Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity,…

VII. Especially be sure that you run not wilfully upon Temptation, but keep as far from every tempting bait, and object as you can, ⟨p. 102⟩Fire and Gunpowder, or Straw must be kept at a sufficient distance, no man is long safe at the very brink of danger, especially if it be his own choice, and more especially if it be a sin that his nature is much inclined to. No wise man will trust corrupted nature very far, especially where he hath often fallen already. The best man that is should live in fear, when an enticing bait of sin is near him. If David that prayed, turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, had better practiced it, O! what heinous sin had he escaped; Had he made a Covenant with his eyes, as Job did, what wounds had he prevented? The Feast that you see not, the Cup that is a mile off, the person that is far distant, the words which you hear not, are not they that you are most in danger of? But when tempting meat and drink are before you, and the tempting person hath secret familiarity with you, and tempting or provoking words are at your ears, then alas many have need of more Grace, Resolution, and Mortification than they have.

VII. Especially be sure that you run not willfully upon Temptation, but keep as far from every tempting bait, and object as you can, ⟨p. 102⟩Fire and Gunpowder, or Straw must be kept at a sufficient distance, no man is long safe at the very brink of danger, especially if it be his own choice, and more especially if it be a sin that his nature is much inclined to. No wise man will trust corrupted nature very far, especially where he hath often faln already. The best man that is should live in fear, when an enticing bait of sin is near him. If David that prayed, turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, had better practiced it, O! what heynous sin had he escaped; Had he made a Covenant with his eyes, as Iob did, what wounds had he prevented? The Feast that you see not, the Cup that is a mile off, the person that is far distant, the words which you hear not, are not they that you are most in danger of? But when tempting meat and drink are before you, and the tempting person hath secret familiarity with you, and tempting or provoking words are at your ears, then alas many have need of more Grace, Resolution, and Mortification than they have.