Of Temptation

1. For our selves, we are weakness it self. We have no strength, no power to withstand. Confidence of any strength in us, is one great part of our weakness. It was so in Peter. He that says he can do any thing, can do nothing as he should. And which is worse, it is the worst kind of weakness that is in us: a weakness from treachery; a weakness arising from that party which every Temptation hath in us. If a castle or fort be never so strong and well fortified, yet if there be a treacherous party within, that is ready to betray it on every opportunity, there is no preserving it from the Enemy. There are Traitors in our hearts, ready to take part, to close, and side with every Temptation, and to give up all to them; yea to solicit and bribe temptations to do the work; as Traitors incite an enemy. Do not flatter your selves that you shall hold ⟨p. 44⟩out; there are secret lusts that lie lurking in your hearts, which perhaps now stir not, which as soon as any temptation befalls you, will rise, tumultuate, cry, disquiet, seduce, and never give over, until they are either killed, or satisfied. He that promises himself, that the frame of his heart will be the same under a Temptation, as it is before, will be woefully mistaken: Am I a dog, that I should do this thing? says Hazael; yea! thou wilt be such a dog, if ever thou be King of Syria: Temptation from thy interest will unman thee: He that now abhors the thoughts of such and such a thing, if he once enters into temptation, will find his heart inflamed towards it, and all contrary reasonings overborne and silenced. He will deride his former fears, cast out his scruples, and contemn the consideration that he lived upon. Little did Peter think he should deny and forswear his master, so soon as ever he was questioned whether he knew him or no; it was no better when the hour of Temptation ⟨p. 45⟩came; All resolutions were forgotten, all love to Christ buried, the present Temptation closing with his carnal fear carried all before it.

1. For our selves, we are weaknesse it selfe. We have no strength, no power to withstand. Confidence of any strength in us, is one great part of our weaknesse. It was so in Peter. He that sayes he can doe any thing, can doe nothing as he should. And which is worse, it is the worst kind of weaknesse that is in us: a weaknesse from treachery; a weaknesse arising from that party which every Temptation hath in us. If a castle or fort be never so strong and well fortified, yet if there be a treacherous party within, that is ready to betray it on every opportunity, there is no preserving it from the Enemy. There are Traytors in our hearts, ready to take part, to close, and side with every Temptation, and to give up all to them; yea to solicite and bribe temptations to doe the work; as Traytors incite an enemy. Doe not flatter your selves that you shall hold