A90277:104
Of Temptation
Of temptation the nature and power of it. The danger of entering into it. And the means of preventing the danger. With a resolution of sundry cases thereunto belonging, / by John Owen, D.D.Of temptation the nature and povver of it. The danger of entring into it. And the meanes of preventing the danger. With a resolution of sundry cases thereunto belonging, / by John Owen, D.D.
Oxford: printed by H. Hall for T. Robinson, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I might mention Noah, Lot, Hezekiah, Peter, and the rest whose temptations, and falls therein, are on record for our instruction. Certainly be that hath any heart in these things, cannot but say as the inhabitants of Samaria upon the letter of Jehu; behold two Kings stood not before him, how shall we stand? Oh Lord! if such mighty pillars have been cast to the ground, such Cedars blown down, how shall I stand before temptations? Oh keep me that I enter not in; vestigia terrent, behold the footsteps ⟨p. 41⟩of them that have gone in; whom do you see retiring without a wound? a blemish at least? On this account would the Apostle have us to exercise tenderness towards them that are fallen into sin, Gal. 6. 1. considering thy self, lest thou also be tempted: he doth not say, lest thou also sin, or fall, or be overtaken with a fault; but lest thou also be tempted; thou seest the power of temptation in others, and knowest not how soon thou mayest be tempted, nor what will be the state and condition, of thy soul thereupon. Assuredly he that hath seen so many better, stronger men than himself fail, and cast down in the trial, will think it incumbent on him to remember the battle, and if it be possible, to come there no more. Is it not a madness for a man that can scarce crawl up and down, he is so weak, (which is the case of most of us) if he avoid not what he hath seen Giants foiled in the undertaking of? Thou art yet whole and sound, take heed of temptation, ⟨p. 42⟩lest it be with thee as it was with Abraham, David, Lot, Peter, Hezekiah, the Galatians who fell all in the time of trial.
I might mention Noah, Lot, Hezekiah, Peter, and the rest whose temptations, and falls therein, are on record for our instruction. Certainely be that hath any heart in these things, cannot but say as the inhabitants of Samaria upon the letter of Jehu; behold two Kings stood not before him, how shall we stand? Oh Lord! if such mighty pillars have been cast to the ground, such Cedars blowne downe, how shall I stand before temptations? Oh keep me that I enter not in; vestigia terrent, behold the footsteps ⟨p. 41⟩of them that have gone in; whom doe you see retiring without a wound? a blemish at least? On this account would the Apostle have us to exercise tendernesse towards them that are fallen into sinne,