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It will not be beside our purpose to handle all these parts severally; we will, therefore, first begin with preparation, which we did put first.

He, therefore, who goeth about to meditate, after he hath placed his body after a decent manner, either kneeling or standing, or composing himself in manner of a cross, or prostrating himself upon the ground, or sitting, if infirmity or necessity doth so require, let him first sign himself with the sign of the cross; then let him recollect the dispersed powers of his soul, especially the imagination, and sequester it from all temporal and transitory things. Let him elevate his understanding to God, considering his divine presence, with what due reverence and attention as is requisite; and let him imagine Almighty God himself to be present in his soul, as in very deed he is.

If it be the morning meditation, after a general act of contrition for his sins, let him make to God a general confession; if in the evening, let him examine his conscience concerning all his thoughts, words, and works of that day; of the forgetfulness of the benefits of Almighty