On Temptation

Temptation rightly scann'd and understood,
Is certainly ordain'd to do us good;
To shew that our frail nature ever needs
Our prayers for Grace, to justifie our deeds.

Never to be tempted, leaves no trial
To measure Vertue by: Self-denial
Is the scale; 'tis no merit to forbear
To do the things for which we do not care.

To be tempted is no crime; but to yield
Unto temptation, and to quit the field
To a known Enemy, is worthy blame,
When our resistance would the Tempter shame.

Still to be tempted by some high delight,
And piously resist that appetite,
Does exercise our Faith; 'tis the only way
T'express our Love, and shew that we obey.

To be tempted, Honour is, if we do
Forbear to act, and quit the object too:
Such skirmishes will much advantage gain,
Till we a perfect Victory obtain.

To be tempted is a bliss, if we find
Sufficient Grace to satisfie the mind;
For when we make our master-sin our slave,
We joy in Life, and triumph o'er the Grave.

To be tempted unawares by a thought,
Or a wish, it is nature, and no fault:
If Grace does nip the bud of our desires,
Custom in time will teach to quench those fires.

To master all temptation, is a sign
That we have something in us more divine
Than Nature can afford; by which we know
God's Spirit does such Victories bestow.