1. A continual watch is to be kept in and on the soul against the
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incursions of vain thoughts and imaginations, especially in such sea- sons wherein they are apt to obtain advantage. If they are suffered to make an inroad into the mind, if we accustom ourselves to give them entertainment, if they are wont to lodge within, in vain shall we hope or desire to be spiritually minded. Herein consists a prin- cipal part of that duty which our Saviour so frequently, so empha- tically chargeth on us all, namely, to “ watch,” Mark xiii. 37. Unless we keep a strict watch herein, we shall be betrayed into the hands of our spiritual enemies; for all such thoughts are but making provision for the flesh, to fulfil its desires in the lusts thereof, how- ever they may be disappointed as unto actual sin. This is the sub- stance of the advice given us in charge, Prov. iv. 23, “ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
2. Careful avoidance of all societies and businesses of this life which are apt, under various pretences, to draw and seduce the mind unto an earthly or sensual frame. If men will venture on those things which they have found by experience, or may find by their observation, that they seduce and draw off their minds from a hea- venly frame unto that which is contrary thereunto, and will not watch unto their avoidance, they will be filled with the fruit of their own ways. Indeed, the common converse of professors among them- selves and others, walking, talking, and behaving themselves like other men, being as full of the world as the world is of itself, hath lost the grace of being spiritually minded within, and stained the glory of profession without. The rule observed by David will mani- fest how careful we ought to be herein: Ps, xxxix. 1-3, “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue;”—which place was spoken unto before.
3. A holy constraint put on the mind to abide in the duty of spiritual thoughts and meditations, pressing it continually with the consideration of their necessity and usefulness. The mind will be apt of itself to start aside from duties purely spiritual, through the mixture of the flesh abiding in it. The more inward and purely spiritual any duty is which hath no outward advantages, the more prone will the mind be to decline from it. It will be so more from private prayer than public, more from meditation than prayer. And other things will be apt to draw it aside, by objects without, and various stirrings of the affections within. A holy constraint is to be put upon it, with a sudden rejection of what rises up to its di- version or disturbance. Wherefore, we are to call in all constraining
CHAP. X.] RULES FOR ABIDING IN THOUGHTS OF GOD. 387
motives, such as the consideration of the love of Christ, 2 Cor. v. 14, to keep the mind steady unto its duty.
4. Diligent use of means to furnish the soul with that light and knowledge of heavenly things which may administer continual matter of holy thoughts and meditations from within ourselves. This hath been spoken unto at large before. And the want hereof is that which keeps many from the least proficiency in these duties: as a man may have some skill or ability for a trade, yet if he have no materials to work upon, he must sit still, and let his trade alone. And so must men do as unto the work of holy meditation. Whatever be the ability of the natural faculties, their inventions or memories, if they are not furnished with knowledge of things spiritual and heavenly, which are the subject-matter of such meditations, they must let their work alone. Hence the apostle prays for the Colos- sians, that “the word of Christ might dwell in them richly in all wis- dom,” chap. ii. 16; that is, that they might abound in the knowledge of the mind of Christ, without which we shall be unfit for this duty.
5. Unweariedness in our conflict with Satan, who, by various artifices and the injection of fiery darts, labours continually to divert us from these duties. He is seldom or never wanting unto this oc- casion. He who is furnished in any measure with spiritual wisdom and understanding may find him more sensibly at work in his craft and opposition with respect unto this duty than any other way. When we stand thus before the Lord, he is always at our right hand to resist us, and ofttimes his strength is great. Hence, as was ob- served, ofttimes men design really to exercise themselves in holy - thoughts, but end in vain imaginations, and rather take up with - trifles than continue in this duty. Steadiness in the resistance of him on these occasions is one great part of our spiritual warfare. And we may know that he is at work by his engines and methods; for they consist in his suggestions of vain, foolish, or corrupt imagi- nations. When they begin to rise in our minds at such times as we would engage them in spiritual meditation, we may know as- suredly from whence they are.