A90277:185
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.
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 ⟨p. 100⟩this folly in one thing or other?
How will young men put themselves ⟨p. 99⟩on any company, any society; at first being delighted with evill company, then with the evill of the company. How vaine are all Admonitions, and Exhortations to them, to take heed of such, or such persons, debauched in themselves, corrupters of others, destroyers of soules? at first they will venture on the company, abhorring the thoughts of practising; their lewdnesse: but what is the issue? unlesse it be here or there one, whom God snatches with a mighty hand, from the jawes of destruction, they are all lost, and become after a while in love with the evill, which at first they abhorred. This open doore, to the ruine of soules, is too evident; and woefull experience makes it no lesse evident, that it is almost impossible to fasten upon many poore creatures, any feare or dread of Temptation, who yet will professe a feare, 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 ⟨p. 100⟩this folly in one thing or other?