The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

So is it in the case of Thoughts of a contrary nature. Thoughts of sin, of sinful Objects may arise in our minds from the Remainders of Corruption; or be occasioned by the Temptations and Suggestions of Satan; If these are immediately rejected and cast out of us, the Soul is not more prejudiced by their entrance, than it is Advantaged by their Rejection through the power of Grace. But if they make frequent returns into the minds of ⟨p. 148⟩men, or make any abode or continuance in their soliciting of the Affections, they greatly defile the Mind and Conscience, disposing the person unto the further entertainment of them. So if our occasional Thoughts of God, do immediately leave us, and pass away without much affecting our Minds; we shall have little or no Benefit by them. But if by their frequent visits, and some continuance with us, they dispose Souls unto an holy Reverence of God, they are a blessed means of promoting our Sanctification. Without this, I say, there may be thoughts of God unto no advantage of the Soul.

There is implanted on our Nature such a sense of a Divine Power and Presence, as that on all sudden occasions and surprisals, it will act it self according unto that sense and apprehension. There is Vox Naturae clamantis ad Dominum Naturae: A voice in Nature it self, upon any thing that is suddenly too hard for it, which cries out immediately unto the God of Nature. So men on such occasions without any consideration are surprised into a calling on the Name of God, and crying unto him. And from the same natural apprehension it is, that wicked and profane persons, will break forth on all occasions into cursed Swearing by his Name. So men in such ways have Thoughts of God without either Reverence or Godly fear, without giving any Glory unto him, and for the most part unto their own disadvantage. Such are all thoughts of God that are not accompanied with holy Fear and Reverence.

There is implanted on our Nature such a sence of a Divine Power and Presence, as that on all sudden occasions and surprizals, it will act it self according unto that sence and apprehension. There is Vox Naturae clamantis ad Dominum Naturae: A voice in Nature it self, upon any thing that is suddenly too hard for it, which cryes out immediately unto the God of Nature. So men on such occasions without any consideration are surprized into a calling on the Name of God, and crying unto him. And from the same natural apprehension it is, that wicked and profane persons, will break forth on all occasions into cursed Swearing by his Name. So men in such wayes have Thoughts of God without either Reverence or Godly fear, without giving any Glory unto him, and for the most part unto their own disadvantage. Such are all thoughts of God that are not accompanyed with holy Fear and Reverence.