Section 3

Rule 3. DO not multiply the subject of meditation; that is, meditate not on too many things at once; like the bird that hops from one bough to another, and stays nowhere, single out rather some one head at a time, which you will meditate upon. Pluribus intentus minor est ad singula sensus. Too much variety distracts. One truth driven home by meditation will most kindly affect the heart; a man that is to shoot, sets up one mark, that he aims at, to hit. When you are to shoot your mind above the world by meditation, set one thing before you to hit; if you are to meditate on the passion of Christ, let that take up all your thoughts; if upon death, confine your thoughts to that: One subject at a time is enough. Martha while she was cumbered about many things, neglected the One thing; so while our meditations are taken up about many things, we lose that One Thing which should affect our hearts, and do us more good. Drive but one wedge of Meditation at a time, but be sure you drive it home to the heart. Those who aim at a whole flock of birds hit none. Several medicines applied together, the one hinders the virtue of the other, whereas a single medicine might do good.