1Thirdly, Suppose that we are strongly tempted without the betraying of our selves to the Temptation: Why then consider, If you commit the Sin to which you are tempted, without vigorous and resolute resistance; if you do, this is a certain sign you sin presumptuously. Let the Temptation be never so strong and irresistible, yet if you yield to it without opposition and resistance made against it to your utmost, you then sin presumptuously. A Child of God, when he acts like himself, falls fighting; the Devil gets not a foot of ground upon him, but by main force and strength; though Principalities and Powers, though the Rulers of the Darkness of this World, and spiritual Wickednesses in high Places, set themselves all in array against him; why, yet he encounters them all, and wrestles with them all; and though sometimes, through ⟨p. 185⟩weakness he is overcome, yet he never basely yields; he fights standing, and he fights falling, and he fights rising; and therefore when he sins, it is through Weakness, and not through Presumption; but now others, though they are very bold, and presumptuous against God, yet they are very Cowards against their Lusts, and against the Temptations of the Devil; when a Temptation assaults them, they dare not presume to oppose that; but they dare presume to offend and provoke God himself; that they dare do: Believe it, Sirs, you must be bold and resolute, either against the Devil, or against the great God; one of these you must grapple with; choose which you think you may best oppose, and soonest conquer; the Devil stands before you armed with his fiery darts; God follows you, armed with everlasting vengeance. If you will not engage against Satan, and resolutely oppose him and all his force, what do you else but turn upon God, and challenge him to the Combat, and make him your Enemy, that is able to destroy both Soul and Body in Hell-fire for ever? Why, what a most daring presumption ⟨p. 186⟩is this, that ever we should basely surrender up our selves to the Devil without striking one stroke in our own defence, and yet at the same time, we should dare to provoke that God that can with one look and frown sink us into the lowest Hell?
1Thirdly, Suppose that we are strongly tempted without the betraying of our selves to the Temptation: Why then consider, If you commit the Sin to which you are tempted, without vigorous and resolute resistance; if you do, this is a certain sign you sin presumptuously. Let the Temptation be never so strong and irresistible, yet if you yield to it without opposition and resistance made against it to your utmost, you then sin presumptuously. A Child of God, when he acts like himself, falls fighting; the Devil gets not a foot of ground upon him, but by main force and strength; though Principalities and Powers, though the Rulers of the Darkness of this World, and spiritual Wickednesses in high Places, set themselves all in array against him; why, yet he encounters them all, and wrestles with them all; and though sometimes, through ⟨p. 185⟩weakness he is overcome, yet he never basely yields; he fights standing, and he fights falling, and he fights rising; and therefore when he sins, it is through Weakness, and not through Presumption; but now others, though they are very bold, and presumptuous against God, yet they are very Cowards against their Lusts, and against the Temptations of the Devil; when a Temptation assaults them, they dare not presume to oppose that; but they dare presume to offend and provoke God himself; that they dare do: Believe it, Sirs, you must be bold and resolute, either against the Devil, or against the great God; one of these you must grapple with; chuse which you think you may best oppose, and soonest conquer; the Devil stands before you armed with his fiery darts; God follows you, armed with everlasting vengeance. If you will not engage against Satan, and resolutely oppose him and all his force, what do you else but turn upon God, and challenge him to the Combat, and make him your Enemy, that is able to destroy both Soul and Body in Hell-fire for ever? Why, what a most daring presumption ⟨p. 186⟩is this, that ever we should basely surrender up our selves to the Devil without striking one stroke in our own defence, and yet at the same time, we should dare to provoke that God that can with one look and frown sink us into the lowest Hell?
- 1If when we are tempted, we yield, without vigorous resistance, we then sin presumptuously.
