giving of thanks to God for all his benefits; then a general oblation of all the life of Christ for recompense of any benefit, and our own works to the honor and glory of God. Last of all, petition, which is chiefly called prayer, wherein we desire all things necessary for our own salvation, of our neighbors, and the good of the whole church.
These six parts, are required to mental prayer, which besides other commodities, they minister abundant matter for meditation, seeing they set before us divers sorts of meats, that if one will not relish our spiritual taste, we may fall upon another; if we be deficient in one, in another we may employ our minds, and kindle our devotion.
But in every meditation, neither all these parts nor order, is always necessary, although, as I said before, to young beginners it is, that they should have a certain method, according to which, they are to guide themselves; wherefore, in that which hath, or shall be said, my intention is not to set down a general rule, or immutable perpetual laws, the violating of which should be a fault; but my meaning is, to introduce, and bring in young beginners and novices into the right way, and method, of meditation; which, when they are once in use, experience, but especially, the Holy Ghost, will better inform them.
