Of Temptation, Chapter 8
CHAP. 8.
The laſt Generall Direction, Revel. 3. 10. Watch againſt Temptation by conſtant keeping the word of Chriſts patience what that word is: how it is kept: how the keeping of it will keep us from the power of Temptation.
The Directions inſiſted on, in the former chapters are ſuch as are partly given us, in their ſeverall particulars, up and downe the Scripture; partly ariſe from the nature of the thing it ſelfe; There is one Generall direction remaines, which is comprehenſive of all that went before, and alſo addes many more particulars unto them; This containes an approved antidote againſt the poyſon of Temptation; a Remedy, that Chriſt himſelfe hath marked with a note of efficacy and ſucceſſe that is given us, Revel. 3. 10. in the words of our ſaviour himſelfe to the Church of Philadelphia. Becauſe (ſaith he) thou haſt kept the word of my patience, I will alſo keepe thee from the houre of temptation, which ſhall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell in the earth; Chriſt is the ſame, yeſterday, to day, and for ever; as he dealt with the Church of Philadelphia, ſo will he deale with us; if we keep the word of his patience, he will keepe us from the houre of Temptation. This then being a way of rolling the whole care of this weighty affaire on him who is able to beare it, it requires our peculiar conſideration. And therefore, I ſhall firſt ſhew what it is to keep the word of Chriſts patience, that we may know how to performe our duty; then how this will be a meanes of our preſervation, which will eſtabliſh us in the faith of Chriſts promiſe.
The word of Chriſt, is the word of the Goſpell; The word by him revealed from the boſome of the Father. The word of the word; the word ſpoken in time by the eternall word. So it is called, the word of Chriſt. Col. 3. 16. or the Goſpell of Chriſt. Rom. 1. 16. 1. Cor. 9. 12. And the doctrine of Chriſt. Heb. 6. 1. of Chriſt, that is, as its Authour, Heb. 1. 1, 2. and of him, as the chiefe ſubject or matter of it, 1 Cor. 1. 20. Now this word, is called the word of Chriſts patience, or tolerance, and forbearance, upon the account of that patience, and long ſuffering which in the diſpenſation of it, the Lord Chriſt exerciſeth towards the world, and all perſons in it; and that both actively, and paſsively; in his bearing with men, and enduring from them.
1. He is patient towards his Saints, he beares with them, ſuffers from them. He is patient to us-ward, 2. Pet. 3. 9, that is, that believe. The Goſpell is the word of Chriſts patience even to Believers. A ſoule acquainted with the Goſpell, knowes that there is no Property of Chriſt rendred more glorious therein, than that of his patience; That he ſhould beare with ſo many unkindneſſes, ſo many cauſeleſſe breaches, ſo many neglects of his love, ſo many affronts done to his Grace, ſo many violations of ingagements, as he doth; it manifeſts his Goſpell to be not only the word of his Grace, but alſo of his patience. He ſuffers alſo from them, in all the reproaches, they bring upon his name and wayes: and he ſuffers in them; for in all their Afflictions, he is afflicted.
2. Towards his Elect, not yet effectually called. Revel. 3. 20. He ſtands waiting at the doore of their hearts, and knocks for an entrance. He deales with them by all meanes, and yet ſtands and waits, untill, his head is filled with the dew, and his lockes with the drops of the night, Cant. 5. 2. as enduring the cold and inconvenencies of the night, that when his morning is come; he may have entrance. Oftentimes for a long ſeaſon, he is by them ſcorned in his perſon, perſecuted in his Saints and wayes, reviled in his word, whileſt he ſtands at the doore, in the word of his patience, with his heart full of love towards their poore rebellious ſoules.
3. To the periſhing world; Hence the time of his Kingdome, in this world is called the time of his patience. Revel. 1. 9. he endures the veſſels of wrath with much long ſuffering. Rom. 9. 22. Whileſt the Goſpell is adminiſtred in the vvorld, He is patient tovvards the men thereof, untill the Saints in heaven and earth are aſtoniſhed, and cry out, how long? Pſal. 13. 1, 2. Pſal. 35. 17. Revel. 6. 10; and themſelves doe mocke at him as if he vvere an Idol, 2. Pet. 3. 4. He endures from them bitter things; in his name, wayes, worſhip, ſaints, promiſes, threats, all his intereſt of honour and love; and yet paſſeth by them, lets them alone, does them Good; nor will he cut this way of proceeding ſhort, untill the Goſpell ſhall be preached no more; patience muſt accompany the Goſpell.
