Ver.15.. the 17thChapter of St. JOHN, 2. Confidence, that he will preserve us in that Grace to which he bath called us in Christ. There will be (takings, and wandrings 5 as a Tree fanned at the Root, is driven to and fro with violent Blasts. There may be an interruption of the Aas of Grace; as a Man in afwoon, or as ftunu'd by great Blow, but he is alive : fo there may be particular Falls, but we (tall not fall conftantly, readily, easily. As in a Land - flood the Meadows may be overflown, but the Marlhes are drowned every Tide. Pre - fervation from darning Sins is Cure and;certain, Christ bath asked ir. God is able to keep us. Happy are they that have an Interest in Chrift's Prayers, and that have God for a Guardian ! therefore wait upon God with Hope in the midst of Temptations. 6. I obfee from the left words, the Evil, from the evil One, or evil Thing, it lieth indifferently. L From the Evil One. Obferve, Satan bath a great hand in the Evils that befal sm in theWorld, both Aft-Miens and Sin. Lie infigateth our Enemies, and infameth our Lufts. g (r) He inftigateth our Enemies. Chrift faid, Luke 22. 53. This is your Hoar, and the Power of Darknefs. Rev. t a. t 2. The Devil is come down unto you, having great -wrath, because he ltnoroeth that he bathbut a fbort time. If you could behold with bodily Eyes this evil Spirit, hanging on the Ears of the great Men of the World, and of the common People, to animate them against the Saints, you would more admire the Work of God, that you do fubftfl. (2.) He inflameth our Sins and' Lufs. r Cor.7. 3. Left Satan tempt you for your In- continency. The Sin is ours, but Satan joins with it, and makes it more violent: As in Storms and Tempefts, when Matter is prepared, the Devil maketh them more formi- dable. Z)fe r. Let Perfecutors take heed, the Devil is near, and they are guided by him, Tho they fee him not; Rev. 16. r,¢. They are the Spirits of Devils working Miracles, which go forth to the Kings of the Earth. 2. Here is Advice to the People of God. (r.) To beware of Sins, that you gra- tify not Satan with the difpleafure of God. Do you think Peter would ever have given fuch Advice to Chrift as he did, if he knew Satan had been in it ? Would carnal Men ever lie, if they knew the Devil filled their Hearts ? Atts S. 3. Why bath Satan filled thine Heart to lie to the Holy Ghost ? Would Men fin fo freely, if they knew the Hand of Satan was in all ? And if the Lord should give you over to his Power, if he fhould give Satan charge over you, how far might he hurry and carry you ? (2.) Let this teach you dependance upon God fo much the more. Ephef. 6. 12. For we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood, but againfi Principalities, againfi Powers, against the Riders of the Darknefì of this World, against spiritual Wickedx{ef; in high Places. We have to do with the Devil as well as Men, and therefore have need to look up to God : And this is thy Comfort, O Chriftian, that God is ftron er than Satan. 2. From the evil Thing, that is, the evil of Perfecution ; keep them from being de- ftroyed, till they have accomplished their Ministry. Obferve 5 God keepeth his Saints temporally, till their Work is ended by a Special Providence. He delivers them from Dif- eafes, and from the fury of Men, as long as he hath any Service for them in the World. Therefore when ever you have efeaped. any viftble and fenfible Danger, when you are come out of a terrible Difeafe, or kept from the Fury of Men, improve it accordingly, it is for Service. But rather it may be underftood of the Evil of Sin, keep them from the Evil. And fo the note is, That Sin is the greatest Evil. Christ doth not fay, keep them from Trem- ble ; No, let them ride out the Storm, but keep them from the Evil of Sin. Lyeeea SEIZM:
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