A Body of Practical Divinity, Sermon 83 · Part 9

A Body of Practical Divinity · Sermon 83 · Part 9

p. 832Mat. 6.13.

And lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from Evil.

THIS Petition consists of two parts.

First, Deprecatory, Lead us not into Temptation.

Second, Petitory, But deliver us from evil.

First, Nenos inducas in tentationem, Lead us not into temptation. Doth God lead into Temptation? God tempts no man to sin, Jam. 1.13. Let no man say when he is Tempted, I am tempted of God, for God tempteth not any man. God doth permit sin, but not promote it. He who is an encourager of holiness cannot be a Patron of sin. God doth not Tempt to that which he hath an antipathy against▪ what King will tempt his Subjects to break those Laws which he himself hath establi…hed?

Quest. But is it not said God tempted Abraham? Gen. 22.1.

Answ. Tempting there was no more than trying. God tryed Abrahams Faith, as a Gold-smith tries Gold in the Fire, but there is a great deal of difference between Gods trying his Peoples Grace, and exci…ing their corruption▪ he tryeth their Grace, but doth not excite their corruptions, mans sin cannot be justly father'd on God. God tempts no man.

Quest. What then is the meaning of this, Lead us not into temptation?

Answ. When we pray, Lead us not into Temptation, the meaning is we desire of God, that he would not suffer us to be overcome by temptation; that we may not be given up to the power of a Temptation, which is when we are trapann'd into sin.

Quest. 2. Whence do temptations come?

Answ. 1. Ab intra ▪ from our selves, the Heart is Fomes peccati, the breeder of all evil; our own Hearts are the greatest Tempters; quisque sibi Satan est, Iam. 1.14. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, the Heart is a perfect decoy.

2. Temptations come ab extrà, from Satan he is call'd foreign the Tempter. Mat. 4.3. he lies in Ambush to do us mischief, stat in procinctu Diabolus, the Devil lays a Train of Temptation, to blow up the Fort of our Grace. The Devil is not yet fully cast into Prison, but is like a Prisoner that goes under Bail, the World is his Diocess where he visits, we are sure to find Satan whatever we are doing, reading, praying, meditating; we find him within, how he came there we know not; we are sure of his company, uncertain how we came by it. A Saints whole Life (saith Austin) is a Temptation; Elias who could shut Heaven by Prayer, could not shut his Heart from a Temptation. This is a great molestation to a Child of God; as it is a trouble to a Virgin to have her Chastity daily assaulted: the more one is tempted to evil, the more he is hindred from good; we are in great danger of Satan, the Prince of the Air, and we had need often pray, leads us not into Temptation, that we may see in what danger we are of Satans Temptations.

Consider 1. His Malice in tempting.

This Hellish Serpent is swell'd with the Poison of malice. Satan envies mans happiness. To see a clod of Dust so near to God, and himself (once a glorious Angel) cast out of the Heavenly Paradise, this makes him pursue mankind with inveterate hatred, Rev. 12.12. The Devil is come down to you having great wrath: If there be any thing this Infernal Spirit of Hell can delight in, it is to ruine Souls, and bring them into the same condemnation with himself, this malice of Satan in tempting must needs be great, if we consider three things.

1. That when Satan is so full of Torment, yet, that at such a time he should tempt▪ one would think Satan should scarce have a thought free from thinking p. 833of his own misery; yet such is his rage and malice, that when God is punishing him he is tempting.

2. Satan's Malice is great, that he will tempt where he knows he cannot prevail. He will put forth his sting tho he cannot hurt; he tempted Christ, Mat. 4.3. If thou be the Son of God. He knew well enough Christ was God as well as Man, yet he would tempt him. Such was his malice against Christ, that he would put an Affront upon Christ, tho' he knew he could not conquer him. He tempts the Elect to Blasphemy, he knows he cannot prevail against the Eelect; yet such is his Malice, that tho' he cannot storm the Garrison of their Hearts, yet he will plant his Pieces of Ordnance against them.

3. Satan's Malice is great, that tho' he knows his tempting men to sin will encrease his own Torment in Hell, yet he will not leave off tempting; every Temptation makes his Chain heavier, and his fire hotter, yet he will tempt. Therefore Satan being such a malicious revengeful Spirit, had not we need pray that God would not suffer him to prevail by his Temptations? Lead us not into Temptation.

