Temptations of the world.

If thou wouldst be faithful to do that work that God hath appointed thee to do in this world for his name, then labor always to possess thy heart with a right understanding, both of the things that this world yieldeth, and of the things that shall be hereafter.  I am confident that most if not all the miscarriages of the saints and people of God have their rise from deceivable thoughts here.  The things of this world appear to us more, and those that are to come less, than they are; and hence it is that many are so hot and eager for things that be in the world, and so cold and heartless for those that be in heaven.  Satan is here a mighty artist, and can show us all earthly things in a multiplying-glass; but when we look up to things above, we see them as through sackcloth of hair.  But take thou heed; be not ruled by thy sensual appetite that can only savor fleshly things, neither be thou ruled by carnal reason which always darkeneth the things of heaven; but go to the word, and as that says, so judge thou.  That tells thee all things under the sun are vanity, nay, worse, vexation of spirit; that tells thee the world is not, even when it doth most appear to be:  wilt thou set thine heart upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings, and fly away as an eagle towards heaven.  The same may be said for honors, pleasures, and the like; they are poor, low, base things to be entertained by a Christian’s heart.  The man that hath most of them may in the fulness of his sufficiency be in straits; yea, when he is about to fill his belly with them, God may cast the fury of his wrath upon him; so is every one that layeth up treasure for himself on earth, and is not rich towards God.  A horse that is laden with gold and pearls all day, may have a foul stable and a galled back at night.  And “woe to him that increaseth that which is not his, and that ladeth himself with thick clay.”  O man of God, throw this bone to the dogs; suck not at it, there is no marrow there.  “Set thy affections on things that are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”  Colos. 3:1-4.

Encouragements for the tempted.

Let us cast ourselves upon this love of Christ.  No greater encouragement can be given us, than what is in the text, Eph. 3:18,19, and about it.  It is great; it is “love that passeth knowledge.”  Men that are sensible of danger, are glad when they hear of such helps upon which they may boldly venture for escape.  Why, such a help and relief the text helpeth trembling and fearful consciences to.  Fear and trembling as to misery hereafter, can flow but from what we know, feel, or imagine; but the text speaks of a love that passeth knowledge, consequently of a love that goes beyond all these.  Besides, the apostle’s conclusion upon this subject plainly makes it manifest, that this meaning which I have put upon the text is the mind of the Holy Ghost.