Commentary on Judges, Sermon 84
THE EIGHTIE FOVRE SERMON ON THE XVI. CHAPTER OF THE BOOKE OF IVDGES.
THe third attempting of Samſon by Delilah followeth in Verſ. 13. 14.theſe next two verſes: For ſhee ſeeing hee dealt ſo ſlightly in the matter, and that he did not in good earneſt forbid her to meddle any more about it, but ſtill dallied with her, ſhe tooke his deniall but in ſport, and therfore ſets vponupon him againe, not deſpairing, but that by importuning him, ſhee might in time preuaile and ouercome him. By this we may learne, that if we reſiſt finne houerly, (and in Doct.that ſo waighty a matter as this was, as ſtriking at our happineſſe) and deale ſlightly and looſely about it, when all that wee can doe againſt it is little enough to withſtand it, wee can giuegive no further token that wee will fall into, and commit the ſinne it ſelfe, and that ſhortly.
For the diuell and his wicked inſtruments that lie in the way to deceiue vsus, and to draw vsus into the ſnare; they are wiſe in diſcerning, and artificial in marking how we goe to worke, and how farre we hold backe from yeelding to tentations: If we doe it earneſtly with ſtrength of reaſon reſolutely to diſſwade our ſelues from the ſame, and be feruent and conſtant therein, we put them to their ſhifts to inuent arguments of greater force, whereby they may be in better hope to preuaile with vsus. As the diuell dealt with our Saniour according to his reſolute and ſtrong deniall, in moſt ſlie and ſubtill Mat. 4. 4, 5.manner. But if we refuſe the bait but faintly, as Balaam did (for al the ſhewes Numb. 22. 38. 2. Pet. 2. 15. Iud. 11.he made) the wages of iniquity that was offered him; or if we ſhew that we feare not the danger greatly which is like to enſue, but ſtand ſtrongly in our owne conceit, that wee can eaſily withſtand the ſin in the vpſhot, and that we hauehave no need to be counſelled about or againſt it, as the moſt at this day do ſo deceiue themſelues; the diuell hath what he would at our hands, and doubts not but to draw vsus into the ſnare to commit the ſinne ſhortly, euen as theſe that I ſpeake of do finde and feele to their coſt, for all the confidence that they ſeeme to hauehave.
Samſon in this third attempt, was ſo far off from giuing her ouer, hauing twice tryed that ſhe ſought his life and vtter vndoing, that yet hee anſweres Doct. 2.her the third time; ſuch was his effeminate ſottiſhneſſe: ſo that howſoeuer hee thought ſtill to conceale the ſecret from her, and to keepe himſelfe free from vttering it, euen as before thitherto he had done; yet hee began now in this third attempt, to ſlide and ſlip in further, and to ſtagger as a drunken man, little conſidering what he did. For hee was tampering about his lockes now before he told her the very thing that ſhe asked, and ſo came neerer to the bewraying and vttering that which ſhee ſought of him: as if hee could hardly conceale it from her; ſaying to her, that if his lockes were faſtened to the threeds of the woofe with a pin, hee ſhould be weakened, and be as another man. And ſhe, thinking indeed that hee came now more neere the very point, ſeeing he ſpake of his lockes; ſhe by and by made triall of his words, and hauing done ſo, ſhe called the Philiſtims againe to ſet vponupon him; but as yet hee held backe from yeelding to her, and once more withſtood and deceiued her, although hee had much adoe (as we ſee) to keepe it from her.
