Meditations Upon the Lords Prayer, Treatise · Petition 6
The ſixth Petition.
And lead us not into Temptation; But deliver us from evil.
1. THis, and the laſt preceding Petition, being annexed to the fourth by the Copulative AND, as a foreſaid, compleat all things neceſſary to accompliſh our well-being in this Life. We ſtand in perpetual need, as to our external happineſs, of what is pray'd for in theſe three laſt Petitions; and therefore the Apoſtle exhorteth us, to pray continually; which Duty every Pious man conſcientiouſly performeth: For, it is not intended we ſhould be always exerciſed in vocal prayer, minding nothing elſe; in regard that is neither neceſſary, nor required, nor poſſible. It will be ſufficient and acceptable to perform that duty daily as oft as occaſions are offered; (as theſe words in the fourth Petition imply, Give us this day our daily bread) keeping our ſelves always in a readineſs to lift up our hands, voices and hearts in Prayer and Thankſgivings to God, for our Selves, Relations and Friends, as we are ingaged by duty or promiſe; yea, and for our Enemies, as neceſſities require: For, this is always implicitely done, whenſoever we offer up this Prayer, intentionally including all that is thereby prayed for; and having our heart put into ſuch a Frame, that it is willing and ſtriving, ſo far as it can extend, to take in all things to be deſired, on the behalf of God, of our ſelves or others; for, then, it is as truely, (though not ſo ſenſibly) prayed for, as if particularly named; and they who are kept in this poſture, can never long forget to pray explicitely, for them in words, whom they are obliged to remember, by promiſe, by natural affection, or Chriſtian Charity; eſpecially, in immergent Temptations, Calamities, times of extream want and troubles, which being the ſeaſons wherein God hath incouraged us to call upon him with a promiſe of hearing and deliverance. Temptations are the moſt hazzardous of all the reſt, and thoſe moſt perilſome whereinto we caſt our ſelves. St. James ſaith 1. 13. Let no man ſay when he is tempted, that he it tempted of God; for, God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man; but every one is tempted, inticed, and drawn away by his own luſts. When luſt hath conceived, it bringeth forth ſin, and when ſin is finiſhed, it bringeth forth death: yet, by many places in holy Scripture, and by the words of this Prayer, it ſeemeth implyed, that God tempteth ſome; for, Chriſt would not have taught us to pray for deliverance from the evil conſequence, of that which never was or ſhall be done. It is therefore true, that we are not tempted of God, as by the World, the Fleſh, and the Devil, to commit that which is abſolutely ſinful: or, to do ought which may bring miſchiefs or Inconveniences upon us without remedy, or any future diſadvantage, as by theſe Tempters. But, he ſometimes expoſeth us unto temptations, and otherwhile; doth lead us into them, either for our Probation, to give us experimental knowledge of our frailties, and of his Mercies; or, to make our prudence and patience exemplary to others; and that we may be honoured, ſecured, or ſome other way advantaged thereby: as when Job was expoſed to the Devils malice for a Tryal of his Patience; and when our Saviour was led by the ſpirit into the Wilderneſs to be tempted of the Devil. God, likewiſe leaves always an Iſſue open out of thoſe Temptations whereinto he leadeth, and provideth, means whereby we may eſcape thoſe evils, which then are, or may be brought upon us; and is ſo far from intending ought to our diſadvantage thereby, that he preſerves us from the evil of thoſe temptations, whereinto we wilfully run; and which the world and the malice of the Devil deſign for out deſtruction: thus doing, not onelyonly, when we endeavour and pray for it, but many times alſo, when we neither minde him or our own peril or ſafeties.
2. Our Firſt-parents when they were in their innocency, ſeem to have been led into a twofold Temptation. It was a Temptation to have ſuch a Tree planted in the moſt perſpicuous place of the Garden, that was deſirable by Nature; and the forbidding to taſte a Fruit ſo deſirable as that was, doubled the Temptation; yea and ſomewhat more, if the humane Nature had been then as prone to do what is forbidden, as it hath been ever ſince: for as the Heathen Poet ſaid,
Nitimur in vetitum ſemper, cupimuſ que , negata.
Things which we are forbid to do,
We ſtill have a deſire unto.
