The Spiritual Mans Directory, Treatise · Part 2 · Question 171 – Question 184
Q. 171. Seeing a Souldier may kill his Enemy in a lawfull warre, and yet love him, as farre as the Law binds in ſuch a caſe; ſo may a man goe to law with his Brother, without breach of Charity or of the duty of forgiving, when his ends are right: Tell me then what theſe ends bee, that may ſtand with love?
A. Firſt, to demand ones right, when one is called to demand it, Luk. 18. 3. Now right is not contrary to love, but agreeable unto true judgement, Iſa. 10. 2. Secondly, to amend and humble the party nocent; and therefore the Magiſtrate is ſaid to be a Miniſter for good, Rom. 13. 4. Thirdly, that others may heare and feare, and may not doe the like, Deut. 19. 20. Fourthly, that the party damnified, and others too, may live in peace; and this is the reaſon why we ſhould pray for Magiſtrates, 1 Tim. 2. 2. but provided; firſt, That it bee done in love, 1 Cor. 16. 14. and not with recompencing evill for evill, Rom. 12. 17. provided, ſecondly It bee done without offence, 1 Cor. 6. 1. Provided, thirdly The party wronging be able to make ſatisfaction, as for example in debts; for if the party bee not able, and yet ſubmitts, it is cruelty to uſe the law againſt ſuch a one, 2 King. 4. 1. provided. Fourthly, that going to law, be our laſt and utmoſt remedy, when people will preſently goe to law refuſing to take wrong or to be tryed by private agreements, this is unchriſtian, 1 Cor. 6. 7. provided Fifthly, that the wrong be not fit to be put up: in this caſe Paul appeales to Caeſar, Act. 25. 11. for as the Apoſtle ſay▪ in another caſe, ſo we may ſay in this, the lavv is good if any man uſe it lawfully, 1 Tim. 1. 8. private revenge is wretched. Firſt, becauſe vengeance is mine ſays God, Heb. 10. 30. and the Lord is the avenger, 1 Theſſ 4. 6. Secondly wherefore ſerves the Magiſtrate? he is ordained of God to puniſh evill doers▪ 1 Pet. 2. 14. againe. Firſt, it is ones excellencie to forgive▪ Mich. 7. 18. Secondly, it is a note of a bleſſed man, Math. 5. 7. Thirdly, humane ſociety cannot well be without it; for we are apt to wrong others, and have need that they ſhould forgive us, and therefore we ſhould be ready to forgive them, forgive and yee ſhall be forgiven▪ Luk 6. 37. Fourthly, it is neceſſary to reſiſt our wicked heart, now not to forgive, proceeds from the wickedneſſe of ones heart, Math. 18. 32.
Q. 172. What is the meaning of that As; as we forgive them their treſpaſſe againſt us?
A. It doth not ſignifie a patterne or a rule, or direction as it doth in the third Petition, Math. 6. 10. for we would be glad that God would forgive us, better then we can forgive one another. There be no works like unto his works, Pſal. 86. 8. neither doth it import that we can forgive one another, before God hath forgiven us, Math. 18. 32. for Gods forgiving of us, Firſt, is an enabling cauſe of our forgiveing one another, as Gods love to us, enables us to love him, 1 Iohn. 4. 19. Secondly, it is a motive cauſe too, Math. 18. 33. Thirdly, it is evidenced unto us by our forgiving one another, as a cauſe by the effect, Math. 6. 14. and yet we muſt, Firſt, forgive one another, before we can entreate the Lord to forgive us, Luk. 11. 4. but this ſame as, doth imply that there muſt be a reſemblance betvveen Gods forgiving of us, and our forgiving one another, Eph. 4. 32. that is, Firſt, we muſt frankly forgive, Luke. 7. 42. Secondly, always, as often as we pray▪ Mark. 11. 25. which muſt be continually, 1 Theſſ. 5. 17. …ay though they be our enemies, and do not yet repe…t of their wronging of us, Luk. 23. 34. how much more if they doe repent? Luke. 17. 3. yea, we muſt forgive others, as Chriſt hath forgiven us, what ever the quarrell be, Col. 3. 13.
