A77888:91
A treatise of divine meditation
A treatise of divine meditation, by that faithful servant of Jesus Christ Mr. John Ball, late minister of the Gospel at Whitmore in Staffordshire. Published by Simeon Ashe, preacher of the Gospel at Austins, London.
London: printed for H. Mortlock, 1660
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Answ. The chief praise of this duty, is, that we be much in its use, 1from time to time, through the whole course of our life, and every day thereof, that by recording holy and divine things, especially those which tend to soundness in the matter of salvation a little time more or less (as opportunity is offered, and occasions will permit) may be bestowed of us, to dry up fleshly, and bad humours of earthly-mindedness, and worldliness, &c. and to quicken our dull hearts, lest after sleep in sin, the Devil draw us to deep forgetfulness and security. Neither can any thing if it be weighed, be less tolerable in the sight of God Almighty, than whereas he hath given us his Scriptures, which tell us his mind, and teach us how we may ⟨p. 55⟩commune with his Majesty, and for our behoof hath given us an earnest charge to ponder them in our heart, to have them in our mind, to make them the matter of our cogitation, talk, delight, and practice; yet that Christians should not be better acquainted with this heavenly course, nor be occupied thus, unless it be seldom (as it were) upon high days, and that very coldly: as if God had been earnest with us about a trifle, or as if he had offered us great injury to move us thereunto.
Answ. The chief praise of this duty, is, that wee be much in its use, 1from time to time, through the whole course of our life, and every day thereof, that by recording holy and divine things, especially those which tend to soundness in the matter of salvation a little time more or less (as opportunity is offered, and occasions will permit) may be bestowed of us, to dry up fleshly, and bad humours of earthly-mindedness, and worldlyness, &c. and to quicken our dull hearts, lest after sleep in sin, the Devil draw us to deep forgetfulness and security. Neither can any thing if it be weighed, bee less tollerable in the sight of God Almighty, than whereas hee hath given us his Scriptures, which tell us his mind, and teach us how we may ⟨p. 55⟩commune with his Majesty, and for our behoof hath given us an earnest charge to ponder them in our heart, to have them in our minde, to make them the matter of our cogitation, talk, delight, and practice; yet that Christians should not bee better acquainted with this heavenly course, nor bee occupied thus, unless it bee seldome (as it were) upon high daies, and that very coldly: as if God had been earnest with us about a trifle, or as if hee had offered us great injury to move us thereunto.