The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

First, Those things which will further the duty, are meditation, and the stirring up of grace. Meditation will be helpful to the matter of prayer; The quickening and stirring up of grace, will be helpful to the manner of the duty.

First, Those things which will further the duty, are meditation, and the stirring up of grace. Meditation will be helpful to the matter of prayer; The quickning and stirring up of grace, will be hel•ful to the manner of the duty.

First, Meditation; Meditation fits the soul for supplication. Meditation fills the soul with good liquor, and then prayer broaches it, and sets its a running. David first mused, and then spake with his tongue, Lord make me to know mine end, Psa. 39.3.4. Nay to ass•re us that meditation was the Mother which bred and brought forth prayer, he calls the child by its parents name, Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation, Psa. 5.1. Meditation is like the charging of a piece, and ⟨p. 148⟩prayer the discharging of it. Isaac went into the field to meditate. Gen. 24.63. The Septuag. the Geneva translation, and Tremelius (in his marginal Notes on it) read it to pray, and the Hebrew word Suach used there, signifieth both to pray and meditate, whereby we may learn, that they are very near a kin, like twins they lie in the same womb, in the same word, meditation is the best beginning of prayer, and prayer is the best conclusion of meditation. When the Christian, like Daniel, hath first opened the windows of his soul by contemplation, then he may kneel down to prayer.

First, Meditation; Meditation fits the soul for supplication. Meditation fils the soul with good liquor, and then prayer broaches it, and sets its a running. David first mused, and then spake with his tongue, Lord make me to know mine end,