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

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 ⟨p. 3⟩had prevailed, if Paul had not earnestly cautioned him from hearkening to it.

INDEED, he used the most Effectual Argument that could be, to disswade 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 meer 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 expresly declared. Probably, the Gaoler might utter some words to that purpose. However, He was distress'd 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 Subtilty 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 meer Imaginary Fears put them upon no less an Evil than Self-Destruction: It was with the Gaoler so; and the Temptation ⟨p. 3⟩had prevail'd, if Paul had not earnestly caution'd him from heark'ning to it.