We have seen by the eye of faith, that HE is infinitely lovely in HIMSELF,

Had I a thousand lives, a thousand souls

(John Fawcett, "Christ Precious")

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"My meditation of HIM shall be 

sweet!" Psalm 104:34

It is the tendency of love, to excite 

in the mind many thoughts about 

the beloved object. A right knowledge 

of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, will fill 

the mind with thoughts and meditations 

concerning HIM, so as to excite the affections 

to cleave to HIM with delight. 

A discovery . . .
  of the glory of HIS person,
  of the perfection of HIS atoning sacrifice,
  and of the fullness of HIS grace,
must inspire the heart with love to HIM.

"Yes, HE is very precious to 

you who believe." 1 Peter 2:7

It is much to be lamented, that those 

who profess a sincere attachment to 

the REDEEMER, should have their 

thoughts so little employed about HIM. 

Where a multitude of worldly cares, 

desires, fears and hopes prevail in the mind--

they cumber and perplex it so as to bring on 

a great disinclination to spiritual meditation.

The advice of the apostle Paul is of great 

importance in this case, 

"If you then are risen with CHRIST, 

seek those things which are above, 

where CHRIST sits at the right hand 

of GOD. Set your affection (your mind, 

your thoughts,) on things above, not 

on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:1,2)

But earthly and sensual affections 

fill the hearts and heads of men with 

multitudes of thoughts concerning those 

objects on which they are fixed, so as 

to leave no room nor any inclination 

for spiritual and heavenly thoughts.

"Shall not my thoughts," says the believer, 

"be frequently employed in meditating on 

the love of that infinitely glorious person 

to whom I am indebted for deliverance 

from the greatest misery, and for all 

the hope I have of being one day 

advanced to everlasting glory and felicity? 

HE poured out HIS holy soul in agonies 

under the curse of the avenging law, to 

make me a partaker of eternal blessedness! 

HE perfectly fulfilled the precepts 

of that holy law--that I, by HIS 

obedience, might be made righteous."

This glorious and adorable REDEEMER, 

thought upon us long before the foundations 

of the world were laid. HE bore us on HIS heart . . .
  when HE hung on the cross;
  when HE was torn with wounds, 

     and racked with pain;
  when HE poured out HIS dying groans, 

and spilt His blood.

HE remembers us now, when HE is exalted 

at the right hand of the MAJESTY in the heavens; 

and will never, never forget us, through all 

the ages of eternity! 

Surely, then, we ought to think of HIM! 

Impressed with a sense of HIS everlasting 

kindness, we should be ready to say, as 

the captives in Babylon concerning their 

beloved city Jerusalem, 

"If I forget YOU, O blessed JESUS, let my 

right hand forget its skill. May my tongue 

stick to the roof of my mouth if I fail 

to remember YOU, if I don't make YOU 

my highest joy!"

What holy transports of soul, 

what divine delights, have many 

Christians experienced in meditating 

on the glories of the REDEEMER! 

Ascending the mount of contemplation, 

their souls have taken wing and explored 

the height and depth, the length and breadth 

of the love of CHRIST which passes knowledge! 

They have seen by the eye of faith, that HE 

is infinitely lovely in HIMSELF, that HE is . . .
 the admiration of angels,
 the darling of Heaven, and
 the delight of the Father!

They have viewed HIM in the brightness 

of HIS ineffable glory, clothed with 

indescribable majesty and honor! 

They have been transported with 

the smiles of HIS countenance, and 

said of HIM, 

"HE is the chief among ten thousand, 

and altogether lovely."

They have also considered their own 

unworthiness, and said, 

"Can such a wretch as I be the object 

of His love? So vile a worm, so unprofitable 

a creature, so great a sinner, one so 

deserving of his everlasting abhorrence--

has He loved me, so as to give HIMSELF 

for me? O what marvelous kindness is this!

Is my worthless name written in HIS 

book of life? Am I . . .
  redeemed by HIS blood,
  renewed by HIS SPIRIT,
  beautified with HIS loveliness,
  and clothed in HIS righteousness?

O wonder of wonders! How can I forbear 

to love this adorable SAVIOR? Can I withhold 

my choicest affections from HIM? Ah no! 

Had I a thousand lives, a thousand souls--

they would all be devoted to HIM!

You tempting vanities of this base world, 

you flattering honors, you deceitful riches,  

Adieu! JESUS is my all! HE is my light, my life, 

my unfailing treasure, my everlasting portion! 

Nothing below the skies is deserving of my love. 

Precious REDEEMER, in YOU the boundless 

wishes of my soul are filled. I long to leave 

this tenement of clay, and to rest in 

the bosom of YOUR love forever!"

"My meditation of HIM shall 

be sweet!" Psalm 104:34

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Gardiner Spring, "The Distinguishing Traits of Christian Character"
Chapter 2. SPECULATIVE KNOWLEDGE