Abernathy - Houston-Packer Collection BX9178.A33 S4 1748 v.4

Men tempted to Evil by their own Lu s. 3.3 head, I think the apoflle St. yohn's divifion S L R tvt of luft is the molt ufeful to the purpofe of II inftruding chriftians how they fhould con- duft themfelves fo as to avoid temptations. He exhorteth us, i epift. ii. is. not to love the world, neither the things of the world; and what thofe things are, he explaineth in the following words, ver. i6. Jr ò all that is in the world, the lulls of the flefh, the lulls of the eyes, and the pride of lifè, is not of the Father, but is of the world. What in the prefent Rate of trial and weakncfs you ought to guard againft an exceffive fondnefs for, as being ordinarily in the greateft danger from it, which worldly men eagerly purfue, but they are miffed by it from the love and imitation of God, and obedience to his laws; that is, either fenfual enjoyment in any branch of it, the gratification of carnal de- fires, whereby you may be led into a vo- luptuous courfe of life, intemperance of any kind, luxury or lafcivioufnefs, making pro - vifion for the flefh to fulfil the affefions of it ; or filver and gold, {lately houfes, fine equipage, and gay apparel, or any thing of a like kind, which pleafeth the eye and the fancy; or, laftly, worldly honours and gran- deur, the applaufe of men, high flations, fplendid titles, and places of power, where - VOL.IV, D by

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