JOHNOWEN

OFTEMPTATION:1658

THENATUREANDPOWEROFIT;THEDANGEROFENTERINGINTOIT;ANDTHEMEANSOF

PREVENTINGTHATDANGER:WITH

ARESOLUTIONOFVARIOUSCASESBELONGINGTOIT.

“Becauseyouhavekeptthewordofmypatience,Ialsowillkeepyoufromthehouroftemptation,whichshallcomeuponallthe

world,totrythemthatdwellupontheearth.”-Rev3:10

fromTHEWORKSOFJOHNOWEN

EDITEDBYWILLIAMH.GOOLD

VOLUME6ThisEditionof

THEWORKSOFJOHNOWENfirstpublishedbyJohnstone&Hunter,1850-53

Alt.Source:https://archive.org/details/ontemptationmort00owenuoft(Wm.Gooldeditionof1850-53,sep.pub.c.1890)

Modernized,formatted,andannotated(inblue)byWilliamH.Grosswww.onthewing.org©March2015

ScripturequotationstakenfromtheNKJV©ThomasNelsonPub.,1982

Lastupdated:4/2/2015

ContentsEditor’sNote

PREFATORYNOTE.

TOTHEREADER.

CHAPTER1

Thewordsofthetextthatarethefoundationoftheensuingdiscourse—The occasion of the words, with their dependence — The thingsspeciallyaimedatinthem—Thingsthatareconsiderableinthewordsas to the general purpose in hand — What the general nature oftemptation consists in — The special nature of temptation —Temptationtakenactivelyandpassively—HowGodtemptsanyone—Hisendsindoingso—Thewaybywhichhedoesit—Oftemptationinthespecialnatureofitsactions—Thetruenatureoftemptationstated

CHAPTER2

Whatitisto“enterintotemptation”—Notbarelybeingtempted—Nottobeconqueredbyit—Tofallintoit—Theforceofthatexpression—Things required for entering into temptation — Satan or lust that ismore than ordinarily importunate — The soul’s entanglement —Seasonsofsuchentanglementsrevealed—The“houroftemptation,”inRev3:10,whatitis—Howanytemptationcomestoitshour—Howitmay be known when its hour has come — The means of preventionprescribedbyourSavior—Ofwatching,andwhatisintendedbyit—Ofprayer.

CHAPTER3

Thedoctrine—Thegroundsofit;ourSavior’sdirectioninthiscase—Hispromiseofpreservation—Issuesofmenenteringintotemptation— 1. Of ungrounded professors — 2. Of the choicest saints, Adam,Abraham,David—Self-consideration as to our ownweakness—Thepowerofaman’shearttowithstandtemptation—Theconsiderationsitusesforthatpurpose—Thepowerof temptation;theseveralwaysbywhich it darkens the mind — 1. By fixing the imaginations — 2. Byentanglingtheaffections—3.Temptationsgivefueltolust—Theendof temptation; the consequences of former temptations—Objectionsanswered

CHAPTER4

Particularcasesproposedforconsideration—Thefirst,itsresolutioninvariousparticulars—Severaldiscoveriesofthestateofasoulenteringintotemptation

CHAPTER5

The second case proposed, or inquiries resolved—What are the bestdirectionstoprevententeringintotemptation?—Thosedirectionslaiddown—ThedirectionsgivenbyourSavior:“Watchandpray”—Whatisincludedinit—(1.)Asenseofthedangeroftemptation—(2.)Itisnot in our power to keep ourselves — (3.) Faith in the promises ofpreservation—Ofprayerinparticular

CHAPTER6

Watching so that we do not enter into temptation— The nature andefficacyof thatduty—The firstpartof it,as to thespecial seasonsoftemptation—The first season, inunusualprosperity—Thesecond,aseason of slumber of grace — Third, a season of great spiritualenjoyment—Thefourth,aseasonofself-confidence

CHAPTER7

Severalactsofwatchfulnessagainsttemptationareproposed—Watchthe heart—What itmeans to bewatched in and about—The snareslying in men’s natural tempers — About particular lusts — Theoccasions suited to them — Watching to lay in provision againsttemptation — Directions for watchfulness in the first approaches oftemptation—Directionsafterenteringintotemptation

CHAPTER8

The last general direction is Rev 3:10, Watch against temptation byconstantly“keepingthewordofChrist’spatience”—Whatthatwordis— How it is kept — How keeping it will keep us from the “hour oftemptation.”

CHAPTER9

Generalexhortationtothedutyprescribed

Editor’sNoteWhy another digital edition of this book? First of all, this includes

corrections to thewidelyuseddigitizedversiondonebyAgesSoftware.1

Second,whilethisisarestatementandsimplificationofOwen’soriginalwork; it is not a paraphrase or condensed version. The old Englishwordinghasbeenupdated,sothat“thee”and“thou”arenow“you”and“yours.”Thedifficultstructureandsyntaxhavebeensimplified.Obscurepassages have been reworded as necessary to clarify his ideas – whichothermodernizationsmayhave leftunattended.Little-usedwordshavebeenreplacedwithsimpleronesaswell.Sentenceshavebeenshortened,andinmanycasessplitintoseveralsentencesforclarity.Parallelismhasbeenemployed tomaintain rhythmandclarity.Unreferencedpronounshavebeenmadeexplicit,ashave“understood”words.Thepassivevoicehasbeenchangedtoactiveinmostplaces.Again,this isnotasynopsis,but the entire treatise presented in the original work. As a result, theexpositorystyleremains.

TheoldKingJamespassagesofScripturehaveoftenbeenemployedandmodernized.ThiswastoensurethatOwen’srenderingofthebiblicaltextwould be largely maintained, as well as the textual basis for hisstatements.WhereOwencites theoriginalGreek, ithasbeen footnotedandAnglicized,withbracketedStrong’snumbers[NT:xxxx].Referencedbut unquoted scriptures are often quoted in footnotes for yourconvenience; and many unreferenced verses have been referenced insuperscripts.

Mypurpose is topreserveOwen’soriginal textasmuchaspossible,butmoreimportantly,tomakehisteachingandwisdommoreaccessibletoamodernaudience.Itwouldbeashameifthatmodernaudiencecouldnotbenefitfromhislaborsbecausethelanguagewastoocomplexorarcanetocomprehend.

Ihopetherestatementofthissmallworkleadsyoutodiscoverthemeansandmethodsoftemptation,thedangersofallowingitafoothold,andthedefensesthatareavailabletoyou,soyouwillnot“enterintotemptation.”

WilliamH.Grosswww.onthewing.org

©Mar2015

PREFATORYNOTE.BYTHEREV.W.H.GOOLD,EDINBURGH.

ThissmallworkofDr.Owenon"Temptation"appearedin1658.Hehadbeenurgedtopublish itbythesolicitationsof friendstowhoseopinionhe paid deference. The probability is that they had already heard thesubstanceof it indiscoursesfromthepulpit;andfromanexpressionin

the closing exhortation,2 the discourses must have been delivered in

Oxford.Themotivesof theauthor incommitting it tothepressarestillfurtherevincedinsomeallusionstothecharacterofthetimes,whichwillbefoundbothintheprefaceandinthetreatiseitself.ThevigilanteyeofOwen detected certain mischievous effects accruing from the eminentsuccesswhichhadattendedpreviouslytheeffortsofthepartywithwhomheacted.Thefearofacommondangerhadformerlykeptthemunitedintheir views andmovements,while it led them todependupon the truesourceofallstrengthandhope.Theywerenowsinkingintothosestrifesanddivisionswhichpavedthewayfortherestorationofmonarchy;andOwenspeaksof“avisibledeclensionfromreformationseizingupontheprofessingparty of thesenations.”There is a toneof indignant and yetsympathetic faithfulness in his language, as he recurs to the subject ofthisdeclensioninthebodyofthetreatise:“Someoneseeingtheprevailingpartyofthesenations(manyofthoseinrule,power,andfavour,withalltheir adherents) — remembering that they were a colony of Puritans,thosewhosehabitationwasina‘lowplace,’astheprophetspeaksofthecity of God — now translated by a high hand to the mountains theycurrentlypossess,cannothelpbutwonderhowsoontheyhaveforgottenthe customs,manners, andways, of their forbears, and how they havebeen cast into the mould of those who went before them in the highplacestowhichtheyarenowtranslated.”Owenmayhavefearedtheissueof prevailing divisions, and anticipated the revival of the intolerantsystem which the patriotism of the Long Parliament and the militarygenius of Cromwell overthrew. Under the impression that an hour oftemptationhadcome,and that thebest security for religiousprincipleswas the advancement of personal godliness, he published the followingtreatise.

Whatevermotives incitedhim to thepreparationof it, thewholework,withtheexceptionofafewparagraphs,mighthavebeenwrittenwithset

purpose for the people of God in every age. In no work is the soundjudgment of our author more conspicuous. He avoids all fancifulspeculations into the mysteries of satanic agency, such as were toocommononthistheme.Heistoomuchinearnestthathisreadersshouldbe brought into a condition of safety against the wiles of the devil, tobreaktheforceofhiswarningsandentreatiesbyingeniousspeculationsand irrelevant learning. The deep solicitude of Owen for the spiritualwelfare of his readers appears not merely in the warm appealsinterspersedwithhisexpositions,but in thepatient carewithwhichnonookoftheheartisleftunsearched.Toonewhoreadsthetreatiseinthespiritwithwhichtheauthorwroteit—simplythathemayjudgehisownheart, and know what temptation means, and be fully on his guardagainstit—theeffectisfarbeyondwhatthemerewealthoffancyortheartsofrhetoriccouldproduce.

Fromthetext,Mat.26.41,theauthorconsidersinsuccessionthreetopicsdeduced fromit:—temptation, themeansbywhich itprevails,andthewayofpreventingit.Mostofthetreatiseisoccupiedwiththelasttopic—the means of prevention. It is subdivided into inquiries — as to theevidencebywhichamanmayknowthathehasenteredintotemptation,thedirectionsrequisite topreventhimentering into it,and theseasonswhentemptationmaybeapprehended.Thediscussionofthislastinquirymerges very much into an illustration of the Christian duty ofwatchfulness; and the treatise is closedbya general exhortation to thisduty.Slightdefectsinthearrangement,thereneweddiscussionofapointafter ithadbeenquit,andthedisproportionatespaceaccordedtosomepartsof thesubject,areexplainedperhapsbythecircumstancethat thetreatisewasoriginallyaseriesofdiscourses.

TOTHEREADER.CHRISTIANREADER—

Ifyouareinanymeasureawakeinthesedaysinwhichwelive,andhavetakennoticeof themanifold,great,andvarioustemptationswithwhichallsortsofpeoplewhoknowtheLordandprofesshisnamearebeset,andto which they are continually exposed, with what success thosetemptationshavemettotheunspeakablescandalofthegospel—withthewoundingandruinofinnumerablesouls—Isupposeyouwillnotinquireanyfurtherastootherreasonsforpublishingtheensuingwarningsanddirections.Theyaresuitedtothetimesthatpassoverus,andtoyourownconcerninthem.Iwillonlysaythistothosewhothinkitfittopersistinanysuchinquiry:myfirstengagementforexposingthesemeditationstopublic view arose from the desires of some who affirm the interest ofChrist in the world by personal holiness and constant adhering toeverything that ismade precious by its relation to him. This has giventhempoweroverme to requireservicesofgreater importanceany timethey desire. Yet I dare not laymy doing it on that account, if it wouldintimate in the least that, with respect to the general state of thingsmentioned, I did not also esteem it timely and necessary myself. Thevariety of outward providences and dispensations with which I myselfhave been exercised in this world, along with the inward trials whichattendedthem,addedtotheobservationthatIhavehadtheadvantagesof the ways and walks of others— their beginnings, progressions, andendings, their risings and falls, in their profession and conversation, indarknessandlight.Thesehaveleftsuchaconstantsenseandimpressionof the power and danger of temptations on my mind and spirit, thatwithoutotherpleasandpretences,Icannothelpbutownaseriouscalltomen to beware. And to do so with a discovery of some of the mosteminentwaysandmeansbywhichthesepresenttemptationsprevail.Inmyownjudgement,thishasbeennecessaryinthisseason.

But now, reader, if you are among those who take no notice of thesethings,ordonotcareforthem—ifyouhavenosenseoftheefficacyanddangers of temptations in your ownwalk andprofession, andhavenotobserved theirpoweruponothers— ifyoudonotdiscern themanifoldadvantagesthatthesetemptationshaveinthesedaysinwhichallthingsarebeingshaken—and ifyouhavenotbeen troubledormovedby the

sad successes they have had among professors of Christ — but yousupposethatallthingsarewellbothindoorsandout,andwouldbebetterif you could obtain fuller satisfaction of some of your lusts in thepleasuresorprofitsoftheworld—thenIdesireyoutoknowthatIdonotwriteforyou,nordoIesteemyouafitreaderorjudgeofwhatiswrittenhere.Whilealltheissuesofprovidentialdispensationsinreferencetothepublic concerns of these nations are perplexed and entangled, thefootstepsofGodarelyinginthedeep,wherehispathsarenotknown

—while inparticular,unparalleleddistressandstrangeprosperitiesaremeasuredouttomen,yes,toprofessorsofChrist

—while a spirit of error, giddiness, and delusion goes forth with suchstrengthandefficacy,asifitreceivedacommissiontogoandprosper

—while therearesuchdivisions, strifes,andemulations,attendedwithsuchevilsurmises,wrath,andrevenge,foundamongbrethren

—whilethedesperateresultsandproductsofmen’stemptationsareseendailyinpartialandtotalapostasy,inthedecayofloveandoverthrowoffaith

— while our days are being filled with fearful examples of backslidingsuchasformeragesneverknew

—while there isavisibledeclension fromreformationseizingupon theprofessingpartyofthesenations,bothastopersonalholinessandzealfortheinterestofChrist,

anyonewhodoesnotunderstandthatan“houroftemptation”hascomeupon the world, to “test those who dwell upon the earth,” Rev 3.10 isdoubtless presently captivated under the power of some woeful lust,corruption,ortemptation,orelseheis indeedstarkblind,anddoesnotknowatallwhatitmeanstoserveGodintemptations.Iamnotdealingwithsuchmenatpresent.Theensuingwarningisintendedforthosewhohaveingeneral,asenseofthesethings—whoalsoinsomemeasureareabletoconsiderthattheplaguehasbegun—sothattheymaybefurtherawakenedtolookaroundthem,lesttheinfectionhasapproachednearertothembysomesecretandimperceptibleways,thantheyapprehended;orlesttheybesurprisedunawareshereafterbyanyofthosetemptationsthat in these days either waste at noon, or else walk in darkness. Theensuingdirectionsareproposedforconsiderationby,andforthesakeof,thosewhomourninsecretforalltheabominationsthatarefoundamong

and upon those who profess the gospel — those who are, under theconductoftheCaptainoftheirsalvation,fightingandresistingthepoweroftemptations,fromwhateverspringtheyariseinthemselves.

It is the prayer of himwho received this handful of seed fromChrist’sstorehouseandtreasury,thatourfaithfulandmercifulHighPriest,whobothsufferedandwastempted,andonthataccountistouchedwiththefeeling of our infirmities,Heb 4.15 would accompany this small discoursewithtimelysuppliesofhisSpirit,andsuitablemercy,forthosewhowillconsiderit—sothatitmaybeusefultohisservantsfortheendstowhichitisdesigned.

JohnOwen.

CHAPTER1

The words of the text that are thefoundationoftheensuingdiscourse—Theoccasion of the words, with theirdependence— The things specially aimedatinthem—Thingsthatareconsiderablein thewordsas to thegeneralpurpose inhand — What the general nature oftemptation consists in — The specialnatureof temptation—Temptation takenactivelyandpassively—HowGodtemptsanyone—Hisendsindoingso—Thewaybywhichhedoesit—Oftemptationinthespecial nature of its actions — The truenatureoftemptationstated“Watchandpray,thatyoudonotenterintotemptation.”—

Mat26:41

ThesewordsofourSaviorarerepeatedwithverylittlealterationinthreeoftheevangelists;whereasMatthewandMarkrecordedthemaswrittenabove, Luke reports them thus: “Rise and pray, lest you enter intotemptation;”sothatthewholeofhiscautionseemstohavebeen,“Arise,watchandpray,sothatyoudonotenterintotemptation.”

Solomontellsusofsomewho“liedownatthetopofamastinthemidstof the sea,” Pro 23:34 — men overborne by security in the mouth ofdestruction.Ifeverpoorsoulslaydownontopofamastinthemidstofthesea,thesediscipleswithourSaviorinthegardendidso.TheirMaster,

atalittledistancefromthem,was“offeringupprayersandsupplications,with strong crying and tears,” Heb 5:7, then taking into his hand and

beginningtotaste3thatcupwhichwasfilledwiththecurseandwrathdue

to their sins — on the other hand, the Jews, armed for his and theirdestruction, were but a little distance from them. Our Savior had onlyshortlybefore informedthemthathewouldbebetrayedthatnight,andbe delivered up to be slain; they saw that he was “sorrowful, and veryheavy,”Mat26:37;no,hetoldthemplainlythathis“soulwasexceedinglysorrowful,evenuntodeath,”verse38;andthereforeheentreatedthemtowaitandwatchwithhim,nowthathewasdying,andthatwasforthem.Inthiscondition,leavingthembutalittlespace,likemenforsakenofalllove towardshimor care for themselves, they fall fast asleep!Even thebestofsaints,lefttothemselves,willquicklyappeartobelessthanmen—tobenothing.Allourownstrengthisweakness,andallourwisdomisfolly.Peterwasoneofthem.Justalittlebeforehehad,withsomuchself-confidence, affirmed that even if allmen forsook him, he neverwould.OurSaviorarguesthematterinparticularwithhim:verse40,“HesaystoPeter,Couldyounotwatchwithmeonehour?”asifhehadsaid,“AreyouPeter, theonewhojustnowboastedofyourresolutionnevertoforsakeme? Is it likely thatyouwouldholdout in thiswhenyoucannotwatchwithmeonehour?Isthisyourdyingforme,tobedeadinsecurity,whenIamdyingforyou?”AndindeeditwouldbeanamazingthingtoconsiderthatPeterwouldmakesohighapromise,andbeimmediatelysocarelessand remiss in the pursuit of it, ifwe did not find the root of the sametreacheryabidingandworking inourownhearts,andseethe fruitof itbrought forth every day — the most noble engagements to obedience

quicklyendindeplorablenegligence,Rom7:18.4

In this estate, our Savior admonishes themabout their condition, theirweakness,theirdanger,andhestirsthemuptopreventthatruinwhichlayatthedoor:hesays,“Arise,watchandpray.”

IwillnotinsistontheparticularthatwasaimedatherebyourSavior,inthis caution to those who were then present with him — the greattemptationthatwascomingonthemfromthescandalofthecross,wasdoubtless in his eye. Rather, I will consider the words as containing ageneral direction to all the disciples of Christ, in their following himthroughoutallgenerations.

Therearethreethingsinthewords:—

I.Theevilcautionedagainst—temptation.II.Themeansofitsprevalence(Chap.2)—byourenteringintoit.III.Thewayofpreventingit(Chap.2)—watchandpray.

Itisnotinmythoughtstohandlethecommonplaceoftemptations,butonly the danger of them in general, with themeans of preventing thatdanger;yet,sothatwemayknowwhatweaffirm,andofwhatwespeak,someconcernsofthegeneralnatureoftemptationmaybepremised.

I. First, the GENERAL nature of tempting and temptation lies amongindifferentthings.Totest,toexperiment,toprove,andtopierceavesselsothattheliquorinitmaybeknown,isasmuchastemptationsignifies.

HenceGod is sometimes said to tempt; andweare commandedas ourdutytotempt,ortest,orsearchourselves,toknowwhatisinus,andtopray thatGodwould do so also. So temptation is like a knife thatmayeithercutthemeat,orcutthethroatofaman;itmaybehisfoodorhispoison,hisexerciseorhisdestruction.

Secondly, temptation in its SPECIAL nature, as it denotes any evil, isconsideredeitheractively(as it leadstoevil),orpassively(as ithasevilandsuffering in it): so temptationmeansaffliction in James 1:2; for inthatsense,weareto“countitalljoywhenwefallintotemptation;”andintheother,thatwe“donotenterintoit.”

Again,activelyconsidered,iteitherdenotesanintentioninthetemptertobring about the special end of temptation— namely, leading someoneintoevil;thusitissaidthat“Godtemptsnoman”withadesignforsinassuch, Jas 1:13. Or else it denotes the general nature and end oftemptation,whichistrial; thus“GodtemptedAbraham,”Gen22:1.And

heprovesortemptsmenbyfalseprophets,Deu13:3.5

Now,astoGod’stemptinganyone,twothingsaretobeconsidered:—

1.Theendforwhichhedoesit;2.Thewaybywhichhedoesit.

1.Forthefirst,hisgeneralendsaretwo:—

(1.)He does it to show man what is in him — that is, in the manhimself;andthat iseitheras tohisgrace,orhiscorruption.(Iamnotnow speaking of it as it may have a place or bear a part in judicialhardening.) Grace and corruption lie deep in the heart; men oftendeceive themselves in searching after one or the other.Whenwe give

venttothesoul,totestwhatgraceisthere,corruptioncomesout;andwhenwesearchforcorruption,graceappears.Thusthesouliskeptinuncertainty,andwefailinourtrials.Godcomeswithagaugethatgoestothebottomofit.Hesendshisinstrumentsoftrialintothebowelsandthe inmost parts of the soul, and letsman seewhat is in him, and ofwhatmetal he is constituted.Thushe temptedAbraham to showhimhisfaith.Abrahamdidnotknowwhatfaithhehad(Imean,whatpowerandvigorwasinhisfaith)untilGoddrewitoutbythatgreattrialand

temptation.WhenGodsaysheknewit,hemadeAbrahamknowit.6 In

thesameway,hetriedHezekiahtorevealhispride;7Godlefthimthat

hemightseewhatwasinhisheart:soapttobeliftedup,asheappearedtobe,untilGodtriedhim,andthusletouthisfilth,andpoureditoutbeforehisface.Iwillnotaddresstheresultsofsuchrevelationstothesaints, in the thankfulness, humiliation, and treasuring up ofexperiences.

(2.)Goddoesittoshowhimselftoman,andthatisdone—

[1.]Inawayofpreventinggrace.Amanwillseethatit isGodalonewhokeepshimfromallsin.Untilwearetempted,wethinkweliveon

ourownstrength.Thoughallmendothisorthat,wewillnot.8When

thetrialcomes,wequicklyseewhereourpreservationcomesfrom,bystanding or falling. So itwas in the case of Abimelech,Gen 20:6, “I

withheldyou.”9

[2.] In a way of renewing grace. He would have the temptationcontinuewithSt.Paul,sothathemightrevealHimselftoPaulinthe

sufficiency of His renewing grace, 2Cor 12:9.10We do not know the

power and strength that God puts forth in our behalf, nor thesufficiencyofhisgrace,untilcomparingthetemptationwithourownweakness, itappears tous.Theefficacyofanantidote is foundwhenthepoisonhasbeentaken;andthepreciousnessofmedicinesismadeknownbydiseases.Wewillneverknowwhatstrengththereisingraceifwedonotknowwhatstrength there is in temptation.Wemustbetried, so thatwemaybemade sensibleofbeingpreserved.AndGodhasmanyothergoodandgraciousendsthatheaccomplishestowardshissaintsbytrialsandtemptations,whichwillnotbeinsistedonnow.

2. As for the ways by which God accomplishes his search, trial, ortemptation,herearesomeofthem:—

(1.)Heassignsmensuchgreatdutiesthattheycannotapprehendtheyhaveanystrengthfor,norindeeddothey.ThushetemptedAbrahambycallinghimtothatdutyofsacrificinghisson—athingthatwasabsurdtohisreason,bittertohisnature,andgrievoustohimonallaccounts.Manymen do not knowwhat is in them, or rather what is ready forthem,until theyareput towhat seemsutterly above their strength—indeed,uponwhatreallyisabovetheirstrength.ThedutiesthatGod,inanordinaryway, requires at ourhands, arenot proportioned towhatstrengthwehaveinourselves,buttowhathelpandreliefislaidupforusinChrist.

And we are to address ourselves to the greatest performances with asettledpersuasionthatwedonothavetheleastabilityforthem.Thisisthe lawof grace; yetwhenanyduty is required that isextraordinary,that is a secret not often revealed in the yoke ofChrist: it is a trial, atemptation.

(2.)Byputtingthemtogreatsufferings.Howmanyhaveunexpectedlyfoundstrengthtodieatastake,toenduretorturesforChrist,yettheircall to it was a trial. Peter tells us this is one way by which we arebroughtintotryingtemptations,1Pet1:6,7.Ourtemptationsarisefrom

the“fierytrial;”11andyettheendisbutatrialofourfaith.

