The first is to get the heart furnished and enriched with a good stock of sanctified and heavenly knowledge in spiritual and heavenly truths: For a good man (saith Christ) hath a good treasure in his Heart, Matt. 13. 35. that is, he hath all graces, so many precious truths which are as Gold in the Ore, which his thoughts, as the Mint, doth coin and ⟨p. 117⟩beat out, and which words bring forth. A good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth good things. If therefore there be not Mines of precious truths hid in the heart, no wonder if our thoughts coin nothing but dross, frothy vain thoughts, for want of better materials which should feed the Mint, are wanting. Therefore Solomon saith, Wicked men forge, mint, or hammer wickedness, Pro. 6. 14. so Junius reads it: or if men have store of natural knowledge, and want spiritual useful knowledge, to themselves; although in company with others, they may bring forth good ⟨p. 118⟩things in speeches, yet when alone, their thoughts run not on them. For this, take a place of Scripture, Deut. 6. 6, 7. which shows, that laying up the Word in the heart, and being much conversant in it, and getting knowledge out of it, is an effectual means to keep our thoughts well exercised when we are alone: for the end why these words are commanded to be laid up in the heart, ver. 5, 6. is, as to teach them to others, so, to take up our thoughts when we are most retired, and alone, and when a man can do nothing, but barely exercise his mind, in thinking; for when a man ⟨p. 119⟩is a riding, or walking, or lying down, and rising up, (which are often and usually our most retired times for thoughts, & are wholly spent in them, for many ride alone, and lie alone, &c.) yet then, saith he, thou shalt talk of the Word: which command he that is alone cannot do, therefore the talking there meant is not only [Greek or Hebrew], outward conference with others (though intended) as to talk to thy bed-fellow of it, and to thy companion: but suppose thou hast none, then to talk of it to thy self, for thoughts are [Greek or Hebrew], talking of the mind; and so comparing Prov. 6. 22. with this place ⟨p. 120⟩(which will fitly interpret it) it appears;
THe first is to get the heart furnished and enriched with a good stocke of sanctified and heavenly knowledge in spirituall and heavenly truths: For a good man (saith Christ) hath a good treasure in his Heart, Matt. 13. 35. that is, hee hath all graces, so many precious truths which are as Gold in the Ore, which his thoughts, as the Mint, doth coine and ⟨p. 117⟩beat out, and which words bring forth. A good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth good things. If therefore there bee not Mines of precious truths hid in the heart, no wonder if our thoughts coyne nothing but drosse, frothy vaine thoughts, for want of better materialls which should feed the Mint, are wanting. Therefore Solomon saith, Wicked men forge, mint, or hammer wickednesse, Pro. 6. 14. so Iunius reads it: or if men have store of naturall knowledge, and want spirituall usefull knowledge, to themselves; although in company with others, they may bring forth good ⟨p. 118⟩things in speeches, yet when alone, their thoughts runne not on them. For this, take a place of Scripture, Deut. 6. 6, 7. which shewes, that laying up the Word in the heart, and being much conversant in it, and getting knowledge out of it, is an effectuall meanes to keepe our thoughts well exercised when wee are alone: for the end why these words are commanded to bee laid up in the heart, ver. 5, 6. is, as to teach them to others, so, to take up our thoughts when we are most retired, and alone, and when a man can doe nothing, but barely exercise his minde, in thinking; for when a man ⟨p. 119⟩is a riding, or walking, or lying downe, and rising up, (which are often and usually our most retired times for thoughts, & are wholly spent in them, for many ride alone, and lie alone, &c.) yet then, saith hee, thou shalt talk of the Word: which command he that is alone cannot do, therefore the talking there meant is not onely 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, outward conference with others (though intended) as to talke to thy bed-fellow of it, and to thy companion: but suppose thou hast none, then to talke of it to thy selfe, for thoughts are 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, talking of the minde; and so comparing
