The danger of speedy degeneracy, held forth in a sermon preached at the lecture…

This occasions Degeneracy these ways.

1. Hence they want Grace to restrain them in a Day of Temptation. In length of time there will arise considerable temptations, but if a people be gracious, it is hopeful, that they will withstand those temptations: Gracious men will not live in evil ways: 1 Joh. 2. 9. He cannot sin, because he is born of God: they have a principle of faith, and do believe the dangerousness of evil ways, and will be afraid: Job 31. 23. Destruction from God was a terror to me; and they hate sinful ways, and cannot endure them, they are like green wood that will not take the fire so readily as others: but if a temptation comes, carnal men have not grace to restrain them, they have natural consciences, and a care of their reputation, but they want the principal thing to restrain them; it may be they will be commanded to do that which is sinful, and they have not grace to withstand the command: Hos. 5. 11. Ephraim is oppressed ⟨p. 8⟩and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment, i.e. of Jeroboam, Mic. 6. 16. The statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab. It may be there will arise some false Teachers, and many carnal men will fall in with their delusions, 2 Tim. 3. 6. Of this sort are they that creep into houses, and lead captive silly women, laden with sins, led away with divers lusts. If persons don't fear God, they are liable to greatest iniquities in a day of temptation; Gen. 20. 11. The fear of God is not in this place, and they will slay me for my wives sake.