.6 IS Chap. 3t. An F.xpofition upon the Book! of Jos. Verf.3o econdiy Natural! corruption beftirres it (elfe, and fbews its power by provokingand prcftìngus, bygoading and movingus to that which is evill.Of this the Apoftle }lames fpeakes (Chap. r: 14. ) Let no man fay when be is tempted, 1am temptedof god; for God cannot be temptedwith evil), neither temptethbee anyman ; that is,he Both not tempt any man to the evill of fn ; God doth not provoke nor blowup any mans lulls or paffions, his pride or covetoufneffe. He tempts many by putting them to the harder exercifes and fervices of Grace; but he tempts no man by draw- ing out or flirtingup his corrnptions.How then is man tempted? The Apofile anfwers in the next words ; But every man is temp- ted, when he isdrawee away with bis owne luß and inticed. 'Tis tuft which intifeth,and byentifement drawes man to fin. Ufually . the devili fete luft a- worke, and luft lets man aworks, yet loft dothoften fct man a worke, though the devil! Eland by and doe nothing. Our Iufts, that is, our toilful! and deceitful! hearts are a fountain of fin, 'Us no eafie matter to refit, and 'tie extrearne- ly hard to corquerthe motionsofthem. Thus thepower of luft isgreat, both in oppofing us when we would doe good, and in provoking us to, doe evil!. jobs mouth would faine have been fpeaking unduly, but he didnot fuffer it. Secondly , Obferve. t.:11 men, that I fay not aß men, fifer fer the to run in to, more evils or fins,both by fpeechandprallife, then they are necrftatedonto, or,they commit manyfins which they might aveyd. As famedoe even envite temptations and provoke their lulls to aékivenes, fo thereare none foacîive as they oughtand might to refit temptations, and repel! their luftfull provocations. Though a man in his naturali gate bath no power to doe that which is properlyand fpiritually good.yet man even ina natural! Rate path a power to flop himfelfe in famewhat that is evils; a, natural! man may put fume checkeupon his tufts andcorruptions, he may bridle and binde them more then he doth. And as there is no natural! man that giveshimfelfe (belt a ftop as he-might a- gainft fin ; fo there are very few ( ifany ) godly men whodoe it. They that have grace, rarely improve their grace to the armoft in hindering and checking the torrent of their corrupt affcaions. As
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