Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 1 · Part 21
Now to the matter of Petition, things wee pray for in this Petition.
Quest. What are the things we pray for in this Petition, Lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill?
Answ. Seuen things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; strength of grace aforehand to withstand temptation to euill and sinne, that shall at any time be laid against vsus, and such helping graces as are needfull to that purpose.
Quest. What are the helping graces that are needfull for vsus aforehand, to withstand temptation to euill and sinnne that shall at any time be laid against vsus, that we pray for in this Petition?
Answ. Two especially.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
2 Cor. 2.11. 2 Cor. 11.3. Ephes. 6.11.Answ. This; spirituall wisdome to see and discerne the subtilties of Satan, and his cunning deuices, whereby hee doth commonly allure men to sin, and seeke to bring them into the practise of sinne: That God would make vsus wise to spie out and to know and discerne those subtilties and sleights, and craftie deuices that Satan vseth to insnare men in sinne, and to bring them into the practise of it.
Quest. VVhat are the subtilties and sleights, and cunning deuices of Satan, whereby he doth commonly allure men to sinne, and seekes to bring men into the practise of sinne, that wee doe entreat God in this Petition to make vsus wise to spie out and to know, and discerne?
Answ. They are many, and it is not in mans power to find them all out, but the principall and chiefe of them are sixe.
Of which in order.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Answ. This; his hiding the danger and vglinesse of euill and sin, as the misery he knowes sinne will bring on men, and his presenting of it vntounto them vnderunder the face and appearance of some good, as safetie, credit, pleasure, or gaine, they shall get by it. Thus hee dealt with Eue, Gene. 3, 4, 5. with Saul, 1 Sam. 15.9.
Quest. What is the second subtiltie, sleight, and cunning deuice of Satan, whereby hee doth commonly allure men to sinne, and seekes to bring men into the practise of sinne, that wee intreat God in this Petition, to make vsus wise to spie out, and to know, and discerne?
Answ. This; his presenting of euill and sinne vnderunder such considerations as may seeme to lessen it, and to make it seeme not so dangerous; as that it is once, or for a short time they shall holde that course,Pro. 7.18.19.20 2 Sam. 11.4. Psal 50.21. Eccles. 8.11. and they may breake it off when they will; that the best men hauehave fallen, and hauehave notwithstanding repented, and been saued, and so may they; that it shall be kept secret; that God is mercifull, and will not presently punish, and the like.
Quest. VVhat is the third subtiltie, sleight; and cunning deuice of Satan?
Answ. This; his fitting and framing his temptations according to the naturall dispositions of men, or according to the sexe, or according to the different conditions and callings, and estates of men or women in the world, or according to their age or gifts of body or minde; as Cain, malicious to murder, Genes. 4.8. Iudas couetous to sell his Master, Math. 26.14, 15. In want, to distrust and vse vnlawfull meanes, Math. ….2, 3. In discontent, to impatiencie; and if we be of high spirits, then to lay violent hands on ourselues, as 2 Sam. 17.23. If rich or in high place, to pride, disdaine, oppression, Epicurisme, and such like, Prou. 30.9. The Tradesman to deceit; the Seruing-man to idlenesse and gaming; the Preacher to man-pleasing, or selfe-pleasing, and the like, Gal 1.10.
Quest. What is the fourth subtiltie, sleight, and cunning deuice of Satan?
Answ. This; his taking occasion from the good things and graces that bee in men, to draw them to sinne, and his labouring to wound men with their owne weapons: as finding faith in men, and a resting on Gods prouidence, hee perswades them to presumption, and to doe that which carries a shew of a strong faith. Thus hee laboured with Christ, Math. 4.6. Finding some zealous, and feruently affected, hee labours to preuent their zeale and feruencie, Rom. 10.2, 3. Philip. 3.6. Such as are sober and moderate, to become remisse and carelesse, dead and heartlesse, Reuel. 3.15. Some carefull and forward in Prayer, hearing the Word, and other holy duties, hee makes them negligent in their particular places and callings; and so in many other particulars.
Quest. VVhat is the fift subtiltie, sleight, and cunning deuice of Satan, whereby hee doth commonly allure men to sinne, and seeke to bring them into the practise of sinne, that wee intreat God in this Petition to make vsus wise, to spye out, to know, and to discerne?
Answ. This; his transforming himselfe into an Angell of light,2 Cor. 11.13.14.15. Ezra 4.2. Nehem. 6.2.4. Acts 13.50. Act. 16.16.17. of taking on him the person of a Magistrate, or Minister, and vsing the fittest instruments to effect his purpose; as the counsell or example of the wisest, learnedst, or wealthiest, men of chiefe reputation, clothing vice in the habit of vertue; as couetousnesse, good husbandry, and such like.
