z][S SERMONS upon . Serm.24. upon the Soul, to weaken the Power of Sin. Jer. p. 4o. I will put my fear into their Hearts, that they flail not depart from ns : and giveth á&ual (trength, when tempted; 2 Cor. 12.9. aly Grace is fufcient for thee ; and when we fall, God raifeth us, that we perifh not: Sometimes God lets us fall ; as a Father, when the Child is bufy about the Fire, puts his Finger to a Coal, that he may be afraid of it. It is one of his Me- thods to bring us to Heaven, to make us tafte of Sin's Bitternefs. David prayeth, keftore unto me the. joy of thy Salvation: and uphold me by thy free Spirit, Pfal.q r, t 2. 2. By his Providence. (i.) He removeth the provoking Occafions and Objeas of Sin. Pfal. 125.3. The Rod of the Wicked fha1I not refî upon the Lot of the Righteous : left they put forth their Hand to do Iniquity. We need this outward Help : if we had oftner occafions, we fhould be more angry, more voluptuous, more worldly. (a.) Violent Temptations are not permitted, where he feeth we are moft weak. As yacob drove . as the little Ones were able to bear. t Cor. to. 13. God will not Aft r ue to be tempted above what we are able ; but with the Temptation will make a way to efcape, that we may be able to bear it. He doth not give us into the Enemies Hands, and leave us to the Malice of Satan, or the Violence of Men; all is guided with Wifdom and Care. And, (3.) By with holding Occafions and Opportunities, when Temptation hath pre- vailed. Job 33. 17. That he may withdraw Man from his purpofe, and hide Pride from May. When we have conceived a purpofe, God hindreth the Execution; fuch Dif- appointments are a great Mercy. Secondly, Why God alone mull keep us r. From the Nature of God, he is able. 2 Tim. I. 12. I know he is able to keep that which I have committed to him, r Pet. r. q. Who are kept by the Power of God. Jude 24. To him that is able to keep you from falling. He is wife, 2 Pet. 2. 9. The Lord knows how to deliver the Godly out of Temptation. God is skilful, and well verft in this Work. God is faithful, and will not fail, 2 Theft 3.3. The Lord is faithful, who will f abli/b you, and keep you from Evil. Our Eftablifhment and Prefervation from damning Sins, is among the Bleffings of the Covenant, his Faithfulnefs lieth at ftake. 2. From our Weaknefs. We cannot keep our felves; We are fo weak, we are apt to çotlfent to Lufts, or to faint under Affli &ions : Ws can no more hand againft Satan, than a Lamb can againft a Wolf. The World hash a treacherous Party in our own Hearts. The heft things are moll dependant ; a Sheep, not a Wolf; a Vine, not a Bramble; a Saint, he is always depending. Vie r. Do not forfeit God's keeping. This may be done ; therefore we pray, Mat. 6. 13. Lead us not into Temptation. God, as a Judg, puts us for our Exercife under Sa- tan's Hands; as a Malefaaor is put into the Sergeant's Hands, if he will not be ruled; this is a Spiritual Excommunication. Partly, to cure us of Self- confidence, or railing in our own flrength : we ufe to try Men that boaft,with an heavy Burden : fo doth the Lord, judges to. 14. Go and cry unto the Gods, whom ye have chofen, let them deliver you in the time of your Tribulation. Partly, to cure us of negle& and unthankfulnefs, when we do not take notice of God's keeping, when God hath lent us his Grace, and we..e#tink we are not beholden to him; as if a Man is weary, and another (hould lend him his Staff to go by, and thereupon he fhould begin to flight him. He taketh no notice of his Prefervation, that doth not walk anfwerably to it ; Dependance fhould beget Obfervance. Phil. 2.12, 13. Work out your Salvation with fear and trembling for it is God that worketh in you, to will and to do according to his good pleafure. When we do not thrive under his Cuftody, it is fchndalous. God will takeaway the Hedg, let the Boar of the Forth come in and eat them down. Vie 2. To profs the Children of God to two Duties, Dependance, Confidence. t. Dependance. r Chron. 20.12. We have no might againft this great Company, nei- ther know we what to do, but our Eyes are up to thee. We mutt profefs that we do. not Rand by our own flreneth, but are as a Staff in the Hand of a Man, or a Child in the Hand of the Father. Pfal.7o.5. I am poor and needy, make hafte unto me, 0 God : thou art my Help, and my Deliverer, make no tarrying, 0 my God. God is honoured, when we acknowledg him for our Guardian. 2. Confidence,
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