A96109:333
The saints delight. To which is annexed a treatise of meditation
The saints delight. To which is annexed a treatise of meditation. / By Thomas Watson, minister of Stephens Walbrook in the city of London. Imprimatur, Edm. Calamy.
London: printed by T.R. & E.M. for Ralph Smith, 1657
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
SECT. III.
Rule. 3 3. DO not multiply the subject of meditation; that is, meditate not on too many things at once; like the bird that hops from one bough to another, and stays no where, single out rather some one head at a time, which you will meditate upon. Pluribus intentus minor est ad singula sensus. Too much variety ⟨p. 265⟩distracts *One truth driven home by meditation will most kindly affect the heart; a man that is to shoot, sets up one mark, That he aims at, to hit. When thou art to shoot thy mind above the world by meditation, set one thing before thee to hit; if thou art to meditate on the passion of Christ, let that take up all thy thoughts; If upon death, confine thy thoughts to that: One subject at a time is enough. Martha while she was cumbered about many things, neglected the One thing; so while our meditations are taken up about many things, we lose that One Thing which should affect our hearts, and do us more good*. Drive but one wedge of Meditation at a time, but be sure you drive it home to the heart. Those who aim at a whole flock of birds hit ⟨p. 266⟩none; Several Medicines applied together, the one hinders the virtue of the other, whereas a single medicine might do good.
Rule. 3 3. DO not multiply the subject of meditation; that is, meditate not on too many things at once; like the bird that hops from one bough to another, and staies no where, single out rather some one head at a time, which you will meditate upon. Pluribus intentus minor est ad singula sensus. Too much variety