Means 4. Meditation. The Word like Food must be digested by Meditation, that it may turn to spiritual nourishment; you must ponder and consider in your minds the Truths of the Word, that you may both understand them, and get your Hearts affected ⟨p. 158⟩with them, and your Lives ordered by them. Meditation is a great help in Heavens way, such as are remiss herein cannot walk so steadily, nor cheerfully; accustom your selves unto this duty, set apart time for it; I know that some complain of barrenness in their thoughts, when they endeavour to meditate; such I would advise, if they have not that fruitfulness of thoughts themselves to supply them with matter, that they would make use of others help; let them meditate on the Scriptures they read, on the Sermons they hear; moreover I would offer some general heads for Meditation, which you may make use of. 1. Sometimes meditate on God, his Attributes, his infinite Majesty, power, holiness, omnipresence, omniscience, eternity, unchangeableness, his infinite wisdom, truth, faithfulness, justice, goodness, mercy and loving-kindness; his Counsels, especially his eternal decree of Election, which is of most sweet consideration to Believers; his works of Creation and Providence. 2. Sometimes meditate on Christ; his near relations, of Friend, Brother, Husband; his needful Offices of Priest, Prophet, and King. 3. Sometimes meditate on the Spirit, his way and workings on the mind and heart, how he enlighteneth, enliveneth, strengtheneth, comforteth, &c. 4. Sometimes meditate on the Covenant of Grace, and the rich, free, suitable, sure Promises of pardon, grace, salvation therein. 5. Sometimes meditate on the Gospel, and its privileges, Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, Assurance of Gods love, peace of Conscience, Joy in the Holy Ghost, communications of grace, &c. 6. Sometimes meditate on the four last things, namely, Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. 7. Sometimes meditate, ⟨p. 159⟩and that frequently, daily, of such Arguments as tend to the mortifying of your particular sins, which are most strong and prevalent, and to the strengthening of your graces which you find most weak and deficient.
Means 4. Meditation. The Word like Food must be digested by Meditation, that it may turn to spiritual nourishment; you must ponder and consider in your mindes the Truths of the Word, that you may both understand them, and get your Hearts affected ⟨p. 158⟩with them, and your Lives ordered by them. Meditation is a great help in Heavens way, such as are remiss herein cannot walk so steddily, nor chearfully; accustome your selves unto this duty, set apart time for it; I know that some complain of barrenness in their thoughts, when they endeavour to meditate; such I would advise, if they have not that fruitfulness of thoughts themselves to supply them with matter, that they would make use of others help; let them meditate on the Scriptures they read, on the Sermons they hear; moreover I would offer some general heads for Meditation, which you may make use of. 1. Sometimes meditate on God, his Attributes, his infinite Majesty, power, holiness, omnipresence, omniscience, eternity, unchangeableness, his infinite wisdom, truth, faithfulness, justice, goodness, mercy and loving-kindness; his Councels, especially his eternal decree of Election, which is of most sweet consideration to Believers; his works of Creation and Providence. 2. Sometimes meditate on Christ; his near relations, of Friend, Brother, Husband; his needfull Offices of Priest, Prophet, and King. 3. Sometimes meditate on the Spirit, his way and workings on the minde and heart, how he enlighteneth, enliveneth, strengtheneth, comforteth, &c. 4. Sometimes meditate on the Covenant of Grace, and the rich, free, suitable, sure Promises of pardon, grace, salvation therein. 5. Sometimes meditate on the Gospel, and its priviledges, Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, Assurance of Gods love, peace of Conscience, Joy in the Holy Ghost, communications of grace, &c. 6. Sometimes meditate on the four last things, namely, Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. 7. Sometimes meditate, ⟨p. 159⟩and that frequently, daily, of such Arguments as tend to the mortifying of your particular sins, which are most strong and prevalent, and to the strengthening of your graces which you finde most weak and deficient.
