True meditation is not emptying the mind, but filling it. And everyone meditates on something.
The Puritans viewed meditation as essential for spiritual growth and effectiveness in spiritual duties—a crucial link between hearing, believing, and living God’s Word. Proper meditation cultivates discernment, deepens repentance, and fosters devotion.
Instructing us in occasional meditation and set meditation, this modernized version of Thomas Manton’s work on a crucial spiritual discipline helps believers discover the transformative effect of biblical meditation on the mind and heart.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
- Kinds of Meditation
- A Definition
- A Neglected Practice
- Chief Among Duties
- Profitable for the Mind
- Profitable for the Affections
- Profitable for Life
- Helpful Guidelines: Part 1
- Helpful Guidelines: Part 2
- Love of Ease
- Love of Pleasure
- A Dull Heart
- An Unruly Mind
- Spiritual Barrenness
- Contemplation
- The Time of Meditation
- The Object of Meditation
- The Method of Meditation
- The Chief End of Man
- Enjoying and Glorifying God
- Eternal Delight
- The Sinfulness of Sin
- The Nature of Sin in Relation to God
- The Nature of Sin in Relation to Man
- The Effect of Sin
- The Aggravation of Sin
- God’s Wisdom in the Gospel
- The Beauty of the Gospel
- God’s Glory in the Gospel
- Man’s Comfort in the Gospel
- The Mystery of Providence
- The Grounds of Providence
- The Acts of Providence
- Providential Care and Comfort
Conclusion