Q. 173. Why doth our Saviour teach us to pray, lead us not into temptetion immediately after praying for the forgivneſſes of our ſinnes?
A. For two reaſons. Firſt, becauſe forgiveneſſe of ſinne and grevious ▪temptations are inſeperable companions▪ a true penitent perſon is moſt baited by Satan, he needs not trouble impenitent perſons, for he hath them ſure enough already, and therefore commonly he lets them be quiet▪ Luk. 11. 21. Sergius Paulus no ſooner believed, but the Divell ſtirred up Elimas againſt him, Act. 13. 8. when a man begines to turne unto God, the Devill ſuſpects he is one of Chriſts ſeed, and therefore he labours to bruiſe his heele, that he may not goe on, Gen 3. 15. & to devoure him, Rev. 12. 4. he hath experience of prevailing againſt diverſe good, beginners, Iohn. 6. 66▪ and Paul was afraid he had prevailed againſt the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 11. 3. againe, the ſpeciall providence is in it, to humble the ſoule; and therefore he made David ware, before he would for give him, Pſal. 32. 3. and therefore it is a ſigne, when people know not what greivous temptations meanes, the Divell holds them captive at his will, 2 Tim. 2. 26. for he deſires to …ift all that have got out of his clutches, Luk. 22. 31. againe when people are not ſmitten …n conſcience and tempted, it is a ſigne the word does not worke, for if it work, it cuts like a ſword, Heb. 4. 12. Secondly, becauſe forgiveneſſe of ſinne and yeeld to temptations, cannot ſtand together, Cant. 5. 3. for, Firſt, the grace of forgiveneſſe teacheth a man not to yeeld to ſinne, Tit. 2. 11, 12. Secondly, pardon of ſinne and grace not to go on in ſin, are coupled together in the the covenant of grace▪ Ier. 31. 33. Thirdly, they are coupled together in reaſon, Pſa. 41. 4. Fourthly, forgiveneſſe, makes one love God, and ſo not to be tempted away from him, Luk. 7. 42. …ay, Fifthly, God will not forgive nor acquit upon other tearms, but that we ſhal labour againſt temptations to ſinne, Iob. 10. 14. when we labour for forgiveneſſe, except we mean to be godly, our labour is in vaine, Iob. 9▪ …9. God will not heare, Iſa. 59. 2.
174. What is Temptation, and how many fold?
A. Temptation is a proofe, Pſal. 95. 9. or a tryall to ſee what is in one, or what one will doe, … Pet. 4. 12. temptations of different nature according as it is uſed, ſometimes good, Gen. 22. 1. ſometimes bad▪ 1 Cor. 7, 5. Firſt, God is ſaid to tempt, to try what is in a mans heart, Deut. 8. 2. what grace is in a man▪ Pſal 105. 19. what corruption, 2 Chron. 32. 31. …ay ſometimes he tempts a man▪ in his juſt judgement to ſinne, 2 Sam. 24. 1. this he does in a righteous manner, for otherwiſe he cannot be ſaid to tempt any, Iam. 1. 13. properly it is a mans Iuſt that doeth tempt him to ſinne, verſe. 14. Secondly, the Divell is ſaid to tempt, Math. 4. 1. by putting motions into the heart, Iohn. 13. 2. by thruſting of importunate thoughts and itchings, which provoke unto ſinne, 1 Chron. 21. 1. by preſenting of objects before one, Luke. 4, 5. and egging to take them, verſe. 6. by ſetting a diſcouraging looke upon ones afflictions▪ 1 Theſſ. 3. 5. by preſenting occaſions, Math. 4. 3. ſpeaking in the mouths of friends, Math. 16. 23. Thirdly, men are ſaid to tempt too, Iohn. 8. 6. Firſt, they tempt God, either upon good ground to help their faith, Iudg. 6. 37. and Ahaz ſinned becauſe he would not tempt God thus, Iſa 7. 12. or in a wicked wiſe, Act. 5. 9. as when a man diſtruſts God, and uſeth unwarrantable means, Math. 4. 7. and when a mans ſinnes in any other kinde▪ 1 Cor. 10. 9. either againſt God or his meſſengers, Exod. 17. 2. Secondly, men tempt themſelves either well, by a warrantable proving what is in them, 2 Cor. 13. 5. or ill, by putting themſelves upon danger Math. 26. 58. Thirdly, men tempt others and that either well, to prove a brother, whether he be the man that he ſeemes, Rev. 2. 2. or ill, to draw him into ſinne, Gen. 39. 7. or inconveniences, Math. 22. 18.
