Chapter 4. On the Seasonableness and Advantage of the First Seven Meditations for the Days of the Week at Night

1.—On the first seven following meditations, oh Christian reader, thou canst philosophise and occupy thy thoughts during the days of the week, not because thou mayst not also think on other things, and at all times also upon them when

‘it pleaseth thee, for, as we have said already, every thing which inclines the heart to the love and fear of God, and the observance of his commandments, is fit matter for meditation ; but because these subjects which I have named suggest themselves, first as forming the principal mysteries of our faith, and are those which of themselves most forcibly urge us to what I have mentioned; and secondly because beginners, who need milk, have here as it were masticated and digested for them the food for their meditation, that they may not walk like strangers in a foreign land, wandering through doubtful places, first taking up one thing, and then another, and next casting them aside, with no stability in anything.

2.—It must also be borne in mind that these meditations for the week are very suitable, as already said, for those who are at the beginning of their conversion ; that is, when a man just commences to turn himself towards God, because then it is well to start with all those things which most move to sorrow and detestation of sin, to the fear of God and contempt for the world, which are the first steps on the road. Those, therefore, who are beginners should persevere for . some time in the consideration of these topics, to ground themselves firmly in these virtues and feelings.