The Throne of Grace, Sermon 10
SERMON. X.
HEB. IV. 16.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find Grace to help in time of need.
YOU have heard that the gracious Exhortation in the Text to coming to the Throne of Grace, is directed with reſpect to the getting of two great Bleſſings, or of one under two Names, God's Mercy and Grace. Concerning this Grace I have ſpoken to 3 things. 1. What this Grace is. 2. What the finding of this Grace is. 3. What is the Helpfulneſs of this Grace ſo found, I alſo entered upon the fourth and laſt thing, the Seaſonableneſs of this helping Grace. The Truth I am to ſpeak to, is this: The Grace of God is ſpecially helpful in times of ſpecial need. My Work then is to ſhew. What are thoſe times of need. 2. What the helpfulneſs of grace in them is. Only I would uſher in this Diſcourſe, with a general Conſideration of the conſtant need that all ſtand in of God's Mercy and Grace. And that I would branch into four. We need God's Mercy and Grace, as Creatures, as Men, as Sinners, and as Chriſtians, and that always.
1. As Creatures. The native Notion of a Creature is, that it is a contingent, neceſſitous Being: For his pleaſure they are and were created, Rev. 4.11. The Lord did not make all or any Creature, becauſe he needed them, but he made them that they might need him. He did not build this glorious Fabrick of Heaven and Earth, as a Houſe to dwell in, or to contain him, 1 Kings 8.27. But he made this World as a Stage, on which to diſplay his glorious Wiſdom and Power; and he made ſome of its Inhabitants, Angels in the upper Rooms, and Men in the lower, to be Spectators, and Praiſers of his Glory. It is not proper to ſay, that Creatures needed their Being, before the Creator gave it. For when there was nothing but God, there could be no need. Need and Want is eſſential to a Creature, and ſprings up with their Being. As ſoon as the Creation receaved its Being by the word of his power, it needs upholding by the ſame power, Heb. 1.3. Our Lord Jeſus upholds all things by the word of his power. The whole Creation would fall back immediately into its Mother, Nothing, if the ſame power that gave it a Being, did not every moment preſerve it. Would you have a joyful view of Heaven and Earth? Look on all as in our Lord's Hand. Why do the Heavens keep their Courſe? Why doth the Sun ſhine ſo gloriouſly, move ſo regularly, and influence the Earth ſo virtuouſly with his light and heat? It is becauſe Chriſt upholds all things by the Word of his Power. He is before all things, and by him all things conſiſt: All things were created by him, and for him, Col. 1.16,17. Many are without Chriſt in the World. Eph. 2.12. Man ſee daily the Works of Creation and Providence, and never think on Chriſt as the Head of all. But it is no wonder, that Men that have no Eyes to ſee Chriſt in the new Creation of Grace, cannot ſee him in the old Creation of Nature. We, as Creatures, are needy of God's helping Grace and Favour; for in him we live, and move, and have our Being, Acts 17.28. In his hand our breath is, and his all our ways are, Dan. 5.23.
2. Our need of God's Grace appears yet more, as we are ſuch Creatures, Men. We are, through the Bounty of God, the moſt conſiderable part of this lower Creation. Of Man, ſome underſtand that elegant Phraſe, Prov. 8.26, the higheſt part of the Duſt of the world. But there is no earthly Creature needy of God's Grace but Man even in his natural Frame, abſtract from his ſinful State. The great Former of all things, hath given to all a Being, and to many of his Creatures no more: To ſome of his Creatures he hath given Life, a nobler ſort of Being. But to all living Creatures, but Man, he gives no more, and they need no more; they have not, they need not eternal life. When the Breath of the other living Creatures goes downward, in the Word is Eccl. 3.21. there is an end of them. But Man is created in that ſtate, that he muſt be for ever, and therefore be eternally happy or miſerable. This State, he is made in, makes him vaſtly needy of God's Grace and Mercy.
3. We grow yet more needy, as Sinners. Sinners are Creatures, with this great blemiſh of Guilt, Sin, and Corruption. A Sinner is needy of a Mediator to deal for him with God; for he cannot deal with God for himſelf: A Sinner is needy of the Righteouſneſs of another to recommend him to God's Acceptance; for he hath none of his own. The Righteouſneſs of a Sinner is a plain Contradiction: And unleſs the power of Sin had blinded Men in the right knowledge of God and of themſelves, and unleſs it had puſſed up their Hearts in this darkneſs, there had never been any pretence made by fallen Men to Self-Righteouſneſs; but now nothing is more common, more groundleſs, and yet more rooted in Mens Hearts, than that a Sinner, can, and may, if he will, bring or do ſomewhat, that may have ſome intereſt in, and influence on, his Acceptance with God. A Sinner is needy of a Right to eternal life; and this muſt be bought by another, for he can never purchaſe it for himſelf. He is needy of Safety from the Wrath to come, which is ſo wofully well deſerved by him, and the Man can do nothing of himſelf, but what deſerves it, more and further.