But GOD expoſed them, thereunto, for Probation onelyonly, not to bring evil on them; yea, that they might be confirmed in their Integrity by their obedience: For, he had planted the Tree of Life in the ſame Garden, and had given them will and power to forbear what he had forbidden, if (by giving more credit to his enemy then to him) they had not been inclined to that ſelfneſs which made the Temptation prevalent. And, though God fore-knew what they would do, it is evident he intended them no evil but good, in regard he had eternally decreed a Remedy whereby the Devils malice ſhould be turned both to the advantage of them, and of ſo many of their Poſterity, as did not wilfully neglect, what he enabled them to perfom. God, tempted Abraham to ſacrifice his Son, (which according to his own humane Laws, was an apparent ſin) but, when he had made trial of his obedience, to make his Faith exemplary to all his Poſterity in the fleſh, (as alſo to them, who ſhould be his ſpiritual ſeed in the ſame Faith;) God, who knew before what he would do, ſorbad the execution of his own command; and rewarded Abraham with the greateſt temporary Bleſſing, alſo, that ever was conferred upon a meer mortal man; becauſe, he ſaw him proſecute what he had injoyn'd, even to the very ſtroke of death, out of pure obedience, love and confidence in him, though the Actmight not onelyonly for ever deprive him of his beſt beloved Son, but probably render him infamous alſo throughout all Generations, for ſo unnatural and inhumane a murther, as that would have been vulgarly reputed. When God leadeth, expoſeth, or (if it may be ſo called) tempteth any man, to the open profeſſing, acting, or ſuffering of ought for his glory, which may bring ſuch great fears or terrible ſufferings, as uſually tempt men to diſtruſt his aſſiſtance, and cauſes them to Apoſtatize from their duties and profeſſions, he there leaves them not as the Devil and the World doth; but, alwayes ſtrengthens to the end, and delivers them from their fears and torments (yea, makes their torments a pleaſure and an honour to them) as when the three Children were caſt into the Firy Fornace; or elſe he carries them through it into Abrahams boſome, as he did Lazarus.
3. God is ſo far from tempting any to that, which may bring on them more evil then good, that whoſoever, by ignorance, deluſion, or by both, ſhall without unjuſt ſelf-ends or malice to others, proſecute an unjuſtifiable deſign to the loſs of his life, by the Laws of men; if he then did it conſcienciouſly in Zeal to Gods honour, believing unfaignedly it was approveable, and he thereto in duty obliged (truely repenting his other miſactings, and that ſo far forth alſo, as he ſhall be convinced if was evil) I am perſwaded, God will not charge that upon him to his everlaſting condemnation, though it be a ſin in its own Nature: For, God otherwhile permitteth ſome of his well-affected Servants, to commit ſins whereunto they are tempted by their own ignorance or failings; and to ſuffer openly and ignominiouſly for them, that, their Brethren may be thereby made the more heedful; and that his wilful Enemies may be thereby hardned to their deſtruction: For, he often hardens the hearts of wilful Offenders, to perſevere in thoſe tranſgreſſion, whereunto the Devil, the World, or their own Fleſh hath tempted them; becauſe, they would not hear, know, and execute Juſtice, when they might ſo have done, by his counſel, and proffered aſſiſtance, This was exemplified in Pharaoh, Saul, Jeroboam, Jehu and others. But, it cannot be properly called a tempting by God, or a leading them into temptation, when he leaves or gives men opportunities after precautions? to do thoſe Evils, which they had a premeditated reſolution and deſire to execute of their own accord, to fulfil their own Luſts; for they need no Temptations from without themſelves: God, tempteth none, but for their probation onelyonly, to their advantage; and then, accompanies it with Gratious means to preſerve them both from all wicked Actions, and thoſe evil conſequences which may enſue.
