Directions for the Government of the Thoughts 001

Taken from "Christian Directory" (1673) by Richard Baxter.

This is chapter 6 of this book. It will be in 3 parts of which this is part one. Three parts will be following:

- directions for the avoiding of sinful thoughts

- directions for the exercise of good thoughts

- directions for the improvement of good thoughts, that they may be effectual

PART 1. Directions for avoiding of evil thoughts.

Direction 1. Know which are evil thoughts.

Direction 2. Be not insensible what a great deal of duty or sin are in the thoughts...

Direction 3. Above all be sure that you cleanse the fountain and destroy those sinful inclinations of the heart, from which your evil thoughts proceed.

Direction 4. Keep at sufficient distance from those tempting objects...

Direction 5. At least make a covenant with your senses, and keep them in obedience, if you will have obedient thoughts.

Direction 6. Remember how near kin the thought is to the deed.

Direction 7. Keep out, or quickly cast out, all inordinate passions.

Direction 8. Keep your soul in a constant and careful obedience unto God.

Direction 9. Remember God's continual presense; that all your thoughts are in his sight.

Direction 10. Bethink you seriously what government you would keep upon your thoughts, if they were but written on your foreheads.

Direction 11. Keep tender your consciences, that they may not be regardless or insensible of the smallest sin.

Direction 12. Cast out vain and sinful thoughts in the beginning, before they settle themselves and make a dwelling in thy heart.

Direction 13. Take heed lest any practival error corrupt your understandings...

Directions 14. Remember what an opening of thoughts there will be...

Direction 15. When you find some thoughts of sin and vanity are following you still....wait on God n the complacential and obediential way of cure.

Direction 16. Therefore deliver up your hearts to Christ in love and duty, and consecrate your thoughts entirely to his service, and keep them still exercised on him, or in his work: and this will most effectually cure them of vanity and sin.