4. We are needy of the help of Grace as Chriſtians, as new Creatures. A Chriſtian is a Creature by nature, a humane Creature, a ſinful Creature, but made a new Creature by grace. Yet there are ſome ſprings of conſtant need of Grace, in this new Creature, the Chriſtian.
1. The neceſſary and conſtant dependance of the new Creature on its Fountain and Author, makes a Chriſtian to be a very needy Creature. The dependance of the Beams on the Sun, is not more neceſſary, than the dependance of a Chriſtian on Chriſt. Without me (or ſeparate from me) ye can do nothing, John 15.5. The Chriſtians life is by a continual Eflux from Chriſt, and is to be ſought and maintained by a conſtant dependance on him; as Light is from the Sun. Never was there, nor can there be, a Room ſo full of Light from the Sun-beams, but if either the Sun withdraw his Light, or if you exclude its light by cloſing Doors and Windows, it immediately becomes dark, and that neceſſarily. It is ſo with all Chriſtians. If it were not that the new Covenant hath aſſured us, that there ſhall be no final and total ſeparating of the Fountain from the Stream, there would ſoon be an expiring of all that Good, that is in the beſt of Saints.
2. A Chriſtian is always a needy Creature, becauſe he hath much work to do, and moſt neceſſary Work, and all above his ſtrength. He that bath moſt Work, and leaſt Strength, is moſt needy of help. Phil. 2.12,13. Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you, both …o will and to do of his good pleaſure. If the Exhortation or Command had been without the Argument, it had been diſcouraging. What can a Man do about his own Salvation? It is God that begun a good work in them, and will perform it till the day of Jeſus Chriſt, Phil. 1.6. Put hand to your Work, for help is near. As the Exhortation, Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling, hath the height of Duty in it: So the Argument for it is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleaſure, doth deeply debaſe Man's Sufficiency, and highly advance both the Sovereignty, and Efficacy of his aſſiſting Grace. And happy is that Chriſtian, who can lay the weight of the Command on his Conſcience, and can at the ſame time improve the Encouragement for believing obeying. Whoever is void of a ſenſe of his need of God's aſſiſting Grace, looks not rightly on the great Work lying before him, and ſeeth not the great weakneſs that is in him. 2 Cor. 3.5. Not that we are ſufficient of our ſelves, to think any thing, as of our ſelves: but our ſufficiency is of God.
3. In this great work above his ſtrength, the Chriſtian meets with much Oppoſition, both from within, and from without: Not always in the ſame meaſure; but ſome always. Special meaſures of oppoſition, make times of ſpecial need, of which I ſhall ſpeak. But there is ſomewhat of oppoſition that is conſtant. Gal, 5.17. For the Fleſh luſteth againſt the Spirit, and the Spirit againſt the Fleſh: and theſe are contrary the one to the other; ſo that ye cannot do the things that ye would. This Fleſh and this Spirit is in all Chriſtians: if a Man were all Fleſh, he were no Chriſtian; if he were all Spirit, he would be perfect, as the Saints glorified be. This Fleſh and Spirit, luſt and ſtrive on againſt the other: And ſo they muſt do, for they are contrary one to the other The effect of this luſting and contrariety is, that the Chriſtian cannot do the things that he would. He cannot do all the Fleſh luſts to, becauſe of the Spirit's oppoſition; he cannot do all the Spirit luſts after, becauſe of the oppoſition of the Fleſh. Of this Combate the Apoſtle ſpeaks largely from his own Experience. Rom. 7. And the more oppoſition a Chriſtian meets with, (and I have named but one Head of it) the more needy is he of helping Grace.
