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…

13. Our Thoughts of God shall not be lost. God accepts of the Thought for the deed. David had a good Thought come into his Mind to build God an House, and God took it as kindly as if he had done it, 2 Chron. 6.8. Forasmuch as it was in thy Heart to build an house to my Name, thou didst well that it was in thy Heart. When Christians have Thoughts of promoting Gods Glory, they would do such good Acts if it were in their Power, build Hospitals, distribute Justice, cut off offenders from the City of God, the Lord looks upon it as if they had done it: so that our Thoughts of God are not lost.

¹Let us think of God in a Right manner. A Good Medicine may be spoiled in the making: so may a Good Duty be spoiled in the doing. Thoughts may be Good for the matter of them, yet may be Faulty in the manner. I shall show you 1. How Thoughts of God may fail in the Manner. 2. The Right Manner of Thinking upon God.

¹Let us think of God in a Right manner. A Good Medicine may be spoiled in the making: so may a Good Duty be spoiled in the doing. Thoughts may be Good for the matter of them, yet may be Faulty in the manner. I shall shew you 1. How Thoughts of God may fail in the Manner. 2. The Right Manner of Thinking upon God.

1. 12 Branch.

1. How Thoughts of God may fail in the Manner. 1. A man may Think of God, yet not intend his glory. Jehu had good Thoughts came into his Mind, to destroy the Baal-worshippers, but his intent was to advance himself into the Throne. Bad aims Fly-blow good Actions. 2. A man may have Good Thoughts but they are forced,—Virtus nolentium nulla est— When one bleeds under Gods afflicting hand, he may Think of God, yet have no love to him,