90 OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNRSS. but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet with- out sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.' Let them know that the only way for their deliverance is by acting faith on thoughts on Christ, his power to succor them that are tempted, with the ways whereby he administereth a sufficiency of grace unto that end; retreating for relief to him on the urgency of temptations, they can hardly be brought to a compliance therewithal. They are ready to say, are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel l Is it not better to be- take ourselves, and to trust to our own promises, reso- lutions, and endeavors,with suchother ways of escape, as are in our own power l I shall speak nothing against any of them in their proper place, so far as they are warranted by scripture rule. But this I say, none shall ever be delivered from perplexing temptations unto the glory ofGod and their own spiritual advantage, but by the acting and exercising of faith on Christ Jesus, and the sufficiency of his grace for our deliverance. But when men are not spiritually minded, they cannot fix their thoughts on spiritual things: therefore do men daily pine away under their temptations ; they get ground upon them, until their breach grow great like the sea, and there be no healing of it. I mention this, only to show the weight and necessi- ty of the duty proposed. For when men under the power of conviction, arepressed with temptation, they will do any thing rather than betake themselves to the only efficacious relief. Some will groan and cry out under their vexation from the torture they are put to, in the conflict between their temptations and convic- tions. Some will betake themselves to the pretended
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