Of Temptation

2. There is in such Temptations, the secret insinuation of Examples in those that are accounted Godly, and are professors, Matth. 24. 12. Because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold, &c. the abounding of iniquity in some will insensibly cast water on the zeal and love of others, that by little and little it shall wax cold. Some begin to grow negligent, careless, ⟨p. 63⟩worldly, wanton; they break the ice towards the pleasing of the flesh; at first others blame, judge them, perhaps reprove them in a short space their love also waxes cold, and the brunt being over, they also conform to them, and are cast into the same mould with them. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, Paul repeats this saying twice; 1 Cor. 5. 6. and Gal. 5. 9. He would have us take notice of it, and it is of the danger of the infection of the whole body from the ill examples of some, whereof he speaks. We know how insensibly a leaven proceedeth to give a savour to the whole: So it is termed a root of bitterness that springeth up, and defileth many: Heb. 12. 15. If one little piece of leaven, if one bitter root may endanger the whole, how much more when there are many roots of that nature, and much leaven is scattered abroad. It is easy following a multitude to do evil; and saying a conspiracy to them to whom the people say ⟨p. 64⟩a conspiracy. Would any one have thought it possible, that such and such professors in our days, should have fallen into ways of self, of flesh, of the world? to play at cards, dice, revel, dance? to neglect family, closet duties, to be proud, haughty, ambitious, worldly, covetous, oppressive? or that they should be turned away after foolish, vain, ridiculous opinions, deserting the Gospel of Christ? in which two, lies the great temptation that is come on us the inhabitants of this world to try us: but doth not every man see, that this is come to pass? and may we not see how it is come to pass? Some loose empty professors, that had never more then a form of Godliness, when they had served their turn of that, began the way to them; then others began a little to comply, and to please the flesh in so doing; this by little and little hath reached even the top boughs and branches of our profession; until almost all flesh hath corrupted its ways;