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§. 70. Of Means for Perseverance.
TO help us on in holding out, these graces following, among others, are 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 usefull.
- 1. Humility. This is the Basis and foundation, when the fore-mentioned 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is setled. If an house want a foundation, how can it stand, especially ag•…•…* 1.2 storms and tempests? Luke 6. 49. Christ saith, that a man which builds a sure 〈◊〉〈◊〉 digs deep, Luk. 6. 48. Digging deep is in an humble soul. Many promises are made to the humble, Micah 6. 8. God giveth grace to the humble, Prov. 3. 34. For 〈◊〉〈◊〉 very end we are forbidden to be high-minded, lest we fall, Rom. 11. 20. Self▪ •…•…∣ceitednesse and pride make men carelesse, Revel. 3. 17. and God is provoked ag•…•… such, for he resisteth the proud, Jam. 4. 6.
- 2. Sincerity. This is an inward soundnesse. If the foundation be not so•…•…,* 1.3 the Ed•…•…sice cannot be well settled on it. Soundnesse is that which maketh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and endure. Sappy, rotten timber will quickly fail. Counterfeit grace will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 last.
- 3. A setled Resolution to hold out to the end. I have sworn, and I will persue* 1.4 it, that I will keep thy righteous judgements, saith a constant servant of the Lord, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 119. 106. Nothing will daunt or turn back such an one. See more hereof in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…∣covery from Apostasie on Luk. 15. 31. §. 44.
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4. Iealousie. Jealousie, I say, in regard of the temptations whereunto we 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.5 subject, and of our own weaknesse. Satan is subtill (1 Pet. 5. 8.) Sinne is dece•…•…∣full, Heb. 3. 13. and we of our selves are foolish, and prone to yeeld to sinne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Satan. If we be secure or carelesse, we may be soon taken as birds in a net. This a great cause of backsliding; therefore we are oft admonished to fear, Heb. 4. 1. R•…•… 11. 20. Phil. 2. 12.
These two Resolution and Iealousie, may well stand together; if the former 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.6 placed on Gods promises, and the Spirits assistance; and the later on temptat•…•…▪ whereunto we are subject, and our own weaknesse.
- 5. Prudence. For the manifestation hereof
- 1. Avoid occasions which may draw thee out of thy Christian course. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Apostle intendeth under this phrase, Cast away every weight, Heb. 12. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 avoid uncleannesse the Wise-man gives this advice, Remove thy way sarre 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a strange woman: and come not nigh the door of her house▪ Prov. 5. 8. To pr•…•… this the further he useth these metaphors, Can a man take fire in his b•…•…om, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his clothes not be burnt? Can one go upon hot coles, and his feet not be burnt? Pro•…•… 6. 27, 28. Peters thrusting himself among the servants and officers in the High-Priests hall, was an occasion of the temptation which brought him to deny his •…•…∣ster, Ioh. 18. 16, 17, 18.
- 2. If occasions cannot be avoided, but that thou beest forced to sojou•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.7 Mese•…•…h, and to dwell in the tents of Kedar, Psal. 126. 5. then take heed of yee•…•…∣ing to temptations. Stand out against them as Ioseph did, Genes. 39. 9. Rem•…•… righteous as Lot did in Sodom, 2 Pet. 2. 8. Give no place to the devil, Eph. 4▪ 27. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 withstand sinne in the beginning. It is not safe to dally with temptations. If Sa∣tan get in a claw, he will soon put in his whole paw, and then head, body 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all. If waters make a little breach, flouds will soon follow.
- 3. If thou be overtaken with a temptation, lie not in it: but as soon as 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.8 canst recover thy self: Do, as in this case Peter did: So soon as he observed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lords beck, and heard the Cock crow, whereby he was put in minde of his sin•…•…, presently he went out and wept bitterly, Luk. 22. 60, 61, 62.
- 4. Being recovered, take heed of falling back again. A relapse is dange•…•…* 1.9 in bodily diseases: Much more in spiritual. The Spirit is much grieved thereby Christ gave this advice to a woman taken in adultery, and forgiven, Go and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no more, John 8. 11. This advice he backt with a strong reason thus, Sin no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lest a worse thing come unto thee, John 5. 14.
- 6. Growth in grace. By this, we shall be the more strengthned, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.10 enabled to hold out. Use what means are prescribed to this purpose, As new 〈◊〉〈◊〉 babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby, 1 Pet. 2. 2. S•…•…