A Treatise of Faith, Part 2 · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
How to liue by faith in time of Temptation, when Satan encounters and ſeekes to winnow the poore ſeruants of Chriſt.
NO ſooner doth a Chriſtian ſet himſelfe vnfainedly to ſeeke the Lord,1. Pet. 5.8. but Satan with all his malice ſubteltie might and furie doth make out after him, aſſaying by inward ſuggeſtions and outward tentations aga…ne and againe reiterated to diſcourage, turne backe, and vtterly ouer throw him. The ſeruants, of Chriſt are all ſouldiers, and hauehave continuall warre not with fleſh and bloud, Eph. 6.11.12.but with principalities and powers, and ſpirituall wickedneſſes. This they muſt expect, they hauehave ſworne it, and are called vntounto of the Lord;Encouragements to reſiſt Satan. who for their encouragement doth not onelyonly acquaint them with the neceſſitie of the fight, the iuſtneſſe of their cauſe, the weight of the buſines,Apo. 2.11.26.27. Apo 3.21. Iam. 1.12. Promiſes of victory. Gen. 3.13. the honour of the combate, the reward of victorie if they ouercome, that he himſelfe doth behold and approue the valiant, but alſo by his faithfull prom…ſe doth aſſure them of ſtrength and victorie. This is ſignified in the firſt promiſe. It ſhall bruiſe thy head, and thou ſhalt bruiſe his heele: which properly being vnderſtood of Chriſt, by communication of grace doth belong to all the faithfull. Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath deſired to hauehave you, that hee might ſift you as wheate: But I hauehave prayed for thee, Luk. 22.31.32.that thy faith faile not. Wherefore take vntounto you the whole armor of God, Eph. 6.15.that yee may bee able to withſtand in the euill day, and hauing done all to ſtand. Reſiſt the Deuill, Iam. 4 7.and he will ſlee from you. He that is begotten of God keepeth himſelfe, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1. Ioh. 5.18. Math. 16.18.The gates of hell ſhall not preuaile againſt it. For I am perſwaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, Rom. 8.38.39.nor things preſent, nor things to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, ſhall be able to ſeperate vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Chriſt Ieſus our Lord. Satan was the ſtrong man armed who poſſeſſed all in peace:Luk 11.21. but our Sauiour hath ouercome him, taken from him all his armour,Col. 2.15. and diuided his ſpoiles. Hauing ſpoiled principalities and powers, he made a ſhew of them openly, triumphing ouer them vponupon the Croſſe; and ſo through death hath deſtroyed him that had the power of death, Heb. 2.14.15.that is, the Deuill, that he might deliuer all them which for feare of death were all their life ſubiect to bondage. Epheſ. 4.8.Wherefore he ſaith, when he aſcended vp on high, he led captiuitie captiue.
The godly are allowed to beleiue the promiſes of victory. Rom. 16.20.In this ſtate of temptation the ſeruants of God are allowed to liue by faith. For the God of peace hath promiſed to tread Satan vnderunder our feete ſhortly, opportunely. When Satan may ſeeme to preuaile and get the victorie, God will ſpeedily bruiſe and cruſh him vnderunder the feete of the faithfull, leaſt hee ſhould hurt or ouerthrow their ſaluation. The craft of Satan is great to deceiue, but God will teach wiſedome and prouidence to diſcerne and diſappoint his ſtratagens.2. Cor. 12.7.8.9. Rom. 6.14. The power of Satan is great to moleſt, but if wee fight manfully againſt him, not truſting in our owne ſtrength, but in the liuing Lord, we ſhall obtaine a ioyfull victorie. We muſt not be ſlouthfull nor ſelfe-confident, but valiant in the Lord, and the ſucceſſe is certaine through his bleſſed aide. Through God wee ſhall doe valiantly: Pſal. 60.12.for he it is that ſhall tread downe our enimies. This is the commandement of God, 1. Ioh. 3.23.that wee belieue in the name of his Sonne Ieſus Chriſt. Nothing is ſo glorious to God: nothing ſo profitable to vsus.Iohn 3.33. It doth giuegive God, as it were, a teſtimoniall of his truth, power, merciemercy and goodneſſe. And for our ſelues,Iam. 2.5. Eſay 30.15. it is our treaſure, ſtrength and victory. God hath choſen the poore of this world, rich in faith. In quietneſſe, and in confidence ſhall be your ſtrength. Wee hauehave a charge to reſiſt the Deuill ſtrong in the faith. 1. Pet. 5.9.The more fiercely we be aſſailed, the more confidently ſhould we betake our ſelues vntounto the Lord for helpe, who is our ſtrong caſtle, and rocke of defence. In peace if men let their armour hang by and ruſt, yet it is time to buckle it about them, when the enimie is at the gates, and beginneth to batter the walls. The Lord permits Satan to buffet vsus, that wee might be moued to ſeeke and take vntounto vsus the armour of a Chriſtian, more eſpecially to put on the ſhield of faith. To doubt & feare becauſe we are exerciſed in ſpirituall combats, is as if a ſoldier ſhould lay aſide his harneſſe, becauſe he is called forth to battell with his enimies. The Apoſtle ſpeaking of our ſpirituall conflict with the malitious enimies of our ſoules, chargeth vsus not only to belieue, but aboue all things to labour after faith. Aboue all things taking the ſhield of faith: Eph. 6 16.which manner of exhorting doth ſhew vsus, both what care we muſt hauehave of it, and what approbation we hauehave from God to belieue. For if wee bid a ſeruant buy many things, but aboue all ſuch a thing by his charge he might eaſily gather what he ſhould bee carefull in, and what allowance he had to doe it. So when wee are counſelled aboue all things to get faith, it is not hard to vnderſtand, that we muſt be chiefely carefull about it, & that God is well pleaſed we ſhould ſo be. Faith is one of the firſt things that is formed in a Chriſtian, & wherewith God furniſheth him, when he prepareth and calleth him forth to the encounter: ſo that to queſtion whether we ſhould belieue, is to queſtion whether we ſhould dedicate our ſelues to the ſeruice of God, denie our luſts, or fight againſt the Deuill. That which is fabulouſly ſpoken of the Giants is truely ſpoken of vsus; wee are no ſooner borne, then wee hauehave our ſwords girded to vsus, our ſhields on our armes. The Lord ſtands betwixt his children and all dangers that are intended againſt them by their malitious enimies. He is euer at their right hand to ſaue their ſoules from death. And if God ſtand forth for their helpe, they cannot better prouide for their one eaſe and ſafetie, then if they confidently hope in the Lord, and repoſe their ſoules vponupon his might.
