Addresses to old men, and young men, and little children. In three discourses ...…

When the Devil is busy with us, 'tis by these two Duties that we may overcome him and his Temptations.

First, Be watchful. Or, in Solomons Dialect, Be fearful. Here, quite contrary to what is in other Warfares, The best Soldier is he that feareth alway ⟨p. 85⟩ways. Be always on your guard; and continually suspect that the wicked one has an ill design upon you. Be so watchful, as to keep an Eye upon the Season which the devil may be most likely to make an Hour of temptation. Is it with you a time of Security? Are you grown formal, flighty, weary in Religion? Are your Graces in a slumber? Then wake presently; if you ben't now very watchful, the Devil will serve you, as the Watchmen did the sleepy Soul, in Cant. 5. 7. Smite you, wound you. Or, are you very confident of your selves? are you ready to say, I shall never be moved? Then also wake presently; for if you be not now watchful, the devil will break your bones, as much as he did presumptuous Peters, when our Lord said unto him, in Luc. 22. 31. Satan has desired to have you. Or, Is it with you a time of prosperity? Are you Outwardly under the smiles of God? Do Riches and Honours come in upon you? Be sure the Devil will now have a blow at you, if you be not very watchful: this was wise Agurs apprehension. For this cause 'tis said in Prov. 1. 32. The prosperity of Fools shall destroy them; it furnisheth the Devil with opportunities. When we have an high Sail, he will try to overset us. Or, are you Inwardly happy in the Light of Gods Countenance? Have you newly been sealed with Assurances of his Favour? Be sure you shall now also find that the Devil will not let you alone. When Paul had been in Raptures, we find in 2 Cor. 12. 7. he is not long free from the Buffetings of the Devil. If we have been ⟨p. 86⟩