An Offer of Farther Help to Suffering Saints, Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. Therein is opened the ſingular advantage that ſuffering-Saints have, by their skill, and in-ſight into the Methods and Myſteries of Sathans Temptations; ſome of thoſe Wiles of Sathan opened; and Rules for the avoiding of the danger briefly deſcribed.
THE hazards and dangers of Chriſtians, in times of Perſecution, ariſe not ſo much from their Sufferings, as from the Temptations that always attend, and are by Satan planted upon their Sufferings: for the moſt part, Sufferings and Temptations go together, Heb. 11.37. And therefore, it behoves ſuch as are, or expect to be called to Sufferings, to dive into the Myſteries of Temptations, and be well acquainted with the Enemies Deſigns upon them. So was Paul, and ſo he ſuppoſes all others to be, that ingage in the ſame Cauſe; We are out ignorant of his Devices, 2 Cor. 2.11. There is a manifold advantage redounding to ſuffering Saints thereby.
1. He that is well acquainted with the Methods of Temptation, will be the better able to deſcry the firſt approaches and beginnings of it; and a Temptation diſcovered, is more then half conquered. It is a ſpecial Artifice of Satan, to ſhuffle in his Temptations as undiſcernably as may be into the Soul; for he knows, that in vain is the Net ſpread in the ſight of any Bird, Prov. 1.17. And therefore, he ordinarily makes a ſuffering ſeaſon, to be a tempting ſeaſon; becauſe as ſufferings do, like Fire to Iron make it impreſſive and operable, ſo they do ordinarily put the Soul into an hurry and diſtraction, and ſo gives him an advantage, to tempt the Soul with leſs ſuſpicion, and greater ſucceſs. But now, a skilfull Chriſtian, that is acquainted with his Wiles, will diſcern when he begins to enter into temptation; a… Chriſts expreſſion is, Luke 22.46. and ſo checqu… the Temptation in its firſt Riſe, when it's weakeſt and moſt eaſily broken. Doubtleſs, one Reaſon why ſo many fall by Temptation, is, becauſe it's go… within them, and hath prevailed far, before it be diſcovered to be a Temptation.
2. He that is well acquainted with Satans Methods of tempting, will not onelyonly diſcern it ſoone… than another; but alſo knows his Work and Duty and how to manage the Conflict with it, which is a great matter. There are many poor Souls that labour under ſtrong Temptations, and know not what to do: They go up and down complaining, from Chriſtian to Chriſtian, whileſt the Judicious Chriſtian plyes the Throne of Grace with ſtrong Cries… See 2 Cor. 12.8. keeps up his Watch, Luke 22.46. countermines the Temptation, by aſſaulting that Corruption by endeavours of Mortification, which Satan aſſaults by Temptation, 1 Cor. 9.27.
3. Laſtly, To name no more; he that is beſt acquainted with the Myſtery of Temptation, and can maintain his ground againſt that, he ſhall be the perſevering Chriſtian under Perſecutions, and the victorious Chriſtian over them. Here lies the main Deſign of Satan, in raiſing Perſecution againſt the Saints. It is not ſo much their Bloud that he thir… ſteth after, as their Fall by Temptation: and all Perſecutions are deſigned by him, to introduce hi… Temptations. Theſe work upon our Fear, and Fear drives us into his Trains and Snares, Prov. 29.25. The Devils Work in raiſing Perſecution, is but as the Fowlers work, in beating the Buſh in the Night, when the Net is ſpread to take the Birds, which he can affright out of their Coverts. He that underſtands this, is not eaſily moved by the ſtrongeſt Oppoſition from his Place and Duty; and ſo is like to prove the moſt conſtant and invincible Chriſtian in Times of Perſecution.
Oh then how neceſſary is it, that ſince all Perſecutions are intended as means to promote Temptation: and that skill and inſight into theſe Deſigns of Sathan, ſo advantages us to fruſtrate his Deſigns in both? I ſay, how neceſſary is it, that you ſhould be all inſtructed wherein the ſtrength of Temptation lies; as alſo how to reſiſt thoſe ſtrong and dangerous Temptations, which your Sufferings onelyonly are intended to uſher in, and make way for?