(3.)Byprovidentiallydisposingthingssothatoccasionsforsinwillbeadministered to men, which is the case mentioned in Deu 13:3; andinnumerable other instances may be adjoined. Now, they are notproperlythetemptationsofGodthatareintendedhere,ascomingfromhimwithhisendupon them; therefore Iwill set theseapart fromourpresent consideration.What I intend then, is temptation in its SPECIALnature, as it denotes an active efficiency towards sinning (as it ismanagedwitheviluntoevil).

Inthissense,temptationmayproceedeithersinglyfromSatan,orfromtheworld,orfromothermenintheworld,orfromourselves,orjointlyfromallorsomeofthem,intheirseveralcombinations:—

(1.) Satan tempts sometimes singly by himself, without takingadvantage from the world, the things or persons of it, or ourselves.ThisishowhedealsinhisinjectionofevilandblasphemousthoughtsofGodintotheheartsofthesaints;thisishisworkalone,withoutanyadvantagefromtheworldorourownhearts:fornaturewillcontributenothing to it, nor anything that is in theworld, nor anyman of the

world.FornonecanconceiveofGodandconceiveevilofhim.Inthis,Satan isalone in thesin,andwillbealone in thepunishment.Thesefiery darts are prepared in the forge of his ownmalice, andwith alltheirvenomandpoison,theywillbereturnedbackintohisownheartforever.

(2.)Sometimeshemakesuseoftheworld,andjoinsforcesagainstus,withoutanyhelpsfromwithin.SohetemptedourSaviorby“showinghimallthekingdomsoftheworld,andthegloryofthem.”Mat4.8Andthevarietyofassistancehefindsfromtheworldareinexpressible, inpersons and things (which Imust not insist on)— the innumerableinstrumentsandweaponshe takes fromthere,ofall sorts,andatallseasons.

(3.)Sometimeshe also employsassistance fromourselves. It is notwithus as itwaswithChristwhenSatan came to tempthim.Christ

declaresthatSatan“hadnothinginhim,”John14:30.12Itisotherwise

withus:Toaccomplishmostofhisends,Satanhasasurepartywithin

our own breasts, Jas 1:14, 15.13 Thus he tempted Judas, who was at

work himself; Satan put it into Judas’ heart to betray Christ; Luke22:3,“heenteredintohim”forthatpurpose.Andhesetsthethingsoftheworldtowork,providingforJudas“thirtypiecesofsilver”(verse5,“Theycovenantedtogivehimmoney”);andthemenoftheworld,eventhe priests and the Pharisees; and Satan calls in the assistance ofJudas’own corruption — he was covetous, “a thief, and he had the[money]bag.”

Imightalsoshowhow,inthisbusinessoftemptation,theworldandourown corruptions act singly by themselves, and jointly in conjunctionwithSatanandoneanother.Butthetruthis,theprinciples,ways,andmeans of temptations, the kinds, degrees, efficacy, and causes oftemptations, are so inexpressibly large and various — from theircircumstances, providence, natures, conditions, both spiritual andnatural, with the particular cases arising from them — are soinnumerable and impossible to comprise within any bound or order,that to attempt to give an account of them would be an endlessundertaking. Iwill contentmyself to give a description of the generalnatureofwhatwearetowatchagainst,whichwillmakewayforwhatIaimat.

Temptationthen,ingeneralisanything,state,way,orconditionthat,on

any account whatever, has a force or efficacy to seduce— to draw themindandheartofamanawayfromtheobediencewhichGodrequiresofhim,intoanysin,inanydegreewhatever.

Inparticular,atemptationisthatwhichcausesoroccasionsanymantosin,ortogoawayfromhisdutyinanything,eitherbybringingevilintohisheart,orbydrawingouttheevilthatisinhisheart,orinanyotherwaydivertinghim fromcommunionwithGod, and from that constant,equal, universal obedience, inmatter andmanner,which is requiredofhim.

Toclarify thisdescription, Iwillonlyobserve that,althoughtemptationseemstobeofamoreactiveimportance,andsoitdenotesonlythepowerofseductiontosinitself,yetinScriptureitiscommonlytakeninaneutersense:itdenotesthematterofthetemptation,orthethingbywhichwearetempted.AndthisisagroundofthedescriptionthatIhavegivenit.Whateveritis,withinusorwithoutus,thathasanadvantagetohinderusinourduty,ortoprovokeustosin,orinanywayoccasionssin—thatisatemptation,andsoitistobetaken.Whetheritisbusiness,employment,course of life, company, affections, nature, or corrupt design, relations,delights,name,reputation,esteem,abilities,partsorexcellenciesofbodyormind,place,dignity,art—totheextentthesefurtheroroccasionthepromotion of the endsmentioned before, they areall of them, no lesstruly temptations than the most violent solicitations of Satan, or theallurementsoftheworld.Andthatsoulliesatthebrinkofruinwhodoesnotdiscernit.Thiswillbefurtherrevealedinourprocess.

CHAPTER2

Whatitisto“enterintotemptation”—Notbarely being tempted — Not to beconquered by it — To fall into it — Theforceofthatexpression—Thingsrequiredfor entering into temptation — Satan orlust that is more than ordinarilyimportunate—Thesoul’sentanglement—Seasonsofsuchentanglementsrevealed—The “hour of temptation,” in Rev 3:10,whatitis—Howanytemptationcomestoitshour—Howitmaybeknownwhenitshourhascome—Themeansofpreventionprescribed by our Savior—Ofwatching,andwhatisintendedbyit—Ofprayer.II.Havingshownwhattemptationis,Icomesecondlytomanifestwhatitmeanstoenterintotemptation.

1.Thisisnotmerelytobetempted.Itisimpossibleforustobesofreedfromtemptationthatwearenottemptedatall.WhileSatancontinuesinhispowerandmalice,whiletheworldandlustexist,weshallbetempted.“Christ,”saysone,“wasmadelikeus,thathemightbetempted;andweare tempted that we may be made like Christ.” Temptation in generalcomprehendsourwholewarfare—justasourSaviorcallsthetimeofhisministrythetimeofhis“temptations,”Luke22:28.Wehavenopromisethat we will not be tempted at all; nor are we to pray for an absolutefreedom from temptations, because we have no such promise of being

heardinthis.Thedirectionwehaveforourprayersis,“Leadusnotintotemptation,”Mat6:13;itis“enteringintotemptation”thatwearetoprayagainst.Wemaybetempted,andyetnottoenterintotemptation.Sothat—

2. Something more is intended by this expression than the ordinarywork of Satan andour own lusts,whichwill be sure to temptus everyday.Thereissomethingsignalinthisenteringintotemptation,whichisnotthesaints’dailywork.Itissomethingthatbefallsthemspecificallyinreference to seduction to sin, on one account or another, by way ofallurementorfright.

3.It isnottobeconqueredbya temptation that isopposed,nor to falldownunderit,nortocommitthesinorevilthatwearetemptedto,norto omit the duties that are opposed to it. A man may “enter intotemptation,”andyetnotfallundertemptation.

Godcanmakeaway foramantoescape;1Cor 10.13whenhe is in it,Godcanbreak thesnare, treaddownSatan,andmake the soulmore thanaconqueror,Rom 8.37 even though it has entered into temptation. Christenteredintoit,buthewasnotintheleastfoiledbyit.But—

4.Itis,astheapostleexpressesitin1Tim6:9,“tofallintotemptation,”14

asamanfalls intoapitoradeepplacewheretherearetrapsorsnareswithwhichheisentangled;themanisnotquicklykilledanddestroyed,butheisentangledanddetained—hedoesnotknowhowtogetfreeortobeatliberty.Soitisexpressedagaintothesamepurposein1Cor10:13,“Notemptationhasovertakenyou;”that is, tobetakenbyatemptationandtobetangledwithit,heldinitscords,notfindingatpresentawaytoescape.Fromthere,saysPeter,2Pet2:9,“TheLordknowshowtodeliverthegodlyoutoftemptations.”Theyareentangledwiththem;Godknowshow todeliver themoutof them.Whenweallowa temptation toenterintous,thenwe“enterintotemptation.”Whileitknocksatthedoor,weare at liberty. Butwhen any temptation comes in and parleyswith theheart,reasonswiththemind,enticesandallurestheaffections,whetheralongorashorttime,whetheritdoesthisinsensiblyandimperceptibly,orthesoultakesnoticeofit,we“enterintotemptation.”

Sothen,forourenteringintotemptation,itisrequired:—

(1.) That by some advantage, or on some occasion, Satan is moreearnestthanordinarilyinhissolicitationstosin,whetherbyfrightsor

allurements,bypersecutionsorseductions,byhimselforbyothers.Orit may be that some lust or corruption agitates more than ordinarilywithinus,bySatan’sinstigationandtheadvantagesofoutwardobjectsthat provoke us (as in prosperity), or terrify us (as in trouble). Thisrequiresaspecialactingoftheauthorandprinciplesoftemptation.

(2.)Thattheheartissofarentangledwithitastobemadetodisputeand argue in its owndefense; and yet it is notwholly able to eject orpush out the poison and leaven that have been injected; but it issurprised,howeverlittleoffitswatch,intoanentanglementthatisnoteasilyavoided:sothatthesoulmaycry,andpray,andcryagain,andyetnot be delivered — just as Paul “beseeched the Lord” three times toremove his temptation, and did not prevail. The entanglementcontinues.Andthisusuallyfallsoutinoneofthesetwoseasons:—

[1.]When Satan, by the permission ofGod, for ends best known tohimself,hasgottensomeuniqueadvantageagainstthesoul—asinthecaseofPeter,Satansoughttowinnowhim,andprevailed.Luk22.31

[2.] When a man’s lusts and corruptions meet with unusuallyprovokingobjectsandoccasions,throughtheconditionoflifeinwhichaman finds himself,with its circumstances— as itwaswithDavid:about both of these afterward. In this state, aman has entered intotemptation;andthisiscalledthe“houroftemptation,”Rev3:10—theseason inwhich it grows to a head: the discovery ofwhichwill givefurther light into the present inquiry about what itmeans to “enterintotemptation;”forwhenthehouroftemptationhascomeuponus,we have entered into it. Every great and pressing temptation has itshour: a season in which it grows to a head, in which it is mostvigorous,active,operative,andprevalent. Itmaybe long in rising, itmaybelonginurging,moreorless;butithasaseasoninwhichithasadangeroushour,fromtheconjunctionofotheroccurrences,suchasthosementioned,outwardorinward.Andthen,forthemostpart,menenterintoit.

Hence thatvery temptationwhichatone timehad littleornopoweroveraman—hecoulddespiseit,scornitsmotions,andeasilyresistit—atanother time,quitebearshimawaybefore it. Ithasgottennewstrength and efficacy from other circumstances and occurrences, ortheman himself is enervated andweakened: the hour has come, hehasenteredintoit,anditprevails.Davidprobablyhadtemptationsto

adulteryormurderbefore,inhisyoungerdays,ashehadinthecaseofNabal; but thehourof temptation had not come, it did not have itsadvantages about it, and soDavid escaped until afterward. Letmenlook for itwhoare exposed to temptations, aswho isnot?Theywillhavea season inwhich their solicitations to sinwillbemoreurgent,their reasonings more plausible, pretences more glorious, hopes ofrecovery more apparent, opportunities broader and more open, thedoorsofevilmademorebeautifulthantheyhaveeverbeen.Blessedishewhoispreparedforsuchaseason;withoutsuchpreparation,thereisnoescaping.

AsIsaid,thisisthefirstthingrequiredtoenterintotemptation;ifwestayhere,wearesafe.

BeforeIdescendtootherparticulars,havingnowentereduponit,Iwillshowingeneral—

1st.Howorbywhatmeanscommonlyanytemptationattainsitshour;2dly.Howwemay knowwhen any temptation has come to its highnoon,andisinitshour.

1st.Itdoesthefirstbyseveralways:—

(1st.)Bylongsolicitations thatcausethemindtofrequentlyconversewiththeevilsolicited;thisbegetsextenuatingthoughtsofit.Ifitmakesthisprocess,thenitiscomingtowardsitshour.Itmaybethatwhenitfirst began to press upon the soul, the soul was shocked by the uglyappearanceofwhatitaimedat,andcried,“AmIadog?”2Kng8:13Ifthisindignationisnotdailyheightened,butthesoul,byconversingwiththeevil,beginstogrowfamiliarwithit,asitwere,soasnottobestartledasformerly,but is rather inclined tocry, “Is itnota littleone?” then thetemptationiscomingtowardsitshighnoon.Lusthasthenenticedandentangled, and it is ready to “conceive,” Jas 1:15 — more about thisafterward, in our inquiry as to how we may know whether we haveentered into temptation or not; our present inquest is about thehourandpoweroftemptationitself.

(2dly.)Whenithasprevailedonothers,andthesoulisnotfilledwithdislikeandabhorrenceofthemandtheirways,norwithpityandprayerfor their deliverance. This proves an advantage to it, and raises ittowards its height. When that temptation which has possessed andprevailedwithmany,setsuponanyoneatthesametime,ithasgained

sogreatandsomanyadvantagesoverhimbyit,thatitissurelygrowingtowards its hour. Prevailingwith others is ameans to give it its houragainst us. The falling off of Hymeneus and Philetus is said to“overthrowthefaithofsome,”2Tim2:17-18.

(3dly.)Bycomplicating itselfwithmany considerations that perhapsarenotabsolutelyevil.So the temptationof theGalatians to fall fromthepurityofthegospel,wascomplicatedbyfreedomfrompersecution,throughunionandconsentwiththeJews.Thingswerepleadedinitthatweregoodinthemselves,andgavelifetothetemptationitself.ButIwillnot now insist on the several advantages that any temptation has toheightenandgreatenitself,tomakeitselfprevalentandeffectual,withthe contribution that it receives for this purpose from variouscircumstances,opportunities,speciouspleasandpretences,necessitiesfordoingwhat cannotbedonewithout responding to the temptation,andthelike;becauseImustspeaktosomeofthemafterward.

2dly.Forthesecond,itmaybeknownwhetheritisinitshour—

(1st.)Byitsrestlessurgencyandarguing.Whenatemptationis initshour,itisrestless;itisthetimeofbattle,anditgivesthesoulnorest.Satan sees his advantage, considers his conjunction of forces, andknows that he must now prevail or be hopeless forever. Here areopportunities, here are advantages, here are specious pleas andpretences; some ground has already been gained by former arguings;hereareextenuationsoftheevil,hopesofpardonbylaterendeavors—allareinreadiness:ifhecandonothingnow,Satanmustsitdownlostinhisundertakings.Thuswhenhehadall thingsreadyagainstChrist,hemadeitthe“hourofdarkness.”Whenatemptationdiscovers“mille

nocendiartes,”15 itpresseswithinbyimaginationsandreasonings,and

without by solicitations, advantages, and opportunities, then the soulmayknowthatitshourhascome—andthegloryofGod,withitsownwelfare,dependsonthesoul’sbehaviorinthistrial;aswewillseeintheparticularcasesfollowing.

(2dly.)Whenitmakesaconjunctionoffrightsandallurements,thesetwo comprise the whole force of temptation.When both are brought

together,temptationisinitshour.16InDavid’scase,astothemurderof

Uriah,therewasboththefearofhisrevengeonhiswife(andpossiblyonhimself),andfearatleastofthepublicationofhissin;andtherewastheallurementofhispresentenjoymentofBathshebawhomhe lusted

after. Men are sometimes carried into sin by love for it, and theycontinueinsinbyfearofwhatwillensuefromit.Butinanycase,wherethese twomeet, somethingalluresus, something frightensus,and thereasoningsthatrunbetweenthemarereadytoentangleus—thenisthehouroftemptation.

Thisthen,isto“enterintotemptation;”thisisthe“hour”ofit,ofwhichmorewillbesaidintheprocessofourdiscourse.

III.There are two means of prevention prescribed by our Savior:— 1.“Watch;”2.“Pray.”

1.Watch.The first is a general expression by nomeans limited to itsnative signification ofwaking from sleep; towatchmeans tobeonourguard, asmuch as itmeans to take heed, or to consider allways andmeansbywhichanenemymayapproachus:sotheapostlesaysin1Cor16:13.Thisiswhatitmeansto“watch”inthisbusiness,orto“standfast

inthefaith”asgoodsoldiers,orto“quit17ourselveslikemen.”Itisasthe

same as to “take heed,”18 or to look to ourselves, as our Savior often

expressedit;soitisinRev3:2.19Whatispressedonusinthisword,isa

universalcarefulnessanddiligence,exercisingitselfinandbyallthewaysandmeansprescribedbyGod,overourheartsandways,over thebaitsandmethods of Satan, over the occasions and advantages of sin in theworld,sothatwewillnotbeentangledbythem.

2.Pray.Fortheseconddirection,ofPRAYER,Idonotneedtoaddressit.Thedutyanditsconcernsareknowntoall.

I will only add that these two means,watch and pray, comprise thewholeendeavoroffaithforthesoul’spreservationfromtemptation.

CHAPTER3

The doctrine — The grounds of it; ourSavior’s direction in this case — Hispromise of preservation — Issues of menentering into temptation — 1. Ofungrounded professors — 2. Of thechoicestsaints,Adam,Abraham,David—Self-considerationastoourownweakness—Thepowerofaman’shearttowithstandtemptation — The considerations it usesfor that purpose — The power oftemptation; the several ways bywhich itdarkens the mind — 1. By fixing theimaginations — 2. By entangling theaffections — 3. Temptations give fuel tolust — The end of temptation; theconsequences of former temptations —ObjectionsansweredHAVINGopenedthewordsintheforegoingchapterssofarasnecessarytodiscoverthefoundationofthetruthtobeinsistedonandimproved,Iwilllayitdowninthisobservation:—

Itisthegreatdutyofallbelievers,tousealldiligenceinthewaysChristhasappointed,sothattheymaynotfallintotemptation.

IknowGodis“abletodeliverthegodlyoutoftemptations;”Iknowheis

“faithfulnot toallowus tobe temptedabovewhatweareable,butwillmakeawayforourescape;”yetIdaresay,Iwillconvinceallthosewhowillattendtowhatisdeliveredandwritten,thatitisourgreatdutyandconcern to use all diligence, watchfulness, and care, so that we do notenter into temptation; and I will demonstrate it with the ensuingconsiderations:—

1.InthatbriefinstructiongiventousbyourSaviorconcerningwhatweought topray for, thisone,ofnotentering into temptation, isexpresslyonetopic.OurSaviorknewwhatconcernitwastousnotto“enter intotemptation,”whenhegaveusthisonespecialsubjectofourdailydealingwith God, Mat 6:13. And the order of the words shows us whatimportanceithas:“Leadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil.”If we are led into temptation, evil will befall us, whethermore or less.How God may be said to tempt us, or to “lead us into temptation,” Ishowed before. In this direction, what is intended, is not somuchnotgivingusuptoit,aspowerfullykeepingusfromit.

The last words are, as it were, exegetical, or expository of the former:“Leadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil;”—“Dealwithusinsuch a way that we may be powerfully delivered from that evil whichattendsourenteringintotemptation.”OurblessedSaviorknowsfullwellour state and condition; he knows the power of temptations, having

experienced it himself, Heb 2:18;20 he not only knows our vain

confidence,andthestockweplaceinourabilitytodealwithtemptations,ashe found it inPeter; butheknowsourweakness and folly, andhowsoonwearethrowntotheground.Andthereforehelaysinthisprovisionfor instruction at the entrance of his ministry, to make us heedful, ifpossible,ofwhat isofsuchgreatconcerntous.If then,wewouldplaceanyconfidenceinthewisdom,love,andcareofJesusChristtowardsus,wemustgrantthetruthpleadedfor.

2.Christ promises this freedom and deliverance as a great reward for

our most acceptable obedience, Rev 3:10.21 This is the great promise

made to thechurchofPhiladelphia, inwhichChrist foundnothing thathe would blame: “You shall be kept from the hour of temptation.” Hedoesnotpromise,“Youshallbepreservedinit,”buthegoeshigher:“Youshallbekeptfromit.”“Thereis,”saysourSavior,“anhouroftemptationcoming;aseasonthatwillmakehavocintheworld:multitudeswillthenfallfromthefaith;theywilldenyandblasphememe.Oh,howfewwillbe

abletostandandtoholdout!Somewillbeutterlydestroyedandperishforever.Somewillgetwoundstotheirsoulsthatwillneverbewell-healedwhiletheyliveinthisworld;somewillhavetheirbonesbroken,soastogohaltinglyalltheirdays.But,hesays,“becauseyouhavekeptthewordofmypatience,” Iwill be tender towards you, and “keep you from thishourof temptation.”CertainlywhatChrist thuspromises tohisbelovedchurch,asarewardforherservice,love,andobedience,isnolightthing.Whatever Christ promises to his spouse is a fruit of unspeakable love;thatwhichispromisedasarewardforspecialobedience,issoinaspecialway.

3.Letus consider to thispurpose, thegeneral issues concerningmen’sentering into temptation, of both bad and good men, of ungroundedprofessors,andofthechoicestsaints.

(1.)Forthefirst,IwillofferbutoneortwotextsofScripture.

Luke 8:13, “The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear,receive the word with joy, and have no root, but believe only for awhile,andintimeoftemptation,fallaway.”

Well!Howlongdotheybelieve?Theyareaffectedbythepreachingoftheword,andbelieveonit;theymakeprofession,andbringforthsomefruits; but until when do they abide? He says, “In the time oftemptation, they fall away.”Once they enter into temptation, they aregone forever. Temptation withers all their profession; it slays theirsouls.Weseethisaccomplishedeveryday.Menmayhaveattendedtothepreachingof thegospel,beenaffectedanddelightedby it,madeaprofessionofit,andperhapshavebeenlookedatasbelievers;andtheyhavecontinuedthiswayforsomeyears.Butnosoonerdoestemptationbefall thosewhohave vigor andpermanence in their profession, thanthey are turned out of the way, and are gone forever. They fall intohating thewordtheyhavedelighted in,despise itsprofessors,andarehardenedbysin.Soitsays,

Mat7:26:“Hethathearsthesesayingsofmine,anddoesnotdothem,islikeafoolishmanwhobuilthishouseuponthesand.”

But what does this house of profession do for him? It shelters him,keepshimwarm,anditstandsforawhile.ButChristsaysinverse27,“When the rain descends, when temptation comes, the house fallsutterly,anditsfallisgreat.”JudasfollowsourSaviorthreeyears,andallgoeswellwithhim.Buthenosoonerentersintotemptation,thanSatan

hashimandwinnowshim,andheisgone.Demaspreachesthegospeluntiltheloveoftheworldbefallshim,andheisutterlyturnedaside.2Tim4.10 To give instances of thiswouldbe endless.With this sort ofmen,entrance into temptation is an entrance into apostasy, more or less,whetherinpartorinwhole;itdoesnotfail.

(2.)ForthesaintsofGodthemselves,letusseebysomeinstanceswhatresultstheyhavehadbyenteringintotemptation.Iwillnameafew:—

ADAMwasthe“sonofGod,”Luke3:38,createdintheimageofGod,fullof that integrity, righteousness,andholiness,whichmightbeandwasan eminent resemblance of the holiness of God.He had a far greaterinherentstockofabilitythanwedo,andhadnothinginhimtoenticeorseducehim.YetthisAdamnosoonerentersintotemptationthanheisgone,lost,andruined—heandallhisposteritywithhim.Rom5.12Whatcanweexpectinasimilarcondition,ifwehaveinourtemptations,ashehad,not only a cunning devil to dealwith, but a cursedworld and acorruptheartalso?

ABRAHAMwasthefatherofthefaithful;hisfaithisproposedasapatterntoallthosewhowillbelieve;yetenteringtwiceintothesametemptation—namely,fearabouthiswife—hewastwiceoverpoweredbyit,tothedishonorofGod,andnodoubt thedisquietmentofhisownsoul,Gen

12:12-13,20:2.22

DAVIDiscalleda“manafterGod’sownheart”byGodhimself;Act13.22yetwhatadreadfulthingisthestoryofhisenteringintotemptation!Heisno sooner entangled, than he is plunged into adultery; from there,seeking deliverance by his own invention, like a poor creature in asnare,heisentangledmoreandmore,untilhelieslikeonedead,underthepowerofsinandfolly.

ImightmentionNoah,Lot,Hezekiah,Peter, and the rest,whose fallsintotemptationareonrecordforourinstruction.Certainlywhoeverhasany heart in these things cannot help but say, as the inhabitants ofSamaria saidupon receiving the letter fromJehu, “‘Behold, twokingscould not stand before him; how shallwe stand?’ 2Kng 10.4 O Lord, ifsuchmightypillarshavebeenthrowntotheground,ifsuchcedarshavebeenblowndown,thenhowshallIstandbeforetemptations?Oh,keep

me,thatIdonotenterin!”“Vestigiaterrent.”23Beholdthefootstepsof

thosewhohavegonein.Whomdoyouseeretiringwithoutawound,or

at least amark? On this account, the apostle would have us exercisetendernesstowardsthosewhohavefallenintosin:

Gal6:1,“Consideringyourself,lestyoualsobetempted.”