2. Consider Satan's Diligence in tempting, 1 Pet 5.8. foreign, He walketh about. He neglects no time, he who would have us Idle, yet himself is always busied. This Lyon is ever hunting after his Prey, he compasseth Sea and Land to make a Proselyte; he walks about, he walks not as a Pilgrim, but a Spy, he watcheth where he may throw in the Fire-ball of a Temptation. He is a restless Spirit, if we repulse him, yet he will not defist, but come again with a Temptation. Like Marcellus, a Roman Captain Hannibal speaks of; whether he was conquer'd or did conquer, he was never quiet. More particularly, Satan's Diligence in tempting is seen in this.

1. If he gets the least Advantage by Temptation, he pursues it to the utmost. If his Motion to sin begins to take, he follows it close, and presseth to the Act of sin. When he tempted Iudas to betray Christ, and found that Iudas was inclinable, and began to bite at the Bait of thirty Pieces of silver; he hurries him on, and never leaves him till he had Betrayed his Lord and Master. When he had tempted Spira to Renounce his Religion, and saw Spira began to yield, he follows his Temptation close, and never left till he had made him go to the Legate at Venice, and there Abjure his Faith in Christ.

2. Again ▪ Satan's Diligence in tempting is seen in this, The Variety of Temptations he useth. He doth not confine himself to one sort of Temptation, he hath more Plots than one; if he finds one Temptation doth not prevail he will have another; if he cannot tempt to Lust, he will tempt to Pride. If a Temptation to Covetousness doth not prevail, he will tempt to Profuseness▪ If he cannot fright men into Despair, he will see if he can draw them to Presumption. If he cannot make▪ them Profane, he will see if he can make them Formalists. If he cannot make them Vitious, he will tempt them to be Erroneous. He will tempt them to leave off Ordinances, he will pretend Revelations. Error damns as well as Vice, the one pistols, the other poisons; thus Satan's Diligence in tempting is Great, he will turn every Stone, he hath several Tools to work with; if one temptation will not do, he will make use of another. Had not we need then pray, Lead us not into Temptation?

3. Consider Satan's Power in tempting. He is called the Prince of the World, Iohn 12 31. and foreign, the strong Man, Luke 11.21. and the Great Red Dragon who with his Tail cast down the third part of the Stars, Rev. 12.4. He is full of Power, being an Angel; tho Satan hath lost his Holiness, yet not his Strength. The Devils Power in tempting is seen several ways. 1. He as a Spirit having an intellectual Being, can convey himself into the Fancy, and poison it with bad Thoughts. As the Holy Ghost doth cast in good Motions, so the Devil doth bad. He put it into Iudas Heart to betray Christ, Iohn 13, 2.—2. Satan tho' he cannot compel the Will, yet he can present pleasing Objects to the Senc… ▪ which have a great Force in them. He set a Wedg of Gold before Achan, and so enticed him with that Golden Bait. 3. The Devil can excite and stir up the Corruption within, and work some Inclinableness in the Heart to embrace the Temptation. Thus he stirr'd up Corruption in David's Heart, and provok'd him to number the People, 1 Chron. 21.1. Satan can blow the spark of Lust into a Flame.

p. 8344. Herein lies much of his Power, that he being a Spirit, can so strangely convey his Temptations into our Minds, that we cannot easily discern whether they come from Satan or from our selves. Whether they are his Suggestions, or the natural Births of our own Hearts. A Bird may hatch the Egg of another Bird, thinking it is her own. Often we hatch the Devils Motions, thinking they come from our own Hearts. When Peter disswaded Christ from Suffering, sure Peter thought it came from the good Affection which he did bear to his Master, Matt. 16.22. little did Peter think Satan had an hand in it. Now if the Devil hath such a Power to instil his Temptations that we hardly know whether they be His or Ours, we are in a great deal of danger; and had need pray, not to be led into Temptation. Here I know some are desirous to move the Question.

Quest. How shall we perceive when a Motion comes from our Own Hearts, and when from Satan?

Resp. It is hard (as Bernard saith) to distinguish, Inter morsum Serpentis & morbum Mentis, between those Suggestions which come from Satan, and which breed out of our own Hearts. But I conceive there is this three-fold difference.