It is neceſſary a Chriſtiā ſhould liue by faith in this condition. Deut. 20.3.It is neceſſarie that a Chriſtian ſhould liue by faith in that condition. For all ſpirituall ſouldiers muſt put one courage and reſolution not to feare the aſſaults of mightie enimies, nor bee diſmaied at any difficulties. Let not your hearts feare, tremble not becauſe of your enimies; quite your ſelues like men, 1. Cor. 16.13.be ſtrong. But true valour cannot be had without faith in Chriſt. Stand faſt in the faith, bee ſtrong. The Deuill is like a ſerpentine Crocodile, whoſe propertie is, if one follow, it flieth away, if one flie, it purſueth him Reſiſt Satan, and he will flie: be afraid, and he will follow. Cowardiſe doth encourage the aduerſary, courage daunts him. But courage iſſueth from ſound onfidence in the Lord,Pſal. 31 2. & 71 3. and 61.2.3 Deut. 32.4. Pſal. 27.…4. and 31.24. Deut. 31.6.7.8. who is the rocke and ſhield of them that flie vntounto him. Waite one the Lord, be of good courage, and he ſhall ſtrengthen thy heart. Be ſtrong and of a good courage, feare not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God he it is that doth goe with thee, hee will not faile thee, nor forſake thee. Of our ſelues we hauehave no ſtrength to preuaile againſt the ſtrong one in the world: all our victories muſt come of God,1. Pet. 1.5. Gen. 3.15. Rom. 16.20. his power doth all our workes for vsus. Wee are kept by the power of God vntounto ſaluation, he bruiſeth the Serpents head, he diſſolueth the workes of the Deuill, he treadeth Satan vnderunder feete. The chiefeſt ſtrength of ſouldiers lyeth in their Captaine, who yet muſt fight for themſelues and him, by their owne power and skill: but all our ſtrength lyeth in Chriſt, the Captaine that leadeth vsus to ſaluation, from whom wee receiue all power and abilitie to doe what is good, whoſe Almightie power ſubdueth all things for vsus. Wee our ſelues before our conuerſion are of no ſtrength,Rom. 5.6. 2. Cor. 3.5. Act. 3.16. not ſufficient to thinke a good thought: all our ſufficience is of God. But we cannot be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might,Eph. 6.10. vnleſſe we belieue and leane vponupon it. Gods ſtrength is the matter apprehended,Exod. 14.13. faith the hand whereby we apprehend it. This is our ſtrength, ſtand ſtill, feare not, behold the ſaluation of the Lord. If wee had the ſtrength of our firſt parents and were left to our ſelues, wee ſhould come ſhort of happineſſe: this is all our ſecuritie,Pſal. 108.13. that it is Gods ſtrength being truſted vntounto by faith, that muſt helpe vsus to ſaluation: Through God wee ſhall doe valiantly: hee is our ſhield, tower,1. Ioh. 5.4. Math. 16.18. rocke ſtrength and glory. Faith is of force to keepe vsus againſt all aſſaults of the Deuill: This is our victorie which ouercommeth the world: this is ſo mightie, that the powers of Hell cannot preuaile againſt it. Faith doth latch the fierie darts of the Deuill,Eph. 6.16. that they fall off without piercing vsus: or if they enter, it doth quench and allay their burning heate, that they ſhall not kill vsus. Peter had the dart ſtucke in him a while: but faith did renew repentance; and healed him, making the poyſon of ſinne a Treacle. Paul was buffeted with inward ſuggeſtions, and had troubles as thicke as haile-ſtones following him; yet all theſe preuailed not againſt him,1. Tim. 14.7. becauſe hee kept the faith. The Deuill will renew his aſſaults againſt vsus, and we muſt renew our courage and ſtrength againſt him; which cannot be done, vnleſſe wee liue by faith. Hee that hath no truſt in himſelfe, but leaneth on the power of God, will, though he fall often, ſtill hauehave hope, and bee courageous to ſet vponupon his enimies with freſh aſſaults after ſome foyle receiued. For he that knowes hee hath no ſtrength, cannot wonder, if when God leaueth him he doe fall: and he that maketh Gods ſtrength his ſtay,The acts of faith in reſpect of theſe temptations. though he be neuer ſo farre from a thing, yet will not caſt away hope in time to obtaine. The acts of faith in reſpect of temptation be theſe or ſuch like.
