166 Of Temperance. SERM. fires to thofe things which are but mean in VI. comparifon as well as momentary. This t-"" ) St. Peter urges *, Wherefore gird up the loins of your minds, be fiber, and hole unto the end, for the grace that fhall be brought unto you at the revelation of yefius Chrif . The fecond argument is, that temperance or fobriety is a good prefervative from fnares and temptations ; therefore is it fo often re- commended in conjunction with vigilance, as ± let us not fleep as do others, but watch and be fiber. And, 11 Be fiber, be vigilant, for your adverfary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion, eeking whom he may devour. The molt prevailing and dangerous tempta- tions are thofe which excite the love of the world, the lufts of the flefh, and the eyes, and the pride of life; and therefore the beft de- fence againft them muff be an habitual tem- perance or moderation of our defires towards thefe objects. As we make a very folemn profefflon of chriftianity, nothing is more neceffary for us than to guard againft temptations whereby we may be in danger of being drawn away i Pet. i, z g. -f i Thef. v. 6. II i Pet. v. 8. and
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