Now this is the Word that is to be kept, that we may be kept from the houre of Temptation. Three things are implyed in the keeping of this Word,
1. Knowledge.
2. Valuation.
3. Obedience.
1. Knowledge, He that will keep this Word muſt know it, be acquainted with it; under a foure fold Notion,
1. As a word of Grace and Mercy to ſave him.
2. As a word of Holineſſe and Purity to ſancitfy him.
3. As a word of Liberty and Power to enoble him, and ſet him free.
4. As a word of Conſolation to ſupport him in every Condition.
1. As a word of Grace, and Mercy able to ſave us: It is the power of God unto ſalvation, Rom. 1. 16. The Grace of God that bringeth ſalvation, Titus, 2. 11. The word of Grace, that is able to build us up, and to give us an inheritance among all them that are ſanctified, Act. 20. 32. The word that is able to ſave our ſoules, Jam. 1. 21. When the word of the Goſpell is knowne, as a word of mercy, Grace, and pardon, as the ſole evidence for life, as the conveyance of an eternall inheritance; when the ſoule finds it ſuch to it ſelfe, it will ſtrive to keep it.
2. As a word of Holineſſe and Purity able to ſanctify him; Ye are cleane through the word I have ſpoken unto you, ſaith our Saviour, Joh. 15. 3. To that purpoſe is his prayer, Joh. 17. 17. He that knowes not the word of Chriſts patience, as a ſanctifying cleanſing word, in the power of it, upon his owne ſoule; neither knowes it, nor keeps it. The empty profeſſion of our daies, knowes not one ſtep towards this duty; and thence it is, that the moſt are ſo overborne under the power of Temptations: men full of ſelfe, of the world, of Fury, Ambition, and almoſt all unclean luſts, do yet talk of keeping the word of Chriſt, See 1. Pet. 1. 22. 2. Tim. 2. 19.
3. As a word of Liberty and Power, to enoble him, and ſet him free; and this, not only from the guilt of ſinne and wrath, for that it doth, as it is a word of Grace and mercy; nor only from the power of ſinne, for that it doth as it is a word of Holineſſe; but alſo from all outward reſpects of men, or the world, that might entangle him, or enſlave him, that declares us to be Chriſts freemen, and in bondage unto none, Joh. 8. 32. 1. Cor. 7. 23. we are not by it, freed from due ſubjection unto ſuperiours, not from any duty, not unto any ſinne, 1. Pet. 2. 16. but in two reſpects, it is a word of freedome, liberty, largeneſſe of mind, power, and deliverance from Bondage.
1. In reſpect of Conſcience, as to the worſhip of God, Gal. 5. 1.
2. In reſpect of ignoble ſlaviſh reſpects, unto the men, or things of the world, in the Courſe of our pilgrimage; The Goſpell gives a free, large, and noble Spirit in ſubjection to God, and none elſe; There is adminiſtred in it, a ſpirit not of feare, but of power, and of love, and of a ſound mind, 2 Tim. 1. 7. A mind in nothing terrified, Phil. 1. 28. not ſwayed with any by reſpect whatever; There is nothing more unworthy of the Goſpell, then a mind in bondage to perſons, or things proſtituting its ſelfe to the luſts of men, or affrightments of the world. And he that thus knowes the word of Chriſts patience, really and in power, is even thereby freed from innumerable, from unſpeakable Temptations.
4. As a word of Conſolation to ſupport him in every condition; and to be a full portion in the want of all, that is a word attended with Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory; it gives ſupportment, reliefe, refreſhment, ſatisfaction, peace, conſolation, joy, boaſting, Glory, in every Condition whatever; Thus to know the word of Chriſts patience, thus to know the Goſpell, is the firſt part, and it is a great part of this condition of our preſervation from the houre, and power of Temptation.
