soul from walking at large in the promise, and with God. I may have neither field nor garden to walk into; and yet walk over the fields of bliss, and take a tour through the paradise of God. My situation may, in a great measure, forbid the use of my voice in my devotions, yet I may cry and be heard in the highest heavens.
5. Admire and adore the goodness of God, who turns all things to the believer's advantage, who, when associated with men that seem incarnate devils, may entertain heavenly meditation, and maintain communion with the God of angels.
6. To put a proper estimate on the saints; to choose all friends of such; and to be ready to break off other themes and begin the divine subject among them.
7. To look forward to that day when the wicked shall fall off round about us, as the failing leaves from a frostbitten tree, and we shall rise to dwell among glorious angels, and perfected saints, where we shall talk of him and to him forever—and not a wretch break in to mar our dearest, our divinest theme.
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