4. This is implyed, by reading theſe words, Lead us not, in this ſence, as ſome do, (which the Original will bear) thus; Let us n…t be ſo led into temptation, but that we may be delivered from the evil conſequences thereof. I can pray abſolutely for this mercy, and for all ſuch, as are abſolutely promiſed, and warranted to thoſe who ask them in Fait: But, I dare not to pray abſolutely for obtaining, or for Deliverance from any outward thing, which I naturally moſt deſire or fear (no not from all temptations, proſperities or adverſities, joy or ſorrow, life or death,) ſave with reference to Gods will; for, of all theſe, (the laſt excepted) I have had experience, whereby I finde that, through Gods Mercy, the worſt (according to our opinion of them) have been as profitable unto me as the beſt. I, therefore leave the giving, or taking them away, to Gods good pleaſure; and all I abſolutely pray for, is, that they may be directed, employed, ſuffered or enjoyed to his glory, and my eternal Salvation; and to this end we ought always to pray for deliverance from thoſe Temptations which we are led into as well by our ordinary callings as otherwiſe; and to be watchful alſo, left by degrees, we are inſenſibly ſurpriſed, by adventuring a little and a little further, until by preſumption, we are loſt irrecoverably before we are aware. I cannot deny, but that it was a good prayer of Agur the ſon of Jaketh which he prayed, Prov. 30. Give me neither poverty nor riches, and feed we with food convenient for we, left I be full and deny the Lord, or be poor and ſteal, to the blaſpheming of his Name; yet, I cannot abſolutely pray for any more then my Daily bread, but leave the reſt to Gods Will, becauſe, I know that by his Grace, we may glorifie him, both in poverty and wealth, in proſperity and adverſity; and that there are as well advantages as diſadvantages in either. I am reſolved, God ſhall chuſe for me, as he hath hitherto done; and that, though he ſhould not provide for me hereafter as heretofore, or if I ſhall increaſe both my wants, and my Enemies by proſecutting what I think to be my Duty, I will nevertheleſs, put it unto adventure; for, though the world more and more forſakes me, and my Friends are grown leſs able and fewer then they were; and fewer yet may be, (conſidering in what poſture we are) I will whilſt God gives: me time and opportunity, expreſs all that I think neceſſary to be ſaid to this Generation, pertinent to the glory of God, or the welfare of his people, when I finde it ſeaſonable, whomſoever I may thereby diſpleaſe, if he preſerve me, as faithful as I deſire to be, and as I believe he will.
5. In the mean time I will proſecute what I know to be ſeaſonable; and ſince there are Temptations which may have evil Conſequences in the neceſſary actions and affairs of this life, into which God leads us both for his glory, and for our good, and in thoſe alſo which he permits for our probation (unleſs we pray and endeavour for his aſſiſting Grace) I deſire it may be better conſidered, how dangerous thoſe Temptations are, which we wilfully run into of our ſelves, contrary to Gods revealed Will, after many precautions, counſels, exhortations, and judgements both threatned and inflicted. What will become of them who are nothing bettered, but ſtill worſe and worſe, after a frequent intermixture of Judgements and Mercies, playing with them, like Fies about Candles, till their Wings are burnt; and continue, even then, buzzing about them? or like Children ſporting, at the mouth of a Waſps or Hornets-neaſt, with theſe temptations, which will ſting them to death? Some, who began with frugality, and being well contented with an honeſt competent gain, had ſufficient for their increaſing charge; being tempted by opportunities whereby they might grow rich by unlawful and diſhoneſt dealings; and yeilding to the temptations, either Covetouſueſs (being infatiable) inclines them to all oppreſſions whereby it may be fed; or elſe, Voluptuouſneſs allures them by one longing to another, and by living at the height of their Incomes to ſatisfie every days luſt, according to the cuſtom of Prodigals, until their longings being endleſs, and Trading or Revenues failing by loſſes or other contingencies, they bring themſelves and their Children either to debauchery or beggary; or to ſeek ſupply by wicked courſes. Others are ſurpriſed by temptations of ſeveral kindes, whereinto they plunge themſelves. Firſt, they go to Brothel houſes with their Companions to ſee faſhions; then, with others, to improve their experience; and then alone, to try their ſingle ſtrength, till they are overcome by the temptation, enſnared and deſtroyed by loathſome diſeaſes in their bodies, or, by that which is more miſchievous to their Souls. Some do game at at firſt, but for recreation, or to paſs away the time, until they are ſo delighted with it, that they neglect meat, ſleep, buſineſs, friends, and all other things, as if there were no other time well ſpent: That, brings on a covetous deſire to cheat other men of their Eſtates by falſe play; and that Vice continues, until meeting with more cunning Cheaters, then they