A treatise of divine meditation

Reader,

There is no duty more neglected amongst Christians, than this of Meditation: whence it is, that though the heads of many are swelled with notions, yet their hearts are very empty of grace and good affections. A Treatise therefore of Meditation, which would remove obstructions, and open the passages between the brain and heart, could never be more seasonable or necessary than in these days, wherein there is Multum scientiae, & parum conscientiae: men being much taken up with speculative controversial matters, to find them discourse; but little meditating upon plain and practical truths, ⟨image 4⟩to affect their hearts, and amend their lives. It is a sad and a strange thing, that there should be more light in the world, an increase of knowledge, and less heat, a decay of love; that there should be so much profitable preaching, and yet no more profiting amongst the hearers: one cause whereof doubtless is, the omission of this duty. We must read and consider, hear and consider, if we would get good by what we read and hear: without Meditation Truths are devoured, not digested. And as leanness of soul is to be seen in many through sinful rejection, and casting away of wholesome food; so the like is to be seen in others, that are fed with such food, for want of good concoction

THere is no duty more neglected amongst Christians, than this of Meditation: whence it is, that though the heads of many are swelled with notions, yet their hearts are very empty of grace and good affections. A Treatise therefore of Meditation, which would remove obstructions, and open the passages between the brain and heart, could never bee more seasonable or necessary than in these daies, wherein there is Multum scientiae, & parum conscientiae: men being much taken up with speculative controversal matters, to finde them discourse; but little meditating upon plain and practical truths, ⟨image 4⟩to affect their hearts, and amend their lives. It is a sad and a strange thing, that there should bee more light in the world, an increase of knowledge, and less heat, a decay of love; that there should bee so much profitable preaching, and yet no more profiting amongst the hearers: one cause whereof doubtless is, the omission of this duty. We must read and consider, hear and consider, if wee would get good by what wee read and hear: without Meditation Truths are devoured, not digested. And as leanness of soul is to bee seen in many through sinful rejection, and casting away of wholesome food; so the like is to bee seen in others, that are fed with such food, for want of good concoctiō