A discourse of tempting Christ by John Shower.

SECT. I.

The Introduction, Context, and pro∣posed Method of the following Discourse.

WE experience the mighty Force of Example, to draw or to disswade; when bare Counsel will not move, and naked Precept makes little Im∣pression.

It is easier to oppose and contradict the most positive Rule, to despise and make light of the plainest Prohibition, and Caution against Sin, than when we see the Evil of it as in a Glass, by some remarkable Instance of Divine Se∣verity. On this Account the Histo∣rical Part of the Holy Scriptures is of excellent Use; and accordingly the Examples of God's Antient Peo∣ple the Jews, are frequently referr'd to in the New Testament. They are said to be Types, and Patterns unto us, to instruct us what we may expect, if we imitate their Trans∣gressions, by the Righteous Judg∣ments of god, that followed them.

A GOOD part of this Chapter is imployed by the Apostle, in admo∣nishing and warning these Corinthi∣ans against several particular Sins, from the Consideration of the Pu∣nishments which God inflicted up∣on the Israelites for the like. Tho they were his peculiar People, he

would not spare them, but did ra∣ther execute Vengeance with the greater Severity and Speed. They enjoyed many Advantages above the rest of the World; especially as to them belonged the Covenant, and the Adoption: On which Account they are called their Fathers, ver. 1. which the Jews could not otherwise be to these Corinthians, who were Hea∣thens, and some of the First-fruits of the Gentile Church. Types, and Examples unto us, ver. 6. to warn us against such and such particular Sins, from what they suffered in the Wilderness for the like. Adding, that these things are written for our sakes, ver. 11. on whom the Ends of the World are come. That is, on our account, who live in the latter Ages of the World; when those latter Days are begun, in which the great Change, foretold by the Pro∣phets to be made by the Messiah's Kingdom, doth take place; which Kingdom is to last, and increase to

the end of the World, without the expectation of any other considera∣ble Change of that Nature. It is for our sakes, on whom the Ends of the World are come, that these things are written. That thereby we may know and be convinced, that, whatever the Difference may be imagined between Christians and Jews, between Moses and Christ, be∣tween the Law and the Gospel, be∣tween the Typical Egypt, Wilderness, and Canaan of the Jews, and the Antitype to these things amongst us Christians; whatever the Difference may be between us and them, and whatever Advantages may lie on our side; yet if we will not take warning by their Example, we must expect the like Severity of Divine Justice, as they experienced.

AMONG other Provocations, of which the Jews were guilty, and which the Apostle takes notice of in this Chapter, This in these words deserves to be considered;

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, &c.

1. I SHALL consider the Ex∣ample of the Antient Jews, and what Sin that was which is here refer∣red to, and the Punishment of it. 2. How We may be said to tempt Christ; what is the Nature of that Sin, or how many ways we may be guilty of it. 3. Close with a Practical Exhortation, to impress and improve the whole.