Whereby wee may ſee, that when men giuegive themſelues liberty and full Doct.ſcope to talke too and fro of things dangerous and hurtfull, and take liking therein, and will auoid no occaſions, nor reſiſt no tentations drawing and leading thereto, they ſhall not chuſe but bee ſnared and caught therewith, though they intend no ſuch thing, (as it came to paſſe to him) and ſo they Note.ſhall hardly forbeare and containe themſelues from running headlong, and being giuen ouer thereto. For when they are led away of their owne concupiſcence, as Saint Iames ſaith, they are inticed alſo, and ſnared, ſo that they Iam. 1. 14.cannot well go off nor on, but more ready to conſent, as wee ſee Samſon did afterward, telling his whole heart vntounto her. Euen ſo I ſay, men ſhall by oft and long tampering with the ſinne whereto they are too neerely affected, come more readily and ſpeedily to the conſenting to it, and the committing of it, who ſhould rather turne away, and weane themſelues, and that betimes, from the leaſt liking or longing after it, much leſſe ſhould they haſten it on by liberall talking of it. For if we will ſuffer our ſelues to be importuned in all caſes, medling with them when we need not, who doubteth but that we ſhall much eaſilier yeeld thereto. Thoſe whom commonly wee call men of good natures, being once tainted by leaud company, grow firſt diſſolute, and by degrees deſperate: but they wax rotten by degrees, as wee ſee fruit by long lying doth. And as wee ſee in the running out of the houreglaſſe, that eueryevery part of the ſands courſe is the haſtening of the houre to an end, though the laſt paſſage of it be the actuall ending the reof: ſo may we ſay of Samſon his dallying, and houering replies, that euen the firſt, ſecond, and third were the preparations to the final bewraying of the ſecret, though the fourth onelyonly confeſſed it actually. If the fourth had been away, the matter had been whole, but the fourth was in the firſt, in the ſecond, and in the third (though more obſcurely) enfolded. Alas, at his firſt ſhifting he thought hee might hauehave proceeded ſtill. But as the ſecret at the firſt daſh was too waighty to vtter: ſo after two or three dalliances, the tentation preuailed, and was too ſtrong for him any longer to ſhift off, withhold, or reſiſt. And the like let vsus know, euen as this alſo is, to be ſpokon vntounto vsus.
The fourth attempt followeth, in the which ſhee gaue him the deadly Verſ. 15. 16. 17.blow. For when no warning will ſerue, how can a man chuſe but fall into the danger (how great ſoeuer it be) which he would by no meanes auoide while he might? But let vsus heare the dealing of them both. She is growne now more ſubtill then before. For wee are not to thinke that theſe things were done betwixt them on one day, or on foure daies together, (as the acts are heere ſet downe to be in number foure) immediately following one another; but with ſome ſpace betwixt them, that ſhe might take fit occaſion in a more ſubtill manner to renue her ſuite and requeſt againe. Shee beginneth therefore with him in this manner; that whereas hee had told her hee loued her, ſhee ſubtilly anſwered, ſhee ſaw hee loued her not, becauſe his heart was not with her, but hee had mocked her now three times, and had not told her that which ſhe asked of him. And through her ſubtill and ſecret winding into him, and her impudent importunity, and earneſt vrging of him, for all his wiſedome (as he thought) in holding her off with lies and delaies, in ieſting manner; yet he thinking by her following of the matter, that ſhe was in good earneſt with him, in ſaying hee grieued her becauſe ſhe ſaw he loued her not, he was brought thereby to pitie her, and to be ſo wounded with her ſubtil flattering of him, and diſſembling with him, that he was ſore vexed to ſee her ſo grieued: and therefore as great woe as it was like to bring to himſelfe, he neuer duly conſidered it but was ouercome and told her according to her deſire, all his heart, euen how hee might bee brought to loſe his ſtrength. This for the ſumme of theſe three verſes.
But now let vsus weigh theſe things more particularly. In the 15. verſe, by Doct. verſ. 15.the ſubtilty the woman had learned now at the laſt (who told him he loued her not, when yet ſhe knew he doted on her) we ſee how artificiall the wicked do eaſily grow, (for herein we need not doubt but that ye like offenders now, are like her) and how ſoone the deceiuers in their attempts doe waxe worſe and worſe, and more ripe in ſubtilty and deceiuing, then they were before. So ſaith Paul to Timothy. So that if there were any to obſerue it, how 2. Tim 3. 12.(for the moſt part) men are fitted to this trade; to wit, that how meanely and bungerly ſoeuer they go to worke in compariſon, when they begin the world, I meane for ſubtilty, ouer they doe afterward: but how ſoone they grow ripe in this faculty, and that in eueryevery kinde of euill dealing, as experience ſheweth too cleerely; I ſay if men obſerued it, they would confeſſe no leſſe then I ſay.
