A Puritan Guide to Meditation

Matthew Bingham tries to distil some of the practical advice which the Puritans and similar writers gave for Christian Meditation (that is, purposeful thinking about God and his Word for the sake of personal application and stirring up of love towards God etc.). In doing so, he notes that the Puritans (with their Sola Scriptura principle) were reluctant to give extra-Biblical rules which might bind the conscience. Nevertheless, here are some guidelines:

 

(1) Hold meditation and Scripture closely together. Reflect on some Bible passage and think about other related passages. Bible reading and meditation will naturally also lead to prayer. One may also reflect from a Biblical point of view on one’s own life, giving thanks for blessings, sorrowing over sin, noticing God’s providential leading and marvelling at the glory of God revealed in creation.

 

(2) Distinguish between “settled” and “occasional” meditation. It is good to have some set time of reading the Bible, thinking it through and praying. But in addition to such deliberate, solemn and settled meditation, it is also good to have sudden, occasional, extemporal thoughts of God throughout the day. Short spontaneous godly musings, thanksgivings etc. are to be encouraged. When you get dressed, you might think on being clothed in the righteousness of Christ or putting on the armour of God.

 

(3) Grab hold of a thought and don’t let it go. Think closely over the words and sentences of Scripture from all sorts of different angles. And think about related Scriptures. Don’t just glance at the building, explore the whole house of a text or truth. Contemplate the colours and shades of a landscape as an artist might. Thomas Watson thought that even just fifteen minutes a day would “leave a mighty impression” but the key is to “meditate so long till thou findest thy heart grow warm.” (Heaven Taken by Storm; Discourses 1:254)

 

(4) Apply God’s truth to yourself. This requires scriptural knowledge and self-knowledge. Aim to feel the truth and make it part of your being so that it transforms you and affects your experience. Treasure the truth and stir up godly affections.

 

(5) Don’t overthink it. There is no secret special technique, mysticism or magic involved. Read the Bible. Think about it. Pray. Slow down and digest what you read. Allow the word of Christ to dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16).

 

Bingham, A Heart Aflame (Crossway, 2025), pp146-159