The Government of the Thoughts, Title page – Preface
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE THOUGHTS: A Prefatory DISCOURSE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TONGUE, By the AUTHOR of the The Whole Duty of Man.
The Lord knoweth the Thoughts of the Wise, that they are vain, 1 Cor. 3.20.
LONDON: Printed by R. Smith for Richard Cumberland, at the Angel in St. Paul's Church-Yard. M DC XC IV.
Imprimatur.
Edward Cook. September 15. 1693.
THE PREFACE.
THE Government of the Thoughts was some Years since designed for the Press, but not till this opportunity, thought fit to make its Appearance. The Tract indeed in point of Justice, must own its Original Theme, to that Most Excellent and Learned Author of The Whole Duty of Man; and had not the Grave and Darkness deprived us of so great a Luminary, this Treatise would have appeared in perfect Lustre, with all those Embellishments which so Exquisite a Pen could have rendred it.
The main Subject Matter of this Discourse, is to perswade Men to regulate their inordinate Thoughts and Affections, that such an unruly Member, as St. James affirms the Tongue to be, may not break out into that Conflagration, as all their Reason cannot easily quench: For out of the Heart proceeds all Evil Thoughts, the product of bad Actions, which are concomitant to contumelious Speeches: And indeed I presume, we cannot place too strong a Guard on that which appears so formidable an Enemy, and threatens us with so much Violence, which if not speedily prevented, may in the end prove Destructive.
I cannot reasonably expect, that this Product of my Labors should find a candid Acceptance of all Persons; or like the Manna, accomodate every Palate, especially in this Censorious Age, wherein some approve of nothing but the Minerva of their own Brain; I wish I could not say many, (like those foolish Heathens) Adore their own Maladies, applauding themselves for Benevolent and Prudent, by disgusting all that's good and wholsome, which is indeed a Symptom of a disaffected Palate.
I am not ignorant, that a Speaker ventureth within the reach of Censure; and that a Writer fixes himself to the Stake: Yet in hope that some may reap benefit by my Labours, I resolve not to be discouraged, if any shall prove so malign as to render Evil to my good Intentions, my Labour is with that Omnipotency who appointed some cheap Sacrifices, that the Poor might serve him as well as the Rich, and requiring principally willing Hearts, Exod. 35.6, 7, &c. And he that possess'd not Jewels, Gold, Silver, Silk, Purple, or of the like Estimation, might produce Skins and Goats-hair, which were of inconsiderable Value, but proved Acceptable. You who enjoy a greater share of Heavenly Treasures, offer of your Fulness; for the Almighty accepteth the poor Widows Mites where no more is Expected.
And now let us hasten to enter into that sacred way of Charity, which directeth to Salvation, and persevere in that Truth which never Deceiveth, nor is Deceived; so that at the last we may enter into the Kingdom of Glory. To conclude, I shall only add what St. Paul said upon his departure, to the Elders of Miletum, Acts 20.32. And now Brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of his Grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an Inheritance among all them which are Sanctified. Read Happily, and Practise Diligently, not omitting St. Paul's Instructions to Timothy, in his Second Epistle, 2 Chap. ver. 2. Consider what I say, and the Lord give you Understanding in all things.