Whether we ſpeake of them that begin in vnlawfull trades and courſes, as in whoredome, oppreſſion, flattery, beguiling, or in any ſuch; or in thoſe which are lawfull; as buying, ſelling, letting houſe and land, or other earthly dealings, (as may bee ſeene in the vniuſt Steward, what euill practiſes are Luk. 16. 3.vſed in all theſe,) and what cunning and craft are found out and inuented, to goe one beyond another, otherwiſe then in times paſt, for the moſt part they hauehave done; it is admirable to conſider it. In all which they ſhew plainly, that they do not to any purpoſe, mind nor ſet their hearts vponupon any better things, howſoeuer ſome of them will beare vsus in hand that they doe, and that they will ſerue God as well as the beſt. And not only ſo, but (that which would leſſe be thought) how long is it, before they that imbrace the Goſpell grow to be experienced, and well ſeaſoned with ſuch true and ſauing knowledge of holy doctrine, as whereby they abhorre ſuch dregges and doings, and attaine to the finding of the Chriſtian life to be meate and drinke to them. And how few are there that doe ſo? So that it may worthily bee complained of, yea lamented with teares, if there were eueryevery where ſuch as could doe it, to ſee both the fewneſſe of this latter ſort, and how many there be eueryevery where ſwarming of the former. But of this ripeneſſe of ſinne elſewhere. Yet this I adde, (that which I vtter with griefe) euen theſe ripe headed and nimble fellowes, who grow ſo ſoone maſters of their trade before they hauehave ſerued halfe a Prentiſhip, ſhall riſe vp and condemne many of the better ſort for their block-headed backwardneſſe in matter of religion and Chriſtianity, after ſo long training vp in Gods ſchoole. This age ſhould bee ripeſt in grace and skill how to paſſe the time moſt fruitfully and ioyfully: and neuer age had ſuch dullards and dunces in ſearching into themſelues, and trying whether they be in the ſtate of ſaluation or no, and in ſeeking acquaintance with God, conſidering that it hath the helpes of all former examples, and preſent meanes to this purpoſe, greater then euer age had ſince the Apoſtles time. If it be, who ſhall domineere ouer others, and ſet vp himſelfe, who ſhall cogge and coſen, or goe beyond his neighbour to deceiue him, and who hath more ſtrings to his bow to ſhift, ſcrape, and rake pelfe together howſoeuer; then our age may commence the higheſt degree in this profeſſion. Skill and ripeneſſe in miſchiefe is not bounded only within them of Delilahs trade (though doubtleſſe the ſtrumpets of old ages were punies to them of ours for all ſubtilty and villany) but extends as farre as the Prince of this world hath any ſubiects. But if ye go to enquire who hath made the Chriſtian life eaſie, by conſtancy in obedience, who liueth a ſweet life and void of ſorrow by reſolute purpoſe and endeuour of abſtaining from all euill, and by watching ouer his heart and life alwaies, alſo who enioyeth that liberty which God alloweth, to reſt aſſured of his louelove, and ſo to goe in and out before him, from one duty to another, without vnſetledneſſe, wearines, Note.and diſquietneſſe. In a word, if ye enquire who is the man that hath ſo improued the doctrine of the Goſpell, as that hee hath found that hundredfold Mat. 19. 29.meaſure of contentment for reiecting lying vanities, ſo that hee is become a light and example to others, like thoſe Theſſalonians whom Paul 1. Theſ. 1. 7.calles paternes, and thoſe Saints whom Dauid calleth excellent: If (I ſay) Pſal 16. 3.inquirie be made after theſe (which yet are the beſt of all other) yee ſhall finde or meete with few, that ſee into them, affect them, or can anſwere any great matter about them: Oh, eueryevery little is enough in godlineſſe, men are content with mediocritie heere, which in godlineſſe is a vice, and no vertue. So that there is a perfection and maſterſhip in Gods trade alſo, and without compariſon the greateſt gaine: but the worke is tedious, or men vnhappie that cannot hit vponupon it.
Samſon being ſo blindfolded with her beautie, that hee was now become ſicke for ſeeing her grieued, ſo that now he muſt reſt no more with her, but in good earneſt he muſt vtter his ſecret to her, or elſe he loued her not, as ſhe charged him; and how could ſhe beare that vnkindneſſe at his hands, that ſhe louing him ſo dearely, (as ſhe made him thinke ſhe did by her ſubtiltie) he on the other ſide ſhould not care for her, he being (I ſay) thus blindfolded, this oft and importunate vrging him by her, ſo wounded him, that rather then hee would hauehave a thought that hee was cut off from her louelove, (which was death to him to thinke) hee could hold her off no longer, but told her that which ſhe asked of him, till hee felt too late that hee was vndone, to make all others afraid by his example, to make a ſport of ſinne, and to trifle in matters of ſuch conſequence.