Firſt, Faith makes ſenſible, that we cannot reſiſt of our ſelues. By Satans force the mightie Cedars hauehave beene ouerthrowne, and with more caſe we might be ouerturned: But yet when hee rageth with greateſt fury, it aſſureth that hee is chained vp by the power of Almightie God, and can goe no further, then he will giuegive him leaue. Well may the Deuill barke and roare, like a band-dogge or Lion ſafely chained or ſhut vp, but hee cannot ſtirre further then God is pleaſed to let him loſe. Hee cannot tempt whom hee will, nor when hee will, nor how hee would, not by what meanes, nor in what meaſure hee would, nor with what temptations, nor for what continuance: in all theſe he is confined by the prouid…nce of God, who hath promiſed, that he will not ſuffer vsus to be tempted aboue that we are able, but will with the temptation alſo make a way to eſcape,1. Cor. 10.12. Marke 5.12. that we may be able to beare it. A legion of Deuils could not enter into a Gadarene Hogge, till Chriſt had giuen them leaue. Satan cannot touch one Bleate pertaining to Iob, till he hauehave obtained libertie:Iob 1.12. & 2.6 nor then lay a finger vponupon his bodie, till his libertie be renewed. The Deuill is the ſinfull Authour of Temptations, whereby he ſeekes to moleſt and ouerthrow the Saints: but God in his infinite wiſdome and merciemercy doth limit them both in reſpect of time, place, perſon and temptation it ſelfe, and direct them to ſuch an end as Satan neuer intended. Faith ſpeaketh on this wiſe, Satan deſires to fift me as wheate, but it is the Lord who hath made choice of this temptation wherewith I am exerciſed rather then another, and hath ſet bounds to the ſpirituall enemies of my ſoule, what time they ſhall continue to aſſaile, how farre they ſhall proceed and no further, and will direct the temptation to a good end, aboue all I can conceiue: therefore I will not feare the enemy but waite vponupon the Lord.
Secondly, It diſcouereth the Methods of Satan, and his Ends in tempting.1. Cor. 2.11. The Deuils aimes are not euer one and the ſame. Alwayes hee labours the deſtruction of the Saints, but his wayes, whereby he endeuours to effect it, are contrarie. Sometimes he purpoſeth to entice vntounto ſin by his allurements; ſometimes to vexe, trouble, and driue into deſpaire; at leaſt to make the life of a Chriſtian vncō fortable with his manifold and helliſh aſſaults. This is wiſely diſcerned by faith, whereby the ſtratagems of our Aduerſary are more eaſily diſappointed. For as an Enemy, who intends by policie to get the victorie, is more then halfe ouercome when his plot is diſcloſed: ſo it is here, Satan is ſoone diſcomfited, when his intents and proiects are manifeſted and made knowne.
Thirdly, It lifteth vp the heart to crie and complaine vntounto God of the crueltie and malice of that ſpirituall Aduerſary: but ſuffers it not to muſe vponupon his blaſphemous temptations or to conferre with them. If Rabſhakeh reuile the liuing God,Eſay 36.21. the people of Iudah will hold their peace, and not anſwere him a word, leaſt being inraged he ſhould blaſpheme the more. Direct oppoſition in ſuch caſes ſtirreth vp the outragious blaſphemer to grow more furious. When the Deuill requires of our Sauiour to fall downe and worſhip him, hee reaſons not the caſe, but repelleth him with deteſtation, Auoid Satan. Math. 4.20.Giuing vsus to vnderſtand, that the blaſphemous may not be reaſoned with, if they ſhould, it would make them but burſt forth into greater outrage againſt the peereleſſe wiſdome of God. Wherefore if Satan buffet vsus with ſuggeſtions of this nature, it is our wiſdome to turne from him, and to make our complaint vntounto the Lord. So Hezekiah ſpred the blaſphemous letter of Sennacherib, Eſay 37.14.before the Lord: And when the enemies of Dauid inſulted ouer him, as though there had beene no helpe for him in his God, he crieth, Lord, how are mine enemies increaſed.Pſal. 3.1.
Fourthly, By faith the poore ſoule eying the promiſe betakes it ſelfe vntounto the Lord for ſuccour promiſed to be defended againſt the malice of that roaring Lion.Math. 16.18. It is the promiſe of our Sauiour, that Hell gates ſhall not preuaile againſt his faithfull people: they ſhall fight againſt them, but not preuaile. When the ſpirit of man begins to faint, faith bids him bee of good courage, for there is helpe in Heauen. The Deuill may thruſt ſore at thee, but ſhall not get the victory,Pſal. 91.2, 3. for God is with thee. If the Lord plunge thee into the Sea, he will goe downe with thee thither to keepe thee, that thou ſhalt not bee drowned; although Hell gates had ſhut mouth againſt thee, yet there his Almighty hand will be with thee,Eſay 50.7, 8, 9. and from thence his arme will deliuer thee. Feare not, for the Lord will be thy defence, and the ſhadow of his wings thy couer.
Fiftly, It ſtirreth vp courage and reſolution to ſet vponupon the practice of godlineſſe, and the duties of our particular calling with diligence and chearefulneſſe, as the meanes ſanctified of God to procure freedome. For deſpaire, dumpiſhneſſe, foregoing the meanes of grace, and neglect of our calling, theſe are the things which Satan labours to driue vsus vntounto: we doe him the greateſt pleaſure that may be, when we yeeld vntounto him therein. Exceſſiue feare brings that vponupon vsus, from which eſpecially we deſire to be freed, and ties vp the powers of the ſoule, that it can make no reſiſtance. Cowardiſe and fainting ſorrow put courage into our Aduerſarie: valour, reſolution, and confidence forceth him to giuegive backe. When wee giuegive place to doubting, deiectedneſſe, inordinate tyrannicall feares, wee put our ſelues into the hands of our Enemie: but the victory is ours, when by faith in the power and mercy of the Lord, we raiſe vp our hearts in courage, and buckle our ſelues to the duties that lie before vsus, according to abilitie granted of God. When wee are idle and ſolitarie, Satan hath moſt aduantage to moleſt and diſquiet, as the thiefe hath to ſteale, when the doore ſtands wide open: but conſcionable imployment ſhutteth the doore againſt him, and takes away opportunitie. This is the voice of faith, though Satan furiouſly aſſaile thee, be not diſmayed: when his temptations bee moſt fierce, bee thou moſt diligent in the meanes of grace, the practice of holineſſe, the labours of an honeſt calling; pray earneſtly call to remembrance the promiſes of grace, exerciſe thy ſelfe in workes of mercy. Make this vſe of all his malitious aſſaults, that thou be quickened to ſticke faſter vntounto the word of promiſe, lift vp thy heart to craue his aide with confidence, and take courage to labour more earneſtly in the paths of righteouſneſſe. For Satan will then ceaſe to vexe with his temptations, when that which he puts as a ſtumbling blocke, wee make a ſpurre and incitement to more diligence in wel-doing.