Q. 175. What is a temptation to ſinne?
A. There be foure things that concurre in it, Firſt, it ſuppoſeth flexibleneſſe in the party tempted, when the party is inticeable, Iam. 1. 14. and therefore a frigide man cannot be tempted to a dultery; but one that hath luſt in him, Math. 5. 28. the bleſſed Angels cannot be tempted to ſin at all, becauſe they are confirmed in grace, and ſoe was Chriſt as man too, and yet there is an intrinſeca…l flexibleneſſe in every creature and in that reſpect the beſt creature may be capable of a temptation, Math. 4. 1. but God is not at all, Jam. 1. 13. Secondly, it ſuppoſeth a baite to take the party with, Prov. 6. 25. when a man hath ſome booty by …in; either the getting of ſome ſeeming good, as in allurements; as Judas got thirty peieces of silver, Math. 26. 15. or prevention of ſome evill, as in temptations of feare or ſhame or the like, Gal. 6. 12. when a man ſinnes without a baite, he does not ſin out of temptation and therefore by his ſin is the worſe, Ezek. 16. 34. much more when a man looſes by his ſin, Act. 23. 12. Thirdly, it ſuppoſes a trying what the party will doe, 2 Chron. 32. 3…. when a man lays abaite before on, as for example a ſhilling or ſo in a corner, where a theviſh ſervant may ſee it, and conceive it was forgotten, to try whether he will ſteale it, as the Prieſts offered the Souldiers money, to try whether they could get them to belie the diſciples of Chriſt, Math. 28. 12. Fourthly, it ſuppoſeth a wickedminde, or intention in the tempter, and therefore God cannot tempt any, Iam. 1. 13. but the Divell, Math. 4. 1. or ſinfull men, ſuch onelyonly tempt, Heb. 11. 37. wherefore temptations are ſhrewd things to us, Gal. 6. 1▪ for▪ firſt, they may move us to ſin, though otherwiſe we would never have committed it, may be Iacob would never have told a lye, but being tempted of his mother, he did, Gen. 27. 14. Secondly, they may move us to ſin, when we have vowed and ſtrongly purpoſed not to yeeld; how many ſinnes was David tempted and drawn to committ, and yet he had ſworne he would not, Pſal. 119. 106.
Q. 178. What uſe doe you make of this, that temptations are ſo dangerous?
A. Firſt, to teach us not to tempt any, Prov. 16. 29. Secondly, to be carefull we doe not conſent, when we are tempted, Prov. 1. 10. Thirdly, to keep our heart withall diligence, Prov. 4. 23. for ſin doth eaſily be ſet us, and tempt us, Heb. 21. 1. Firſt, we muſt give the tempter a peremptory demall at firſt, Math. 4. 10. Secondly, we muſt back our denialls with reſiſtance, Iam. 4. 7. Thirdly, and what though we have reſiſted againe and againe? we have not reſiſted unto bloud, Heb. 12. 4. and therefore we muſt continue reſiſting with ſtedfaſtneſſe, 1 Pet. 5. 9. Fourthly, we muſt looke upon temptations as warriers againſt our ſouls, that ſo we may abſtaine from yeelding to them; counting our ſelves ſtrangers upon the earth, and ſuch as have nothing to doe to be paddling in the world, Pet. 2. 11. Fiftly, we muſt give no advantage to Satan, 2 Cor. 2▪ 11. neither by giving him matter, 1 Cor. 7. 5. nor occaſion, Gal. 5. 13. nor any pretence, Exod. 10. 26. nor by want of obſerving his houre, Rev. 3. 10. nor by making proviſion for the fleſh, Rom. 13. 14. Sixthly, we muſt take unto us the whole armour of God, Eph. 6. 13. knowing the Divell hath many wiles, verſe. 11. having on us the girdle of truth, the breaſt-pla…e of righteouſneſſe, verſ. 14. the preparation of the Ghoſple of peace, verſe. 15. the ſhield of saith▪ verſe. 16. the helmet of ſalvation, and the ſword of the spirit, verſe. 17. praying with all prayer, verſ. 18. and humbling our ſelves: and in particular for our originall corruption; David went to that, when he ſaw he had bin tempted to adultery and murder, Pſal. 51. 5. keeping our ſelves to vaine company, Pſal. 119. 115. taking heed of melancholy, labouring to be chearefull, Prov. 17. 22. not to be too solitary, Eccl. 4. 10.
