The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

Thirdly, For the time allotted for this duty, one hour, or half an hour. To hold the mind fixed one hour, or half an hour together, without any other thoughts intermixed, about Heavens Joys, or indeed about any other Grace, what say poor Christians to this? Hath the blessed God revealed this to be his will? hath he set down the time how long Christians must meditate? What if a Christian cannot hold his mind fixed a quarter of an hour, what if not half a quarter, doth he break any Command, or Rule of God form editation? I know very well the Scripture speaks of meditating in the Word day and night, but the meaning of that Text, I hope, is not according to this duty of meditation which is urged in this manner: Many poor Christians, who cannot meditate of Heavens Joys, or other Graces, half an hour, nor quarter, without thoughts intermixing, do yet labour to meditate in the Word both day an night, Psal. 1.2. that is, endeavour to have their conversation framed according to the Word, both day and night. I honour much that holy ⟨p. 319⟩man, whose name I have forgot, but he was Minister either in Wales, or near Wales; the same man it was, as I remember, whose conversion was so observable; two Livings he had before his conversion, but discharged not his duty to one; being at a Fair, and buying something at a Peddlers Stall, he rends off a leaf of Mr. Perkins Catechism to put the thing into which he bought, and reading a line or two in it, God set home something out of it, which did the work; presently he parts with his best Living, kept the least, and proves a faithful Labourer in Gods Vineyard. This holy man was observed, by those who lived in the house with him, to keep Fasts alone; and they observed this was his manner, sometimes to walk, then fall down upon his knees to prayer, and was not at prayer but a very short time, may be five or six minutes, then walk again, and pray again a few minutes, and thus spent his day in meditation and prayer. This man I much honour that could do thus, and so I do those who can meditate, if two hours or ten hours, but to set down times how long men should meditate, I know no ground for that.

Thirdly, For the time allotted for this duty, one hour, or half an hour. To hold the mind fixed one hour, or half an hour together, without any other thoughts intermixed, about Heavens Joyes, or iudeed about any other Grace, what say poor Christians to this? Hath the blessed God revealed this to be his will? hath he set down the time how long Christians must meditate? What if a Christian cannot hold his mind fixed a quarter of an hour, what if not half a quarter, doth he break any Command, or Rule of God form editation? I know very well the Scripture speaks of meditating in the Word day and night, but the meaning of that Text, I hope, is not according to this duty of meditation which is urged in this manner: Many poor Christians, who cannot meditate of Heavens Joyes, or other Graces, half an hour, nor quarter, without thoughts intermixing, do yet labour to meditate in the Word both day an night,