4. The Chriſtians State of abſence from the Lord, renders him a needy Creature. He is made for the Lord, fram'd ſo, that, as a Chriſtian, nothing ſhort of being for ever and immediately with the Lord, reigns in his Heart, as his Prize and Mark. 2. Cor. 5.2,4. In this we groan earneſtly, deſining to be cloathed with our Houſe, which is from Heaven. We that are in this tabernacle do groan being burdened; not for that we would be uncloathed, but cloathed upon, that mortality might be ſwallowed up of life. What ails a Believer to groan ſo oft and ſo deeply? It is to be in Heaven with the Lord. And the more heavenly and holy a Chriſtian be, the more frequent and earneſt are theſe groanings. He hath the moſt healthy Soul, who is ſick of Love, whoſe Heart is ſick with deſires of being preſent with the Lord. The Believer that is moſt aſſured of Heaven, groans deepeſt. Unbelievers run on in Sin, and ſing to Hell, while Hell groans for them; and ſad will the meeting be. We find Paul groaning for himſelf, only for two things, The body of ſin and death, its dwelling in him, Rom. 7.24. and his dwelling in the body. We do not, nor can we know the vaſt difference that is betwixt the happy State of the Saints in Heaven, and the beſt State of Believers on Earth: We do but gueſs in the dark, and our gueſſes are but Negative; that they are removed from all the Evils we find here: No Sin, no Clouds, no Death, no Crying, or any thing to complain of. But theſe Negatives taken in by Faith and Experience, with the foretaſte, and firſt fruits of that good Land, make Believers groan to be poſſeſſed of it, though they go as Abraham did, Heb. 11.8. not knowing whither. Heaven will be a bleſſed ſurprize to all the Poſſeſſors of it: They will find it a far better State, than their higheſt thoughts and largeſt deſires could point forth.
But beſides theſe Spirings of conſtant need, there are ſpecial Seaſons of Chriſtians need of God's Grace. And they are eaſily known by this general Rule; That time that comes on a Believer, wherein he is in great and ſpecial danger, from which only preſent ſupplies of grace, can preſerve him, that is a ſeaſon of ſpecial need of Grace, and in the proſpect of, or in ſuch Seaſons, Chriſtians ſhould ply the Throne of Grace.
Of ſuch times of Need, I would ſpeak to ſix of them. 1. The time of Temptation. 2. Of a Spiritual decay. 3. Of High Enjoyments and Attainments. 4. Of Affliction. 5. Of Special Duty and Service. 6. Of Dying. Theſe are all Seaſons and Times of ſpecial need of God's Grace. And how ſuch render Chriſtians needy of Grace, and how helpful his Grace is in ſuch Times, is all I mind to ſay on this Scripture.
1. Times of need, is the time of Temptation. An hour of Temptation, Rev. 3.10. A time of Temptation, Luke 8.13. A day of Temptation, Pſal. 95.8. But becauſe Temptation is of large ſignification, and of ſundry ſorts, and from various Quarters, I ſhall confine my ſelf to that ſort that is from Satan: And on this Head would confine my ſelf to theſe three. 1. What Temptation is. 2. What need of Grace to the Tempted. 3. How Grace helps in time of Temptation.
1. What is Temptation. As we are concerned in it, three things are in a Temptation. An outward Object, the occaſion; inward Corruption, that is as fuel for the Temptation; and Satan's motion to ſin, and his working on theſe two, to hatch Sin. He is but twice called the Tempter: firſt when he came to Chriſt, Matth. 4.3. And again, when he comes to Chriſtians, 1 Theſſ. 3.5. Theſe three are not neceſſarily in all Temptations. In his tempting the firſt and ſecond Adam, there was only an outward Object, and a Motion of Satan. But in all Men beſides, theſe three are in all Temptations: And the Spirit of God in the Word gives the name of Temptation to all of them. 1 Tim. 6.9. They that will be rich, fall into temptation. Few either of the poor or of the rich, believe this. Jam. 1.14,15. Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own luſt, and enticed. Then when luſt hath conceaved, it bringeth forth Sin; and Sin, when it is finiſhed, bringeth forth, death. Hence the difficulty is great in diſcovering Satan's hand in tempting, becauſe there is inward Corruption in Men, that acts and works of it ſelf, as well, as it is fit to be acted upon by Satan. If Temptation from Satan came to a ſinleſs Man, the Tempter might be eaſily known; but when it comes to a ſinner, who hath an active Principle of Corruption in him, that prompts him to the fame ſin, that the Tempter tempts unto, it becomes very hard to a Man to ſay, This motion is of the Devil, and this is of my own corrupt heart. And here ſeldom doth the Devil get his due; ſome blame the Devil more than he deſerves, and excuſe themſelves more than they ſhould: And ſome excuſe the Devil, and blame themſelves more than they ought. What ſhall we do here? How ſhall we know when Temptation riſeth from Corruption within, or from the Devil without? There is no very great need to know it exactly, as in ſome Caſes it is very hard to know it. Temptation is ſo natural to us, that if the Devil be the firſt Mover, it ſeizeth ſo quickly on our corrupt Heart, that we may juſtly take the blame, to our ſelves. The Workings of the Spirit of God on the new creature, and of the Spirit of Satan on the old Man, are great Myſteries. It is far wiſer work to ſet about reſ…ing of our ſpiritual Enemies, than to perplex out ſelves with Queſtions about their Order. Therefore.