Sixtly, It fortifieth the ſoule againſt all inuaſions: For the perſwaſions of faith are moſt forcible, the ſtrength of faith inuincible. Satan indeuours by horrible, and fearefull iniections to driue the poore ſoule to deſpaire. Faith hearteneth him the more to belieue, and keepe cloſe vnderunder the ſhadow of the Lords wings. For the Deuill is let looſe, to chaſe vsus neerer home, that we might ſticke faſter vntounto the Lord, as the childe affrighted will cling vntounto the mother. Satan deſires by carnall allurements and outward obiects to draw him from God, which he inforceth with all ſubtiltie: Faith oppoſeth ſtronger perſwaſions to wel-doing; it ſetteth before him the terrours of death eternall if he reuolt; the comforts of grace, and the ioyes of Heauen, if wee continue conſtant: in compariſon whereof all carnall inticements be of no moment. When the Deuill cannot preuaile by flatteries, hee ſeekes by force and violence to ouerthrow the poore ſeruants of Chriſt. Faith buildeth it ſelfe vponupon Chriſt the euerlaſting rocke, reſiſteth in his name, and getteth the victory. The Belieuer is too weake of himſelfe to withſtand the leaſt aſſault, but relying vponupon the Lord, through his power he is made victorious in the greateſt.
Seuenthly, Faith is vigilant and watchfull at all times, in all places, vponupon all occaſions againſt all ſins, with all degrees thereof, ſpecially againſt ſins of conſtitution, calling, the time, company, corrupt education, the firſt riſe of ſinne-delighting motions, and ſinnes of ſolitarineſſe, that it bee not circumuented by the wiles of Satan. Faith may ſlumber and take a nap for a little ſeaſon, when it is ill at eaſe: but the propertie of faith, when liuely and in good plight, is to keepe waking. For nothing is more wiſely fearefull then faith, nor more cautelous and circumſpect then holy feare: Nothing more carefull and ſuſpitious then faith: more waking and induſtrious then holy care and ſuſpition. Nothing more couetous and couragious then faith, more watchfull then couetouſneſſe and courage. Faith makes a man iealous of himſelfe, leſt hee take cold, catch a knocke, or bee deceiued; cautelous and circumſpect, that the Deuill get not aduantage, ſet not vponupon him at vnawares; deſirous to keepe ſtanding, grow in grace, liue in peace with God, and valiant in the Name of God to take armes in the cauſe and quarrell of God againſt principalities, powers and ſpirituall wickedneſſes. Feare, care, ſuſpition, couetouſneſſe, courage any one of theſe, is ſufficient to keepe waking in earthly things: and when all of them ioyntly concurre, ſhall they not hauehave this effect in ſpirituall? Satan is vigilant to tempt, as hee can eſpie his opportunitie: and faith is watchfull to auoid the ſnare, or withſtand the aſſault.
Eightly, In the moſt forcible tempeſts which the enemy raiſeth againſt vsus, when to preſent ſence and feeling all ſight and hope of the grace and goodneſſe of God in Ieſus Chriſt is loſt, faith tels the heart, that a calme is at hand. When the ſtrength of the enemy is waſted, and his prouiſion decayed, that he hath no hope to continue the ſiege long, hee will make one or two furious aſſaults againſt the place before his departure, intending to winne the horſe or loſe the ſpurres,Reuel. 12.12. as the Prouerbe goeth: ſo it is with Satan, his rage is greateſt, when his time is ſhorteſt. Euen as the darkneſſe is greateſt a little before day: ſo the grand pieces which the Deuill keepes in ſtore, vntill the caſe bee deſperate, bee with the claps they giuegive, and miſts they ſend forth, meſſengers of his retiring, and our deliuerance which is before the doore.Math. 4.10, 11. Luke 4.13. The laſt temptation wherewith Satan ſet vponupon Chriſt was the moſt furious, and when he could not preuaile thereby, he departed from him for a ſeaſon. The Lord knowes well the malice of Satan, and the weakneſſe of his children: his furie to deuoure, and their frailtie to ſtand long in the encounter: therefore he will not ſuffer that roaring Lion aboue meaſure to diſcharge vponupon them. This faith aſſures of,1. Cor. 10.13. and perſwades quietly to waite for.
Ninthly, If Satan renew his aſſaults, faith ſtands prepared through the power of God to make reſiſtance afreſh? When Paul was buffeted by the meſſenger of Satan, he beſought the Lord often in that thing.2. Cor. 12.8. Thus when wee are led into darkneſſe without light, wee leane vponupon God, and cry vntounto him for ſaluation. If a childe hauehave his Father by the hand, though he be in the darke, or otherwiſe ſee what hurt might him approach, and make often at him, yet he is not afraid: and ſo it is with vsus, whileſt by the eye of faith, wee ſee that inuiſible one, at out right hand to ſupport and ſaue vsus. Neither are wee ſcarred at this, that Satan doth ſhift his temptations, and returne againe after hee had left vsus for a ſeaſon: But hauing experience of Gods gratious dealing and tender compaſſion, we flie vntounto him, and ſhrowd our ſelues vnderunder the ſhade of the Almightie. If wee hauehave in ſome fits found caſe by this or that meanes, we know if wee come into like caſe how to helpe our ſelues; it is wee ſay, but doing ſuch a thing, or taking ſuch a matter: thus hauing once found in diſtreſſe and temptation, ſtrength and deliuerance by recourſe to our God in Chriſt, we know what to doe when ſuch like ſtate returneth on vsus. Satan will not ceaſe to aſſaile though hee bee ouercome; nor the Belieuer faint though he be ſet vponupon againe and againe: but hauing once returned with victory through the power of God, hee will abide in the ſecret place of the moſt High for euer.