Here this may be learned by Samſon, that they who will be companions Verſ. 16.in ſinne ieſtingly, and in dalliance (thinking yet with themſelues, that they will goe no further) they ſhall fall to it in good earneſt, and ſhall not bee able to auoid it. This might bee exemplified in many particulars. I pray giuegive vsus leaue to be merrie, ſaith the wanton, we meane no harme: No, but harme waiteth you by your dalliance. An angrie and moody perſon (who yet knowes how dangerous a ſinne anger is) giuing reine to himſelfe; and reſiſting no occaſions, in time ſtrikes and wounds, and at length kils in his rage; yet ye muſt let him alone, he cannot but be angry, he ſaith, being prouoked, but when he hath ſpoken he hath done. Nay, many a man hath vndone himſelfe ere he hath done, and all by dallying with his ſinne. It is ill playing with Beares, and Lions, or fierce creatures, for there is no amiable Note.qualitie in them: but ſinne of all other is the moſt hideous monſter, and no man is more in danger to be deuoured of it, then hee that playeth with it. This, not onelyonly the prophane of the world doe proue to bee true, to the ſhame of many of them which would be better thought of, but euen the godly doe finde it ſo, when for yeelding to their luſts and bad deſires too farre, they hauehave no power ouer themſelues, but are brought to that point, that either their conſciences diſquiet and ſore torment them, or they bring foorth in the ſight of all men the ſinne, which they too much gaue ouer themſelues vntounto, and delighted in; as we hauehave heard of Dauid. Let it bee a warning to all how they dally with ſinne, and ieſt about it, he is neerer them then they are aware, Satan I meane, who drawing them to goe on the brim and banck of the riuer, will plunge them headlong into the bottome and depth of it; but let men rather be farre off from treading in the ſteps that leade thereto: as I hauehave before obſerued out of his three-fold dallying anſwere, and therefore in this will be briefer.
Another thing heere of Samſon let vsus learne, that it is euen death to men to bee put from their vnlawfull delights and pleaſures, when they hauehave once giuen ouer themſelues brutiſhly and ſottiſhly vntounto them, as hee was vexed almoſt to the death to heare her to tell him, ſhe muſt forſake him, and could not louelove him, if his hart was no more toward her, then ſhe ſaw; which yet ſhe ſpake but in groſſe diſſembling. All bondage is grieuous; but what is greater then bondage to an whore? when a man cannot but cling to her, and be at her lure, whoſe heart is falſe toward him, and ſeeketh his deſtruction. We muſt take heed that we reſt not in the beſt things that are ſubiect to change, but much more that wee hang not our ſecuritie vponupon deceitfull pleaſures, & eſpecially of all other, vponupon a wicked & alluring woman, whō rather then Samſon would once thinke of forgoing, behold, he ſhameth not to abandon God; conſcience and all, not to ſpeake of the outward miſchief Note.that enſued. And ſurely if this be true of Samſon, who ſinned againſt conſcience all this while, what ſhall we ſay of them who commit ſecret filthines with greedines, and yet without remorſe? What a death is it to them (think we) to be pluckt by violence from their old acquaintance, which by cuſtom is become as the poore mans lambe, whom Nathan deſcribes to Dauid, euen 2. Sam. 12. 3.as his ſonne? Therefore when men hauehave liued a long time in a lewd courſe without let, how welcome is death to them that makes an vtter ſeparation betweene them and their luſts, which liued before in as ſtreight league and vnion as the ſoule and body together? Oh bondage vnſpeakable! to bee inwardly Note.linked to the louelove of that which can neither be enioied but with extreame miſerie, nor forgone but with intollerable vexation. Let this be one motiue among others to humble the ſinner before God, and to ſhew him how out of meaſure ſinfull his corrupt nature is: as alſo to teach him not ſo eagerly to purſue his luſts, except he will bring a world of ſorrow vponupon himſelfe, when the time of forſaking them is come. For what though at the laſt caſt many a man renounces the old courſes of vngodlines, and repents him, yea and is aſhamed of his doings? this is when the conſcience is terrified by ſome violent feare or griefe: not while hee hath his will, and proſpereth in his euil. And yet, alas, who ſeeth not that theſe terrors when they ſeaze vponupon any, (for we muſt not think they ſeaze vpō al, many dying ſots as they liued without feeling) for the moſt part vaniſh away and come to nothing; ſo that thoſe great penitents, if they get vp and recouer their maladie, how far doe they put from them the remembrance of the former trouble, and ſhew, that it was diſtaſtfull vntounto them, and forced them in the bitternes thereof to Note.ſay any thing; but now they are at libertie they returne againe as naturally to their byas, as the ſtone falleth downward. Oh therefore pray and labour that it may bee good, which ye ſet your hearts on and delight in, being accounted of you as moſt precious: for the end elſe will be more bitter in the parting, then euer the louelove was in enioying. LoueLove the beſt things and feare not to exceed meaſure; for beſides the vnſpeakable and ſound ioy they affoord, this they alſo yeeld, euen a perpetuitie, they ſhall neuer bee pulled away, as our Sauiour ſaith, this ioy ſhall no man take from you.Iohn 26. 22.