2. What need is there of the grace of God to help the tempted. This is plain. Every one that is in this Caſe, knows his great need of grace. Yet to make them that are not in it, pity them that are; and to direct them that are in it, to entertain a deeper ſenſe of their need of God's grace, I would ſhow how needy a Perſon under Temptation, is of the helping grace of God. This appears in theſe:
1. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt commands us to pray againſt Temptation. He doth not ſo command us, to pray againſt Affliction. In that Pattern of Prayer, Matth. 6.9,13. (the Words whereof are better known, than the deep ſenſe and meaning of the Words is underſtood) there are but two Petitions for ſpiritual Bleſſings for our ſelves; one is, for the pardon of ſin, that relates to the State of our Perſons; the other is, for Sanctification and Preſervation; and that is expreſſed thus, Lead us not into Temptation. Sanctification is prayed for, in praying againſt Temptation: And much of Sanctification is acted in making ſuch a Prayer. But may not a Man enter into Temptation, and come well out of it again? Yes. But in that caſe, more thanks is due to the Lord's grace and mercy, than to his own good Conduct. Chriſt would have you to be afraid of Temptation, and to pray againſt it. Matth. 26.41. Watch and pray that ye enter not into Temptation. Whatever Temptation a man ruſheth confidently upon, he uſually falls by. In Temptation, no Believer is ſafe, but the ſelf-diffident and fearful; and fear of Temptation, acts in praying againſt it. Peter failed in his fearleſneſs; his going to the High-prieſts Hall, after the warning his Maſter gave him, was ruſhing on a Temptation; and ſo came on it. It muſt therefore be a Caſe wherein one is very needy of grace to help, that Chriſt bids us pray againſt.
2. We find the whole Armour of God is provided and prepared on purpoſe for the caſe of Temptation. Eph. 6.10,13. The Apoſtle is ſounding the Alarm of War to all Chriſtians; he ſhews them where their ſtrength lyes. ver. 10. Be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. He ſhews them their Weapons of War. v. 10, to v. 19. and tells them how to uſe them. Their Armour is that of God. No Armour but that that is from Heaven, is proof againſt the Batteries and Aſſaults of Hell: How doth the Devil laugh at, deſpiſe, and pierce thorough that Soul, whoſe Armour is forged and framed on Earth? This Armour of God, the Chriſtian muſt put on, and take to himſelf; it's not enough that he know it, and have it lying by him; it is no Armour to him, till it be put on by him. And why ſuch Armour, and ſo put on? ver. 12. Becauſe of ſuch dreadful Enemies as we have to deal with: For we wreſtle not against fleſh and blood (Enemies formidable and dangerous ſufficiently, againſt them that have no more but fleſh and blood to oppoſe them with) but againſt principalities, againſt powers, against the rulers of the darkneſs of this world, againſt ſpiritual wickedneſs in high places. What but the whole Armour of God, can ſecure a poor Believer from all the Armies of Hell?
3. Our bleſſed Lord Jeſus himſelf was tempted, that he might ſuccour them that are tempted. Heb. 2.18. There are ſeveral States and Conditions that Believers are in, that Chriſt himſelf was never in. We are oft ſick and weak in Body; Chriſt was always in ſound and perfect Health of Body: For Sickneſs is a conſequent of inherent Sin and Corruption of Nature; and of that, Chriſt had none. Many particular Diſtreſſes we meet with and wreſtle with, that Chriſt knew not by his own Experience. But this ſad caſe of Temptation, he knew and felt. But ye may ſay, if Chriſt had never been tempted, had he not been able to ſuccour them that are tempted? Yes: no doubt; for no bounds can be ſet to his Divine Power, as God. What then doth his Experience of Temptation ſignifie to the Succour of the tempted Believer? It is the Ground of his Sympathy with them, and Sympathy draws forth his helping Grace: It is a ground for the Faith of the Tempted, to act upon. How ſweet is this thought to a Chriſtian thus exerciſed? I am indeed a tempted Believer, but I have a Saviour that was tempted himſelf, and remembers it ſtill, and pities them, and will help them that are in that caſe, that was once ſo grievous to himſelf.