2. Valuation of what is thus knowne, belongs to the keeping of this word, that is to be kept as a Treaſure, 2 Tim. 1. 14. foreign, that excellent depoſitum (that is the word of the Goſpell) keep it, (ſaith the Apoſtle) by the Holy Ghoſt; And, hold faſt the faithfull word, Tit. 1. 9. It is a Good Treaſure, a faithfull word, hold it faſt. It is a word that comprizes the whole intereſt of Chriſt in the world. To value that as our chiefeſt treaſure, is to keep the word of Chriſts patience. They that will have a regard from Chriſt in the time of Temptation, are not to be regardleſſe, of his Concernments.
3. Obedience, perſonall Obedience, in the Univerſall obſervation of all the commands of Chriſt, is the keeping of his Word, Joh. 14. 15. Cloſe adherence unto Chriſt, in Holineſſe, and univerſall Obedience, then when the oppoſition, that the Goſpell of Chriſt doth meet withall in the world, doth render it ſignally the word of his patience, is the life and ſoule of the Duty required.
Now all theſe are to be ſo managed, with that intention of mind and ſpirit, that care of heart, and diligence of the whole perſon, as to make up a keeping of this word; which evidently includes all thoſe Conſiderations.
We are arrived then to the ſumme of this ſafeguarding Duty; of this Condition of freedome from the power of Temptation; He that having a due acquaintance with the Goſpell, in its Excellencies, as to him, a word of Mercy, Holineſſe, Liberty and Conſolation, values it, in all its Concernments as his choiſeſt and only Treaſure; makes it his buſineſſe, and the work of his life, to give himſelfe up unto it in univerſall obedience, then eſpecially, when Oppoſition, and Apoſtacy put the patience of Chriſt to the utmoſt, he ſhall be preſerved from the houre of Temptation.
This is that which is comprehenſive of all that went before; and is excluſive of all other waies for the obtaining of the End propoſed; nor let any man think without this, to be kept one houre from entring into Temptation; where ever he failes there Temptation enters. That this will be a ſure preſervative may appeare, from the enſuing Conſiderations.
1. It hath the Promiſe of Preſervation, and this alone hath ſo. It is ſolemnly promiſed in the place mentioned to the Church of Philadelphia on this account. When a great triall and Temptation was to come on the world, at the opening of the ſeventh ſeale, Rev. 7. 3. a caution is given for the preſervation of Gods ſealed ones, which are deſcribed to be thoſe, who keep the word of Chriſt: for the promiſe is, that it ſhould be ſo. Now in every promiſe there are three things to be conſidered.
1. The faithfulneſſe of the Father who gives it.
2. The Grace of the Son which is the matter of it.
3. The power and efficacy of the Holy Ghoſt which puts the promiſe in Execution. And all theſe are ingaged for the preſervation of ſuch perſons from the houre of Temptation.
1. The faithfulneſſe of God, accompanyeth the promiſe. On this account is our deliverance laid, 1 Cor. 10. 13. Though we be tempted, yet we ſhall be kept from the houre of Temptation; it ſhall not grow too ſtrong for us. What comes on us, we ſhall be able to beare; and what would be too hard for us, we ſhall eſcape. But what ſecurity have we hereof? even the faithfulneſſe of God; God is faithfull who will not ſuffer you &c. And wherein is God's faithfulneſſe ſeen and exerciſed? He is faithfull that promiſed, Heb. 10. 23. His faithfulneſſe conſiſts in his diſcharge of his promiſes. He abideth faithfull, he cannot deny himſelfe, 2 Tim. 2. 13. ſo that by being under the promiſe, we have the faithfulneſſe of God ingaged for our preſervation.
2. There is in every promiſe of the Covenant the Grace of the Son; that is the ſubject matter of all promiſes. I will keep thee, how? by my Grace with thee: ſo that what Aſſiſtance the Grace of Chriſt can give to a ſoule that hath a right in this promiſe, in the houre of Temptation, it ſhall enjoy it. Pauls Temptation grew very high; it was likely to have come to its prevalent houre: He beſeeches the Lord, (that is the Lord Jeſus Chriſt) for help, 2 Cor. 12. 8. and receives that anſwer from him, my Grace is ſufficient for thee; verſ. 9: That it was the Lord Chriſt and his Grace, with whom he had peculiarly to do, is evident from the cloſe of that verſe; I will glory in my infirmity, that the power of Chriſt may reſt upon me; or the efficacy of the Grace of Chriſt in my preſervation, be made evident, So Heb. 2. 18.