Quest. What is the sixt subtiltie, sleight, and cunning deuice of Satan?
Answ. This; his tempting to some sinne, hee cares not much whether men yeeld or no, hoping to get a greater conquest of them by not yeelding; as thus, when by not yeelding men grow proud, vaine-glorious, secure, confident, and the like: this cunning hee vsed in tempting of Christ, Math. 4.3. The words of the temptation seeme to import, that he sought onelyonly the working of a miracle; yet the Deuill rather intended that hee would not worke it, so as he might hauehave brought him to doubt of his being the Sonne of God.
Quest. VVhat is the second helping grace that is needfull for vsus afore hand, to withstand temptation to euill and sinne, that shall at any time bee layd against vsus, that we pray for in this Petition?
Pro. 4.23. Mat. 26.45. 1 Thess. 5.6. 2 Tim. 4.5. 1 Pet. 5.8Answ This; Spirituall watchfulnesse to preuent the subtilties, sleights, and cunning of Satan, whereby hee doth commonly allure men to sinne, and seeke to draw them to the practise of sinne, that God would make vsus wary and circumspect, and watchfull ouer our owne hearts, and wayes, that wee bee not circumuented by the sub…ilties, sleights, and cunning of Satan, whereby hee do…h commonly allure men to sinne, and seeke to draw them to the practise of sinne?
Quest. VVherein stands that spirituall watchfulnesse to preuent the subtilties, sleights, and cunning of Satan?
Answ. In two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; in watching our speciall and strongest corruptions,Hab. 1.16. Act. 19.25. Pro. 28.14. and in being iealous ouer our selues in regard of the sinnes to which wee are most prone, and most naturally inclined, as our sweet sinnes, Iob 20.12, 13. our profitable sinnes, and the like.
Quest. What is the second thing?
Answ. This; in keeping continuall watch against all occasions of euill,Pro. 6.8. Psal. 119.37. 1 Cor. 10.23. and chiefely against such things as either hauehave been occasions of euill to vsus, or such as wee hauehave found our selues in danger to fall by, as company, and things and delights indifferent lawfull in themselues, yet dangerous in regard of our being carried to an immoderate vse of them.
Quest. What is the second thing we pray for in this Petition, Lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill?
Answ. This; strength of grace to stand without falling into sinne in the time of temptation; that God would in the time of temptation, when we are tempted by Satan to any sinne, stand by vsus with his grace, and would then adde grace to grace, euen new grace to former, and keepe vsus from falling into sinne to which we are tempted, and would then make vsus find his grace sufficient for vsus to vphold vsus; as 2 Cor. 12.9.
Quest. Is not a childe of God able to stand without falling into sinne in the time of temptation by the strength of grace that is in him, vnlesse God adde grace to grace, euen new grace to former?
Answ. No, he is not,Mat. 26.33.35. Ephes. 6.10. the best of Gods children hauehave need in the time of temptation to sinne, that God should stand by them with his grace, and should adde grace to grace, euen new grace to the former.
Quest. How doth God stand by vsus with his grace, and adde grace to grace, euen new grace to former, and so keepe vsus from falling into sinne in the time of temptation?
Answ. Thus; by vouchsafing his holy Spirit to worke in vsus effectually to the strengthening of vsus against that temptation.sal. 51.12.
Quest. How doth the holy Spirit of God worke in vsus effectually, to the strengthening of vsus against temptation when wee are tempted by Satan to any sinne?
Answ. Three wayes especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; By stirring vp the gifts and graces of God that be in our soules, and by bringing into exercise, and making vsus able to exercise and to vse them,Gen. 20.11. Pro. 14.27. Gen. 39.9. Nehem. 6.11. 1 Pet. 5.9. and by the vse and exercise of them, to resist Satan tempting vsus to sinne: as our faith, our feare of God, our louelove to God, our care to please God: for these and the like graces may bee in vsus, and not in exercise; but being in exercise they doe enable vsus to repell, and to beate back Satans temptations to euill and sinne.
Quest. What is the second way?
Answ. This; by putting good motions into our hearts, and good and holy meditations into our mindes,Gen. 39.9. Psal. 50.4.5. Heb. 11.25. touching the greatnesse of sinne we are tempted to, and the vglinesse of it, and the danger of it, and the fruites that will follow on the committing of it: as that it is against the infinite maiestie of God, that it will deface in vsus the Image of God, and make vsus like the Deuill: that the pleasure and seeming good of it, is but short and momentary; that it will bring with it horror of conscience, & perplexitie of minde, an intollerable burthen, & make vsus liable to the curse of God; all plagues and iudgements in this world, and eternall woe and miserie in the world to come.
