Temptations. To the fpeedy Ufe, therefore, of a holy Purpose, I proceed, in

the

Third Place, to exhort you, beseeching you, as Barnabas did thofe of Antioch, that, Aas 11. 25. with full purpose of heart you would cleave unto the Lord; the Lord Jefus Chrift. It is. true, as to the general End of Man, which is his Perfonal Happiness, there is no need of any vehement Perfuafive to it; no great need of Deliberation and Refolution of Mind. Nature it felf hath fix'd and determined this Point, that it is as necessary to be happy, as it is to be at But Mankind is not fo ftedfaftly resol P. 151. ved upon the Means as the End: would be happy hereafter as Angels and rev Saints, and yet live here as Beafts. But, without a holy Purpose, and a fuitable Performance, no Man fhall fee the Lord. Take, therefore, to you Words, and fay with Joh. 24. 1. Jofua, as for me and my House, we WILL Jerve the Lord. Use the Language of Ba

all (a). (a) Andron.

Rhod. 1.6.c 2. dei's

Divers 20

laam ;

de

ἄλλως έχειν.

laam; but let it proceed out of a more Numb. 2. 18. righteous Heart: If any one would give me his House full of Silver and Gold, I cannot go beyond the Word of the Lord 'my God, to do less or more. With Caleb and Joshua follow the Lord wholly, and you will enter into a better Land of Promise than they at first did. Engage your Hearts to approach unto the Lord, and he will draw nigh unto you, and make what you do to profper.

Jer. 30. 31.

In purpofing on this manner, be pleased to obferve these few Directions:

First, When Difficulties in Religion difcourage you, oppose Neceffity to them, saying, Let come on it what will, we must serve God, we must fave our Souls. It must be confeffed, that when those who have been enchanted with finful Pleasures, begin to think of reforming themselves, there is a great ftrife betwixt the Flesh and the Spi rit, and they are ready to think they can

not

not by any means get the Victory, and they cry out with Anxiety, and fay, Men and Brethren, what fhall we do? What fhould they do? Doubtless they should encourage themfelves in God, who is greater than those who are against them, and will come in to their Aid, if they pray to him, and repeat their Holy Vows in fincerity of Heart. It cannot be denied, but that the first Steps in our Afcent towards Chriftian Perfection are very laborious; but in due time we shall make good Progrefs if we faint not. S. Paul, when at firft he found his Mind ftrugling betwixt Grace and Nature, cried out as a Man in great diftrefs, who fhall deliver me Rom. 7.24. from the Body of this Death? Yet at length the Grace of God did carry his Resolution. to fuch a Degree of Power, that he chang'd his Complaint into the Triumph of thefe Words, I can do all things through Chrift, who Philip. 4.13. Strengthens me.

Secondly, In all Temptations maintain such a Presence of Mind as may enable you to

reflect

reflect upon the Refolutions which you have formerly taken up against them. Commune with your own Hearts after this manner. Is not this the very Evil which, upon due Confideration, we have fo often vow'd to forfake? How can we thus contradict our felves? How fhall we do this great Wickedness, and fin against our Confcience, our Baptifmal Engagement, our Righteous Pur poses, and our Holy Juft God, who keepeth his Promife for ever.

Thirdly, When you have taken a Refo lution to lead a more Chriftian Life, ab. ftain, at least for a time, from the familiar Converfation of fuch who account it a Crime not to be diffolute, and endeavour, by mockery, to discourage all Seriousness in Religion. The prophane and fcurrilous Breath of fuch Men, who are of a Party for Vice, may Drive back again that Difeafe, which was coming forth by Confeffion and Repentance.

Fourthly,

Fourthly; Think frequently of the folemn Vow, Promise and Profeffion which you made in Baptifm, and renew it often in the Holy Communion. By it all worthy Partakers are strengthned and refreshid.

Laftly; Say not, All this we will do, though not now, yet in a convenient Seafon. It may be that convenient Season will never come; for who knows what a Day may bring forth? How foolish are fuch, and ignorant, who fay in effect, We reJolve to be good, but not till it be more difficult to be fo; not till Custom in Sin hath hardned our Hearts, and stiffned our Necks into Inflexibility? O ye Sons of Men, how long will ye love Vanity, and feek after Leafing? Imitate rather Holy David, and attend to his Words in the 119th Pfalm; I thought on my Ways, and turned my Feet unto thy Teftimonies. I made hafte, and delayed 59, 60, 57. not to keep thy Commandments. I have faid, [or fully determined] that I would keep thy Words.

Pfal. 119.