Meditation CXIV.
Meditation CXIV.
THOUGH WE WALK ON EARTH, OUR CONVERSATION SHOULD BE IN HEAVEN.
July 7, 1761.
The traveling man has little on the fatiguing road but his weary feet; his heart being set on his family, his friends, his home; his affections on his native country, and his desires terminating on his journey's end.
Am not I a traveler heavenward—a pilgrim—a sojourner on earth? What then have I here on this perishing earth; or whom have I here, to captivate my affections, and hinder them from being set on high? If I have any treasure, it must be in heaven, for nothing on earth is worthy of the name, seeing all terrestrial things take wings, and fly away; or if they remain, it is but to be consumed in the general conflagration. Though my body should dwell in this world—my heart should be an inhabitant of the better country: and it is highly reasonable that it should be so, for my hope, my joy, my all are there.
1. My eternal Father is there, the beloved of my soul, and the husband of my espousals. The sanctifier of my affections, and the kindler of my love, is there.
2. All my godly friends are there, even the whole family of my heavenly Father—angels, archangels, cherubim, seraphim, and the spirits of just men made perfect. Who would not then dwell in such an assembly, and love such a divine society?
3. My house and home are there, and it must be an estranged heart indeed that never thinks on his own house, and never longs for home.
4. My inheritance is there, and a goodly portion it is, and pleasant lines they are, that are fallen to me. The heirs of this world only farm from father to son, and death determines the lease. But there everyone inherits for himself, and that for eternity.
5. The objects of my faith, the subjects of my song, and the darlings of my love, are all there. What soul would not dwell among such divine delights, walk in such a paradise, and breathe in the very air of sanctity and bliss?
O what a loss do I sustain by my ignorance of the divine life, and by the carnality of my mind! But is such a happiness attainable below? Yes! The Christian, even here, may have his heart and life in heaven. Then, 1. He who lives anywhere; must buy and sell, and do business with the men of his place. Just so, may I buy the merchandise of bliss without money, and without price; and carry on the noblest business with the highest One in the most interesting concerns of my soul.
2. Where one lives he necessarily walks and talks, eats and drinks, sleeps and wakes. Just so, may my soul by faith walk over the fields of light, and talk with the Author of my bliss, the fountain of my joy, and the center of my love. There I may eat of the hidden manna, pluck off the drop-ripe apples of the tree of life, and drink of those rivers of pleasures that eternally overflow in his presence; yes, and fall asleep amidst the numerous beauties above, and awake with God in the morning.
Now, as one traveling home, only attends to his journey, and provides his food for the way; (nor would his friend help him, if he would load him with gold bars, or silver ore;) so a few of the necessities of life are sufficient for my support, until I arrive at that better life that shall need no such assistance.
Then, seeing my house, my home, my friends, my bliss, my joy, my inheritance, my crown, my life, my light, my glory, my Savior and my God—are all on high, and nothing here in this present world, but a waste and howling wilderness, through which I travel with danger and dismay. In heaven—may my longings tend, my wishes wing, and may my desires center, my affections be fixed, and my whole soul dwell—that at death nothing may remain but to leave this house of clay, and at once be a free and immortal citizen of my heavenly kingdom!
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