A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St.…

Thirdly, •rom the consideration of the effect of tentation. For though Satan would fain carry us away with the whirlwinds of his suggestions, yet indeed it is but to winnow us. ¹And although it seems to be against all reason, that tentations should purge us, yet it is certain Gods children are made more clear and pure by the very experience in the conflict with inward evils: It doth winnow them, and drive away a great deal of chaff, even of lightness and vanity out of their minds. Again, temptations are but to hide their pride, ²and to keep them that they be not exalted over-much.

Thirdly, •rom the consideration of the effect of tentation. For though Sathan would faine carry us away with the whirlewinds of his suggestions, yet indeed it is but to winnow us. ¹And although it seemes to be against all reason, that tentations should purge us, yet it is certain Gods children are made more cleare and pure by the very experience in the conflict with inward evils: It doth winnow them, and drive away a great deale of chaffe, even of lightnesse and vanity out of their mindes. Againe, temptations are but to hide their pride, ²and to keepe them that they be not exalted over-much.

1. 1Luke 22.
2. 22 Cor. 12.

Lastly, we may greatly comfort our selves, if we consider the promises §4the Lord hath made to us in tentations: He hath promised, that he will tread down Satan, ¹and that speedily, under our feet: He hath (in the Apostle Paul) answered and assured us, that his grace shall be sufficient for us, and his power shall be made known in our weakness:² yea and Christ hath promised, when we enter into the combat, that he will pitch his Tabernacle by us. ⟨p. 61⟩Besides, it is an old and ancient promise made long since, that if the Devil for terror show himself like the great Leviathan, or for fraud like a crooked and piercing serpent, or for violence and fury like the dragon in the sea;³ yet the Lord will smite him with his great, and sore, and mighty sword.

Lastly, we may greatly comfort our selves, if we consider the promises §4the Lord hath made to us in tentations: Hee hath promised, that hee will tread downe Sathan, ¹and that speedily, under our feet: Hee hath (in the Apostle Paul) answered and assured us, that his grace shall be sufficient for us, and his power shall be made knowne in our weaknesse:² yea and Christ hath promised, when we enter into the combat, that he will pitch his Tabernacle by us. ⟨p. 61⟩Besides, it is an old and ancient promise made long since, that if the Devill for terror shew himselfe like the great Leviathan, or for fraud like a crooked and piercing serpent, or for violence and fury like the dragon in the sea;³ yet the Lord will smite him with his great, and sore, and mighty sword.

1. 1Rom. 16 10.
2. 22 Cor. 12.9, 10.
3. 3Isaiah 27.1.Esay 27.1.

Thus much of the comforts against temptations.

1. 112 Rules against tentations.

1. The first is prescribed by the Apostle Peter;¹ and that is to be sober and temperate in the use of all outward things. For usually Satan getteth in by the advantage he hath from our too-much liking or use of profits, or credit, or recreations, &c.

1. The first is prescribed by the Apostle Peter;¹ and that is to be sober and temperate in the use of all outward things. For usually Sathan getteth in by the advantage he hath from our too-much liking or use of profits, or credit, or recreations, &c.

1. 11 Pet. 5.

2. The second is, to watch, to watch I say indefinitely, observing our own weaknesses by a care to repress the beginnings of sin in our own nature, by avoiding the usual occasions of sin or tentations, and by providing our selves against the time of the assault, looking ever for it, and standing upon our guard. This if we did, certainly the Devil would be afraid to attempt any assault upon us: but our own inconsideration and security, and dallying with the beginnings of sin, or the occasions, usually tempts the devil to tempt us.

2. The second is, to watch, to watch I say indefinitely, observing our own weaknesses by a care to represse the beginnings of sin in our own nature, by avoiding the usuall occasions of sinne or tentations, and by providing our selves against the time of the assault, looking ever for it, and standing upon our guard. This if we did, certainly the Devill would be afraid to attempt any assault upon us: but our owne inconsideration and security, and dallying with the beginnings of sinne, or the occasions, usually tempts the devill to tempt us.

3. The third rule is, to take heed of solitariness; I mean not only the inward solitariness, or emptiness of the mind; but the very outward retiring from company without cause or calling. The Devil set upon Eve when she was alone,¹ and Christ was led aside into the wilderness to be tempted.

3. The third rule is, to take heed of solitarinesse; I meane not onely the inward solitarinesse, or emptinesse of the minde; but the very outward retyring from company without cause or calling. The Devill set upon Eve when shee was alone,¹ and Christ was led aside into the wildernesse to be tempted.

1. 1Gen. 3. Mat. 4.

4. The fourth rule is, to be diligent and faithful in our particular calling. It is almost impossible, that a life full of idleness should not be also full of temptations: this was noted to be the door of Davids tentations: whereas contrariwise faithful employment bars out tentation. It is exceeding good not to be at leisure to attend tentations. Labour is a great preservative from a world of inward evils.

