From Joel Beeke & Randall Pederson, Meet the Puritans, p. 495:
Ranew's book is a typical Puritan work on meditation, though it is longer than most. He says that meditation exercises both the mind and the heart, for he who meditates approaches a subject with his intellect as well as his affections. Meditation is a daily duty that enhances every other duty of the Christian life. As oil lubricates an engine, meditation facilitates the means of grace, such as reading Scripture, listening to sermons, praying, and other ordinances of Christ. It deepens the marks of grace, such as repentance, faith, and humility; and it strengthens relationships with God, fellow Christians, and neighbors at large.
According to Ranew, there are two kinds of meditation: occasional and deliberate. Occasional meditation takes what one observes with the senses and raises up thoughts to heavenly meditation. It may be practiced at any time and any place. A spiritually minded man can quickly learn how to spiritualize natural things, for his desires run counter to the worldly minded who carnalize even spiritual things. The believer must be careful, however, to rein in his imagination by Scripture when engaged in occasional meditation, so as to avoid mysticism.
The most important kind of meditation is deliberate, daily meditation on sacred truth. Deliberate meditation draws from four sources: Scripture, practical truths of Christianity, providential occasions (experiences), and sermons. Ranew says that the believer should deliberately meditate on topics such as the promises of God's Word, the Spirit's drawing power, self-denial, the heart's deceitfulness, death, judgment, hell, and heaven.
Finally, Ranew offers directives on how to improve one's meditative life. Particularly helpful are his specific directions to new converts, to young Christians, and to older believers.