Q. 179. Is a man naturally under the power of Temptation?
A. Yea, the fleſh is too weak to reſiſt it, Math. 26. 41. ands so is the heart, Ezek. 16. 30. an inticing word is able to enforce us, Prov. 7. 21. Firſt, becauſe our will is naturally ſtrong ſet to the things of this life, as ease, and credit and friends and riches, &c. 1 Tim. 6. 9. yea and to ſinne it ſelfe▪ naturally we cannot ceaſe from it, 2 Pet. 14. Secondly, becauſe naturally we do not love the commandements of God, nor any ſaving truth; and therefore the leaſt temptation that comes to draw us from it, is ſtrong, 2 Theſſ. 2. 10, 11. Thirdly, our minds naturally are without knowledge of the danger, Prov. 9. 18. and therefore temptations are ſweet to us, verſ. 17. from hence we may ſee, that woe is them that are in the fleſh, becauſe they are ſo ſubject to pleaſe their owne ſelves, that they cannot pleaſe God, Rom. 8. 8. againe the Saints hence ſhould labour to get their natures healed more and more, becauſe they have ſtill ſome remainders of brutiſhneſſe, whereby they are ſubject to be tempted by ſenſe, Pſal. 73. 22. ſignes of perſons under the power of temptation; sare firſt, to be uſually ſtirred up by them, … King. 21. 25. Secondly, when the Divell and his inſtruments can undertake to overcome them by temptations, 1 King. 22. 21. Thirdly, when the Divell like a ſtrong man can do it with eaſe, without any a do, he can lead them hand▪ ſmooth, Luk. 11. 21. Fourthly, when they can endure the Firſt, itchings of temptations without rooting of them out, 2 Tim. 4. 3. Fifthly, when they can pray with eaſe, and heare with eaſe, and be in company with eaſe, and alone with eaſe, they are not put to it, whereas Paul went groaning up and down, Rom. 7. 24.
Q. 180. Is it any excuſe, to ſay we were tempted?
A. No, for firſt, the commandement calleth for obedience, though we be never ſo much tempted to diſobey it; temptations doe no… weaken the bond of Gods law, Prov. 1. 10. Secondly, the firſt leſſon of the Goſpell telleth us, we are not for Chriſts turne, except we will deny all temptation, yea though ſelfe doe tempt ſelfe, Luk. 9. 23. Thirdly, ſin is of a damning nature though all the temptations in the world concurre to egge us to it, though feare, though ſhame &c. Luk. 9. 26. Fourthly, There's no thank in that obedience, that we have no temptations to drawe us from, but bleſſed is he that endureth temptation, Iam. 1. 12. Fifthly, what excuſe can that be, when the very temptations themſelves come from our own luſting hearts, Iam. 1. 15. or elſe we put our ſelves upon temptations, as firſt, by not marrying in the Lord, 1 King. 11. 4. Secondly, by being idle and out of our callings, as David was upon the roofe of his houſe, 2 Sam. 11. 2. Thirdly, by puting our ſelves upon dangerous callings; as keeping of an Inne or an Ale-houſe, in this caſe we ſhould ſay as Chriſt ſaid, who made me a judge? Luk. 12. 14. Fourthly, by going about actions without warrant, as Dinah, Gene. 24. 1. or by being in tempting places, without ground as Peter, Mat. 26. 69. Fiftly, by not keeping the communion of Saints, when we may; what tempted Thomas to unbeliefe, but his abſence from the ſociety of his fellow Apoſtles? Iohn. 20. 24. Sixthly, by doing that which another may lawfully do, yet as things ſtand, we may not lawfully do it, Abraham might looke towards Sodom, Gen. 19. 28. but Lot mought not▪ verſe. 17. God does not forbid every man the comming neare the houſe of a whore, for ſome can go cloſe by her doore without any temptation to goe in, but ſome he does, Prov. 5. 8. but if a man have a calling to aſtation full of temptations he is in Gods way, which is ſtrength to the upright, Prov. 10. 29. the Angels take charge of the Saints, while they are in their way, Pſal. 91. 11. Though Ahabs houſe were a houſe full of temptations, yet Obadiah having a calling to be there; feared the Lord greatly, 1 King. 18. 3.
