Sixthly, Consider what Occasions, what Advantages thy Distemper hath taken to exert and put forth it self, and watch against them all. This is one part of that Duty which our blessed Saviour recommends to his Disciples under the name of watching, Mark 13.37. I say unto you all, Watch; which in Luk. 21.34. is, Take heed that your hearts be not overcharged: Watch against all Eruptions of thy Corruptions. I mean that Duty which David professed himself to be exercised unto: I have (saith he) kept my self from mine Iniquity. he watched all the ways and workings of his Iniquity to prevent them, to rise up against them. ⟨p. 126⟩This is that which we are called unto under the name of Considering our Ways: Consider what Ways, what Companies, what Opportunities, what Studies, what Businesses, what Conditions, have at any time given, or do usually give advantages to thy Distempers, and set thy self heedfully against them all. Men will do this with respect unto their bodily infirmities and distempers; The Seasons, the Diet, the Air, that have proved offensive shall be avoided. Are the the things of the Soul of less importance? Know that he that dares to d•lly with Occasions of Sin, will dare to Sin. He that will venture upon Temptations unto Wickedness, will venture upon Wickedness. Hazael thought he should not be so wicked as the Prophet told him he would be: To convince him, the Prophet tells him no more, but Thou shalt be King of Syria. If he will venture on Temptations unto Cruelty, he will be cruel. Tell a man he shall commit such and such Sins, he will startle at it: If you can convince him, that he will venture on such Occasions and Temptations of them, he will have little ground left for his Confidence. Particular Directions belonging to this Head are many, not now to b• insisted on. But because this Head is of no less importance than the whole Doctrine here handled, I have a• large in another Treatise, about entering into Temptations, treated of it.
Sixthly, Consider what Occasions, what Advantages thy Distemper hath taken to exert and put forth it self, and watch against them all. This is one part of that Duty which our blessed Saviour recommends to his Disciples under the name of watching, Mark 13.37. I say unto you all, Watch; which in Luk. 21.34. is, Take heed that your hearts be not overcharged: Watch against all Eruptions of thy Corruptions. I mean that Duty which David professed himself to be exercised unto: I have (saith he) kept my self from mine Iniquity. he watched all the wayes and workings of his Iniquity to prevent them, to rise up against them. ⟨p. 126⟩This is that which we are called unto under the name of Considering our Wayes: Consider what Wayes, what Companyes, what Opportunities, what Studies, what Businesses, what Conditions, have at any time given, or do usually give advantages to thy Distempers, and set thy self heedfully against them all. Men will do this with respect unto their bodily infirmities and distempers; The Seasons, the Dyet, the Ayre, that have proved offensive shall be avoyded. Are the the things of the Soul of less importance? Know that he that dares to d•lly with Occasions of Sin, will dare to Sin. He that will venture upon Temptations unto Wickedness, will venture upon Wickedness. Hazael thought he should not be so wicked as the Prophet told him he would be: To convince him, the Prophet tells him no more, but Thou shalt be King of Syria. If he will venture on Temptations unto Cruelty, he will be cruel. Tell a man he shall commit such and such Sins, he will startle at it: If you can convince him, that he will venture on such Occasions and Temptations of them, he will have little ground left for his Confidence. Particular Directions belonging to this Head are many, not now to b• insisted on. But because this Head is of no less importance than the whole Doctrine here handled, I have a• large in another Treatise, about entering into Temptations, treated of it.
