A discourse of tempting Christ by John Shower.

SECT. XV.

An Exhortation to all sorts of Per∣sons, instead of Tempting Christ, to make Trial and Proof of his Goodness and Faithfulness, in a way of Duty, Obedience, and Dependance.

Secondly. LET us then, instead of Tempting Christ as we have done, resolve for the future to make that Trial and Proof of him, which he allows and re∣quires us to do. We read some∣times in Scripture how God conde∣scended to the Weakness of his Ser∣vants, and gave them leave to de∣mand a Sign of him, upon such and such Particular Occasions. Gi∣deon had an express Order for his Sign, Judg. 7. And Ahaz had leave

to ask one, for the increase of his Faith; and it seems as if he did not do well to refuse it, Isa. 7.12. But sometimes, without an express Command, holy Men have asked of God a Sign; as Abraham, Gen. 15. Whereby shall I know, that I shall inherit the Land of Canaan? So Eliezer, Abraham's Servant, Gen. 24.14. So Jonathan, 1 Sam. 14.10. In these and other extraordinary Cases, what there was of Propheti∣cal Instinct, or Inspiration to war∣rant them, we know not; and whe∣ther they did well or ill in demand∣ing a Sign of God, we can hardly say: But our Case is plain, where we have the Warrant of Divine Precept, and a Promise also for our Incouragement.

LET us then make Trial of the Faithfulness, and the Goodness of God, in the ways of Obedience. Prove me now, says God, Mal. 1.10. Do any of you kindle a Fire upon mine Altar for nought? Do you offer a

Sacrifice to me without profiting your selves? Tho you have robbed me, saith the Lord, as to Tithes and Offe∣rings, even this whole Nation. Chap. 3. v. 9, 10. Yet bring them into the Store-house, that there may be Meat in my House; and prove me now here∣with, saith the Lord of Hosts; see if I will not open unto you the Windows of Heaven, and pour you out an abun∣dant Blessing, that you shall not have room to receive it; and make that all Nations shall call you blessed. To the like purpose we read in Psal. 81.13, 14. O that my People had hear∣kened unto me, and Israel had walked in my Ways! I should soon have sub∣dued their Enemies, and turned my Hand against their Adversaries. But they would not try me, and trust me.

GOD condescends to speak such Language unto All of us. Prove me, saith he, by obeying my Voice, and hearkening to my Word: En∣ter into my Service, see whether

I am a hard Master: Take my Yoke upon you, see whether it be not easy, and my Burden light: Try whether my Service be not bet∣ter than that of Sin, and the World: See whether any can do for you, that which I can, and will do. Come unto me, says Christ, if you are weary and heavy laden, and see whether I cannot give you Rest. Do but make a Trial, whether the Ways of Wisdom be not Pleasant∣ness, and her Paths Peace. Con∣demn not Religion for a melancholy, tedious, burdensome thing, before you have found it so upon Trial. See whether seeking the Kingdom of God, and the Righteousness thereof, in the first place, be not the way, to have all other things added, in the best Proportion. Make a Trial, at least for a time, whe∣ther to walk uprightly, and keep a Conscience void of Offence towards God and Man, be not the only way to walk surely in the most difficult

Times, and turn of Affairs, publick or private.

PROVE me now, says God, whe∣ther he that fears God and works Righteousness shall not be Accepted. See whether I am a barren Wilder∣ness, or a Land of Drought; whe∣ther ever you shall have reason to Repent your turning from Sin and Vanity, to walk in my Way; whe∣ther ever any shall be Losers by their Fidelity to me.

O THAT Magistrates, Ministers, Gentlemen, Students, Merchants, Tradesmen, Parents, Children, Heads of Families, and Servants, younger, elder Persons, under what Denomi∣nation soever they may be ranked, would All in their several places, instead of Tempting Christ, make a Trial of his Faithfulness to his Promises, unto such as are diligent, and faithful to the performance of the Duty! O that Magistrates would but try, whether Fidelity to God, and Zeal for his Glory, and

Concern for his Honour, and Care that his Laws be observed, and the Violation of them punished; whe∣ther this be not the best way to their own Safety, Honour and Esta∣blishment, and the only Exaltation and Security of the People! O that Ministers would but try, whether hearty Love to God and Christ, and the Souls of Men, and fervent De∣sires and Endeavours to approve our selves to the All-seeing God, in seeking to promote the Faith, and Holiness, and Joy of Christians, and their Union, Love and Con∣cord one with another, be not the best way for our Acceptance and Success!

O that Merchants, and Tradesmen would but try, by constant Depen∣dance upon God, and daily Prayer in their Closets and Families, and strict Justice and Righteousness in their Dealings, and by chusing and encouraging such Servants as fear the Lord, and by keeping up the

Worship and Authority of God in their Houses; whether this be not the best way to banish the Curse of God from their Habitation, and to obtain that Blessing of Heaven up∣on their Diligence in their Callings, which will make Rich, without the Addition of Sorrow!

O that Parents would try, whe∣ther by dedicating their Children to God betimes, and educating them diligently in the Fear and Nurture of the Lord, and disgracing Sin to them, telling them the Evil and the Danger of it, and antidoting them against Temptation, saving them from Pride, and Idleness, and evil Company, making Religion plea∣sant to them, and setting an holy Example before them, &c. whe∣ther this be not the best, and only way to have Comfort in them!

O that we, who are the Children of Religious, Holy Parents, would but try whether there will not be a double Blessing from Heaven upon

us, if we own our Fathers God, and our Mothers God: If we keep within the Bond of his Covenant, and remember his Commandments to do them; if we cut not off the Entail of Covenant-Blessings with our own Hands; if we obey the God of our Fathers, with a perfect and upright Heart! Let us prove him, and try whether he will not fulfil his Promise, That the Mercy of the Lord shall be from everlasting to everlasting to them that fear him, and his Righteousness (or Faithful∣ness) to the Childrens Children.

IN SHORT, let us All resolve to Tempt God and Christ no more, as we have done, but to prove him by our holy Obedience. And we shall find by Experience, that com∣mitting our Way to God in well∣doing, is the wisest, and easiest, and sweetest Life, through all the Changes of this present World: That by casting our Bread upon the

Waters, and giving to the Poor, we do but lend unto the Lord, and he will surely repay it: That to sancti∣fy the Lord's-Day, is the proper Method to have the Blessing of Hea∣ven all the Week: That to live the Life of the Righteous, and to be∣gin to remember and serve him in our Youth, is the only proper Me∣thod for a long Life, and a good old Age, or a peaceful Death, a Comfortable Account, and a Blessed Eternity.

FINIS.