ing as temptations do grow or increase. So was itin the cafe of Paul, 2 Cor. xii. 9. My grace is fufficient for thee. The temptation whatever it were, grew high; Paul was earneft for it's removal; and receives only this anfwer of the fufficiency of the grace of God, for his fupportment, notwithstanding all the growth and increase of the temptation.

5. By giving them wisdom, to make a right, holy, and fpiritual improvement of all temptations. James bids us count it all joy when we fall into manifold temptations, James i. 2. which could not be done, were there not an holy and fpiritual ufe to be made of them, which alfo himfelf manifefts in the words following. There are manifold uses of temptations, which experienced Chriftians with affiftance fuitable from Chrift, may make of them: This is not the leaft that by them we are brought to know ourselves. So Hezekiah was left, to be tried to know what was in him. By temptation; fome bofom, hidden corruption is oftentimes difcc. vered that the foul knew not of before. As it was with Hazael in respect of enormous crimes; fo in leffer things with the faints. They would never have believed there had been fuch lufts and corruptions in them as they have difcovered upon their temptations. Yea divers having been tempted to one fin, have discovered another that they thought not of. As fome being tempted to pride, or worldlinefs, or loofenefs of converfation, have been startled by it and lead to a discovery of a neglect of many duties, and much communion with God; which before they thought not of. And this is from the tender care of Jefus Chrift, giving them in fuitable help, without which no man can poffibly make ufe of, or improve a temptation. And this is a fuit

able:

able help indeed, whereby a temptation which otherwise, or to other perfons might be a deadly wound, proves the lancing of a feftered fore, and the letting out of corruption that otherwife might have endangered the life itself. So 1 Pet. i. 6. If need be ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.

6. When the foul is at any time, more or lefs overcome by temptations Chrift in his tenderness relieves it with mercy and pardon. So that his fhall not fink utterly under their burden 1 John ii. 1, 2. By one more, or all of thefe ways doth the Lord Jefus manifeft his conjugal tenderness, and compa flion towards his faints, in and under their tempta tions.

2. Chrift is compaffionate towards them in their afflictions; In all their afflictions, he is afflicted, Ifa. Ixiii. 9. yea it feems that all our afflictions (at leaft thofe of one fort, namely which consist in perfecutions) are his in the first place, ours only by parti cipation, Col. i. 24. We fill up the measure of the affictions of Chrift. Two things evidently manifeft this compaffionateness in Christ.

1. His interceeding with his Father for their relief, Zech. i. 12. Chrift interceedeth on our behalf not only in refpect of our fins, but alfo our fufferings; and when the work of our afflictions is accomplished, we fhall have the relief he interceeds for. The Father always hears him and we have not a deliverance from trouble, a recovering of health, eafe of pain, freedom from any evil that ever laid hold upon us, but it is given us, on the interceffion of Jefus Chrift. Believers are unacquainted with their own condition, if they look upon their mercies as difpenfed in a way of common providence. And

this may indeed be a caufe why we esteem them no more, are no more thankful for them, nor fruitful in the enjoyment of them; we fee not how, by what means, nor on what account they are difpenfed to

us.

The generation of the people of God in the world are at this day alive, undevoured, meerly on the account of the interceffion of the Lord Jefus. His compaffionatenefs hath been the fountain of their deliverances. Hence often times he rebukes their fufferings and afflictions, that they shall not act to the utmoft upon them, when they are under them. He is with them when they pafs through fire and water, Ifa. xliii. 2, 3.

2. In that he doth and will, in the winding up of the matter, fo forely revenge the quarrel of their fufferings upon their enemies. He avenges his elect that cry unto him, yea he doth it fpeedily. The controverfy of Sion, leads on the day of his vengeance, Ifa. xxxiv. 4. He looks upon them fometimes in diftrefs and confiders what is the ftate of the world in reference to them, Zach. i. 11. We have walked to and fro through the earth, and behold all the earth fitteth ftill and is at reft; fay his meffengers to him, whom he fent to confider the world. and its condition, during the affliction of his people. This commonly is the condition of the world in fuch a season, they are at reft and quiet, their hearts are abundantly fatiated; they drink wine in bowls, and fend gifts one to another. Then Chrift looks to fee who will come in for their fuccour, Ifa. lix. 16, 17. and finding none engaging himfelf for their relief, by the destruction of their adverfaries, himfelf undertakes it. Now this vengeance he accomplishes two ways.

1. Temporally upon perfons, kingdoms, nations

and

and countries, a type whereof you have, Ifa. lxiii. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. As he did it upon the old Roman world, Rev. vi. 16. and this alfo he doth two ways.

1. By calling out here and there an eminent oppofer, and making him an example to all the world; fo he dealt with Pharaoh, for this caufe have 1 raifed thee up, Exod. ix. 16. So he doth to this day, he lays his hand upon eminent adversaries; fills one with fury, another with folly, blasts a third, and makes another wither, or destroys them utterly and terribly. As a provoked lion, he lyes not down without his prey.

2. In general, in the viols of his wrath which he will in thefe latter days pour out upon the antichriftian world, and all that partake with them in their thoughts of vengeance and perfecution. He will miferably destroy them, and make fuch work with them in the iffue, that whofoever hears, both his ears fhall tingle.

2. In eternal vengeance will he plead with the adverfaries of his Beloved, Mat. xxv. 41, 42, 43, 44. 2 Theff. i. 6. Jude xv. It is hence evident, that Chrift abounds in pity and compaffion towards his beloved. Inftances might be multiplied, but thefe things are obvious and occur to the thoughts of all.

In answer to this, I place in the faints, chastity unto Christ in every state and condition. That this might be the state of the church of Corinth, the apostle made it his endeavour, 2 Cor. xi. 2, 3. I have efpoufed you to one husband. that I may present you as a chafte virgin to Chrift: and I fear leaft by any means as the ferpent beguiled Eve through his fubtility, fo your minds should be corrupted from the fimplicity that is in Chrift. And fo it is faid of the ollowers of the Lamb, on mount Sion, Rev. xiv. 4.

Thefe

Thefe are they that are not defiled with women for they are virgins: what defilement that was they were free from, fhall be afterward declared.

Now there are three things wherein this chastity confifts.

1. The not taking any thing into their affections and esteem for thofe ends and purposes for which they have received Jefus Chrift. Here the Galatians failed in their conjugal affection to Christ: they preserved not themselves chafte to him: they had received Chrift for life, and juftification and him only; but being after a while overcome with charms, or bewitched, they took into the fame place with him the righteoufnefs of the law. How Paul deals with them hereupon is known; how forely, how pathetically doth he admonish them, how feverely reprove them, how clearly convince them of their madness and folly? This then is the firft chafte affection believers bear in their heart to Chrift; having received him for their righteoufiefs and falvation before God, for the fountain, fpring. and well-head of all their fupplies, they will not now receive any other thing into his room and in his ftead. As to inftance in one particular. We receive him for our acceptance with God! all that here can stand in competition with him for our affections, must be our own endeavours for a righteoufnefs to commend us to God. Now this muft be either before we receive him, or after: for all duties and endeavours of what fort foever for the pleafing of God before our receiving of Chrift, you know what was the apoftle's frame, Phil. iii. 8, 9, 10. all endeavours, all advantages, all privileges he rejects with indignation as lofs, with abomination as dung; and winds up all his aims and defires in Chrift

alone