Why the godly ſometimes want the ſight of Gods graces.Tenthly, The faithfull are the Lords veſſels, which he vſeth to ſcoure by temptations. True it is, that in the time of triall, the graces of the Spirit doe not ſo much appeare to the notice of the belieuing heart: but by the ouer-ruling prouidence of God, they ſerue for the increaſe of grace, as the truth teacheth, faith belieueth, and experience can teſtifie. Thus faith miniſtreth comfort in the moſt bitter agonies, if it bee rightly vſed, and ſtirred vp. But what if the child of God be brought ſo low, that he can diſcerne no ſparke of faith, no fruit of grace, no marke of Gods louelove in himſelfe? It is not to be doubted, but the ſeruants of Chriſt through their weaknes, are oft brought by extremity of temptation into wofull deſolation, which yet the Lord doth wiſely order for the glory of his Name, and the good of his deiected ſeruants. And as in other things, ſo in this, that they cannot diſcerne any fruit of the Spirit, wherewith through the mercy of God, they are comfortably repleniſhed. For the bluſtering Tempeſts which the enemy raiſeth againſt them, cauſe ſuch diſturbance in the ſoule, and fill the heart with ſuch confuſion, feare and terrour, that for the preſent they are altogether vnable to iudge of their owne eſtate. For when the Mind is ouer-clouded with the miſts of Temptation, as the eye with the riſing of duſt; and the heart toſſed too and fro with vnquietneſſe, as the waues of the Sea when the winds are boiſterous; conſcience by recoiling vponupon the ſoule cannot conceiue, or giuegive right notice of it true ſtate and temper. Troubled water will not giuegive backe the reflection of the countenance: nor an afflicted Spirit the true diſpoſition of the inner man. When the poore Chriſtian makes ſearch into himſelfe, the temptation firſt puts forth it ſelfe, wherewith the heart is daunted, and thereupon concludeth, that no grace doth lodge or abide in him, becauſe at firſt ſight it doth not appeare. VntoUnto theſe may be added, that good men are ſometimes pertiſhly diſpoſed, to caſt away all they hauehave as nothing, becauſe they hauehave not what they deſire, or imagine others to enioy: herein reſembling little children, who for want of ſome ſmall trifle that they deſire, or ſome of their fellowes hauehave, throw away many things much more pretious.
But not to inquire further into the cauſes of this miſtaking,The Remedie of this. the remedy is;
Firſt, hee muſt know, that as in ſicke perſons we ſee it commeth to paſſe, they thinke there is no hope of life, when the Phyſician and ſtanders by ſee certaine and vndoubted tokens of health: So it is oftentimes in theſe ſpirituall ſickneſſes.
Secondly, It is the wiſdome of a Chriſtian in this caſe to obſerue the marke that Satan driues at, which is to hide from his ſight the graces of the Spirit, that he might bring him to deſpaire. This being the Deuils aime, hee muſt ſtirre vp himſelfe to belieue, and roll his ſoule vponupon Chriſt for ſaluation. For when he can ſee no grace in his ſoule, he cannot but ſee himſelfe to be miſerable, and ſo called to come vntounto Chriſt the fountaine of liuing waters, that by him hee might be repleniſhed, in him hee might find refreſhing. Againe, taking courage to belieue, hee diſappoints Satan, who intendeth not ſo much to draw him into ſecurity, as to force him to caſt away all hope of merciemercy. Oh, but a Chriſtian is to examine and try himſelfe, whether hee be inriched with the graces of the Spirit, or no? True it is, that the examination of our hearts is a neceſſary duty, but to be done in due order, ſo as we be ſtirred vntounto, not driuen frō the practice of other duties no leſſe needfull: But when the ſoule is diſtempered with the aſſaults of Satan, and vnable to iudge of it owne ſtate, it is vnſeaſonable to make ſearch into our hearts, and prepoſterous is to giuegive place to doubtings, becauſe wee cannot find what wee deſire. Wee hauehave a commandement to belieue, as well as to proue our ſelues, both which muſt bee coupled together, otherwiſe neither can be done as they ought: and it is a plaine caſe, that he who finds himſelfe to be poore and naked, is called to come vntounto Chriſt, that hee might receiue of his fulneſſe, bee inriched with his plentie. If thou canſt not find in thy ſelfe what thou ſeekeſt after, come vntounto Ieſus Chriſt, and belieue in him, that thou mayeſt receiue what thou ſeekeſt, and is to bee found in him.
Thirdly, The diſtreſſed ſoule muſt learne, that the grace of God worketh not alwayes alike in his children. When we walke in the fields in winter, we ſee not only no good fruit, but not ſo much as a leafe on the trees, in ſome alſo the very trunke or ſtocke appeareth to be dead: yet is the ſ…p hidden in the root, which in due time will ſhew that the tree was neuer dead. When fire is raked vp, there appeareth oftentimes a ſort of cold dead aſhes, when there are vnde…ne…th certaine ſparkes, of which you may afterward make a fire. Yea; many times the fruits of grace may ſhine in the conuerſation to the eyes of others, when the powers and ſtirrings of grace inwardly, being hindred with temptations, cannot be felt.