Quest. What is the third way?
Psal. 119.11. Mat. 44.7.10. Ephes. 6.17.Answ. This: by bringing to our remembrance the Word of God, which we hauehave hid in our hearts, and by making vsus able to hauehave such places and sentences of Scripture ready against temptation, that are direct against it. Thus Joseph preuailed against the temptation of his Masters wife, by remembring the seauenth Commandement. Genesis. 39.9.
Quest. What is the third thing we pray for in this Petition, Lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill?
Answ. This; strength of grace to stand without falling into sinne in the continuance of temptation:Gen. 39.10. Iudg. 16.6. &c. 16.17. 2 Cor. 12.7.8. that in the time of temptation continued, when we are tempted by Satan againe and againe, oftentimes to the same sinne, God would vphold vsus by his grace, and would then make vsus able to stand fast, and to hold out without yeelding: for Satan will not cease to assault vsus againe and againe with the same temptation to the same sinne, hoping in time to winne our consent, and to giuegive vsus the foyle.
Quest. How doth God make vsus able to stand fast, and to hold out without yeelding in the time of temptation continued, when wee are tempted by Sathan againe and againe to the same sinne?
Answ. Two wayes especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This;Psal. 119.117. Mat. 25.2…. by making vsus perseuer and continue in imploying and well vsing the good gifts and graces of his spirit that be in vsus; as our faith, our feare of God, our louelove of God, our care to please God, and the like: for the more grace is vsed and exercised, the more it is increased and strengthened. Lot was kept from vncleannesse in Sodome, the Lord there making him continue his feare of God, and his care to auoyd that sinne in the midst of Sodome; but when he was in the mountaine, and began to slacke his feare of God, and his care to please God, then he fell to drunkennesse and incest, Gen. 19.30. to the end.
Quest. VVhat is the second way.
Answ. This; by stirring vsus vp,Psal. 38.9. Rom. 8.26. Psal. 34.3. Mat. 26.39.42.43.44. 2 Cor. 12.8. Luk. 18.13. and making vsus able to vse speciall & extraordinary prayer, and to powre out our hearts before God after an extraordinary manner, and aboue our vsuall custome, by such prayer as is expressed by deepe sighes and groanes, lowd crying, often repeating the same petition, and by vnvsuall motions of the parts of the body with sighes, and especially when we are tempted by Satan againe and againe.
Quest. What is the fourth thing we pray for in this Petition, Lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill?
Answ. This; if God see it good so to humble vsus, as by leauing vsus to our selues for a time to let vsus take a fall,…sal. 51.12. and to be foyled by temptation to euill and sinne: that then hee would not let vsus faile finally, but that hee would graciously raise vsus vp againe by sauing repentance.
Quest. Cannot a childe of God, hauing beene foyled by temptation to euill and sinne, and fallen into sinne, recouer and raise vp himselfe againe by sauing repentance, by the power of grace that is in him?
Answ. No, he cannot; the best of Gods children hauing been foyled by temptation to euill,Zach. 12.19. Luk. 22.61.62. and fallen into sinne, cannot recouer and raise vp himselfe by sauing repentance, vnlesse God giuegive it to them.
Obiection. A childe of God cannot finally fayle, and fall from grace.
Quest. What need hee then being fallen into sinne, pray that God would raise him vp againe by sauing repentance?
Ezech. 36.37. Ioel. 2.32.Answ. Though God will certainly raise vp his child being fallen into sinne by sauing repentance, and will certainly giuegive it vntounto him in his due time, yet hee will hauehave his child humbled for his sinne, and will hauehave him in obedience to him to craue repentance at his hands: the certaintie of the thing in Gods purpose takes not away our obedience to God.
Quest. VVhat is the fift thing wee pray for in this Petition, Lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill?
Zach. 3.1.2. Rom. 16.20. Iud. vers. 6. Reuel. 20.2.3. 1 Ioh. 3.8.Answ. This; a restraint of the malice and power of Satan against vsus, and a restraint of the power of our spirituall enemies, the world and our own corruption: That God would tye vp Satan, and by his almighty power restraine and represse his malice and power and not suffer him to exercise his malice and power against vsus; and would also restraine and represse the power of other our spirituall enemies, as of the world, of our owne corruption, and the like.
