The works of George Swinnock, M.A

There are five things in this description.

1. It is an application of the mind; The understanding must be awake about this duty, it is not a work to be done sleeping. If the mind be not stirring, the affections will be nodding. The understanding in this, is (as it were) the Master-workman, if that be out of the way, or missing, the servants of the affections will be idle, and stand still. Tis by this Sun that heat is conveyed to the lower world ⟨p. 390⟩Darkness like the night is accompanied with damps and cold. The Chariot of light is attended with warming and quickening beams. 2. It is a serious applying the mind. Too quick digestion breeds crudities in the mind as well as in the body, and doth often more distemper then nourish. There must be a retentive faculty to hold fast that which nature receiveth, until a through concoction be wrought, or little strength will be gotten by it. Hereby it differeth from occasional meditation, which is sudden and soon vanisheth; this calls at the door, salutes us, and takes its leave; that comes in and stays some time with us. Occasional meditation is transient, like the dogs of Nilus, that lap and are gone; set meditation is permanent, it (as the Spouse begged of Christ) lodgeth all night between the breasts. This duty cannot be done unless the mind be kept close to it; the person that is negligent, cannot do this work of the Lord. Things of importance are not to be huddled up in haste. Loose thoughts, as loose garments, hinder us in our business. We need as much our hearts united to think of God, as to fear God. Short glances do little good, it is the abiding influence of the sun that turns the earth into silver and golden metal. It is not once dipping the stuff into the Dye-fat, but frequent doing it, that giveth the pure scarlet colour. The true Mithridate, which is so cordial and opening, is long a making. The yellow wax lieth long in the beams of th• Sun before it changeth its colour, and attaineth a virgin-like whiteness and purity. He that rides post, though he wearies himself in travelling from place to place, is less able to give an account ⟨p. 398⟩