The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan…

6. Consider how God expects to be honoured by our thoughts, as well as by our words and actions; by the workings of the heart, as well as by the way of the life. Holy thoughts are something of the root of an holy life: who knows how much precious fruit may be in a good thought? It's true, if they die as soon as they are born, and bring forth nothing, God will but lightly regard them; but there is great hope that where the Grace that is in the heart does put forth into holy thoughts, it will thence spring up into holiness of life.

Therefore, O Young Man, forget not daily to render unto God thy Thought-service, as well as thy Tongue-service; and the rather, because thou hast more opportunities for the one, than the other. Thou hast not always opportunity for outward performances, but thou mayst when thou pleasest think of God, and the matters of Eternity, where-ever thou art. What can hinder thee from giving a Visit to Heaven every hour, and oftener? Send these winged Messengers up constantly, let there be frequent comings and goings betwixt Heaven and thine heart: let thy Messengers go up, and they will doubtless bring thee down gracious and comfortable returns. He whose eye is much upon God, his Eye will affect, and warm, and quicken his heart, and beget upon it the very Visage and Image of God, in the view of whose Face he lives. These good Spies sent up in search of the good Land above, will return with such Clusters of the precious Fruits thereof, as will revive and encourage, and also strengthen the heart for that hard service it may be put to in its journey thither. None make such haste Heaven-ward, and such sensible Progress in their way, as they whose eye is continually there.

Therefore, O Young Man, forget not daily to render unto God thy Thought-service, as well as thy Tongueservice; and the rather, because thou hast more opportunities for the one, than the other. Thou hast not always opportunity for outward performances, but thou mayst when thou pleasest think of God, and the matters of Eternity, where-ever thou art. What can hinder thee from giving a Visit to Heaven every hour, and oftner? Send these winged Messengers up constantly, let there be frequent comings and goings betwixt Heaven and thine heart: let thy Messengers go up, and they will doubtless bring thee down gracious and comfortable returns. He whose eye is much upon God, his Eye will affect, and warm, and quicken his heart, and beget upon it the very Visage and Image of God, in the view of whose Face he lives. These good Spies sent up in search of the good Land above, will return with such Clusters of the precious Fruits thereof, as will revive and incourage, and also strengthen the heart for that hard service it may be put to in its journey thither. None make such haste Heaven-ward, and such sensible Progress in their way, as they whose eye is continually there.