The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

2. The danger is greater of falling away, when they are urged and solicited by a violent or grateful Temptation. Thus our first Parents fell, and lost more Grace in an Hour, then can be recovered by their Posterity in all Ages to the end of the World.

3. When there is supervenient Corruption in the Creature, that inclines them with earnest propensity to forbidden Things, and takes Flame from every Spark, the danger is extreme. Like a besieged City that is in great hazard of taking, by Assaults from without and Conspiracies from within. Let us therefore be very watchful over our Hearts and Senses, and keep as much as is possible at a safe distance from Temptations. And be very diligent in the use of all holy means to confirm and fortify our resolutions for Heaven. God promised ⟨p. 160⟩to Hezekiah 15 years, but not to preserve his Life by Miracle, he was obliged to repair the wastings of Nature by daily Food, and to abstain from what was noxious and destructive to his Body. The Apostle excites Christians, to work out their own Salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that works in them to will and to do of his good Pleasure. Let him that stands take heed lest he fall. None are a more easy Conquest to the Tempter then those who presume upon their own Strength. We should be always jealous of ourselves, from the sad Examples of Apostasy in every Age.¹ St. Ambrose testifies from his own knowledge, that many after the courageous enduring of cruel Torments for Religion, the tearing open their Sides that their Bowels appeared, and the burning of some parts of their Bodies, yet when led forth to finish the Victory of Faith, to be a triumphant Spectacle to Angels and Men, when the blessed Rewarder was ready to put the Martyrs Crown on their Heads, at the sight of their mourning Wives and Children ⟨p. 161⟩in the way, were overcome by Pity the weakest Affection, and failed in the last act of Christian Fortitude. We must pray to be strengthened with all Might, according to his glorious Power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. For some may vigorously resist one sort of Temptation, and render themselves to others. And if finally vanquished by one of those Enemies we lose our Victory and Crown.