Satans Temptations in Three Parts, Part 3 · Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI. The fifth Direction of Prayer, and of the ſeriouſneſs required of thoſe that expect the advantage of Prayer. Of God's hearing Prayer while the Temptation is continued. Of ſome that are troubled more, while they pray more.
THat in all our endeavours of reſiſtance,5. Direct. frequent and earneſt Prayers are not to be neglected.
This is ſo frequently recommended, and ſo fully handled by moſt Authors, that I ſhall refer you to ſuch Authors as particularly treat of it; noting only, That the Apoſtle, in Eph. 6. 18. when he recommends it to us in theſe words, (praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perſeverance, and Supplication for all Saints) he doth mind us that he that expects the advantage of that Duty, muſt be peculiarly fitted, and ſeriouſly diligent in that work. For
Firſt, He muſt have a Praying frame of Heart, he muſt Pray always, or (as the Apoſtle elſewhere) he muſt Pray continually. Not as if this Duty muſt ſwallow up all the reſt, and that a Chriſtian had no other Services to attend than Prayer, but that he muſt be on a deſign to wreſtle with God by Prayer; and this muſt be conſtantly carried on, though the acts of Prayer be intermitted; and beſides, that (in ſuch caſes) he may keep his uſual ſtated times for that duty, he muſt have his Heart ſo much upon his deſign, that every occaſion or offer of Temptation will preſently put him upon the Duty; nay he muſt (in reſpect of the frequent intercourſe of his Heart with God, in frequent ejaculations and breathings of Soul) be as a Man wholly reſolved into that Duty, as Paul was at his firſt Converſion, who (as that expreſſion (behold he Prays) doth intimate) ſeems to have been all Prayer, and wholly taken up with that duty.
Secondly, He muſt pray in the Spirit, his Soul muſt be truly in the Duty. A more than ordinary earneſtneſs is neceſſary at ſolemn times, he muſt put out all his Strength, he muſt cry mightily, and with his whole Heart.
Thirdly, When his Spirit grows dull, he muſt reinforce it, watch his Heart he muſt; and if it be needful to quicken it up, he muſt add Faſting or Meditation, or whatever other means may be helpful.
Fourthly, In this courſe he muſt continue without giving off the Duty, though God behave himſelf as if he minded not his cry, or took no notice of his hazard, yet without wearineſs muſt our Supplications follow him. It muſt be continued with all Perſeverance.
Fifthly, The Heart that undertakes this muſt not be ſo narrow, as to be centred upon his own concern only, when he is melted into a Spirit of Meekneſs and Compaſſion for others, and is not ſo ſollicitous for Peace or Eaſe, that he could hug himſelf in his private enjoyment, without concerning himſelf to tender and help thoſe that are in the ſame dangers; when his Supplications are for all Saints as well as for himſelf, then may he expect to receive an Olive branch of Peace from Heaven in the return of his Prayer.
'Tis often objected by ſuch,Object. that they pray, but are not heard; and that Temptations continue, notwithſtanding many crys and wreſtlings.
Firſt,Anſw. It is a great miſtake to think that Prayers are not heard, or do not prevail, becauſe the Temptation is not quite removed; Prayers may be acceptable to God, and recorded among his remembrances, where the Temptation, for Exerciſe and other holy Ends, may be continued.
Secondly, What God hath promiſed to ſuch Prayer he fails not to make good, he hath not promiſed to exempt us from Temptation, but from the Power and prevalency of it; If his grace be ſufficient for us in the mean time, 'tis an anſwer as good as Paul got when he was importunate; if together with the Temptation he gives an iſſue, that we may be able to bear it, there is his faithfulneſs in keeping promiſe; he no where promiſed, that Satan ſhould not tempt, but that he ſhould not prevail; while we can hold up our hands in the Mount to God, (and our praying frame will aſcertain us of this: For a Man is never overcome by a Temptation; ſo long as he can Pray againſt it; for ſo long he delights not in it, ſo long he conſents not, and till he do conſent, Satan cannot prevail.) Prayer will either make the Temptation give way, or the Temptation will make Prayer give way▪ but ſo long as we hold out with earneſtneſs, the Temptation cannot prevail,Object.
Some further Object, that the more they pray, they are the worſe, and more infeſted by Satan than they were before they undertook that courſe.
It may be they may have more trouble from Satan.Anſw. 1. David thought on God, and his trouble was increaſed, and no wonder; Satan's ſpite and fury puts him upon giving greateſt moleſtations to thoſe of whom he deſpairs to ſubdue.
Secondly, But though they may be more troubled, yet they may be furtheſt from Conqueſt. Theſe diſquiets are like the trouble of the working of Phyſick, which at firſt taking may make a Man more ſick, and yet bring him nearer to a ſtate of health and ſtrength: fear not then, faint not, reſiſt faithfully, and to the utmoſt, and God ſhall bruiſe Satan under thy Feet ſhortly.
FINIS.
End of the text · Richard Gilpin, Satans Temptations in Three Parts (1677)