Hedoesnotsay,“Lestyoualsosin,orfall,orbeovertakenwithafault;”but, “lest you also be tempted.” “You see the power of temptation in

others,anddonotknowhowsoonyoumaybetempted;24norwhatwill

bethestateandconditionofyoursoulwiththat.”Assuredly,someonewho has seen so many better, stronger men than himself fail, andthrown down in the trial, will think it incumbent on himself torememberthebattle,and if it ispossible, tocometherenomore.Is itnotamadnessforamanwhocanscarcelycrawlupanddownbecausehe issoweak(which is thecasewithmostofus), ifhedoesnotavoidwhathehasseengiantsfoiledbyinundertakingit?Youarestillwholeand sound; takeheedof temptation, lest itbewithyouas itwaswithAbraham,David,Lot,Peter,Hezekiah,andtheGalatians,whoallfellinthetimeoftrial.

Inthedaysinwhichwelive,thefollyoftheheartsofmenopenlyshowsitselfinnothing,morethaninthiscursedboldness:ofrunningintoandputting themselvesupon temptations—afterhaving somanywarningsfromGod,andsomanysadexperienceseverydaybeforetheireyes.Theyare ready for any society, any company, any conditions of outwardadvantage,withoutonceweighingwhattheirownstrengthis,orwhattheconcernoftheirpoorsoulsis.Thoughtheygooverthedeadandtheslainthatlieinthosewaysandpaths,thatevennowfalldownbeforethem,yetthey go on without regard or trembling. Hundreds, thousands ofprofessorsofChrist,havegoneoutatthisdoor,withinafewyears.But—

4. Let us consider ourselves — what our weakness is; and whattemptationis—itspowerandefficacy,alongwithwhatitleadsto:—

(1.) For OURSELVES, we areweakness itself. We have no strength, nopowertowithstand.Confidence fromanystrengththat is inus, isonegreatpartofourweakness; itwas so inPeter.He that sayshecandoanything, can do nothing as he should. And what is worse, it is theworstkindofweaknessthatis inus—aweaknessfromtreachery—aweaknessarising from that conspiratorwhichevery temptationhas inus. Ifacastleor fort iseversostrongandwell fortified,yet there isatreacherouspartywithinthatisreadytobetrayitateveryopportunity,there isnopreserving thecastle fromtheenemy.Thereare traitors in

ourhearts,readytotakepart,tocloseandsidewitheverytemptation,andtosurrenderalltothem—indeed,tosolicitandbribetemptationstodothework,justastraitorsinciteanenemy.Donotflatteryourselvesthatyouwouldholdout; thereare secret lusts that lie lurking inyourhearts, which perhaps do not stir now, but which, as soon as anytemptationbefallsyou,willrise,agitate,cry,disquiet,seduce,andnevergiveupuntiltheyareeitherkilledorsatisfied.

The onewho promises himself that the frame of his heartwill be thesame under a temptation as it was before the temptation, will bewoefully mistaken. “Am I a dog, that I should do this thing?” says

Hazael.25 Yes, you will be such a dog if ever you are king of Syria;

temptation from your interest will unman you. Someone who nowabhors thoughts of such and such a thing, once he enters intotemptation, will find his heart inflamed towards it, and all contraryreasonings will be overborne and silenced. He will deride his formerfears,throwouthisscruples,anddespisetheconsiderationhelivedon.LittledidPeterthinkhewoulddenyandforswearhisMasterassoonashewasaskedwhetherheknewhimornot. Itwasnobetterwhen thehour of temptation came: all resolutions were forgotten, all love forChristwasburied;and thepresent temptation,closingwithhiscarnalfear,sweptallbeforeit.

Tohandlethisalittlemoredistinctly,Iwillconsiderthemeansofsafetyfromthepoweroftemptation(ifweenterintoit)thatmaybeexpectedfromourselves;and ingeneral thatwillbeas tothespringandriseofthosemeans, and inparticularas to thewaysof exerting the strengththatwehave,orseemtohave:—

[1.]Ingeneral,allwecan look for is fromourhearts.Whataman’sheartis,iswhatheis;butwhatistheheartofamaninsuchatimeoftemptation?

1st.Supposeamanisnotabeliever,butonlyaprofessorofthegospel,what can the heart of such aman do? Pro 10:20, “The heart of thewickedisoflittleworth;”andsurelywhatisoflittleworthinanythingelse,isnotofmuchworthinthis.Awickedmanmayinoutwardthingsbeofgreatuse;butwhenitcomestohisheart,thatisfalse,andathingofnovalue.Now,withstandingtemptationisheart-work;andwhenitcomes like a flood, can such a rotten trifle as a wickedman’s heart

stand before it? But these were addressed before.26 Entering into

temptation,andenteringintoapostasy,isthesamethingwiththem.

2dly.Nomatterwhose heart it is, Pro 28:26, “He that trusts in hisownheartisafool;”hethatdoesso,whateverelsehemaybe,inthathe is foolish. Peter did so in his temptation; he trusted in his ownheart: “Though allmen forsake you, Iwill not.” Itwas his folly; butwhy was it his folly? Because he will not be delivered; it will notpreserve him in snares; it will not deliver him in temptations. Theheartofamanwillpromisehimvery fair thingsbeforea temptationcomes. “Am I a dog,” says Hazael, “that I should do this thing?”“Thoughallmenshoulddenyyou,” saysPeter, “Iwillnot.Shall Idothisevil?Itcannotbe.”Alltheargumentsthataresuitedtochecktheheartinsuchaconditionaremusteredup.DoyouthinkPeterdidnotdo so? “What!DenymyMaster, theSonofGod,myRedeemer,wholovesme? Can such ingratitude, unbelief, and rebellion befallme? Iwillnotdoit.”Shallamanthenrestinthinkingthathisheartwillbesteadfast?Letthewisemananswer:“Hethattrustsinhisownheartisa fool.”Pro 28.26 “The heart is deceitful,” Jer 17:9. We should notwillinglytrustanythinginwhichthereisanydeceitorguile;heretheheart is “deceitful above all things.” It has a thousand shifts andtreacheriesthatitwillusetodealwith;andwhenitcomestothetrial,

everytemptationwillstealitaway,Hos4:11.27Generallymen’shearts

deceive them nomore often than they trust in them; and then theyneverfailtodeceivethem.

[2.]Ifoneconsiderstheparticularwaysandmeansthatsuchahearthas (or can use) to safeguard itself in the hour of temptation, theirinsufficiencyforthatpurposewillquicklyappear.Iwillinstanceonlyafew:—

1st.Love of honor in theworld.Reputation and esteem in thechurch,obtainedbyaformerprofessionandgodlywalk,isoneoftheheart’sownweaponstodefenditselfinthehouroftemptation.“ShallIflee fromwho I am?Having had such a reputation in the church ofGod,shallInowloseitbygivingwaytothislust,tothistemptation,byengagingwiththisorthatpublicevil?”Thisconsiderationhassuchaninfluenceonthespiritsofsome,thattheythinkitwillbeashieldandbuckler against any assaults that may befall them. They will die athousand times before they will forfeit that repute they have in the

churchofGod!But,alas!Thisisbuttwigs,28oranewcord,withwhich

tobindagianttemptation.Whatdoyouthinkofthe“thirdpartofthe

starsofheaven?”Rev12:4.29Hadtheynotshoneinthefirmamentof

the church?Were they notmore than sensible enough of their ownhonor,height,usefulness,andreputation?Butwhenthedragoncomeswith his temptations, he throws them down to the earth. Yes, greattemptations will make men who do not have a better defense,insensiblyfortifythemselvesagainstthatdishonorandbadreputethat

attendtheirways.“Populussibilet,atmihiplaudo.”30Dowenotknow

instancesofsomeyet livingwhohaveriskedcompliancewithwickedmen,after thegloryofa longandusefulprofession?Inawhile, theyfind themselves thrown down by it from their reputation with thesaints, and have hardened themselves against it, and ended in

apostasy?AswearewarnedinJohn15:6,31 this loveofhonordidnot

keepJudas;itdidnotkeepHymeneusnorPhiletus;itdidnotkeepthestarsofheaven;norwillitkeepyou.

Ontheotherside,thereis,

2dly.The consideration of shame, reproach, loss, and thelike. Men may also put their trust in this as a defense againsttemptations,andnot fear itwill fail to safeguardandpreserve them.They would not for the world bring that shame and reproach uponthemselvesthatattendsuchandsuchmiscarriages!Now,besidesthat,thisconsiderationextends itselfonly toopen sins— thosewhich theworldtakesnoticeofandabhors.Andsoitisofnouseatallinthosecasesinwhichpretencesandappearancesmaybeinventedandused;nor inpublic temptations to looseandcarelesswalking, like those inourdays; nor in cases thatmaybedisputable in themselves, thoughexpressly sinful to the consciences of persons who are undertemptations;norinheart-sins.Inalloftheseandmostothercasesoftemptation, there are innumerable reliefs ready to be offered to theheartagainstthisconsideration.Andbesidesallthis,Isay,weseebyexperiencehoweasilythiscordisbrokenoncetheheartbeginstobeentangled.Eachcornerofthelandisfullofexamplestothispurpose.Theystillhavewhatoutweighstheselesserconsiderations—namely,

3dly.Theywillnotwoundtheirownconsciences,anddisturbtheir peace, and put themselves in danger of hell fire. Surely this, ifanything, will preserve men in the hour of temptation. Surely theywould not lavish away their peace, nor risk their souls by attacking

Godandthethickbossesofhisbuckler!Whatcanbeofmoreefficacyandprevalence?Iconfessthisisofgreatimportance;andoh,ifitweremore pondered than it is! Oh, that we laid more weight on thepreservationofourpeacewithGodthanwedo!YetIsaythateventhisconsideration,insomeonewhoiselsewherefromhiswatch,anddoesnotmakeithisworktofollowtheotherrules insistedon,consciencewillnotpreservehim;for—

(1st.)Thepeaceof suchapersonmaybe a falsepeace or securitythatismadeupofpresumptionandfalsehopes;yes,eventhoughheisabeliever,itmaybeso.

Such was David’s peace after his sin, before Nathan came to him;suchwas Laodicea’s peacewhen it was ready to perish;Rev 3.16 andSardis’peacewhen itwasdying.Rev3.1What shouldconvincea soulthat it is true peace, seeing (it is supposed) that it does notuniversally labor to keep the word of Christ’s patience, and to bewatchfulinallthings?Doyouthinkthatthepeaceofmanyinthesedayswillbefoundtobetruepeaceintheend?Notatall.Theywillgoalive down to hell, and deathwill have dominion over them in themorning. Now, if a man’s peace is such, do you think that whatcannotpreserveitself,canpreservehim?Itwillgivewayatthefirstvigorousassaultofatemptationinitsheightandhour.Likeabrokenreed,itwillpuncturethehandoftheonethatleansonit.But—

(2dly.) Suppose the peace that is cared for and proposed tosafeguardthesoul,istrueandgood—yetwhenallislaiduponthisonebasis,andthehouroftemptationcomes,somanyeasementswillbeofferedagainst thisconsideration, that theywillmake ituseless.Wesaytoourselves,“Thisevilissmall;itisquestionable;itdoesn’tfall openly and directly upon my conscience; I only fear theconsequences of it. Maybe I can keep my peace despite this evil.OtherpeopleofGodhavefallen,andyettheyhavekeptorrecoveredtheirpeace.Ifitislostforaseason,itmaybeobtainedagain;Iwill

notsolicititsstationanymore.32Orevenifpeaceislost,safetymay

remain.”33Andthereareathousandsuchpleaswhichareallplanted

likebatteries34againstthisfort,sothatitcannotholdoutlong.

(3dly.)Fixingonthisparticularaloneistomakegoodonepassageorentrance,whiletheenemyassaultsusallaround.Itistruethata

littlearmorwouldservetodefendamanifhecouldchoosewherehisenemywouldstrikehim;butwearecommandedtotakethe“wholearmorofGod”ifweintendtoresistandstand,Eph6.11.

Whatwespeakofhereisbutonepieceofarmor;andwhenoureyeisonly on that, temptationmay enter and prevail twenty otherways.For instance, a man may be tempted to worldliness, unjust gain,revenge, vainglory, or the like. If he fortifies himself with thisconsideration alone — that he will not do this thing, wound hisconscience,andlosehispeace—fixinghiseyeonthisparticular,andcounting himself safe while he is not overcome on that one hand,thenmaybeneglectofhisprivatecommunionwithGod,sensuality,andthelike,willcreepin,andheisnotonejotbetterinhisconditionthanifhehadfallenunderthepowerofthatpartofthetemptationwhichwasmostvisiblypressingonhim.

Experiencetellsusthatthisdoesandwillfailalso.ThereisnosaintofGodthatdoesnotvaluethepeacehehas;yethowmanyofthemfailinthedayoftemptation!

(4thly.)Yet they have another consideration also, and that is, thevilenessofsinningagainstGod.Howshalltheydothisthing,andsinagainstGod,Gen39.9 theGodof theirmerciesandof theirsalvation?HowshalltheywoundJesusChrist,whodiedforthem?Thissurelycannothelpbutpreservethem.Ianswer—

First,Everydaywesee this consideration failingalso.There isnochild of God that is overcome by temptation, who has not firstovercomethisconsideration.Sothen,itisnotasureandinfallibledefense.

Secondly, This consideration is twofold: either it expresses thethoughts of the soul with particular reference to the temptationcontended with, and it will not then preserve the soul; or else itexpressestheuniversal,habitualframeofheartthatisinus,onallaccounts;anditthenfallsinwithwhatIwillpropose,intheprocessofthisdiscourse,astheuniversalmedicineandremedyinthiscase,ofwhichmorewillbesaidafterward.

(2.) Consider the POWER of temptation, partly from what was shownbefore, from its effects and fruits in the saintsofold, andpartly fromothergeneraleffectsthatwefindascribedtoit;suchas—

[1.]Itwilldarkenthemind,sothatamanwillnotbeabletomakearightjudgementofthingsashedidbeforeheenteredintoit.Thegodofthisworldblindsthemindsofworldlymensothattheyshouldnot

see the glory of Christ in the gospel, 2Cor 4:4,35 and so “whoredom,

wine,andnewwineenslavetheirhearts,”Hos4:11;sotoo,itisinthenature of every temptation,more or less, to enslave the heart, or todarken theunderstandingof theperson tempted.And itdoes this indiverseways:—

1st.Byfixingtheimaginationandthoughtsupontheobjecttowhichit inclines; so that the mind will be diverted from considering thethingsthatwouldrelieveandhelpitinthestateinwhichitfindsitself.AmanistemptedtoapprehendthatheisforsakenbyGod,thatheisanobjectofGod’shatred,andthathehasnoportioninChrist.BythecraftofSatan,themindwillbesofixedupontheconsiderationofthisstateandconditionofseparation,withitsdistress,thathewillnotbeabletomanageanyofthereliefsthataresuggestedandofferedtohimagainst it.Rather, following the fullnessofhisown thoughts,hewillwalk on in darkness and have no light. I say, a temptation will sopossessandfillthemindwiththoughtsofitandthematterofit,thatitwillremovethatclearconsiderationofthingswhichotherwiseitmightand would have had. And those things of which the mind wouldusuallyhaveavigoroussense, tokeep it fromsin,willbythismeanscometohavenoforceorefficacyatall.Indeed,itwillcommonlybringmentosuchastateandconditionthatwhenothers,whoknowoftheirestate, are speaking to them about things that concern theirdeliverance and peace, their minds will be so possessed with thematteroftheirtemptation,asnottounderstandatall—theyscarcelyhearonewordthatisspokentothem.

2dly.Bywoefulentanglingoftheaffections;whentheyareengaged,itisknownwhataninfluencetheaffectionshaveinblindingthemindand darkening the understanding. If anyone does not know this, lethimbutopenhiseyesthesedays,andhewillquicklylearnit.Iwillnotdeclare right now by what ways and means it is, that engagedaffectionswillcloudthemindanddarkenit.Iwillonlysay,givemeamanengagedintheaffectionsofhope, love,andfear, inreferencetoanyparticularsinwhichheoughtnottohope,love,andfear,andIwillquicklyshowyouinwhatheisdarkenedandblinded.Ifyouenterintotemptation, then, you will fail in this: — The present judgment you

haveof thingswillnotbeutterlyaltered,but itwillbedarkenedandrenderedinfirmtoinfluencethewillandmastertheaffections.These,being setat libertyby temptation,will runon inmadness. Instantly,detestation of sin, abhorring it, the terrors of the Lord, the sense oflove, the presence of Christ crucified, will all depart, and leave theheartapreytoitsenemy.

3dly.Temptationwill give oil and fuel to our lusts— itwill incite,provoke,andmakethemagitateandragebeyondmeasure.Offeringalust or corruption a suitable object, advantage, or occasion, willheighten and exaggerate it, and make it wholly predominant for aseason. This is how temptation dealt with carnal fear in Peter, withpride inHezekiah, with covetousness in Achan, with uncleanness inDavid,withworldlinessinDemas,andwithambitioninDiotrephes.Itwillletoutthereinsontheneckofalust,andputspurstothesidesofit,sothatitmayrushforwardlikeahorseintobattle.Amandoesnotknowthepride,fury,andmadnessofacorruption,untilitmeetswithasuitabletemptation.Andwhatnowwillapoorsoulthinktodo?Hismind is darkened, his affections entangled, his lusts inflamed andprovoked,andhisreliefdefeated;whatwillbetheoutcomeofsuchacondition?

(3.)ConsiderthattemptationsareeitherPUBLICorPRIVATE;letusviewalittletheefficacyandpowerofeachseparately:—

[1.] There are PUBLIC temptations; such as that mentioned in Rev

3:10,36whichwastocomeupontheworld“totrythosewhodwellupon

theearth;”oracombinationofpersecutionandseductionforthetrialofacarelessgenerationofprofessorsofChrist.Now,concerningsuchatemptation,considerthat—

1st. It has efficacy in respect to God, who sends it to revenge theneglectandcontemptofthegospelononehand,andthetreacheryoffalseprofessorsontheother.Henceitwillcertainlyaccomplishwhatitreceivesacommissionfromhimtodo.WhenSatanofferedhisservicetogoandseduceAhabsothathemightfall,Godsaystohim,

1Kng22:22,“Youshallpersuadehim,andprevailalso:goforth,and

doso.”37

Satan ispermittedas tohiswickedness,andcommissionedas to theeventandpunishmentintendedbyGod.WhentheChristianworldwas

tobegivenuptofollyandfalseworshipfortheirneglectofthetruth,andfortheirnaked,barren,fruitless,Christ-dishonoringprofession,itissaidaboutthetemptationthatbefellthem,

2Thes 2:11, “God sent them a strong delusion, so that they wouldbelievealie.”

As it comes fromGod inso judiciaryamanner, ithaspowerwith it,and it shall prevail. That selfish, spiritually-slothful, careless, and

worldlyframeofspirit,38has in thesedays infectedalmost theentire

bodyofprofessors.IfithasacommissionfromGodtokillhypocrites,woundnegligentsaints,breaktheirbones,andmakethemscandaloussothat theymaybeashamed,will itnothave thepowerandefficacyneededtodoso?Whatworkthespiritoferrorhasmadeamongus!Isitnotfromthis:thatassomemendelightednottoretainGodintheirhearts,soGodhas“giventhemuptoareprobatemind?”Rom1:28.Aman would think it strange, indeed, it would be a matter ofamazement, to see persons of a sober spirit, who pretend to greatthingsinthewaysofGod,whoareyetovercome,captivated,ensnared,and destroyed by such weak means, drunken opinions, and foolishimaginations— the kind amanwould think it impossible that thesewouldeverlayholdonsensibleorrationalmen,muchlessprofessorsof thegospel!ButwhatGodwouldhave strong, letusnot think it isweak.NostrengthbutthestrengthofGodcanstandinthewayoftheweakestthingsoftheworld,thatarecommissionedbyGodforanyendorpurposewhatsoever.

2dly.Thereis,insuchtemptations,thesecretinsinuationofexamplesinthosewhoareconsideredgodly,andprofessorsofChrist:

Mat 24:12, “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shallgrowcold,”etc.

Theaboundingofiniquityinsomewillinsensiblythrowwateronthezeal and love of others, so that little by little, their love grows cold.Some begin to grow negligent, careless, worldly, and wanton. Theybreakthe ice towardspleasingthe flesh.At firstothersblame, judge,

andperhapsreprovethem.39Shortlytheirlovealsogrowscold;andthe

bruntofitbeingover,theyalsoconformtothoseaboundingininquity,andare cast into the samemouldwith them. “A little leaven leavensthewhole lump.”Paul repeats this saying twice in 1Cor5:6, andGal

5:9.Hewould have us take notice of it. He speaks of the danger ofinfecting thewhole body from the bad examples of some.We knowhow insensibly leaven proceeds to give savor to the whole; so it istermeda“rootofbitterness”that“springsupanddefilesmany,”Heb12:15.Ifonelittlepieceofleaven,ifonebitterroot,mayendangerthewhole,thenhowmuchmorewhentherearemanyrootsofthatnature,andmuchleavenisscatteredabroad!Followingamultitude,itiseasyto do evil, and to say “A conspiracy” with others who say “A

conspiracy.”40Would anyone have thought it possible that such and

such professors in our own days would have fallen into the ways ofself, flesh, and the world? To play at cards and dice, to revel anddance? To neglect their family and private duties? To be proud,haughty, ambitious, worldly, covetous, and oppressive? Or that theywouldbeturnedtofoolish,vain,andridiculousopinions,desertingthe

gospelofChrist?Inthesetwo41liesthegreattemptationthathascome

uponus, the inhabitantsof thisworld, to testus.Butdoesnoteverymansee that thishascome topass?Andmaywenot seehow ithascometopass?Someloose,emptyprofessors,whoneverhadmorethanaformofgodliness,oncetheyhadservedtheirturnatthat,beganonthewaytothesethings;andthenothersbegantocomplyalittle,andtopleasethefleshindoingso.Littlebylittle,thisreachedeventhetopboughsandbranchesofourprofession,untilnowalmostallfleshhascorrupted itsway.Andonewhodeparts from these iniquitiesmakeshisnameaprey,ifnothisperson.

3dly. Public temptations are usually accompanied with strongreasons and pretences that are too hard for men, or at least thatinsensibly prevail upon them to undervalue the evil to which thetemptation leads — to give strength to that complicated temptationwhich in these days has even thrown down the people of God fromtheir excellence — it has “cut their locks,” Jdg 16.19 and made thembecome like othermen.How full the world is of specious pretencesandpleadings!Suchas,thereisthelibertyandfreedomofChristians,delivered from a frame of bondage. This is a door that, in my ownobservation,Ihaveseenallkindsofpeoplegothrough,intosensualityand apostasy. They begin with frivolous conversation, proceed to aneglect of the Sabbath, and of public and private duties, and end indissolutenessandprofaneness.Andthenthereisleavingpublicthings

to Providence, being contented with what is42 — things good in

themselves,butturnedintowretched,carnalcompliance,andtheutterruinofallzealforGod,andfortheinterestofChristorhispeopleintheworld.

These and similar considerations— joinedwith the ease andplenty,thegreatnessandpromotionofprofessors—have sobrought thingsabout that, whereas by Providence we have shifted places with themenoftheworld,wehavebysinshiftedspiritswiththemalso.Wearelike a plantationofmen carried into a foreign country.Theyquicklydegeneratefromthemannersofthepeoplewheretheycamefrom,andfall into themanners of the country towhich they arebrought; as iftherewere something in the soil and the air that transformed them.Let me follow my similitude a little. The prevailing party of thesenations, many of those in rule, power, and favor with all theiradherents—andrememberthattheywereacolonyofPuritans,thosewhosehabitationwas “in a lowplace,” (as theprophet speaksof the

cityofGod43)—havebeentranslatedbyahighhandtothemountains

they now possess.One cannot help butwonder how soon they haveforgottenthecustoms,manners,andwaysoftheirforbears,andhavebeencast into themouldof thosewhowentbefore them in thehighplaces towhich they are now translated. I speak of us all, especiallythose of uswho are among the lowest of the people,where perhapsthisiniquitymostabounds.Whatwerethosebeforeuslike,thatwearenotlike?Whatdidtheydo,thatwedonotdo?Prosperityhasslainthe

foolishandwoundedthewise.44

[2.]SupposethetemptationisPRIVATE.Thishasbeenspokenofbefore,butIwilladdtwothings:—

1st.Itsunionand incorporationwith lust,bywhich temptationgetswithinthesoul,andliesatthebottomofitsactings.Johntellsus,1Joh2:16,thatthethingsthatare“intheworld”are,“thelustoftheflesh,thelustoftheeyes,theprideoflife.”Now,it isevidentthatallthesethingsareprincipallyinthesubject(us),notintheobject—theyareinour heart, not in the world. But they are said to be “in the world,”because theworldgets into them,mixes itselfwith them,unites andincorporateswiththem.Justasfaithandthepromisesaresaidtobe“mixed,” Heb 4:2, so lust and temptation are mixed: they twinetogether;theyreceivemutualimprovementfromoneanother;eachof

themgrowshigherandhigherbythemutualstrengththeyadministertooneanother.Now,by thismeans temptationgetssodeep into theheartthatnocontraryreasoningscanreachit—onlywhatcankillthelust,canconquerthetemptation.Like leprosythathasmingleditselfwiththewall, thewall itselfmustbepulleddown,or the leprosywillnotbecured.Lev14.33-45Likegangrenethatmixespoisonwiththebloodand spirits, and cannotbe separated from theplacewhere it festers,bothmustbecutoff together.For instance, inDavid’s temptation touncleanness, ten thousand considerationsmight have been taken toshutthemouthofthetemptation;butithaduniteditselfwithhislust,and nothing but killing that lust could destroy it, or get him theconquest.