It will not be unſeaſonable or impertinent then in this Chapter to ſhew you; Firſt, wherein the force and efficacy of Temptations lyeth: Secondly, what you are to do, when in a ſuffering hour ſuch Temptations ſhall aſſault you. And firſt,
1 Qu. Wherein doth the efficacy and power of Temptation lie?
Sol. I anſwer, It lies principally in three things:
1. In the kind and nature of the Temptation.
2. From the Craft and Policy of Satan in managing them.
3. From that ſecret Correſpondency, that Satan hath with our own Corruptions.
1. It lies in the kind and nature of the Temptation it ſelf: For it's moſt certain, that all Temptations are not alike forcible and dangerous. Some are ordinarily more ſucceſsful then others; and ſuch are theſe that follow.
1. Strange and unuſual Temptations, I mean no… ſuch as none have been troubled with before us; for there is not a Dart in his Quiver, but hath been let fly at the Breaſts of other Saints, before it was levelled at ours, 1 Cor. 10.13. But by ſtrange and unuſual, I mean ſuch, as the People of GOD are but rarely troubled with, and poſſibly we were never exerciſed with before. Theſe are the more dangerous, becauſe they daunt and amaze the Soul, and ordinarily beget deſpondency, even as ſome ſtrange Diſeaſe would do, that we know not what to make of.
2. Mark them for moſt dangerous Temptation, that are adapted and ſuited to your proper ſin, or conſtitution-evil. For certainly, that is the moſt dangerous Nick and Criſis of Temptation when it tryes a man there. Now if he be not truly gracious, he falls by the Root irrecoverably, Luke 22.5, 6. Or if ſincere, yet without ſpecial aſſiſtance, and extraordinary vigilance, he falls ſcandalouſly, 2 Sam. 11.2. compared with 1 Sam. 16.12.
3. When it is a Spiritual Temptation, which riſes undiſcernably out of a Chriſtians Duties. This is the leſs ſuſpected, becauſe Temptations uſually come from the ſtrength and livelyneſs of Corruptions; but this, from the Slaughter and Conqueſts we make of them. Duties, and enlargements in them, which are the Poyſon of other Luſts, proves the Food and Fewel of this, 1 Cor. 4.7, 8. And how much the more covert and cloſe any Temptation is, by ſo much the more dangerous it is.
2. The ſtrength and efficacy of temptation lies much in the skill and policy of Satan in the management of it: And hence they are called wiles, methods, and deviſes, 2 Cor. 2.11. Epheſ. 6.11. and himſelf an old Serpent, Rev. 12.9. And amongſt the reſt of his deep and deſperate ſtratagems theſe following are remarkable.
1. In imploying ſuch inſtruments to manage his temptations as are leaſt ſuſpected, and have the greateſt influence. A Teacher, Gal. 2.14. a Wife, Gen. 3.6. Job 2.9. Friends, Acts 21.13. The Devil knows it is a bad buſineſs, and therefore muſt make the beſt of it.
2. In the orderly diſpoſition and ranging of his temptations; beginning with little things firſt, and then by degrees working over to greater. His firſt motions are commonly moſt modeſt, Gen. 3.1. Should he diſcover the depth of his deſign at firſt, it would ſtartle the Soul, and make it reply as Hafael, Am I a Dog that I ſhould do thus? It's far eaſier to gain his end by parts, then putting for all at once.
3. In endeavouring to engage the Soul upon his own ground. I mean to tempt him from his Station and Duty where God ſet and expects to finds him. He knows while you are with God, God is with you, 2 Chro. 15.2. Whilſt a man abides there, he abides with God, 1 Cor. 7.24. Whilſt he is there, the Promiſe is a good breaſt-work to keep off all his darts: And therefore as Fiſhers, when they have ſpread their Net in the River, beat the Fiſhes out of their coverts and caverns, ſo doth Satan.
4. In not preſenting the temptation, till the Soul, be prepared to receive it. He loves to ſtrike when the iron is hot. He firſt lets their troubles come to an height, brings them to the Priſon, Gibbet, or Fire, and then offers them deliverance, Heb. 11.35, 37. This Mirrour furniſhes you with many inſtances of it.
