The riches of Gods love unto the vessels of mercy, consistent with his absolute…The riches of Gods love unto the vessells of mercy, consistent with his absolute…

Come we to provocations unto sin of another nature, in satisfying the concupiscence of the flesh. David arising out of his bed at eventide, and walking upon the roof of the Kings Palace, from the roof he saw a Woman washing her self: and the Woman was very beautiful to look upon: we know what followed hereupon. Now was it not God that lead him into this temptation, into this provocation? Surely if this were not just with God, it were in vain for us to pray, that God will not lead us into temptation; for we need not fear any such temptation, which cannot befall us without violation of Gods justice in the course of his providence. Paul the Apostle, least he should be exalted out of measure, through the abundance of revelations (made unto him, which were very dangerous to puff a man up, and make him swell in the conceit of his own worthiness being admitted into the secrets of God) was sometimes exercised with a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan sent to buffet him. But the fear of God was alive in him, and stirred up his faith to pray unto God three times that it might depart from him: and the Lord made him a gracious answer, not as yet to deliver him, but to support him in this conflict, and give him the victory over it. For the Lord said unto him, my grace is sufficient for thee, for my power is made perfect in thy weakness. This answer put heart into Paul; Therefore, saith he, will I very gladly rejoice rather in mine infirmities that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Mark I pray, Rather, in mine infirmities. He would not blame God for thus exercising him, but rather rejoice to be thus exercised, for as much as this same should do him no harm; for by virtue of Christs power dwelling in him he should have the victory. Secondly, it should do him good in preserving him from being exalted out of measure through the abundance of revelations. Therefore, saith he, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in anguishes for Christs sake; for when I am weak then am I strong. And had not Joseph as good cause to conceive that it was the will of God, that he by the unchaste motions of his wanton Mistress, should be provoked unto unclean courses, as David had to persuade himself, that it was Gods will by the railing of Shimei he should be provoked unto revenge;

Come we to provocations unto sinne of another nature, in satisfying the concupiscence of the flesh. David arising out of his bed at eventide, and walking upon the roof of the Kings Pallace, from the roofe he saw a Woman washing her selfe: and the Woman was very beautifull to look upon: we know what followed hereupon. Now was it not God that lead him into this temptation, into this provocation? Surely if this were not just with God, it were in vaine for us to pray, that God will not lead us into temptation; for we need not feare any such temptation, which cannot befall us without violation of Gods justice in the course of his providence. Paul the Apostle, least he should be exalted out of measure, through the abundance of revelations (made unto him, which were very dangerous to puff a man up, and make him swell in the conceit of his own worthinesse being admitted into the secrets of God) was sometimes exercised with a thorne in the flesh, the messenger of Satan sent to buffet him. But the feare of God was alive in him, and stirred up his faith to pray unto God three times that it might depart from him: and the Lord made him a gracious answer, not as yet to deliver him, but to support him in this conflict, and give him the victory over it. For the Lord said unto him, my grace is sufficient for thee, for my power is made perfect in thy weaknesse. This answer put heart into Paul; Therefore, saith he, will I very gladly rejoyce rather in mine infirmities that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Mark I pray, Rahter, in mine infirmities. He would not blame God for thus exercising him, but rather rejoyce to be thus exercised, for as much as this same should doe him no harme; for by vertue of Christs power dwelling in him he should have the victory. Secondly, it should doe him good in preserving him from being exalted out of measure through the abundance of revelations. Therefore, saith he, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in anguishes for Christs sake; for when I am weak then am I strong. And had not Joseph as good cause to conceive that it was the will of God, that he by the unchast motions of his wanton Mistris, should be provoked unto unclean courses, as David had to perswade himselfe, that it was Gods will by the rayling of Shimei he should be provoked unto revenge;