4. The fourth rule is, to be diligent and faithfull in our particular calling. It is almost impossible, that a life full of idlenesse should not be also full of temptations: this was noted to be the doore of Davids tentations: whereas contrariwise faithfull employment barres out tentation. It is exceeding good not to be at leysure to attend tentations. Labour is a great preservative from a world of inward evils.

5. The fifth rule is, to be careful to walk uprightly, and to keep our righteousness: For he that walketh uprightly, walks boldly and safely; not only in respect of evil men, but of evil Angels also. Righteousness is an excellent breast plate to preserve the heart of a man; and usually outrageous tentations get in by the love of some presumptuous sin. But to hold this rule, that we would not allow our selves in any sin (which is true uprightness) is a sure course, and seldom fails, and it preserves against all fierce tentations.

5. The fift rule is, to be carefull to walk uprightly, and to keep our righteousnesse: For he that walketh uprightly, walks boldly and safely; not onely in respect of evill men, but of evill Angels also. Righteousnesse is an excellent brest plate to preserve the heart of a man; and usually outragious tentations get in by the love of some presumptuous sinne. But to hold this rule, that wee would not allow our selves in any sinne (which is true uprightnesse) is a sure course, and seldome failes, and it preserves against all fierce tentations.

6. The sixth rule is, to search the Scriptures, and to get store of provision against the evil day. Now this rule is both a preservative, and a remedy: It is good to keep Satan from assaulting us, (for when he tempts, it is upon hope that we have no armour to resist;) or if he dare assault, It is written, will be a sure weapon: The Word is the sword of the Spirit, that Christ fought withal, and therefore we may be sure, it is a safe weapon.

6. The sixt rule is, to search the Scriptures, and to get store of provision against the evill day. Now this rule is both a preservative, and a remedy: It is good to keepe Sathan from assaulting us, (for when he tempts, it is upon hope that we have no armour to resist;) or if hee dare assault, It is written, will be a sure weapon: The Word is the sword of the Spirit, that Christ fought withall, and therefore we may be sure, it is a safe weapon.

7. The seventh rule is, that we must not complain only, as many do, but we must resist also; we must do our best to oppose tentation; neither must we think this a slender help, for it hath a clear promise, that the Devil shall flee from us.¹

7. The seventh rule is, that we must not complain only, as many doe, but we must resist also; we must doe our best to oppose tentation; neither must we think this a slender help, for it hath a cleare promise, that the Devill shall flee from us.¹

1. 1Jam. 4.8.Iam. 4.8.

8. Eighthly prayer is a tried medicine: This Paul used when he was tempted, 2 Cor. 12. and certainly it is powerful either to remove the temptation, or to procure an answer, or strength to bear it.

8. Eighthly prayer is a tryed medicine: This Paul used when hee was tempted, 2 Cor. 12. and certainly it is powerfull either to remove the temptation, or to procure an answer, or strength to beare it.

9. The ninth rule is, we must specially remember to run to the brazen ⟨p. 62⟩serpent. It is without all question, that the sight of Christ is as available to help us against the stings of the old serpent, as ever the sight of the brazen serpent was to cure them that were stung by the fiery serpents.

9. The ninth rule is, wee must specially remember to runne to the brasen ⟨p. 62⟩serpent. It is without all question, that the sight of Christ is as availeable to help us against the stings of the old serpent, as ever the sight of the brasen serpent was to cure them that were stung by the fiery serpents.

10. The tenth: we must labour for a persuasion, that tentations shall never separate us from God: ¹unbelief gives them head, and sometimes ere the more they are mistrusted, the more they grow infectious; whereas faith quencheth them,² though they were fiery darts.

10. The tenth: we must labour for a perswasion, that tentations shall never separate us from God: ¹unbeliefe gives them head, and sometimes ere the more they are mistrusted, the more they grow infectious; whereas faith quencheth them,² though they were fiery darts.

1. 1R•m. •. ult.
2. 2Eph. 6.16.

11. The eleventh: If we find the devil practicing upon the flesh, the way is not to revile the devil, but to beat the flesh: Mortification, and the crucifying of the flesh with the lusts of it, ¹will expel the devil.

11. The eleventh: If we find the devill practicing upon the flesh, the way is not to revile the devill, but to beat the flesh: Mortification, and the crucifying of the flesh with the lusts of it, ¹will expell the devill.

1. 1G•l. 5.24.

12. The last rule is to be thankful for all mercies we find in temptations, and it is a great means to help us: whereas unthankfulness doth wonderfully strengthen the temptation.

12. The last rule is to be thankfull for all mercies we find in temptations, and it is a great means to help us: whereas unthankfulnesse doth wonderfully strengthen the temptation.