Solitude Improved by Divine Meditation

by Nathanael Ranew

This is a scarce book by a little-known Puritan, but was widely read and loved in his day. The premise of the book is that one should never waste time when alone, for that time could be spent in meditating upon God. Ranew covers what meditation is, that it is a duty for every Christian, how we can go about that duty, and how meditation is a spiritual pleasure.

Genres: Theology, Christian

341 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Allison Lieuwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a little challenging to read due to its old English and it seems a little disorganized and repetitive, but it is definitely worth persevering through that because the content is gold. The author guides the reader through what Biblical meditation is, why it’s so important, and how to go about it. Along the way he gives many texts and topics for profitable meditation. I left the book with so many things to ponder and not only a strong conviction that I must meditate but also the tools with which to begin. A must read for every Christian!

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for the content, 3 stars for the style, organization, and repetition. I’m sure this book is a product of its time, but I rather enjoyed it, even if I didn’t always agree theologically, and despite it sitting on my nightstand for over two years. I think if a person followed all of Ranew’s suggestions on meditation they would certainly have confidence in the presence of God. I underlined so much, but it’s going to take a while to synthesize it. Ranew certainly put a lot of thought into this.

I recently started reading a book called The Puritans: A Transatlantic History. I’m looking forward to seeing how this work fits into the larger narrative and movement. I’m not a Protestant, much less Reformed, but I descend from many Puritans and Protestants, and I always like to catch glimpses of what their lives must have been like.