Now this being the scope and sum of this Command, it may be gathered of how broad and vast extent the breaches of it are: Is there one hour wherein there a •e not multitudes of these evil thoughts flowing, running, and roving through the heart? Ah! what discontents with providences, grudgings, vain wishings, &c. are there? and although all these, as they reflect on God, are against the first Command; yet as they imply discontentment in us with our lot, or as they are risings of heart to evil (though wrestled against, and wherein the Spirit getteth the victory) they are against this Command; so that not only vain Imaginations that are formed with delight, but even those that are scarce suffered to breath, yet having once a being, are against this Command, and sinful: For, 1. they break a Law, and are disconformed to that which we should be: 2. In Paul, Rom. 7. (who yet gave not way to these) they are called sin, and the body of death: 3. He wrestleth against them, and crieth out under them, desiring to be quit of them, verse 24. now if they were only penal, such out-cries and complaints were not so like him, whom a complication of sharpest afflictions could never make once to groan; but this body of death made him to cry out: 4. They lust against, and oppose the Spirit, Gal. 5.17. and so are against the Law of God, Rom. 7. and tend to obedience to the Law of Sin, and further the execution of its decrees: 5. These are of the nature of Original sin, and a branch growing of that •oot, and so what is born of the flesh is flesh, the branch •ust •e of the nature of the root, if the tree be corrupt, ⟨p. 457⟩the fruit must be so: 6. These make way for other sins, and keep the door open for temptations to grosser evils, and give the Devil access to blow up the fire: 7. They keep out many good motions, and obstruct many duties, and indispose for them: 8. They mar communion with God, who should have the all of the soul, heart and mind; and sure, if he had his due, there would be no place for these, as there will be none for them among the spirits of the just men made perfect: 9. These sinful risings in the heart are a great burden to a tender walker, who groaneth under that habitual lightness and vanity of his mind in the gaddings, whorings, and departings of it from God;
Now this being the scope and sum of this Command, it may be gathered of how broad and vast extent the breaches of it are: Is there one hour wherein there a •e not multitudes of these evil thoughts flowing, running, and roving through the heart? Ah! what discontents with providences, grudgings, vain wishings, &c. are there? and although all these, as they reflect on God, are against the first Command; yet as they imply discontentment in us with our lot, or as they are risings of heart to evil (though wrestled against, and wherein the Spirit getteth the victory) they are against this Command; so that not only vain Imaginations that are formed with delight, but even those that are scarce suffered to breath, yet having once a being, are against this Command, and sinful: For, 1. they break a Law, and are disconformed to that which we should be: 2. In Paul, Rom. 7. (who yet gave not way to these) they are called sin, and the body of death: 3. He wrestleth against them, and cryeth out under them, desiring to be quit of them, verse 24. now if they were only penal, such out-cries and complaints were not so like him, whom a complication of sharpest afflictions could never make once to groan; but this body of death made him to cry out: 4. They lust against, and oppose the Spirit, Gal. 5.17. and so are against the Law of God, Rom. 7. and tend to obedience to the Law of Sin, and further the execution of its decrees: 5. These are of the na•ure of Original sin, and a branch growing of that •oot, and so what is born of the flesh is flesh, the branch •ust •e of the nature of the root, if the tree be corrupt, ⟨p. 457⟩the fruit must be so: 6. These make way for other sins, and keep the door open for temptations to grosser evils, and give the Devil access to blow up the fire: 7. They keep out many good motions, and obstruct many duties, and indispose for them: 8. They marr communion with God, who should have the all of the soul, heart and mind; and sure, if he had his due, there would be no place for these, as there will be none for them among the spirits of the just men made perfect: 9. These sinful risings in the heart are a great burthen to a tender walker, who groaneth under that habitual lightness and vanity of his mind in the gaddings, whorings, and departings of it from God;
