CHAPTER V.
The socond case proposed, or inquiries resolved — What are the best directions to prevent entering into temptation — Those directions laid down — The direc- tions given by our Saviour : " Watch and pray " — What is included therein — (1.) Sense of the danger of temptation — (2.) That it is not in our power to keep ourselves — (3.) Faith in promises of preservation — Of prayer in parti- cular.
2. Having seen the danger of entering into temptation, and also discovered the ways and seasons whereby and wherein men usually do so, our second inquiry is. What general directions may be given to
• DIRECTIONS AGAINST TEMPTATION, ] 23
preserve a soul from that condition that hath been spoken of? And we see our Saviour's direction in the place spoken of before, Matt, xxvi. 41. He sums up all in these two words, " Watch and pi'ay." I shall a little labour to unfold them, and show what is inwrapped and contained in them; and that both jointly and severally: —
(1.) There is included in them a clear, abiding apprehension of the great evil that there is in entering into temptation. That which a man watches and prays against, he looks upon as evil to him, and by all means to be avoided.
This, then, is the first direction : — A livays hear in mind the great danger that it is for any soul to enter into temptation.
It is a woful thing to consider what slight thoughts the most have of this thing. So men can keep themselves from sin itself in open action, they are content, they scarce aim at more; on any temptation in the world, all sorts of men will venture at any time. How will young men put themselves on any company, any society; at first, being delighted with evil company, then with the evil of the com- jKiny! How vain are all admonitions and exhortations to them to take heed of such persons, debauched in themselves, corrupters of others, destroyers of souls! At first they will venture on the com- pany, abhorring the thoughts of practising their lewdness; but what is the issue? Unless it be here or there one, whom God snatches with a mighty band from the jaws of destruction, they are all lost, and become after a while in love with the evil which at first they ab- lioiTed. This open door to the ruin of souls is too evident; and woful experience makes it no less evident that it is almost impossible to fasten upon many poor creatures any fear or dread of temptation, who yet will profess a fear and abhorrency of sin. Would it were only thus with young men, such as are unaccustomed to the yoke of the Lord! What sort of men is free from this folly in one thing or other? How many professors have I known that would j^lead for their liberty, as they called it! They could hear any thing, all things, — all sorts of men, all men; they would try all things whe- ther they came to them in the way of God or no ; and on that account would run to hear and to attend to every broa.cher of false and abo- minable opinions, every seducer, though stigmatized by the gene- rality of the saints : for such a one they had their liberty, — they could do it; but the opinions they hated as much as any. What hatlibeen the issue? I scarce ever knew any come off without a wound; the most have had their faith overthrown. Let no man, then, pretend to fear sin that doth not fear temptation to it. They are too nearly allied to be separated. Satan hath put them so together that it is very hard for any man to put them asunder. He hates not the fruit who delights in the root.
1 21' OF TEMPTATION.
AVhen men see that suc"h ways, sucli companies, such courses, such businesses, such studies and aims, do entangle them, make them cold, careless, are quench-coals to them, indispose them to even, uni- versal, and constant obedience, if they adventure on them, sin lies at the door. It is a tender frame of spirit, sensible of its o^vn weakness and corruption, of the craft of Satan, of the evil of sin, of the efficacy of temptation, that can perform his duty. And yet until we bring our hearts to this frame, upon the considerations before-mentioned, or the like that may be proposed, we shall never free ourselves from sinful entanglements. Boldness upon temptation, springing from several j)i'etences, hath, as is known, ruined innumerable professors in these days, and still continues to cast many down from their excellency; nor have I the least hope of a more fruitful profession amongst us until I see more fear of temptation. Sin will not long seem great or heavy unto any to whom temptations seem light or small.
This is the first thing inwrapped in this general direction : — The daily exercise of our thoughts with an apprehension of the great danger that lies in entering into temptation, is required of us. Grief of the Sj)irit of God, discjuietment of our own souls, loss of peace, hazard of eternal welfare, lies at the door. If the soul be not prevailed withal to the observation of this direction, all that ensues will be of no value. Temptation despised will conquer; and if the heart be made tender and watchful here, half the work of securing a good conversation is over. And let not him go any further who resolves not to improve this direction in a daily conscientious observation of it.