Yea, such thoughts are needful unto the best of us all, and in the best of our societies, that we behave not ourselves indecently in them at any time.
Again, unto some, privacy, secrecy, and opportunity, are occasions of temptation and sin. They are so unto persons under convictions not wholly turned to God. Many a good beginning hath been utterly ruined by this occasion and temptalion. Privacy and opportunity have overthrown many such persons in the best of their resolutions: and they are so unto all persons not yet flagitiously wicked. Cursed fruits proceed every day from these occasions. We need no other demonstration of their power and efficacy in tempting unto sin, but the visible effects of them : and what they are unto any, they may be unto all, if not dili- gently watched against. So the apostle reflects on the * shameful things that are done in the dark,' in a concur- rence of secrecy and opportunity. This, therefore, gives a just season unto thoughts of the omnipresence and omni- science of God, and they will not be wanting in some mea- sure in them that are spiritually minded.
God is in this place, the darkness is no darkness unto him, light and darkness are with him both alike ; are sufficient considerations to lay in the balance against any temptation springing out of secrecy and opportunity. One thought of the actual presence of the holy God, and the open view of his all-seeing eye, will do more to cool those affections which lust may put into a tumult on such occa- sions, than any other consideration whatever. A speedy retreat hereunto upon the first perplexing thought where- with temptation assaults the soul, will be its strong tower, where it shall be safe.
2. A second season calling for the exercise of our minds in thoughts of the omnipresence and omniscience of God, is made up of our solitudes and retirements. These give us the most genuine trials whether we are spiritually minded or no. What we are in them, that we are and no more.
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 347
But yet in some of them, as in walking and journeying, or the like, vain thoughts and foolish imaginations are ex- ceeding apt to solicit our minds. Whatever is stored up in the affections or memory, will at such a time offer itself for our present entertainment : and where men have accustomed themselves unto any sort of things, they will press on them for the possession of their thoughts, as it were, whether they will or no. The psalmist gives us the way to prevent this evil ; Psal. xvi. 7, 8. 'I will bless the Lord who hath given me counsel ; my reins also instruct me in the night season. I have set the Lord always before me, because he is at my right hand.' His reins, that is, his affections, and secret thoughts, gave him counsel, and instructed him in all such seasons : but whence had they that wisdom and faithfulness? in themselves they are the seat of all lusts and corruptions, nor could do any thing but seduce him into an evil f'ame. It was from hence alone * that he set the Lord always be- fore him.' Continual apprehensions of the presence of God with him, kept his mind, his heart and affections, in that awe and reverence of him, as that they always instructed him unto his duty. But as I remember, I spake somewhat as unto the due management of our thoughts in this season before.
3. Times of great difficulties, dangers, and perplexities of mind thereon, are a season calling for the same duty. Suppose a man is left alone in his trials for the profession of the gospel, as it was with Paul, when ' all men forsook hill), and no man stood by him.' Suppose him to be brought before princes, rulers, or judges that are filled with rage and armed with power against him, all things being disposed to affect him with dread and terror. It is the duty of such a one to call off" his thoughts from all things visibly present, and to fix them on the omnipresence and omniscience of God. He sits amongst those judges though they acknow- ledge him not; he rules over them at his pleasure ; he knows the cause of the oppressed, and justifies them whenever the world condemns; and can deliver them when he pleaseth. With the thoughts hereof did those holy souls support them- selves when they stood before the fiery countenance of the bloody tyrant on the one hand, and the burning fiery fur- nace on the other, Dan. iii. 17, 18. * Our God wlxom we serve
348 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF
is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king; but if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.' Thoughts of the presence and power of God, gave them not only comfort and supportment under their distress, when they were alone and helpless, but courage and resolution to defy the tyrant to his face. And when the apostle was brought before Nero, that monster of cruelty and villany, and all men forsook him, he affirms, ' That the Lord stood by him and strengthened him ;' 2 Tim. iv. 17. He refreshed himself with thoughts of his presence, and had the blessed fruit of it.