This deceivesmany a believer. They have some pressing temptationwhich, having gained some advantages, is now urgently upon them.Theyprayagainstit,andopposeitwithallthepowerfulconsiderationstheyhave,eachoneseeminglysufficienttoconqueranddestroyit—orat least to overpower it, so that it would never be troublesome anymore.Butnogoodisdone,nogroundisgainedorobtained;indeed,itgrows on them more and more. What is the reason for it? It hasincorporatedanduniteditselfwiththeirlust,anditissafefromalltheoppositiontheymaketo it. If theywouldmakeprogress indeed,theyare to set upon the whole of the lust itself — their ambition, pride,worldliness,sensuality,orwhateveritisthatthetemptationisunitedwith. All other dealings with it are like tampering with a prevailinggangrene: the part or the whole may be preserved a little while, ingreattorment;butexcisionordeathmustcomeatlast.Thesoulmaytormentitselfforaseasonwithsuchaprocedure;butitmustcometothis:eitheritslustmustdie,orthesoulmustdie.

2dly. Inwhateverpartof the soul the lust is seated,andwithwhichthetemptationisunited,itdrawsafteritthewholesoulbyonemeansoranother;andsoitpreventsoranticipatesanyopposition.Supposeitisalustofthemind—therearelustsofthemindanduncleannessofthe spirit, such as ambition, vain-glory, and the like. Theunderstandinghasaworldofwaystobridletheaffections,sotheywillnotcling toGodso tenaciously, seeing inwhat itaimsat, there is somuchtocontentandsatisfythem!Thisislikeabloodyinfirmityintheeyeswhichpresentsall things to thenatural senseandperception in

thatreddishhueandcolour.45Itnotonlypreventsallthereasoningsof

themind(which itnecessarilydoes),but itwilldrawthewholesoul,

onotheraccountsandcollateralconsiderations,intothesameframe.46

It promises the whole a share in the spoil that is aimed at; just asJudas’money, which he first desired out of covetousness, was to besharedamongallhislusts.

Or the temptation may be in the more sensual part, and it firstpossesses the affections. It cannot easily be expressed (as shownbefore)whatprejudicestheaffectionswillbringtotheunderstanding;howtheywillbribeittoacquiesce;whatargumentsorwhathopestheywillsupplyitwith.

Inbrief, thereisnoparticulartemptation,whenit is in itshour,thatwill not have such assistance from things that are good, evil, orindifferent. It is fedby somany considerations that seemmost alienandforeigntoit,andinsomecases,thatmakesuchspeciouspleasandpretences,thatitsstrengthwilleasilybeacknowledged.

(4.)Consider theENDofany temptation; this isSatan’s endand sin’send—whichisthedishonorofGodandtheruinofoursouls.

(5.) Consider what has been the CONSEQUENCE of any formertemptationsthatyouhavehad.Havetheynotdefiledyourconscience,disquieted your peace, weakened you in your obedience, and cloudedthe face of God? Even if you were not prevailed upon to commit theoutwardevil, or to suffer theutmost consequenceof your temptation,yethaveyounotbeenfoiled?Wasyoursoulnotsulliedandgrievouslyperplexedbyit?Indeed,didyoueverinyourlifecomeofffairly,withoutsensible loss, fromalmostany temptationyouhadtodealwith—andwouldyouwillinglybeentangledagain?Ifyouareatliberty,thentakeheed; enter no more, if it is possible, lest a worse thing happen toyou.Joh5.14

These, I say, are some of those many considerations that might beinsisted on, tomanifest the importance of the truth proposed, and thefullness of our concern in taking care that we “do not enter intotemptation.”

Againstwhathasbeenspoken,someobjectionsaretobeconsideredandremoved, that secretly insinuate themselves into the souls ofmen, andthat are effective in making them negligent and careless in this thingwhich is of such importance to them — a duty of such indispensable

necessitytothosewhointendtowalkwithGodinanypeace,orwithanyfaithfulness.Andtheyarethesewhichfollow:—

Obj.1.“Whyshouldwesofear,andlabortoavoidtemptation?Jas1:2,We are commanded to ‘count it all joy when we fall into varioustemptations.’ Now, certainly I need not solicitously avoid falling intosomethingwhich,onceIhavefallenintoit,Iamtocountitalljoy.”

TowhichIanswer—

1.Youwouldnotholdtothisruleinallthings—namely,thatamanneednotavoidwhathecannothelpbutfallinto,whenitishisdutytorejoicein it. The same apostle bids the rich “rejoice that they aremade low,”chap. 1:9-10.Andwithout a doubt, to someonewho is acquaintedwiththe goodness, wisdom, and love of God in his dispensations, in everycondition that isnecessary forhim, itwouldbeamatterof rejoicing tohim.Yet,howfewrich,godlymencanyoupersuadenottotakeheed,anduseall lawfulmeanssotheyarenotmadepoorandlow!Inmostcases,thetruth is, that itwouldbetheirsinnot todoso. It isourbusiness tomakegoodour stations, and to secureourselves asbestwe can; ifGodaltersourcondition,wearetorejoiceinit.Ifthetemptationsmentionedherebefallus,wemayhavecausetorejoice;butnotifwefallintothembyaneglectofduty.

2.Temptationsaretakentwoways:—

(1.)Passively andmerelymaterially— those thingswhich are, or in

somecasesmaybe,temptations.47

(2.)Actively—thosethingswhichenticeustosin.

James speaks of temptations in the first sense only; for having said,“Count it all joy when you fall into various temptations,” verse 2; headdsinverse12,“Blessedisthemanthatendurestemptation:forwhenhehasbeentried,heshallreceivethecrownoflife.”

Now amanmight say, “If this is so, then temptations are good, andfromGod;”—“No,”saysJames;“Takeninsuchasensethattemptationisathingwhichenticesandleadsustosin,Godtemptsnoone;rather,every man is tempted by his own lust,” verses 13, 14. “To have suchtemptations,tobetemptedtosin,thatisnottheblessedthingImean;butenduringtheafflictionsthatGodsendsfortestingourfaith,thatisablessedthing.Sothat,eventhoughImustcountitalljoywhen,throughthewillofGod,Ifallintovariousafflictionsformytrial,whichhavethe

matteroftemptationinthem,yetIamtouseallcareanddiligencesothatmylusthasnooccasionsoradvantagesgiventoittotemptmetosin.”

Obj.2.“ButwasnotourSaviorChristtemptedhimself;andisiteviltobe brought into the same state and condition as him? Indeed, it is notonlysaidthathewastempted,buthisbeingtemptedisexpressedasanadvantageousthing,andconducivetohismercifulnessasourpriest:

Heb2:17, 18, ‘In thathehimselfhavingsuffered,being tempted,he isabletocomfortthosewhoarebeingtempted.’

Andhemakes it a groundof a greatpromise tohisdisciples, that they‘abidedwithhiminhistemptations,’Luke22:28.”

Ans.Itistrue,ourSaviorwastempted;yethistemptationsarereckonedamongtheevilsthatbefellhiminthedaysofhisflesh—thingsthatcameonhimthroughthemaliceoftheworldanditsprince.Hedidnotwilfullythrowhimselfintotemptation,whichhesaidwas“totempttheLordourGod,”Mat4:7;indeed,towillinglyenterintoanytemptationistohighlytempt God. Now, our condition is such that we may use the greatestdiligenceandwatchfulnesswecan,andyetwewillbesuretobetempted,andbemadelikeChristinit.Thisdoesnothinderthefactthatitisourduty,totheutmost,tokeepourselvesfromfallingintothem;andthatisnamely on this account: — Christ had only the suffering part oftemptationwhenheenteredintoit;wealsohavethesinningpart.WhentheprinceofthisworldcametoChrist,hehad“nopartinhim;”Joh 14.30

butwhenhecomestous,hedoes.Sothat, inoneeffectoftemptations,namely trials and disquietness,we aremade like Christ, andwe are to

rejoiceasfarasthatisproducedbyanymeans;48yetinanothereffect,we

are made unlike him, which is being defiled and entangled. We aretherefore to avoid them by all means. We never come off like Christ.Whichofuscan“enterintotemptation”andnotbedefiledbyit?

Obj.3.“Butwhatneedisthereforthisgreatendeavorandcarefulness?Is it not said that ‘God is faithful,whowill not allowus to be temptedabovewhatweareable,butwillwiththetemptationalsomakeawaytoescape?’ 1Cor 10:13; and ‘He knows how to deliver the godly out oftemptations,’2Pet2:9.Whythendoweneedtobesolicitousnottoenterintothem?”

Ans. Igreatlyquestionwhatassistance fromGodsomeonewillhave in

histemptation,ifhewillinglyentersintoit,becausehesupposesthatGodhaspromisedtodeliverhimoutof it.TheLordknowsthat throughthecraftofSatan,thesubtletyandmaliceoftheworld,andthedeceitfulnessof sin that soeasilybesetsus, evenwhenwehavedoneourutmost,wewillstillenterintovarioustemptations.Inhislove,care,tenderness,andfaithfulness, God has provided such a sufficiency of grace for us, thatthese temptations will not utterly prevail to make an everlastingseparationbetweenhimandoursouls.YetIhavethreethingstosaytothisobjection:—

(1.)Someonethatwilfullyornegligentlyentersintotemptation,hasnoreasonintheworldtopromisehimselfanyassistancefromGod,oranydeliverancefromthetemptationintowhichhehasentered.Thepromiseismadetothosetowhomtemptationsbefallthemintheirway,whethertheywant them to or not; not to thosewhowilfully fall into them—thosewhogooutoftheirwaytomeetwiththem.Andthereforethedevil(as it is usually observed), when he tempted our Savior, left out thatexpressionofthetextofScripturewhichhetwistedtosuithispurpose,

“Allyourways.”49Thepromiseofdeliveranceistothosewhoareintheir

ways,ofwhichthisisoneprincipalway:tobewareoftemptation.

(2.)Thoughthereisasufficiencyofgraceprovidedforalltheelect,thattheyshallnotfallutterlyfromGodbyanytemptation,yetitwouldmakeanygracioushearttrembletothinkwhatadishonorit istoGod,whatscandal it is to thegospel,andwhatwoefuldarknessanddisquietnesstheymaybringupontheirownsouls,eveniftheydonotperish.Thosewho are scared by nothing but the fear of hell — on whom otherconsiderations which fall short of that have no influence — in myapprehension, have more reason to fear hell than perhaps they areawareof.

(3.)To enter into temptation on this account is to venture upon sin(whichisthesameas“continuinginsin”)so“thatgracemayabound,”Rom 6:1, 2 — the apostle rejects thoughts like this with the greatestdetestation. Is it notmadness for aman towillingly allow the ship inwhichheiscarried,tosplititselfonarock,totheirrecoverablelossofhismerchandise,justbecausehesupposeshewillswimsafelytoshoreonaplank? 1Tim 1.20 Is it any lessmadness for someone tohazard theshipwreckofallhiscomfort,peace,joy,andsomuchofthegloryofGodandhonorofthegospelasheisentrustedwith,merelyonasupposition

thathissoulwillyetescape?Thesethings,amanwouldthink,didnotdeserve to be mentioned; and yet poor souls sometimes deludethemselveswithsuchthingsasthese.

CHAPTER4

Particular cases proposed forconsideration—Thefirst, itsresolutioninvarious particulars— Several discoveriesof the state of a soul entering intotemptationTHESE things being premised in general, I now proceed to theconsiderationofthreeparticularcasesarisingfromthetruthproposed:the first of which relates to the thing itself; the second to its time orseason;andthelasttoourdeportmentinreferencetopreventingtheeviladdressed.

First,then,itmaybeinquired—

1.Howamanmayknowwhenhehasenteredintotemptation.2. What directions are to be given for preventing our entering intotemptation.(Chap.5)3.Whatseasonsthereareinwhichamanmayandoughttofearthatanhouroftemptationisathand.(Chap.6)

1.Howamanwillknowwhetherhehasenteredintotemptationornot,isourfirstinquiry.Isay,then—

(1.)When aman is drawn into any sin, hemay be sure that he hasentered into temptation. All sin is from temptation, Jas 1:14. Sin is afruitthatcomesonlyfromthatroot.Thoughamaniseversosuddenlyorviolentlysurprisedinorwithanysin,itisfromsometemptationorotherthathehasbeensurprised:sotheapostlesaysinGal6:1.Ifamanis surprised,overtakenwitha fault,hewas tempted to it; forhe says,“Consideryourself,lestyoualsobetempted,”—thatis,whenhewassosurprised,unawaresasitwere.Mensometimestakenonoticeofthis,totheirgreatdisadvantage.Whentheyareovertakenwithasin, theysetthemselves to repent of that sin, but they do not consider thetemptation thatwasthecauseof it,andtoset themselvesagainst thatalso — to take care that they enter into it no more. Hence they arequickly entangled by it again, even though they have the greatest

detestation of the sin itself that can be expressed. To indeed get theconquest over any sin, one must consider his temptations to it, andstrikeatthatroot;withoutdeliverancefromthere,hewillnotbehealed.

Thisisafollythatpossessesmanywhoyethaveaquickandlivingsenseof sin. They are sensible of their sins, but not of their temptations—theyaredispleasedwiththebitterfruit,buttheycherishthepoisonousroot.Hence,inthemidstoftheirhumiliationforsin,theywillcontinuein those ways, in those societies, in the pursuit of those ends, whichhaveoccasionedthatsin—moreaboutthisafterward.

(2.)Temptationshaveseveraldegrees.Somerisetosuchaheight,sopress on the soul, so torment and disquiet it, so fight against allopposition that ismade to it, that itmustbepastalldoubt to theone

whoissoassaulted,50thatitisapeculiar

51poweroftemptationthatheis

towrestlewith.Whenafeverrages,amanknowsheissick,unlesshisdistemper has made him mad. The lusts of men, as James tells us,“entice, draw away,” and seduce them to sin; but this they do bythemselves, without peculiar instigation, in a more quiet, even, andsedatemanner.Iftheselustsgrowviolent,iftheyhurrythesoulupanddownandgiveitnorest,thesoulmayknowtheyhavegottenthehelpoftemptationtoassistthem.

Takeanemptyvesselandputitintosomestreamthatisinitscoursetothesea,anditwillinfalliblybecarriedthereaccordingtothecourseandspeedof the stream.But let strongwinds arise upon it, and itwill bedrivenwith violence onto every bank and rock until, being broken inpieces,itisswallowedupbytheocean.Men’slustswillinfallibly(ifnotmortifiedinthedeathofChrist)carrythemintoeternalruin;butoftenthisisdonewithoutmuchnoise,accordingtothecourseofthestreamoftheircorruptions.Butletthewindofstrongtemptationsbefallsuchmen, and they are hurried into innumerable scandalous sins, and so,brokenuponallaccounts,theyareswallowedupineternity.Asitisingeneralwithmen,soitisinparticular.

Hezekiahhadtherootofpride inhimalways;yet itdidnotmakehimrunupanddowntoshowhistreasureandhisriches,untilhefell intotemptationbytheambassadorsofthekingofBabylon.2Chr32.31SohadDavid;yethecouldkeepfromnumberingthepeopleuntilSatanstoodup and provoked him, and solicited him to do it.1Chr 21.1 Judas wascovetousfromthebeginning;yethedidnotcontrivetosatisfythislust

bysellinghisMaster,untilthedevilenteredintohim,andhetherebyheentered into temptation.Luk 22.3 The same may be said of Abraham,Jonah,Peter,andtherest.Sothatwhenanylustorcorruptionagitatesanddisquietsthesoul,andforcefullypushesittosin,letthesoulknowthatthelusthasgottentheadvantageofsomeoutwardtemptation,eventhoughitdoesnotyetperceiveinwhat;oratleastithasbecomeitselfapeculiartemptationbysomeincitementorprovocationthathasbefallenit;anditistobewatchedmorethanordinarily.

(3.) Entering into temptation may be seen in lesser degrees; forinstance, when the heart begins to secretly like the matter of thetemptation, and it is content to feed it and increase it in any way itmight,withoutdownrightsinning.

Inparticular,amanbeginstogainareputeforpiety,wisdom,learning,orthelike—heisspokenofmuchtothatpurpose;hisheartistickledtohearof it, andhisprideandambitionareaffectedwith it. If thismannow,withallhisstrength,plies the things fromwhichhis repute,andesteem, and glory among men spring, with a secret eye to have hisrepute increased, he is entering into temptation. If he does not takeheed,thiswillquicklyrenderhimaslaveoflust.SowasitwithJehu.Heperceived that his repute for zeal began to grow abroad, and he gothonourbyit.Jonadabcomesalong,agoodandholyman.“Now,”thinksJehu, “I have an opportunity to grow in thehonor ofmy zeal.” SohecallsJonadabtohim,andhegoestoworkmostseriously.Thethingshedidweregood in themselves,buthehadentered into temptation,andservedhislustinallthathedid.Soitiswithmanyscholars.Theyfindthemselvesesteemedandfavouredfortheirlearning.Thistakesholdofthe pride and ambition of their hearts. Hence they set themselves tostudywithalldiligencedayandnight—athinggoodinitself;buttheydoitsothattheymaysatisfythethoughtsandwordsofmen,inwhichtheydelight:andsoinalltheydo,theymakeprovisionforthefleshtofulfillitslusts.

It is true that God often brings light out of this darkness, and turnsthingstoabetteroutcome.Maybeafteramanhasstudiedmanyyearswithaneyeuponhislusts—uponhisambition,pride,andvain-glory—rising early and going to bed late to satisfy these lusts,God comes inwithhisgrace,turnsthesoultohimself,robsthoseEgyptianlusts,andsoHeconsecratesfortheuseofthetabernacle,whatwasprovidedfor

idols.52Menmaythusbeentangledinbetterthingsthanlearning,even

intheprofessionofpiety,intheirlaborintheministry,andthelike.Forsomemen,theirprofessionisasnaretothem.Theyhaveareputation,and aremuchhonoredbecause of their profession and strictwalking.Thisoftenhappensinthedaysinwhichwelive,inwhichallthingsareconducted by parties. Some find themselves, on account of the thingsmentioned,perhapstobethedarlingsand“ingentiadecora,”orgloryoftheirparty. If thoughtsof this secretly insinuate themselves into theirhearts, and influence them into more than ordinary diligence andactivityintheirwayandprofession,theyareentangled.Andinsteadofaimingatmoreglory,theyneedtolieinthedust,inasenseoftheirownvileness.Socloseisthistemptation,thatoftentimesitrequiresnofoodto feed upon except that the one who is entangled with it, avoids allmeansandwaysofhonorandreputation—sothatitcanbutwhisperinthe heart that such avoidance is honorable. The same may be theconditionwithmen,aswassaid,inpreachingthegospel,intheworkoftheministry.Many things in thatworkmay yield esteem for them—their ability, their plainness, their frequency, their success; and all inthissensemaybefuelfortemptations.Letamanknowthen,thatwhenhelikeswhatfeedshis lust,andhekeepsitupbywaysthatareeithergood in themselves, or not downright sinful, he has entered intotemptation.

(4.)Whenitcomestopass,byaman’sstateorconditionoflife,orbyany means whatsoever, that his lust and any temptation meet withoccasionsandopportunitiesfortheprovocationandstirringupofthatlust, let thatmanknow thathehas certainly entered into temptation,whether he perceives it or not. I told you before, that to enter intotemptationisnotmerelytobetempted,buttobesounderitspowerastobeentangled by it.Now, it is almost impossible for aman to haveopportunities, occasions, and advantages suited to his lust andcorruption, that he will not be entangled by it. If ambassadors comefrom the king of Babylon, Hezekiah’s pride will throw him intotemptation. If Hazael is king of Syria, his cruelty and ambitionwillmake him rage savagely against Israel. If the priests come with theirpiecesofsilver,Judas’covetousnesswillbeinstantlyatworktosellhisMaster.Manyinstancesofasimilarkindmaybegiveneveninthedaysinwhichwelive.Somementhinktheycanplayatoptheholeoftheaspandnotbebittenby it, or touchpitch andnotbedefiledby it, or set

theirclothesonfireandnotbeburntbyit;buttheywouldbemistaken.Ifyourbusiness,courseof life,societies,orwhateverelse itmaybeofthatkind,pushyouontothosethings,ways,orpersonswhichsuityourlustorcorruption,thenknowthis:youhaveenteredintotemptation—howyouwillcomeoutofitGodonlyknows.Letusimagineamanwhohasanyseedsoffilthinessengagedinhisheart—considerthecourseofhis life insociety,howlight,vain,andfoolish it is(whatevernoticehetakes of it himself, little, great, or none at all)—he has undoubtedlyentered into temptation. So it is with ambition in high places; withpassioninamultitudeofperplexingaffairs;withpolluted,corruptfancyin vain societies; and with the perusal of idle books, or treatises ofvanity and folly. Fire and combustible things may more easily lietogether without igniting, than may peculiar lusts and their suitableobjects,oroccasionsfortheirexercise.

(5.)Whenamanisweakened,whenhebecomesnegligentorformalinhisduty,whenhecanomitdutiesorcontenthimselfwithacarelessandlifelessperformanceofthem,withoutdelight,joy,orsatisfactioninhissoul—andhehadanotherframeofmindformerly—thenlethimknowthis: that even though he may not be acquainted with the particulardistemperinwhichitconsists,yetinsomethingorother,hehasenteredinto temptation, and at length he will find it evident that it is to histroubleandperil.Howmanyhaveweseenandknowninourowndays,whohavefallenfromawarmprofession,tobenegligent,careless,andindifferentinpraying,reading,hearing,andthelike!Giveaninstanceofoneinsuchastatewhohascomeoffwithoutawound,andIdaresaythatyoumaydiscoverahundredforhimwhohaveshownthemselvestohavebeenasleepontopofthemast;whowereinthejawsofsomeviletemptationorother,whichafterwardproducedbitterfruitintheirlivesandways.Fromthosefewwhoreturnfromtheirfolly,weheareverydaythesedolefulcomplaints:

“Oh! I neglected private prayer; I did not meditate on the word, norattend tohearing it, but ratherdespised these things: andyet I said Iwas rich and lacked nothing.Rev 3.17 Little did I consider that thisunclean lust was ripening in my heart; that this atheism, theseabominations,werefomentingthere.”

Thisisacertainrule:—Ifhisheartgrowscold,negligent,orformalinitsdutiesof theworshipofGod,and that iseitheras to thematteror

manneroftheseduties,andhehadanotherframeofmindbefore,thenonetemptationoranotherhas laidholdofhim.Worldliness,orpride,or uncleanness, or self-seeking, or malice and envy, or one thing oranother has possessed his spirit; “gray hairs are here and there upon

him,eventhoughhedoesnotperceiveit”.53

Andthisistobeobservedastothemannerofduties,aswellastothematter of them:menmay, onmany sinister accounts— especially tosatisfytheirconsciences—keepupandfrequenttheirdutiesofreligionastotheirsubstanceandmatter,whentheyhavenoheartforthem,andthere is no life in them, as to the spirituality required in theirperformance. Sardis kept up theperformance of duties, and thereforehad a name to live; but that church lacked spiritual life in theirperformances,anditwastherefore“dead,”Rev3:1.

Inthedistempersofthebody,amanmayfindthathisspiritisfaint,hisheartoppressed,hisheadheavy,andhiswholepersonindisposed.Eventhoughhedoesnotyetactuallyburnnorrave,hewillcry,“IfearIamenteringintoafever—Iamsooutoforderandindisposed.”Amanmaydo the same in this sickness of the soul. If he finds that his spiritualpulsedoesnotbeatcorrectlyandevenlytowardshisdutiesofworshipandcommunionwithGod—ifhisspiritislow,andhisisheartfaintinthem—lethimconcludethis:eventhoughhislustdoesnotyetburnorrage, he has entered into temptation, and it is high time for him toconsidertheparticularcausesofhisdistemper.Iftheheadisheavyandslumbersinthethingsofgrace,iftheheartiscoldinitsduties,thenevilliesatthedoor.Andifsuchasouldoesescapeagreattemptationtosin,yetitwillnotescapeagreattemptationtodesertGod.Thespousecries,“Isleep,”Song5:2;shehad“putoffhercoat,andcouldnotputiton;”—shehadan indisposition toherdutiesand tocommunionwithChrist.What is the next news you have of her? Verse 6, her “Beloved hadwithdrawn himself,”— Christ was gone; and she seeks him long anddoesnotfindhim.Thereissuchasuitablenessbetweenthenewnaturethatiswroughtandcreatedinbelievers,andthedutiesoftheworshipofGod, that theywillnotbepartednorkeptasunder,unless it isby theinterposition of some disturbing distemper. The new creature feedsupon these duties; it is strengthened and increased by them; it findssweetnessinthem;indeed,itmeetsinthemwithitsGodandFather—sothatitcannothelpbutdelightinthem,anddesiretoexercisethem,unless it has been made sick by some temptation. This frame is

describedinthe119thPsalmthroughout.Thesoulisnot,Isay,simplythrown out of this frame and temper, unless it is oppressed or

disorderedbyonesecrettemptation54orother.