themſelves are, all their own is quite loſt, and no means of ſubſiſtence left, except to turn Paraſite, Pander, Marry a rich Whore, or ſteal and be hanged, if they have no Friend at Court. The Drunkard at firſt perhaps goes to the Tavern or Ale-houſe, but to drink his mornings draught; a while after goes early in the morning, and continues drinking till midnight, or till the next day at noon. Or, at firſt to entertain Friends, with whom he caſually meets; then for neighbourhood-ſake; then under pretence of the more conveniency to diſpatch buſineſſes; then oftner to, play the good-fellow as he calls it; and then every day to be drunk. When Dinah went upon a needleſs idle viſit out of curioſity, to ſee and complement with the daughters of the Land where her Father ſojourned, ſhe was raviſhed before ſhe returned, and horrible murthers and hypocriſie enſued alſo thereupon. So, perchance it fares otherwhile with our Ladies and Gentlewomen, whoſe frequent viſits, proceed not ſo much from civil or friendly reſpects, as to ſee, and be ſeen, or to a worſe intent: For though there be ſeeming paſſages of kinde endearments among them, while they are together; as ſoon as they are parted, they ofttimes bitterly cenſute, ſcoff and jeer at each other; or proſecute ſuch Feminine deſigns, as occaſion many future temptations and evil conſequences, which might be prevented by a modeſt and temperate uſe of their Civil and Chriſtian Liberty in things indifferent; and by hearkning with heed to wholeſome cautions and counſels given; yea, though by deſpiſed perſons; for it ſeems Job thought himſelf obliged not to contemn it in his Servants; nor King Pharaoh to neglect it in Joſeph, though a poor Priſoner and a Slave. When this Joſeph went into the houſe wherein his Miſtreſs was, to proſecute his Maſters Affairs and his own; God, then led him into a temptation, and preſerved him from the evil conſequences, which would elſe probably have enſued; whereas, had he gone thither to ſpend the time with her in vain complements, it is likely the temptation would have prevailed according to her deſire. But, there are ſome who preſume further then any of thoſe aforementioned, For, when they have ſo weakned their bodies, by long complying with every temptation, that their fleſh is not able to tempt them, as it hath done; and the Devil, perhaps alſo, thinks himſelf ſo ſure of them, that he holds them not worth tempting; theſe do then create temptations and unnatural provocations to luſts, by luxurious meats, coſtly drinks, and unclean repreſentations, till they become thereby miſerable in body and ſoul; loathſome to God and man; and make their own fleſh (which is a Dalilah prone enough of her ſelf) to betray them to all deſtructive temptations; and ſhe (without whom, neither the World, nor the Devil hath power to work upon them) is made to be more prevalent by evil Cuſtom, then ſhe was by corrupted nature, to bring upon them irrecoverable miſchiefs. All premiſes conſidered, the laſt Clauſe of this Petition, is daily, yea always (as much as poſſible) to be minded, and offered up with Faith in ſincerity; eſpecially for deliverance from the Evil of Sin, by whoſe removal all other evils are ſuperſeded.
6. There are other temptations wherewith our Grand Enemy, with his two Confederates the Fleſh and the World, endeavoureth to enſnare us; and are ſuch as may be numbred among ſpiritual wickedneſſes. Theſe get entrance into thoſe out of whom groſs ſins are expelled. The Root of theſe wickedneſſes is double, PRIDE and DESIRE, which corrupted the Devil and our Firſt-parents in Heavenly places. It is written, Hebrews 6. 4. to this effect; If men are once inlightned, have teſted of the heavenly gift, were made partakers of the holy Ghoſt, reliſhed the word of God, and the power of the world to come, and then fall away; It is impoſſible for them to be renewed by repentance: For they have crucified unto themſelves the Son of God afreſh, and put him to open ſhame. The Roprobation of no ſmall number in the Viſible Church, ſprings from hence; even of ſome, who have been eminent for their knowledge in Divine Myſteries, and in thoſe gifts which tend to the inſtruction and ſanctification of others. Theſe are they who may be termed Stars fallen from Heaven, or Angels, who having forſaken their firſt Love, become Vaſſals to Antichriſt in his Kingdom upon Earth, or Slaves to the Fleſh. Many Saints have been in hazzard of this Apoſtacy, by neglect of the preceding Caution, through carnal ſecurity; yet nave happily recovered (before a total falling off) by their timely penitence, (God caſting ſuch a look upon them, as Chriſt did on Peter) and by their Faith endeavouring and praying unto him acccording to the Contents of this Prayer. Many are now in danger alſo, of having that Earth, which by good husbanding may bring forth acceptable Fruit to all, ſo curſed, that it ſhall bring forth nothing but Thiſtles, Thorns and Briers; which curſe they might have avoyded by heedfuſneſs heretofore; and be yet delivered from it, by performing what is poſſible as aforeſaid, and by taking more heed hereafter how they fall into ſuch perilous Temptations.
