A treatise of divine meditation, by that faithful servant of Jesus Christ Mr. John Ball, late minister of the Gospel at Whitmore in Staffordshire. Published by Simeon Ashe, preacher of the Gospel at Austins, London.

TO THE Christian Reader.

Reader,

THere is no duty more neglected amongst Christians, than this of Meditation: whence it is, that though the heads of many are swelled with notions, yet their hearts are very empty of grace and good affections. A Treatise therefore of Meditation, which would remove obstructions, and open the passages between the brain and heart, could never bee more seasonable or necessary than in these daies, wherein there is Multum scientiae, & pa∣rum conscientiae: men being much taken up with speculative con∣troversal matters, to finde them discourse; but little meditating upon plain and practical truths,

to affect their hearts, and amend their lives. It is a sad and a strange thing, that there should bee more light in the world, an increase of knowledge, and less heat, a decay of love; that there should bee so much profitable preaching, and yet no more pro∣fiting amongst the hearers: one cause whereof doubtless is, the omission of this duty. We must read and consider, hear and con∣sider, if wee would get good by what wee read and hear: with∣out Meditation Truths are de∣voured, not digested. And as leanness of soul is to bee seen in many through sinful rejection, and casting away of wholesome food; so the like is to bee seen in others, that are fed with such food, for want of good concoctiō

This little Tractate of the emi∣nently learned, judicious, and

godly Mr. Ball, is to teach the Art of Divine Meditation, to help thy spiritual digestion, wouldest thou take in the advice herein contained, thou shouldest finde thy soul growing and thri∣ving by it.

Indeed it is a thousand pitties that any thing of this Reverend Author (humane frailty excep∣ted) should die with him; though this small peece hath seemed to lie buried in oblivion hitherto, 'tis now risen, as from the dead, to admonish us of a necessary du∣ty, & will again rise in judgement against them, that shall still con∣tinue their sinful and shameful omission of it.

Though it be posthumous, yet thou mayest be confident it is not spurious: were the person in whose hands this Copy lay, as well known to others as to us,

they would desire no more satis∣fying evidence than his affirming (as he did) that hee received it from the Reverend Authors own hand.

Thou hast here the substance of the original Copy, without a∣ny further alteration, than what the oversight of the Transcriber, here and there made necessary. And though there may be wan∣ting somewhat of that accurate∣ness in this peece, which was in others prepared for the Press by the Authors own hand, yet they who are acquainted with his o∣ther works, will clearly see a great resemblance between this and them.

As to the doctrine herein con∣tained, 'tis useful and excellent, and that which few have so pra∣ctically handled: but they who look for quaintness of expressi∣on,

more than the quickning of their affections, and right order∣ing of their conversations, must turn away their eyes; this was not written for them; The excellency of Rules lieth in their fitness to direct in necessary duties, and those which this book affords, have more of solidity than lustre, of use than shew.

Let us intreat thee therefore not only to read over this Tra∣ctate, but to live it over, lest thou shouldest mistake the end of its publication. And do not think this holy exercise is such a grie∣vous task, as that thou shouldest be afraid of it; 'tis such a duty, as after a little experience thou wilt finde to be not so much a burden, as a spiritual recreation; and that to press thee to the practice of it, is in effect, but to perswade thee to delight thy

self with sitting to the fire, when thou art benummed with cold, or to please and refresh thy self with food, when thou art ready to perish with hunger, nay, such sensitive refreshments are not to be compared with these spiritual delights of getting a dead cold heart warmed, a starved soul nourished by digesting its food by Divine Meditation. The greatest difficulty will be in thy first setting to this duty, which when once thou art acquainted with, thou wilt be angry with thy self, that thou either knew∣est, or began it no sooner.

Courteous Reader, we cannot take our leave of thee, till wee have once more intreated thee to set to this duty. If thou wouldest be blessed in all thy en∣terprizes or concernments with the blessings of God, Josh. 1.8.

If thou wouldest have thy un∣derstanding inlightened with the knowledge of God, thy affecti∣ons inflamed with the love of God, thy heart established with the promises of God, thy solita∣riness cheared up with the com∣pany of God, thy afflictions mi∣tigated with the comforts of God; and if thou wouldest have thy thoughts, words and works regulated by the command of God, pray and consider, pray and meditate.

So advises Thy Servants in the Lord Jesus

• Sa. Cotes.
• Wil. Reynolds.
• John Whitlock.
• Robert Smalley.
• John Armstrong.

August 9. 1660.

Notes

• Mr. Heary Baker.