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duty to a stated time. And indeed, if every work of the day had its appointed<br />
time, we should be better skilled both in redeeming time and performing<br />
duty.<br />
2. Let it be frequent as well as stated. How oft it should be I cannot<br />
determine, because men's circumstances differ; but in general, Scripture<br />
requires it to be frequent, when it mentions meditating day and night. For<br />
those, therefore, who can conveniently omit other business, I advise that it be<br />
once a day at least.<br />
Frequency in heavenly contemplation is particularly important, to<br />
prevent a shyness between God and thy soul. Frequent society breeds<br />
familiarity, and familiarity increases love and delight, and makes us bold in<br />
our addresses. <strong>The</strong> chief end of this duty is, to have acquaintance and<br />
fellowship with God; and therefore, if thou come but seldom to it, thou wilt<br />
still keep thyself a stranger. When a man feels his need of God, and must<br />
seek his help in a time of necessity, then it is great encouragement to go to a<br />
God we know and are acquainted with. "O," saith the heavenly Christian, "I<br />
know both wither I go, and to whom. I have gone this way many a time<br />
before now. It is the same God that I daily converse with, and the way has<br />
been my daily walk. God knows me well enough, and I have some<br />
knowledge of him." On the other hand, what a horror and discouragement<br />
will it be to the soul, when it is forced to fly to God in straits, to think, "Alas!<br />
I know not whither to go. I never went the way before. I have no<br />
acquaintance at the court of heaven. My soul knows not that God that I must<br />
speak to, and I fear he will not know my soul." But especially when we come<br />
to die, and must immediately appear before this God, and expect to enter into<br />
his eternal rest, then the difference will plainly appear; then what a joy will it<br />
be to think, "I am going to the place from whence I tasted such frequent<br />
delights; to that God whom I have met in my meditation so often! My heart<br />
hath been in heaven before now, and hath often tasted its reviving sweetness;<br />
and if my eyes were so enlightened and my spirits so refreshed when I had<br />
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