7. But, very many are in other modes deſtructively inſnared into ſpiritual wickedneſſes by unheeded temptations; and in what I next treat of, I ſhall inſiſt upon what will concern ſome, whoſe condition will be very considerable at this time, therefore; obſerve it. When they were in their polluting blood, without ability to help themſelves, and without other helpers; God, caſting a pitiful eye upon them, and ſpeaking unto them by his Word, interpreted and made effectual by the co-operation of the holy Ghoſt, they became ſo far inlightned as to ſee how vile they were by Nature, and to what miſery that would have brought them, both in this life and in that to come, if GOD, who loved us firſt, even when we were his Enemies, had not of his own accord provided a Remedy. This, ſo wrought upon them, that (partly out of love to themſelves, and partly, in thankfulneſs for that mercy) they gave him a portion of their Love, unto whom all was due, and who never leaves them totally to themſelves, who have once given up unto him their whole heart. Notwithſtanding this Reſerve (ſomewhat reſembling that of Ananias and Saphira) God, not ſeeming to heed it, as he did their hypocriſie; theſe felt ſuch a ſweetneſs in thoſe beginnings of a gratious influence, that they not onelyonly endeavoured to increaſe the Knowledge of God and of his Truth; but, ſo alſo, to mortifie the luſts of their Fleſh, that they attained to an extraordinary outward holineſs, beyond many other profeſſors of Chriſtianity; yea, to hazzard alſo their Liberties and Eſtates in ſuffering for their conſciences, and for reproving Injuſtice and Impiety. This, got them ſo much love, among all thoſe good men to whom they were known, that they heaped on them many benefits and kindneſſes, to the recompencing of their ſufferings; with a ſurpluſage to the augmenting alſo of their former poor Eſtates and Reputations, until by degrees they grew rich in ſuperfluities; and from being contemptible, to be of general eſteem; which revived in them a guſt of carnal delights and accommodations, that, they began to be weary of thoſe proſecutions, whereunto they were ingaged, by what they had begun to profeſs and practiſe in relation to the honour and ſervice of God: And, though this ſecret Apoſtacy they diſcovered not openly, the Devil diſcerning it by many Symptoms, he and his Confederate the World (knowing how uſeful ſuch perſons may be to their ends, and to the upholding of their Kingdom) tempted them at the firſt, with an addition to their livelyhood in certain, whereby they might be freed from depending upon uncertain contributions, at the will and pleaſure of their Benefactors: after that, they doubled their favours upon them, as they perceived them to operate for their purpoſe; and, finding them ſo to fall away more and more, from their Integrity, by thoſe temptations, that they were, likely to be ſerviceable, to whatſoever they ſhould employ them; the world then conferred upon them, the higheſt Dignities, which ſhe had power to beſtow, and whereof their qualifications made them ſeem capable. Then, theſe became their ſervants in body and ſoul, ſo perfectly corrupted, that both the light of Reaſon and Grace, which formerly ſhined in them, were extinguiſhed; GOD was quite forgot, with what concerned their own eternal happineſs; and they bewitched with the Pleaſures and Preferments of this life, repolluted themſelves with all groſs ſins, as at the beginning, Notwithſtanding all this back-ſtiding, ſo ſuperaboundant is GODS long-ſuffering and patience, that to reclaim ſome of theſe, before they arrived at the hight of their wickedneſs and Apoſtacy, he gratiouſly intermingled Judgements and Mercies; firſt humbling them again, by ſuch oppreſſions and perſecutions, as they had inflicted upon others; pouring ſuch contempt upon them, that it forced them to wander where was no way, or abiding place, and raiſing ſtorms which cauſed them to ſtagger to and fro like drunken men, from one reſolution to another; and brought them to ſome conſideration, what they were likely to ſtumble into; and into a fear, left the gods whom they laſt truſted