(2,dly.) Faith, making the soul poor, empty, helpless, destitute in itself, engages the heart, will, and power of Jesus Christ for assist- ance; of which I have spoken more at large elsewhere. - — 2dlif. Love to the saints, with care that they suffer not upon our account, is a great preserving principle in a time of temptations and trials. How powerful this was in David, he declares in that earnest prayer, Ps. Ixix. 6, " Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GoD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake : let not those that seek thee be con- founded for my sake, O God of Israel;" — " 0 let not me so miscarry, that those for whom I would lay down my life should be put to shame, be evil spoken of, dishonoured, reviled, contemned on my account, for my failings." A selfish soul, whose love is turned wholly inwards, will never abide in a time of trial.
Many other considerations and principles that those who keep the word of Christ's patience, in the way and manner before described, are attended Avithal, might be enumerated; but I shall content my- self to have pointed at these mentioned.
And will it now be easy to determine whence it is that so many in our days are prevailed on in the time of trial, — that the hour of temptation comes upon them, and bears them down more or less before it? Is it not because, amongst the great multitude of profes- sors that we have, there are few that keep the Avord of the patience of Christ? If we wilfully neglect or cast away our interest in the promise of preservation, is it any wonder if we be not preserved? There is an hour of temptation come upon the Avorld, to try tliem that dwell therein. It variously exerts its power and efficacy. There
WATCHING AGAINST TEMPTATION. 147
is not any way or thing wherein it may not be seen acting and put- ting forth itself. In workUiness ; in sensuality ; in looseness of conver- sation; in neglect of spiritual duties, private, public; in foolish, loose, diabolical opinions; in haughtiness and ambition ; in envy and wrath; in strife and debate, revenge, selfishness ; in atheism and contempt of God, doth it appear. They are but branches of the same root, bitter streams of the same fountain, cherished by peace, prosperity, security, apostasies of professors, and the like. And, alas! how many do daily fall under the power of this temptation in general ! How few keep their garments girt about them, and undefiled ! And if any urging, particular temptation befall any, what instances almost have we of any that escape? May we not describe our condition as the apostle that of the Corinthians, in respect of an outward visitation : " Some are sick, and some are weak, and many sleep?" Some are wounded, some defiled, many utterly lost. What is tlie spring and fountain of this sad condition of things? Is it not, as hath been said? — we do not keep the word of Christ's patience in universal close walking with him, and so lose the benefit of the promise given and annexed thereunto.
Should I go about to give instances of this thing, of professors coming short of keeping the word of Christ, it would be a long work. These four heads would comprise the most of them: — First, Con- formity to the world, which Christ hath redeemed us from, almost in all things, with joy and delight in promiscuous compliances with the men of the world. Secondly, Neglect of duties which Christ ha.tli enjoined, from close meditation to public ordinances. Thirdly, Strife, variance, and debate among ourselves, woful judging and despising one another, upon account of things foreign to the bond of communion that is between the saints. Fourthly, Self-fulness as to principles, and selfishness as to ends. Now, v^^here these things are, are not men carnal? Is the word of Christ's patience effectual in them? Shall they be preserved? They shall not.
Would you, then, be preserved and kept from the hour of tempta- tion ? would you watch against entering into it ? — as deductions irom what hath been delivered in this chapter, take the ensuing cautions: —
1. Take heed of leaning on deceitful assistances ; as, —
(1.) On your own counsels, understandings, reasonings. Though you argue in them never so plausibly in your own defence, they will leave you, betray you. When the temptation comes to any height, they will all turn about, and take part with your enemy, and plead as much for the matter of the temptation, whatever it be, as they pleaded against the end and issue of it before.
(2.) The most vigorous actings, by prayer, fasting, and other such
148 OF TEMPTATION.
means, against that particular lust, corruption, temptation, where- with you are exercised and have to do. This will not avail' you if, in the meantime, there be neglects on other accounts. To hear a man wrestle, cry, contend as to any particular of temptation, and imme- diately fall into worldly ways, worldly compliances, looseness, and negligence in other things, — it is righteous with Jesus Christ to leave such a one to the hour of temptation.
(8.) The general security of saints' perseverance and preservation from total apostasy. Every security that God gives us is good in its kind, and for the pupose for which it is given to us; but when it is given for one end, to use it for another, that is not good or profit- able. To make use of the general assurance of preservation from total apostasy, to support the spirit in respect of a particular tempta- tion, will not in the issue advantage the soul ; because, notwithstanding that, this or that temptation may prevail. Many relieve themselves with this, until they find themselves in the depth of perplexities.