Obiection. Reuel. 20 7.8. Satan is now loosed, and hath libertie to doe what he can against vsus; and therefore it seemes to bee in vaine now to pray that God would restraine and represse his malice and power against vsus.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus, the meaning of that place is, that Satan is now loosed, not simply, but comparatiuely in regard of former restraint: as when a Dog that hath beene tyed vp very short and close, hath his chaine let out farther, or lengthened, hee may be said to be loosed, and so Satan is said to be loosed.
Quest. What is Satans power against vsus, that wee intreat God in this petition, to restraine and represse?
Answ. It is a power, if God doe not keepe vsus,Luk. 11.21. 2 Cor. 4.4. Reuel. 12.3. 1 Pet. 5.8. Ephes. 6.12. to carry vsus to any euill, & to bring vsus to as feareful sins as euer any were brought vntounto, and to destroy vsus vtterly in a moment, both soules and bodies. Hence Satan is called the strong man armed, the god of this world, a great red Dragon, a roaring Lyon, principalities and powers.
Quest. Hath Satan power to enforce vsus to sinne, and to carry vsus to euill and sinne violently, if God doe not keepe and preserue vsus?
Answ. No, he hath not;Iam. 1.14.15. Mat. 4.6. Satan can not simply and directly force vsus to any sinne, hee hath no power to constraine our wills, and to make vsus sinne except we be willing, for that is against that nature which God hath giuen to the wil of man, to be enforced; and the Deuill is the father of sinne, but our owne concupiscence is the mother, and what can the father do without that mother.
Quest. How then doth the Deuill carry vsus to euill and sinne, if God doe not keepe vsus and preserue vsus?Gen. 3.6. Iosh. 7.21. Dan. 3.12.13. Dan. 6.10.
Answ. By a perswading flight, partly by deluding the minde and iudgement by fayre allurements, as by promise of ease, saf…ty, profit, pleasure and the like: and partly by feares, and terrours, by some meanes or other, he perswades the will to yeeld to him; if he could force our wills, he would then neuer faile of his purpose, God permitting him to tempt. Thus Eua, Thus Achan, Thus Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; and Daniell to cease praying.
Quest. If a place be by Gods permission haunted by the Deuill, and abused by some euill spirit, and hee hath there power to doe hurt, may a man frequent or abide in such a place or no?
Answ. A man may not voluntarily thrust into such a place, it is as absurd for any needlesly to aduenture into such a place, as to goe to a Lyons denne, or to come within the chaine of a madde Dog, or an hunger-bitten Beare. The Deuil is as a Lyon. 1 Pet. 5.8. and a Dragon. Reu. 12.13.
Quest. If by Gods prouidence we bee called to liue in such a place, what are we then to doe?
Iud. ep. v. 9.Answ. We must then, not stand to reason with the Deuill, but betake our selues to God by humble and hearty prayer, and complaining of Satans vexation and make God our shelter and defence, both for soule and body.
Now touching our other Spirituall enemies, the world and our owne corruption.
Quest. What is the power of the world, that we intreat God in this petition to restraine and represse?
Num. 24.11. Pro. 7.16. Mat. 4.9. 2 Tim. 4.10.Answ. It is a power to allure and to draw vsus to euill and sinne by pleasures, profits, honours and preferments of it: the world holding out and presenting these things as baytes to entangle our hearts, and to insnare our affections with a minde towards them, and with a louelove and liking of them aboue measure; thereby to bring vsus to the practise of euill and sinne.
Quest. How doth God restraine and represse that power which the world hath to allure, and to draw vsus to euill and sinne, by the pleasures, profits, honours and preferments of it?
Answ. Two wayes especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Psal. 131.1.2. 1 Cor. 7.31. Galat. 6.14. 1 Tim. 6.9.Answ. This; by weaning and withdrawing our hearts from the world, and from the things of it, and making vsus vse this world and the things of it, as though wee vsed them not: and so to vse them as that we set not our hearts on any earthly thing, either to louelove it or feare it; and making vsus as dead men to the world, as weaned children: and as hee that will bee rich, so hee that will hauehave pleasures, profits, honours and preferments in the world, shall fall into diuers temptations.
Quest. What is the second way?
Answ. This; by putting into our minds holy thoughts, and holy meditations, concerning the pleasures, profits and preferments of this world, as that they yeeld not that good they seeme to promise: they promise peace and felicitie,Gen. 25.33.34. Eccles. 1.2. & 2 1 1. & 12.8. Isai. 40.6. Mat. 16.28. Act. 25.23. 1 Cor. 7.31. 1 Tim. 6.17. and yeeld nothing but vanity and vexation of spirit, and they are vaine and insufficient to giuegive vsus true content; that they are fickle and fugitiue, vanishing and transitorie; and that in the sinfull inioying and vsing of them, wee loose better things: as peace of conscience, & it may be our owne soules, and wee sell Heauen for a messe of Pottage, as Esau did his birthright.
