Thirdly, the vanity and sinfulness of the mind appears in the godly, that though they entertain good thoughts, yet the mind is not, will not be long intent on them. Some things there are, which we are, and can be intent upon, and accordingly dwell long upon them, and therefore in Job 17. 11. The thoughts are called the possessions of the heart, (so 'tis in the original, and noted in the margin) such thoughts as are pleasing, the heart dwells on them; yea so intent are we often, that they hinder our sleep: as 'tis said of wicked men, They cannot sleep for multitude ⟨p. 42⟩of thoughts, Eccles. 5. 12. So, to devise froward things, Solomon says, Prov. 16. 30. That a man shuts his eyes, that is, is exceeding attentive, poreth upon his plots; for so a man doth use to do, to shut his eyes when he would be intent, and therefore it is so expressed. But now let the mind be occupied and busied about good things, and things belonging to our peace, how unsteady is it? which things should yet draw out the intention of the mind: For the more excellent the object is, the stronger our intention should be. God is the most glorious object our minds can fasten ⟨p. 43⟩on, the most alluring. The thought of whom therefore should swallow up all other, as not worthy to be seen the same day with him: But I appeal to all your experiences, if your thoughts of him be not most unsteady, and are, (that I may so compare it) as when we look upon a Star through an Optic glass, held with a palsy shaking hand: It is long ere we can bring our minds to have ken of him, to place our eyes upon him, and when we have, how do our hands shake, and so loose sight ever and anon? So whilst we are in never so serious talk with him, ⟨p. 44⟩when all things else should stand without, and not dare to offer entrance, till we have done with him, yet how many chinks are there in the heart, at which other thoughts come in? and our minds leave God, and follow them, and go after our covetousness, our credit, &c. as the Prophets phrase is, Ezech. 33. So when we are hearing the Word, how do our minds ever and anon run out of the Church, and come […] again, and so do not hear half that is said? So when we are at our callings, which God bids us to be conversant about with all our might, Eccles. 9. 10.
Thirdly, the vanity and sinfulnesse of the minde appeares in the godly, that though they entertaine good thoughts, yet the minde is not, will not bee long intent on them. Some things there are, which wee are, and can be intent upon, and accordingly dwell long upon them, and therefore in Iob 17. 11. The thoughts are called the possessions of the heart, (so 'tis in the originall, and noted in the margin) such thoughts as are pleasing, the heart dwells on them; yea so intent are wee often, that they hinder our sleepe: as 'tis said of wicked men, They cannot sleepe for multitude ⟨p. 42⟩of thoughts, Eccles. 5. 12. So, to devise froward things, Solomon sayes, Prov. 16. 30. That a man shuts his eyes, that is, is exceeding attentive, poreth upon his plots; for so a man doth use to do, to shut his eyes when hee would be intent, and therefore it is so expressed. But now let the minde be occupied and busied about good things, and things belonging to our peace, how unsteady is it? which things should yet draw out the intention of the minde: For the more excellent the object is, the stronger our intention should bee. God is the most glorious object our mindes can fasten ⟨p. 43⟩on, the most alluring. The thought of whom therefore should swallow up all other, as not worthy to bee seene the same day with him: But I appeale to all your experiences, if your thoughts of him be not most unsteady, and are, (that I may so compare it) as when wee looke upon a Starre thorow an Optique glasse, held with a palsie shaking hand: It is long ere wee can bring our mindes to have ken of him, to place our eyes upon him, and when wee have, how doe our hands shake, and so loose sight ever and anon? So whilst wee are in never so serious talke with him, ⟨p. 44⟩when all things else should stand without, and not dare to offer entrance, till wee have done with him, yet how many chinkes are there in the heart, at which other thoughts come in? and our minds leave God, and follow them, and goe after our covetousnesse, our credit, &c. as the Prophets phrase is, Ezech. 33. So when wee are hearing the Word, how do our minds ever and anon runne out of the Church, and come 〈…〉 againe, and so doe not heare halfe that is said? So when wee are at our callings, which God bids us to bee conversant about with all our might,