1. Such Motions to Evil as come from our own Hearts, spring up more leasurely and by degrees. A sin is long concocted in the Thoughts ere consent be given. But usually we may know a Motion comes from Satan by its Suddenness. Therefore Temptation is compared to a Dart, Eph. 6.16. because it is shot suddenly. David's Numbring the people was a Motion which the Devil did inject suddenly.

2. The Motions to Evil which come from our own Hearts are not so Terrible. Few are frighted at the sight of their own Children. But Motions coming from Satan are more ghastly and frightful, as Motions to Blasphemy and self-Murder. Hence it is Temptations are compared to fiery Darts, Ephes. 6. For their Terribleness, because they do as flashes of fire startle and affright the Soul.

3. When Evil Thoughts are thrown into our Mind, which we loath, and have Reluctancy against, when we strive against them and fly from them, as Moses did from the Serpent; this shews, they are not the Natural Birth of our own Heart, but the Hand of Ioab is in this. Satan hath injected these impure Motions.

4. Satan's Power in tempting, appears by the long Experience he hath gotten in the Art. He hath been a Tempter well nigh as long as he hath been an Angel. Who are fitter for Action than Men of Experience? Who is fitter to steer a Ship, than an old Experienced Pilot? Satan hath gained much Experience by his being so long vers'd in the Trade of Tempting. He having such Experience knows what are the Temptations which have foiled others, and are most likely to prevail: The Fowler lays those snares which have caught other Birds. Satan having such Power in tempting, we are in danger, and had need pray, Lead us not into Temptation.

5. Consider Satans's Subtilty in tempting. The Greek word to Tempt, foreign ▪ signifies to Deceive. Satan in tempting useth many subtil Policies to deceive, we read of the Depths of Satan, Rev. 2.24. and his foreign, his Devices or Stratagems, 2 Cor. 2.11. we read of his Snares and his Darts, his Snares are worse than his Darts: He is call'd a Lion for his Cruelty, and an old Serpent for his Subtilty, he hath several sorts of subtilty in tempting.

1. Subtilty. The Devil observes the Natural Temper and Constitution, Omnium discutit mores—the Devil doth not know the Hearts of men, but he may feel their Pulse, know their Temper, and so accordingly can apply himself. As the Husbandman knows what seed is proper to sow in such a soil; so Satan finding out the Temper, knows what temptation is proper to sow in such an heart. That way the Tide of a mans Constitution runs, that way the wind of Temptation blows. Satan tempts the Ambitious Man with a Crown, the Sanguine Man … Beauty, the Covetous Man with a Wedge of Gold. He provides Savory Meat such as the sinner loves.

2. Subtilty. Satan chooseth the fittest Season to tempt in. As a cunning Angler casts in his Angle when the fish will bite best. The Devil can hit the very joynt of Time, when a Temptation is likest to prevail; there are several seasons he tempts in.

1. In our first Initiation and Entrance into Religion, when we have newly given up our names to Christ. Satan will never disturb his Vassals, but when p. 835we have broke his Prison in Conversion, now he pursues us with violent Temptations. Solet inter primordia Conversionis acrius insurgere. Bern. When Israel were got a little out of Egypt, then Pharaoh pursues them. Herod assoon as Christ was born sent to destroy him. So when the Child of Grace is newly born, the Devil labours to strangle it with Temptation. When the first Buddings and Blossoms of Grace begin to appear, the Devil would nip these tender Buds with the sharp blasts of his Temptations. Indeed at first Conversion, Grace is so weak, and Temptation so strong, that one would wonder how the young Convert scapes with his Life; Satan hath a spight at the New Creature.

2. Season. The Devil tempts when he finds us idle and unimploy'd. We do not sow seed in fallow Ground; but Satan sows most of his seed in a person that lies fallow; when the Fowler sees a Bird sit still and pearch upon the Tree, now he shoots it. So when Satan observes us to sit still, now he shoots his fiery Darts of Temptation at us, Mat. 13.25 While men slept the Enemy sowed Tares. So while men sleep in Sloath Satan sows his Tares. When David was walking on the Leads, and unimploy'd, now the Devil set a tempting Object before him, and it prevail'd, 2 Sam. 11.3.