Now he was ſo wrought on by her, that as wiſe as hee thought himſelfe, in purpoſing that ſhee ſhould neuer know that which ſhee ſought at his Verſ. 17.hands; yet becauſe he gaue place to his wicked affections, he was not onelyonly ſnared and in danger as before, but now told all vntounto her: to wit, that there neuer came raſor on his head: but if his lockes were cut off, he ſhould loſe his ſtrength; which was as much as if he had told her, how they might take his life from him, and bring all ſhame and ſorrow vponupon him, as they did in deed: and yet more then this, hee might (though to ſmall effect) hauehave ſaid to her, to wit, beſide all this euill which I ſhall ſuſtaine hereby, I doe alſo ſet the Lord againſt me, to depriue me of his grace, and all this for thy ſake: for thus much (doubtleſſe) he ſuffered for her.
By which, ſo many good obſeruations ariſe, as a wiſe man may be to ſeek Doct. 1.with which to begin firſt. But briefly of two or three. One is this: that we ſhall not need to complaine of the hurt and wrong that other doe vntounto vsus, which how common it is, all places doe witneſſe; for none are greater enemies to vsus, then our ſelues. Were hee not a monſter of men that ſhould offer Note.but the one halfe of this vntounto vsus, that Samſon did to himſelfe, as here may be ſeene? But behold, all this, and no leſſe, doe ſome, nay very many, offer to themſelues. We ſtorme, rage, and crie out of other, if they hold but a little of our due from vsus: and much more, if wee ſuſtaine greater hurt by them; whereas we by our ſinnes, worke our owne woe, and yet through blind ſelfloue we are neuer angrie with our ſelues, when yet wee could finde in our hearts to purſue others vntounto death. Oh rend we our hearts for our ſins, and be deeply diſpleaſed with our ſelues for them. All theſe Philiſtims could not hauehave done Samſon the miſchiefe which he did himſelfe by his owne folly, or rather madneſſe. But if they had attempted any ſuch matter againſt him, as to make him infamous, as hee made himſelfe, would he not ſtreight hauehave reuenged it? Nay, did hee not reuenge it in the ſequell? But, to leaue him (who ſinned not in reuenging) and come to our ſelues; who is he that dare but iuſtly reproue vsus for a fault, (be it neuer ſo groſſe) but he ſhall hauehave our badge and liuerie preſently, and we thinke him our enemie, and watch our ſeaſon to be euen with him, as Eſau dealt with his brother Iacob. And yet Gen. 27. 41.ſo farre is a louing reproofe from hurting vsus, that if wee were the men wee ſhould be, it might keepe the hurt we ſpeake of, from lighting vponupon vsus, and be as a precious balme vntounto our heads. Well then (will a wiſe man ſay) I Pſal. 141. 5.