4. He observes, and fits his temptations to our spiritual estate; thus, if we are notoriously wicked, then he tempts us to Atheism, contempt of God's worship, swearing, blaspheming, profaning of the Lords days; to disobedience, murders, adulteries, drunkenness, theft, covetousness, and all devilish practises; or if we are civilized, and run not ⟨p. 179⟩with others into such an excess of riot and sin, why then he tempts us to a good opinion of such a condition, I thank thee, O Father, that I am not as other men, &c. I deal justly and uprightly with all my Neighbours; I have a good meaning towards God, though I am ignorant of Scripture, and of the Principles of Religion: or if we are professors of God's Truth, and can tip our tongues with Glorious words of Religion, Holiness, Christ, why then he tempts us with resting on this: What needs more? If I can but outwardly perform the Duties of Piety, as the hearing of God's word, receiving of the Sacraments, public and private calling on God; in this I am a true Protestant: that Charity, Love, good Works, and all the duties of the second Table can never Justify me, or save me, but only Faith; I believe, and I make a profession of Religion, and I hope this will suffice: Or if we are sincere professors, and but weak in the Faith, why then he tempts us with sad thoughts of our sins; he sets before us their number, and nature, and odiousness in every aggravation; and if therewith he cannot overwhelm us, he adds (it may be) unto them some of his own sins; thus he casteth into our minds many outrageous Blasphemies, such Blasphemies as he propounded to Christ, to worship him for our God, to deny Jesus Christ as our God, our Lord, our Saviour, our Redeemer; to say in our hearts there is no God, but Nature; no Scripture, no Holy Ghost: many a precious Soul feels these injections of Satan; and I cannot wonder at it, when I see the Devil tempting Christ himself to diffidence, presumption, vain-Glory, yea, and to the worshipping of the Devil himself; or if we are strong Christians, grown men, and still growing towards the fullness of Christ, why then he tempts us to sins of presumption against knowledge; or if he cannot so prevail, he will Transform himself into an Angel of light, 1and tempt us to the doing a less good, that we may neglect a greater; or to the doing of a greater good, but very unseasonably.
4. He observes, and fits his temptations to our spiritual estate; thus, if we are notoriously wicked, then he tempts us to Atheism, contempt of God's worship, swearing, blaspheming, prophaining of the Lords dayes; to disobedience, murders, adulteries, drunkenness, theft, covetuousness, and all devilish practises; or if we are civilized, and run not ⟨p. 179⟩with others into such an excess of riot and sin, why then he tempts us to a good opinion of such a condition, I thank thee, O Father, that I am not as other men, &c. I deal justly and uprightly with all my Neighbours; I have a good meaning towards God, though I am ignorant of Scripture, and of the Principles of Religion: or if we are professors of God's Truth, and can tip our tongues with Glorious words of Religion, Holiness, Christ, why then he tempts us with resting on this: What needs more? If I can but outwardly perform the Duties of Piety, as the hearing of God's word, receiving of the Sacraments, publick and private calling on God; in this I am a true Protestant: that Charity, Love, good Works, and all the duties of the second Table can never Justifie me, or save me, but only Faith; I believe, and I make a profession of Religion, and I hope this will suffice: Or if we are sincere professors, and but weak in the Faith, why then he tempts us with sad thoughts of our sins; he sets before us their number, and nature, and odiousness in every aggravation; and if therewith he cannot overwhelm us, he adds (it may be) unto them some of his own sins; thus he casteth into our minds many outragious Blasphemies, such Blasphemies as he propounded to Christ, to worship him for our God, to deny Jesus Christ as our God, our Lord, our Saviour, our Redeemer; to say in our hearts there is no God, but Nature; no Scripture, no Holy Ghost: many a pretious Soul feels these injections of Satan; and I cannot wonder at it, when I see the Devil tempting Christ himself to diffidence, presumption, vain-Glory, yea, and to the worshiping of the Devil himself; or if we are strong Christians, grown men, and still growing towards the fulness of Christ, why then he tempts us to sins of presumption against knowledg; or if he cannot so prevail, he will Transform himself into an Angel of light, 1and tempt us to the doing a less good, that we may neglect a greater; or to the doing of a greater good, but very unseasonably.
- 12 Cor. 11.14.
