Man hath Power of himself to refift a Temptation, further than God gives him Strength, Fer. 10. 23. O Lord, I know that the Way of Man is not in kimfelf. If Peter who had true Grace, and Adam who had perfect Grace, could not ftand againft Temptation, much lefs can any ftand by the Power of Nature; which confutes the Doctrine of Free-will: What Freedom of Will hath Man, when he cannot refift the leaft Temptation ? Inference 3, Here is Matter of Humiliation, that there is in us fuch an Aptitude and Proneness to yield to Temptation --- Nitimur in vetitum - we are as ready to fwallow a Temptation, as the Fifh to fwallow the Bait. If the Devil tempt to Pride, Luft, Envy, Revenge; how do we fymbolize with Satan, and embrace his fnares? Like a Woman that hath a fuiter come to her, and the doth not need much Wooing, fhe prefently gives her Confent: Satan comes a-wooing by Temptation, and we foon yield; he strikes Fire, and we are as dry Tinder that catcheth the first park; he knocks by Temptation, and it is fad to think how foon we open the Door to the Devil, which is as if one fhould open the Door to a Thief; this may cause a fpring of Tears. Inference 4. See hence, a Chriftian's Life is no eafy Life, it is Military; he hath a Goliab in the Field to encounter with, One that is armed with Power and Subtilty; he hath his Wiles and Darts. A Chriftian must be continually watching and fighting; Satan's defigns carry Death in the Front, 1 Pet. 5. 8. Seeking whom he may Devour; therefore we had need be always with our Weapons in our Hand. How few think their Life a Warfare? Tho' they have an Enemy in the Field, that is always laying of fnares, or fhooting of Darts, yet they do not ftand fentinel, or get their fpiritual Artilery ready; they put on their fewels, but not their Armour, Job 21. 12. They take the Timbrel and Harp, and rejoyce at the found of the Organ, as if they were rather in Mufick than in Battle. Many are afleep in floth, when they fhould be fighting against Satan; and no wonder the Devil fhoots them when he finds them asleep. Ufe 2. It reproves them who pray, Lead us not into a Temptation: yet run themfelves into Temptation: Such are they who go to Plays and Mafquerades, and hunt after ftrange Flefh. Some go a flower Pace to Hell, but fuch as run themselves into Temptation, thefe go galloping thither: We have too many of thefe in this debauched Age, who, as if they thought they could not fin taft enough, tempt the Devil to tempt them. Ufe 3. Exhortation. Let us labour that we be not overcome by temptation. Queft. What Means may be used, that Satan's Temptations may not prevail against. us? Refp. 1. Avoid Solitarinefs. It is no Wifdom in fighting with an Enemy to give him the Advantage of the Ground; we give Satan Advantage of the Ground, when we are alone. Eve was foiled in the Abfence of her Husband. A Virgin is not fo foon fet upon in Company, Ecclef. 4. 10. Two are better than one. Get into the Communion of Saints, and that is a good Remedy against Temptation. 2. If you would not be overcome of Temptation, beware of the Predominancy of Nielancholy; this is atra bilis, a black Humour feated chiefly in the Brain. Melancholy dif turbs Reafon, and expofeth to Temptatation. One calls Melancholy, Balneum Diaboli, the Devil's Bath; he bathes himfelf with delight in fuch a Perfon. Melancholy clothes the Mind in fable, it fills it with fuch dismal Apprehenfions, as oft end in Self-Murder. 3. If you would not be overcome of Temptation, ftudy Sobriety, 1 Pet. 5. 8. Be fober, because your Adverfary walketh about. Sober-mindednefs confifts in the moderate Ufe of earthly Things: An immoderate Defire of thefe Things oft brings Men into the fnare of the Devil, 1 Tim. 6. 9. They that will be rich fall into a Snare. He who loves Riches inordinately, will purchase them unjustly. Ahab would fwim to Naboth's Vineyard in Blood. He who is drunk with the Love of the World, is never free from Temptation; he will pull down his Soul to build up an Eftate. Quid non mortalia pectora cogis auri facra fames? Be fober, take heed of being drunk with the Love of the World, left ye fall into Temptation. 4. Be always upon your Grard, watch againft Satan's Wiles and Subtilties, 1 Pet. 5. 8. Be vigilant, because your Adverfary the Devil walks about. A Chriftian must excu bias agere, keep Watch and Ward: See where He meets us at Church, he doth not miss Satan Labours to make a Breach, fee what Grace he most ftrikes at, or what Sin he moft tempts to, Mark 13. 