55Therearevariousother

evidencesofasoul’senteringintotemptation,whichmaybediscovered

uponinquiry.56

Iproposethisinordertoremovethefalsesecuritythatweareapttofallinto;andtomakemanifesttheparticulardutywearetoapplyourselvesto in special times of temptation. For the onewhohas already enteredinto temptation is to apply himself tomeans for disentanglement, andnotlabortopreventhisenteringin.Howthismaybedone,Iwilldeclareafterward.

CHAPTER5

The second case proposed, or inquiriesresolved—Whatarethebestdirectionstoprevententeringintotemptation?—Thosedirections laid down — The directionsgivenbyourSavior:“Watchandpray”—Whatisincludedinit—(1.)Asenseofthedanger of temptation — (2.) It is not inourpower to keepourselves—(3.)Faithin the promises of preservation — OfprayerinparticularHaving seen the danger of entering into temptation, and having alsodiscovered the ways and seasons by which and in which men usuallyenterin,oursecondinquiryisthis:

2.What general directions may be given to preserve a soul from thatconditionwhichhasbeenspokenof?WeseeourSavior’sdirectioninMat26:41.Hesumsitallupinthesetwowords,“Watchandpray.”Iwilllaboralittletounfoldthem,andshowwhatiswrappedandcontainedinthem;andthatisbothjointlyandseverally:—

(1.)Thereisincludedinthemaclearabidingapprehensionofthegreatevilthatthereisinenteringintotemptation.Whatamanwatchesandpraysagainst,helooksuponaseviltohimself,andtobeavoidedbyallmeans.

This then, is the first direction: — Always bear in mind the greatdangeritisforanysoultoenterintotemptation.

It is awoeful thing to considerwhat slight thoughtsmost have aboutthis thing.Somenarecontent that theycankeepthemselves fromsinitselfinopenaction;theyscarcelyaimatmore;allsortsofmenwillrisk

any temptation in the world, at any time. How young men will putthemselvesintoanycompany,anysociety;atfirst,beingdelightedwithevil company, and they are then with the evil of the company! Howfruitlessarealladmonitionsandexhortationsto them,to takeheedofsuchpersons,who are debauched in themselves, corrupters of others,anddestroyersof souls!At first theywill risk the company,abhorringthe thought of practising their lewdness themselves; but what is theresult?UnlessGod,withamightyhand,snatchesonehereortherefromthejawsofdestruction,theyarealllost;andafterawhiletheybecomeinlovewiththeevilwhichatfirsttheyabhorred.

Thisopendoortotheruinofsoulsistooevident;andwoefulexperiencemakesitnolessevidentthatitisalmostimpossibletoconveytomanypoorcreaturesany fearordreadof temptation,whoyetprofessa fearand abhorrence of sin. If only it were thus with youngmen who areunaccustomed to theyokeof theLord!What sortofman is free fromthisfollyinonethingorother?HowmanyprofessorsIhaveknownthatwould plead for their “liberty,” as they called it! They could hearanything,allthings,allsortsofmen,allmen;theywouldtestallthings,toseewhethertheycametotheminthewayofGodornot;andonthatbasis,theywouldruntohearandattendtoeverybroacheroffalseandabominableopinions,everyseducer,eventhoughgenerallystigmatizedbythesaints.Forsuchaperson,theyhadtheirliberty—theycoulddoit, but they hated the opinions as much as any. What has been theresult?Iscarcelyknowofanywhocomeoffwithoutawound;mosthavehad their faithoverthrown.Letnoman then,pretend to fearsin,whodoesnotalsofearthetemptationtosin.Theyaretoonearlyalliedtobeseparated.Satanhasputthemtogethersuchthatitisveryhardforanymantopullthemapart.Hedoesnothatethefruit,whodelightsintheroot.

When men see that such ways, such company, such courses, suchbusiness, such studies and aims will entangle them, make them coldandcareless,becomequench-coalstothem—thattheyindisposethemto steady, universal, and constant obedience —if they venture uponthem, sin liesat thedoor. It is a tender frameof spirit, sensibleof itsownweaknessandcorruption—ofthecraftofSatan,oftheevilofsin,oftheefficacyoftemptation—thatcanperformhisduty.Andyetuntilwebringourhearts to this frame,upon theconsiderationsmentionedbefore,orsimilarconsiderationsthatmightbeproposed,wewillnever

free ourselves from sinful entanglements. As known, boldness upontemptation, springing fromseveralpretences,has ruined innumerableprofessorsinthesedays,anditstillcontinuestothrowmanydownfromtheir excellence. Nor do I have the least hope of a more fruitfulprofessionamongus,until I seemore fearof temptation.Sinwillnotseemgreatorheavyforlong,toanyonetowhomtemptationsseemlightorsmall.

This is the first thing wrapped in this general direction:—The dailyexerciseofourthoughtswithanapprehensionofthegreatdangerthatliesinenteringintotemptation,isrequiredofus.GrievingtheSpiritofGod,disquietingourownsouls,lossofpeace,hazardofeternalwelfare,liesatthedoor.Ifthesoulisnotprevailedwithtoobservethisdirection,then all that ensues will be of no value. Temptation despised willconquer; and if the heart ismade tender and watchful here, half theworkofsecuringagoodconversation isover.Donotgoany further ifyou are not resolved to employ this direction in a daily conscientiousobservationofit.

(2.)Thereisalsothiswrappedinit:thatitisnotinourownpowertokeepandpreserveourselvesfromenteringintotemptation.ThereforearewetoPRAYthatwemaybepreservedfromit,becausewecannotsaveourselves.This isanothermeansofpreservation.Wehavenostrengthtoresistatemptationwhenitcomes,whenwehaveenteredintoit,butwewillfallunderitwithoutasufficientsupplyofgracefromGod.Soitisapreservingprincipletoreckonthatwehavenopowerorwisdomtokeepourselvesfromenteringintotemptation,butmustbekeptbythepower andwisdomofGod. 1Pet 1:5,Weare in all things “keptby thepowerofGod.”OurSaviorinstructsusinthis,notonlybydirectingustopraythatwenotbeledintotemptation,butalsobyhisownprayingforus,thatwemaybekeptfromit:

John17:15,“Idonotpraythatyoushouldtakethemoutoftheworld,butthatyoushouldkeepthemfromtheevil;”

—thatis,fromthetemptationsoftheworldtoevil,tosin—“outofthe

evil”57thatisintheworld—thatistemptation,whichisallthatisevilin

theworld;or fromtheevilonewho is intheworld,whomakesuseoftheworldfortemptation.ChristpraystohisFathertokeepus,andheinstructsustopraythatwebesokept.Itisnotthenathinginourownpower.Thewaysofourenteringintotemptationaresomany,various,

andimperceptible—themeansofitaresoefficaciousandpowerful—

theentranceofitissodeceitful,subtle,insensible,andplausible58—our

weakness,ourunwatchfulness,aresounspeakable—thatwecannotintheleastkeeporpreserveourselvesfromit.Wefailbothinwisdomandpowerforthiswork.

Lettheheartthencommunewithitselfandsay,

“Iampoorandweak;Satan is subtle, cunning, powerful, and watching constantly foradvantagesagainstmysoul;theworldisearnest,pressing,andfullofspeciouspleas,innumerablepretences,andwaysofdeceit;myowncorruption isviolentandtumultuating,enticing,entangling,conceivingsin,andbothwarringinme,andagainstme;theoccasionsandadvantagesoftemptationareinnumerableinallthethings I have done or allow, and in all businesses and personswithwhomIconverse;

thefirstbeginningsoftemptationareinsensible59andplausible

—sothat,lefttomyself,IwillnotknowthatIamensnareduntilmybonds are made strong, and sin has gained ground in my heart.Therefore I will rely on God alone for my preservation, and I willcontinuallylookuptohimonthataccount.”

ThiswillmakethesoulalwayscommititselftothecareofGod,restingitself on him, and doing nothing, undertaking nothing, etc., withoutasking counsel of him. So that a double advantage will arise fromobservingthisdirection;bothareofsingularuseforpreservingthesoulfromtheevilthatisfeared:—

[1.]The engagement of the grace and compassion of God, who hascalledthefatherlessandhelplesstorestuponhim;nordidasouleverfailtohavesuppliesofgrace,whichinasenseofwant,rolleditselfonGod,onaccountofhisgraciousinvitation.

[2.]Keeping thesoul insucha frame,onvariousaccounts, isusefulforitspreservation.TheonewholookstoGodforassistanceinaduemanner,isbothsensibleofhisdanger,andconscientiouslycarefulintheuseofmeanstopreservehimself.

The importance of these two things in this case, may easily beapprehendedbythosewhoexercisetheirheartsinthesethings.

(3) This also iswrapped in it:act in faith on thepromise ofGod forpreservation. To believe that he will preserve us, is a means ofpreservation. ForGodwill certainly do this, ormake away for us toescapeoutoftemptation,ifwefallintoitundersuchabelievingframe.We are to pray for what God has promised. Our requests are to beregulatedbyhispromisesandcommands,whichareofthesameextent.Faithcloseswiththepromises,andsoitfindsreliefinthiscase.James

instructsusinthisinchap.1:5-7.60Whatwewantwemust“askofGod;”

butwemust“askinfaith,”forotherwisewemustnot“thinkthatwewillreceiveanythingfromtheLord.”

ThisthenisalsointhisdirectionofourSavior:—thatweactinfaithonthe promises of God for our preservation out of temptation. He haspromisedthathewillkeepusinallourways;thatwewillbedirectedinaway that, even thoughweare fools, “wewillnot err in it,” Isa35:8;thathewillleadus,guideus,anddeliverusfromtheevilone.SetfaithtoworkonthesepromisesofGod,andexpectagoodandcomfortableoutcome. It is not easily conceivedwhat a train of graces attend faithwhen it goes out to meet Christ in the promises; nor what power topreserve the soul lies in this thing — but I have spoken about this

elsewhere.61

Weighthesethingsseverally;butfirst,takeprayerintoconsideration.Topray thatwe do not enter into temptation, is ameans to preserve usfrom it. Glorious things are spoken of thisduty, as allmenwho knowanything about it will attest. And yet the truth is, not one half of itsexcellence,power,andefficacyisknown.Itisnotmybusinesstospeakofitingeneral;butIsaythisastomypresentpurpose:—letsomeonewhowould be little in temptation, be much in prayer. This calls in the

suitablehelpand relief that is laidup inChrist forus,Heb4:16.62This

throwsour souls into a frameof opposition to every temptation.WhenPaulhadgiveninstructionforputtingon“thewholearmorofGod”thatwemayresistandstand inthetimeof temptation,headdsthisgeneralcloseofthewhole,

Eph6:18,“PrayingalwayswithallprayerandsupplicationintheSpirit,andwatchingtothisendwithallperseveranceandsupplication.”

Withoutthis,alltherestwillhavenoefficacyfortheendproposed.Andthereforeconsidertheweighthelaysonit:“Prayingalways,”—thatis,at

alltimesandseasons,oralwaysbereadyandpreparedforthedischargeofthatduty,Luke18:1,Eph6:18;“withallprayerandsupplicationintheSpirit,”—presenting all kinds of desires toGod, that are suited to ourcondition, according to his will, and which we are assisted in by the

Spirit; “and watching to that end,”63 lest we be diverted by anything

whatsoever;andthatisnotforalittlewhile,but“withallperseverance,”—continuancelengthenedouttotheutmost:soshallwestand.Thesoulso framed, is in a sure posture; and this is one of the means withoutwhichthisworkwillnotbedone.Ifwedonotabideinprayer,weshallabideincursedtemptations.

(4) Let this then be another direction: — Abide in prayer, andexpressly to this purpose, thatwe “do not enter into temptation.” Letthis be one part of our daily contending with God — that he wouldpreserveoursouls,andkeepourheartsandourways,sothatwearenotentangled; thathis goodandwiseprovidencewill orderourwaysandaffairs;thatnopressingtemptationshouldbefallus;thathewouldgiveusdiligence,carefulness,andwatchfulnessoverourownways.

Soshallwebedeliveredwhenothersareheldwiththecordsoftheirownfolly.

CHAPTER6

Watching so that we do not enter intotemptation — The nature and efficacy ofthat duty— The first part of it, as to thespecial seasons of temptation— The firstseason, in unusual prosperity — Thesecond, a season of slumber of grace —Third, a season of great spiritualenjoyment—The fourth,a seasonof self-confidenceTheotherpartofourSavior’sdirection—namely,to“watch,”—ismoregeneral,andextendsitselftomanyparticulars.Iwill fixonsomethingsthatarecontainedinit:—

3.WATCH the seasons in which men usually “enter into temptation.”Therearevariousseasonsinwhichanhouroftemptationiscommonlyathand; and temptation will unavoidably seize upon the soul unless it isdeliveredbymercyintheuseofwatchfulness.Whenweareundersuchaseason, then we are to be particularly on our guard so that we do notenter into— so that we do not fall under — the power of temptation.Someoftheseseasonsmaybenamed:—

(1.)A season ofunusual outward prosperity is usually accompaniedwith an hour of temptation. Prosperity and temptation go together;indeed, prosperity is a temptation, many temptations, and that isbecause,withouteminentsuppliesofgrace,prosperityisapttothrowasoulintoaframeandtemperexposedtoanytemptation,andprovidesitwithfoodandfuelforall.Ithasprovisionforlust,anddartsforSatan.

Thewisemantellsusthatthe“prosperityoffoolsdestroysthem,”Pro1:32.Ithardensthemintheirway,makesthemdespiseinstruction,and

puts the evil day far off from them64 (whose terror should influence

them to amend their ways). Without special assistance, it has aninconceivablymalignantinfluenceonbelieversthemselves.HenceAgur

prays against riches because of the temptation that attends them:“Lest,”hesays,“Ibefullanddenyyou,andsay,WhoistheLord?”Pro30:8,9—lest,beingfilledwiththem,heshouldforgettheLord;asGodcomplains that his people did, Hos 13:6. We know how David wasmistakeninthiscase:Psa30:6,“Isaidinmyprosperity,Iwillneverbemoved.”Alliswell,andwillbewell.Butwhatwasathand,whatlayatthedoor,thatDaviddidnotthinkof?Verse7,“Youhidyourface,andIwastroubled.”Godwasreadytohidehisface,andDavidwasreadytoenterintoatemptationtodesertHim,andhedidnotknowit.

As for a prosperous condition, I will not run contrary to Solomon’scounsel,“Inthedayofprosperity,rejoice,”Ecc.7:14.RejoiceintheGodof yourmercies, who does you good in his patience and forbearance,notwithstanding all your unworthiness. Yet Imay add to it (from thesame fountainofwisdom), “Consider,”also, lestevil lieat thedoor.Amaninthatstate,isinthemidstofsnares.Satanhasmanyadvantagesagainsthim,forgingdartsoutofallthisman’senjoyments—andifthemandoesnotwatchout,hewillbeentangledbeforeheisaware.

You want what should poise and ballast your heart. Formality in

religion65isapttocreepinuponyou;andthatlaysthesoulopentoall

temptationsintheirfullpowerandstrength.Satisfactionanddelightincreature-comforts, thepoisonof the soul, is apt to growuponyou. Insucha time,bevigilant,be circumspect,oryouwillbesurprised.Jobsaysthatinhisaffliction,“Godmadehisheartsoft,”chap.23:16.

There is a hardness, an insensible lack of spiritual sense, that isgatheredinprosperity,thatifnotwatchedagainst,willexposetheheart

to the deceits of sin66 and baits of Satan. “Watch and pray” in this

season.Manymen’snegligenceinthisareahascostthemdearly;theirwoefulexperiencecriesouttotakeheed.Blessedishethatalwaysfears,butespeciallyinatimeofprosperity.

(2.)Asmanifested in part before, a time of the slumber of grace, ofneglect in communion with God, of formality in duty, is a season inwhichtowatch,asitcertainlyhassomeothertemptationattendingit.

Letasoulinsuchanestateawakeandlookaroundhim.Hisenemyisathand,andheisreadytofallintosuchaconditionthatitmaycosthimdearlyallthedaysofhislife.Hispresentestateisbadenoughinitself;but it is an indication of a worse estate that lies at the door. The

discipleswhowerewithChristinthemountnotonlyhadabodily,butaspiritual drowsiness upon them.What does our Savior say to them?

“Arise; watch and pray, that you do not enter into temptation.”67We

knowhownearoneofthemwastoabitterhouroftemptation,andnotwatchingasheshouldhave,heimmediatelyenteredintoit.

Imentionedbefore,thecaseofthespouseinSong5:2-8.Sheslept,andwasdrowsy,andunwillingtogirdherselftoavigorousperformanceofherduties,inawayofquick,activecommunionwithChrist.Beforesheis aware, she has lost her Beloved; then she moans, inquires, cries,endureswoundings,reproaches,andall,beforesheobtainshimagain.Consider then,Opoor soul, your state and condition!Does your lightburndim?Mat25.8orthoughitgiveslighttoothersasbrightlyasbefore,do you not see so clearly the face ofGod in Christ by it, as you have

done?68 Isyourzeal cold?Or if itdoes thesameworksas formerly, is

yourheartnotwarmedwiththeloveofGodandtoGodintheseworks,asformerly—butyouareonlyproceedinginthecourseyouhavebeenin?Areyounegligentinthedutiesofpraying,orhearingtheword?Orifyou observe them, do you do it with that same life and vigor as

formerly?Doyouflag69inyourprofession?Orifyoukeepitup,areyour

wheels yet oiled in some sinister respects, either from within orwithout?DoesyourdelightinthepeopleofGodfaintandgrowcold?Orisyourlovetowardthemchangingfromthatwhichispurelyspiritual,intothatwhichisverycarnal,onaccountofthesuitablenessofnaturalprinciplesandspirits,ifnotworsefoundations?

If you are drowsing in such a condition as this, take heed: you arefallingintosomewoefultemptationthatwillbreakallyourbones,andgiveyouwoundsthatwillstickwithyouallthedaysofyourlife.Indeed,whenyouawake,youwillfindthatthistemptationhasindeedlaidholdof you already, even though youdidnot perceive it; it has struck andwoundedyou,eventhoughyouhavenotcomplainedorsoughtrelieforhealingforit.

SuchwasthestateofthechurchatSardisinRev3:2.“Thethingsthatremained were ready to die.” “Be watchful,” says our Savior, “andstrengthenthem,oraworsethingwillbefallyou.”Ifanyonewhoreadsthewordsofthisdirectionisinsuchacondition,ifhehasanyregardforhis poor soul, let him awake now, before he is entangled beyondrecovery.TakethiswarningfromGod—donotdespiseit.

(3.)Aseasonofgreatspiritualenjoymentsisoften—bythemaliceofSatanandtheweaknessofourhearts—turnedintoaseasonofdangeras to this business of temptation.Weknowhow it stoodwithPaul in2Cor12:7.HehadgloriousspiritualrevelationsofGodandJesusChrist.Instantly Satan falls upon him, and a messenger from Satan buffets

him,70 so that he earnestly begs for its departure — yet he is left to

strugglewithit.Godispleasedsometimestogiveusspecialdiscoveriesofhimselfandhislove,tofilltheheartwithhiskindness.Christtakesusintothebanqueting-house,andgivesourheartstheirfilloflove.Song2.4

And this is by some signalwork of his Spirit, overpowering uswith asenseofloveintheunspeakableprivilegeofadoption;andsohefillsoursoulswith joy unspeakable and glorious.Amanwould think thiswasthesecurestconditionintheworld.WhatsouldoesnotcrywithPeterinthemount,“Itisgoodformetobehere;toabidehereforever?”Mat17.4

Yetveryfrequently,somebittertemptationisnowathand.Satanseesthat(beingpossessedbythejoybeforeus)wequicklyneglectmanyoftheways of approach to our souls, those inwhich he seeks and findsadvantagesagainstus.Isthisthen,ourstateandcondition?DoesGodat all times let us drink of the rivers of pleasure that are at his righthand,Psa36.8andsatisfyoursoulswithhiskindnessaswithmarrowandfatness?Psa63.5Letusnotsay,“Weshallneverbemoved.”Psa10.6WedonotknowhowsoonGodmayhidehisfacefromus,oramessengerfromSatanmaybuffetus.

Besides,thereoftenliesagreaterandworsedeceitinthisbusiness.Mencheat their souls with their own fancies, instead of having a sense ofGod’s love by theHolyGhost; andwhen they are lifted upwith theirimaginations, it isnotexpressiblehowfearfullytheyareexposedtoallmanner of temptations. How then are they able to find relief againsttheir consciences from their own foolish fancies and deceptions withwhichtheyentertainthemselves?Maywenotseesuchpeopleeveryday—walking in thevanitiesandwaysof thisworld,yetboastingof theirsenseoftheloveofGod?Shallwebelievethem?Ifso,thenwemustnotbelievetruthitself;howwoefulthenmusttheirconditionbe!

(4.)Afourthseason isaseasonofself-confidence; temptation is thenusuallyathand.

ThecaseofPeterisclearastothis:“Iwillnotdenyyou;thoughallmenshoulddenyyou,Iwillnot;evenifIweretodieforit,Iwouldnotdoit.”

Mat26.33,35

The poor man said this when he stood on the very brink of thattemptationwhich cost him such bitter tears in the outcome.And thistaughthim so far to knowhimself all hisdays, andgavehim suchanacquaintancewiththestateofallbelievers, thatwhenhehadreceivedmoreoftheSpiritandofpower,hehadlessconfidenceinhimself;andhesawthatitwasfitforotherstohavelessalso.Thereforehepersuadesallmento“passthetimeof theirsojourninghere infear,”1Pet1:17—nottobeconfidentandhighashewas, lesttheyfall,ashedid.Atthefirst trial he compares himself with others, and vaunts himself abovethem: “Though all men should forsake you, yet I will not.” He fearseverymanmorethanhimself.ButwhenourSaviorafterwardcomestohim,andmakesadirectcomparison,“Simon,sonofJonas,doyoulovememorethanthese?”John21:15,Peterisdonecomparinghimselfwithothers,andonlycries, “Lord,youknow that I loveyou.” Joh21.15-17Hewilllifthimselfupaboveothersnomore.

Suchaseasonoftenhappens.Temptationsareabroadintheworld,falsedoctrines,withinnumerableotherallurementsandprovocations.Everyoneofus is readyandvery confident thatwewillnotbe surprisedbythem: though all men should fall into these follies, yet we will not.SurelywewillneverdepartfromwalkingwithGod:itisimpossiblethatourheartswouldbesodrunkenlyfoolish.But,theapostlesays,“Donotbehigh-minded,but fear; lethimthatthinkshestandstakeheed, lesthefall.”1Cor10.12PeterhadwalkedontheseawithChrist,confessedhimtobetheSonofGod,andbeenwithhiminthemountwhenheheardthevoicefromtheexcellentglory.Wouldyouthinkthat,atthewordofaservant-girl—whentherewasnolegalinquisitionafterhim,noprocessagainsthim,noranyoneelseinhiscondition—hewouldinstantlyfallto cursing and swearing that he did not know Christ?Let those takeheedofself-confidence,whohaveanymindtotakeheedofsin.

This is the first thing in our watching: to consider well the seasons inwhichtemptationusuallymakesitsapproachestothesoul,andbearmedagainstthem.Andthesearesomeoftheseasonsinwhichtemptationsarenearathand.

CHAPTER7

Several acts of watchfulness againsttemptation are proposed — Watch theheart —What it means to be watched inand about —The snares lying in men’snatural tempers—About particular lusts— The occasions suited to them —Watching to lay in provision againsttemptation—Directions forwatchfulnessin the first approaches of temptation —DirectionsafterenteringintotemptationThatpartofwatchfulnessagainsttemptationwhichwehaveconsidered,regardstheoutwardmeans,occasions,andadvantagesoftemptation.Weproceednowtowhatrespectstheheartitself,whichisworkeduponandentangled by temptation.Watching or keeping the heart, whichwe areobligedtodoaboveallotherkeepings,alsocomeswithinthecompassofthisduty;fortherightperformanceofit,taketheseensuingdirections:—

(1.)Lethimthatwouldnotenterintotemptationlabortoknowhisownheart, to be acquainted with his own spirit, his natural frame andtemper, his lusts and corruptions, his natural, sinful, or spiritualweaknesses,sothatfindingwherehisweaknesslies,hemaybecarefultokeepatadistancefromalloccasionstosin.

