To further guide you in understanding Taylor's mediatation, I would ask that you note the alliteration and the rhetorical device knwn as polyptoton as used by Taylor. The conceit - extended metaphor - is in keeping with the Calvinist idea of TULIP (Total Depravity,Unconditional Election,Limited Atonement,Irresistable Grace, and Perserverence of the Saints). Taylor's conceit moves ruggedlt around the comparison the fallen nature of the human body and God's Temple. Taylor discusses the beauty of God's perfect creation, then the fall, and the now sinful and profaned condition of his creation. He goes on to plead for God's grace to rebuild his temple from within and without. Finally ending with the "clothing" of faith to "arm" a poor sinner. The ultimate rebuilding of man will result in exhaltations to God.

Hopefully this will guide you as you delve further into the beautiful world of Puritan mediatations.

• As you are a college student and have access to a university level library, you might try this journal article on Edward Taylor's meditation
• Edward Taylor's Preparationism: A New Perspective on the Taylor-Stoddard Controversy
• David L. Parker
• Early American Literature, Vol. 11, No. 3 (Winter, 1976/1977), pp. 259-278
  (article consists of 20 pages)
• Published by: University of North Carolina Press
• Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25070790

PHYSIOLOGY AND METAPHOR IN EDWARD
TAYLOR'S "MEDITATION. CAN. 1.3"

Joel R. Kehler

LEHIGH UNIVERSITY

http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=LLJbTWLtpLGTyXTJk

Myyq6rKNNnwK4GTfGDMXQh5KfGT6sTR3jLF!-675626961!-

713119336?docId=95714545

This URL will carry you to an online version of this article.

This particular mediatation is difficult due to language, word choice, and meanings which have changed over the course of time. In addition, there are references to physiology which was unique to Taylor's period. To fully understand, you may need to do some serious research - appropriate for a college level student. Good Luck!