in, had either for ſaken them, or were not able to help them; This, a while, reduced them again to a little formal Humiliation: but, before they had improved it into a true Repentance, the World prevented it, by ſupplying what might keep them conſtant to her Intereſt; and, GOD permitting her to prevail (for purpoſes by theſe unheeded) they recovered again their loſt temporary hopes, Eſtates and Dignities, with an advantage; and that makes them ſo confident, our God Almighty ſo favours them, and is ſo well pleaſed in all their compliances with Anti-chriſt in his Myſtery of Iniquity, that they more malitiouſly, and more furiouſly perſecute them, who proteſt againſt it, then heretofore; and are fallen off a degree further form Grace and Penitence. This is the condition of many, yet, even they who have prevaricated in this mode, and ſlipt ſo deep, and ſo far down into the Whirl-pool of Reprobation, may be capable of recovery by Gods Mercy, if whilſt life continues, the, can look up again towards him, by Faith, when the Holy Ghoſt ſhall vouchſafe them another Call, as ſometimes he doth at the brink of Hell; yea, delivers ſome of thoſe from the evil of theſe Temptations, if they can heartily joyn with the Catholick Church, in this Prayer; to which end (and to no worſe) I have offered this to their conſideration, whom it may concern.
9. Some other in a differing manner from theſe, (and are as dangerouſly tempted unto wickedneſs) having a beginning and progreſs in the Spirit, end at laſt in the Fleſh alſo, through defect of due watchfulneſs, and by being unmindful of praying for deliverance from ſuch Temptations. Theſe, are ſuch as being puffed up with a ſuperficial Knowledge of ſome Divine Myſteries; (by External Mortifications by ſtrict obſervance of the Moral Law; by ſuppoſed Revelations, by frequent Hearing, Praying, and outward performances of Holy and Pious Duties, by their gifts of Preaching, Propheſying, or doing Miracles; or by a conſtancy in long and extream ſufferings, or with ſuch-like) are ſo filled with a Spiritual Pride, and overweening of their own Sanctity and perſonal Meritoriouſneſs, that they ſeparate themſelves from all other Chriſtian Societies, with ſuch an affected ſingularity, as may ſeem to call out like Jehu, Come ſee our Zeal: For theſe preſuming themſelves only (and thoſe who are conformable to their Judgements and Practices) to be the Elect of GOD, judge all other men to be in a Reprobated condition; their Morality, and Piety to be but Fruits of the Fleſh; their Illuminations, to be but Ignes fatuis, Phanatick Fires, and falſe lights, how true ſoever: And (forgetting to do to others, as they heretofore deſired other men ſhould do to them) perſecute both with hand and tongue, as far as their power will extend, all thoſe who are not in every punctilio of their Judgment. And, not a few of theſe, either fall at laſt into groſs fleſhly ſins, which do ſhamefully bedurt them, before they are humbled into an exemplary Repentance; or, elſe are hardned into a final Obduracy. The pretended Piety of ſuch as theſe, and the evident Prophaneneſs of others, have like two Mil-ſtones, ſo ground thoſe between them, who ſincerely profeſs and practice Honeſty and Piety according to their Conſcience and Underſtanding, that it hath almoſt rooted Peace out of the world, and begotten, ſo inextricable a confuſion, that all reaſonable men ſtand at gaze to obſerve what it will amount unto at the laſt; For, ſince I firſt knew the world, moſt things are ſo metamorphoſed from what they then were, in my judgement, that I ſee little eſſential difference between the greateſt numbers, of thoſe who are Phanaticks reputed, and thoſe who ſo repute them; yea, there is ſuch a change in their Countenances, in their Years, in their Education, in their Habits, and in their Deportments, both among ſubordinate Magiſtrates, and thoſe under their Authority; In Governours of Counties, Cities and Burroughs, and thoſe who are to be governed; and in Reformers, with ſuch as ſhould be Reformed, as if the Head and Tail had changed places, and would hazzard the reducing all into an Anarchy ere long.