Q. 181. What doth God permit men to be tempted?
A. That he does permit men to be tempted, is plaine in the example of Eue, 2 Cor. 11. 3. and of Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32. 31. and ſpecially of the wicked, Act. 14. 16. and the reaſons are, firſt, becauſe he is not bound to keep men from being tempted, he made man upright, Eccl. 7. 29. Secondly, becauſe he may juſtly doe ſoe, ſeeing men have ſinned againſt him; as when Iſrael had ſpared the Canaa…ites contrary to his command he left them to be tempted by them, Iudge. 3. 1. Chriſt left Peter to be tempted by a damoſell, for he preſumed of his ſtrength. Math. 26. 33. and therefore, Firſt, let us pray, Lord leave us not, Pſal. 27. 9. if we be foiled at any time, we may thank our own ſelves, for he hath made us a promiſe, not to ſuffer us to be tempted, above what we are able, 1 Cor. 10. 13. and therefore we wrong our own ſoules, if we doe not fly to it, and ſue it forth, for if we be his, he hath ſaid, he will not ſuffer our foote to be moved, Pſal. 121. 8. againe Secondly, let us watch, Math. 26. 41. if he doe but leave us to be tempted, and to grapple with temptation, we are gone, if he ſhould but ſuffer our feet to ſlip, they will ſlip for certaine, & therefore let us watch towards him, who hath ſaid, he will not ſuffer them, Pſal. 66. 9. Thirdly, let us beware leſt we provoke God to permit us to temptation, let us take heed we be not joyned to a luſt, for then God will ſay, let them alone, Hoſ. 4. 17. Fourthly, this is a comfort, that we cannot be tempted, except God permit, No, not by Sathan, Iob 1. 12. God hath Sathan in a chainee Iob 2. 6. he can doe nothing except Chriſt giv him leave, Marke 5.
Q. 182. How ſhall wee know, whether a temptation fl…w from our ſelves or from Sathan?
A. This queſtion is ſomewhat dangerons, for any evill▪ yea Blaſphemy it ſelfe may proceed from our owne heart Mark. 21. 22. and yet it is ſome ſigne it is from Satan; firſt, when a man is tempted to that which he is naturally averſe from Math. 4. 6. Secondly, when the temptation is ſuddain, like a flaſh of lightning, Luk. 4. 5 Thirdly, when the temptation comes without any coherence with that which one was thinking upon, Sathan eares not what he moleſteth one with, for he ſtands at ones right hand there ready for the nonce, Zach. 3. 1. Fourthly, when a temptation is in a hurrying manner, skipping from one thing to another, when it is with importunity, like ſummer Flies upon a ſore, or a Bald-head: when it is as though it would never a done, Luk. 4. 2. Fiftly, when it is with the deluſion of the ſenſes, Math. 4. 8. Now the way to beat the Divell off, is not to rayle at him, Iude 9. but firſt by Faith, 1 Pet. 5. 9. Not by a naked quoting of Scripture; for he will quote Scripture himſelfe, and put a falſe gloſſe upon the ſame, Luk. 4. 10. but ſecondly, by ſo quoting it as to cleave by obedience unto it, verſ. 12. not by making of croſſes on our breſt▪ for how can that drive him away, when Chriſts owne bodily preſence did not feare him away? verſ. 9. but thirdly, by a ſtout and peremptory deteſtation of his motions, to abandon him, verſ. 8. and fourthly, by conſidering that Chriſt was in all points tempted as we are, ſinne onelyonly excepted, Heb. 4. 15. and fiftly, though the Divell can find a great deale of matter for him in us, yet he could find nothing in Chriſt▪ Ioh. 14. 30. Sixtly, by looking at the end that the Lord will make, Iam. 5. 11. for though Sathan be not under our feet yet, he ſhortly ſhall Rom. 16. 20.
