An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

First, The violence of Satan's, and the worlds temptations. The soul would gladly be rid of the body, that it might be beyond the reach and assaults of the devil, and his assistants. There's a serpent every where, but in the heavenly paradise. Only they complain not of temptation, who are willing slaves to the tempter. The Apostle (1 Cor. 10.13.) assures the Corinthians, There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye ⟨p. 421⟩may be able to bear it, as if he had said, Temptations are sore burdens, and although yours hitherto have been but ordinary temptations, such as usually befall the Saints, though yours be moderate afflictions, and […] common stature, such as in the eye of reason any man may […] with by a common assistance of grace; yet there are temptations, which (if God, the faithful. God should not come in with greater assistances then usual) you are not able to bear. They who wrestle with more then flesh and blood, always need more then the strength of flesh and blood to help them in their wrestlings. And because they are often assaulted with greater strength, therefore they are assisted with greater strength. For if God do either with-draw his help from the Saints, or leave them to wrestle with Satan alone, and to fight single with his Armies, or if he do, not proportion the aid he sends to the temptation he permits, they are sadly over-charged, though they can never be totally overcome; and 'tis possible to grow weary of the battle, though we are assured of the victory. It is the honour of the Saints to conquer, when they are tempted, but it is their happiness to be above or without temptation. How many poor souls put up bills of complaint, and beg prayers against temptations. Paul prayed thrice, that is, often and much, when the messenger of Satan buffeted him: whether his were an inward or an outward temptation is doubted, but without doubt that temptation made his life burdensome to him, till he received that answer from God, My grace is sufficient for thee.

First, The violence of Satans, and the worlds temptations. The soul would gladly be rid of the body, that it might be beyond the reach and assaults of the devil, and his assistants. There's a serpent every where, but in the heavenly paradise. Only they complain not of temptation, who are willing slaves to the tempter. The Apostle (