The works of George Swinnock, M.A

There is abundant matter for our meditation; as the Nature or Attributes of God, the States and Offices of Christ, the three-fold state of man, the four last things, the vanity of the creature, the sinfulness of sin, and the love and fullness of the blessed Saviour, the Divine Word and Works; out of these we may choose sometimes one thing, sometimes another to be the particular subject of our thoughts, Exo. 15.11. Ps. 1.1. and 119.148. Pro. 6.22. 1 Tim. 4. 13. To undertake more then one at a time, will deprive us of the benefit of all. Too much food will rather destroy then increase the natural heat: A little wood may help that fire to burn, which a great quantity would smother. Whilst the Dog runs after two Hares, now after one, and presently after the other, he loseth both. Many subjects, as a press or crowd of people do but hinder one another. Those streams are strongest which are most united. Greediness of appetite, and receiving too much food weakeneth digestion. Simples are most operative, mixtures and compositions are often used to allay their force. When thou hast sixth upon the subject, meditate (if it may be) on its causes, properties, effects, titles, comparisons, testimonies, contraries, all will help to ⟨p. 392⟩illustrate the subject, and to quicken and advantage thee; they do all as so many several windows let in those beams which both enlighten the mind and warm the affections: but they must be considered in their places and methodically. The parts of a Watch jumbled together serve for no use, but each in their order make a rare and useful piece. 4. It is that the affections may be warmed and quickened: Our hearts and affections should answer out thoughts, as the echo the voice, and the wax the character in the seal. If our meditations do not better our hearts, they do nothing: Whilst they swim in the mind, as light things floating on the waters, they are unprofitable, but when they sink down into the affections, as heavy and weighty things, making suitable and real impressions there, then they attain their end. Our design in meditation must be rather to cleanse our hearts, then to clear our heads. Whilst I was musing the fire burned. We strike fire by meditation to kindle our affections. This application of the thoughts to the heart is like the natural heat which digesteth the food, and turneth it into good nourishment.