OurSavior tells thedisciples that “theydidnotknowwhat spirit theywere of;” Luk 9.55 which, under a pretense of zeal, betrayed them intoambitionandadesireforrevenge.Hadtheyknownit,theywouldhavewatchedoverthemselves.Davidtellsus,Psa18:23, thatheconsideredhisways,and“kepthimselffromhisiniquity,”whichhewasparticularlyproneto.

There are advantages for temptations, often lying in men’s naturaltempersandconstitutions.Somearenaturallygentle,facile,easytobeentreated,andpliable.Thoughitisthenoblesttemperofnature—andthebestandchoicestgroundwhenitiswellbrokenupandfallowedforgrace to grow in— yet if it is notwatchedover, itwill be ameans of

innumerable surprisals and entanglements in temptation.71Othersare

earthy, froward, and morose; so that envy, malice, selfishness,

peevishness, harsh thoughts of others, and repinings72 lie at the very

doorof theirnatures; and they can scarcely stepoutwithoutbeing inthesnareofoneoranotherofthem.Othersarepassionate,andthelike.Now,someonewhowouldwatchthathedoesnotenterintotemptation,needstobeacquaintedwithhisownnaturaltemper,thathemaywatchoverthetreacheriesthatlieinitcontinually.TakeheedlestyouhaveaJehu inyouthatwillmakeyoudrive furiously;oraJonah inyouthatwillmakeyouready to repine;oraDavid thatwillmakeyouhasty inyourdeterminations,asheoftenwasinthewarmthandgoodnessofhisnatural temper. Someonewhodoesnotwatch this thoroughly,who isnot exactly skilled in the knowledge of himself, will never bedisentangledfromonetemptationoranotherallhisdays.

Again:men have particular natural tempers which, according to howtheyareattendedormanaged,provetobeagreatfuelforsin,oragreatadvantage to the exercise of grace. So too, menmay have particularlusts or corruptions which, either by their natural constitution oreducation,orotherprejudices,havegottendeeprootingandstrengthinthem.Thisalsoistobefoundoutbytheonewhowouldnotenterintotemptation.Unlessheknowsit,unlesshiseyesarealwaysonit,unlesshe observes its actings, motions, and advantages, it will continuallyentangleandensnarehim.

Thisthen,isourfirstdirectioninthiskind:—Labortoknowyourownframeandtemper;whatspirityouareof;whatassociatesSatanhasinyour heart; where corruption is strong, where grace is weak; whatstrongholdlusthasinyournaturalconstitution,andthelike.Howmanyhave had all their comforts shattered and peace disturbed by theirnaturalpassionandpeevishness!Howmanyarerendereduselessintheworld by their frowardness anddiscontent!Howmany are disquietedeven by their own gentleness and facileness!Be acquainted thenwithyourownheart:eventhoughitisdeep,searchit;eventhoughitisdark,

inquireintoit;eventhoughitgivesallitsdistempersothernamesthanwhat they are, do not believe it. If men were not utter strangers tothemselves; if they did not give flattering titles to their naturaldistempers;iftheydidnotstrivetojustify,palliate,orexcusetheevilsoftheirhearts rather thandestroy them, then itwouldbe impossible forthem,all theirdays,tohangaboutinthesamebriers,withoutmakingany attempt for deliverance. These evils are suited to their naturaltempersandconstitutions;andbyaccommodatingthemintheseways,theykeepthemselvesfromtakingaclearanddistinctviewoftheirownhearts. Uselessness and scandal in professors of Christ, are branchesgrowing constantly on this root of unacquaintedness with their ownframeandtemper;andhowfewtherearewhowilleitherstudytheseinthemselves,orbearwithotherswhowouldacquaintthemwiththese!

(2.)When you know the state and condition of your heart as to theparticulars mentioned, watch against all those occasions andopportunities,employments,societies,retirements,andbusinesses,thatareapttoentangleyournaturaltemperorprovokeyourcorruption.

Itmay be that there are someways, some societies, some businesses,that you never in your life escaped, but allowed them more or less,throughtheirsuitablenesstoenticeorprovokeyourcorruption.Itmaybethatyouareinastateandconditionoflifethatwearyyoudaybydayonaccountofyourambition,passion,discontent,orthelike.Ifyouhaveanyloveforyoursoul,itistimeforyoutoawakeandtodeliveryourselflikeabirdfromtheevilsnare.Peterwillnotcomeagaininhastetothehighpriest’shall;norwouldDavidwalkagainon the topofhishousewhen he should have been on the high places of the field. But theparticularsofthisinstancearesovarious,andofsuchseveralnaturesinrespecttoseveralpersons,thatitisimpossibletoenumeratethem,Pro

4:14,15.73

Inthisliesnosmallpartofthatwisdomwhichconsistsinorderingourconversationrightly.Seeingthatwehavesolittlepoweroverourheartsoncetheymeetwithsuitableprovocations,weare tokeepthemapart,justasamanwouldkeep fireapart fromthecombustiblepartsof thehouseinwhichhedwells.

(3.)Be sure to lay inprovision, in store against the approach of anytemptation.

This also belongs to our watchfulness over our hearts. You will say,

“Whatprovisionisintended,andwhereisittobestored?”Ourhearts,asourSaviorspeaksofthem,areourtreasury.Therewestorewhateverwe have, good or bad; and from there we draw it out for our use

whatever we have, good or bad, Mat 12:35.74 It is the heart then, in

which provision is to be laid up against temptation.When an enemydraws near to a fort or castle to besiege and take it, oftentimes if hefinds itwell-manned and furnishedwithprovision for a siege (and soable to hold out), he withdraws and does not assault it. If Satan, theprince of this world, comes and finds our hearts fortified against hisbatteries,withprovisionstoholdoutagainsthim,henotonlydeparts,

butasJamessays,heflees:“Hewillfleefromus,”Jas4:7.75

Fortheprovisiontobelaidup,itisthatwhichisprovidedinthegospelfor us.Gospel provisionswill do thiswork; that is, theywill keep theheart full of a sense of the love of God in Christ. This is the greatestpreservativeagainst thepowerof temptation intheworld.Josephhadthis;andtherefore,onthefirstappearanceoftemptation,hecriesout,“HowcanIdo thisgreatevil,andsinagainstGod?”Gen39:9,andsothere is an end of temptation for him; it lays no hold on him, butdeparts.Hewas furnishedwith sucha ready senseof the loveofGodthatthetemptationcouldnotstand.“TheloveofChristconstrainsus,”says theapostle, “to live tohim,”2Cor5:14, 15,andconsequently, theloveofChristenablesustowithstandtemptation.

Amanmay,no,heought to layinprovisionsofthelawalso—fearofdeath,hell,punishment,withtheterroroftheLordinthem.Buttheseare farmore easily conquered than the other; indeed, theywillneverstandaloneagainstavigorousassault.Theyareconqueredinconvincedpersonseveryday;heartsstoredwiththemwillstruggleforawhile,butquicklysurrender.ButsupplytheheartwithasenseoftheloveofGodinChrist—withtheeternaldesignofhisgrace;withatasteofthebloodofChrist, andhis love in shedding it; get a relishof theprivilegeswehavethereby(ouradoption,justification,andacceptancewithGod);filltheheartwith thoughts of the beauty of holiness, as it is designedby

Christfortheend,issue,andeffectofhisdeath76—andyouwill,inan

ordinarycourseofwalkingwithGod,havegreatpeaceandsecurityastothedisturbanceoftemptations.Whenmencanliveandplodonintheirprofession,andnotbeabletosaywhentheyhadanylivingsenseoftheloveofGod,oroftheprivilegeswhichwehaveinthebloodofChrist,I

donotknowwhattheycanhavetokeepthemfromfallingintosnares.Theapostle tellsus that the “peaceofGodshallkeepourhearts,”Phi

4:7.77TheGreekwordfor“keep”isamilitaryword—agarrison;andso

it is, “shall keep as in a garrison.” Now, a garrison has two thingsattendingit—first,itisexposedtotheassaultsofitsenemies;secondly,safety lies in it from their attempts. It is so with our souls: they areexposed to temptations, and assaulted continually; but if there is agarrison in them,or if theyarekeptas inagarrison, then temptationwillnotenter,andconsequentlywewillnotenterintotemptation.

Now,howisthisdone?Hesays,“ThepeaceofGodshalldoit.”Whatisthis “peaceofGod?”Asenseofhis loveand favor inJesusChrist.Letthis abide in you, and it will garrison you against all assaultswhatsoever. Besides, in a special manner, there is something in thiswhich is also inall the restof thedirections—namely, that the thing

itself lies in direct opposition to all the ways78 and means that

temptationcanmakeuseoftoapproachoursouls.ContendingtoobtainandkeepasenseoftheloveofGodinChrist,inthenatureofit,obviatesalltheworkingsandinsinuationsoftemptation.

Letthisbeathirddirectionthen,inourwatchingagainsttemptation:—Layinastoreofgospelprovisionsthatmaymakethesoulaplacethatisdefendedagainstalltheassaultsoftemptation.

(4.)Inthefirstapproachofanytemptation,aswearealltempted,thefollowingdirections are also suited to carry on thework ofwatching,whichweareinthepursuitof:—

[1.]Alwaysbeawake,sothatyoumayhaveanearlydiscoveryofyourtemptation,sothatyoumayknowittobeatemptation.Mostmendonot perceive their enemy until they are wounded by him. Indeed,othersmaysometimessee themdeeplyengaged inbattle,while theyareutterly insensiblethemselves; theysleepwithoutanysenseof thedanger, until others come and wake them, telling them that theirhouseisonfire.Temptationinaneutersenseisnoteasilydiscoverable—namely,asitdenotessuchaway,thing,ormatter,thatisormaybemadeuseofbytemptationforitsends.Fewtakenoticeofituntilitistoo late, and they find themselves entangled, if notwounded.Watchthen, in time to understand the snares that are laid for you — tounderstandtheadvantagesyourenemieshaveagainstyou,beforetheygainstrengthandpower,beforetheyareincorporatedwithyourlusts,

andhavedistilledpoisonintoyoursoul.

[2.]Considertheaimandtendencyofthetemptation,whateveritis,andallthethingsconcernedinit.Thosewhichactivelyconcurinyourtemptation are Satan and your own lust. For your own lust, I havemadeitclearelsewherewhatitaimsatinallitsactingsandenticings.It never rises up without its intent being the worst of evils. EveryactingofitwouldbeaformedenmityagainstGod.Hencelookatitinits first attempts as yourmortal enemy, whatever pretencesmay bemade about it. “Ihate it,” says the apostle, Rom 7:15— that is, theworkingof lust inme. “Ihate it; it is thegreatestenemyIhave.Oh,thatitwerekilledanddestroyed!Oh,thatIweredeliveredoutofthepower of it!” Know then, that in the first attempt or assault in anytemptation,themostaccursed,swornenemyisathand;itissettingonyou, anddoes it for yourutter ruin; so that itwouldbe the greatestmadnessintheworldtothrowyourselfintoitsarmstobedestroyed.ButIhavespokenofthisinmydiscourseonMortification.

Does Satan have any friendly aim and intention towards you, if hesharesineverytemptation?Tobeguileyouasaserpent;todevouryouasalion—thisisthefriendshipthatheowesyou.Iwillonlyaddthatthesinhetemptsyouto,againstthelaw,isnot thethingheaimsat;hisdesignliesagainstyourinterestinthegospel.Hewouldmakesinbut a bridge to get over to better ground, to assault youas to yourinterest inChrist.Someonewhomight say today, “Youmay risk sin,becauseyouhaveaninterestinChrist,”willtellyoutomorrowthatyouhavenointerestinChrist,becauseyouhavesinned.

[3.] Meet your temptation at its entrance with thoughts of faithconcerningChristonthecross;thiswillmakeitsinkbeforeyou.Ifyouwouldnot enter into it, then entertainnoparley, nodisputewith it.Say,“‘ItisChristthatdied,’—thatdiedforsuchsinsasthese.”Thisiscalled “taking the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of Satan,”Eph 6:16. Faith does it by laying hold on Christ crucified, his lovetherein,andwhathesufferedforsinfromthere.Letyourtemptationbewhat itwill—let itbetosin, to fearordoubtingforsin,oraboutyourstateandcondition—temptationisnotabletostandbeforefaithliftingupthestandardofthecross.WeknowwhatmeansthePapistsuse tokeepup the form,whohave lost thepowerof faith.Theywillsignthemselveswiththesignofthecross,ormakecrossesintheair;andbyvirtueofdoingthatworkbeingdone,theythinktoscareaway

thedevil.ToactfaithonChristcrucifiedisreallytosignourselveswiththe signof thecross, and therebywewillovercome thatwickedone,

1Pet5:9.79

[4.] Suppose the soul has been surprised by temptation, andentangled unawares, so that now it is too late to resist its firstentrances:whatwillsuchasouldosothatitwillnotbeplungedintoit,andcarriedawaywithitspower?

1st.DoasPauldid:beseechGodagainandagainthatitmay“departfrom you,” 2Cor 12:8. And if you continue in this, youwill certainlyeitherbespeedilydeliveredoutofit,orreceivesufficientgracenottobeutterlyfoiledbyit.Only,asIsaidinpartbefore,donotemployyourthoughts somuchabout the things towhichyouare tempted,whichoften raises further entanglements, but set yourself against thetemptationitself.Prayagainstthetemptationthatitmaydepart;andwhen that is taken away, the things themselvesmaybemore calmlyconsidered.

2dly.FlytoChristinaspecificway—ashewastempted—andbeg

him to give you comfort in this necessary “time of trouble,”80 The

apostleinstructsusinthis:“Inthathehasbeentempted,heisabletohelpthosewhoarebeingtempted,”Heb.2:18.Thisisthemeaningofit:“Whenyouaretemptedandarereadytofaint,whenyouwanthelp—whenyoumusthaveitoryoudie—actfaithspecificallyonChristas hewas tempted; that is, consider that hewas tempted himself—thathesufferedthereby; thatheconqueredall temptations;andthatwas not merely on his own account. It was for our sakes that hesubmittedtobetempted; itwasbut forus.”Heconquered inandbyhimself,but itwas forus.Anddraw,yes,expecthelpfromhim,Heb

4:15,16.81 Lie downat his feet;make your complaint known tohim;

beghisassistance;anditwillnotbeinvain.

3dly.LooktoHimwhohaspromiseddeliverance.Considerthatheisfaithful, and will not allow you to be tempted above what you areable.1Cor 10.13 Consider that he has promised a comfortable outcomefrom these trials and temptations. Call all the promises to mind ofassistance and deliverance that he has made; ponder them in yourheart.Andrestuponit,thatGodhasinnumerablewaysthatyouknownothingabout,togiveyoudeliverance;suchas—

(1st.)Hecansendanafflictionthatwillmortifyyourheartastothematter of the temptation, whatever it is, what was before a sweetmorselunder the tongue,willhaveneither tastenor relish in it for

you—yourdesireforitwillbekilled,aswasthecasewithDavid;82

or,

(2dly.)Hecan,bysomeprovidence,alterthatwholestateofthingsfromwhichyourtemptationarises,thustakingfuelfromthefire,andcausingittogooutbyitself;asitwaswiththatsameDavidintheday

ofbattle;83or,

(3dly.)HecantreaddownSatanunderyourfeet,sothathewillnotdare to suggest anything more to your disadvantage (the God ofpeace will do this for you), so that you will hear from Satan no

more;84or,

(4thly.)He can give you such a supply of grace that youmay befreed, if not from the temptation itself, yet from its tendency and

danger;aswasthecasewithPaul;85or,

(5thly.)He can give you such a comfortable persuasion of goodsuccessintheoutcome,thatyouwillberefreshedinyourtrials,andbekeptfromtheanxietyofthetemptation;aswasthecasewiththe

samePaul;86or,

(6thly.) He can utterly remove it, and make you a completeconqueror.Rom8.37

AndHehas innumerable otherways to keep you fromentering intotemptationsoastobefoiledbyit.

4thly. Considerwhere the temptationwithwhich you are surprisedhasmadeitsentrance,andbywhatmeans.Andthen,withallspeed,shoreupthebreach.Plugthatpassagethroughwhichthewatershavemadetheirentrance.Dealwithyoursoullikeawisephysician:inquirewhen,how,andbywhatmeansyoufellintothisdistemper.Andifyoufind that negligence, carelessness, or lack of keeping watch overyourself,lieatthebottomofit,thenfixyoursoulthere—lamentthatbefore the Lord— shore up that breach—and then proceed to theworkthatliesbeforeyou.

CHAPTER8

The last general direction is Rev 3:10,Watch against temptation by constantly“keeping theword of Christ’s patience”—Whatthatwordis—Howitiskept—Howkeeping it will keep us from the “hour oftemptation.”Thedirectionsinsistedonintheformerchaptersarepartlygiventous,intheir several particulars, up and down the Scripture; partly they arisefrom the nature of the thing itself. There is one general direction thatremains, which comprehends all those thatwent before, and also addsmanymoreparticularstothem.Itcontainsanapprovedantidoteagainstthepoisonoftemptation—aremedythatChristhimselfhasmarkedwithanoteofefficacyandsuccess.Thatantidote isgiveninRev3:10, inthewordsofourSaviortothechurchofPhiladelphia.

“Because,”hesays, “youhavekept thewordofmypatience, Iwill alsokeep you from the hour of temptation, which will come upon all theworld,totrythosewhodwellintheearth.”Christis“thesameyesterday,today,andforever.”Heb 13.8AshedealtwiththechurchofPhiladelphia,sohewilldealwithus.Ifwe“keepthewordofhispatience,”hewill“keepus from the hour of temptation.” This then, being a way of rolling thewhole care of thisweighty affair onto the onewho is able to bear it, itrequiresourparticularattention.

Andtherefore,Iwillshow—

(1.)What itmeans to “keep thewordofChrist’spatience,” so thatwemayknowhowtoperformourduty;and,

(2.)Howthiswillbeameansofourpreservation,whichwillestablishusinthefaithofChrist’spromise.

(1.)ThewordofChrist is thewordof thegospel; theword revealedbyhim from the bosom of the Father; the word of the Word; the wordspokenintime,bytheeternalWord.Soitiscalled“ThewordofChrist,”

Col 3:16; or “The gospel of Christ,” Rom 1:16, 1Cor 9:12; and “ThedoctrineofChrist,”Heb6:1;“OfChrist,”thatis,asitsauthor,Heb1:1,2;

andofhimasthechiefsubjectormatterofit,2Cor1:20.87Now,thisword

iscalled“ThewordofChrist’spatience,”ortoleranceandforbearance,onaccountofthatpatienceandlong-sufferingwhich(initsdispensing)theLordChristexercisestowardstheworld,andtoallpersonsinit;andthatisbothactively andpassively inhisbearingwithmen, and in enduringfromthem:—

[1.]Heispatienttowardshissaints;hebearswiththem,suffers fromthem.He is“patient towardus,”2Pet3:9—that is, towardthosewhobelieve.ThegospelisthewordofChrist’spatienceeventobelievers.Asoul acquainted with the gospel knows that there is no property ofChrist renderedmoreglorious in thegospel, than thatofhispatience.That he should bear with so many unkindnesses, so many causelessbreaches,somanyneglectsofhislove,somanyaffrontstohisgrace,somanyviolationsofengagementsashedoes,manifeststhathisgospelisnotonlythewordofhisgrace,butalsoofhispatience.Hesuffersalsofrom them in all the reproaches they bring uponhis name andways;andhesuffersinthem,for“inalltheirafflictionsheisafflicted.”

[2.]Towards his elect not yet effectually called. Rev 3:20, he standswaitingatthedooroftheirheartsandknocksforanentrance.Hedealswiththembyallmeans,andyethestandsandwaitsuntil“hisheadisfilledwiththedew,andhislockswiththedropsofthenight,”Song5:2—suchasenduringthecoldandinconveniencesofthenight,thatwhenhis morning has come, he may have entrance. Oftentimes for a longseasonheisscornedbytheminhisperson,persecutedinhissaintsandinhisways,reviledinhisword,evenwhilehestandsatthedoorintheword of his patience, with his heart full of love towards their poorrebellioussouls.

[3.] To the perishing world. Hence the time of his kingdom in thisworld is called the time of his “patience,” Rev 1:9. He “endures thevesselsofwrathwithmuchlong-suffering,”Rom9:22.Whilethegospelis administered in the world, he is patient towards the men thereof,until thesaints inheavenandearthareastonishedandcryout, “Howlong?”Psa13:1,2;Rev6:10.Andtheymockhimas ifhewereanidol,2Pet 3:4. He endures bitter things from them in his name, ways,worship,saints,promises,threats,inallhisinterestofhonorandlove;

andyethepassesbythem,letsthemalone,evendoesthemgood.Norwillhecutshortthiswayofproceedinguntilthegospelispreachednomore.Patiencemustaccompanythegospel.

Now,thisisthewordthatistobekept,sothatwemaybekeptfrom“thehouroftemptation.”

(2.)Threethingsareimpliedinkeepingthiswordofpatience:

[1.]Knowledge;[2.]Valuation;[3.]Obedience:—

[1.]Knowledge.Theonewhowouldkeepthiswordmustknowit,beacquaintedwithit,underafourfoldnotion:—

1st.Asawordofgraceandmercy,toSAVEhim;2dly.Asawordofholinessandpurity,toSANCTIFYhim;3dly.Asawordoflibertyandpower,toENNOBLEhimandsethimfree;4thly.Asawordofconsolation,toSUPPORThimineverycondition:—

1st.Asawordofgraceandmercyitisabletosaveus:“Itisthepowerof God unto salvation,” Rom 1:16; “The grace of God that bringssalvation,”Titus2:11;“Thewordofgracethatisabletobuildusup,andto give us an inheritance among all those who are sanctified,” Acts20:32;“Thewordthatisabletosaveoursouls,”Jas1:21.

Whenthewordof thegospel isknownasawordofmercy,grace,andpardon, as the sole evidence for life, as the conveyance of an eternalinheritance—whenthesoulfindsittobesuchforitself—itwillstrivetokeepit.

2dly.Asawordofholinessandpurity,itisabletosanctifyhim:“YouarecleanthroughthewordIhavespokentoyou,”saysourSavior,John

15:3.His prayer in John 17:17 is to that very purpose.88 The onewho

doesnotknowthewordofChrist’spatienceasasanctifying,cleansingword,inthepowerthatithasuponhisownsoul,neitherknowsitnorkeeps it. The empty profession of our days does not know one steptowards this duty; and this is why most are so overborne under thepower of temptations.Menwho are full of self, of theworld, of fury,ambition,andalmostalluncleanlusts,nonethelesstalkofkeepingthe

wordofChrist!See1Pet1:2;2Tim2:19.89

3dly.Asawordoflibertyandpower,itennobleshimandsetshimfree

—andthisisnotonlylibertyfromtheguiltofsinandfromwrath—foritdoesthatasawordofgraceandmercy;andlibertynotonlyfromthepower of sin— for it does that as aword of holiness; but liberty alsofromalloutwardrespectsofmenortheworldthatmightentanglehimorenslavehim.Itdeclaresustobe“Christ’sfreemen,”andinbondage

to none, John 8:32; 1Cor 7:23.90 We are not freed by it from due

subjectiontosuperiors,norfromanyduty,norforanysin,1Pet2:16;91

but in tworespects it isawordof freedom, liberty, largenessofmind,power,anddeliverancefrombondage:—

(1st.)InrespecttoconscienceastotheworshipofGod,Gal5:1.92

(2ndly.)Inrespecttoignoble,slavishrespectforthemenorthingsofthe world in the course of our pilgrimage. The gospel gives a free,large, and noble spirit that is in subjection to God, and none else.There isadministered in it a spirit “notof fear,butofpower,andoflove,andofasoundmind,”2Tim1:7;amind“terrifiedinnothing,”Phi1:28—notswayedbyanypersonalgainwhatsoever.Thereisnothingmoreunworthyofthegospelthanamindthatisinbondagetopersonsorthings:prostitutingitselftothelustsofmen,orfrightsoftheworld.AndhethatknowsthewordofChrist’spatienceinthisway,reallyandin power, is thereby freed even from innumerable and unspeakabletemptations.

4thly.Asawordofconsolation,tosupporthimineverycondition,andto be a full portion in thewant of all. It is aword attendedwith “joyunspeakable and full of glory.” 1Pet 1.8 It gives support, relief,refreshment, satisfaction, peace, consolation, joy, boasting, glory, ineveryconditionwhatsoever.

ThustoknowthewordofChrist’spatience,thustoknowthegospel,isthefirstpart,anditisagreatpartofthisconditionofourpreservationfromthehourandpoweroftemptation.

[2.]Valuationofwhatisthusknownbelongstokeepingthisword.

It is to be kept as a treasure, as in 2Tim 1:1493 — that excellent

“depositum” (that is, the word of the gospel) — “keep it,” says the

apostle,“bytheHolyGhost;”94and,“Holdfastthefaithfulword,”Titus

1:9.It isagoodtreasure,afaithfulword;holdit fast.It isawordthatcomprisesthewholeinterestofChristintheworld.Tovaluethatasour

greatest treasure is to keep the word of Christ’s patience. Those whowouldberegardedbyChrist in their timeof temptation,arenot toberegardlessofhisconcerns.

