A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

And so we must from prayer proceed to meditation, the which may be longer or shorter, according to our opportunity, occasions, and leisure; and the measure and fervency of our zeal and devotion. In which, our main scope must be to glorify God, to increase our communion with him, by these familiar conferences of our souls; to strengthen our faith, enlarge our hearts with love and thankfulness, and to replenish them with joy and comfort in the sweet fruition of God, and tokens of his love. To which purpose we must fit the subject matter of our meditations; and because present occasions are ready at hand, and not only more familiar and easy to be remembered, but fit to affect our hearts, which are more apprehensive of present then past benefits, we are to make use of such by meditating on them. But yet principally we must begin with the fountain, and raise our thoughts from the ground and foundation of all blessings, which is Gods infinite love, testified chiefly, in giving unto us that singular pledge thereof, his only Son to die for us, that we might be freed from everlasting death, and attain unto eternal life and happiness. For whose sake he hath freely forgiven us all our sins, and bestowed upon us, together with him, all things needful for our souls and bodies, and whatsoever is necessary to life and godliness. From which, we may descend to the particular testimonies of Gods love lately received, as that he hath by his power and providence watching over us the night past, preserved us from all dangers, and out of the hands of our spiritual enemies, who otherwise wanted neither will nor power to have brought us to destruction. That he hath kept us from all terrors of the night, with which others have been affrighted, and hath graciously preserved our lives from sudden death, with which others lying down in health and security, have been attached before the morning; adding unto our days, and giving us still time of repentance, with ability to serve him, and to be instruments of his glory. After which meditation on Gods mercies, we may take such occasions as are presently offered, to furnish our minds with holy thoughts, and to work in our hearts good affections and desires.