5. In tiring out Souls with the long continuance of temptations. What he cannot win by a ſuddain ſtorm, he hopes to gain by a tedious ſiege. Forty days together he aſſaulted the Captain of our ſalvation, Mark 1.13. And truly it's a wonder the Soul yields not at laſt, that hath been tried long, Pſal. 125.3. When the rod of the wicked lies long upon the back of the righteous, it is much if he put not forth his hand to iniquity
6. In falling moſt violently upon them, when they are loweſt and moſt proſtrate in their ſpririts and comforts: So he aſſaulted Job with a temptation to curſe God and die, when he ſate in that deplorable ſtate upon the dunghill, Job 2.8, 9. He loves to fall upon us as Simeon and Levi did upon the Shechemites, when we are ſore and wounded: And therefore ordinarily you find times of divine deſertions, to be times of diabolical temptations. So that look as the wild Beaſts of the Deſart come out of their Dens in the night, and then roar after their prey, Pſal. 104.20. ſo doth Satan when the Soul ſeems to be benighted and loſt in the darkneſs of Spiritual troubles.
And this is the ſecond thing wherein the efficacy and ſtrength of temptation lies.
3. Laſtly, it lies in that ſecret correſpondency Satan holds with our boſome enemies. Were it not for this domeſtick Traitor, he could not ſurpriſe us ſo eaſily: As you ſee in Chriſt, he could do nothing, becauſe he found nothing to faſten a temptation on. He was like a Chryſtal glaſs filled with pure Fountain water: So that though he ſhould have been agitated and ſhaken never ſo much by temptation, yet no filthy ſedement could appear; but now we have an enemy within that holds intelligence with Satan without; and this would prove a Devil to us, if there were no other Devil to tempt us, Jom. 1.14, 15. It's a Fountain of temptation in it ſelf, Matth. 15.19. and the chief inſtrument by which Satan doth all his tempting work, 2 Pet. 1.4.
Our ſeveral paſſions and affections are the handles of his temptations. Every thing ſaith Epictetus hath foreign, two handles to take it by. Our affections are the handles of our Souls. The temptation of Self-confidence, and Pride, takes hold of a during and forward diſpoſition; the temptation of Apoſtacy upon a timerous diſpoſition, &c. Theſe imbred luſts go over to the Enemy in the day of battle, and fight againſt the Soul, 1 Pet. 2.11. This is a more dangerous Enemy, then the Devil. 'Tis true, they both work againſt us, but with a double difdifference. Satan works externally, and objectively; but Luſt internally, and phyſically (i. e.) que ad materiale, as it's capable of phyſicall efficiency. Sin wrought in me all manner of concupiſcency, Rom. 7.8. Yea 'tis a ſubtil Enemy that doth his buſineſs politickly. Rom. 7.11. Sin deceived me; it betrayes with a kiſs, ſtrangles with a ſilken halter, Heb. 3.13. Epheſ. 4.22. Theſe be his Agents ſitting at the Council Table in our own breaſts, and there carrying on his deſigns effectually: Yea, it's a reſtleſs and perpetual Enemy, no ridding your hands of him. Satan is ſometimes put to flight by reſiſtance, Jam. 4.7. and ſometimes ceaſes his temptations, Luke 4.13. but when he ceaſeth to tempt and inject, this ceaſeth not to irritate and ſollicite: Where we are, it will be; it's our ſad lot to be tied to it, and perpetually aſſaulted by it, Rom. 7.24. We may ſay of it, as Hannibal ſaid of Marcellus, That it's never quiet, whether a Conquerour, or conquered. Yea, it's a potent Enemy too, it hauls men away to the commiſſion of ſin, Jam. 1.14. In ſeizeth the Magazeen of the foul, and delivers up the Arms; I mean the Members to be foreign, weapons of unrighteouſneſs.
Thus you ſee wherein the efficacy and power of temptation conſiſts. And it mightily concerns you that are, or expect to be Sufferers for Chriſt, to be acquainted with theſe things, and know where the ſtrength of your Enemy lies.
