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2. Thy heart will also be likely to betray thee by trifling, when it should<br />
be effectually meditating. Perhaps, when thou hast an hour for meditation,<br />
the time will be spent before thy heart will be serious. This doing of duty as<br />
if we did it not, ruins as many as the omission of it. Here let thine eye be<br />
always upon thy heart. Look not so much to the time it spends in the duty, as<br />
to the quantity and quality of the work that is done. You can tell by his work,<br />
whether a servant has been diligent. Ask yourself, "What affections have yet<br />
been exercised? How much nearer am I to heaven?" Think not, since thy<br />
heart is so trifling, it is better to let it alone: for, by this means thou wilt<br />
certainly banish all spiritual obedience; because the best hearts, being but<br />
sanctified in part, will resist, so far as they are carnal. But rather consider<br />
well the corruptions of thy nature; and that its sinful indispositions will not<br />
supersede the commands of God; nor one sin excuse another; and that God<br />
has appointed means to excite our affections. This self-reasoning, selfconsidering<br />
duty of heavenly meditation, is the most effective means both to<br />
excite and increase love. <strong>The</strong>refore neglect not the duty till thou feelest thy<br />
love constrain thee, any more than thou wouldst stay from the fire till thou<br />
feelest thyself warm; but engage in the work till love is excited, and then<br />
love will constrain thee to further duty.<br />
3. Thy heart will also be making excursions from thy heavenly<br />
meditation to other objects. It will be turning aside, like a careless servant, to<br />
talk with every one that passes by. When there should be nothing in thy mind<br />
but heaven, it will be thinking of thy calling, or thy afflictions, or of every<br />
bird, or tree, or place thou seest. <strong>The</strong> cure is here the same as before: use<br />
watchfulness and violence. Say to thy heart, "What! did I come hither to<br />
think of my worldly business, of persons, places, news or vanity, or of any<br />
thing but heaven, be it ever so good? ‘Canst thou not watch one hour?'<br />
Wouldst thou leave this world and dwell for ever with Christ in heaven, and<br />
not leave it one hour to dwell with Christ in meditation? ‘Is this thy love to<br />
thy friend?' Dost thou love Christ, and the place of thy eternal, blessed<br />
abode, no more than this?" If the ravening fowls of wandering thoughts<br />
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