4. A Tempted Perſon is needy of God's helping grace, becauſe Sin came in at firſt by Temptation. Temptation was the Door that ſin came in by, and entered into the world of Mankind. How ſin came in upon the Angels that fell, is deeper than that we can know it. And it is no great matter for us to be ignorant of it. We know they are now the worſt, and moſt wicked, and moſt miſerable of all the Creatures; and that originally they were of the moſt eminent Order; as one well ſaid, The Lord wiſely would not declare the nature of that Diſeaſe, he was reſolved never to cure. And ſo we muſt leave it in the dark. But as to Sins coming into the World of Mankind, we have more light. The Lord created the root of Mankind upright and perfect, firſt the Man, then the Woman; in their created State, there was no ſin in either of them. But Temptation was ſo applyed by Satan, that it quickly begot ſin. This Argument the Apoſtle uſeth, 2 Cor. 11.3. I fear leſt by any means, as the ſerpent beguiled Eve through his ſubtilty, ſo your minds ſhould be corrupted from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt. If Satan did prevail to bring in ſin by Temptation upon the ſinleſs and perfect; what may he not do on ſinners, in whom he hath ſo much Intereſt, and over whom he hath ſo great advantage, by ſomewhat of his own in them?
5. There is great need of the Grace of God in a time of Temptation, becauſe of the frequent ſad Effects of Temptation, unleſs preſent help of Grace be given. Rarely doth a Temtation and our Hearts meet, but ſome fire of ſin is kindled. I would name a few of thoſe Effects of Temptation.
1. Temptation doth often diſcover hid and unſeen evil, and brings it to light. It brings forth that, which the Perſon before the Temptation, never thought was in him. So it is with the Ungodly, and the Godly themſelves. When Hazael was told by the Prophet Eliſha, what miſchief he would do to Iſrael, he ſaid, 2 Kings 8.13. But what, is thy ſervant a dog, that he ſhould do this great thing? But, ſaith Eliſha, the Lord hath ſhewed me that thou ſhalt be King over Syria. Then thou wilt have Power, and Will to do it. What wickedneſs will not that Man do, whom Satan-tempts, and whom God leaves? David fell dreadfully by Temptation: And Hezekiah. 2 Chron. 32.31. Howbeit, in the buſineſs of the Embaſſadors of the Princes of Babylon, who ſent unto him, to enquire of the wonder that was done in the Land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. When the Veſſel is broach'd by a convenient Temptation, that Liquor will come out, that was never thought to be within. When Herod feared John, and obſerved, or preſerved him, when on his hearing him, he did many things, and heard him gladly, who would have thought he would have beheaded him? Mark 6.20,21. But a convenient day came; a day when Herod lay fair for Temptation, and a day that Satan, and Herodias, and her Daughter, his Servants, laid the Temptation before him, then the poor wretch was ſoon overcome. But indeed, it was more ſtrange, that ſuch a King as Herod, ſhould hear ſuch a Prophet as John. Baptiſt preach, than that he ſhould murder him. At leaſt it is, and hath been far more uſual to bad Kings, to ſlay Prophets, than to hear them gladly. Peter was ſo confident in his Courage, that, in a manner (tho' againſt both Grace and good Manners) he gives the Lie to his Maſter, Matth. 26.31,35. Then ſaid Jeſus to them, All ye ſhall be offended becauſe of me this night, ver. 33. Peter anſwered and ſaid unto him, Though all men ſhould be offended becauſe of thee, yet will I never be offended. As if he had ſaid, Lord, at least, except me out of this All thou ſpeaks of. Becauſe he would not take the general Warning, Chriſt gives him a particular one. ver. 34. Jeſus ſaid unto him, Verily I ſay unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou ſhalt deny me thrice. Will not Peter believe Chriſt ſpeaking ſo peremptorily and plainly? No. ver. 35. Peter ſaid unto him, though I ſhould die with thee (or for thy ſake, as John 13.37.) yet will I not deny thee. Likewiſe alſo ſaid all the Diſciples. So loath and backward are, even Godly Men, to own that to be in them, that they do not ſee and feel at preſent working in them. Theſe Words, Peter and the reſt ſpoke (bating that awful fear that ſhould have ſeized on them, from ſuch a warning as Christ gave them) were Words of Duty, and were doubtleſs the honeſt Expreſſions of their preſent thoughts. Yet when the Temptation came, Chriſt's Warning took place, and their Reſolutions vaniſhed like Smoak. They all forſook him and fled; Peter followed afterward, and denyed him ſhamefully. The Voice of a Damſel overthrew this Man, that had Courage to draw his Sword in his Maſters defence, againſt armed Men. John 18. He denyed he knew his dear Maſter, when, if he had owned him, and himſelf as his Servant, there was no danger. John was there, and at the Croſs too, without any harm.
