Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the…Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the…

Sin begins in the Thoughts; first men Devise sin, then Act it, Mica. 2.2. For instance, would one have preferment: he bethinks himself by what ⟨p. 110⟩Ladder he may climb to Honour. He will Cringe and comply, and lay aside Conscience, and this is the way to rise. Would a man Grow rich: he sets his Thoughts a work how to compass an estate, he will circumvent, and pull down his Soul to build up an estate. Would he wreak his Malice on another; he frames an Engine in his Thoughts to take away his Life: as Jezebel (that Painted Harlot) when she would ruin Naboth, presently feigns a Sham-Plot and Subtly thinks of a way how to dispatch him, 1 King. 21.9. Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the People, and set two men Sons of Belial to Witness against him, saying, thou didst blaspheme God and the King, and carry him out and stone him. O the Mischief of Thoughts! A man may Deny God in his Thoughts, Psalm 14.1. The Fool hath said in his Heart there is no God. He may commit Adultery in his Thoughts, Mat. 5.28. Whosoever looks on a Woman to Lust after her hath committed Adultery with her in his Heart. A man may Murder another in his Thoughts, 1 Joh. 3.15. Whosoever hateth his ⟨p. 111⟩brother is a murderer. O how much contemplative wickedness is in the World! Tremble at sinful Thoughts. We startle at Gross sin, but we are not troubled so much for sinful Thoughts. Know, 1. That sin may be committed in the Thoughts, though it never blossom into outward Act, Prov. 24.9. The Thought of Foolishness is sin. See this in two things.

Sin begins in the Thoughts; first men Devise sin, then Act it, Mica. 2.2. For instance, would one have preferment: he bethinks himself by what ⟨p. 110⟩Ladder he may climb to Honour. He will Cringe and comply, and lay aside Conscience, and this is the way to rise. Would a man Grow rich: he sets his Thoughts a work how to compass an estate, he will circumvent, and pull down his Soul to build up an estate. Would he wreak his Malice on another; he frames an Engine in his Thoughts to take away his Life: as Iezabel (that Painted Harlot) when she would ruine Naboth, presently fains a Sham-Plot and Subtilly thinks of a way how to dispatch him,