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Seeing that Adam, who had such ex∣traordinary induments of grace, and whose nature God had so adorned with excellence, as that hee delighted his company, and seeing that hee was innocent, & his nature vnstained with corruption or infirmity; did notwith∣standing runne in contempt of Gods commandement, and thereby did pur∣chase Gods indignation: I will there∣fore
be extraordinary carefull to with∣stand all prouocations that may tempt me to any sin. For my nature is much more easie to be tempted then his, his being in innocency holy, mi••e in cor∣ruption stayned:* 1.1 hee hauing power in himselfe to withstand his tempter; I ha∣uing no power in my nature to resist, but rather an appetite and affectation to euill, (naturally) neglecting that grace which should make mee able to resist temptation. And because my na∣ture is thus depraued,* 1.2 and that my owne blind directions would but lead me to condemnation; I will therefore (with humble confidence) implore the fauour of God,* 1.3 that his Spirite may giue me directions; and that his hands may support mee against the power of all temptations. For I know that my strength is but weakenesse; and if God take his hand of fauour from me, I shall fayle in the conquest of my tempters,* 1.4 and remayne their spoyle: for (if Adam in his innocence) was vanquished, I (in my sinne) cannot bee able to preuayle. I will therefore deny my selfe; and re∣pose
my confidence in the strength of thy arme, for it is thou (O God) that sauest vs from our enemies, and puttest them to confusion that ha••e vs. Thus I shall practise against my spiritual temp∣ters, thus I shall preuayle.
Againe, seeing God hath not spared Adam nor the Angels that sinned,* 1.5 who (in their natures) were much more ex∣cellent then my self, but (for their sin) gaue them ouer to condemnation: how much lesse will hee spare mee, if I continue in the committing of sinne, and endeauour not my selfe with all di∣ligēce in godly exercise? This (assured∣ly) shall make me fearefull to commit any sinne with consent or knowledge, but I will flie sinne, as I would death: because the seruice of sinne is certain∣ly rewarded with death: sinne and death being inseparably vnited in fel∣lowship:* 1.6 for the soule that sinneth must dye the death; and no soule dyeth but the sinnefull. Therefore (O my God) I will resort in my prayers to thy holy presence,* 1.7 I will earnestly intreate that thy prouidēce may direct me in a holy
course to an holy end; I will auoyde al acquaintance with sinne, I will hate it in my selfe,* 1.8 I will hate it in others, pit∣ty their misery, & pray for their conuer∣sion: I will professe my selfe a vowed enemy, and practise in that profession: thus I perswade, thus I am resolued. Lastly, seeing Adam and his posteritie were not cast into condemnation with∣out hope,* 1.9 without mercy, as the An∣gels that sinned were;* 1.10 but had a hope giuen him to be again restored to the fauour and blessed presence of God, by the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ, the Sonne of God: this admirable de∣gree of the loue of God to mankinde, shall keepe all my actions in awe, and make mee carefully feare to offend my God, who hath so farre exceeded to mee in the fauours of his Loue. I will now (not onely) feare him because hee hath power to destroy mee:* 1.11 but I will feare him for the reuerence of his loue; and preferre his loue (euen) bee∣fore my soule, My meditations cannot present to my soule, a greater heauen of ioy, then to vnderstand my selfe to
be beloued of God,* 1.12 neyther can I haue more delightfull action, then to medi∣tate his loue, and to loue him againe. For to loue him for the safety of our owne soules, is necessary: but to loue him for his loue (onely) is more com∣mendable, and declareth a notable de∣gree of Christian zeale. Thus did Mo∣ses loue the Israelites;* 1.13 thus Saint Paul the Iewes: and thus will I my God, by whom I was created, by whom I am restored.
We more easie to be tempted then ADAM
The depra∣uednesse of nature.
How to preuent the power of temptations
We must first deny our selues, before wee can affy in God.
2. Pet. 2. 4.
The wages of sinne is Death.
Resolution.
Charity wil pitty misery wheresoeuer it be.
Man was not cōdem∣ned as the Angells without hope.
An admira∣ble witnesse of Gods loue.
A filiall. feare.
To medi∣tate God and his fa∣uours.
Exod. 32. 32.