The saints delight. To which is annexed a treatise of meditation

Quest. 2 Quest. 2. But why the morning for Meditation?

Answ. 1 Answer 1. Because in the morning the mind is fittest for holy duties. A Christian is most himself then; What weary devotion will there be at night when a man is even tired out with the business of the day. He will be fitter to sleep then to meditate. The morning is the queen of the day, then the fancy is quickest, the memory strongest, the spirits freshest, the organ of the body most disposed, having had its recruits by sleep. Tis a sure rule, then is the best time to serve God when we find our selves most in tune. In the morning the heart is like a viol strung and put in tune, and then it makes the sweetest melody.

The morning thoughts stay longest with us the day after, the wool takes the first die best, and it is not easily worn out. When the mind receives the impression of good thoughts in the morning, it holds this sacred dye the better, and like a colour in grain, it will not easily be lost. The heart keeps the Relish of morning meditations, as a vessel that receives a Tincture & savour of the Wine that is first put into it^*; Or as a Chest of sweet Linen, That keeps the sent a great while after. Perfume thy mind with heavenly Thoughts in the Morning, and it will not lose its spiritual fragrancy; Wind up thy heart towards heaven in the beginning of the day, and it will go the better all the day after: It is with receiving thoughts into the mind as it is ⟨p. 226⟩with receiving Guests into an Inn, the first Guests that come fill the best rooms in the house, if others come after, worse rooms will serve them; So when the mind entertains holy Meditations for its morning-Guests, if afterwards earthly thoughts come, they are put into some of the worst rooms, they lodge lowest in the affections. The best rooms are taken up in the Morning for Christ. He that loseth his heart in the morning in the world, will hardly find it again all the day after.