Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

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