A call to the tempted. A sermon on the horrid crime of self-murder, preached…

IN the Context, the Evangelist gives an Account concerning, the Imprisonment of Paul and Silas, for Preaching the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST; and a most Remarkable Occurrence happening thereupon, which proved the Conversion of the Gaoler, who had dealt very cruelly with them. We have herewithal a Relation of what proved the occasion of that strange Conversion. It was brought to pass, by means of a Miraculous Earthquake which happened at Midnight. The Gaoler being by this Earthquake frightfully waked out of Sleep, was full of Distress and Consternation. While he was thus distressed in his Mind, the Devil took advantage to fall upon him with horrid Temptations.

IN the Context, the Evangelist gives an Account concerning, the Imprisonment of Paul and Silas, for Preaching the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST; and a most Remarkable Occurrence happening thereupon, which proved the Conversion of the Gaoler, who had dealt very cruelly with them. We have herewithal a Relation of what proved the occasion of that strange Conversion. It was brought to pass, by means of a Miraculous Earthquake which happened at Midnight. The Gaoler being by this Earthquake frightfully waked out of Sleep, was full of Distress and Consternation. While he was thus distress'd in his Mind, the Devil took advantage to fall upon him with horrid Temptations.

TWO Things are noted in the Words before us. First. There is noted, The Evil which the Gaoler was Tempted unto; To wit, Self-Murder. He drew his Sword, and was just ready to sheath it in his own Wretched Bowels. Secondly. There is noted, That which was the happy means of diverting him from the Evil; To wit, The Apostles speaking to him. He cried with a loud Voice; Very Earnestly. And it was Time to be in Earnest. It was a matter of Life and Death!

INDEED, he used the most Effectual Argument that could be, to dissuade him from persisting in his Attempt of Self-Murder. He convinced him, that the Temptation which hurried him on to the Barbarous and bloody Fact by him designed was a mere Needless Fear. He was afraid, the Prisoners were gone; and therefore the Magistrates who Committed them to Prison would put him to Death, for letting them escape. Therefore Paul says, We are all here. How the Apostle knew, that this was his Temptation; This is not expressly declared. Probably, the Gaoler might utter some words to that purpose. However, He was distressed with a Causeless Fear: And yet this Distress did through the Instigation of Satan prevail so far, that he was just upon the point of making himself away. Such is the Subtlety of Satan, and his great power over the Minds of Men; when GOD shall see meet to let him loose; as that he can from mere Imaginary Fears put them upon no less an Evil than Self-Destruction: It was with the Gaoler so; and the Temptation