37. I say unto you all, Watch. Watch all the Senfes, the Eye, the Ear, the Touch; Satan can creep in here: O how needful is the fpiritual Watch! Shall Satan be watchful, and we drowfy? Doth he watch to devour us, and fhall not we watch to fave ourfelves? Let us fee what Sin our Heart most naturaly inclines to, and watch against this. 5. Beware of Idleness; Satan fows moft of his Seed in Fallow-ground. It was Hierom's Counfel to his Friend, to be ever bufied, that, if the Devil did come, he might find him working in the Vineyard. Idlenefs tempts the Devil to tempt: The Bird that fits till is fhot; he that wants Employment, never wants Temptation; when a Man hath nothing to do, Satan will bring Grift to the Miln, and find him Work enough. 6. Make known thy Cafe to fome godly Friend: The hiding a Serpent in the Bofom, is not the Way to be fafe; when the Old Serpent hath gotten into your Bofom by a Temptation, do not hide him there, by keeping his Counfel. If a fpark be got into the Thatch, it is not Wisdom to conceal it, it may fet the Houfe on Fire; conceal not Temptation. The keeping of Secrets is for familiar Friends: Be not to great a Friend to Satan, as to keep his reveal your Temptations, which is the Way to procure others Prayers and Advice, Let all fee that you are not true to Satan's Party, because you tell all his Plots, and reveal his Treafons. Befides, the Cafe to fome experienced Chriftian, is the Way to have Eate; as the opening a Vein gives Eafe, fo the opening our Cafe to a Friend gives Eafe to the Soul, and a Temptation doth not fo much inflame, 7. Make ufe of the Word. This the Apoftle calls the Sword of the Spirit, Eph. 6. 17. a fit Weapon to fight against the Tempter. This Sword of the Spirit is gladius anceps, a twoedged Sword; it wounds tarnal Luft, and it wounds Satan. He who travels a Road where their is Robbing, will be fure to ride with his Sword; we are travelling to Heaven, and in this Road there is a Thief will always befet us, Satan is in every Place where we go; a Sermon, he will be tempting us there; fometimes to Drowsiness; when you fleep at a Ser mon, the Devil Rocks you afleep; fometimes he tempts by distracting the Mind in hearing, fometimes he tempts to Queftion the Truth of what you hear; thus we meet with the Tempter at Church. And he tempts in the Shop, he tempts you to ufe Colufion and Deceit, Hof. 12. 7. The Ballances of Deceit are in his Hand; fo that we meet with the Tempter every where; therefore, this Thief being in the Road, we had need ride with a Sword; we must have the Sword of the Spirit about us. We must have skill to ufe this Sword, and have an Heart to draw it out, and this Sword will put the Devil to Flight. Thus our bleffed Saviour, when Satan tempted him to Diftrust and Blafphemy, he used a Scripture-weapon, It is written. Three Times Chrift wounded the Old Serpent with his Sword. Chrift could with his Power and Authority have rebuked the Prince of the Air, as he did the Winds; but he ftops the Devil's Mouth with Scripture, It is written. It is not ourVows or Refolutions will do it, it is not the Papifts holy Water or Charms will drive away the Devil, but let us bring the Word of God against him; this is fuch an Argument as he cannot Anfwer. It was a faying of Luther, I have had great Troubles of Mind, but fo foon as I laid hold on any place of Scripture, and fray'd myself upon it, as upon my chief Anchor, ftraightway my Temptation vanished away. There's no Temptation but we have a fit Scripture to Answer it. If Satan tempts to Sabbath-breaking, anfwer him, It is written. Remember to keep the Sabbath-day holy. If he temps to Uncleannefs, anfwer him, It is written, Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge. If he tempts to carnal Fear, fay, It is written, Fear not them that kill the Body, and after that, have no more that they can do. No fuch Way to confute Temptation as by Scripture; the Arrows which we fhoot against Satan muft be fetched out of this Quiver. Many People want this Sword of the Spirit, they have not a Bible; others feldom make ufe of this Sword, but let it ruft; they look feldom into the Scripture, therefore no Wonder they are overcome by Temptations. He who is well skill'd in the Word, is like one who hath a Plaister ready to, to lay upon 8. Let us be careful of our own Hearts, that they do not Decoy us into Sin. The Apoftle faith, A Man is drawn away of his own Heart, and inticed, James 1. 14. Quif que fibi Satan eft, Bern. Every Man hath a Tempter in his own Bofem. A Tratior with in the Caftle is dangerous. The Heart can bring forth a Temptation, tho' Satan do not midwife it into the World: If Satan were dead and buried, the Heart could draw us to Evil. As the Ground of all Difeafes lies in the Humours of the Body; fo the Seed of all Sin lies in the original Luft. Look to your Hearts. 9. If you would not be overcome of Temptation, flee the Occafion of Sin. Occafions of Sin have a great Force in them to awaken Luft within. He that would keep himfelf free from Infection, will not come near an infested Houfe, if you would be fober, avoid drunken Company. Jofeph, when he was enticed by his Miftrefs, fhuned the Occafion; the Text faith, He could not be with her, Gen. 39. 