Owen - BV4501 O84 1844

OF' SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS, 89 means of deliverance from the snare wherein they are taken, or the danger they find themselves exposed to Think of the guilt of sin, that you may be humbled. Think of the power of sin, that you may seek strength against it. Think not of the matter of sin, the things that are in the world suited to the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, lest you be more and mo,e entangled. But the present direction is, think muchof the ways of relief from the power of your own temptation leading to sin : but this men, unless they are spiritually minded, are very loth to come to. I speak nat of them that love their shackles, that glory in their yoke, that. like their temptations well enough, as those which:give the most satisfactory entertainment to their minds: Such men know not well what to do, unless they may in their minds con- verse with the objécts of their lusts, and multiply thoughts about them continually. The apostle calls it making provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Their principal trouble is, that they cannot comply with them to the utmost, by reason of some outward restraints: these dwell near to those foals who make a mock of sin, and will ere long take up their habita- tion among them. But I speak, as I said before, of them only, whose temptations are their afflictions, and who groan for de- liverance from them. Acquaint such persons with the great, indeed, only way of relief in this distress, as it is expressed,. Heb. ii. 17, 18. ' He is a merciful and faithful High Priest in things appertaining unto God ; for in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. And chap. iv. 15, 16. ' For we have not an High Priest that cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, 8*

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