Fourthly, The long and manifold temptations of Satan, wherewith hee ſeekes to throw Chriſtians head-long into deſpaire, is to them a teſtimonie of the inhabitation of the Spirit in their hearts. For the power and ſtrength whereby thoſe aſſaults are repelled,Math. 12.43, 44 Luke 11.24, 25, 26. is it not of God? The vncleane ſpirit might eaſily enter into the houſe with ſeuen other ſpirits worſe then himſelfe, and dwell there, if he found it ſwept and garniſhed, that is, empty and deſtitute of grace. The ſtrong man armed might well breake into the houſe, if a ſtronger then hee did not keepe poſſeſſion. As the children of God are conquerours ouer many temptations, ſo one only temptation (and that of no long continuance) is able to ſinke the ſtouteſt among the Reprobates, who are meere droſſe and refuſe, into the bottomleſſe pit of Hell. The ſtrong aſſaults whereby the Deuill laboureth the ouer-throw of the poore ſeruant of God, is to him an argument of ſtrength receiued, or that God will ſtrengthen him. For if he looke vntounto God in the tentation, he calleth not forth his ſeruants to the conflict, vntill they be furniſhed, nor will he let Satan looſe vntill he hauehave inabled them to make reſiſtance. He will not lay waight vponupon greene Timber: nor cruſh the tender youngling with burdens vnſupportable: whom God doth imploy in his warre either hee hath, or will make them able for the ſeruice. If he hauehave an eye, vntounto Satans malice, why doth he muſter all his forces to beſiege, if there bee no ſtrength to withſtand? The long continued furious tentations of Satan doe make proofe, that the heart is well fortified againſt him.Meanes to ſtirre vp our ſelues to liue by faith in time of dreadfull temptation.
The way and meanes to ſtirre vp faith in theſe perplexities and times of grieuous temptations, is:
Firſt, the diſtreſſed Chriſtian muſt vnfainedly humble his ſoule for former ignorance, vanitie of Minde, diſeſteeme of mercy, timorouſnes, diſcontent, vnbeliefe, miſinterpreting the Lords doings, ſolitary muſings on the temptations of Satan, ſelfe confidence, and ſuch other ſinnes which may ſeeme to ſet vponupon the ſoule to the fierce and dreadfull aſſaults of Satan: and in that acknowledgement and humiliation hee muſt vnfold his preſent miſery before the Lord. O my God, I am aſhamed and confounded, and bluſh to lift vp my face to thee, my God:Ezra. 9.6. for my ſins are multiplied exceedingly, and mine iniquities are riſen vp againſt me. I was conceiued in ſinne, I I hauehave liued in vanitie: my thoughts are looſe, mine affections boiſterous I hauehave diſeſteemed mercy, regarded lying vanities; giuen way to doubtfull reaſonings, pettiſhly taken on when my carnall deſires hauehave beene croſſed; diſtuſted thy promiſes, diſputed with thee of thy iudgements; giuen way to thoughts of vnbeliefe, harboured vnquietneſſe and diſcontent: and ſo expoſed my ſoule to the moſt violent, horrible and fierie tentations and aſſaults of Satan. My ſoule which ſhould be ſeaſoned with ſweete meditation on thy goodneſſe, merciemercy, and grace manifeſted in Ieſus Chriſt, delighted in the promiſes of merciemercy, and rauiſhed with the ioyes of Heauen, is continually peſtered and aſſailed with the blacke and helliſh thoughts of Atheiſme, deſpaire, blaſphemie, diſcontent; and extreamely tortured with ſoule-vex…ng feares. O my God, looke mercifully vponupon the miſerie of a poore diſtreſſed ſinner. I am brought into great darkeneſſe, and can ſee no light. There is no ſoundneſſe in my fleſh, nor reſt in my bones, nor quiet in my ſoule. My heart trembleth, my ſtrength faileth me, my life is ſpent with griefe, my ſpirit within mee is ouerwhelmed: and preuailing feares ſo tyrannize ouer me, that I cannot ſpeake. My Minde is full of diſorder and confuſion, my heart of terrour: my ſoule refuſeth comfort. In the day I am terrified with thoughts, in the night affrighted with dreames.Pſal. 38.8.10. Pſal. 32.4. I am ſore wounded and broken, I goe mourning and deſolate all the day: my moiſture is like the drought of ſummer, and in this deepe diſcomfort the Tempter ceaſeth not to ſuggeſt,Pſal. 3.2. That there is no helpe for me in my God.