2. Temptation often brings on a great and fudden damp and eclipſe on the work of God's Grace in the heart. It is as the Smoak of Hell in the Soul, that darkens the Room; ſo that is Believer cannot ſee what of God is in him. It is, as Chriſt calls it, Luke 22.31. A ſifting a man as wheat. Wheat, and Chaff, and Dust are then mingled together. No Believer in this caſe, can give ſuch a clear and diſtinct Account, nor have ſo plain a diſcovery of God's Work in him, as before and after the Temptation. Chriſtians give the Devil the advantage he ſeeks, when they judge of themſelves and their State, in the fit of a Temptation. Act Grace diligently when in Temptation, and try your State as carefully as you can, when you are out of Temptation.
3. Temptation increaſeth greatly and ſuddenly, ſeen and known Corruption. If Temptation come on a latent hid Corruption, it may bring it forth: but if it come on a known Corruption, though it was not ſo powerful before, Temptation will make it rage. The Temptation came on Judas: For as hateful as his name is juſtly to all Chriſtians, yet before he fell, no Man ſuſpected him, only Chriſt knew him. When Chriſt gave the Warning, John 13.21. That one of the twelve ſhould betray him: All the eleven ſaid, Is it I? and at laſt the Traitor ſaid ſo, and was anſwered. Matth. 20.21,25. The luſt the Devil acted on, was his Covetouſneſs: He was a Thief, a lover of Money, and the Devil put him at laſt upon a Bargain, that was his Ruin. For a Servant to betray his Maſter, and ſuch a Maſter; for a ſinnen to ſell the Saviour of all ſinners that are ſaved, for ſo inconſiderable a Summ, after ſo fair a warning of his Sin and Ruin by it, was a proof of the mighty power of Temptation over a Man. The Apoſtle Peter chargeth Ananias thus, Acts 5.3. Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghoſt? The filling of his Heart was Satan's Work, as Peter ſaith; Why then doth he ask the Man an account of, or charge him with Satan's Action? Becauſe the Devil can fill no Man's Heart with a ſinful purpoſe, till the Man give way to, and comply with the Devils working.
3. What is that help that Grace gives to the Tempted. We have heard how Temptation renders a Man needy of Grace, now let us conſider how this Grace can, and doth help in this Caſe. Paul in his Temptation, 2 Cor. 12.7,8,9. betakes himſelf to the right courſe, to Prayer to the Lord: And thrice he beſought the Lord that it might depart from him. He is anſwered, My Grace is ſufficient for thee. We would be apt to think, that Paul's great ſtock of Grace, and manifold Experience, and his late extraordiry Enjoyment, might have been ſufficient to have ſupported Paul in his Conflict. No; they could not: Our Lord ſaith not, Thy Grace is ſufficient for thee, which I have abundantly beſtowed on thee: But my grace is ſufficient for thee. So the ſame Apoſtle exhorts another. 2 Tim. 2.1. Be ſtrong in the grace that is in Christ Jeſus And Eph. 6.10. There are many Enemies of the Grace of God, becauſe few are Partakers of it. Such as have not felt the Power of it on their own Hearts, will alway pick quarrels with the pure Doctrine of Grace. Some cannot receave this plain Goſpel-Truth, that a Man muſt be conſtituted Righteous in the ſight of God, only through the Righteouſneſs of another Perſon, even Jeſus Chriſt, imputed to the ſinner of Free-grace. And ſome that own this Truth, ſtumble again on this other Truth, that the Sanctification of a juſtined Believer, flows from the conſtant Supplies of Grace from Chriſt their Head and Root. They think that there are Habits of Grace implanted in the new Creature (and this is not to be denyed) and if they guide well what they have received in the Grace of Regeneration, they may live well, and grow on to Perfection. But it is not duly minded in Men's ſpiritual Exerciſe, that no Stock of Grace was ever given to any Believer, to take him off the Senſe of his need of daily dependance on the original Grace in Chriſt Jeſus: But the greateſt Receavers, always act their dependance moſt humbly, and ſee their need of it moſt clearly, and find the benefit of that dependance moſt comfortably. Obſerve alſo our Lord's Argument for the