The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Thus I have dispatched those five particulars in meditations; The first three are but one (though for methods sake to help the Reader, I spake to them severally) and are usually called Cogitation, the other two Application and Resolution; Cogitation provides food, Application eats it, Resolution digests it, and gets strength from it; Cogitation cuts out the suit, Application makes it up; Resolution puts it on and wears it; Cogitation betters the judgement, Application the affections, and Resolution the life. Its confessed, this duty of set meditation is as hard as rare, and as uneasy as extraordinary, but experience teacheth that the profit makes abundant recompense for our pains in the performance of it. Besides, as Millstones grind hard at first, but being used to it, they grind easily, and make good flower; so the Christian wholly disused to this duty, at first may find it some what difficult, but afterwards both facile and fruitful.

Thus I have dispatched those five particulars in meditations; The first three are but one (though for methods sake to help the Reader, I spake to them severally) and are usually called Cogitation, the other two Application and Resolution; Cogitation provides food, Application eats it, Resolution digests it, and gets strength from it; Cogitation cuts out the sute, Application makes it up; Resolution puts it on and wears it; Cogitation betters the judgement, Application the affections, and Resolution the life. Its confest, this duty of set meditation is as hard as rare, and as uneasie as extraordinary, but experience teacheth that the profit makes ab•nd•nt recompence for our pains in the performance of it. Besides, as Milstones grind hard at first, but being used to it, they grind easily, and make good flower; so the Christian wholly disused to this duty, at first may find it some what difficult, but afterwards both facile and fruitful.

Reader, to help thee herein, I shall give thee an example, though I would desire thee to remember that the advantage of meditation is rather to be fel• then read; He that can paint Spikenard, or Musk, or Roses, in their proper colours, cannot with all his Art, draw their pleasant savor, that is beyond the skill of his pencil.