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

First, I conceive (under favour) meditation is then rightly performed when the affections are wrought up unto a suitableness with the object I am meditating upon: Would I meditate upon the vanity of the Creature, to which I see my self enslaved too much; if I can by meditation come to see the vanity of it, by the Spirit of God assisting me, that I find my affections are more loosened from is, get more above it, and take up more in God, I conceive meditation hath in its measure attained its end. If it be any lust or sin that I would see the evil of it, if the Spirit helps me in meditation to see the evil of it, so that I fear it, I tremble at it, my will turns away from it, and begs grace and strength against it, a heart to hate it, meditation hath its end. If my Object be God, Christ, Grace, Holiness, and I would see the good of these, if the Spirit assisting me, I come so to see the good of these, that my will chooseth, love, desire, run out after these with an unsatisfied ⟨p. 320⟩spirit till I enjoy these, or if I cannot come to the enjoyment, yet my affections and will pursue those, I think meditation hath its end. In meditation I see the object as it is, I affect as I see, and follow as I see and affect in my endeavours (allowing here various degrees both in the sight and affections, yet so as the prevalency is on Gods side) I conceive this person hath in his measure performed this duty. Now let this meditation be performed how it will, let it be in what length or shortness of time, what is that to the essence of the duty? If a man can thus meditate as he sits in his house amongst others; if as he walks in the streets about his other occasions; if as he is at his work in his calling; if as he walks in the fields, or rides, or in bed; so the end of meditation be attained, though he doth not separate himself only for meditation, as for prayer: if this meditation for the time be not a quarter of an hour, or half quarter, but often in a day (as those who are plagued with their hearts, followed with temptations all the day long, are put upon these meditations frequently) will not this meditation answer the Scripture-meditation, unless we separate our selves one hour, or half an hour to meditate, and that upon the Joys of Heaven? If not, let us hear a Scripture-reason to prove it.

First, I conceive (under favour) meditation is then rightly performed when the affections are wrought up unto a sutableness with the object I am meditating upon: Would I meditate upon the vanity of the Creature, to which I see my self enslaved too much; if I can by meditation come to see the vanity of it, by the Spirit of God assisting me, that I find my affections are more loosened from is, get more above it, and take up more in God, I conceive meditation hath in its measure attained its end. If it be any lust or sin that I would see the evil of it, if the Spirit helps me in meditation to see the evil of it, so that I fear it, I tremble at it, my will turns away from it, and begs grace and strength against it, a heart to hate it, meditation hath its end. If my Object be God, Christ, Grace, Holiness, and I would see the good of these, if the Spirit assisting me, I come so to see the good of these, that my will chuseth, love, desire, run out after these with an unsatisfied