13. the Ifraelites had fallen into, he concludes, Now all thefe Things happened unto them for Enfamples, and they are written for our Admonition. Wherefore let him that thinks he ftandeth, take heed left he fall, Ver. 11. 12. We are taught to pray in the Lord's Prayer, and lead us not into Temptation. That is, that God would fo order Things in the Course of his Providence, that we may not be exposed to great and dangerous Trials which may prove hazardous to our Virtue; Cor. 10. that he would not fuffer us to be tempted above what we are able, but would with the Temptation make a Way to Escape, that we may be able to bear it. Where we may observe, that to escape from a Temptation when it approaches, is the fureft Way of Dealing with it: But if we are so hardy as to stand the Brunt, and to meet it in the Field, we are not to expect that God will work Miracles of Grace to deliver us. 2dly, The Doctrine we have heard may inftruct us not to condemn any Man's Virtue, for a fingle Act of Wickedness; for by this Way of judging, David and St. Peter muft both pafs for wicked Men, tho' they are upon Record for Men of great Piety. They did fall indeed moft fhamefully, but their Repentance Repentance and Recovery were as remarkable. The Violence of a Temptation may happen, like a Torrent, to carry away the best Man living before he has Time to secure his Virtue, but give him a little Time and Reflection, and he will never cease till he has wrought himself back to the Place from which he fell. The contrary is true of a wicked Man, for he spreads his Sails, and goes chearfully down the Current. If we will judge rightly of Men, it must be from the Habit and Course of their Lives, and not from a fingle Act, or from a rare Inftance, be it good or bad. One foul Crime will leave a Stain upon the brightest Character, that can never be quite taken out in the Eye of the World; but in the Sight of God, when the Guilt is removed by Repentance, the Stain goes with it; and if Men would imitate God, Charity and good Nature would not be fuch rare Things as they are in the World. 3dly, If God will judge Men by their Hearts only, then Hypocrify, in all Shapes and Colours, must be a very foolish and fenfelefs Thing; because it can never anfwer those Ends that ought to be regarded in the first Place by every Man of com mon mon Prudence. What would it avail a Criminal, if he could deceive all the World except his Jury and Judge? Indeed the poor and narrow Views of Hypocrify, with regard to Men, are often difappointed, and the Mafque fo thin, that every Man can fee the Hypocrite thorough it. But suppose that he should act his Part fo perfectly well, as to deceive all Mankind, to the very laft, yet what will his Form of Godlinefs, what will his outward Sanctity and artificial Religion and Devotion fignify? He is cheating the World; but he is at the fame Time putting the greatest Cheat upon himself, because he cannot deceive him who judges by the Heart only, and who will foon ftrip him of all his falfe Colours and Difguifes, and fhew him a fhameful Spectacle to Angels and Men. Men can only pafs Opinions upon him, but it is God that muft pafs Sentence. Then it is that thofe Words of Job shall be verified, The Hypocrite's Hopes fhall be cut off, his Truft shall be a Spider's Web, Chap. 8. 14. and in the 27th Chap. v. 8. 9. For what is the Hope of the Hypocrite, tho' he hath gained, and ferved fome world ly ly Ends by it, when God taketh away his Soul, will God hear his Cry when Trouble cometh upon him? 4thly, The fame Doctrine affords Matter of great Comfort to all fincere and honest Minds, who use their best endeavour to pleafe God, and keep a good Confcience in all Things. For tho' they should fall fhort of their Aim at Perfection, and be carried away from the Paths of Virtue thorough the Frailty of their Natures, and the Strength of Temptations, yet their Sorrow and Repentance, their earnest Prayers, and fincere Endeavours, will reftore them to Favour, and be accepted by God instead of perfect Obedience. This must be a moft comfortable Thought at all Times to a good Man, but efpecially at the Approach of Death. To be able then to fay with good Hezekiah, Remember, Lord, how I have walked before thee in Truth, and with a perfect Heart, will be a reviving Cordial in that gloomy Hour. God grant that you and I may have this Comfort in store, and that when our Virtue fhall be brought to the Touchstone of Sincerity at the great |