A treatise of mans imaginations Showing his natural evil thoughtsA treatise of mans imaginations Shewing his naturall euill thoughts

The fourth & last use shall be for practise to every child of God: for if the Imaginations of mans heart be evil from his youth, then there must be repentance for secret thoughts which never come into action; yea, though we never give consent of will ⟨p. 170⟩thereto. When Joel proclaimed a fast, and called the people to humiliation, he bids themⁿ rent their he arts, & not their garments: and Peter said to Simon Magus, ^orepent of this thy wickedness, and pray God that if it be possible, the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee: both which places do plainly show, that true repentance is not outward in change of speech or attire, but inward in the change of the thoughts of the mind, and affections of the heart. And hence it is that Paul prayeth for the Thessalonians,^p that they may be sanctified throughout, in soul, in body, and spirit, that is, in the mind, where is the framing of the thoughts. Now if sanctification be required in the mind, then must there be repentance ⟨p. 171⟩of the sins that are therein. This duty the Lord himself vouchsafeth to teach, and therefore we must make conscience to learn and practise it, if we would be truly turned to the Lord. And to move us hereunto, consider the reasons following.

The fourth & last vse shall be for practise to euery child of God: for if the Imaginations of mans heart be euill from his youth, then there must be repentance for secret thoughts which neuer come into action; yea, though we neuer giue consent of will ⟨p. 170⟩thereto. When Ioell proclaimed a fast, and called the people to humiliation, hee biddes themⁿ rent their he arts, & not their garments: and Peter said to Simon Magus, ^o