An image of any thing formed in the mind; sentiment, reflection, opinion, design. As the thoughts are the prime movers of the conduct; as in the sight of the Divine Being, they bear the character of good or evil; and as they are therefore cognizable at his tribunal; the moral regulation of them is of the greatest importance. It is of consequence to inquire what thoughts ought to be rejected and what to be indulged. Those of an evil nature, which ought to be banished, are,
1. Fretful and discontented thoughts.
2. Anxious and apprehensive thoughts.
3. Angry and wrathful thoughts.
4. Malignant and revengeful thoughts.
5. Such as are foolish, trifling, and unreasonable.
6. Wild and extravagant, vain and fantastical.
7. Romantic and chimerical.
8. Impure and lascivious.
9. Gloomy and melancholy.
10. Hasty and volatile.
11. Profane and blasphemous. The thoughts we ought to indulge, are those which give the mind a rational or religious pleasure; tend to improve the understanding; raise the affections to divine objects; to promote the welfare of our fellow creatures, and withal the divine glory. To bring the mind into a habit of thinking as we ought to think, there should by a constant dependence on and imploring of divine grace; an increasing acquaintance with the sacred Scriptures; and improvement of every opportunity of serious conversation; a constant observance of the works of God in creation, providence, and grace; and, lastly, a deep sense of the realities of an eternal world as revealed in the word of God. Mason on Self-knowledge; Watts on the Mind; Goodwin's Vanity of Thoughts.
See his Works, vol. 3: p. 232.