A90277:224
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.
3. Be sure to lay in provision in store, against the approaching of any Temptation. This also belongs to our watchfulness over our hearts. You will say, what provision is intended, and where is it to be laid up? Our hearts, (as our Saviour speaks are our Treasury. There we lay up whatever we have, Good or bad; and thence do we draw it, for our use, Matth. 12. 35. It is the heart then wherein provision is to be laid up against Temptation. When an Enemy draws nigh to a fort, or Castle to besiege and take it; oftentimes if he find it well manned, and furnished with provision for a siege, and so able to hold out, he withdraws and assaults it not. If Satan the Prince of this world come, and find our hearts fortified against his batteries, and provided to hold out, he not only departs, but as James says, he flies; he will fly from us, Jam. 4. 7. for the provision to be laid up, it is that which is provided in the Gospel for us, Gospel provisions will do ⟨p. 131⟩this work; that is, keep the heart full of a sense of the love of God in Christ: this is the greatest preservative against the power of temptation in the world. Joseph had this; and therefore on the first appearance of a temptation, he cries out; how can I do this great evil, and sin against God? and there is an end of the temptation, as to him, it lays no hold on him, but departs. He was furnished with such a ready sense of the love of God; as Temptation could not stand before, Gen. 39. 9. The love of Christ constrains us, saith the Apostle, to live to him, 2 Cor. 5. 14. and so consequently, to withstand Temptation. A man may, nay he ought to lay in provisions of the Law also; fear of death, hell punishment, with the terror of the Lord in them. But these are far more easily conquered then the other: Nay they will never stand alone against a vigorous assault. They are conquered in convinced persons every day: hearts stored with them, will struggle for a ⟨p. 132⟩while, but quickly give over: But store the heart with a sense of the Love of God in Christ; with the eternal design of his grace, with a taste of the blood of Christ, and his Love in the shedding of it; get a relish of the privileges we have thereby;