I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

and seldom doth any great Temptation befall a man, but Soul and Body are both down at once; though at first it falls upon the Spirit, yet it descends into, and fires the Body. And therefore saith Paul, I received a Messenger of Satan, a thorn in my flesh, buffeting of me: As in the Comforts of the Holy Ghost, though the Comforts be poured out upon the Soul and Spirit, yet they run down upon the Body: So, in the troubles of Temptation, though they seize first upon the inward man, yet they •un upon the skirts of the outward man also. And thus you find it with Job, Chap. 7.1. God had put Job into Satan's hand, only with this reserve, See that thou spare his life. The Devil having the power; first he loads him with outward Afflictions, and then with inward Temptations; while he was under his ⟨p. 134⟩outward Afflictions, how sweetly did he carry it! Blessing the Lord, saying, The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, blessed be his Name; but when the Volley of Temptations came, then see what a sad Condition the good man was in, how he was all on fire, as if Job could not be found in Job: while he was under these Afflictions, he rebuked his Wife, for saying, Curse God, and die; but now being under Temptations himself, he wisheth to die, and curseth the day of his Birth: In Job, 7.15. My Soul chooseth strangling, and death, rather than my life: but had this Temptation any influence upon his Body too? It seems his heart, and soul, and spirit, was much disquieted; for he saith, Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee? ver. 20. But was his Body fired with it too? yes, verse 13, 14. When I said, my Bed shall comfort me, my Couch shall ease my complaint; then thou scarest me with Dreams, and terrifiest me with visions: As now we find by Experience, many poor souls cannot sleep while they are under their Temptations; and if you will see the Sum and up-shot of all, read what he says at verse 20. I am a burden to my self: and so many now, Why should I live any longer? I am a burden to my Family, I am a burden to mine Acquaintance, a burden to all my Friends, I am a burden to my self; who knows the burden of a poor tempted soul, but he that bears it? Heb. 11.37. Temptations are ranked among the greatest Afflictions; They were stoned, sawn asunder, were tempted: and in