3. The Efficacy of the ſpirit, accompanyeth the promiſes. He is called the Holy Spirit of promiſe; not only, becauſe he is promiſed by Chriſt, but alſo, becauſe he effectually makes Good the promiſe, and gives it accompliſhment in our ſoules. He alſo then is ingaged to preſerve the ſoule walking according to the rule laid downe: See Iſai. 59. the laſt. Thus where the promiſe is, there is all this aſſiſtance; the faithfulneſſe of the father, the Grace of the Son, the power of the Spirit; all are ingaged in our preſervation.
2. This conſtant univerſall keeping of Chriſts word of Patience, will keep the heart and ſoule in ſuch a frame as wherein no prevalent Temptation, by virtue of any advantages whatever, can ſeize upon it, ſo as totally to prevaile againſt it. So David prayes, Pſ. 25. 21. Let integrity preſerve me. This integrity and uprightneſſe, is the old-Teſtament-keeping the word of Chriſt, univerſall cloſe walking with God. Now how can they preſerve a man? why by keeping his heart in ſuch a frame, ſo defended on every ſide, that no evill can approach or take hold on him. Faile a man in his integrity, he hath an open place for temptation to enter, Iſa. 57. 21. To keep the word of Chriſt, is to do it univerſally, as hath been ſhewed; This exerciſes Grace in all the faculties of the ſoule; & compaſſes it with the whole armour of God: The underſtanding is full of light, the Affections of Love and holineſſe; let the Wind blow from what quarter it will, the ſoule is fenced and fortified; Let the enemy aſſault when, or by what meanes he pleaſeth, all things in the ſoule of ſuch an one are upon the guard: How can I do this thing and ſinne againſt God, is at hand, Eſpecially, upon a twofold account, doth deliverance and ſecurity ariſe from this hand.
1. By the Mortification of the heart unto the matter of Temptations. The prevalency of any Temptation ariſes from hence; that the heart is ready to cloſe with the matter of it. There are Luſts within, ſuited to the propoſalls of the world or Satan without. Hence James reſolves all Temptations into our owne luſts. Ch. 1. 14. becauſe either they proceed from, or are made effectuall by them as hath been declared. Why doth terror, or threates turne us aſide, from a due conſtancy in the performance of our duty? is it not becauſe there is unmortified carnall feare abiding in us, that tumultuates in ſuch a ſeaſon? why is it that the Allurements of the world, and compliances with men entangle us? is it not becauſe our affections are entangled with the things and conſiderations propoſed unto us? Now keeping the word of Chriſts patience, in the manner declared, keeps the heart mortified to theſe things, and ſo it is not eaſily entangled by them. Saith the Apoſtle, Gal. 2. 20. I am crucified with Chriſt, he that keeps cloſe to Chriſt, is crucified with him; and is dead to all the deſires of the fleſh and the world: as more fully; Chap. 6. 14. Here the match is broken, and all love, entangling love diſſolved.
1. The heart is crucified to the world, and all things in it. Now the matter of all temptations almoſt is taken out of the world; the men of it, or the things of it make them up. As to theſe things ſaies the Apoſtle I am crucified to them: (And it is ſo with every one, that keeps the word of Chriſt, my heart is mortified unto them; I have no deſire after them; nor affection to them, nor delight in them: and they are crucified unto me. The Crownes, Glories, Thrones, pleaſures, profits, of the world, I ſee nothing deſirable in them; the luſts, ſenſuall pleaſures, Love, reſpects, honours of men, name and reputation among them, they are all as a thing of nought; I have no value, nor eſtimation of them. This ſoule is ſafeguarded from aſſaults of manifold Temptations. When Achan ſaw the Goodly Babiloniſh garment, and two hundred ſhekells of ſilver, and a wedge of Gold; firſt he coveted them, then he took them, Joh. 7. 21. Temptation ſubtilly ſpreads the Babiloniſh garment of favour, praiſe, peace, the ſilver of pleaſure, or profit, with the golden Contentmens of the fleſh, before the eyes of men; if now there be that in them alive, unmortified, that will preſently fall a coveting, let what feare of puniſhment will enſue, the heart or hand, will be put forth unto iniquity.
