Thoughts and Meditations as proceeding from spiritual Affections are the first things wherein this Spiritual mindedness doth consist, and whereby it doth evidence it self. Our Thoughts are like the Blossoms on a Tree in the Spring. You may see a Tree in the Spring all covered with Blossoms that nothing else of it appears. Multitudes of them fall off and come to nothing. Ofttimes where there are most Blossoms there is least fruit. But yet there is no fruit, be it of what sort it will, Good or Bad, but it comes in and from some of those Blossoms. The mind of man is covered with Thoughts as a Tree with Blossoms. Most of them fall off, vanish and come to nothing, end in Vanity; and sometimes ⟨p. 13⟩where the mind doth most abound with them, there is the least Fruit; The Sap of the mind is wasted and consumed in them. Howbeit there is no Fruit which actually we bring forth, be it good or bad, but it proceeds from some of these Thoughts. Wherefore ordinarily these give the best and surest Measure of the Frame of mens minds. As a man Thinketh in his Heart, so is he; Pro. 23.7. In case of strong or violent Temptations, the real frame of a mans heart is not to be judged by the Multiplicity of Thoughts about any object. For whether they are from Satan's Suggestions, or from inward Darkness, trouble and horror, they will impose such a continual sense of themselves on the mind, as shall engage all its thoughts about them. As when a man is in a Storm at Sea, the current of his Thoughts runs quite another way, than when he is in safety about his occasions. But ordinarily Voluntary Thoughts are the best measure and indication of the frame of our minds. As the nature of the Soil is judged by the Grass which it brings forth; so may the disposition of the Heart by the predominancy of Voluntary thoughts. They are the original acting of the Soul; the way whereby the Heart puts forth and empties the Treasure that is in it; the waters that first rise and flow from the fountain. Every mans Heart is his Treasury; and the Treasure that is in it, is either Good or Evil; as our Saviour tells us. There is a good and bad Treasure of the Heart; but whatever a man hath, be it good or evil, there it is. This Treasure is opening, emptying and spending it self continually, though it can never be exhausted. For it hath a Fountain in Nature or Grace, which no Expense can diminish;
Thoughts and Meditations as proceeding from spiritual Affections are the first things wherein this Spiritual mindedness doth consist, and whereby it doth evidence it self. Our Thoughts are like the Blossoms on a Tree in the Spring. You may see a Tree in the Spring all covered with Blossoms that nothing else of it appears. Multitudes of them fall off and come to nothing. Ofttimes where there are most Blossoms there is least fruit. But yet there is no fruit, be it of what sort it will, Good or Bad, but it comes in and from some of those Blossoms. The mind of man is covered with Thoughts as a Tree with Blossoms. Most of them fall off, vanish and come to nothing, end in Vanity; and sometimes ⟨p. 13⟩where the mind doth most abound with them, there is the least Fruit; The Sap of the mind is wasted and consumed in them. Howbeit there is no Fruit which actually we bring forth, be it good or bad, but it proceeds from some of these Thoughts. Wherefore ordinarily these give the best and surest Measure of the Frame of mens minds. As a man Thinketh in his Heart, so is he; Pro. 23.7. In case of strong or violent Temptations, the real frame of a mans heart is not to be judged by the Multiplicity of Thoughts about any object. For whether they are from Satans Suggestions, or from inward Darkness, trouble and horror, they will impose such a continual sense of themselves on the mind, as shall engage all its thoughts about them. As when a man is in a Storm at Sea, the current of his Thoughts runs quite another way, than when he is in safety about his occasions. But ordinarily Voluntary Thoughts are the best measure and indication of the frame of our minds. As the nature of the Soil is judged by the Grass which it brings forth; so may the disposition of the Heart by the predominancy of Voluntary thoughts. They are the original acting of the Soul; the way whereby the Heart puts forth and empties the Treasure that is in it; the waters that first rise and flow from the fountain. Every mans Heart is his Treasury; and the Treasure that is in it, is either Good or Evil; as our Saviour tells us. There is a good and bad Treasure of the Heart; but whatever a man hath, be it good or evil, there it is. This Treasure is opening, emptying and spending it self continually, though it can never be exhausted. For it hath a Fountain in Nature or Grace, which no Expence can diminish;
