1. To reckon upon temptations. As soon as we mind our Baptismal Covenant we must expect that Satan will be our professed Foe, seeking to terrify or allure us from the banner of our Captain Jesus Christ. Many after Baptism fly to Satan's Camp. There are a sort of men in the visible Church, who though they do not deny their Baptism, as those did 2 Pet. 2. 9. Who have forgotten that they were purged from their old sins, yet they carry themselves as if they were in league with the Devil, the World, and the Flesh, rather then with the Father, Son, ⟨p. 20⟩and Holy Ghost: with might and main they oppose Christs Kingdom both abroad and at home in their own hearts, and are wholly governed by worldly things, the lusts of the Flesh, and the lusts of the Eye, and the pride of Life. Now these are the Devils Agents, and the more dangerous, because they use Christs name against his Offices, and the form of his Religion to destroy the power thereof; as the Dragon in the Revelations pushed with the horns of the Lamb. Others are not venomously and malignantly set against Christ, and his interest in the World, or in their own Hearts, but tamely yield to the lusts of the Flesh, and go like an Ox to the slaughter, and a Fool to the correction of the Stocks, Prov. 7. 22. We cannot say that Satan's work lieth about these. Satan needeth not besiege the soul by temptations, that is his already by peaceable possession, when a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace, Luke 11. 21. There is no storm when wind and tide goeth together. But then there is a third sort of men, that begin to be serious, and to mind their recovery by Christ, they have many good motions and convictions of the danger of sin, excellency of Christ, necessity of Holiness, they have many purposes to leave sin, and enter upon an holy course of Life, but ⟨p. 21⟩the wicked one cometh, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart, Mat. 13. 19. He beginneth betimes to oppose the work, before we are confirmed and settled in a course of Godliness, as he did set upon Christ presently upon his Baptism. Baptism in us implieth avowed dying unto sin, and living unto God, now God permitteth temptation and to try our Resolution. There is a fourth sort of such as have made some progress in Religion, even to a degree of eminency: these are not altogether free;
1. To reckon upon temptations. Assoon as we mind our Baptismal Covenant we must expect that Satan will be our professed Foe, seeking to terrifie or allure us from the banner of our Captain Jesus Christ. Many after Baptism fly to Satans Camp. There are a sort of men in the visible Church, who though they do not deny their Baptism, as those did 2 Pet. 2. 9. Who have forgotten that they were purged from their old sins, yet they carry themselves as if they were in league with the Devil, the World, and the Flesh, rather then with the Father, Son, ⟨p. 20⟩and Holy Ghost: with might and main they oppose Christs Kingdom both abroad and at home in their own hearts, and are wholly governed by worldly things, the lusts of the Flesh, and the lusts of the Eye, and the pride of Life. Now these are the Devils Agents, and the more dangerous, because they use Christs name against his Offices, and the form of his Religion to destroy the power thereof; as the Dragon in the Reve lations pushed with the horns of the Lamb. Others are not venomously and malignantly set against Christ, and his interest in the World, or in their own Hearts, but tamely yield to the lusts of the Flesh, and go like an Ox to the slaughter, and a Fool to the correction of the Stocks, Prov. 7. 22. We cannot say that Satans work lyeth about these. Satan needeth not besiege the soul by temptations, that is his already by peaceable possession, when a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace, Luke 11. 21. There is no storm when wind and tide goeth together. But then there is a third sort of men, that begin to be serious, and to mind their recovery by Christ, they have many good motions and convictions of the danger of sin, excellency of Christ, necessity of Holiness, they have many purposes to leave sin, and enter upon an holy course of Life, but ⟨p. 21⟩the wicked one cometh, and catcheth away that which was sowen in his heart, Mat. 13. 19. He beginneth betimes to oppose the work, before we are confirmed and settled in a course of Godliness, as he did set upon Christ presently upon his Baptism. Baptism in us implyeth avowed dying unto sin, and living unto God, now God permitteth temptation and to try our Resolution. There is a fourth sort of such as have made some progress in Religion, even to a degree of eminency: these are not altogether free;