3. Season. When a Person is reduced to outward wants and straits, now is the Devils tempting time. When Christ had fasted fourty days and was hungry, then the Devil comes and tempts him with the Glory of the World, Mat. 4.8. When Provisions grow short, now Satan sets in with a Temptation. What, wilt thou starve rather than steal? Reach forth thy hand, pluck the forbidden Fruit. How oft doth this Temptation prevail? How many do we see who instead of living by Faith, live by their shifts, and will steal the Venison tho' they lose the Blessing.

Season 4. Satan tempts after an Ordinance. When we have been at hearing of the Word, or Prayer, or Sacrament; now Satan casts in the Angle of a Temptation. When Christ had been Fasting and Praying, then came the Tempter, Mat. 4.3.

Quest. Why doth Satan choose this time to tempt in after an Ordinance? One would think this were the most disadvantagious time, for now the Soul is rais'd up to an heavenly Frame?

Answ. 1. Malice puts Satan upon it. The Ordinances that cause Fervour in a Saint, cause Fury in Satan. He knows in every Duty we have a design against him. In every Prayer we put up a Suit in Heaven against him. In the Lord's Supper we take the Sacrament upon it, to fight under Christ's Banner against the Devil; therefore now Satan is more enraged, he now lays his Snares, and shoots his Darts against us.

2. Satan tempts after an Ordinance, because he thinks he shall now find us most secure. After we have been at the Solemn Worship of God we are apt to grow remiss, and leave off former Strictness: Like a Soldier, that after the Battle leaves off his Armour: Now Satan watcheth his time, he doth as David did the Amalekites; after they had taken the Spoil and were secure, they did eat and drink, and dance; now David fell upon them and did smite them, 1 Sam. 30.17. So when we grow remiss after an Ordinance, and perhaps too much indulge our selves in carnal Delights; now Satan falls upon us by a Temptation, and oft foils us. As after a full Meal, men are apt to grow drowsie: So after we have had a full meal at an Ordinance, we are apt to slumber and grow secure; and now Satan shoots his Arrow of Temptation and hits us between the joynts of our Armour.

Season 5. Satan tempts after some Discoveries of God's Love. Satan like a Pyrat, sets on a ship that is richly laden: So when a Soul hath been laden with spiritual Comforts; now the Devil will be shooting at him to rob him of all. The Devil envies to see a Soul feasted with spiritual Joy. Iosephs party-colour'd Coat made his Brethren envy him, and plot against him. After David had the good news of the Pardon of his sin, (which must needs fill him with Consolation) Satan presently tempted him to a new sin in numbring the people; and so all his Comfort leak'd out and was spilt.

Season 6. …atan tempts when he sees us weakest. He breaks over the Hedge where it is lowest. As the Sons of Iacob came upon the Shechemites when they were sore, and could make no Resistance, Gen. 34.25. At two times Satan comes upon us in our weakness.

p. 8361. When we are alone. So he came to Eve when her Husband was away, and the less able to resist his Temptation. Satan hath this Policy, he gives his Poison privately, when no body is by; others might discover his Treachery. Satan is like a cunning Suitor, that wooes the Daughter when the Parents are from home. So when one is alone, and none near; now the Devil comes a wooing with a Temptation, and hopes to have the Match struck up.

2. When the hour of Death approaches. As the poor sheep when it is sick and weak and can hardly help it self, now the Crows lie pecking at it. So when a Saint is weak on his Death-bed; now the Devil lies pecking at him with a Temptation, he reserves his most furious Assaults till the last. The people of Israel were never so fiercely assaulted, as when they were going to take Possession of the promised Land; then all the Kings of Canaan combin'd their Forces against them: So when the Saints are leaving the World, and going to set their foot into the Heavenly Canaan; now Satan sets upon them by Temptation, he tells them they are Hypocrites, all their Evidences are Counterfeit. Thus like a Coward he strikes the Saints when they are down. When Death is striking at the Body, he is striking at the Soul▪ This is his second Subtilty, Satan chooseth the fittest season when to throw in a Temptation.

