1. For putting him to flight, Young men may do this, James 4.7. which implies, that there is a possibility in young men, and a power to stand, and not to yield to his temptations; for though he hath a power to delude our Senses, and may hurry a mans body about, yet he cannot captivate our Wills, therefore stand, resist, give no place, and if you do so, he will fly from you for shame, he hath no power longer to hold out, when he sees a man stand out against him; God hath not given him liberty to pursue us unto death, but if we stand out against him, he will fly from us. So it was with our Saviour, first he tempted him about his Son-ship, If thou be the Son of God command that these stones be made bread; then he tempted him to presumption, to cast himself down from the Pinnacle of the Temple; and then he tempted him with the glory of the World, All these will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me; but because our Saviour still resisted his temptations, and Satan could not prevail, he departed; if a man stand out strongly, Satan flies indeed, if a man yield never so little, he makes use of the least advantage, and will press it; but if you stand fast, and yield not, he will be gone from you, his very pride and insolency makes him scorn to trouble himself with any Creature, he disdains to be overcome by him, therefore he will depart. Thus ⟨p. 99⟩Joseph was strongly assaulted, Gen. 39.9. but he resists and answers with much affection, How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God? He had long resisted and stood out against the temptations of his Mistress, and therefore she no more solicits him with that thing, but takes another course, falsely to accuse him to his Master, and so caused him to be cast into prison.
1. For putting him to flight, Young men may doe this, James 4.7. which implies, that there is a possibility in young men, and a power to stand, and not to yield to his temptations; for though he hath a power to delude our Sences, and may hurry a mans body about, yet he cannot captivate our Wills, therefore stand, resist, give no place, and if you doe so, he will fly from you for shame, he hath no power longer to hold out, when he sees a man stand out against him; God hath not given him liberty to pursue us unto death, but if we stand out against him, he will fly from us. So it was with our Saviour, first he tempted him about his Son-ship, If thou be the Son of God command that these stones be made bread; then he tempted him to presumption, to cast himselfe down from the Pinacle of the Temple; and then he tempted him with the glory of the World, All these will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me; but because our Saviour still resisted his temptations, and Satan could not prevail, he departed; if a man stand out strongly, Satan flies indeed, if a man yield never so little, he makes use of the least advantage, and will presse it; but if you stand fast, and yield not, he will be gone from you, his very pride and insolency makes him scorne to trouble himselfe with any Creature, he disdains to be overcome by him, therefore he will depart. Thus ⟨p. 99⟩Joseph was strongly assaulted, Gen. 39.9. but he resists and answers with much affection, How can I doe this great wickednesse and sin against God? He had long resisted and stood out against the temptations of his Mistresse, and therefore she no more solicites him with that thing, but takes another course, falsly to accuse him to his Master, and so caused him to be cast into prison.