Herein then lyes the ſecurity of ſuch a frame, as that deſcribed; it is alwaies accompanied with a mortified heart; crucified unto the things that are the matter of our Temptations; without which it is utterly impoſſible, that we ſhould be preſerved one moment when any temptation doth befall us. If liking, and love of the things propoſed, inſinuated, commended in the temptation, be living and active in us, we ſhall not be able to reſiſt and ſtand.
2. In this frame the heart is filled with better things, and their Excellency; ſo farre as to be fortified againſt the matter of any Temptation. See what Reſolution this puts Paul upon: Phil. 3. 8. All is loſſe and dung to him. Who would go out of his way, to have his armes full of loſſe and dung? and whence is it, that he hath this eſtimation of the moſt deſirable things in the world? it is from that deare eſtimation he had of the Excellency of Chriſt; ſo verſ. 10. When the ſoule is exerciſed to Communion with Chriſt, and to walking with him: he drinks new wine, and cannot deſire the old things of the world, for he ſaies the new is better. He taſts every day how gracious the Lord is, and therefore longs not after the ſweetneſſe of forbidden things, which indeed have none. He that makes it his buſineſſe to eate daily of the tree of life, will have no appetite unto other fruit, though the Tree that bare them ſeeme to ſtand in the middeſt of Paradiſe. This the ſpouſe makes the meanes of her preſervation; even the Excellency which by daily Communion, ſhee found in Chriſt and his Graces, above all other deſirable things. Let a ſoule exerciſe it ſelfe to Communion with Chriſt, in the good things of the Goſpell, pardon of ſinne, fruits of holineſſe, hope of Glory, peace with God, joy in the Holy Ghoſt, dominion over ſinne, and he ſhall have a mighty preſervative againſt all Temptations. As the full ſoule loatheth the honey comb; a ſoule filled with carnall, earthly, ſenſuall contentments finds no relliſh nor ſavour in the ſweeteſt ſpirituall things; ſo he that is ſatisfied with the kindneſſe of God, as with marrow and fatneſſe, that is every day entertained at the banquet of wine, wine upon the lees, and well refined, hath an holy contempt of the baits and allurements that lye in prevailing temptations, and is ſafe.
3. He that ſo keeps the word of Chriſts patience, is alwaies furniſhed with preſerving Conſiderations and preſerving Principles: morall and reall advantages of preſervation.
1. He is furniſhed with preſerving Conſiderations, that powerfully influence his ſoule in his walking diligently with Chriſt: Beſides the ſenſe of duty which is alwaies upon him, he conſiders,
1. The concernment of Chriſt, whom his ſoule loves in him and his carefull walking. He conſiders that the preſence of Chriſt is with him, his eye upon him, that he ponders his heart and waies, as one greatly concerned in his deportment of himſelfe, in a time of triall. So Chriſt manifeſts himſelfe to do, Revel. 2. 19, 20. I conſider all; what is acceptable, what to be rejected: He knowes that Chriſt is concerned in his honour, that his name be not evill ſpoken of by reaſon of him; that he is concerned in love to his ſoule; having that deſigne upon him to preſent him holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his ſight, Col. 1. 22. and his ſpirit is grieved where he is interrupted in this work; concerned on the account of his Goſpell, the progreſſe and acceptation of it in the world; its beauty would be ſlurred, its good things reviled, its progreſſe ſtopped, if ſuch an one be prevailed againſt; concerned in his love to others, who are grieveouſly ſcandalized, and perhaps ruined by the miſcarriages of ſuch. When Hymeneus and Philetus fall, they overthrow the faith of ſome, and ſaies ſuch a ſoule then, who is exerciſed to keep the word of Chriſts patience, when intricate, perplexed, intangling temptations, publique, private, perſonall, do ariſe? ſhall I now be careleſſe, ſhall I be negligent, ſhall I comply with the world, & the wayes of it? oh what thoughts of heart hath he concerning me, whoſe eye is upon me? ſhall I contemne his honour, deſpiſe his love, trample his Goſpell in the mire under the feet of men, turne aſide others from his ways? ſhall ſuch a man as I fly, give over reſiſting? it cannot be. There is no man who keeps the word of the patience of Chriſt, but is full of this ſoul preſſing conſideration; it dwells on his heart and ſpirit, and the love of Chriſt conſtraines him ſo to keep his heart and waies, 2 Cor. 5. 10.
