scudderpage039

3. If thoughts of the world will imprudently intrude themselves, and will not be kept out; rebuke them sharply; give them no hearing, but dishearten them, and rebuke the porter and keeper of the door of your heart; that is, smite, wound, and check your conscience, because it did not check and restrain them.

4. In all lawful business, insure yourself fully and sufficiently to intend that one thing which you have in hand for the present, Eccles. ix. 10; and at all times restrain wandering thoughts as much as may be. Let your reason get such power over the fancy, that you may be able to think of what you please, when you please. You will say, "to a fickle mind this is hard, if not impossible." To this I answer, if you would not nourish and entertain evil, flying, and unseasonable thoughts when they arise; and would (as often as they offer themselves) be much displeased with them, and with yourself for them; then in time you will find it possible, and not exceedingly hard to think of what good things you would, and not of what evil things you would not.

5. Lastly, When the time of thinking and doing of your worldly business is come, then think thereof sufficiently, and to good purpose; for then they will be the less troublesome in thrusting themselves in out of place, because it is known that in their place, they shall be fully regarded. Idleness and improvidence about these things, puts a man into straits many times, and into distempers about his worldly business, more than needs, or else would be.

You would also know when your thoughts of success in your worldly affairs are evil, together with a remedy against them.

To think, that, if you be not prudent and diligent in your calling, and that if God do not bless your diligence, you may do the works of your calling in vain, and may expect ill success; thus to think is lawful and useful. For it will excite in you a resolution to be frugal and diligent; and when you have done all you can, these thoughts also will quicken you to prayer unto God for success. But if your thoughts