A90277:183
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.
1. There is included in them, a clear abiding Apprehension of the great evil that there is in entering into Temptation. That which a man watches, and prays against. He looks upon as evil to him, and by all means to be avoided.
1. There is included in them, a cleare abiding Apprehension of the great evill that there is in entering into Temptation. That which a man watches, and prayes against. He looks upon as evill to him, and by all meanes to be avoided.
This then is the first direction; Always bear in mind, the great danger that it is, for any soul to enter into Temptation. It is a woeful thing to consider what slight thoughts the most have of this thing: so men can keep themselves from sin it self, in open action, they are content, they scarce aim at more; on any Temptation in the world, all sorts of men will venture at any time.
This then is the first direction; Alwaies beare in mind, the great danger that it is, for any soule to enter into Temptation. It is a woefull thing to consider what slight thoughts the most have of this thing: so men can keep themselves from sinne it selfe, in open action, they are content, they scarce aime at more; on any Temptation in the world, all sorts of men will venture at any time.
How will young men put themselves ⟨p. 99⟩on any company, any society; at first being delighted with evil company, then with the evil of the company. How vain are all Admonitions, and Exhortations to them, to take heed of such, or such persons, debauched in themselves, corrupters of others, destroyers of souls? at first they will venture on the company, abhorring the thoughts of practising; their lewdness: but what is the issue? unless it be here or there one, whom God snatches with a mighty hand, from the jaws of destruction, they are all lost, and become after a while in love with the evil, which at first they abhorred. This open door, to the ruin of souls, is too evident; and woeful experience makes it no less evident, that it is almost impossible to fasten upon many poor creatures, any fear or dread of Temptation, who yet will profess a fear, and abhorrency of sin. Would it were only thus with young men; such as are unaccustomed to the yoke of the Lord. What sort of man is free from