Of Temptation

Again! as men have peculiar natural tempers, which according as they are attended or managed, prove a great Fomes of sin, or advantage to the exercise of Grace; so men may have peculiar lusts or corruptions, which either by their natural constitution or education and other prejudices, have got deep rooting and strength in them. This also is to be found out by him, who would not enter into temptation. Unless, he know it, unless his eye be always on it, unless he observe its actings, motions, advantages, it will continually be entangling and ensnaring of him. This ⟨p. 127⟩then is our sixth direction in this kind; labour to know thine own frame and temper, what spirit thou art of; what associates in thy heart Satan hath, where Corruption is strong, where Grace is weak; what strong hold lust hath in thy natural constitution and the like. How many have all their comforts blasted, and peace disturbed, by their natural passion and peevishness? How many are rendered useless in the world, by their frowardness and discontent? how many are disquieted even by their own gentleness and sanctity? be acquainted then with thine own heart, though it be deep, search it: though it be dark, enquire into it: though it give all its distempers other names then what are their due believe it not. Were not men utter strangers to themselves, did they not give flattering titles to their natural distempers, did they not strive rather to justify palliate or excuse the evils of their hearts, that are suited to their natural tempers and constitutions, ⟨p. 128⟩then to destroy them, and by these means keep themselves off from taking a clear and distinct view of them; it were impossible that they should all their days hang in the same briers without attempt for deliverance; uselessness and scandal in professors, are branches growing constantly on this root of unacquaintedness with their own frame and temper; and how few are there, who will either study them themselves; or bear with those who would acquaint them with them.

Againe! as men have peculiar naturall tempers, which according as they are attended or mannaged, prove a great Fomes of sinne, or advantage to the exercise of Grace; so men may have peculiar lusts or corruptions, which either by their naturall constitution or education and other prejudices, have got deep rooting and strength in them. This also is to be found out by him, who would not enter into temptation. Unlesse, he know it, unlesse his eye be alwaies on it, unlesse he observe its actings, motions, advantages, it will continually be intangling and insnaring of him. This