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MOSES. It is impossible for the mind not to be approached by thoughts,
but it is in the power of every earnest man either to admit them or to
reject them. As then their rising up does not entirely depend on ourselves,
so the rejection or admission of them lies in our own power. But because we
said that it is impossible for the mind not to be approached by thoughts,
you must not lay everything to the charge of the assault, or to those
spirits who strive to instil them into us, else there would not remain any
free will in man, nor would efforts for our improvement be in our power:
but it is, I say, to a great extent in our power to improve the character
of our thoughts and to let either holy and spiritual thoughts or earthly
ones grow up m our hearts. For for this purpose frequent reading and
continual meditation on the Scriptures is employed that from thence an
opportunity for spiritual recollection may be given to us, therefore the
frequent singing of Psalms is used, that thence constant feelings of
compunction may be provided, and earnest vigils and fasts and prayers, that
the mind may be brought low and not mind earthly things, but contemplate
things celestial, for if these things are dropped and carelessness creeps
on us, the mind being hardened with the foulness of sin is sure to incline
in a carnal direction and fall away.
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