OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 183 view, no less than our outward actions. And as we ought to be perpetually under an awe of, and in the fear of God, in these apprehensions, so there are some seasons wherein our minds ought to be in the actual conception and thoughts of them, without which we shall not be preserved in our duty. 1. The first season of this nature is, when times, places, with other occasions of temptation, and conse- quently of sinning, do come and meet. With some, company constitutes such a season; and with some, secresy with opportunitydoes the same. There are those who are ready, with a careless boldness, to put themselves on such societies as they know have been temptations to them, and occasions of sin ; every such entrance into any society or company, to them who know how it Kath formerly succeeded, is their actual sin, and it is just with God to leave them to all the evil consequences that ensue. Others also do either choose, or are frequently cast on such society; and no sooner are they engaged in it, but they forget all re- gard to God, and give themselves up, not only to van- ity, but to various sorts of excess. David knew the evil and danger of such occasions ; and gives us an account of his behavior in them. Psal. xxxix. 1 -3. ' I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue : I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with si- lence ; I held my peace, even from good, and my sor- row was stirred; my heart was hot within me ; while I was musing, the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue.' As for their evil words and ways, he would have no communication with them. And as to good discourse, he judged it unseasonable to cast pearls be- fore swine. He was therefore silent as to that also,
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