432 DIRECTIONS FOR GETTING ANIS KEEPING 2. And the lastsentence of this doubt had needof great caution, before you conclude'it a certain truth. It is true that the obedi- ence, which, by an ordinary temptation, such as. men may expect, would be overthrown, is pot well grounded and rooted before it is overthrown. But it is a great doubt whether there be not degrees of temptation possible, which would overcome the resolution and grace of themost holy, having such assistance as the Spirit usually giveth believers in temptation; and whether some temptations which overcome not a strong Christian, wotildnot overcome a weak one, who yet bath true grace. I conclude nothing of these doubts. But Iwould not have you trouble yourself upon confident conclu- sions, on so doubtful grounds. This I am certain of; .1. That the strongest Christian should take heed of temptation, and not trust to the strength of his graces, nor presume on God's preservation, while he willfully casteth himself in the mouth of dangers ; nor to be encouraged hereunto upon any persuasionof an impossibility of his falling away. O, the falls, the fearful falls that I have known (alas ! how often !) the most eminent men for godliness that ever I knew, to be guilty of, by casting themselves upon temptations ! I confess I will never be confident of that man's perseverance, were he the best that I know on earth, who casteth hunselfupon violent temptations, especially the temptatións of sensuality, prosperity, and seducement. 2. I know God hath taught us daily to watch and pray, that we.enter not into temptation, and to pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us fromevil." (I never under- stood the necessityof that petition feelingly, till I saw the examples of these seven or eight years last past.) This being so, you must look. that your perseverance should be by being preserved from temptation; and must rather examine, whether you have that grace which will enable you to avoid temptations, than whether you have grace enough to overcome them, if you rush into them. But if God unavoidably.cast you upon them, keep up your watch and prayer, and you have no cause to trouble yourself with distrust- ful fears. Doubt 13. `I am afraid, lest I have committed the unpardona- ble sin against the Holy Ghost; and then there is no hope of my salvation.' Answ. It seems you know not what the sin against the Holy Ghost is. It is this ; When a man is convinced that Christ and his disciples did really work those glorious miracles which are record- ed in thegospel, and yet will not believe that Christ is the Son of God, and his doctrine true, though sealed with all those miracles, and other holy and wonderful worksofthe Spirit, but doth blasphe- mously maintain that they were done by the power of the devil.; this is the sin against the Holy Ghost. And dare you say that
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