10. If you would not be enfnared with Popery,do not hear the Mafs. The Nazarite, who was forbid Wine, might not eat Graps, which might Occafion Intemperance. Come not near the Borders of a Temptation. Suppofe one had a Body made of Gun-powder, he would not come near the leaft fpark of Fire, left he fhould be blown up: Manypray, Lead us not into Temptation, and they run themfelves into Temptation. Chrift's Merite, Value, and Virtue; and fo a 11. If you would not be overcome of Temptation, be much in Prayer. Such as walk in infectious Places, carry Andtidotes about them; Prayer is the beft Antidote again't Temptation. When the Apostle had exhorted to put on the whole Armour of God, Eph. 6. 11. he adds v. 18. Praying with all Prayer. Without this, reliqua arma parum profunt, Zanchy. All other Weapons will do little Good.. Chrift perfcribes this Remedy, Watch and pray, left ye enter into Temptati on, Mark 14, 38. A Chriftian fetcheth down ftrength from Heaven by Prayer. Let us cry to God for Help against the Tempter, as Samfon cried to Heaven for Help, Fudg. 16. 28. O Lord God, Remember me, and firengthen me, I pray thee. that I may be avented of the Philistines. And v. 30. The Hofe fell upon the Lords, and upon all the People. Prayer is flagellum Diaboli, it whips and torments the Devil: The Apoftle bids us pray without ceafing, 1 Thef.5.17.It was Luther's Advice to a Lady, when Temptation came, to fall upon her Knees by Prayer. Prayer doth affwage the Force of a Temptation. Prayer is the beft Charm or Spell we can ufe against the Devil. Temptation may bruite our Heel? but, by Prayer, we Wound the Serpent's Head. When Paul had a Meffenger of Satan to buffet him, what Remedy doth we ufe? He betook himself to Prayer, 2 Cor. 12. 8. For this Thing I befought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. When Satan affaults furioufly, let us pray fervently. 10. if you would not be overcome by Temptation, make ufe of Faith, Above all Things take the field of Faith, Eph. 6. 16. Faith 12. If you would not be overcome of Tempwards off Satan's fiery Darts, that they do not tation, be humble in your oren Eyes: Such Hurt, 1 Pet. 5. 9. Whom refift, ftedfaft in the are nearest falling, who prefume of their own. Faith. Mariners in a Storm flee to their An- ftrength. Penelton, who faid, his fat Fleh chor; flee to your Anchor of Faith: Faith fhould Melt in the Fire; instead of his Fat brings Chrift along with it, Ducllers bring melting, his Heart melted, and he turned their Second with them into the Field: Faith brings Chrift along for its Second. Faith puts us into Chrift, and then the Devil cannot hurt us. The Chicken is fafe from the Birds of Prey, under the Wings of the Hen; and we are fecure from the Tempter, under the Wings of the Lord Jefus. Tho' other graces are of ufe to refilt the Impulfions of Satan, yet Faith is the conquering Grace Faith takes hold of from the Truth. When Men grow into big Conceit, God lets them fall, to prick the Blad der of Pride. O be humble! fuch are like to hold beft out in Temptation, who have moft Grace; but God gives more Grace to the humble, James 4. 6. Beware of Pride; an Impofthume is not more dangerous in the Body, than Pride in the Soul. The Doves (faith (faith Pilny) take a Pride in their Feathers, and in their flying high; at last they fly fo high, that they are a Prey to the Hawk: When Men fly high in Pride and felf-confidence, they become a Prey to the Tempter. 13. If you would not be foiled by Temptation, do not enter into a Difpute with Satan. When Eve began to argue the Cafe with the ferpent, the ferpent was too hard for her; the Devil, by his Logick, difputed her out of Paradife: Satan can mince fin, make it fmall, and vernifh it over, and make it look like Virtue; Satan is too fubtil a fophifter to hold an Argument with him. Difpute not, but fight. If you enter into a Parley with Satan, you give him half the Victory, 14. If we would not be overcome of Satan, let us put on Chriftian Fortitude. An Enemy we must expect, who is either hooting of Darts, or laying of fnares, therefore, let us be armed with Courage, 2 Chron. 19. 11. Deal curagiously, and the Lord fhall be with the good. The Coward never won Victory: And, to animate us in our Combat with Satan, (1) We have a good Captain that marcheth before us, Chrift is called the Captain of our Salvation, Heb. 2. 10. (2) We have good Armour: Grace is Armour of God's making, Ephef. 6. 11. (3.) Satan is beaten in Part already; Chrift hath given him his Death-wound upon the Crofs, Col. 3. 