Encouragement of Paul; For my strength is made perfect in weakneſs. What is Chriſt's Grace in the Anſwer, is Chriſt's ſtrength in this Argument. What is ſufficiency in the one, is making perfect in the other. As if Chriſt had ſaid to Paul, I ſee the Devil is too hard for thy weakneſs, but thy weakneſs, ſupported by my ſtrength, ſhall be too hard for Satan. Now ſee how Paul improves this anſwer: Moſt gladly therefore will I rather glory in my Infirmities, that the power of Chriſt may rest upon me. No wonder he glory in Chriſt, and in Chriſt's Grace beſtowed on him, for that any Chriſtian can do, but this glorying in Infirmities, is an exerciſe of Grace, only found with ſuch Fathers in Chriſt, as Paul was. Who is not humbled, and afraid of his Infirmities? Here is a Believer that glories in them; but why? and how? that the power of Chriſt may reſt upon me. Infirmities, as Infirmities, have nothing in them to excite glorying: But Infirmities, as Opportunities for diſplaying of the Glory of Chriſt's Grace in helping under them, are to be gloried in. Chriſt acts on them, and the ſenſible Believer imploys him therein: Our Weakneſs is the Field, his Strength is glorified in. Whoever doth not own his Infirmities, forfeits the Aſſiſtance of the Grace of Chriſt. The Grace that helps in Temptation, is Chriſt's Grace, the imploying of him for it, and drawing it from him, is by Faith, and ſhould be the Chriſtians Work.
How doth his Grace help the tempted Believer?
1. In diſcovering of Satan's Wiles and Devices. Eph. 6.11. He hath fiery darts, ver. 16. and he hath Wiles alſo. His moſt dangerous Temptations, are his moſt cunning ones. This Serpent hath his Subtilty, 2 Cor. 11.3. The leſs they be perceaved, the more dangerous Temptation is: And the more clearly they are ſeen, the more eaſily they are overcome. The Apoſtle owns this in 2 Cor. 2.9. Leſt Satan ſhould get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Satan gets greateſt advantage of them that are, (and becauſe they are) ignorant of his devices. The caſe the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, is that of the inceſtuous Corinthian. He had ſinned greatly, the Church had not reſented it as they ought, Paul in his firſt Epistle, chap. 5. chargeth them for their want of Zeal, commands them to caſt out that ſcandalous Member: The Lord bleſſeth that Letter and his Advice, both to that Church, and to the offending perſon. Now here lay Satan's Device; he that had puffed them up with Pride and Security in their former Carriage toward that Offender, when impenitent; ſeeks alſo to ſtir them up to an Uncharitable ſeverity towards him, when renewed again unto Repentance. And of this kind, are many of his Wiles: He drives Men to extreams on each hand. Thus many Profeſſors, are like the Devils Foot-balls, kicked about from one extream to another, and ſeldom are kept in the right midſt. The Devil keeps Men aſleep in Sin, as long as he can. If they awake againſt his Will, he runs them on deſpair; if Faith be wrought in them, he labours to make them turn the Grace of God into Wantonneſs. The Inſtances of his Devices are innumerable. The multitude and danger of his Wiles muſt be great; if we conſider, 1. His created State. A Spirit more knowing than Man. A ſinleſs Angel is a higher Creature than ſinleſs Adam was. 2. By his Fall he hath loſt Happineſs and Purity, but retains his Knowledge, which his Corruption hath turned into Craft, Malice, and Wiles. 3. His long Experience in cheating of Men. 4. That in Men that his Wiles are propoſed to; it is to the Heart deceitful above all things, and deſperately wicked, Jer. 17.9. It is to the Old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful luſts, Eph. 4.22. Such a Devil dealing with ſuch a deceitful Heart, muſt have many dangerous Wiles. Chriſt's Grace only can enable a Man to diſcern them; and it ſhould be much prayed for. Many have been skilful in the Theory and Knowledge of the Doctrine of Satan's Wiles, that have been, notwithſtanding, prevailed upon by them. A Man muſt know his own Heart well, and obſerve its motions narrowly, and be much at the Throne of Grace, that would know Satan's particular Wiles on himſelf.
