The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

There is I confess some difficulty in this matter, how to exercise our Thoughts aright about our Temptations. For the great way of the prevalency of Temptations is by stirring up multiplied Thoughts about their Objects, or what they do lead unto. And this is done or occasioned several ways. (1.) From the previous power of Lust in the Affections. This will fill the mind with Thoughts. The heart will coin Imaginations in compliance therewith. They are the way and means whereby Lust draws away the heart from Duty and enticeth unto sin, Jam. 1.14. The means at least whereby men come to have eyes full of Adultery; 2 Pet. 2.14. or live in constant Contemplation of the Pleasures of Sin. (2.) They arise and are occasioned by renewed Representations of the Object of Sin. And this is twofold; (1.) That which is real, as Achan saw the Wedge of Gold and coveted it, Josh. 7.21. Prov. 23.31. Against this is that Prayer of the Psalmist, Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and the Covenant of Job, chap. 31.1. (2.) Imaginary, when the ⟨p. 68⟩Imagination being tainted or infected by Lust, continually represents the pleasure of sin and the actings of it unto the mind. Herein do men make provision for the Flesh, to fulfil the Lusts thereof, Rom. 13.14. (3.) From the Suggestions of Satan, who useth all his Wiles and Artifices to stir up thoughts about that sin whereunto the Temptation leads. And Temptation seldom fails of its end, when it can stir up a multitude of unprofitable Thoughts about its Object. For when Temptations do multiply Thoughts about Sin, proceeding from some or all of these causes, and the mind hath wonted it self to give them Entertainment, those in whom they are, do want nothing but opportunities and Occasions taking off the power of outward restraints for the commission of actual sin. When men have so devised mischief, they practise it when it is in the power of their hand,