15. (4) Satan is a chained Enemy, his Power is limited; he cannot force the Will: It was all Eve complained of, that the Serpent deceived her, not conftrained her, Gen. 3. 13. Satan hath auftutiam Juadendi, not potentiam cogendi; he may perfwade, not compel. (5) He is a curfed Enemy, and God's curfe will blaft hin: Therefore put on holy GalIantry of Spirit and Magnanimity. Fear not Satan. Greater is he that is in you, than he that is against you. 15. If we would not be overcome of a Temptation, let us call in the Help of others. If an House be set on Fire, would not you call in Help? Satan Tempts, that he may rob you of your Soul; acquaint fome Friends with your Cafe, and beg for their Counfel and Prayers. Who knows but Satan may be caft out by the joint Prayers of others? In case of Temptation, how exceeding helpful is the Communion of Saints? 16. If we would not be overcome of a Temptation, let us make ufe of all the Encouragements, we can. If Satan be a roaring Lion, Chrift is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; if Satan Tempts, Chrift prays; if Satan be a ferpent to fting, Chrift is a Brazen ferpent to heal; if the conflict be hard, look to the Crown, James 1. 12. Whilft we are fighting, Chrift will fuccour us; and when we overcome he will Crown us. What makes the the foldier endure a bloody Fight, but Hope of a golden Harvest? Think, that fhortly God will call us out of the Field where the Bullets of Temptation fly fo faft, and he will fet a garland of Glory upon our Head. How will the Cafe be altered? Inftead of fighting, finging; inftead of an Helmet, a Diadem; inftead of a fword, a Palm-branch of Victory; inftead of Armour, white Robes; instead of Satan's skirmishes, the Kiffes and Embraces of a Saviour, The viewing thefe eternal Recompences, would keep us from yielding to Temptation. Who would, to gratify a Luft, lofe à Crown? Ufe 4. A Word of Counsel to fuch as are tempted; Be fo wife as to make good ufe of your Temptations. As we should labour to improve our Affliction, fo to improve our Temptations. We fhould pick fomegood out of Temptation, as Samson got Honey out of the Lion. Quest. What good comes out of a Temptation? Can there be any good by being fet upon by an Enemy? Can there be any good to have fiery Darts foot at us? Yes,God that can make a Treacle of Poifon, can make his People get much good by their Temptations. First, Hereby a Chriftian fees that Corruption in his Heart, which he never faw before. Water in a Glafs looks pure, but fet it on the Fire, and the fcum boils up; fo, in Temptation a Chriftian fees that fcum of fin boil up, that Paffion and Diftruft of God, as he thought had not been in his Heart. Secondly, Hereby a Chriftian fees more of the Wiles of Satan, and is better able to withstand them; St. Paul had been in the Fencing-fchool of Temptation, and he grew expert in finding out Satan's ftratagems, 2 Cor. 2. 11. We are not ignorant of his Devices, Thirdly, Hereby a Chriftian grows more humble; God will you fee Satan's Darts fticking in their fides? Uje 5. To fuch as have been under fore Temptations and Buffetings of Satan, to Luft, Revenge, Self-murder, but God hath ftood by them, and given them ftrength to overcome the Tempter. 1. Be very thankful to God; fay as, 1 Cor. 15. 57. Thanks be to God, who gives us the Victory. Be much in Doxology. Why are we keept more than others from falling into fin? was it becaufe Temptation was not fo ftrong? No, Satan fhoots his Darts with all his Force. Was the caufe in our will? No, fuch a broken fhield would never have conquered Satan's Temptations; know, that it was Free-grace that beat back the Tempter, and brought us off with trophies of Victory. O be thankful to God: Had you been overcome by Temptation, you might have put black fpots in the, Face of Religion, and given Occafion to the Enemies of God to blafpheme, 2 Sam. 12. 14. Had you been overcome you might have lain fick of a wounded Spirit, and cried out with David of broken Bones. After David yielded to Temptation, he lay for three Quarters of a Year in horror of Mind; and fome Divines think, he never recovered his full Joy to the Day of his Death. O therefore, what caufe have they to ftand upon Mount Gerizim bleffing of God, who, in a Field of Battle, have got the better of Satan, and been more than Conquerors! Say, as the Pfalmift; Pfalm 124. 6. Bleed be the Lord who hath not given us as a Prey to their Teeth: fo bleffed be God who hath not given us as a Prey to Satan that roaring Lion. When God puts Mercy in the Premiffes, we must put praife in the Conclufion. 2. You that have been tempted, and come off Victors, be full of fympathy, pity tempted Souls; fhew your Piety in your Pity. your Piety in your Pity. Do [ VOL. II. ] He 3. You that have got a Conqueft of Satan, He When Christ had worsted Satan, he went Dddd Ther |