26 Of TEMPTATION, &c. 4441rv? + Arms,& r?rr 0r*ti ; r.ov was sti --r0r* ,60 C H A P. VII. Several axis ofwatchfulnefs againfl temptation propofed. Watch the heart. What it is to be watched in and about. Of the fnares lying `i^ inmens natural tempers. Ofpeculiar lulls. Of occafons Suited to them. Watching to lay in promSon againlf temptation. `.bireJíions for watchfulnefs in the firfl approaches of temptation. Directions after entering into temptation. THAT part ofwatchfulnefs againft temptation which we have confdered, re- gards the outward means, eccalions and advantages of temptation; proceed T now to that which refpe£ts the heart itfel , which is wrought upon, and entangled by temptation : watching or keeping ofthe heart, which above all keepings we are obligedunto, comes within the campafs ofthis duty alfo ; for the right perfor- mance whereof; take thefe enfuing direftions. s. Let him that would not enter into temptation labour to know his ownheart, tobe acquainted with his own fpirit, his natural frame and temper, his lufts and corruptions, his natural, finful, or fpiritual weakneffes, that finding where his weaknefs lies, he may be careful to keep at a diftance from all accalrons offin. Our Saviour tells thedifciples, that they knew eat mbarfpirit they wereof, whichunder a pretenceof zeal betrayed them into ambitionand delire of revenge. Had theyknown it, they would have watched over thesnfelves. David tells us, Pfal.xviii. 23. that he conffderedhis ways, and tope himfetffrom his iniquity, which he was particularly prone unto. There areadvantages for temptations lying oftentimes in. mens natural tempers and conflitutions: fume are naturally gentle, facile, eafy to be intreated, pliable, which though it be the nobleft temper ofnature, and the heft and choiceft ground, when well broken up and {allowed for graceto grow in, yet ifnot snatched over, will be a means of innumerable furprizals and iistanglementsin temptation. Others are earthy, froward, morofe; fo that envy, malice, felfifhnefs, peevifhnefs, harfb. thoughts of others, repinings, lie at the very door of their natures, and they can farce Step out, but theyare in the fnare ofone or other of them : others are paffroáate, and the like. Now he that would watch that he enter not intotemptation, had' need be acquainted with hisown natural temper : that he may watch over the treacheries that lie in it con- tinually ; take heed left you havea yehu in you, that (hall make you drive furioufly, or, a yonahin you, that will make you readyto repine ; ora David that will make you hafty in your determinations ashe was often in thewarmth and goodnefs of his natural temper. He who watches not this throughly, who is not exa/ly skill'd in the knowledgeofhimfel, will -never be difrntaugled from one temptation oranother, all hisdays. Again, asmen have peculiar natural tempers, which according as they are attended or managed, prove a greatfumes offin, or advantage to the exererfe of grace; fo men may have peculiar lußs or corruptions, which either by their natural conftitution or education andother prejudices, have got deep rooting and ßrength in them. This alto is tobe found out byhits, who would not enter into temptation. Unlefs he know it, unlefs his eyes be always on it, unlefs heobferves its aftings, motions, advan- tages, it willcontinually be intangling and infiraring of him. This then is our Sixthdi- re£tion in this kind; labour toknow thine own frame and temper, what fpirit thou art of; what affociates in thy heartSatan hath, where corruption is ßrong, where grace is weak ; what ßrong hold luß hath in thy natural conftitution, and the like. How ma- ny haveall their comforts Hafted, and peacedifturbed, by natural paflon and peevifh- nefs ?
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