A guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helpes inabling & the reasons parswading vnto it ye impediments hindering ye practise of it, and the best meanes to remoue them whereunto are added diuers prayers and a treatise of carnall securitie by Iohn Douname Batcheler in Diuinitie and minister of Gods Word.

§. Sect. 10 Rules direct∣ing vs in the choice of the fittest matter for our Medi∣tations.

And thus haue I shewed what great and aboundant matter there is fit for our Meditations; seeing any one of the former generall heads or points being thorowly discoursed on in our minds, and wrought vpon and ap∣plyed to our affections, according to that forme which I shall afterwards prescribe, is sufficient for one dayes exercise; and many of them will af∣foord plentifull matter for much longer time. And therefore, lest any should now bee as much troubled with plenty, as they were before with want, not knowing what theame or subiect to chuse out of such great va∣riety, and therefore being thus distracted in their thoughts, should let all alone; I will for the direction of such in their choice, propound these rules following. First, that wee ordinarily and most often make choice of such matter, as we finde to be most fit to stirre vp our deuotion, to strengthen our faith, to worke vpon our hearts and affections, to inflame our loue to∣wards God, and kindle our zeale, to confirme our affiance, increase our hope, feare of God, humility and patience, and finally, to inable vs with all cheerefulnesse to performe all the duties of a godly life. To which pur∣pose, wee must rarely chuse such matter as is meerely intellectuall, and fit rather for speculation then for vse and practice (though in truth, there bee few points of sound Diuinity, and scarce any of those before expressed, which being rightly handled in our Meditations, will not afford some fit matter, as well for the sanctifying of our hearts and affections, as for the inlightning of our mindes, and increasing of our knowledge) but such as

hath beene matter of fact, and brought to the vnderstanding by the ima∣gination, and to it by the ministery of the senses; which will more easily and kindly affoord matter of Meditation to the most simple, fit to worke vpon their hearts, to inflame their loue, stirre vp their deuotion, and ina∣ble them vnto all Christian duties, the which are the mayne ends of this exercise, and not the inlightning of the mind with curious speculations and fruitlesse knowledge. In which regard, when we finde the matter on which we meditate, vnfit for those vses, and rellish in it little sweetnesse of spirituall refreshing, or feele small warmth for the heating of our hearts with loue, zeale, and true deuotion, we need not to insist vpon it, but may passe to some other point, which is more effectuall to the atchieuing of these ends. Secondly, wee must make choyce of such matter as in our dis∣cretion we thinke, not only in it owne nature most excellent, and general∣ly most profitable and necessary, but also such as is fittest for our persons and present state, place, time, and other circumstances. For as those who are inuited to a great and bountifull feast, doe not feed on euery dish, nor alwayes on such as are most costly, and generally esteemed best, but (at least, if they keepe a good diet) make choyce of one or two amongst the rest, which they thinke fittest for their stomakes, and in respect of the pre∣sent state of their bodies, most likely to bring with delight to their taste, wholesome nourishment for the preseruing of their health and strength: so in that great plenty of prouision which I haue made to entertaine my ghests at this spirituall feast, they must not run ouer many things at once, nor alwayes preferre in their choyce, such points as in their owne nature exceed others; but picke out one, or some few which are most fit for their present state and condition, and most likely to yeeld vnto them the best nourishment for the strengthening and preseruing of their soules in their spirituall good liking, and better inabling them to all good duties. Lastly, seeing our soules as well as our bodies haue their satiety, by feeding often or much at the same time vpon the same dish, therefore hauing such great plenty set before vs, it shall bee our wisedome to take the benefit of this va∣riety, not feeding ouer often vpon the same dish, which made the Israelites loath Manna it selfe, though a heauenly food, nor too much of any thing at one time, which made their dainty Quailes, through satiety, to come out of their nostrils; but whetting on our appetite by change of diet euery meale; and euen at the same time helping the weakenesse of our stomakes with some little variety, when as we finde them glutted; let vs, when we are weary of meditating ouer-long on one point, insist no longer vpon it, but passe vnto another. Prouided alwayes, that wee doe not heerein giue place to fickle inconstancie, nor liberty to our rouing hearts, passing loosely from on•• thing to another, and not bringing any point to a good issue.