A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

So when the Devil comes, and would cheat you of your precious Enjoyments, you should repel him with Indignation, when there's such base and unworthy Trifles to come in competition with your great Hopes: As Christ, Mat. 16. 26. What is a Man profited, if he shall gain the whole World, and lose his Soul? or what shall a Man give in exchange for his Soul? What, shall I lose my Soul, my Hopes, and Happiness, and all for such paltry things, for a little Temporal Advantage?

(2.) It must be a thorough and total Resistance: When you yield, the Devil encroacheth upon you. We are bid (in the Canticles) to take the little Foxes; to dash Babylon's Brats in pieces: we should not yield to Satan a little. The Devil at first cannot hope to prevail for greater things, therefore he seems more modest in his Temptations: Ay, but lesser Sticks set the greater on Fire; when ye entertain lesser Temptations, this kindles in your Souls, and it is easily blown up into a great Flame in your Conscience. At first, when the Devil came to our first Parents, Hath God said? ⟨p. 454⟩And then, You shall not surely dye. Hath God said you shall not eat of the Fruit of the Garden? The first Temptation was more modest. The Approaches of Satan to the Soul are gradual, he asks but a little; Ay, but it's a great matter if we grant it. Consider, the Evil of Temptation is better kept out, than got out. The Stone on the top of the Hill, when it begins to roll downward, it is a hard thing to stay it, we cannot say how far it will go. Saith the deceived Heart, I will yield but little, and never yield again; the Devil will carry thee further and further, until he hath left no tenderness in thy Conscience. As many that thought to venture but a Shilling or two, yet by the secret witchery of Gaming they play away their Estate, Clothes and all: So many that think they will sin but little at first, at last sin away all Principles of Conscience, and Profession of Godliness.

(2.) It must be a thorow and total Resistance: When you yield, the Devil incroacheth upon you. We are bid (in the Canticles) to take the little Foxes; to dash Babylon's Brats in pieces: we should not yield to Satan a little. The Devil at first cannot hope to prevail for greater things, therefore he seems more modest in his Temptations: Ay, but lesser Sticks set the greater on Fire; when ye entertain lesser Temptations, this kindles in your Souls, and it is easily blown up into a great Flame in your Conscience. At first, when the Devil came to our first Parents, Hath God said?