C H A P, 3. Epiflle to the Theffalonians. Va R. 5. 2 13 'Saints left to themfèlues: fo that 1 thinke their falls are without parallel euen among!] Nouices, as in Dafid,Sa- kmott, Peter, &c. Truth is, fuch muff expe& the moll exquiûre of Sa. Frans temptations, molt lùbrilly contriued, with greatefl violence vrged, inafmuch as he knowes ; En ft, iris not his ordinary skill that preuailes againfl them. Secondly, by their fais expéfts a double aduanrage. Fi:lf, their fais he thinks likely the feares ofothers in- feriours in grace rand hopes the great Champions once overcome, the petty Souldiers will dread the encounter; as P Philiftims fled when their Gyart was ouerthrowne. p a San,ry.sr' And certainly that hope doth not aline,,yes fayle him : weake ones grow over- timorous, almof} hopeictfe of vi- Elory, feeing fo foule fats of their Supet:iours in grace, nor contdcring, Firft,that rhefe things are permitted to snake vs cautionate , not defperatc. Secondly, that God i many times ri perfeas his power in weakneff e: enabling a weake Novice to endure that brunt of temptation, that f}ronger men haue beetle borne downe withall. A fecond aduantage he aymes at in their temptation and overthrow, thus conceiue: Eminent examples hee knowes are prevalent whether in good or euill. No pre- cedent hath proued more pernicious in euill,rhen that of themoil eminent in the grace of God : feldome fall (itch alone; but their falls are like the falls of mighty Cedars, bearing down before them a multitude of weaker plants. I fay then as'T asl, Let 1 him that thinkes he fiends, take heed left befall ; and what ever our graces be, 'jet bee not high-minded, but fee re. Three faults of nzen eminent in grace are fpecially here taxed. Firfi,Security,when men conceited of their flrength, grow careleffe of the danger they are in, crying peace to themfelues: thefe forfooth are at defiance with Saran, and dare almoft dare him to doe his wort }. Oh confider, P 3 we g laird r 2.9. 1`//'e. r i Cor. 10.'2. f Rom, 1.2,o:
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