INTRODUCTION Contents CHAPTER 1. The Occasion of the Words of the Text CHAPTER II. The Advantage of Well-Governing our Thoughts CHAPTER III. The Source of Evil Thoughts; the Obligation to Restrain them; and our Ability so to do CHAPTER IV. General Rules and Directions for the Virtuous Government of the Thoughts PAGE I 3 6 16 23 A PRACTICAL TREATISE CONCERNING Evil Thoughts I INTRODUCTION "For out of the heart proceed Evil Thoughts."-MATT. xv. 15 AM now entered upon | a subject which demands more than ordinary attention of the reader. The government of the thoughts is what I intend to discourse on from these words; which, as it is a matter of the greatest importance, so it is a thing of no small difficulty. Few medicines can reach internal wounds, and he is an artist indeed that can cure them. But notwithstanding the difficulty, I have attempted it; and shall lay before you the best method that I can, in order to the wellgoverning of the thoughts. Which when attained, is an achievement above those of the greatest conquerors, and deserves trophies beyond the most famous exploits of victory that ever were made; the wisest of men telling us, That he that ruleth his spirit, is better than he that taketh a city, Prov. xvi. 32. And our own experience confirms this sentence of the wise man. For there is nothing a |