Chapter 14: How Long Christians Should Be Conversant with This Duty

Question 2. But how long should I meditate?

Answer. For the quamdiu, the how long, if we consider how many hours the world has, it is hard if we cannot give God at least one hour every day. I shall only say this for a general rule, Meditate so long till you find your heart grow warm in this duty. If when a man is cold, you ask, how long he should stand by the fire? Sure, till he is thoroughly warm, and made fit for his work. So, Christian, your heart is cold, never a day, (no not the hottest day in summer) but it freezes there; now stand at the fire of Meditation till you find your affections warmed, and you are made more fit for spiritual service. David mused till his heart waxed hot within him, Psalm 39.3. I will conclude this with that excellent saying of Bernard, Lord, I will never come away from thee without thee. Let this be a Christian's Resolution not to leave his Meditations of God till he find something of God in him; some moving of bowels after God, Canticles 5.4. Some flamings of love, Canticles 6.8.