10. I have obſerved other mixt Temptations (partly ſpiritual, and partly carnal) which it will concern us both to ſtrive and pray againſt, leſt they draw us into fleſhly pollutions before we are aware. One is, that ſtrong natural affection which is frequently begotten between men and women, by a true eſteem of the Piety and Moral Virtues which they mutually apprehend in each other, and which had beginning at firſt without any reſpect to their bodily Beauties & perfections: For, by long converſing together, finding themſelves to be reciprocally much edified and comforted by thoſe qualifications, it ſo inflames the natural affection of the beſt diſpoſed perſons toward each other; ſo inclines them to pitty their ſufferings (if they have any) and ſometime ſo indears their perſons, that otherwhile, their ſouls draw their bodies to a nearer conjunction (though it be but with a touch of the hand onelyonly) then conſiſts with the preſervation of a pure chaſtity, and by inflaming the blood before they are aware of it, brings them by degrees into dalliances, indangering the coldeſt temper, through overmuch confidence in their own ſtrength, till modeſty perhaps is quite loſt. This hath often happened, and brought ſome, who ſeemed far from it, to a ſcandalous impudency at laſt, and paſt ſhame and repentance in all other Vices: From this hazzard, no man can be ſecured but by earneſt praying for Gods aſſiſting Grace, and by continual watching and endeavouring to be preſerved from ſuch temptations: For even in perſons virtuously and piouſly affected, there will often revive an inclination to meet in private, to give and take ſuch aids and conſolations, as they will think needful; yea, at ſuch times, and in ſuch places alſo, that unleſs God in Mercy prevents it, ſuch diſtempers as aforeſaid, will not poſſibly be totally avoided, cured or abated; nor their innocency eſcape blaſting, though their converſations have been every way blameleſs in all other reſpects: For, ſome have had perſonal Experience of ſuch defamations, betwixt whom there never paſſed a wanton word, or ſo much as a familiar touch of each others hand; and had alſo many ſufferings both in fleſh and ſpirit by ſuch endearments, though they were providentially led into them, without their own ſeeking, which by Gods Mercy, produced comfortable effects in the concluſion, as all thoſe temptations do, whereinto God leads us for our probation; and among them all, there is none more difficultly reſiſted, in regard the moſt inticing allurements, of beautiful wantons, are not half ſo dangerouſly provocative, as when the Devil takes advantage to unite his endeavours with the frailty of the fleſh, to work upon virtuous & pious Perſons; nor is the defaming or polluting of any other ſo ſatisfactory to his malice. There is another temptation, whereby many are inſnared, (and often as much, through wilfulneſs as heedleſneſs) to the occaſioning both of carnal and ſpiritual wickedneſes; and thereof St. Paul counſels us to be wary, in theſe words, 2 Cor. 6. 14. Be not unequally yoaked. For, when Believers joyn themſelves in Marriage with Infidels, or with ſuch as are nurſed up in Idolatry and Superſtition, it expoſes them to many perilous temptations, no leſs deſtructive to Christians now, then it was to the Iſraelites heretofore; and the greateſt and wiſeſt perſons, are not more able to reſiſt them then Solomon was: When the Sons of GOD took of the Daughters of men to be their wives, Gen. 6. 2. they begot a monſtrous generation; and the like intermixture in blood and repugnant Principles, hath made ſuch Medlies and Mungrel broods of Profeſors in the world, to the increaſing of Atheiſm, Hereſies and Prophaneſs, that true Piety and humanity will be in hazzard of being rooted up, unleſs we heartily pray and endeavour to be delivered from the evil of this Temptation.
