2. And the last sentence of this Doubt, had need of great Caution, before you conclude it a certain Truth. Its true, that the Obedience which by an ordinary Temptation, ⟨p. 458⟩such as men may expect, would be overthrown, is not well grounded and rooted before it is overthrown. But its a great Doubt whether there be not Degrees of Temptation Possible, which would overcome the Resolution and Grace of the most Holy, having such assistance as the Spirit usually giveth Believers in Temptation? And whether some Temptations which overcome not a strong Christian, would not overcome a weak one, who yet hath true Grace? I conclude nothing of these Doubts. But I would not have you trouble your self upon confident conclusions on so doubtful Grounds. This I am certain of, 1. That the strongest Christian should take heed of Temptations, and not trust to the strength of his Graces, nor presume on Gods preservation while he wilfully casteth himself in the mouth of dangers; nor to be encouraged hereunto upon any persuasion of an Impossibility of his falling away. O the falls, the fearful falls that I have known (alas, how often) the eminentest men for Godliness that ever I knew, to be Guilty of, by casting themselves upon Temptations. I confess I will never be confident of that mans perseverance, were he the best that I know on earth, who casteth himself upon violent Temptations, espe•••••• […] •mptations of Sensuality, Prosperity, ⟨p. 459⟩and Seducement. 2. I know God hath taught us daily to watch and pray, that we enter not into Temptation; and to pray, Lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from evil. (I never understood the necessity of that Petition feelingly, till I saw the examples of these seven or eight years last past.) This being so, you must look that your perseverance should be by being preserved from Temptation; and must rather examine, Whether you have that Grace which will enable you to avoid Temptations, then whether you have Grace enough to overcome them, if you rush into them. But if God unavoidably cast you upon them, keep up your Watch and Prayer, and you have no Cause to trouble your self with distrustful fears.
2. And the last sentence of this Doubt, had need of great Caution, before you conclude it a certain Truth. Its true, that the Obedience which by an ordinary Temptation, ⟨p. 458⟩such as men may expect, would be overthrown, is not well grounded and rooted before it is overthrown. But its a great Doubt whether there be not Degrees of Temptation Possible, which would overcome the Resolution and Grace of the most Holy, having such assistance as the Spirit usually giveth Believers in Temptation? And whether some Temptations which overcome not a strong Christian, would not overcome a weak one, who yet hath true Grace? I conclude nothing of these Doubts. But I would not have you trouble your self upon confident conclusions on so doubtful Grounds. This I am certain of, 1. That the strongest Christian should take heed of Temptations, and not trust to the strength of his Graces, nor presume on Gods preservation while he wilfully casteth himself in the mouth of dangers; nor to be encouraged hereunto upon any perswasion of an Impossibility of his falling away. O the falls, the fearful falls that I have known (alas, how often) the eminentest men for Godliness that ever I knew, to be Guilty of, by casting themselves upon Temptations. I confess I will never be confident of that mans perseverance, were he the best that I know on earth, who casteth himself upon violent Temptations, espe•••••• 〈…〉 •mptations of Sensuality, Prosperity, ⟨p. 459⟩and Seducement. 2. I know God hath taught us daily to watch and pray, that we enter not into Temptation; and to pray, Lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from evil. (I never understood the necessity of that Petition feelingly, till I saw the examples of these seven or eight years last past.) This being so, you must look that your perseverance should be by being preserved from Temptation; and must rather examine, Whether you have that Grace which will enable you to avoyd Temptations, then whether you have Grace enough to overcome them, if you rush into them. But if God unavoydably cast you upon them, keep up your Watch and Prayer, and you have no Cause to trouble your self with distrustful fears.