Quest. What is the power of our owne corruption, that we intreat God in this petition, to restraine and represse?
Answ. It is a power to send forth into the soule,Mat. 15.19. Rom. 7.5. Galat. 5.17.19.20.21. Iam. 1.14. and to fill it with euill thoughts, sinfull motions and lusts, and to send forth sinne and euill workes, in and by all the powers of the soule, and in and by all the parts and members of the body.
Quest. How doth God restraine and represse that power which our owne corruption hath to send forth into the soule, and to fill it with euill thoughts and sinfull motions, and to send forth sin and euill workes, in and by all the powers of the soule, and in and by all the parts and members of the body?
Answ. Either by limiting it and keeping it in, by the naturall temper and constitution of the body,Gen. 20.6. Rom. 13.3.4. Deut. 30.6. Psal. 51.10. Coloss. 2.11. or by feare of shame and punishment, or by desire of honour and reward, and the like: or by mortifying of it, and by the power of his grace, abating and weakning the strength of it, and by little and little killing and abolishing it: and his worke of mortification, we especially pray for in this petition.
Quest. What is the sixt thing wee pray for in this Petition, Leade vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill?
Answ. This; an increase of grace and spirituall strength,Psal. 51.12. Psal. 119.32. Ephes. 3.16. Philip. 1.9.11. Coloss. 1.9.10. Heb. 13.21. 2 Pet. 3.18. whereby we may be enabled to eueryevery good worke, and such helpes as may further vsus in well doing; that God would increase and perfect the good worke of grace in vsus, enabling vsus thereby to eueryevery good worke, and would afford vsus such helpes as may further vsus in weldoing. Psal. 51.12. Establish me with thy free spirit, because it sets vsus eueryevery day more and more at liberty, out of the reach of sin and Satan.
Quest. What are the helpes that may further vsus in weldoing, that we pray for in this petition?
Answ. Foure especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Psal. 119.33.34 Isai. 8.19.20. Iere. 8.9. Coloss. 1.9.10. Pro. 15.22. Pro. 19.20. Pro. 27.9. Dan. 4.24. 1 Cor. 7.25. 2 Cor. 8.10.Answ. This; holy instructions, and good and holy aduice and counsell: That God would vouchsafe to vsus holy instructions, in and by the publike ministrie of his Word, and by our priuate reading of it, and good and wholsome and holy aduice & counsell, from such as are endued with heauenly wisdome, and are able holily and wholsomly to aduise & counsell vsus touching the good waies of God.
Quest. What is the second helpe?
Answ. This; holy exhortations and incouragements, that God would bee pleased to afford vsus such as are able and willing to exhort vsus,2 Chro. 20.20. & 32.7.8. Act. 18.27. Rom. 1.11.12. Coloss. 4.11. and to stirre vsus vp, and to encourage vsus to eueryevery good duty.
Quest. What is the third helpe?
Answ. This; good examples and good companions: that God would vouchsafe to set before vsus,Psal. 119.63.115. Pro. 13.20. 1 Cor. 15.33. Philip. 3.17. the examples of good and holy men and women, and would afford vsus such to liue and conuerse withall, and to be our associates and companions, as are holy and truly religious.
Quest. What is the fourth helpe that may further vsus in weldoing, that we pray for in this Petition?
Answ. This: Gods blessing on the holy instructions, good aduice and counsell, and on the holy exhortations and encouragements;Pro. 10.22. 1 Cor. 3.6.7. and on the good examples and good companions that the Lord doth afford to vsus: That God would be pleased to blesse all these things to vsus for our good, for without his blessing they can doe vsus no good.
Quest. What is the seauenth thing we pray for in this Petition, Lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill?
Answ. This; that what strength of grace, either aforehand or in the time of temptation, and in the temptation continued; or what raising vp being foyled by temptation, and falne into some sinne; or what restraint of Satans malice and power, or of the power of the world, or of the corruption of nature; or what increase of grace and spirituall strength, and helpes that may further vsus in weldoing, wee craue at the hands of God for our selues,Luke 22.32. Iohn 17.15. that the Lord would vouchsafe the same to all others his elect, yet liuing on the face of the earth; that they may be kept from falling into sin, and may liue holily as well as our selues.