A26804:0
Sermons preached on several occasions by William Bates.Sermons preach'd on several occasions by William Bates.
London: printed by J.D. for Jonathan Robinson, 1693
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
THE Text is the Record of Joseph's Innocence and Victory, consecrated in Scripture for the Honour and Imitation of that excellent Saint in succeeding Ages. He had been tried by sharp Afflictions, the conspiring Envy of his Brethren, and the cruel Effects of it, Banishment and Servitude, and possest his Soul in Patience: here he was encountered by a more dangerous Temptation in another ⟨p. 2⟩kind, and preserved his Integrity. Adversity excites the Spirit to serious Recollection, arms it with Resolution to endure the Assaults, and stop the entrance of what is afflicting to Nature: Pleasure by gentle Insinuations relaxes the Mind to a loose Security, softens and melts the Heart, and makes it easily receptive of corrupt Impressions.
THE Text is the Record of Joseph's Innocence and Victory, consecrated in Scripture for the Honour and Imitation of that excellent Saint in succeeding Ages. He had been try'd by sharp Afflictions, the conspiring Envy of his Brethren, and the cruel Effects of it, Banishment and Servitude, and possest his Soul in Patience: here he was encounter'd by a more dangerous Temptation in another ⟨p. 2⟩kind, and preserv'd his Integrity. Adversity excites the Spirit to serious Recollection, arms it with Resolution to endure the Assaults, and stop the entrance of what is afflicting to Nature: Pleasure by gentle Insinuations relaxes the Mind to a loose Security, softens and melts the Heart, and makes it easily receptive of corrupt Impressions.
Now to represent the Grace of God, that preserved Joseph, in its Radiance and Efficacy, we must consider the several Circumstances that increased the Difficulty of the double Victory, over the Tempter, and himself.
1. The Tempter, his Mistress, who had devested the native Modesty of the blushing Sex, and by her Caresses and Blandishments sought to draw him to compliance with her Desires. Her superior Quality might seem to make her ⟨p. 3⟩Request have the force of a Command over him.
1. The Tempter, his Mistress, who had devested the native Modesty of the blushing Sex, and by her Caresses and Blandishments sought to draw him to compliance with her Desires. Her superiour Quality might seem to make her ⟨p. 3⟩Request have the force of a Command over him.
2. The Solicitation, Lie with me. There are no Sins to which there is a stronger Inclination in our corrupted Nature, than to Acts of Sensuality. The Temptation was heightened by the lure of Profit and Advancement, that he might obtain by her Favour, and Interest in her Husband, who was an eminent Officer in the Egyptian Court: and the 1Denial would be extremely provoking, both in respect it seemed to be a Contempt injurious to her Dignity, and was a Disappointment of her ardent Expectation. Hatred and Revenge upon Refusal, are equal to the Lust of an Imperious Whorish Woman. We read the Effects of it, in this Chapter: for upon his rejecting her Desires, inflamed with Rage, and to purge her self, she turned his Accuser, wounded his Reputation, deprived him of his ⟨p. 4⟩Liberty, and exposed his Life to extreme Peril. Joseph chose rather to lie in the Dust, than to rise by Sin.
2. The Sollicitation, Lie with me. There are no Sins to which there is a stronger Inclination in our corrupted Nature, than to Acts of Sensuality. The Temptation was heighten'd by the lure of Profit and Advancement, that he might obtain by her Favour, and Interest in her Husband, who was an eminent Officer in the Egyptian Court: and the 1Denial would be extreamly provoking, both in respect it seem'd to be a Contempt injurious to her Dignity, and was a Disappointment of her ardent Expectation. Hatred and Revenge upon Refusal, are equal to the Lust of an Imperious Whorish Woman. We read the Effects of it, in this Chapter: for upon his rejecting her Desires, inflam'd with Rage, and to purge her self, she turn'd his Accuser, wounded his Reputation, depriv'd him of his ⟨p. 4⟩Liberty, and expos'd his Life to extream Peril. Joseph chose rather to lie in the Dust, than to rise by Sin.
3. The Opportunity was ready, and the Object present: 'tis said, there was none of the Men of the House within. She had the advantage of Secrecy to fasten the Temptation upon him. When a Sin may be easily committed, and easily concealed, the Restraints of Fear and Shame are taken off, and every Breath of a Temptation is strong enough to overthrow the carnally minded. The purest and noblest Chastity is from a Principle of Duty within, not constrained by the apprehension of Discovery and Severity.
3. The Opportunity was ready, and the Object present: 'tis said, there was none of the Men of the House within. She had the advantage of Secrecy to fasten the Temptation upon him. When a Sin may be easily committed, and easily conceal'd, the Restraints of Fear and Shame are taken off, and every Breath of a Temptation is strong enough to overthrow the carnallyminded. The purest and noblest Chastity is from a Principle of Duty within, not constrain'd by the apprehension of Discovery and Severity.
4. The Continuance of the Temptation: She spake to him day by day. Her Complexion was Lust and Impudence, and his repeated Denials were ineffectual to quench her incensed Desires, the black Fire that darkened her Mind. She caught ⟨p. 5⟩him by the Garment, saying, Lie with me: she was ready to prostitute her self, and ravish him.
4. The Continuance of the Temptation: She spake to him day by day. Her Complexion was Lust and Impudence, and his repeated Denials were ineffectual to quench her incensed Desires, the black Fire that darkned her Mind. She caught ⟨p. 5⟩him by the Garment, saying, Lie with me: she was ready to prostitute her self, and ravish him.
5. The Person tempted, Joseph, in the flower of his Age, the season of Sensuality, when innumerable, by the Force and Swing of their vicious Appetites, are impelled to break the holy Law of God.
5. The Person tempted, Joseph, in the flower of his Age, the season of Sensuality, when innumerable, by the Force and Swinge of their vicious Appetites, are impell'd to break the holy Law of God.
