A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

Thirdly, To mention no more, A Holy Fear and Caution least we should Sin is a most excellent preservative against Sin. None are so safe as those that are least secure, fear is the best preservative of Grace, whereas those that are rash and venturous and confident of their own strength, run themselves into many Temptations, and come off with wounded and smarting Consciences. Stand in awe, says, the Psalmist, and Sin ⟨p. 309⟩not, Psalm 4.4. The timorous and trembling Christian stands firmest, because such a one is apt upon every occasion to suspect his own strength, and to call in God's. And indeed, when we consider the treachery of our own Hearts, and the subtlety of the Devil, this Holy Fear and Jealousy is no more than is needful, and it is less than sufficient. A Man that is to wade thorough a deep River, will first try his Footing before he takes his step: Why, we are to wade thorough the depths of Satan, as the Apostle calls them, and, certainly it is but a requisite caution first to try our ground before we venture upon it, to look about and consider whether such and such an Action be grounded upon a Command, and secured to us by a Promise, whether if we do it we shall not lay our selves open to such and such Temptations, or if we do lie open to them, whether or not we are in God's way, and may expect his Protection and Preservation: Truly such circumspection as this is will prove our best security, and though we are not able by all our own strength and diligence to preserve our selves, yet when God sees us so industriously ⟨p. 310⟩solicitous to avoid Sin, he will then come in by his Almighty Grace that helps not the Slothful, but the Laborious, and he will keep us from those Sins that we cannot keep our selves from.

Thirdly, To mention no more, A Holy Fear and Caution least we should Sin is a most excellent preservative against Sin. None are so safe as those that are least secure, fear is the best preservative of Grace, whereas those that are rash and venturous and confident of their own strength, run themselves into many Temptations, and come off with wounded and smarting Consciences. Stand in awe, says, the Psalmist, and Sin ⟨p. 309⟩