Four sermons preachedFoure sermons preached

And how hard is it to avoid sin, when occasion is at hand, and pleasant opportunity tempteth to sin? it is easier for the bird to go by the net then to break the net: so it is easier for a man to avoid temptations then to overcome temptations: therefore God forbade Balaam, not only to curse the people as Balacke would have him, but he forbade him to go with Balackes servants, knowing that if he went with them and saw the pomp of the Court, and heard the King himself speak unto him, and felt the tickling reward, it would strain his conscience, and make him doubt whether he should curse or bless.

And how hard is it to auoid sinne, vvhen occasion is at hand, and pleasant opportunitie tempteth to sinne? it is easier for the birde to go by the net then to breake the net: so it is easier for a man to auoide temptations then to ouercome temptations: therefore God forbad Balaam, not onelie to curse the people as Balacke woulde haue him, but hee forbad him to goe with Balackes seruauntes, knowing that if hee vvent with them and sawe the pompe of the Courte, and hearde the King himselfe speake vnto him, and felt the tickling rewarde, it woulde straine his conscience, and make him doubt whether hee shoulde curse or blesse.

Peter but warming himself at Caiaphas fire, was overcome by a silly Damsel to do that which he never thought, even to forswear his Lord God: therefore Daniel would not eat of the kings meat, least he should be tempted to the kings will, showing us that there is no way to escape sin, but to avoid occasion. Therefore David prayeth, Turn away mine eyes from vanity: as though his eyes would draw his heart as the bait tilleth on the hook. Noah thought to drink, he thought not to be drunk: but as he which cometh to the field to sound the trumpet is slain as soon as he which cometh to fight: so the same wine distempereth Noah which hath distempered so many since. Where he thought to take his reward, and taste the fruit of his own hands, God set an everlasting blot upon him, which sticks fast till this day, like a bar in his arms, so long as the name of Noah is spoken of, that we cannot read of his virtue but we must read of his sin, whereby every man is warned to receive the gifts of God ⟨image 29⟩