[3.]Obedience.Personalobedienceintheuniversalobservationofall

thecommandsofChrist,isthekeepingofhisword,John14:15.95Close

adherencetoChristinholinessanduniversalobedience,isthelifeandsoulofthedutyrequired:thisiswhentheoppositionthatthegospelofChrist meets with in the world, renders it signally “the word of hispatience.”

Now,all these thingsare tobe somanagedwith that intentionofmindandspirit,withthatcareofheartanddiligenceofthewholeperson,astocomprise a keeping of this word; this plainly includes all theseconsiderations.

We have arrived then, at the sum of this safeguarding duty, of thisconditionoffreedomfromthepoweroftemptation:—Theonewhohasadueacquaintancewiththegospelinallitsexcellences—suchthatitisawordofmercy,holiness,liberty,andconsolationtohim—valuesitinallits concernsashisgreatestandonly treasure.Hemakes ithisbusinessandtheworkofhislifetosurrenderhimselftoitinuniversalobedience—especiallywhenoppositionandapostasytestthepatienceofChristtotheutmost—hewillbepreservedfromthehouroftemptation.

This iswhatcomprehendsall thatwentbefore,and it isexclusiveofallother ways to obtain the end proposed. Nor let any man think that,without this, he will be kept one hour from entering into temptation:whereverhefailsinthese,theretemptationentersin.Thatthiswillbeasurepreservative,mayappearfromtheensuingconsiderations:—

(1.) It has the Promise of Preservation, and this alone has it. It issolemnlypromisedtothechurchofPhiladelphiaonthisaccountinRev.3:10.Whenagreattrialandtemptationwastocomeontheworldatthe

opening of the seventh seal, Rev 7:3,96 a caution is given to preserve

God’s sealed ones, who are described as those who keep the word ofChrist;forthepromiseisthatitshouldbeso.

Now,ineverypromisetherearethreethingstobeconsidered:—

[1.]TheFAITHFULNESSoftheFather,whogivesit.[2.]TheGRACEoftheSon,whichisthesubstanceofit.[3.]ThepowerandEFFICACYoftheHolyGhost,whichputsthepromise

into execution. And all these are engaged to preserve such personsfromthehouroftemptation.

[1.]TheFAITHFULNESSofGodaccompaniesthepromise.Onthisaccountourdeliveranceislaid.1Cor10:13:Thoughwearetempted,yetweshallbekeptfromthehouroftemptation;itwillnotgrowtoostrongforus.Whatcomesuponusweshallbeable tobear;andwhatwouldbe toohard forusweshallescape.Butwhatsecuritydowehaveof this?Wehavethe faithfulnessofGod:“God is faithful,whowillnotallowyou,”etc.AndinwhatisGod’sfaithfulnessseenandexercised?“Heisfaithfulthatpromised,”Heb10:23;hisfaithfulnessconsistsinhisdischargeofhispromises.“Heabides faithful:hecannotdenyhimself,”2Tim2:13.So that by being under the promise, we have the faithfulness of Godengagedforourpreservation.

[2.]ThereisineverypromiseofthecovenanttheGRACEoftheSon;thatis the subject-matter of all promises: “Iwill keep you.”How? “Bymygracewithyou.”SothatwhateverassistancethegraceofChristcangivea soul that has a right in this promise, it shall enjoy it in thehour oftemptation.Paul’stemptationgrewveryhigh;itwaslikelytohavecometo itsprevalenthour.He“pleadedwith theLord” forhelp, that is, the

LordJesusChrist,2Cor12:8;97andreceivedthisanswerfromhim:“My

grace issufficient foryou,”verse9.It isevident fromthecloseof thatverse, that it was the Lord Christ and his grace with whom Paulspecifically dealt: “I will glory in my infirmity, so that the power ofChristmayrestuponme;”or“theefficacyofthegraceofChristismade

evidentinmypreservation.”SoitisinHeb2:18.98

[3.]TheEFFICACY of the Spirit accompanies the promises.He is called“TheHolySpiritofpromise;”notonlybecauseheispromisedbyChrist,but also because he effectually makes good the promise, and heaccomplishes it in our souls.He is also then engaged to preserve the

soul walking according to the rule laid down. See Isa 59:21.99 Thus,

wherethepromiseis,thereisallthisassistance.ThefaithfulnessoftheFather,thegraceoftheSon,thepoweroftheSpirit,areallengagedinourpreservation.

(2.)This constant, universal keeping of Christ’s word of patience willkeeptheheartandsoulinsuchaframe,thatnoprevalenttemptation,byvirtue of any advantages whatsoever, can seize upon it so as to totally

prevail against it. Thus David prays, Psa 25:21, “Let integrity anduprightness preserve me.” This integrity and uprightness is the OldTestamentkeepingof thewordofChrist— it isuniversal close-walkingwithGod.Now,howcanthosepreserveaman?Why,bykeepinghisheartinsuchaframe,sodefendedoneveryside,thatnoevilcanapproachortakeholdofhim.Ifamanfailsinhisintegrity,hehasanopenplacefor

temptationtoenterin,Isa57:21.100TokeepthewordofChrist,istokeep

it universally, as shown. This exercises grace in all the faculties of thesoul, and encompasses the soul with the whole armor of God. Theunderstandingisfulloflight;theaffectionsarefullofloveandholiness.Let thewindblow fromwhateverquarter itwill, the soul is fencedandfortified.Let theenemyassaultwhenorbywhatevermeanshepleases,all things in the soul are on guard. “How can I do this thing, and sinagainstGod?”isathand.

Especially, deliverance and security arise from His hand on a twofoldaccount:—

[1.] By mortifying the heart as to the matter of temptations. Theprevalenceofanytemptationarisesfromthis:thattheheartisreadytodrawneartothematterofthetemptation.Therearelustswithin,suitedtotheproposalsoftheworldorSatanwithout.HenceJamesresolvesalltemptations into our “own lusts,” chap. 1:14; because either theyproceedfromortheyaremadeeffectualbyourlusts,asdeclared.Whydoterrorandthreatsturnusasidefromadueconstancyinperformingourduty?Is itnotbecausethere isunmortified,carnal fearabiding inus, that agitates at such a time?Why is it that the allurements of theworld and compliance with men entangle us? Is it not because ouraffectionsareentangledwiththethingsandconsiderationsproposedtous?

Now, keeping the word of Christ’s patience, in the manner declared,keeps the heart mortified to these things; and so it is not easilyentangledby them.Theapostle says inGal2:20, “I amcrucifiedwithChrist.” Whoever keeps close to Christ, is crucified with him, and is

deadtoallthedesiresofthefleshandtheworld;asinGal.6:14.101Here

thematchisbroken,andallloveforit,entanglinglove,isdissolved.Theheart is crucified to theworld and all things in it.Now thematter ofalmostalltemptationsistakenoutoftheworld:themenorthingsoftheworldwhich comprise it. “As to these things,” says the apostle, “I am

crucified to them,” (and it is sowith everyonewhokeeps thewordofChrist).“Myheart ismortifiedtothem.Ihavenodesireforthem,noraffection for them, nor delight in them, and they are crucified tome.The crowns, glories, thrones, pleasures, profits of the world — I seenothingdesirable in them.The lusts, sensualpleasures, love, respects,honoursofmen,nameandreputationamongthem—theyarenothing.Ihavenovalueorestimationfor them.”WhenAchansawthe“goodlyBabyloniangarment,andtwohundredshekelsofsilver,andawedgeofgold,” he first “coveted them,” and then he “took them,” Joshua 7:21.Temptation subtly spreads before the eyes of men, the Babylonishgarment of favor, praise, peace, the silver of pleasure or profit, alongwiththegoldencontentmentsoftheflesh.Ifnowthereissomethinginthem which is alive and unmortified, and which will soon fall intocoveting—letwhateverfearofpunishmentmightensue—theheartorhandwillbeledintoiniquitybyit.

Inthisthen,liesthesecurityofsuchaframeasthatdescribed:102 It is

alwaysaccompaniedwithamortifiedheartthatiscrucifiedtothethingsthat are the matter of our temptations. Without this, it is utterlyimpossible for us to be preserved one moment when any temptationbefalls us. If the liking or love of anything proposed, insinuated, andcommendedtous in the temptation, is livingandactive inus,wewillnotbeabletoresistandstand.

[2.]Inthisframe,theheartissofarfilledwithbetterthingsandtheirexcellence,as tobe fortifiedagainst thematterofany temptation.See

whatresolvethisputsintoPaul,Phi3:8;103allis“lossanddung”tohim.

Whowouldgooutofhiswaytohavehisarmsfilledwithlossanddung?Andwhyisitthathehasthisestimationofthemostdesirablethingsintheworld? It is from thatdearestimationhehadof theexcellenceof

Christ. So, verse 10,104 when his soul is exercised to communionwith

Christ,andtowalkingwithhim,hedrinksnewwine,andcannotdesiretheoldthingsoftheworld;forhesays“Thenewisbetter.”Heb12.24Hetastes every day how gracious the Lord is; and therefore he does notlong for the sweetness of forbidden things — which indeed have nosweetness.Theonewhomakesithisbusinesstoeatdailyfromthetreeof life,will haveno appetite for other fruit, even though the tree thatbearsthemseemstostandinthemidstofparadise.Thespousemakesthisthemeansofherpreservation:eventheexcellencewhich,bydaily

communion, she found in Christ and his graces, above all otherdesirable things. Let a soul exercise itself toward a communion withChrist in the good things of the gospel — pardon of sin, fruits ofholiness,hopeofglory,peacewithGod,joyintheHolyGhost,dominionover sin — and he will have a mighty preservative against alltemptations. The soul thus filled, loathes the honey-comb— just as asoulfilledwithcarnal,earthly,sensualcontentmentsfindsnorelishorsavor in the sweetest spiritual things. So too, the onewho is satisfiedwiththekindnessofGod,aswithmarrowandfatness—thatis,theonewhoisentertainedeverydayatthebanquetwithwine—wineuponthe

lees,105 and well refined — has a holy contempt for the baits and

allurementsthatlieinprevailingtemptations,andheissafe.

(3.)He that keeps theword of Christ’s patience in this way, is alwaysfurnished with preserving considerations and preserving principles —moralandrealadvantagesofpreservation.

[1.]He is furnished with preserving considerations, that powerfullyinfluencehissoulinhiswalkingdiligentlywithChrist.Besidesthesenseofdutywhichisalwaysuponhim,thebelieverconsiders—

1st.TheconcernofChristwithhimandwithhiscarefulwalking,forhissoullovesChrist.HeconsidersthatthepresenceofChristiswithhim;thatHiseyesareuponhim;thatHepondershisheartandways,asonewho is greatly concernedwith his deportment of himself in a time of

trial. Christ makes it clear that He does this, Rev 2:19-23.106 He

considers it all — what is acceptable, and what is to be rejected. HeknowsthatChristisconcernedwithHishonor,thatevilnotbespokenofHisnamebecauseofthebeliever;thatHeisconcernedinloveforhissoul, having that design to “present him holy, and unblamable, andunreprovable in His sight,” Col 1:22 — and Christ’s Spirit is grievedwhereverheisinterruptedinthiswork;HeisconcernedforHisgospel,for its progress and acceptance in the world — its beauty would beslurred,itsgoodthingsreviled,itsprogressstopped,ifsuchapersonisprevailed against; He is concerned with his love for others who aregrievouslyscandalized,andperhapsruinedbythemiscarriagesofsuchmen. When Hymeneus and Philetus fell, they overthrew the faith ofsome. And such a soul who is exercised to keep the word of Christ’spatience when intricate, perplexed, entangling temptations arise —public,private,andpersonal—thensays,

“ShallInowbecareless?ShallIbenegligent?ShallIcomplywiththeworld and its ways? Oh what thoughts of my heart Christ hasconcerningme,whoseeyeisuponme!ShallIscornhishonor,despisehislove,tramplehisgospelinthemireunderthefeetofmen,andturnaside others fromhisways? Shall such aman as I flee, and give upresisting?Itcannotbe.”

ThereisnomanwhokeepsthewordofthepatienceofChristthatisnotfullofthissoul-pressingconsideration.Itdwellsonhisheartandspirit;andthe loveofChristconstrainshimtothuskeephisheartandways,2Cor5:14.

2dly.ThegreatconsiderationofthetemptationsofChristinhisbehalf,andtheconquestChristmade inallassaults forhissakeandhisGod,also weigh on his spirit. The prince of this world came upon him;everythinginearthorhellthathaseitherallurementorfrightinit,wasproposedtoChristtodiverthimfromtheworkofmediationwhichhehad undertaken for us. This whole life he calls the time of his“temptations;” but he resisted all, conquered all, and has become aCaptainof salvation to thosewhoobeyhim.Thesoul says, “Andshallthis temptation, thesearguings, thisplausiblepretense, thissloth, thisself-love, this sensuality, this bait of theworld, turnme aside, prevailoverme,todeserttheonewho,formygood,wentbeforemeinthewaysofallthosetemptationsthathisholynaturewasobnoxiousto?”

3dly. Dismal thoughts of the loss of love, of the smiles of thecountenanceofChrist, also frequently exercise such a soul.HeknowswhatitistoenjoythefavorofChrist,tohaveasenseofhislove,tobeaccepted inhisapproaches tohim, toconversewithhim,andperhapshas sometimes been at some loss in this thing; and so he also knowswhatitistobeinthedark,distancedfromChrist.Seethedeportmentof

thespouse insuchacase,Song3:4.107Once shehas foundhimagain,

sheholdshim;shewillnotlethimgo;shewilllosehimnomore.

[2.] He that keeps the word of Christ’s patience has preservingprinciplesbywhichheismovedtoact.Someofthemmaybementionedhere:—

1st.Inallthingshelivesbyfaith,andismovedtoactbyfaith,inallhis

ways,Gal2:20.108Now,ona twofoldaccount,when improved,

109 faith

hasannexedtoitthepowertopreservefromtemptation:

(1st.)Becauseitemptiesthesoulofitsownwisdom,understanding,and fullness, so that itmayact in thewisdomand fullnessofChrist.Theonlyadviceforpreservationintrialsandtemptations,liesinthatof thewiseman,Pro3:5, “Trust in theLordwithallyourheart;andleannotonyourownunderstanding.”

This is thework of faith; it is faith; it is to live by faith. The great[causeof]menfallingintrials istheir leaningto,orleaningon,theirown understanding and counsel. What is the result of it? Job 18:7,“Thestepsofhisstrengthwillbenarrowed,andhisowncounselwillthrow him down.” First, he will be entangled, and then he will bethrown down — and all by his own counsel, until he comes to be

ashamedofit,asEphraimwasinHos10:6.110

Wheneverinourtrialsweconsultourownunderstandings,andlistentoself-reasonings,eventhoughtheyseemtobegoodandtendtoourpreservation,yettheprincipleoflivingbyfaithisstifled,andtheresultis that we will be thrown down by own counsels. Now, nothing canempty the heart of this self-fullness except faith, except living by it,exceptnot living to ourselves, except havingChrist live in us by ourlivingbyfaithinhim.

(2dly.) In making the soul poor, empty, helpless, and destitute initself, faith engages the heart, will, and power of Jesus Christ forassistance;Ihavespokenofthismoreatlargeelsewhere.

2dly. Love for the saints, with care that they do not suffer on ouraccount, is a great preserving principle in a time of temptations andtrials.Daviddeclareshowpowerfulthiswasinthisearnestprayer,Psa69:6,“Letnotthosewhowaitonyou,OLordGodofhosts,beashamedformysake; letnotthosewhoseekyoubeconfoundedformysake,OGodof Israel;”—That is, “Odonot letmesomiscarry, that those forwhomIwouldlaydownmylifewouldbeputtoshame,haveevilspokenofthem,bedishonored,reviled,orscornedonmyaccount,andformyfailings.”Aselfishsoul,whoseloveisturnedwhollyinwards,willneverabideinatimeoftrial.

Many other considerations and principles might be enumerated, thatattend those who keep the word of Christ’s patience in the way andmanner described before; but I will content myself to have pointed atthosealreadymentioned.

Anditwillnowbeeasytodeterminewhyit isthatsomanyinourdaysare prevailed on in the time of trial — why is it that the hour oftemptationcomesuponthem,andbearsthemdownmoreorlessbeforeit? Is it not because, among the great multitude of professors that wehave, there are few that keep theword of the patience of Christ? Ifwewilfullyneglectorthrowawayourinterestinthepromiseofpreservation,isitanywonderifwearenotpreserved?Anhouroftemptationhascomeupontheworldtotestthosewhodwellinit.Itvariouslyexertsitspowerandefficacy.Thereisnowayorthinginwhichitmaynotbeseenactingand exerting itself. It appears in worldliness; in sensuality; in looseconversation; in neglect of spiritual duties both private and public; infoolish, loose,diabolicalopinions; inhaughtinessandambition; inenvyand wrath; in strife and debate, revenge, selfishness; in atheism andcontemptofGod.Thesearebutbranchesofthesameroot,bitterstreamsofthesamefountain,cherishedbypeace,prosperity,security,apostasiesof professors, and the like. And alas! How many daily fall under thepowerofthistemptationingeneral!Howfewkeeptheirgarmentsgirdedabout them and undefiled! Luk 12.35 And if any particular urgingtemptationbefallsanyone,whatinstancesdowehaveofanywhoescape?May we not describe our condition as the apostle described theCorinthiansinrespecttoanoutwardvisitation:“Somearesick,andsomeareweak,andmanysleep”?Somearewounded,somedefiled,manyareutterly lost. What is the spring and fountain of this sad condition ofthings?Isitnot,ashasbeensaid?—wedonotkeepthewordofChrist’spatienceinuniversalclosewalkingwithhim,andsowelosethebenefitsofthepromisethatisgivenandannexedtoit.

IfIweretogoaboutgivinginstancesofthisthing,ofprofessorscomingshortofkeepingthewordofChrist,itwouldbealongwork.Thesefourheadswouldcomprisemostofthem:—

First, Conformity to the world, which Christ redeemed us from inalmost all things, with joy and delight in promiscuous complianceswiththemenoftheworld.Secondly,NeglectofthosedutieswhichChristhasenjoinedustodo,fromcloseattentiontopublicordinances.

Thirdly,Strife,variance,anddebateamongourselves,woefuljudginganddespisingofoneanotheronaccountofthingsthatareforeigntothebondofcommunionthatexistsbetweenthesaints.

Fourthly,Self-fullness as to the principles, and selfishness as to theends.

Now,wherethesethingsarefound,arenotmencarnal?IsthewordofChrist’s patience effectual in them?Will they be preserved? Theywillnot.

Would you then, be preserved and kept from the hour of temptation?Wouldyouwatchagainstentering into it?Asdeductionsfromwhathasbeendeliveredinthischapter,taketheensuingcautions:—

1.Takeheedofleaningondeceitfulassistances;suchasleaningon—

(1.) Your own counsel, understanding, and reasoning. Howeverplausiblyyouarguefortheminyourowndefense,theywilldesertandbetrayyou.Whenthetemptationcomestoanyheight,theywillallturnaroundandjoinwithyourenemy,andpleadasmuchforthematterofthetemptation(whateveritmaybe)astheypleadedagainstitsendandeffectsbeforehand.

(2.)Themost vigorous actsofprayer, fasting, andother suchmeans,against thatparticular lust, corruption, or temptationwithwhich youare exercised and have to deal. This will not avail you if in themeantime,thereareneglectsonotheraccounts.Tohearamanwrestle,cry,andcontendastoanyparticularaspectofatemptation,andthentosee him immediately fall into worldly ways, worldly compliances,looseness, andnegligence in other things— it is righteouswith JesusChristtoleavesuchapersontothehouroftemptation.

(3.)Thegeneralsecurityofsaints’perseveranceandpreservationfromtotalapostasy.EverysecuritythatGodgivesusisgoodinitskind,andforthepurposeforwhichitisgiventous.Butwhenitisgivenforoneend,thenusedforanother,thatisnotgoodorprofitable.Tomakeuseofthegeneralassuranceofpreservationfromtotalapostasy,tosupportthe spirit in respect to aparticular temptation,will not advantage thesoulintheend—becausenotwithstandingthat,thisorthattemptationmayprevail.Manyrelievethemselveswiththissecurity,untiltheyfindthemselvesinthedepthofperplexities.

2.Apply yourselves to this great preservation of faithfully keeping thewordofChrist’spatience,inthemidstofalltrialsandtemptations:—

(1.)Inparticular,wiselyconsiderwherethewordofChrist’spatienceismostlikelytosufferinthedaysinwhichwelive,andintheseasonsthat

passoverus,andthusvigorouslysetyourselvestokeepthatwordinthisparticularespecially.Youmaysay,“HowwillweknowwherethewordofChrist’spatienceinanyseasonislikelytosuffer?”Ianswer,Considerwhatworksheespeciallyperformsinanyseason;neglectofhiswordinreferencetothoseworksiswherehiswordisliketosuffer.

TheworksofChristinwhichhehasbeenspeciallyengagedinourdaysandseasonsseemtobethese:—

[1.]Pouringcontemptonthegreatmenandgreatthingsoftheworld,along with all its enjoyments. He has revealed the nakedness of allearthlythings,inoverturning,overturning,overturning,bothmenandthings,tomakewayforthethingsthatcannotbeshaken.

[2.]Owningthelotofhisowninheritanceinadistinguishingmanner,puttingadifferencebetweenthepreciousandthevile,andcausinghispeopletodwellalone,asnotreckonedwiththenations.

[3.] Being near to faith and prayer, honoring them above all thestrengthandcounselsofthesonsofmen.

[4.] Recovering his ordinances and institutions from the carnaladministrationsthattheywereinbondageunderbythelustsofmen,bringingthemforthinthebeautyandthepoweroftheSpirit.

Inwhatthen,insuchaseason,mustthesingularneglectofthewordofChrist’spatiencelie?Isitnotinvaluingtheworldanditsthings,whichhestainedandtrampledunderfoot?Isitnotinslightinghisspeciallot,hispeople,andthrowingthemintothesameconsiderationsasthemenof the world? Is it not in leaning on our own counsels andunderstandings?Isitnotindefilinghisordinances,bylettingtheoutercourt of the temple to be stepped on by unsanctified persons? Let usthenbewatchful,and inthesethingskeepthewordof thepatienceofChrist,ifweloveourownpreservation.

(2.)Inthisframe,urgetheLordJesusChristwithhisblessedpromises,withalltheconsiderationsthatmaybeapttotakeandholdtheKingin

his galleries,111 and that may work on the heart of our blessed and

mercifulHighPriest,togivesuitablehelpinourtimeofneed.112

CHAPTER9

GeneralexhortationtothedutyprescribedHavingthuspassedthroughtheconsiderationsofthedutyofwatchingsothatwedonotenter into temptation, IsupposeIneednotaddmotivesforobservingit.Thosewhoarenotmovedbytheirownsadexperiences,nor by the importance of the duty as laid down at the start of thisdiscourse,ImustleavetothefurtherpatienceofGod.Iwillonlyclosethewhole with a general exhortation to those who are in any measurepreparedforit,byconsideringwhathasbeensaid.Ifyouweretogointoahospital,andseemanypeoplelyingsickandweak,soreandwounded,withmany filthy diseases and distempers, andwere to inquire of themhow they fell into this condition, and theyall agreed in tellingyou thatsuchorsuchathingwastheoccasionofit—“Igotmywoundbythat,”saysone,“AndIgotmydiseasebyit,”saysanother—woulditnotmakeyoua littlecarefulhoworwhatyouhadtodowith that thingorplace?Surelyitwould.Ifyouweretogotoadungeon,andseemanymiserablecreatures bound in chains for an approaching day of execution, andinquiredwhatwasthewayandmeansbywhichtheywerebrought intothatcondition,andtheyall fixedononeandthesamething,wouldyounottakecaretoavoidit?

The case is so with entering into temptation. Ah! how many poor,miserable, spiritually-wounded souls, we have everywhere! — one iswoundedbyone sin,onebyanother;one falls into the filthinessof theflesh,anotherofthespirit.Askthemnow,howtheycameintothisestateandcondition?Theymustallanswer,“Alas!Weenteredintotemptation;we fell into cursed snares and entanglements; and that has brought usintothewoefulconditionyousee!”Indeed, ifamancould lookintothedungeonsofhell,andseethepoordamnedsoulsthatlieboundinchainsofdarkness,andheartheircries,whatwouldhebetaught?Whatdotheysay?Are theynot cursing their tempters,and the temptations that theyenteredinto?Andshallwebenegligentinthis?Solomontellsusthatthesimpletonwhofollowsthestrangewoman,doesnotknowthatthedead

arethere,that“herhouseinclinestodeath,andherpathstothedead”113

(whichhe repeats three times); and that is the reason thathe riskshersnares. If you knew what has been done by entering into temptation,

perhapsyouwouldbemorewatchfulandcareful.Menmaythinktheydowellenoughnotwithstanding;but,

Pro6:27,28,“Canamanputfireinhisbreastpocket,andhisclothesnotbeburnt?Canonewalkonhotcoals,andhisfeetnotbeburnt?”

