A90277:118
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.
2. Suppose the peace cared for, and proposed to safeguard the soul, be true and good; yet when all is laid up in this one bottom, when the hour of temptation comes, so many reliefs will be ⟨p. 53⟩tendered against this consideration, as vvill make it useless. This evil is small, it is questionable, it falls not openly and downright upon conscience; I do but fear consequences, it may be I may keep my peace notwithstanding others of the people of God, have fallen and yet kept, or recovered their peace: if it be lost for a season, it may be obtained again; I vvill not solicit its station any more; or though peace be lost, safety may remain; and a thousand such pleas there are, which are all planted as batteries against this fort, So that it cannot long hold out.
2. Suppose the peace cared for, and proposed to safeguard the soule, be true and good; yet when all is laid up in this one bottome, when the houre of tēptation comes, so many reliefs will be ⟨p. 53⟩tendred against this consideration, as vvill make it uselesse. This evill is small, it is questionable, it fals not openly and dovvnright upon conscience; I doe but feare consequences, it may be I may keep my peace notvvithstanding others of the people of God, have fallen and yet kept, or recovered their peace: if it be lost for a season, it may be obtained againe; I vvill not solicite its station any more; or though peace be lost, safty may remaine; and a thousand such pleas there are, vvhich are all planted as batteries against this fort, So that it cannot long hold out.
3. The fixing on this particular only; is to make good one passage or entrance, whilst the Enemy assaults us round about. It is true, a little armour would serve to defend a man, if he might choose where his enemy should strike him; but we are commanded to take the whole armour of God if we intend to resist and stand, Ephes. 6. This we speak of is but one piece, and when our eye is only