Subtilty 3. A third subtil Policy of Satan in tempting is, He baits his Hook with Religion, the Devil can hang out Christ's Colours, and tempt to sin under pretences of Piety. Now he is the White Devil, and transforms himself into an Angel of Light. Celsus wrote a Book full of Errour, and he Intitled it; Liber Veritatis, The Book of Truth. So Satan can write the Title of Religion upon his worst Temptations. He comes to Christ with Scripture in his Mouth, It is written, &c. So he comes to many and tempts them to sin under the pretence of Religion; he tempts to Evil that Good may come of it. He tempts men to such unwarrantable Actions, that they may be put into a Capacity of honouring God the more. He tempts them to accept of Preferment against Conscience, that hereby they may be in a condition of doing more good; He put Herod upon killing Iohn Baptist, that hereby he might be kept from the Violation of his Oath. He tempts many to Oppression and Extortion, telling them they are bound to provide for their Families. He tempts many to make away with themselves, that they may live no longer to sin against God; thus he wraps his poisonous Pills in sugar. Who would suspect him when he comes as a Divine, and quotes Scripture?

4. Subtilty of Satan is to tempt to sin Gradually. The old Serpent winds himself in by degrees. He tempts first to lesser sins, that so he may bring on greater. A small Offence may occasion a great Crime; as a little prick of an Artery may occasion a mortal Gangrene. Satan first tempted David to an impure glance of the Eye, to look on Bathsheba, and that unclean look occasion'd Adultery and Murder. First the Devil tempts to go into the Company of the wicked, then to twist into a Cord of Friendship, and so by degrees to be brought into the same Condemnation with them; This is a great Subtilty of Satan to tempt to lesser sins first; for these harden the Heart, and fit men for the committing of more horrid tremendous. Sins.

5. Subtilty. Satans Policy is to hand over Temptations to us by those whom we least suspect.

1. By near Friends; he tempts us by them who are near in Blood. He tempted Iob by a Proxy, he handed over a Temptation to him by his Wife, Iob 2.9. Dost thou still retain thy Integrity? As if he had said, Iob thou seest how for all thy Religion God deals with thee. His hand is gone out sore against thee, what and still pray, and weep? Cast off all religion, turn Atheist? Curse God and die. Thus Satan made use of Iob's Wife to do his work: the woman was made of the Rib, and Satan made a Bow of this Rib, out of which he shot the Arrow of his Tentation. Per costam petit Cor, the Devil oft stands behind the Curtain, he will not be seen in the Business; but puts others to do his work. As a man makes use of a Sergeant to arrest another: so Satan makes use of a Proxy to tempt; as he did creep into the Serpent, so he can creep into a near Relation.

2. He tempts sometimes by religious Friends. The Devil keeps still out of sight, that his Cloven Foot may not be seen. Who would have thought to have found the Devil in Peter? When he disswaded Christ from suffering. Master, spare thy self. Christ spied Satan in the Temptation. Get thee behind me, Satan. When our religious Friends would disswade us from doing our Duty, p. 837Satan is a lying spirit in their Mouths; and would by them entice us to Evil.

6. Subtilty, Satan tempts some Persons more than others: some are like wet Tinder, who will not so soon take the fire of Temptation as others. Satan tempts most where he thinks his Policy's will more easily prevail; some are fitter to receive the impression of Temptations: as soft Wax is fitter to take the stamp of the Seal. The Apostle speaks of Vessels filled for Destruction, Rom. 9.22. so there are Vessels fitted for Temptation. Some like the spunge suck in Satan's Temptations. There are five sorts of persons that Satan doth most sit brooding upon by his Temptations.

1. Ignorant Persons. The Devil can lead them into any snare; you may lead a blind man any whither. God made a Law that the Iews should not put a stumbling block in the way of the blind, Levit. 19.14. Satan knows it is easie to put a Temptation in the way of the blind▪ at which they shall stumble into Hell. When the Syrians were smitten with Blindness, the Prophet Elisha could lead them whither he would into the Enemies Country, 2 Kin. 6.20. The bird that is blind is soon shot by the Fowler. Satan the God of this World blinds men and then shoots them. An ignorant man cannot see the Devils snares; Satan tells him such a thing is no sin, or but a little one, and he will do well enough. 'Tis but repent.