Secondly, hee muſt complaine of the malice of the Deuill, and inſtantly intreate the Lord to pardon ſinne, bridle, reſtraine, and tread Satan vnderunder foote. Whiles I declare mine iniquitie, and am ſorry for my ſinne, the Deuill rageth with incredible fury ſeeking to deuoure and ſwallow me vp. He fighteth againſt me continually: night and day is my ſoule vexed with temptations to be abhorred. If I ſay, I will remember the mercies of the Lord, and thinke vponupon his Name; I will vnloade my ſoule into the boſom of my heauenly Father, and waite vponupon his grace: then he ſuggeſteth impious thoughts and horrible blaſphemies to the great annoyance, miſerable diſtraction, aſtoniſhment and vexation of my poore ſoule. Remember me O my God, according to the multitude of thy tender compaſſions, and blot mine iniquities out of thy remembrance for thy Names ſake.Pſal. 130.5. There is mercy with thee concerning ſinne: pardon the treſpaſſes of thy poore ſeruant, and impute not vntounto mee thoſe helliſh thoughts ſuggeſted by Satan, which through thy grace I deteſt vnfainedly, vnderunder which I deſire to be ſincerely humbled, and from which I heartily begge to bee deliuered. Returne, O Lord,Pſal. 31.16. cauſe the light of thy countenance to ſhine vponupon mee; refreſh my parched ſoule with the ſence of thy mercy; diſpell the miſts of tentation, rebuke Satan, and reſtraine his malice. Thou art the God of peace, tread Satan,Rom. 16.20. I beſeech thee vnderunder my feete ſhortly, that with a quiet and chearefull Spirit I may ſing of thy praiſe, and ſerue thee in holineſſe and righteouſnes all the daies of my life. Thou art my ſtrength and portion, my rocke and towre of defence, vntounto thee doe I flie for ſuccour, Oh, plead my cauſe againſt the enimie of my ſoule, and thy glory. I am purpoſed through thy grace to ſticke and cleaue faſt vntounto thy mercy, neuer to aſſent vntounto or approue his horrible ſuggeſtions:1. Ioh. 5.18. Pſal. 35.17. Pſ. 22.21.22. Oh keepe mee that the euill one may neuer touch me. Lord, how long wilt thou looke on? reſcue my ſoule from the fierie aſſaults of that wicked one; my darling from the Lyon. I am ſore troubled, I am bowed downe greatly,Pſal. 31.10. I walke in heauineſſe all the day long: My heart panteth, my ſoule is exceedingly diſquieted with tentations.Pſ. 35.22, 23. This thou haſt ſeene (O Lord) keepe not ſilence: O Lord bee not farre from mee. Stirre vp thy ſelfe, and awake to my iudgement, curbe and chaine vp Satan, that he may moleſt no longer, and ſtrengthen thy poore ſeruant, that through thy might, I may conquer and tryumph ouer him. And my ſoule ſhall reioyce in the Lord, Pſal. 35.9.10.it ſhall reioyce in his ſaluation. All my bones ſhall ſay, Lord, who who is like vntounto thee, which deliuereſt the poore from him that is too ſtrong for him, yea the poore and needie, from him that ſpoyleth him.
Thirdly, hee muſt ceaſe to muſe on the tentations of Satan, and ſtirre vp himſelfe couragiouſly, valiantly to truſt in the mercies of the Lord, and relie vponupon his grace. Why art thou caſt downe, Pſal. 43.5.O my ſoule? and why art thou diſquieted within mee? why doſt thou harbour perplexing doubtfull thoughts, and in much penſiueneſſe toſſe too and fro the tentations of Satan.Pſal. 39.3. This muſing kindles the fire: the more thou thinkeſt vponupon the tentat on, and art diſquieted with doubtings, the greater libertie hath the Deuill to tempt, the leſſe able are thou to with-ſtand his malice. If thou bee deiected, he will be inſolent: if thou be aff…ighted, he will bee the more furious. Truſt therefore in the Lord, and waite vponupon his grace: for hee hath ſeene thine aduerſitie, he will heare thy prayers; the ſinnes cleauing to the tentations which thou ſo much feareſt, are pardoned & forgiuen vntounto thee. Euill thoughts conceiued with delight, pleaſure, and purpoſe, are moſt diſpleaſing vntounto God, dangerous vntounto the ſoule: but euen helliſh tentations, which neuer found conſent or approbation vnderunder which thou art humbled, from which thou earneſtly craueſt to bee deliuered, doubt not, but vponupon thine vnfained ſuite, they are freely remitted and done away. Be ſtrong, and of good courage, feare not, nor be diſmaied: for the Lord will be thy defence, and vnderunder the ſhadow of his wings thou ſhalt be ſafe. Satan cannot tempt longer then God ſhall giuegive him leaue: and hee will neuer ſuffer thee to be tempted aboue meaſure, but will giuegive a good iſſue vntounto the tentation.1. Cor. 10, 13. Thou art called to fight vnderunder the banner of Chriſt Ieſus, and in the name of the Lord thou ſhalt be inabled to doe valiantly and ouercome.Pſal. 60.12. 2. Cor. 12.9. If Satan continue his aſſaults, Gods grace is ſufficient for thee. If thy ſtrength be cleane gone, Gods power ſhall be magnified the more in thee: and he hath brought thee low, that thou maiſt not truſt in thy ſelfe,2. Cor. 1.9. but in the liuing Lord, and that the whole praiſe of the victory might bee aſcribed vntounto him. If thy ſtrength did remaine, it was not to be leaned vntounto; and now it is decayed and gone, there is no cauſe of feare: for the Lord w ll be thy ſtay. In the moſt difficult aſſaults and tedious encounters wee are exhorted,Epheſ. 6.10. to bee ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Be of good courage, and God will grant thee an eaſie, a ioyfull victorie. Satans drift in tempting is to turmoile, diſ-hearten, perplexe with feares, and driue into deſpaire: and if thou take heart and courage to reſt quietly vponupon Gods grace, and flie vntounto his Name, thou ſhalt put him to flight, thou haſt alreadie got the day. Waite but a while, and theſe darke miſts, and terrible ſtormes ſhall be diſperſed. By theſe temptations the Lord hath taught thee to ſee thy weakneſſe, and the malice of Satan; to denie thine owne wiſdome, and prize his fauour: lightly to eſteeme all things here below, and highly to value mercy reaching to the pardon of ſinne, and heauenly communion and fellowſhip with God: And if this bitter potion hath wrought ſo kindly for thy ſpirituall good, why ſhouldſt thou bee diſmayed? Truſt in the Lord, bee of good courage, and hee ſhall ſtrengthen thee.Pſal. 31.24. & 27.14. Pſal. 34.22. The Lord redeemeth the ſoule of his ſeruants, and none of them that truſt in him ſhall be deſolate.
