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temptation befall any, what instances almost have we of any that escape? May we not describe our condition, as the apostle that of the Corinthians in respect of an outward visitation; some are sick, and some are weak, and many sleep; some are wounded, some defiled, many utterly lost: what is the spring and fountain of the sad condition of things? Is it not, as hath been said; we do not keep the word of Christ's patience in universal close walking with him; and so lose the benefit of the promise given and annexed thereunto?

Should I go about to give instances of this thing; of professors coming short of keeping the word of Christ, it would be a long work. These four heads would comprise the most of them. First, conformity to the world, which Christ hath redeemed us from, almost in all things, with joy and delight, in promiscuous compliances, with the men of the world. Secondly, neglect of duties which Christ hath enjoined, from close meditation to public ordinances. Thirdly, strife, variance, and debate among ourselves; woful judging and despising one another, upon account of things foreign to the bond of communion that is between the saints. Fourthly, self-fulness as to principles, and selfishness as to ends. Now where these things are, are not men carnal? Is the word of Christ's patience effectual in them? Shall they be preserved? They shall not.

Would you then be preserved, and kept from the hour of temptation; would you watch against entering into it, as deductions from what hath been delivered in this chapter, take the ensuing cautions.

1. Take heed of leaning on deceitful assistances; as,

(1.) On your own counsels, understandings, reasonings, though you argue in them never so plausibly in your own defence, they will leave you, betray you; when the temptation comes to any height, they will all turn about, and take part with your enemy, and plead as much for the matter of the temptation whatever it be, as they pleaded against the end and issue of it before.

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(2.) The most vigorous actings by prayer, fasting, and other such means against that particular lust, corruption, temptation, wherewith you are exercised, and have to do. This will not avail you, if in the meantime there be neg

lects on other accounts; to hear a man wrestle, cry, contend as to any particular of temptation, and immediately fall into wordly ways, wordly compliances, looseness, and negligence in other things it is righteous with Jesus Christ to leave such a one to the hour of temptation.

(3.) The general security of saints' perseverance, and preservation from total. apostacy. Every security that God gives us, is good in its kind, and for the purpose for which it is given to us; but when it is given for one end, to use it for another, that is not good or profitable. To make use of the general assurance of preservation from total apostacy, to support the spirit in respect of a particular temptation, will not in the issue advantage the soul; because notwithstanding that, this or that temptation may prevail. Many relieve themselves with this, until they find themselves in the depth of perplexities.

2. Apply yourselves to this great preservation of faithful keeping the word of Christ's patience, in the midst of all 'trials and temptations.

(1.) In particular, wisely consider wherein the word of Christ's patience is most likely to suffer in the days wherein we live, and the seasons that pass over us, and so vigorously set yourselves to keep it in that particular, peculiarly. You will say, How shall we know wherein the word of Christ's patience in any season is like to suffer? I answer; Consider what works he peculiarly performs in any season; and neglect of his word in reference to them, is that wherein his word is like to suffer. The works of Christ, wherein he hath been peculiarly engaged in our days and seasons, seem to be these:

[1.] The pouring of contempt upon the great men and great things of the world, with all the enjoyments of it, he hath discovered the nakedness of all earthly things, in overturning, overturning, overturning, both men and things, to make way for the things that cannot be shaken.

[2.] The owning of the lot of his own inheritance in a distinguishing manner, putting a difference between the precious and the vile, and causing his people to dwell alone, as not reckoned with the nations.

[3.] In being nigh to faith and prayer, honouring them above all the strength and counsels of the sons of men.

[4.] In recovering his ordinances and institutions from the carnal administrations, that they were in bondage under by the lusts of men, bringing them forth in the beauty and the power of the Spirit. Wherein then in such a season must lie in the peculiar neglect of the word of Christ's patience? Is it not in setting a value on the world, and the things of it, which he hath stained and trampled under foot? Is it not in the slighting of his peculiar lot, his people, and casting them into the same considerations with the men of the world? Is it not in leaning to our own counsels and understandings? Is it not in the defilement of his ordinances, by giving the outward court of the temple to be trod upon by unsanctified persons? Let us then be watchful, and in these things keep the word of the patience of Christ, if we love our own pre

servation.

[5.] In this frame urge the Lord Jesus Christ with his blessed promises, with all the considerations that may be apt to take and hold the king in his galleries, that may work on the heart of our blessed and merciful High Priest, to give suitable succour at time of need.

