The divine life in three treatises

5. Our Thoughts are under a Law, as well as words and deeds, Prov. 24. 9. The thought of foolishness is sin] And Matth. 5. 28, &c. Christ extendeth the Law even to the thoughts and desires of the heart. And under the Law it is said, Deut. 15. 9. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, &c.] viz. of unmercifulness towards thy brother.

6. Thoughts can reach higher much then sense, and may be employed upon the most excellent and invisible objects, and therefore are fit instruments to elevate the soul that would converse with God. Though God be infinitely above us, our Thoughts may be exercised on him: Our persons never were in Heaven, and yet our Conversation must be in Heaven, Phil. 3. 20. And how is that but by our thoughts? Though we see not Christ, yet by the exercise of believing thoughts on him, we love him and rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Though God be invisible, yet our Meditation of him may be sweet, and we may delight in the Lord, Psal. 104. 34. Say not that all this is but fantastical and delusory, as long as Thoughts of things unseen are meeter to actuate and elevate the love, desires and delights of the soul, and to move and guide us in a regular and holy life, then the sense of lesser present good. The Thoughts are not vain or delusory, unless the object of them be false and vain and delusory. Where the object is great, and sure and excellent, the thoughts of such things are excellent operations of the soul. If thoughts of vainglory, wealth and pleasure, can delight the ambitious, covetous and sensual; no wonder if the Thoughts of God and life eternal afford us solid high delights.

6. Thoughts can reach higher much then sense, and may be employed upon the most excellent and invisible objects, and therefore are fit instruments to elevate the soul that would converse with God. Though God be infinitely above us, our Thoughts may be exercised on him: Our persons never were in Heaven, and yet our Conversation must be in Heaven,