The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Thus in Covetous men there are two sorts of thoughts, whereby their Covetousness acts it self. First; Such as are occasioned by outward Objects and Opportunities. So it was with Achan; Josh. 7.21. When, saith he, I saw among the Spoils a goodly Babylonish Garment, and two hundred Shekels of Silver, and a Wedge of Gold, then I coveted them. His sight of them with an Opportunity of possessing himself of them, excited covetous thoughts and desires in him. So is it with others every day, whose Occasions call them to converse with the Objects of their Lusts. And some by such Objects may be surprised into Thoughts that their minds are not habitually inclined unto. And therefore when they are known, it is our duty to avoid them. But the same sort of Persons have thoughts of this nature arising from themselves only, their own dispositions and inclinations, without any outward Provocations. The vile Person will speak villainy, and his heart will work iniquity, Isa. 32.6. And this he doth as the liberal deviseth liberal things, v. 8. from his own disposition and inclination, he is contriving in his thoughts how to act according to them. So ⟨p. 17⟩the Unclean Person hath two sorts of thoughts with respect unto the satisfaction of his Lusts. First, Such as are occasioned in his mind by the external Objects of it. Hereunto Stage-plays, Revellings, Dancings with the Society of bold Persons, Persons of corrupt Communication do contribute their wicked Service. For the avoidance of this Snare, Job made a Covenant with his Eyes, Chap. 31.1. And our Saviour gives that holy Declaration of the evil of it, Mat. 5.28. But he hath an habitual Spring of these thoughts in himself constantly inclining and disposing him thereunto. Hence the Apostle Peter tells us that such Persons have eyes full of an Adulteress, that cannot cease from sin, 2 Ep. 2.14. Their own Affections make them restless in their thoughts and contrivances about sin. So is it with them who are given to excess in Wine or strong Drink. They have pleasing thoughts raised in them from the Object of their lust represented unto them. Hence Solomon gives that advice against the Occasion of them. Prov. 23.31. But it is their own habitual disposition which carries them unto pleasing thoughts of the satisfaction of their Lusts, which he describes, v. 34, 35. So is it in other Cases.