CHAP. IX.

General exhortation to the duty prescribed.

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HAVING thus passed through the considerations of the duty of watching, that we enter not into temptation, I suppose I need not add motives to the observance of it. Those who are not moved by their own sad experiences, nor the importance of the duty, as laid down in the entrance of this discourse, must be left by me to the farther patience of God. I shall only shut up the whole with a general exhortation to them, who are in any measure prepared for it, by the consideration of what hath been spoken. Should you go into an hospital, and see many persons lying sick and weak, sore and wounded, with many filthy diseases and distempers, and should inquire of them, how they fell into this condition, and they shall all agree to tell you, such, or such a thing was the occasion of it; by that I got my wound says one, and my disease says another; would it not make you a little careful

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how, or what you had to do with that thing or place? Surely it would. Should you go to a dungeon, and see many miserable creatures bound in chains for an approaching day of execution, and inquire the way and means whereby they were brought into that condition, and they should all fix on one and the same thing, would you not take care to avoid it? The case is so with entering into temptation: ah! how many poor, miserably, spiritually, wounded souls have we every where? One wounded by one sin, another by another; one falling into filthiness of the flesh, another of the spirit: ask them now how they came into this estate and condition; they must all answer, alas! we entered into temptation, we fell into cursed snares and entanglements, and that hath brought us into the woful condition you see. Nay, if a man could look into the dungeons of hell, and see the poor damned souls that lie bound in chains of darkness, and hear their cries: what would he be taught? What do they say? Are they not cursing their tempters, and the temptations that they entered in? And shall we be negligent in this thing? Solomon tells us, that the simple one that follows the strange woman knows not that the dead are there, that her house inclineth to death, and her paths to the dead' (which he repeats three times), and that is the reason, that he ventures on her snares. If you knew what hath been done by entering into temptation, perhaps you would be more watchful and careful. Men may think that they shall do well enough notwithstanding; but 'can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burnt? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt? Prov. vii. 27, 28. No such thing; men come not out of their temptation without wounds, burnings, and scars. I know not any place in the world, where there is more need of pressing this exhortation, than in this: go to our several colleges, inquire for such and such young men; what is the answer in respect of many? Ah! such a one was very hopeful for a season, but he fell into ill company and he is quite lost. Such a one had some good beginning of religion, we were in great expectation of him, but he is fallen into temptation; and so in other places: such a one was useful and humble, adorned the gospel, but now he is so wofully entangled with the world, that he is grown all self, hath no sap nor savour; such a one wa

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humble and zealous, but he is advanced and hath lost his first love and ways; oh! how full is the world, how full is. this place of these woful examples: to say nothing of these innumerable poor creatures, who are fallen into temptation by delusions in religion. And is it not time for us to awake before it be too late; to watch against the first rising of sin, the first attempts of Satan, and all ways whereby he hath made his approaches to us, be they never so harmless in themselves?

Have we not experience of our weakness, our folly, the invincible power of temptation when once it is gotten within: us? As for this duty that I have insisted on, take these considerations:

1. If you neglect it, it being the only means prescribed by our Saviour, you will certainly enter into temptation, and as certainly fall into sin: flatter not yourselves; some of you are old disciples, have a great abhorrency of sin; you think it impossible you should ever be seduced so and so: but, 'let him (whoever he be) that standeth take heed lest he fall.' It is not any grace received, it is not any experience obtained, it is not any resolution improved, that will preserve you from any evil, unless you stand upon your watch: what say to you,' says Christ, I say to all; watch.' Perhaps you may have had some good success for a time, in your careless frame but awake, admire God's tenderness and patience, or evil lies at the door. If you will not perform this duty, whoever you are, one way or other, in one thing or other, spiritual or carnal wickedness, you will be tempted, you will be defiled, and what will be the end thereof? Remember Peter.

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2. Consider that you are always under the eye of Christ, the great captain of our salvation, who hath enjoined us to watch thus, and pray that we enter not into temptation. What think you are the thoughts, and what the heart of Christ, when he sees a temptation hastening towards us, a storm rising about us, and we are fast asleep? Doth it not grieve him, to see us expose ourselves so to danger, after he hath given us warning upon warning? Whilst he was in the days of his flesh, he considered his temptation whilst it was yet coming, and armed himself against it: the prince of this world cometh,' says he, but hath no part in me.' And

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