Q. 183. Whether doe theſe two clauſes, Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from all evill; make but one Petition?
A. Firſt, it matters not much, whether they make but one or no; for it is a ſigne of Pride to ſtrive about words, 1 Tim. 6. 4. Secondly, 'tis more likely that they make but one Petition, and that is, as our Saviour ſummes both theſe clauſes up in one, that our heavenly Father would keepe us from the evill, Ioh. 17. 15. For firſt, the one clauſe is Negative, and the other is Affirmative; now the Negative and Affirmative make but one truth. As we ſee in this paſſage. Thou ſhalt dye and not live, Iſa. 38. 1. Secondly, our Saviour does not put them downe copulatively, Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evill; for then they mought have ſome colour of being two, but hee unites them with a But, as though the firſt were not a whole Petition without the ſecond, Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from …ill, Luk. 11. 4. Thirdly, it is enough to ſay, it is one Petition conſiſting of two parts. The one for preventing Grace, to prevent us from falling into evill, the other for recovering Grace; that at the furtheſt, if we fall into evill, yet how ſoever, the Lord would deliver us out, according to that of the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 37. 24. Fourthly that conceipt of the Papiſts to make ſeaven Petitions in the Lords Prayer, according to the number of the ſeaven Graces of the Spirit, is but frothy, for there be many moe graces of the Spirit. His grace is manifold, 1 Pet. 4. 10.
Q. 184. Becauſe this laſt clauſe ſheweth that we are naturally under the power of evill, whereof the Devill is the Captaine; ſhow me then how that naturall men are under the Power of the Divell?
A. He hath his Shop-houſe in all the children of diſobedience, and he worketh in them, Epheſ. 2. 2. yea, he raignes and rules in them; for the Divell hath his Kingdome, and in whom hath he it, if not in them, Math. 12. 26. For firſt, the Lord the juſt Iudge turnes them over to the Divell, becauſe they will not be ruled by him; therefore the Divell ſhall have them, to rule over them; yea he ſhall be their God, though they be blind and ſee no ſuch thing, 2 Cor. 4. 4. and hee gives the Divell charge over them, as he gives the good Angels charge over the godly, Pſal. 91. 11. Secondly, becauſe the Divell can find none that will doe his workes, but onelyonly them, Ioh. 8. 44. and therefore great is their miſery; for firſt, they are his Slaves, and he holds them captive at his will, 2 Tim. …. 26. Secondly, they are ſo tyrannized over and kept under by him, that he will not let them looke after Heaven, or any good to any purpoſe, he doth oppreſſe them, Acts 10. 38. Thirdly, hee hath power over their death, that they ſhall never dye; well though they ſeeme to dye never ſo well, Heb. 2. 14. Fourthly, he leads them, though they little thinke it, he that Lyeth, little thinkes hee, that the Divell filleth his heart, and yet he doth, Acts 5. 3. Idle perſons and …atlers, 1 Tim. 5. 13. little thinke they, that they turne after Sathan; and yet they doe verſe. 15. he that committeth ſinne, little thinkes he, that hee is of the Divell, and yet he is, 1 Ioh. 3. 8. enemies of righteouſneſſe, they little thinke, that they are the children of the Divell, and yet they all be, Acts 13. 10. For firſt, the Divell is a Spirit; and therefore he can be in the wicked, and they never ſpy it, Revel. 16. 14. Secondly, hee can tranſforme himſelfe into an Angell of light; and therefore he can make them believe, he is a good Spirit, 2 Cor. 11. 14.