Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

4. The Consideration of the Evil of Sin in it self and to us, should excite us with a holy Circumspection to keep our selves from being defiled with it. 'Tis our indispensable Duty, our transcendent Interest to obey the Divine Law entirely and constantly. The Tempter cannot present any Motives, that to a rectified Mind are sufficient to induce a Consent to Sin, and offend God. Let the Scales be even, and put into one all the Delights of the Senses, all the Pleasures and Honours ⟨p. 82⟩of the World, which are the Elements of Carnal Felicity, how light are they against the Enjoyment of the blessed God in Glory? Will the Gain of this perishing World, compensate the loss of the Soul and Salvation for ever? If there were any possible Comparison between empty deluding Vanities, and Celestial Happiness, the Choice would be more difficult, and the Mistake less culpable; but they vanish into nothing in the Comparison: so that to commit the least Sin that makes us liable to the forfeiture of Heaven, for the Pleasures of Sin that are but for a season, is Madness in that degree, that no words can express. Suppose the Tempter inspires his Rage into his Slaves, and tries to constrain us to Sin by Persecution; how unreasonable is it to be dismayed at the Threatenings of Men, who must die, and who can only ⟨p. 83⟩touch the Body; and to despise the Terrors of the Lord, who lives for ever, and can punish for ever? Methinks we should look upon the perverted raging World, as a Swarm of angry Flies, that may disquiet, but cannot hurt us. Socrates, when unrighteously prosecuted to Death, said of his Enemies, with a Courage becoming the Breast of a Christian, They may kill me, but cannot hurt me. How should these Considerations raise in us an invincible Resolution and Reluctancy against the Tempter, in all his Approaches and Addresses to us? And that we may so resist him, as to cause his flight from us, let us imitate the excellent Saint, whose Example is set before us.

4. The Consideration of the Evil of Sin in it self and to us, should excite us with a holy Circumspection to keep our selves from being defiled with it. 'Tis our indispensable Duty, our transcendent Interest to obey the Divine Law entirely and constantly. The Tempter cannot present any Motives, that to a rectified Mind are sufficient to induce a Consent to Sin, and offend God. Let the Scales be even, and put into one all the Delights of the Senses, all the Pleasures and Honours