314 The Support of Good Men, Vol. I. H. Enquiry 5 namely, how far Men may rely upon the Providence of God to bear them out in fuch Sufferings ? To which I anfwer ; That provided we do what becomes us, and is our Duty on our part, the Providence of God will not be wanting on his part, to bear us out in all our Sufferings for his Caufe, one of thefe three ways. Fir/I, To fecure us from that violent degree of Temptation and Suffering, which would be too firong for Humane Strength and Patience; Or Secondly, In cafe of fuch extraordinary Temptation and Trial, to give us the extraordinary Supports and Comforts ofhis Holy Spirit ; or elfe, Thirdly, In cafe ofa Temporary Fall and Mifcarriage, to raife us upby Repen- tance, and a greater Refolution and Conftancy under Sufferings. I fhall fpeak feverally to thefe. Firfi, Either the Providence of God will not be wanting to fecure us from that violent degree of Temptation and Suffering, which would be too firong for Humane Strength and Patience to bear. And this is a great Security to Good Men, againfi the Fears of a final Mifcarriage, after all their Labours, and Pains, and Sufferings in a ReligiousCourfe, by being over-born at Taft by the Affault ofa very violent and powerful Temptation. Not but that the heft ofMen ought always to have a prudent diftruft of themfelves, fo as to keep them from Securi- ty ; according to the Apoftle's Caution and Connfel 5 be not high minded, but fear; and let him that Hands, take heed lefi hefall; becaufe ;till we come to Hea- ven, we (hall never be out of the Danger and Pof13btlity of falling ; But yet for all this, we may hope, by the fincerity and firmnefs of our Refolution, under the anal Influences of God's Grace, to acquit ourfilms like Men, in ordinary Ca- fes ofTemptation and Suffering. And to this end, we fhould reprefent to our felves thofe exceeding great and precious Promifes, which he hath made to Good Men, and his merciful Provi- dence, which continually watcheth over them, and fteers their Courfe for them in this World, among thofe many Rocks, which they are in danger to fplit up- on ; that he is able tofiablifh us in the Truth, and to keep us from falling, and to prefent usfaultlefs beforethe pretence of his Glory with exceeding 3toy, and to preferve us to his heavenlyKingdom ; and that if we do not forfake him, and forfeit his Care and Proteftion, he will keep us by his mightyPower through Faith unto Salva- tion ; either by his merciful Forefight and Prevention of thofe Temptations which would probably be toohard for us; or if he thinks fit they fhould befall us, by fupporting us under them in an extraordinary manner. For I doubt not, but that the belt Men do own their Security and Perfeve- rance in Goodnefs, much more to the merciful Providence of God, preventing the Affaults of violent and dangerous Temptations, than to the Firmnefs and Con- francy of their own Refolutions. For there are very few Perfons of fo firm and refolute Virtue, but that one time or other, a Temptation might affaulr them up- on fuch a Difadvantage, as would, in all probability, not only nagger them, but bear themdown. Now herein the ProvidenceofGod towards Good Men is very remarkable, in fecuring them from thofe Temptations which are too firong for themto grapple withal ; like a kindand tender Father, who, if he be farisfied of the dutiful Difpofition of his Child towards him, will not try his Obedience to the utmoft, nor permit too firong a Temptation to the contrary to come in his way. So the Pfalmf reprefents God's tender Regard and Confideration ofthe Frailty and Infirmity ofhis Children, Pfal. 103. 03, t¢. Like as a Father pitieth his Children, fo the Lord pitieth them that fear him : For he knoneth our frame, he re- membreth that we are daft ; that is, he confidereth us as Men, and deals with us accordingly. Provided we be fincere, he will not fuller us to be fet upon by Temptations that are too big for us. And therefore our bleffed Saviour makes it oneof the Petitionsof that excellent Prayer, which he bath recommended to us; Lead us not into Temptation ; that is, we fhould every Day beg of God, that his Providence would keep us out of the way of great and dangerous Temptations, as knowing that this will be a greater Security to us, than any Strength and Re- folution of our own. Secondly,
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