Solitude improved by divine meditation, or, A treatise proving the duty and demonstrating the necessity, excellency, usefulness, natures, kinds and requisites of divine meditation first intended for a person of honour, and now published for general use by Nathanael Ranew.

CHAP. XXIV. Of Moditation as a grand supporter of the Christian course.

4. MEditation is for a constant keeper up and supporter of the Christian course, as to the evenness of this Golden thread, without decays, sinkings, stands, and interruptions. 2. As to im∣provements and goings on to perfection. 3. And as to conflictings with Enemies and Oppositions.

This was holy Paul's practice, by still taking in the highest provoking considerations, minding and due pondering of them; it made him to labour so abundantly, to press so hard to the mark, forgetting the things behind, and looking to the things be∣fore.

He meditated on the Price of the high calling, kept his Eye on the Crown of righteousness, he kept his Eye alway on the stores and varieties of Gospel encouragements.

A Christian of the greatest consideration will ever keep up best his evenness and constancy.

New fresh Meditations are new Soul feedings, new meals, which adde new strength and vigour; they make a Christian like Elijah, when he had eaten, to travel with new strength to Horeb the Mount of God.

There is a Beast in the West-Indies they call Pi∣gritia, which signifies sloth, for its strange slow pace, which is going fourteen days a stones cast;

and they have contrarily a glorious Bird call'd the Bird of Paradise, that is seen generally flying, and in a very expedite motion.

Divers for running the blessed race of Godliness, go creeping slowly, making little haste or progress, cer∣tainly they meditate little. The swiftest of foot in Christs way are the frequent serious Meditaters; Me∣ditating makes the Birds of Paradise, the Christi∣ans of the perpetual motion. I might adde more to this particular, but I hasten to the next.