ſee theſe men are i alous of themſelues, and their owne hurt, if they can endure no other to touch them but they will flee in his face, they will be long enough (it is to be hoped) ere they wrong themſelues willingly. Indeede the reaſon is ſenſible, but the proofe is moſt prepoſterous. For that man that will not take the loſſe of a penny at anothers hand without ſtorming, will ſpend many a pound to hauehave his wicked deſire ſatisfied; nay he will vndoe himſelfe and ſtrip himſelfe of all he hath; and yet thinke neuer the worſe of himſelfe when hee hath done; nay, no man may tell him of it neither. Therefore if we will preuent outcries and late repentance for time to come, (for there is a time when ſuch fooles crie out; I am loſt, I hauehave vndone my ſelfe) let vsus learne that the way to become our owne beſt friends, is to be greateſt enemies to the ſinne which moſt preuaileth in vsus, as that which threatneth our greateſt deſolation. God will take that mans part againſt Note.himſelfe, who moſt ſtriueth to hate himſelfe, I meane the corruption within him, which is as deare to him as himſelfe. And till wee be come to this point, that we can hauehave as heartie indignation at our ſin that we hauehave moſt delighted in, as wee hauehave againſt others for no cauſe, or ſometime againſt Note.our ſelues for being circumuented and ouerſhot in a bargaine by a cunning coſener; we are farre from repentance, or from that eſtate that a wiſe man ſhould reſt in, though the worke bee difficult (I confeſſe) which I ſpeake of. But about this buſineſſe though a man hauehave many, and thoſe great enemies to hinder him; yet his ſinfull heart is more dangerous then all, and by the trecherie whereof onelyonly, all other enemies doe him miſchiefe. And doubtleſſe the diuell and the ſtrongeſt allurements rebound backe, and hurt not, neither enter, where the heart lieth not open to euill, and vnfenced againſt it. The euill that remaineth in the beſt, occaſioneth all externall euill enemies to ſtirre it vp and encreaſe it. The pure Angels hauehave the diuels their enuious enemies. Nay, ſinne makes God our enemie, (not for euer, if euer we were reconciled to him) while it lieth harboured and vnremoued: but otherwiſe, though hee correct vsus, yet hee loueth vsus, as a father his children. The cauſe is much more the enemie, I meane ſinne, then the effect, which is Gods enmitie. And therefore when hee afflicteth for ſinne, count not him our enemie, no nor the croſſe which hee inflicteth: but patiently beare it, and ſay, I will goe vnderunder my triall willingly, ſeeing I hauehave ſinned, and turne my griefe againſt my chiefe enemie, knowing that except that, which is my ſinne, vndoe me, no other thing ſhall, but turne to my good rather.
Alſo by this that Samſon was brought to that which hee neuer meant to 2bee, to wit, to vtter his ſecret to a baſe houſewife, by the following him on with her importunitie; note what force is in it. The widow by importunitie Luke 18. 5.ouercame the wicked Iudge, to grant her iuſtice, though he had no mind ſo to doe. But let vsus ſee that it be for good, when men be importunate with vsus for any thing; or elſe turne wee away from hearing them, as Ioſeph did from his alluring Miſtreſſe. And let vsus ſpecially vſe this importunitie and Gen. 39. 10.earneſt ſuite, as our Sauiour hath willed vsus, that is, to God in our prayers: for if the wicked Iudge would be moued (ſaith our Sauiour) to heare the poore Luke 18. 7.widow, leſt ſhe ſhould make him wearie, ſhall not God auenge his elect that crie to him day and night? Of this more largely in the 14. Chapter by the like occaſion.
