'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — October 25

CONSIDER what a great deal of sin there is in the thoughts of man, and how dangerous it is to your soul. O the vile sins that are committed in men's thoughts! Victory begins by avoiding the object from which your evil thoughts proceed. We must keep a sufficient distance from tempting objects that fuel evil thoughts. Can you expect that a drunkard could rule his thoughts while he is in the tavern? Or that a glutton could rule his thoughts while the pleasing dish is in his sight? Or that a lustful person could keep chaste in his thoughts in the presence of his enamouring toy? Away with the fuel, fly from this infectious air, if you would be safe! Make a covenant with your senses if you desire to have obedient thoughts. Consider too how close a relative the thought is to the actual deed. A malicious thought and deed are from the same spring. A lustful thought is from the same defiled puddle as actual filthiness, and the thought is the passage to the action. Always be aware that you are under God's government, and his law extends to your thoughts. All your thoughts are in his sight. He sees every filthy, covetous, proud, ambitious, un-loving, malicious thought. Consider how careful you would be if your thoughts were written on your forehead. O how ashamed you would be if men could see your thoughts! Is not the eye of God ten thousand times more to be regarded? Keep a tender conscience to be aware of the smallest sin. A tender conscience fears evil thoughts and a seared conscience feels nothing. Cast out sinful thoughts in the beginning, before they settle themselves and make a dwelling in your heart. They are easier to be resisted at the beginning. Your heart will allow them to root and grow if you allow them to stay. Remember your hidden thought must one day be brought into the open light.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory, 1:247-49
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