In this repentance, 1three things are required; first, a due examination of our heartr concerning these imaginations; which we may take by the knowledge of those points before handled, of mans natural thoughts concerning ⟨p. 175⟩God, his neighbour, & himself: And to further us herein we must remember that all the evil thoughts before mentioned be in us naturally, so as if we be left to our selves, when occasion is offered, we will conceive them in our minds; as that there is no God; that the word of God is foolishness, &c. Again we must hear Gods word preached attentively, & apply, not only our outward senses, but our minds also thereto, that so it may enter into our hearts; for the word of God, working in the heart will discover unto a man what be his thoughts: This word (saith the holya Ghost) is mighty in operation, and sharper then any two edged sword, it entereth through even to the dividing a ⟨p. 176⟩sunder of the soul and the spirits, the joints and the marrow, & is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart: At the preaching of this word the secrets of the heart of an infidel are discovered; if all prophecy (saithb Paul) and there come in an infidel, or one unlearned, he is rebuked of all men, and judged of all, and so are the secrets of his heart made manifest, whereupon he falleth down, and worshippeth God, saying plainly, God is in the prophets indeed. 4Secondly, after examination, we must pray for the pardon of our evil thoughts; A plain commandment of this duty, Peter gives to Simon Magusc pray to God saith he that the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee: And undoubtedly he ⟨p. 177⟩that hath not grace to pray for the pardon of his evil thoughts, hath not true repentance in his heart.6 Thirdly, we must seek to reform our mind of evil thoughts; this is a further matter then reformation of life: And it is expressly commanded by the holy ghost.d Be ye renewed in the spirit of your minds, that is, in the most inward and secret part of your souls, even where the thoughts and imaginations are framed and conceived: This duty must be remembered; for Christian religion consisteth not in outward shows and behaviour, (though thereby we may give comfortable testimony of Gods inward graces) but it stands principally in the mind, and in the heart, which ⟨p. 178⟩must therefore be reformed with the powers and faculties thereof.
In this repentance, 1three things are required; first, a due examination of our heartr concerning these imaginations; which we may take by the knowledge of those points before handled, of mans naturall thoughts concerning ⟨p. 175⟩God, his neighbour, & himselfe: And to further vs herein we must remember that all the euill thoughts before mentioned be in vs naturally, so as if we be left to our selues, when occasion is offered, we will conceiue them in our mindes; as that there is no God; that the word of God is foolishnes, &c. Againe we must heare Gods word preached attentiuely, & apply, not onely our outward senses, but our mindes also thereto, that so it may enter into our hearts; for the word of God, working in the heart will discouer vnto a man what be his thoughts: This word (saith the holya Ghost) is mightie inoperation, and sharper then any two edged sword, it entreth through euen to the deuiding a ⟨p. 176⟩sunder of the soule and the spirits, the ioynts and the marrow, & is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart: At the preaching of this word the secrets of the heart of an infidell are discouered; if all prophecie (saithb Paul) and there come in an infidell, or one vnlearned, he is rebuked of all men, and iudged of all, and so are the secrets of his heart made manifest, whereupon he falleth downe, and worshippeth God, saying plainly, God is in the prophets indeede. 4Secondly, after examination, wee must pray for the pardon of our euill thoughts; A plaine commandement of this duty, Peter giues to Symon Magusc pray to God saith he that the thought of thine heart may be forgiuen thee: And vndoubtedly he ⟨p. 177⟩that hath not grace to pray for the pardon of his evill thoughts, hath not true repentance in his heart.6 Thirdly, we must seeke to reforme our minde of euill thoughts; this is a further matter then reformation of life: And it is expressely commanded by the holy ghost.
- 11. examination of evil thoughts.1. examination of euill thoughts.
- aHeb. 4. 12.
- b1 Cor. 14. 25.
- 42. Prayer for pardon of them.
- cAct. 8: 22
- 63 reformation of evil thoughts.3 reformation of euill thoughts.
- dEphes. 4. 23.