2. The great conſideration of the Temptations of Chriſt in his behalfe, and the conqueſt he made in all aſſaults for his ſake, and his Good, dwell alſo on his ſpirit. The Prince of this world came upon him, the Glory of this world was ſhewed unto him, every thing in earth or hell, that hath either allurement or affrightment in it, was propoſed to him, to divert him from the worke of mediation, which for us he had undertaken: this whole life he calls the time of his temptation: but he reſiſted all, conquered all, and is become a captaine of Salvation to them that obey him. And, ſaies the Soule, ſhall this Temptation, theſe arguings, this plauſible pretence, this ſloth, this ſelfe love, this ſenſuality, this baite of the world, turne me aſide, prevaile over me, to deſert him who went before me, in the waies of all temptations that his holy nature was obnoxious unto, for my Good?
3. Diſmall thoughts of the loſſe of love, of the ſmiles of the countenance of Chriſt, do alſo frequently exerciſe ſuch a ſoul. He knowes what it is to enjoy the favour of Chriſt, to have a ſenſe of his Love, to be accepted in his approaches to him, to converſe with him; and perhaps hath been ſometimes at ſome loſſe in this thing, and ſo knowes alſo, what it is to be in the dark, diſtanced from him. See the deportment of the ſpouſe in ſuch a caſe, Cant. 3. 4. when ſhe had once found him again; ſhe holds him, ſhe will not let him go, ſhe will looſe him no more.
2 He that keeps the word of Chriſts patience, hath preſerving principles, whereby he is acted. Some of them may be mentioned.
1 Firſt, In all things he lives by faith, and is acted by it in all his waies. Gal. 2. 20. Now upon a twofold account hath faith, when improved, the power of preſervation from Temptation annexed unto it.
1 Becauſe it empties the ſoule of its own wiſdome, underſtanding and fulneſſe, that it may act in the wiſdome and fulneſſe of Chriſt. The only advice for preſervation in trials and temptations lies in that of the wiſe man: Prov. 3. 5. Truſt in the Lord with all Thine heart, and leane not to thine own underſtanding. This is the worke of faith: it is faith; it is to live by faith. The great failing of men in trialls, is their leaning to, or leaning upon, their owne underſtanding and counſell. What is the iſſue of it, Job. 18. 7. The ſteps of his ſtrength ſhall be ſtraightned, and his owne Counſell ſhall caſt him downe. Firſt he ſhall be entangled, and then caſt downe; and all by his own counſell, untill he come to be aſhamed of it, as Ephraim was, Hoſ. 10. 6. When ever in our trials, we conſult our own underſtandings, hearken to ſelfe reaſonings, though they ſeeme to be good and tending to our preſervation, yet the principle of living by faith is ſtifled, and we ſhall in the iſſue be caſt down by our own counſels; Now nothing can empty the heart of this ſelfefullneſſe, but Faith, but living by it, but, not living our ſelves, but having Chriſt live in us, by our living by Faith on him.
2. Faith making the ſoule poore, empty, helpleſſe, deſtitute in its ſelfe, ingages the heart, will, and power of Jeſus Chriſt, for Aſſiſtance, of which I have ſpoken more at large elſewhere.
2. Love to the Saints, with care that they ſuffer not upon our account, is a great preſerving principle in a time of Temptations and trialls. How powerfull this was in David, he declares in that earneſt prayer, Pſal. 69. 6. Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of Hoſts, be aſhamed for my ſake, let not thoſe that ſeeke thee be confounded for my ſake, O God of Iſrael.
O let not me ſo miſcarry, that thoſe for whom I would lay downe my life, ſhould be put to ſhame, be evill ſpoken of, diſhonoured, reviled, contemned, on my account, for my failings. A ſelfiſh ſoule, whoſe love is turned wholly inwards, will never abide in a time of triall.
