324 III. 1V. I. II. Qrseffions,andCafes ofConfcience Chap. 31; 4. He is as a roaring lion, doing what he can toaffright us, and makeus yeeld to him. 5. he walks up and down , wherein he fhewshimfelf to be fedulous , and refilefle, Mat. 12. 43. 6. He Peeks whom he may devoure. This declares him to be a deadly enemy , that aimes at our death, even the damnation of our fouls ; and is therenot jul} caufe to watch againfl fuch an enemy. Thirdly, for our felves we are exceeding foolilh , like the filly fifh that with a bait is foon taken : By reafon of the flefh that is in us we are prone, and for- ward to yeeld to every temptation, as dry tinder loon takes fire ; as gun-powder, &c. Bendes, there is in us a natural proneneUe ofour felves to decay in grace, and to fall from it, as a f}oneto fall downward ; or for water to wax cold ifremo- ved from the fire. Fourthly, for God who is oft provoked bymens fecuriry , and carelefneífe to leave them to the tentations whereunto they are fuble& , which if he do , we cannot f}and: as we fee in Peter, Math. 26.33.-70. Hence, t Corinth.' o.13. `&om. I I. 20. Quef}. whymuff every one be circumfpeft over himf,If f 9nf .Firí}, becaufe everyone is neared to himfelf ; now our greatefl care muff be of the neared tous. Secondly, every one hath a fpecial chargeofhimfelf, A£1.z0.28. whereby they may fave themfelves, r 7ím.4.16. Thirdly, every one bed knows himfelf, and can bed difcern when he begins to decay,' Cor.2.11.Hence we are exhorted, to examine our [elves ,&c. 2 Cor.1 3.5. Fourthly, every one is efpecially togive an account of himfelf , Rom. 14.12. 2 Cor. 5.10. uet}. ivhy muff every one be circumfp:6t over others ? Ant 23% Flrfl, becaufe of the near unionofall Chriflians , they are brethren , c/Ydal. z. I o. Secondly, becaufe ofthe like common condition ofall : Others as well as our felves, are fub;e& to manifold infirmities,and toall forts of tentations,and have the fame enemies. Thirdly, becaufe of the extent ofbrotherly love, Matth. 22.39. This is the fumme both of the Law, and Gofpel. if we do this we (hall do well, lam. 2. 8. Fourthly, becaufe of the zeal that we ought to beare to' the glory of God: For to keep others from falling, addes much to Gods honour. Dr. gouge or Heb. Quell. What benefit fhall we haveby this eircumfpeîlwanking. Anti'''. It will conduce much to the comfort of our lives. For our under- f}andings, and judgements arenot given us only to plot for the world, and to be circumfpe& for our temporal welfare : but to bewife for the maine end, to glorifie God, and fave our fouls, to get out of the corruption of nature , and to maintaine our communion with God ; the end of our living in the world , is to begin Heaven upon earth : and whatfoever is done in order to this end is good , but without circumfpe&ion nothing can be done to this end. Quelf. whatare the impediments that binder us from this circunofpefl making ? Anfw. Fill}, the rage oflul}s that will notgive a man leave to confider of his Ì wayes : but are impetuous,commanding, and tyrannous, making men without confideration to rufh into fin as the horfe into thebattei. econdly, too much worldlybufaneffe: when men are dif}ra&edwith the things of this life, are overloaden with cares, they cannot be circumfpeéf for their fouls : they are like toMartha,and negle l Maries part. Thirdly,
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