2. Satan tempts Vnbelievers. He who with Diagoras doubts of a Deity, or with the Photinians denies Hell; what sin will not this man be drawn to. He is like mettal that Satan can cast into any Mould; he can dye him of any colour. An Unbeliever will stick at no sin, Luxury, Perjury, Injustice. Paul was afraid of none so much as them that did not believe, Rom. 15.31. That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea.

3. Satan tempts proud Persons; these he hath more power of: none is in greater danger of falling by a Temptation, than he who stands high in his own Conceit. When David's Heart was lifted up in pride, then the Devil stirr'd himself up to Number the people, 2 Sam. 24.2. Celsae graviore casu decidunt Turres, feriunt que summos fulmina montes, Hor. Satan made use of Hamans pride to be his shame.

4. Melancholy Persons. Melancholy is atra bilis, a black Humour seated chiefly in the Brain. Melancholy clothes the Mind in Sable, it doth disturb Reason▪ Satan works much upon this Humour. There are three things in Melancholy which give the Devil great Advantage. 1. It unfits for Duty, it pulls off the Chariot-Wheels, it dispirits a man. Lute-strings when they are wet will not sound. When the spirit is sad and melancholy, a Christian is out of tune for spiritual Actions. 2. Melancholy sides often with Satan against God; the Devil tells such a person, God doth not love him, there is no Mercy for him; and the Melancholy Soul is apt to think so too, and sets his hand to the Devils Lies. 3. Melancholy breeds Discontent; and Discontent is a cause of many sins; Unthankfulness▪ Impatience, and oft it ends in self-murder. Judge then what an Advantage Satan hath against a melancholy Person, and how easily he may prevail with his Temptations. A melancholy person tempts the Devil to tempt him. 4. Idle Persons; He who is idle, the Devil will find him work to do. Ierom gives his Friend this Counsel to be ever well employ'd, that when the Tempter came he might find him working in the Vineyard. If the Hands be not working, the Head will be plotting sin, Micah 2.1.

7. Subtilty. Of Satan is to give some little Respite, and seem to leave off tempting a while that he may come on after with more Advantage. As Israel made as if they were beaten before the Men of Ai, and fled; but it was a Policy to draw them out of their fenced Cities, and ensnare them by an Ambush, Iosh. 8.15. The Devil sometimes raiseth the Siege, and feigns a flight that he may the better obtain the Victory. He goes away for a time, that he may return when he sees a better season, Luke 11.24. When the unclean Spirit is gone out of a man, he walks in dry places, seeking rest and finding none, he saith, I will return to my House whence I came out. Satan by feigning a flight, and leaving off tempting a while, causeth Security in persons, and they think they are safe, and are become Victors, when on a sudden Satan falls on and wounds them. As one that is going to leap runs back a little, that he may take the greater Jump. Satan seems to retire and run back a little, that he may come on again with a Temptation more furiously and successfully. Therefore we need always to watch and have on our spiritual Armour.

p. 8388. Subtilty Of the old Serpent is either to take men off from the use of means, or to make them miscarry in the use of means.

First, He labours to take men off from Duty, from praying and hearing; his design is to Discourage them, and to do that he hath two Artifices.

1. He discourageth them from Duty, by suggesting to them their Vnworthiness, they are not worthy to approach to God, or have any signals of his Love and Favour. They are sinful, and God is Holy, how dare they presume to bring their impure Offering to God? This is a Temptation indeed; that we should see our selves unworthy is good, and argues Humility; but to think we should not approach to God because of unworthiness, is a conclusion of the Devils making. God saith, Come, tho' unworthy. By this Tentation the Devil takes off many from coming to the Lords Table. O (saith he) this is a solemn Ordinance, and requires much Holiness; how darest thou so unworthily come, lest thou eatest and drinkest unworthily? Thus as Saul kept the people from eating Hony, so the Devil by this Temptation scares many from this Ordinance, which is sweeter than hony and the hony-comb.

