The divine life in three treatises

Obj. But, it may be the objector will be ready to think, that [If it be indeed our duty to walk with God, yet Thoughts are no considerable part of it: what more uncertain or mutable then our Thoughts? It is Deeds and not Thoughts that God regardeth: To do no harm to any, but to do good to all, this is indeed to walk with God. You set a man upon a troublesome and impossible work, while you set him upon so strict a guard, and so much exercise of his thoughts: what cares the Almighty for my thoughts?

Obj. BUt, it may be the objector will be ready to think, that [If it be indeed our duty to walk with God, yet Thoughts are no considerable part of it: what more uncertain or mutable then our Thoughts? It is Deeds and not Thoughts that God regardeth: To do no harm to any, but to do good to all, this is indeed to walk with God. You set a man upon a troublesome and impossible work, while you set him upon so strict a guard, and so much exercise of his thoughts: what cares the Almighty for my thoughts?

Answ. 1, If God know better then you, and be to be believed, then Thoughts are not so inconsiderable as you suppose. Doth he not say, that [the Thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord? Prov. 15. 26. It is the work of the Gospel by its power, to pull down strong holds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, 2 Cor. 10. 4, 5. The unrighteous mans forsaking his thoughts, is part of his necessary conversion, Isa. 55. 7. It was the description of the deplorate state of the old world, Gen. 6. 5. [God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart, was only evil continually; and it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart] Judge by this, whether Thoughts be so little regarded by God, as you imagine. David saith of himself [I hate vain thoughts]