Nosuchthing!Mendonotcomeoutoftheirtemptationwithoutwounds,burns,andscars.Idonotknowanyplace intheworldwherethere isagreaterneedtopressthisexhortationthaninthisplace.Gotoourseveralcollegesandinquireaboutsuchandsuchyoungmen;whatistheanswerinrespecttomanyofthem?“Ah!hewasveryhopefulforaseason;buthefell intobadcompany,andhe isquite lost.Hehadagoodbeginningofreligion; we had great expectations for him, but he has fallen intotemptation.”Andsotooinotherplaces.“Hewasusefulandhumble,andadornedthegospel;butnowheissowoefullyentangledwiththeworld,thathehasgrownallselfish,andhasnosaporsavour.Hewashumbleandzealous;buthehasadvanced in life, andhas losthis first loveandways.”Rev 2.4 Oh! how full is the world, how full is this place, of thesewoefulexamples,tosaynothingofthoseinnumerablepoorcreatureswhohavefallenintotemptationbydelusionsinreligion.Andisitnottimeforustoawakebeforeitistoolate—towatchagainstthefirstrisingsofsin,thefirstattemptsofSatan,andagainstallthewaysbywhichhehasmadeapproachestous,howeverharmlesstheymaybeinthemselves?

Dowe not experience our weakness, our folly, the invincible power oftemptation, once it has gotten within us? As for this duty that I haveinsistedon,taketheseconsiderations:—

1. If you neglect this duty, which is the onlymeans prescribed by ourSaviour,youwill certainly enter into temptation,and justas certainlyfall into sin.Do not flatter yourselves. Some of you are “old disciples;”you have a great abhorrence of sin; you think it is impossible that youwouldeverbeseducedinsuchaway;but,

1Cor 10.12, “Let him (whoeverhemaybe) that thinkshe stands, takeheedlesthefall.”

Itisnotanygracereceived,itisnotanyexperienceobtained,itisnotanyresolution improved, that will preserve you from any evil, unless youstanduponyourwatch: “What I say to you,” saysChrist, “I say to all,WATCH.”Perhapsyouhadsomegoodsuccess fora time inyourcarelessframe;butawake:admireGod’stendernessandpatience,orelseevillies

atthedoor.Gen4.7Ifyouwillnotperformthisduty,whoeveryouare,oneway or another, in one thing or another, whether spiritual or carnalwickedness,youwillbetempted,youwillbedefiled;andwhatwillbethe

endofit?RememberPeter!114

2. Consider that you are always under the eye of Christ, the greatcaptainofoursalvation,whohasenjoinedustowatchthus,andpraythatwe do not enter into temptation.What do you think the thoughts andheart ofChrist are,whenhe sees a temptationhastening towards us, astormrisingaroundus,andwearefastasleep?Doesitnotgrievehimtoseeussoexposeourselvestodanger,afterhehasgivenuswarninguponwarning? While he was in the days of his flesh, he considered histemptationwhile itwasstillcoming,andarmedhimselfagainst it.“Theprinceofthisworldcomes,”hesays,“buthehasnopartinme.”Joh14.30

Andshallwebenegligentunderhiseye?Youonlyhavetothinkthatyousee him coming to you as he did to Peter, when he was asleep in thegarden,andwiththesamereproof:“What!Canyounotwatchonehour?”Mar 14.37 Would it not grieve you to be so reproved, or to hear himthundering from heaven against your neglect, as he did against the

churchofSardis?115

3.Consider that if youneglect this duty, and so fall into temptation—which youwill assuredly do— thatwhen you are entangled,Godmayalsobringsomeheavyafflictionorjudgmentuponyou,which(becauseofyourentanglement)youwillnotbeabletolookatanyotherwaythanasevidenceofhisangerandhatred.Andthenwhatwillyoudowithyourtemptation and affliction together? All your bones will be broken, and

yourpeaceandstrengthwillbegoneinamoment.116Thismayseemlike

only thenoiseofwords for thepresent;but if it is everyour condition,youwill findit tobefullofwoeandbitterness.Ohthen, letusstrivetokeepourspiritsunentangled,avoidingallappearanceofevil,andallwaysleading to it; especially all the ways, businesses, societies, andemploymentsthatwehavealreadyfounddisadvantageoustous.

Notes

[←1]Anumberof sentencesandphraseswereaccidentallyomitted inAges’digital conversion.They have been recovered using the same 1850-53 edition of this work, but separatelyprinted fromOwen’sWorks, and titledOn Temptation and theMortification of Sin (seetitlepage“Alt.Source”).

[←2]Owen’sreferencesto“ourseveralcolleges”inchapter9.

[←3]Heb2.9;Gal3.13;2Cor5.21.

[←4]Rom7:18For Iknowthat inme(that is, inmy flesh)nothinggooddwells; for towill ispresentwithme,buthowtoperformwhatisgoodIdonotfind.

[←5]Deu13:3"youshallnotlistentothewordsofthatprophetorthatdreamerofdreams,fortheLORDyourGodis testingyoutoknowwhetheryou lovetheLORDyourGodwithallyourheartandwithallyoursoul.

[←6]Gen22:12AndHesaid,"Donotlayyourhandonthelad,ordoanythingtohim;fornowIknowthatyoufearGod,sinceyouhavenotwithheldyourson,youronlyson,fromMe."

[←7]2Chr32.25-31

[←8]Mat26:35PetersaidtoHim,"EvenifIhavetodiewithYou,IwillnotdenyYou!"Andsosaidallthedisciples.

[←9]Gen20:6AndGodsaidtohiminadream,"Yes,Iknowthatyoudidthisintheintegrityofyour heart. For I alsowithheld you from sinning againstMe; therefore I did not let youtouchher.

[←10]2Cor 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of therevelations,athorninthefleshwasgiventome,amessengerofSatantobuffetme,lestIbeexaltedabovemeasure.8ConcerningthisthingIpleadedwiththeLordthreetimesthatitmightdepartfromme.9AndHesaidtome,"Mygraceissufficientforyou,forMystrengthismadeperfect inweakness."Thereforemost gladly Iwill ratherboast inmy infirmities,thatthepowerofChristmayrestuponme.

[←11]1Pet 1:6-7 In this yougreatly rejoice, thoughnow for a littlewhile, if needbe, youhavebeen grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much morepreciousthangoldthatperishes,thoughitistestedbyfire,maybefoundtopraise,honor,andgloryattherevelationofJesusChrist...

[←12]Joh14:30"Iwillnolongertalkmuchwithyou,fortherulerofthisworldiscoming,andhehasnothinginMe.

[←13]Jas1:14Buteachoneistemptedwhenheisdrawnawaybyhisowndesiresandenticed.15

Then,whendesirehasconceived,itgivesbirthtosin;andsin,whenitisfull-grown,bringsforthdeath.

[←14]ejmpi>pteinempipto[NT:1706]

[←15]Athousandinjuriousarts,orathousandwaystoinjure.

[←16]EmendedfromOnTemptation,p.35.

[←17]Thatis,acquit:tobehaveinacertainmanner.

[←18]prose>ceinprosecho[NT:4337],asinMat16:12ThentheyunderstoodthatHedidnottellthemtobewareoftheleavenofbread,butofthedoctrineofthePhariseesandSadducees.OrHeb2:1“Thereforewemustgivemoreearnestheedtothethingswehaveheard...”

[←19]Gregoreuo [NT:1127], as in Rev 3:2 “Bewatchful, and strengthen the things whichremain...”

[←20]Heb2:18ForinthatHeHimselfhassuffered,beingtempted,Heisabletoaidthosewhoaretempted.

[←21]Rev3:10"BecauseyouhavekeptMycommandtopersevere[orpatientlyendure],Ialsowillkeepyoufromthehourof trialwhichshallcomeuponthewholeworld, to test thosewhodwellontheearth.

[←22]Gen 12:12-13 "Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they willsay,`Thisishiswife';andtheywillkillme,buttheywillletyoulive.Pleasesayyouaremysister,thatitmaybewellwithmeforyoursake,andthatImaylivebecauseofyou."Gen20:2NowAbrahamsaidofSarahhiswife,"Sheismysister."AndAbimelechkingofGerarsentandtookSarah.

[←23]Footprintsfrightenme.(Horace)

[←24]EmendedfromOnTemptation,p.42.

[←25]2Kng 8:9-13 "Your son Ben-Hadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying,`Shall Irecoverfromthisdisease?'"10AndElishasaidtohim,"Go,saytohim,`Youshallcertainlyrecover.' However the LORD has shown me that he will really die." 11 Then he set hiscountenanceinastareuntilhewasashamed;andthemanofGodwept.12AndHazaelsaid,"Whyismylordweeping?"Heanswered,"BecauseIknowtheevil thatyouwilldotothechildrenofIsrael:Theirstrongholdsyouwillsetonfire,andtheiryoungmenyouwillkillwiththesword;andyouwilldashtheirchildren,andripopentheirwomenwithchild."13SoHazael said, "Butwhat isyour servant-- a dog, that he should do this gross thing?" AndElishaanswered,"TheLORDhasshownmethatyouwillbecomekingoverSyria."

[←26]See3.(1)above.

[←27]Hos4:11Harlotry,wine,andnewwineenslavetheheart.

[←28]Originally,“withe”–abandorropemadeoftwistedtwigsorstems.

[←29]Rev12:4Histaildrewathirdofthestarsofheavenandthrewthemtotheearth.Andthedragonstoodbeforethewomanwhowasreadytogivebirth,todevourherChildassoonasitwasborn.

[←30]“Thepeoplehiss,butIapplaudmyself.”

[←31]Joh15:6“IfanyonedoesnotabideinMe,heiscastoutasabranchandiswithered;andtheygatherthemandthrowthemintothefire,andtheyareburned.”

[←32]Thatis,“Iwillnotpetitionforitagain.”Wefoolourselvesintothinkingthiswon’thappenagain,thatwewon’tneedtosolicitGodtorestoreourpeaceafterthis.Wecryout,“Justthisonce!”aswegooverthecliff’sedge.

[←33]Wepresumetosay,“Imayhavenopeace,butatleastI’msaved.”

[←34]Battery:agroupofcannonsfiredtogetheratoneplacetocreateabreachinthedefensivewall.

[←35]2Cor4:4whosemindsthegodofthisagehasblinded,whodonotbelieve,lestthelightofthegospelofthegloryofChrist,whoistheimageofGod,shouldshineonthem.

[←36]Rev3:10"BecauseyouhavekeptMycommandtopersevere,Ialsowillkeepyoufromthehouroftrialwhichshallcomeuponthewholeworld,totestthosewhodwellontheearth.

[←37]1Kng22:21-22 Thena spirit came forwardand stoodbefore theLORD, and said,`Iwillpersuadehim.'22"TheLORDsaidtohim,`Inwhatway?'Sohesaid,`Iwillgooutandbealyingspiritinthemouthofallhisprophets.'AndtheLORDsaid,`Youshallpersuadehim,andalsoprevail.Gooutanddoso.'

[←38]EmendedfromOnTemptation,p.55.

[←39]EmendedfromOnTemptation,p.56.

[←40]Isaiah8:12Donot say,`A conspiracy,'Concerning all that thispeople call a conspiracy,Norbeafraidoftheirthreats,norbetroubled.

[←41]Thatis,fallingintoworldlyways,andfollowingaftervainopinions.

[←42]Thatis,thestatusquo.

[←43]Isa32:19Whenithails,comingdownontheforest[i.e.,whenjudgementfalls,Rev16.21],thecityshallbelowinalowplace[i.e.,broughtlow,humbled]–Isa26:5ForHebringsdownthosewhodwellonhigh,Theloftycity;Helaysitlow,Helaysitlowtotheground,Hebringsitdowntothedust.

[←44]Proverbs1:32Fortheturningawayofthesimplewillslaythem,Andthecomplacencyoffoolswilldestroythem;

[←45]EmendedfromOnTemptation,p.61.

[←46]Whether a frame of heart, mind, or will, our “frame” is a system of assumptions andstandards (values) that serve to sanction our behavior and give itmeaning, for better orworse.

[←47]i.e.,trialsandafflictions,seetheSPECIALnatureoftemptationsinChap.I,sec.I.

[←48]1Pet4:13 but rejoice to the extent that youpartakeofChrist's sufferings, thatwhenHisgloryisrevealed,youmayalsobegladwithexceedingjoy.

[←49]Psa91:11-12ForHeshallgiveHisangelschargeoveryou,Tokeepyouinallyourways.12Intheirhandstheyshallbearyouup,Lestyoudashyourfootagainstastone.Mat4:5-6ThenthedeviltookHimupintotheholycity,setHimonthepinnacleofthetemple,6andsaidtoHim,"IfYouaretheSonofGod,throwYourselfdown.Foritiswritten:`HeshallgiveHisangelschargeoveryou,'and,`Intheirhandstheyshallbearyouup,Lestyoudashyourfootagainstastone.'"

[←50]EmendedfromOnTemptation,p.70.

[←51]Outoftheordinary.

[←52]Exo3.22withExo35.29

[←53]Hos7:9Alienshavedevouredhis strength,Buthedoesnot know it;Yes, grayhairs arehereandthereonhim,Yethedoesnotknowit.

[←54]EmendedfromOnTemptation,p.78.

[←55]That is, this malaise and distemper doesn’t just happen. It is caused to happen, andtemptationisthecause.

[←56]Inquiry into the current condition of our soul is one of our spiritual duties. 2Cor 13:5“Examineyourselvesastowhetheryouare inthefaith.”1Cor11:29Forhewhoeatsanddrinks in an unworthymanner eats and drinks judgment to himself,not discerning theLord'sbody.Thesacramentisagoodoccasionforsuchaninquiry.

[←57]ejktou~ponhrou~ektouponerou[NT:4190]

[←58]EmendedfromOnTemptation,p.84.

[←59]Theyarenotsensedorperceived.

[←60]Jas1:5Ifanyofyoulackswisdom,lethimaskofGod,whogivestoallliberallyandwithoutreproach,anditwillbegiventohim.6Butlethimaskinfaith,withnodoubting,forhewhodoubtsislikeawaveoftheseadrivenandtossedbythewind.7ForletnotthatmansupposethathewillreceiveanythingfromtheLord;

[←61]MortificationofSininBelievers

[←62]Heb4:16Letus thereforecomeboldly to the throneofgrace, thatwemayobtainmercyandfindgracetohelpintimeofneed.

[←63]EmendedfromOnTemptation,p.87.

[←64]Amo6:3Woetoyouwhoput faroff theevilday,andcause theseatofviolencetocomenear;Isa56:12"Come,"theysay,"letmegetwine;letusfillourselveswithstrongdrink;andtomorrowwillbelikethisday,greatbeyondmeasure."Luke12:19 `And I will say tomysoul,"Soul,youhavemanygoodslaidupformanyyears;takeyourease;eat,drink,andbemerry."'Weattractdestructionbybeingindifferenttoit,asiftherewerenopricetopayforsin.

[←65]Thatis,roteobediencewithoutachangeinheart;“justgoingthroughthemotions”.

[←66]Mat13:22"Nowhewhoreceivedseedamongthethornsishewhohearstheword,andthecares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomesunfruitful.Heb3:13butexhortoneanotherdaily,whileitiscalled"Today,"lestanyofyoubehardenedthroughthedeceitfulnessofsin.

[←67]Mat26.41withLuk22.46.

[←68]2Cor4:6ForitistheGodwhocommandedlighttoshineoutofdarkness,whohasshonein our hearts togive the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of JesusChrist.

[←69]Becomelessintense.

[←70]Topummelorbeatviolently.

[←71]Surprisalisusedinamilitarysense:asurpriseattackorambushthatshocksandstunsthevictim.

[←72]Expressionsofdiscontent.

[←73]Pro4:14Donotenterthepathofthewicked,Anddonotwalkinthewayofevil.15Avoidit,donottravelonit;Turnawayfromitandpasson.

[←74]Mat12:35"Agoodmanoutofthegoodtreasureofhisheartbringsforthgoodthings,andanevilmanoutoftheeviltreasurebringsforthevilthings.

[←75]Jas4:7ThereforesubmittoGod.Resistthedevilandhewillfleefromyou.

[←76]EmendedfromOnTemptation,p.102.

[←77]frourh>seita<vkardi>avphroureohumonkardia[NT:5432,5216,2588]

[←78]EmendedfromOnTemptation,p.103.

[←79]1Pe5:9Resisthim,steadfastinthefaith...

[←80]Psa37:39ButthesalvationoftherighteousisfromtheLORD;Heistheirstrengthinthetimeoftrouble.

[←81]Heb4:15ForwedonothaveaHighPriestwhocannotsympathizewithourweaknesses,butwasinallpointstemptedasweare,yetwithoutsin.16Letusthereforecomeboldlytothethroneofgrace,thatwemayobtainmercyandfindgracetohelpintimeofneed.

[←82]2Sam24.10-15–regardingDavid’snumberingofIsrael,andtheplaguethatfollowed.

[←83]1Ch12:17-18AndDavidwentouttomeetthem,andansweredandsaidtothem,"Ifyouhavecomepeaceablytometohelpme,myheartwillbeunitedwithyou;butiftobetraymetomyenemies,sincethereisnowronginmyhands,maytheGodofourfathers lookandbringjudgment."18ThentheSpiritcameuponAmasai,chiefofthecaptains,andhesaid:"Weareyours,ODavid;Weareon your side,O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, Andpeace toyourhelpers!ForyourGodhelpsyou."SoDavidreceived them,andmade themcaptainsofthetroop.

[←84]Mal4:3Youshalltramplethewicked,Fortheyshallbeashesunderthesolesofyourfeet,OnthedaythatIdothis,"SaystheLORDofhosts.

[←85]2Co12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is madeperfectinweakness."

[←86]Act27:24"saying,`Donotbeafraid,Paul;youmustbebroughtbeforeCaesar;andindeedGodhasgrantedyouallthosewhosailwithyou.'

[←87]2Cor1:20ForallthepromisesofGodinHimareYes,andinHimAmen,tothegloryofGodthroughus.

[←88]Joh17:17"SanctifythembyYourtruth.Yourwordistruth.

[←89]1Pet 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus,Galatia,Cappadocia,Asia,andBithynia,2electaccordingtotheforeknowledgeofGodtheFather, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of JesusChrist:Gracetoyouandpeacebemultiplied.2Tim2:19NeverthelessthesolidfoundationofGodstands,having this seal: "TheLordknows thosewhoareHis," and, "Let everyonewhonamesthenameofChristdepartfrominiquity."

[←90]Joh8:32"Andyoushallknowthetruth,andthetruthshallmakeyoufree."1Cor7:23Youwereboughtataprice;donotbecomeslavesofmen.

[←91]1Pet2:16asfree,yetnotusinglibertyasacloakforvice,butasbondservantsofGod.

[←92]Gal5:1StandfastthereforeinthelibertybywhichChristhasmadeusfree,anddonotbeentangledagainwithayokeofbondage.

[←93]2Tim1:14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit whodwellsinus.

[←94]Th<nkalh<nparakataqh>khntoukalosparakatatheke[NT:2570,3872]

[←95]Joh14:15"IfyouloveMe,keepMycommandments.

[←96]Rev7:3saying,"Donotharmtheearth,thesea,orthetreestillwehavesealedtheservantsofourGodontheirforeheads."

[←97]2Cor12:8ConcerningthisthingIpleadedwiththeLordthreetimesthatitmightdepartfromme.

[←98]Heb2:18ForinthatHeHimselfhassuffered,beingtempted,Heisabletoaidthosewhoaretempted.

[←99]Isa59:21 "As forMe,"says theLORD,"this isMycovenantwith them:MySpiritwho isuponyou,andMywordswhichIhaveputinyourmouth,shallnotdepartfromyourmouth,nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants'descendants,"saystheLORD,"fromthistimeandforevermore."

[←100]Isa57:20-21Butthewickedarelikethetroubledsea,Whenitcannotrest,Whosewaterscastupmireanddirt."Thereisnopeace,"SaysmyGod,"forthewicked."

[←101]Gal6:14ButGodforbidthatIshouldboastexceptinthecrossofourLordJesusChrist,bywhomtheworldhasbeencrucifiedtome,andItotheworld.

[←102]Thatis,“theconstant,universalkeepingofChrist’swordofpatience,”asdescribedabove.

[←103]Phi3:8YetindeedIalsocountallthingslossfortheexcellenceoftheknowledgeofChristJesusmyLord,forwhomIhavesufferedthelossofallthings,andcountthemasrubbish,thatImaygainChrist...

[←104]Phi3:10 thatImayknowHimandthepowerofHisresurrection,andthefellowship[orcommunion]ofHissufferings,beingconformedtoHisdeath,

[←105]When wine is left to age “upon the lees” (the sediments that are left in the bottle), itincreasesthecomplexityofthewine,providingadditionalflavors,body,andrichness.

[←106]Rev2:19"Iknowyourworks,love,service,faith,andyourpatience;andasforyourworks,the lastaremorethanthefirst.20 "Nevertheless Ihavea fewthingsagainstyou,becauseyou allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce Myservantstocommitsexualimmoralityandeatthingssacrificedtoidols.21"AndIgavehertimetorepentofhersexual immorality,andshedidnotrepent.22 "IndeedIwillcastherintoasickbed,andthosewhocommitadulterywithherintogreattribulation,unlesstheyrepentoftheirdeeds.23"Iwillkillherchildrenwithdeath,andallthechurchesshallknowthat I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of youaccordingtoyourworks.

[←107]Song3:4ScarcelyhadIpassedbythem,WhenIfoundtheoneIlove.Iheldhimandwouldnotlethimgo,UntilIhadbroughthimtothehouseofmymother,Andintothechamberofherwhoconceivedme.

[←108]Gal2:19 "For throughthe lawIdied to the lawthat Imight live toGod.20 "IhavebeencrucifiedwithChrist;it isnolongerIwholive,butChristlivesinme;andthe lifewhich InowliveinthefleshIlivebyfaithintheSonofGod,wholovedmeandgaveHimselfforme.

[←109]2Pe1:5-8Andbesides this,givingalldiligence,addtoyourfaith virtue; and to virtueknowledge;6Andtoknowledgetemperance;andtotemperancepatience;andtopatiencegodliness;7Andtogodlinessbrotherlykindness;andtobrotherlykindnesscharity.8Forifthese things are in you, and abound [i.e., if they increase or improve], they make youneitherbarrennorunfruitfulintheknowledgeofourLordJesusChrist.AlsoRev2:19"Iknowyourworks,love,service,faith,andyourpatience;andasforyourworks[offaith],thelastaremorethanthefirst[improved].

[←110]Hos10:6The idolalso shall be carried toAssyriaAsapresent forKingJareb.Ephraimshallreceiveshame,AndIsraelshallbeashamedofhisowncounsel.

[←111]KJVSong7:5YourheaduponyouislikeCarmel,andthehairofyourheadlikepurple;thekingisheldinthegalleries.JohnGillwrites,“the‘galleries’inwhichheisheldmaymeanthe ordinances of the Gospel; where Christ and his people walk and converse together;wherehedisclosesthesecretsofhishearttothem,leadsthemintoafurtheracquaintancewithhiscovenant,andtheblessingsandpromisesofit;andfromwhichtheyhavedelightfulviewsofhispersonandfulness;theyseetheKinginhisbeauty,andbeholdthegoodlandwhichisafaroff.”

[←112]Heb4.16.

[←113]Pro2:10-19Whenwisdomentersintoyourheart,andknowledgeispleasanttoyoursoul,11 discretionwill preserve you, understandingwill keep you... 16 To deliver you from thestrangewoman,even from the strangerwho flatterswithherwords; 17Who forsakes theguideofheryouth,andforgetsthecovenantofherGod.18Forherhouseinclinestodeath,andherpathstothedead.19Nonethatgotoherreturnagain,nortakeholdofthepathsoflife.

[←114]Luk22:31-34AndtheLordsaid,"Simon,Simon!Indeed,Satanhasaskedforyou,thathemaysiftyouaswheat. 32 "But I haveprayed for you, that your faith shouldnot fail; andwhenyouhavereturnedtoMe,strengthenyourbrethren."33ButhesaidtoHim,"Lord,IamreadytogowithYou,bothtoprisonandtodeath."34ThenHesaid,"Itellyou,Peter,theroostershallnotcrowthisdaybeforeyouwilldenythreetimesthatyouknowMe."

[←115]Rev3:2-3"Bewatchful,andstrengthenthethingswhichremain,thatarereadytodie,forIhave not found your works perfect before God. 3 "Remember therefore how you havereceivedandheard;holdfastandrepent.Thereforeifyouwillnotwatch,Iwillcomeuponyouasathief,andyouwillnotknowwhathourIwillcomeuponyou.

[←116]Lam3:1-5IamthemanwhohasseenafflictionbytherodofHiswrath.Hehasledmeandmademewalkindarknessandnotinlight.SurelyHehasturnedHishandagainstmeTimeand time again throughout the day.He has agedmy flesh andmy skin, And brokenmybones.Hehasbesiegedmeandsurroundedmewithbitternessandwoe.