1Let us all learn, by such patterns of the weakness of the flesh, even in the best, to suspect our selves, and to ifear lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of us seem to come short of it. Before the time of trial come, let us pray, kas Christ did for Peter, that our saith fail not: and, according to the lpromise made to Paul, that Gods grace may be sufficient for us: and that mthe Lord would not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able Above all take we heed of presumptuous self-conceit, that we be not like him, who in too much confidence of his own strength said to Christ, nThough all men should be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended: and again, oThough I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. A worthy profession and resolution this was, if it had not been uttered upon too great a confidence of his own ability to stand, and withstand all temptations. But it being uttered on presumption of his own strength, the issue thereof was most woeful. Nothing more provokes God to leave men to themselves, and to suffer Satan to prevail against them, then an high conceit of themselves. It is most meet that such should know their own weakness. But nothing can give to man a more evident demonstration of his frailty and weakness, then his slips and falls when he is brought to the trial. This will make him say, pBehold I am vile; what shall I answer thee? qI abhor my self, I repent in dust and ashes.
1Let us all learne, by such patterns of the weaknesse of the flesh, even in the best, to suspect our selves, and to iseare lest a promise being left us of entring into his rest, any of us seeme to come short of it. Before the time of triall come, let us pray, kas Christ did for Peter, that our saith faile not: and, according to the lpromise made to Paul, that Gods grace may be sufficient for us: and that mthe Lord would not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able Above all take we heed of presumptuous selfe-conceipt, that we be not like him, who in too much confidence of his owne strength said to Christ, nThough all men should be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended: and againe, oThough I should die with thee, yet will I not denie thee. A worthy profession and resolution this was, if it had not beene uttered upon too great a confidence of his owne ability to stand, and withstand all temptations. But it being uttered on presumption of his owne strength, the issue thereof was most wofull. Nothing more provokes God to leave men to themselves, and to suffer Satan to prevaile against them, then an high conceipt of themselves. It is most meet that such should know their owne weakenesse. But nothing can give to man a more evident demonstration of his frailty and weaknesse, then his slips and falls when he is brought to the triall. This will make him say, pBehold I am vile; what shall I answer thee? qI abhorre my selfe, I repent in dust and ashes.
- 1Direction to suspect our weakness.Direction to suspect our weaknesse.
- iHeb. 4. 1.
- kLuk. 22. 32.
- l2 Cor. 12. 9.
- m1 Cor. 10. 13.
- nMat. 26. 33.
- o—35.
- pJob 40. 4.Iob 40. 4.
- q—42, 6.