Fourthly, He muſt exerciſe himſelfe in wel-doing, harbour holy and heauenly meditations, nouriſh the motions of Gods Spirit, bee zealous and diligent in Prayer, reading, and hearing the Word of God, chearefull and induſtrious in the workes of his honeſt calling. For idleneſſe, and deiected lumpiſhneſſe, and exceſſiue feare prepare for all temptations: but ſerious and good imployment is a ſpeciall meanes to preuent or diuert them. In this caſe, conſtant proceeding in a courſe of godlineſſe, and continuall exerciſe of Minde and Bodie in that which is good, and pleaſing in the ſight of God, doth much more auaile then direct oppoſition. I hauehave too long vexed and turmoiled my ſelfe with the temptations of Satan; broken off the exerciſe of godlineſſe directly to anſwere and oppoſe them, yeelded to thoughts of vnbeliefe; giuen way to diſcouragements, as if it had beene in vaine to pray, omitted the dutie vponupon conceit of vnfitneſſe, dulneſſe, vnworthineſſe; accounted the duties of my calling tedious and burthenſome, ſet open my heart to intangling ſcruples and diſtracting feares, queſtioning the louelove of God towards me vponupon eueryevery falſe ſuggeſtion, and concluding oft through vnbeliefe, that God had ſhut vp h s louing kindneſſe for euer in diſpleaſure. So fooliſh hauehave I beene, and ignorant: euen in this point a beaſt. Pardon, O Lord, the infidelity, doubting, deiectedneſſe, and carnall exceſſiue feares of thy poore ſeruant; deliuer my ſoule from the ſnares of Satan, acquaint me with his Methods in tempting, and how I may preuent him, and ſtrengthen me in the combate, that I neuer faint, nor breake off the courſe of godlineſſe through vnbeliefe. I am purpoſed through thy grace, to caſt my ſoule vponupon thy tender mercies, to ſeeke thy face continually, to waite vponupon thee in thine ordinances, and to exerciſe my ſelfe in the workes of Pietie, MercieMercy, and an honeſt calling. If Satan tempt to diſtruſt, raiſe feares, ſeeke to diſcourage my ſoule, or break off my prayers by his helliſh ſuggeſtions; I will ſtriue to maintaine my faith, lay faſter hold vponupon the promiſes of mercy, ſtop mine eares againſt ſcruples and doubtings; take greater courage to draw nigh vntounto God, belieue the acceptance of my willing though weake ſeruice: and by how much the Deuill ſhall ſeeke to oppoſe or hinder my comfort, courage, or conſtancie, ſo much the more will I ſtirre vp my ſelfe to goe forward and continue therein. The Lord will heare a ſigh or groane, bottle vp a teare, and gratiouſly accept poore and meane ſeruice from a ſick childe. I perceiue the maine ſcope of Satan in ſuggeſting helliſh temptations, is to driue me into deſpaire, diſquiet the ſoule with feares, caſt me into deepe, vnprofitable ſorrow, and diſcourage in eueryevery holy dutie, that I might altogether neglect it, or with great heartleſneſſe go about it, as if it were vnprofitable, ſhould neuer be accepted. And I ſhall then preuent Satan, and put him to flight, when I take occaſion by his temptations to ſticke cloſer vntounto the word of promiſe, ſtirre vp my ſelfe zealouſly to ſeeke the fauour of God; turne my thoughts from diſputing about his ſuggeſtions, pray that I may be fitted to pray, waite vponupon God for helpe, begge the pardon of daily infirmities, and take heart and reſolution to commit my ſoule vntounto him in wel-doing, ſtriuing daily to reforme what is amiſſe, and grow in grace; but not queſtioning acceptance becauſe of my infirmities, preſent dulneſſe, and diſtemper of ſoule, being waſted and ſpent,Pſal. 17.13. whiles I ſtruggled with the temptations of the Deuill. Ariſe, O Lord, diſappoint Satan, caſt him downe: deliuer my ſoule from the wicked one: Bee thou my ſtrength in trouble; encline thine care vntounto my prayer, and ſaue mee, for I flie vntounto thee for ſuccour. I am ready to halt,Pſal. 38.21. and my ſorrow is continually before me. Forſake mee not, O Lord, O my God, bee not farre from mee. Hide not thy face farre from mee, put not thy ſeruant away in anger: thou haſt beene my helpe, Pſal. 17.9.leaue me not, neither forſake me, O God of my ſaluation. Verſe 11Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plaine path, becauſe of mine enemies. Shew me the path of life, guide me in the wayes of peace, giuegive thy ſtrength vntounto thy ſeruant, and ſaue mee for thy mercy ſake.Pſal. 17.5 Hold vp my goings in thy paths, that I be not turned aſide by the malice or ſleights of Satan. I am fully reſolued to depend vponupon thy grace, and keepe thy Commandements, Lord hauehave mercy vponupon me, raiſe me vp, and ſtrengthen me vntounto the end. By this I know that thou fauoureſt me, Pſal. 41.11, 12.becauſe mine enemy doth not triumph ouer me. Vphold me in mine integritie, and ſet me before thy face for euer. And here, if the diſtreſſed Chriſtian hauehave waſted his Spirits with violent and continuall ſorrow, hee muſt bee admoniſhed not to thinke, that preſently hee ſhould recouer former liuelineſſe and abilitie. Satan will not ceaſe to ſuggeſt, that this courſe hee hath now ſet vponupon is vaine and fruitleſſe, becauſe he finds more dulneſſe and loggiſhneſſe, then formerly. But he muſt tell himſelfe, that naturall powers once weakened are not ſoone repaired; and in ſuch caſe, when ſtirrings be leſſe, the worke of grace may be more ſound then heretofore. Liuelineſſe and actiueneſſe is greateſt in youth, but the truth of grace greater in age. Therefore hee muſt not ſcrupulouſly queſtion his ſtate, becauſe he feeles himſelfe more feeble, and leſſe actiue then in former times.