2. Apply yourselves to this great preservation of faithful keeping the word of Christ's patience, in the midst of all trials and tempta- tions : —
(1.) In particular, wisely consider wherein the word of Christ's patience is most likely to suffer in the days wherein we live and the seasons that pass over us, and so vigorously set yourselves to keep it in that particular peculiarly. You will say, " How shall we know wherein the word of Christ's patience in any season is like to suffer?" I answer. Consider what works he peculiarly performs in any season ; and neglect of his word in reference to them is that wherein his word is like to suffer. The works of Christ wherein he hath been pecu- liarly engaged in our days and seasons seem to be these : —
[1.] The pouring of contempt upon the great men and great tilings of the world, with all the enjoyments of it. He hath discovered the nakedness of all earthly things, in overturning, overturning, overturn- ing, both men and things, to make way for the things that cannot be shal^en.
[2.] The owning of the lot of his own inheritance in a distinguish- ing manner, putting a difference between the precious and the vile, and causing his people to dwell alone, as not reckoned with the nations.
[3.] In being nigh to faith and prayer, honouring them above all the strength and counsels of the sons of men.
[4.] In recovering his ordinances and institutions from the carnal administrations that they were in bondage under by the lusts of men, bringing them forth in the beauty and the power of the Spirit.
Wherein, then, in such a season, must lie the peculiar neglect of the word of Clirist's patience? Is it not in setting a value on the
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world and the things of it, which he hath stained and trampled under foot? Is it not in the slighting of his peculiar lot, his people, and casting them into the same considerations with the men of the world? Is it not in leaning to our own counsels and understandings? Is it not in the defilement of his ordinances, by giving the outward court of the temple to be trod upon by unsanctified persons? Let us, then, be watchful, and in these things keep the word of the patience of Christ, if we love our own preservation.
(2.) In this frame urge the Lord Jesus Christ with his blessed promises, with all the considerations that may be apt to take and hold the King in his galleries, that may work on the heart of our blessed and merciful High Priest, to give suitable succour at time of need.
CHAPTER IX.
General exhortation to the duty prescribed.
Having thus passed through the considerations of the duty of watching that we enter not into temptation, I suppose I need not add motives to the observance of it. Those who are not moved by their own sad experiences, nor the importance of the duty, as laid down in the entrance of this discourse, must be left by me to the farther patience of God. I shall only shut up the whole with a general exhortation to them who are in any measure prepared for it by the consideration of what hath been spoken. Should you go into an hospital, and see many persons lying sick and weak, sore and wounded, with many filthy diseases and distempers, and should in- quire of them how they fell into this condition, and they shall all agree to tell you such or such a thing was the occasion of it, — " By that I got my wound," says one, "And my disease," says another, — would it not make you a little careful how or what you had to do with that thing or place? Surely it would. Should you go to a dungeon, and see many miserable creatures bound in chains for an approaching day of execution, and inquire the way and means whereby they were brought into that condition, and they should all fix on one and the same thing, would you not take care to avoid it? The case is so with entering into temptation. Ah I how many poor, miserable, spiritually- wounded souls, have we everywhere! — one wounded by one sin, another by another; one falling into filthiness of the flesh, another of the spirit. Ask them, now, how they came into this estate and condition ? They must all answer, "Alas ! we entered into temptation, we fell into cursed
150 OF TEMPTATION.
snares and entanglements; and that hath brought us into the woful condition you see!" Nay, if a man could look into the dungeons of hell, and see the poor damned souls that lie bound in chains of dark- ness, and hear their cries, what would he be taught? What do they say? Are they not cursing their tempters, and the temptations that they entered in? And shall we be negligent in this thing? Solomon tells us that the " simple one that follows the strange woman knows not that the dead are there, that her house inclineth to death, and her paths to the dead" (which he repeats three times) ; and that is the reason that he ventures on her snares. If you knew what hath been done by entering into temptation, perhaps you would be more watch- fid and careful. Men may think that they shall do well enough not- withstanding ; but, " Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burnt? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt?" Prov. vi. 27, 28. No such thing; men come not out of their temp- tation without wounds, burnings, and scars. I know not any place in the world where there is more need of pressing this exhortation than in this place. Go to our several colleges, inquire for such and such young men ; what is the answer in respect of many? " Ah ! such a one was very hoj)eful for a season ; but he fell into ill company, and he is quite lost. Such a one had some good beginning of religion, we were in great expectation of him ; but he is fallen into temptation." And so in other places. " Such a one was useful and humble, adorned the gospel ; but now he is so wofully entangled with the world that he is grown all self, hath no sap nor savour. Such a one was humble and zealous; but he is advanced, and hath lost his first love and ways." Oh ! how full is the world, how full is this place, of these woful ex- amples; to say nothing of those innumerable poor creatures who are fallen into temptation by delusions in religion. And is it not time for us to awake before it be too late, — to watch against the first rising of sin, the first attempts of Satan, and all ways whereby he hath made his approaches to ns, be they never so harmless in themselves?