Againe, me thinkes this anſwere of Samſon to ſuch a ſtrumpet, [I am a 3Nazarite, &c. if my locks be cut off, I ſhall be as another man] ſauoureth of incredible ſottiſhnes, and argueth plainly, that a wretched ſinner, who breaketh not off his courſe, till he be in the heate and power of his ſinne, can no other doe then yeeld to the tyrannie thereof; as hee that is bound hand and foote is carried whither his creditor or aduerſarie, not whither himſelfe liſteth. It cannot be enough to excuſe Samſon, that if he might hauehave had his will, hee would rather hauehave choſen to hauehave kept his ſecret: So it is like, but who brought him into the ſtockes, and ſet him by the heeles, who brought him to this ſtreight, that hee would not but doe that which hee deſired to ſhunne? Himſelfe, his headſtrong luſt, which hauing once got the hand ouer Note.him, vſed him impotently, and made him a ſtark beaſt and ſlauiſh foole. He knew the ſorrow which muſt ineuitably enſue vponupon his betraying himſelfe, yet hath he (I ſay not the grace, that was now vnderunder boord) but not the ſtrength to containe himſelfe. I ſaid my minde touching this vponupon the 4. verſe, [Entice him, &c.] but now the execution of the plot doth more liuely preſent to our eyes the nature of ſinne, that it takes wiſedome from a man firſt, and then impoſeth what conditions it pleaſeth: knowing that a man would neuer be ſuch a vaſſall, ſo long as he is in his right minde, and not out of his wits. As Samſon could ſay, I am a Nazarite, &c. ſo he could hauehave ſaid, By this ſin, I ſhall make my ſelfe of the pureſt worſhipper of God, the moſt prophane creature and execrable. But Samſon would not ſay ſo, at leaſt not weigh it, but deſperatly runnes vponupon the pikes. Doubtleſſe he had not had the power, though his ſaluation had lien vponupon it, at this time to preuent it: (but bleſſed bee God who holdeth his election, when men hauehave loſt their grace in their feeling) Samſon had loſt his eyes, ere the Philiſtims put them out. This let me a little more enforce vponupon ſo iuſt an occaſion, then I did in the fourth verſe. Who will not boldly auerre and affirme this, and ſay; Tell me what ſinne is, and proue to me by good euidence, that it will bring ſuch ſorrow as Samſons, Peters, Dauids, Salomons, did to them; and then if I commit it, count me a foole indeed? Put in one thing more, and I will beleeue thee; If, when the occaſion is offered, Gods grace bee ſtirring and effectuall in thee by watchfulnes and iealouſie ouer thy ſelfe, then thou wilt abſtaine vponupon that meditation. But (alas) who finds that grace in the ſtrength oftentatiō who ſought it not before? without which, yet thou maiſt hauehave matter enough in thy minde to diſſwade and flaite thee, (I will not denie) but thou ſhalt hauehave ſmall liſt or power to weigh and ponder it, nay thy intangled and drunken heart will make a ſot of thy minde, and a moſt diſguiſed beaſt of thee. An heart infatuate with luſt, ſtoppeth and freeſeth vp the paſſage of the knowledge, that it cannot ſuccour the poore diſtreſſed and embondaged ſoule, but leaue it to ſhift. We conclude then, Samſons ſin was not preſumptuous, but impotencie, yet vnauoidable, the caſe ſtanding as it did. Oh then ſtill learne; men hauehave not quit themſelues well, as ſoone as they hauehave ſpoken a bold word againſt ſinne in generall. For when it comes to particulars, what doe men? I will hauehave his blood (ſaith a curſed Cain) though I be hanged preſently, yet hee knoweth the ſhame and woe thereof. Of ſome Iewes (not all, for ſome knew well enough) the Scripture ſaith; If they had knowne, they would not hauehave crucified the Lord of life. And ſometimes, I denie not, ciuill men are kept from crimes by this meane, and good men from offending, though ſtrongly tempted to goe through ſtifly. But this is no rule. And I ſtill ſay to thee, (that ſhall reade this) beware of dalliance, and venturing farre: for thou ſhalt hauehave no power to withdraw, when thou wouldeſt, who wouldeſt not when thou mighteſt. Truſt not thy ſelfe, thy ſtrength in this caſe will be a bruſed reede. The beſt lawes leaue as little to the Iudge as may be, becauſe man is ſubiect to corruption: and except Gods grace be a law within thee, ſuſpect that in a ſtrong purſuite of luſt, thou who art as Iudge to aduiſe thy ſelfe, wilt hardly be a law to thy ſelfe to gouerne thee. But if thou be fearfull to giuegive a little libertie to thine heart in euill, a great Note.ſhall not maſter thee: if thou feare anger, thou ſhalt be no murtherer: if thou flee from the baite, the ſnare ſhall not catch thee. Euer beare this in minde; Sinne as it groweth, it will be predominant and get the maſterie. And a man may as well be mad with reaſon, as ſinne with reaſon, and think to moderate himſelf when he will yeeld once, and be euer a ſlaue: for ſinne will force thee to yeeld after, euen as a ſtrong fit of an ague maketh him to doe, whom it ſtrongly ſhaketh. Thus much for this time.