Ver.><> . the 17th Chapter of St. OHN. Ability of Sufficiency, and of Idoneity, an Experimental Ability. Chrifl had Expe- rience, thó hòt of Sin, yet of Temptation to Sin ; he is not Only able; but willing, he knoweth what it is. Chrift would borrow our Nature to make Experiments. 21fe 1. Tò teach us to walk with Caution, and in a continual dependance upo% God. We are cbntinually affaulted, and live in the midit of Snares. A Man that cometh into the World, (faith Luther) is like a Traveller that cometh into an Inn, where there dwell none but Thieves. Now he that carrieth Jewels about him, had need to take heed the diverfity, the frequency, the continuation of -Temptations fhould make us wary. The Diverfity ; there are Baits for every Temper, Honours fo the Ambitious, Wealth for the Covetous, and Pleafures for the Senfual. The Devi[ bath a Diet to feed every Diflemper ; fonie are fullen, not bent to Pleafures, but Satan is not at a lots to fit them with a Temptation, there are Profits for them : Others are facile and more eafy, they have Pleafures : Others would be great, they have Honours: Arid when Satan knoweth the Lull, he fuiteth the Bait; he is an old Sophifler, well skilled in the Tempers of Men. Therefore teeing that in every Bufinefs, in every bit of Meat, in every Recreation there are Snares, we had need feed with fear, and trade with fear. When there is an Enemy in the Country, we keep confiant Watch and Ward. Then, for the frequency and continuance of Temptations, they are always about us. Long Suits prevail at laft. From the,firfl ufe of Reafon,till the hour of Death, as tong as God continueth our abode in the World, we are in danger. There are ma, nÿ Baits; Satan is crafty, and the World is fpightful, and our Hearts are naught. We are now upon our Trial, the great Work of Religion, is to walk in a canflant watch- fulnefs and dependance. Alas ! many are as if they were in the Haven already; fó negligent, fo carelefs, as if they were in the midit of Patadife, önt of Temptations. 21fe a. To prefs us to grow weary of the World, it is a place full of Snares; here we have many Snares, and many Enemies. If we have a mind to fin no longer, why fhould we delire to live in the World ? The World is a Step- mother to the Saints, why fhould we delire to hang upon the Dug ? He that would always live here, is like a Scullion, that loveth to lie among the Pots. In Heaven we have pure Company, and are out of the reach and danger of Temptations. The Devil, when he was not fit for Heaven, was caft out into the World, a fit Place for Mifery, Sin, and Torment; it is Satan's Walk and Circuit : Here is Antichrift, the Devil's eldeft Son ; here are Terrieu- lamenta & Irritamenta, Fears and Snares; It is a dirty odd Corner of the Univerfe, we can hardly walk up and down, but we {hall defile our Garments : Here are Briars to hitch us, Snares and Baits to Mace ús. There is a more excellent Country above; where we thall have the Company of God, and the Fellowfhip Of the Saints, Saints without Corruption, other manner of Saints than here. There is no Tempter there there fhould be your Country. In a pet we long for Heaven, but it fhould be out of a refolved Judgment. Menfight in the World as long as they are able, acid then make Heaven their Refuge. It thould not be a melancholy with ; We fhould delire Heaven, not as weary of Work and Service, but as weary of Temptation. Vfe 3. Examination. What kind of Temper have we? There are Children of this World, Luke 16.8. The World is their own Mother, they love to lie hanging on the Dugs and Teats. And there is a;Spirit called, the Spirit of the World, r COI.. 2. f 2. M1 Genius that fuiteth with prefent Conveniences; there is their Portion, Kai. t7. t4. Their Names are written in the Earth, Jer. 17. t3. that is their Happinefs. The Nature of the World's Sons, is all for the Lulls of the nett], the Lulls of the Eye; add the Pride of Life ; to go fine, to feed high, to thine in worldly Pomp, affefl flonouri and great Places. Too many Chrìttians are baptiied into this Spirit. There is an ufe of the Things of this World, but we thould ufe them with fear; they cannot fmell the Role of the Field, Chtifl hath,no lcent or favour. Oh, it is a fad Chárafler to be a Child of this World ; one that hath the Nature of the Mother in them, One of the World's breed. A Child of God, is a Pilgrim and Stranger ; Pal. 119'. 19. I am à Stranger in the Earth. Abraham purchafed but a Sepulcher ; that is all the Faithful can lay claim to on Earth. He loòketh on himfelf Is born and bred in anther Land ; his Mother is a Princef, the Bride,, the. Lamb's Wife ; and his Father is in Heaven : he la in the World, but not of the World: lj 4;
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