11. It is conſiderable alſo, whether we caſt not our ſelves into many temptations whereinto God leads us not, through overweening at leaſt; and thereby, into ſufferings, which God requi…es not at our hands: For, though God leadeth us into ſome temptations, either to be exemplary, or to prove us both for his honour and our own; as when our Saviour was led into the wilderneſs to be tempted of the Devil, with ſuch-like; (to which probations he always gives an iſue for their advantage who are ſo led) yet, he ſometimes permits even his Elect, to weary out themſelves in ſuch Attempts as they adventure upon, by their own ſingle light, that, both they and others may have experimental proofs, how unſafe it is to depend upon ought unwarranted by his Word and Spirit: Many have been deprived of their hopes, and incurred alſo, temporary hazzards and miſchiefs through defect of this heed. I think it hot fitting more ſhould be impoſed upon men, by men, then they are capable of; or, that we ſhould judge between GOD and men in matters which he hath reſerved to his own Judgement. Therefore, without judging, or impoſing my Judgement upon any, I do but onelyonly offer mine (as I have often ſaid) to be entertained or rejected, as it ſhall deſerve; and to precaution thoſe who are overperemptory in adhering to the Literal ſence of ſingle Texts of holy Scripture, to examine well whether it be conſonant to the Fundamental Doctrines intended by the general ſcope of Gods Word. For, either the Letter is vitiated, or the interpretation in one of thoſe places, where contradiction is evident. As for Example: St. James Chapt. 2. 9. ſaith, If ye have reſpect to perſons ye commit ſin, and are convinced of the Law as tranſgreſſors. From this ſingle Text, ſome have taken occaſion to deny Civil reſpects, not onelyonly from one private perſon to another, but to thoſe in Authority alſo; and pious and honeſt men are deluded with this error. Denying respect to perſons, appears to be reproveable by St. Paul; for, Rom. 13. he not onelyonly injoyns Subjection (which is the greateſt perſonal reſpect) to our Superiours, and to all in Authority; but likewiſe, a perſonal reſpect to all in general, according to their Civil Rights. Give, faith he, Tribute to whom Tribute, Cuſtom to whom Cuſtom, fear to whom fear, Honor to whom Honour, and Love to whom love belongeth. And the neglect of theſe Duties hath occaſioned evil conſequents: For, this Precept is according to the Will of GOD; and Sr. James intended nothing thereunto repugnant, in the words aforementioned, if rightly underſtood;as appears, by their contexture, with what precedes: for he ſpeaketh not againſt civil reſpects, but (as the plain words demonſtrate) againſt reſpect of perſons, in relation to the Faith of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and in having leſs regard unto the poor, then unto the rich, in diſpencing the benefits communicable indifferently to all: as alſo againſt thoſe who are more inclined to diſtribute Juſtice with partiality to them who are in power, then righteouſly, unto them who are weak and poor; and in thus miſunderſtanding other Scriptures (to the heed whereof, this Hint may perhaps lead ſome) many fall into dangerous temptations, which might be avoided, by not truſting overmuch to their ſingle Talent; and by adding Divine Light thereunto, with diligent endeavour, and hearty prayer, to be delivered from the Evil of Temptations.
Laſtly, let us take heed that we are not more tranſported by a natural ſtoutneſs and wilfulneſs of heart, of by a proud ſcorn of our malitious Adverſaries, even in our moſt innocent ſufferings, then carried on and ſupported by a true poverty of ſpirit and Chriſtian meekneſs, for righteouſneſs ſake. For, unleſs we be ſanctified with an humble ſubmiſſion to Gods probations, our own ſtrength and innocency will not preſerve us conſtant to the end, though it may carry us far. This Caution, few men may better give then I; for, I have had experience of this temptation, and that God will prove us, until we are quite beaten out of all our vain hopes and fleſhly confidences, if there were ever any truth and ſincerity in our hearts.
12. Evil, is the laſt word in this Petition; and for deliverance from it, is that whereto, all the three laſt Petitions tend; for the abuſe even of the means of our natural ſubſiſtence, and of the forgiveneſs of our Debts and Treſpaſſes, will oftentimes have need of that deliverance. This EVIL is twofold; the Evil of Sin, and the Evil of Puniſhment. Of the firſt▪ the Devil and we our ſelves only, are both Authors, and Actors: And the Evil of Puniſhment proceds onelyonly from Gods Juſtice, to give the wicked their reward; and from his Mercy, to correct and bring thoſe who are corrigible, to that contrition which will produce Repentance, rendring them capable alſo, of Love and Glory. Is there any evil in the City, (ſaith a Prophet, perſonating God ſpeaking it) which I have not done? Meaning the Evil of Puniſhment. This Evil, GOD is pleaſed ſometimes to inflict immediately with his own hand; ſometimes, the Devil is his Executioner; ſometimes, wicked men; ſometimes, he makes the Saints inſtrumental therein, by rubbing them againſt each other, (to the grievance both of their Fleſh and Spirit) till like Diamonds they poliſh each other; and ſometimes▪ he makes men to be Executioners of his Judgements upon themſelves. This being part of my Meditations upon the Body of this Prayer, I now come to the Concluſion.