A discourse about the state of true happiness delivered in certain sermons in Oxford,…A discourse about the state of true happinesse deliuered in certaine sermons in Oxford,…

Thus Satan in his temptations, sometimes proceeds by a method, a it were of nature, in striking at faith, the root and heart of our spiritual life. But if h• be not able to fasten his fiery darts upon the shield of faith; why then he takes a contrary course and method, as it may best fit his advantage, and more easy insinuation. For he attempts the dulling and diminishing of our zeal, and forwardness in religion, and other fruits of faith, and inferior parts of sanctification. And that by such means as these.

Thus Satan in his temptations, sometimes proceedes by a method, a it were of nature, in striking at faith, the roote and heart of our spirituall life. But if h• be not able to fasten his fierie darts vpon the shield of fai•h; why then he takes a contrary course and method, as it may best fit his aduantage, and more easie insinuation. For he attempts the dulling and diminishing of our zeale, and forwardnesse in religion, and other fruits of faith, and inferiour parts of sanctification. And that by such meanes as these.

One weapon, by which he labours to wound our fervency,§1 and faithfulness in duties of holiness, and to hinder the entire exercise of the graces of sanctification, is prosperity and freedom from discomforts and misery. For if he once espy us to be encompassed with worldly peace, reputation amongst men, honours and offices, plenty of wealth and preferments; he is ever then in good hope (by the help of the natural aptness of worldly happiness to ensnare and entangle) to beget in our hearts, worldliness and security, the two ⟨p. 94⟩great and dangerous consumptions of spiritual life. For if worldliness once take possession of our hearts, it wastes by little and little, our joy in heavenly things, our comfort in the communion of Saints, our longings for the incomprehensible and everlasting happiness: it banisheth all thought of the worth of our souls, of the spiritual state of our conscience, of the vanity and change of this present life, of the glorious rising again of our bodies, and the immortality of the second life: and in stead thereof filleth us with earthly cares, with fears, jealousies, grief, hopes, wishes, independence upon the providence of God, and a thousand platforms for the encreasement and securing of our outward felicity. And security, it makes us insensible of Gods judgements, of our falling from our first love, of the danger wherein we stand: It makes us put far from us the evil day; and to think our mountain so strong, that we shall never be moved, but continue in our happy state, and die in the nest.