might as well attempt to number the sands upon the sea shore :) we must content ourselves with mention- ing a few, which deserve more particular attention.
St. Paul speaks of a " filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit : " agreeably to which distinction we may arrange our thoughts under two heads ;
1. Spiritual —
[There are many " vain thoughts," which, on account of their having their seat and empire in the mind only, may be called spiritual ; but which are peculiarly hateful to God.
What proud thoughts are apt to infest the mind ! It is no small complacency which people feel in the beauty of their persons, the elegance of their dress, the dignity of their titles, or the extent and variety of their intellectual acquirements. Even in reference to religion itself, how common is it to behold men puffed up with vain conceit, imagining themselves wise, when they are " born like a wild ass's colt ;" and good, when they are " enemies to God by wicked works ! "
Unbelieving thoughts also are ever ready to arise. Indeed, these almost universally prevail. Whence is it that men are so secure, so easy in their sins ? Whence is it that all the pro- mises and threatenings of the Gospel have so little weight ? Is it not from the secret thought that God's wrord shall never be fulfilled, and that, however they may live, they shall have peace at the last? And are not such thoughts peculiarly dis- pleasing to Goda?
Amongst the most sinful thoughts that can occupy the mind, are those which are vindictive : yet how apt are they to rankle in the breast ! What a tumult will they excite within us, agitating our frame, and instigating us to the most bitter invectives, hasty purposes, and violent proceedings ! It is well for mankind that all are not equally susceptible of these im- pressions ; but there are few, if any, who have not found them, on some occasions, disturbing their own peace, and operating to the destruction of Christian charity. Nothing can more strongly mark the impiety of such thoughts than God's express declaration, that he himself will never forgive any person that entertains them in his heart b.]
2. Carnal —
[Amongst carnal thoughts we number those which relate either to the world or to the flesh.
The world tempts us principally to anxious, covetous, or ambitious thoughts. To these all are more or less exposed : the statesman, the warrior, the merchant, the mechanic, yea,
a Deut. xxix. 19, 20. b Matt, xviii. 35.