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Meditation is Sweet by David Clarkson (1622-1686)

What the Bible says about Godly Meditation through the Word
Today, many Christians are turning back to the puritans to, “walk in the old paths,” of God’s word, and to continue to proclaim old truth that glorifies Jesus Christ. There is no new theology. In our electronic age, more and more people are looking to add electronic books (ePubs, mobi and PDF formats) to their library – books from the Reformers and Puritans – in order to become a “digital puritan” themselves. Take a moment to visit Puritan Publications (click the banner below) to find the biggest selection of rare puritan works updated in modern English in both print form and in multiple electronic forms. There are new books published every month. All proceeds go to support A Puritan’s Mind.

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The word of God in the scripture is as honey in the comb; there is that which is incomparably sweeter: now, by meditation you squeeze out this sweetness, and it will be still dropping comfort and sweet refreshment upon your souls, while you are pressing it by consideration. “I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God adideth in you.” (1 John 2:14.) If you would be strong, and continue so, the word of God must “abide” in you: now how can it abide in you, if it have not leave to stay in that which is but the portal of the soul,—if it abide not in your minds? You lose all for want of consideration: both the gracious and comforting influences of the ordinances slide from you through this neglect. And no wonder it is so great a damage to you, since it is so great a sin: you cast the word behind your backs, and throw the ordinances at your heels, when you do not mind them after you have done with them; and will the Lord encourage any with a durable blessing under such guilt? Will not this provoke him rather to curse your blessings, and blast them in the bud? Meditation is a known duty, and commonly insisted on, and therefore you may be tempted to slight it; whereas, indeed, upon this account, you should the more regard it; for since it is a known duty, the neglect of it is a known sin: now to say nothing how inconsistent it is either with grace or comfort to live in a known sin, how can you expect the efficacy of ordinances should be continued, while you neglect the means which the Lord hath appointed and commended to you, as most effectual for the continuance thereof? The blessing of the ordinances will not abide upon him who continues in sin’ especially when his sin is the neglect of that medium which should fix the blessing upon him.

Nichols, J. (1981). Puritan Sermons (Vol. 1, pp. 557–558). David Clarkson, What Must a Christian Do that the Influence of the Ordinances Abide on them? Wheaton, IL: Richard Owen Roberts, Publishers.

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