2. Grace helps the Tempted, in helping to hate the ſin they are tempted to. Many Believers, though they cannot tell well, whence the Wind comes that drives them, whether from their own Heart, or the Devil; yet they know whither it drives them, to Sin that they are averſe from. Tempted Joſeph, ſpake like a Man that had preſent aſſiſtance of Grace, when he ſaid, Gen. 39.9. How can I do this great wickedneſs, and ſin againſt God? As far, and as long as the ſin tempted to, ſtands black and ugly in the eye of the tempted Perſon, ſo far and ſo long is the Temptation ineffectual. Temptation prevails when the ſin tempted to, takes with the Heart and Will. Jam. 1.14. A man is tempted (i. e. ſucceſsfully) when he is drawn away of his own luſt and enticed. Sin was without him, but near to him by the Temptation, now it is within him, and it is his ſin. The Temptation to numbering of the people took with David, but his Command about it, was abominable to Joab, a Man far ſhort of David's Grace, if he had any, 1 Chron 21.6.
3. Grace can help the Tempted to reſist and ſtand, Eph. 6.13. No Man is overcome of Satan, till he flee and yield. Reſiſting is overcoming of him. Jam. 4.7. Reſiſt the Devil, and he will flee from you. 1 Pet. 5.9. Whom reſiſt, ſtedfaſt in the faith. Eph. 6.16. Above all, taking the ſhield of faith, wherewith ye ſhall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the Devil. They are Darts, they are the Devils Darts, they are fiery Darts, there is an all of them; yet by Faith you may be able to quench them all. Why is ſo much ſaid of Faith? Becauſe as Chriſt's ſtrength is the Believers strength, ſo Faith is that only, in a Believer, that acts on this Strength, draws it in, and acts in it. Separate Faith from its Object Chriſt, either in Juſtification, or in Sanctification, and it becomes an Imagination, a Vanity, a Nothing. Now conſider how cunningly Satan deals with Believers, and how ſimply they are gulled by him in Temptation. He perſwades, and often prevails with them, to lay aſide the Shield of Faith, when they ſhould mainly uſe it. How fooliſh were that Man that would yield his Arms to an implacable Enemy? Chriſt knew Peter's danger, and provides graciouſly for it. I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Luke 22.32.
4. The helping Grace of God, aſſiſts tempted Believers in preventing an utter Foyl by Satan, and in recovering them from a begun Foyl. So did Chriſt for Peter, and Paul, 2. Cor. 12.8,9. The Devil never gets all his Will on a Believer, nor are any Wounds he gives to a Saint, mortal in the iſſue, whatever they be in their own nature, in Believers Fears, or in the Devil's Deſign. All the Glory is due to the Grace that is in Chriſt Jeſus.
Laſtly. Grace can rebuke the Tempter, and call him off: This Joſhua the High-Prieſt, needed and got. Zech. 3.2. And the Lord ſaid unto Satan (who was ſtanding at Joſhua's right hand to refiſt him, when he is ſtanding before the Angel of the Lord, ver. 1.) The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan, even the Lord that hath choſen Jeruſalem, rebuke thee: Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? This Mercy was the firſt thing in Paul's Prayer. 2 Cor. 12.8. For this thing I beſought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. This Meſſenger of Satan, was of Chriſt's ſending and giving: There was given to me a thorn in the fleſh, a Meſſenger of Satan to buffet me. ver. 7. Lord ſave us from ſuch gifts, will Chriſtians be apt to ſay; there is no reaſon to pray for them; if the Lord ſee them needful, he will ſend them: But it is comfortable, that all the Devil's Aſſaults are of Chriſt's ordering. He muſt have Chriſt's leave to tempt, Luke 22.31. And our Lord when he pleaſeth, can, and will call him off. When Chriſt was tempted, Matth 4. he reſiſts all his Temptations by the Word, as his people ſhould; at laſt he put forth his Divine Power, ver. 10. Get thee hence; Satan, &c. Then the Devil leaveth him. This we cannot do, but Chriſt can do it for us. It is a bleſſed Promiſe Rom. 16.20. The God of peace ſhall bruiſe Satan under your feet ſhortly. The Grace of our Lord Jeſus Christ be with you. Amen. Poor tempted Chriſtians think, that they are not only in Satan's Sieve, and in his Hands, but that they are often under his Feet. But lift up your Heads by Faith on this Promiſe. Compleat Victory is coming, and the Faith of it, ſhould not only encourage you to reſiſt, but this Faith is a preſent Victory. Faith is our Victory, 1 John 5.4. The Believer (not only ſhall be, but) is an Overcomer.