Gem #69 - Controlling Evil Thoughts

My thoughts will sometimes fly up to God with such a power that eagles'

wings cannot match it. It sometimes has such might that it can almost see

the King in His beauty, and the land which is very far off. With regard to

myself, my thoughts will sometimes; take me over the gates of iron, across

that infinite unknown, to the very gates of pearl, and discovers the

glorified Blessed One.

But, if it is powerful one way, it is another: for my thoughts have taken

me down to the vilest gutters and sewers of the earth. It has given me

imaginations so dreadful, that, while I could not avoid them, yet I was

thoroughly horrified at them. These thoughts will come; and when I feel in

the holiest condition, the most devoted to God, and the most earnest in

prayer, it often happens that that is the very time when the plague breaks

out the worst.

But I rejoice and think of one thing, that I can cry out when these

thoughts come upon me. I know it is said in the Book of Leviticus, when

someone committed an immoral act of evil against a virgin, if the maiden

cried out for someone to help her, then her life was to be spared. So it

is with the Christian. If he cries out when evil thoughts come, there is

hope. Can you chain your thoughts? No; but the power of the Holy Spirit

can. Yes, He shall do it! and He does it even on the earth.