2. Because there is more true Grace in being dead to the Temptation, than to retreat from the Temptation. A Christian is not to go out of the World, neither by a voluntary Death, John 17. 15. nor by an unnecessary sequestration of our selves from Business, and the Affairs which God calleth us to: 1 Cor. 7. 20. Let every Man abide in the same Calling wherein he was called. But to be crucified to the World, Gal. 6. 14. that's Grace to withdraw our Hearts from the World, while we converse in it, and with it. ⟨p. 279⟩Many real Christians, when they hear us press Mortification, and deadness to the World, think they must leave their Callings, or abate of their necessary activity in their Callings. Alas, in the Shop a Man may•keep himself unspotted from the World, as well as in the Closet; in a Court as well in a Cell. We read of Saints in Nero's Household, Phil. 4. 22. he was a great Persecutor, yet some Saints could live there within his Gates: There were some Professors of the Gospel. So Rev. 2. 13. I know thy Works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is; and thou holdest fast my Name, and hast not denied my Faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr, who was slain among you where Satan dwelleth. In the sorest and thickest of temptations, a Christian may maintain his Integrity. In short, our way to Heaven lieth through the World; and tho if I be left to my choice, I should choose that course of life in which there are least Temptations; yet when God, by the posture of our temporal Interests, or the course of our Education, or the nature of my Employment, and usefulness, hath determined me to a life more incident to a throng of ⟨p. 280⟩Temptations, I may the better venture upon them, and must not leave my Service for supposed Snares. Affectation of privacy, may be a slothful retreat from public Business▪ and 'tis more glorious to beat an Enemy, than to fly from him; and Grace is seen in overcoming, rather than in shunning Difficulties.
2. Because there is more true Grace in being dead to the Temptation, than to retreat from the Temptation. A Christian is not to go out of the World, neither by a voluntary Death, Iohn 17. 15. nor by an unnecessary sequestration of our selves from Business, and the Affairs which God calleth us to: 1 Cor. 7. 20. Let every Man abide in the same Calling wherein he was called. But to be crucified to the World, Gal. 6. 14. that's Grace to withdraw our Hearts from the World, while we converse in it, and with it. ⟨p. 279⟩Many real Christians, when they hear us press Mortification, and deadness to the World, think they must leave their Callings, or abate of their necessary activity in their Callings. Alas, in the Shop a Man may•keep himself unspotted from the World, as well as in the Closet; in a Court as well in a Cell. We read of Saints in Nero's Houshold, Phil. 4. 22. he was a great Persecutor, yet some Saints could live there within his Gates: There were some Professors of the Gospel. So Rev. 2. 13. I know thy Works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is; and thou holdest fast my Name, and hast not denied my Faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr, who was slain among you where Satan dwelleth. In the sorest and thickest of temptations, a Christian may maintain his Integrity. In short, our way to Heaven lieth through the World; and tho if I be left to my choice, I should chuse that course of life in which there are least Temptations; yet when God, by the posture of our temporal Interests, or the course of our Education, or the nature of my Employment, and usefulness, hath determined me to a life more incident to a throng of ⟨p. 280⟩Temptations, I may the better venture upon them, and must not leave my Service for supposed Snares. Affectation of privacy, may be a slothful retreat from publick Business▪ and 'tis more glorious to beat an Enemy, than to fly from him; and Grace is seen in overcoming, rather than in shunning Difficulties.