Many other Conſiderations and Principles, that thoſe who keep the word of Chriſt's patience in the way and manner before deſcribed are attended withall, might be enumerated, but I ſhall content my ſelfe to have pointed at theſe mentioned. And will it now be eaſy to determine, whence it is that ſo many in our dayes, are prevailed on, in the time of trial: that the houre of temptation comes upon them, and beares them downe, more or leſſe before it? is it not becauſe amongſt the great multitude of Profeſſors, that we have, there are few that keep the word 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 houre of Temptation come upon the world, to try them that dwell therein: it variouſly exerts its power and efficacy; there is not any way, nor Thing, wherein it may not be ſeene acting and putting forth it ſelfe, in worldlineſſe, in ſenſuality, in looſeneſſe of converſation, in neglect of ſpirituall duties, private, publicke, in fooliſh, looſe, diabolicall opinions, in haughtineſſe and ambition; in envy and wrath, in ſtrife and debate, revenge, ſelfiſhneſſe, in Atheiſme and contempt of God, doth it appeare. They are but branches of the ſame root, bitter ſtreames of the ſame fountaine, cheriſhed by peace, proſperity, ſecurity, apoſtaſies of Profeſſors & the like; & alaſſe how many do dayly fall under the power of this Temptation, in generall? 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 weake, and many ſleep; ſome are wounded, ſome defiled, many utterly loſt▪ What is the ſpring and fountaine of this ſad condition of things? is it not, as hath been ſaid; we doe not keep the word of Chriſt's patience in univerſall cloſe walking with him; and ſo loſe the benefit of the promiſe given & annexed thereunto. Should I goe about to give inſtances of this thing; of Profeſſors coming ſhort of keeping the word of Chriſt, it would be a long worke. Theſe 4 heads would compriſe the moſt of them. 1. Conformity 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. 2. Neglect of duties which Chriſt hath enjoined, from cloſe meditation to publick ordinances. 3. Strife, variance, and debate among our ſelves, woefull judging and deſpiſing one another, upon account of things forraigne to the bond of Communion that is between the Saints. 4. Selfe-fulneſſe as to principles, and ſelfiſhneſs as to ends. Now where theſe things are, are not men carnall? is the word of Chriſts patience effectuall in them? ſhall they be preſerved? they ſhall not. Would you then be preſerved, and kept from the hour of temptation; would you watch againſt entring into it, as deductions from what hath been delivered in this Chapter: take the enſuing Cautions.
1 Take heed of leaning on deceitfull aſſiſtances; as 1 your owne Counſells, 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 turne 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, & other ſuch meanes againſt that particular luſt, corruptiō, temptation, wherewith you are exerciſed, & have to do. This will not avail you, if in the mean time there be neglects, on other accounts. To hear a man wreſtle, cry, contend as to any particular of Temptation, and immediatly fall into wordly waies, worldly compliances, looſeneſſe, and negligence in other things; it is righteous with Jeſus Chriſt to leave ſuch an one to the hour of temptation.
3 The generall ſecurity of Saints perſeverance, and preſervation from totall Apoſtaſy. Every ſecurity that God gives us, is good in its kind, and for the purpoſe 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 profitable. To make uſe of the generall aſſurance of preſervation from totall Apoſtaſy, to ſupport the ſpirit in reſpect of a particular temptation, will not in the iſſue advantage the ſoule; becauſe notwithſtanding that, this or that temptation may prevaile. Many releive themſelves with this, untill they find themſelves in the depth of perplexities.
1 Apply your ſelves to this great preſervation of faithfull keeping the word of Chriſts patience in the middeſt of all trialls and temptations.
2 In particular, wiſely cōſider wherein the word of Chriſts patiēce is moſt likely to ſuffer in the daies wherein we live, and the ſeaſons that paſſe over us, & ſo vigorouſly ſet your ſelves to keep it in that particular, peculiarly. You will ſay, how ſhall we know wherein the word of Chriſts patience in any ſeaſon is like to ſuffer? I anſwer: conſider what workes he peculiarly performes in any ſeaſon, and neglect of his word in reference to them, is that wherein his word is like to ſuffer. For inſtance; the workes of Chriſt, wherein he hath been peculiarly ingaged in our daies and ſeaſons, ſeeme to be theſe.
1 The powring of contempt upon the great men and great things of the world, with all the enjoyments of it. He hath diſcovered the nakedneſſe of all earthly Things, in overturning, overturning, overturning both men, and things, to make way for the things that cannot be ſhaken. 2. The owning of the Lot of his own inheritance in a diſtinguiſhing 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 carnall 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 Chriſts patience? is it not in ſetting a value on the 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 watchfull, and in theſe things keep the word of the patience of Chriſt, if we love our own preſervation. 5. 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 worke on the heart of our bleſſed and mercifull High Prieſt, to give ſutable ſuccour at time of need.