But how ſhall the ſuffering Saint ſo manage himſelf in a Suffering hour, as not to be captivated by temptations. This brings me upon the ſecond thing I promiſed; viz. to preſcribe ſome Rules for the eſcaping or conquering of thoſe temptations that are incidental to a ſuffering ſtate. And firſt:
Labour to cut off the advantages of temptations before they come. Rule. 1 It's our inordinate love to life, eſtate, liberty, and eaſe, that gives the temptation ſo much ſtrength upon us. Do not overvalue them, and you will more eaſily part from them, Rev. 12.11. O mortifie ſelf-love, and creature-love; let your heart be looſened and weaned from them, and then the temptation hath loſt its ſtrength.
Secure to your ſelves an intereſt in the heavenly glory. Rule. 2 When once you clearly ſee your propriety in the Kingdome above, you will ſet the lighter and lower by all things on earth. That is a pregnant Text to this purpoſe, Heb. 10.34. It's our darkneſs and uncertainties about thoſe, that make us cling ſo faſt to theſe.
Settle this principle in your heart, Rule. 3 as that which you will never depart from, that it's better for you to fall into any ſuffering, then into the leaſt ſin, Heb. 11.24, 25. This all will acknowledge, but how few practice it! Oh that you would practically underſtand and receive it! Sufferings is but a reſpective, external, and temporal evil; but ſin is a univerſal, internal, and everlaſting evill.
Believe that God hath curſed and blaſted all the wayes of ſin, Rule. 4 that they ſhall never be a ſhelter to any ſoul that flies for refuge to them, Mark 8.35. Prov. 13.15. The way of Tranſgreſſours is an hard and difficult way. There is no ſecurity in the way of iniquity. He that runs from ſuffering to ſin, runs from the apparent to the reall danger; from the painted to the living Lion.
Live up to this principle, Rule. 5 that there is no policy like ſincerity and godly ſimplicity. This will preſerve and ſecure you, when carnall wiſdome will expoſe and betray you, Pſal. 25.2. Job 2.3. Sinfull policy never thrives with Saints.
Conſider ſadly what the conſequents of yielding up your ſelves to temptation will be: Rule. 6 The Name of God will be dreadfully reproached, 2 Sam. 12.14. A fatal ſtumbling-block is laid before the blind world, 1 Sam. 2.36. the hearts of many up-right ones made ſad, Pſal. 25.3. The fall of a Profeſſour is as when a Standard-bearer fainteth; and a dreadfull wound it will be to thine own Conſcience, 2 Cor. 2.7. Matth. 25.76. One hours ſleep of ſecurity, may keep you many dayes and nights waking upon the Wrack of honour.
Never engage a temptation in your own ſtrength, Rule. 7 but go forth againſt it trembling in your ſelves, and relying on divine Aids and Aſſiſtances, Epheſ. 6.10. What are you to grapple with Spirits, to enter the Liſts with Principalities and Powers? or what is your ſtrength that you ſhould hope?
Let the dayes of your temptation, Rule. 8 be dayes of ſtrong cries and ſupplication. Thus did Paul, 2 Cor. 12.8. Pſal. 109.4. Your beſt poſture to wreſtle with Temptation, is upon your knee.
Dwell upon the conſideration of thoſe choice encouragements God hath laid up in the Word for ſuch a time. Rule. 9 As (1) though he give Satan leave to tempt you, yet you are ſtill in his hand to preſerve you, Deut. 33.3. John 10.28. (2) That whilſt Satan is ſifting and trying you on Earth, Chriſt is interceeding for you in Heaven, Luke 22.31, 32. (3) That an eternal reward is laid up for thoſe that overcome, Luke 22.28, 29, Rev. 21.7, 8. And now is this reward to be won or loſt.
Laſtly, Be content till God open a door out of your temptations, 1 Cor. 10.13. The time of the Promiſe will come, Acts 7.17. Wait for it, though it tarry, and ſeem to be deferred; in the end it will ſpeak, and not lye, Hab. 2.3. There was a ſecret door in the Ark, though it could not be ſeen whileſt the waters prevailed: And ſo there is in all your temptations, though at preſent it be not diſcernable by you.
And thus I have brought you one ſtep nearer to Paul's bleſſed frame. Oh give diligence to this work.