Secondly, Satan endeavours to discourage from Duty by objecting want of Success. When men have waited upon God in the use of Ordinances▪ and yet find not that Comfort they desire; now Satan disheartens them and, … them upon resolves of declining all Religion; they begin to say as that wicked King, 2 Kings 6.33. Why should I wait on the Lord any longer? When Saul saw God answered him not by Dreams and Visions, Satan tempted him to leave God's Worship, and seek to the Witch of Endor, 1 Sam. 28.6. No answer of Prayer comes, therefore saith Satan leave off praying; who will sow seed, where no Crop comes up? Thus the Devil would by his subtil Logick dispute a poor Soul out of Duty. But if he sees he cannot prevail this way to take men off from the use of means, then he labours,

2. To make them miscarry in the use of means. By this Artifice he prevails over multitudes of Professors. The Devil stands as he did at Ioshua's right Hand, to resist men, Zach. 3.1. If he can't hinder them from Duty, he will be sure to hinder them in Duty two ways.

First, By causing Distraction in the Service of God, and this he doth by proposing Objects of Vanity, or by whispering in mens Ears that they can scarce mind what they are doing.

Secondly, Satan hinders by putting men upon doing Duties in a wrong manner. 1. In a dead formal manner, that so they may fail of the success. Satan knows duties done superficially were as good be left undone. That Prayer which doth not pierce the Heart will never pierce Heaven. 2. He puts them upon doing duties for wrong ends, Finis specificat actionem; He will make them look a-squint and have by-ends in Duty, Mat. 6.5. Be not as the Hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Prayer is good, but to pray to be seen of men, this was a dead fly in the Box of Oyntment; the Oyl of vain-glory fed their Lamp, sinister Aims corrupt and fly-blow our Holy Things. Here is Satans Policy, either to prevent Duty or pervert it; either to take men off from the use of means, or make them miscarry in the use of Means.

9. Subtilty, Satan can colour over sin with the name and pretence of Virtue. Alcibiades hung a Curtain curiously Embroidered over a foul Picture full of Satyrs: so Satan can put the Image of vertue over the foul Picture of sin. Satan can cheat men with false Wares, he can make them believe that Presumption is Faith, that intemperate Passion is Zeal; Revenge is Prudence, Covetousness is Frugality and Prodigality, good Hospitality. Come see my Zeal for the Lord, saith Iehu. Satan perswaded him it was a Fire from Heaven, when it was nothing but the Wild-fire of his own Ambition; 'Twas not Zeal, but State-Policy. This is a subtil Art of Satan to deceive by tempting, and put men off with the dead Child instead of the live Child, to make men believe that is a Grace which is a Sin; as if one should write Balm-water upon a Glass of Poyson. If Satan hath all these subtil Artifices in tempting, are not we in great Danger of this Prince of the Air, and had not we need often pray, Lord suffer us not to be led into Temptation? as the Serpent beguil'd Eve with his Subtilty, 2 Cor. 11.2. Let us not be beguil'd by the Snares and Policies of this hellish Machiavel.

Satan is foreign, he hath a Dexterity in subtil Contrivances. He doth more hurt as a Fox, than a Lion. His Snares are worse than his Darts, 2 Cor. 2.11. We are not ignorant of his Devices.

p. 83910. The next Subtilty of Satan is, He labours to ensnare us by Lawful Things. In licitis perimus omnes; more are hurt by lawful things than unlawful, as more are kill'd with Wine than Poison; Gross Sins affright, but how many take a surfeit and die in using lawful things inordinately? Recreation is lawful, Eating and Drinking is lawful, but many offend by Excess, and their Table is a Snare. Relations are lawful, but how oft doth Satan tempt to over-love? how oft is the Wife and Child laid in God's Room? Excess makes things lawful become sinful.

11. Subtilty of Satan is to make the Duties of our General and Particular Calling hinder and justle out one another. Our General Calling is serving God, our Particular Calling is minding our Employments in the World. 'Tis Wisdom to be regular in both these, when the Particular Calling doth not eat out the time for God's Service; nor the Service of God hinder Diligence in a Calling. The Devil's Art is to make Christians defective in one of these two. Some spend all their time in Hearing, Reading, and under a pretence of living by Faith, do not live in a Calling: others Satan takes off from Duties of Religion under a pretence that they must provide for their Families. He makes them so careful for their Bodies, that they quite neglect their Souls. This is the Subtilty of the old Serpent, to make men negligent in the Duties either of the first Table or the second.

12. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting is, to misrepresent true Holiness, that he may make others out of love with it. He paints the Face of Religion full of Scars, and with seeming Blemishes, that he may create in the Minds of Men prejudice against it. Satan misrepresents Religion as the most Melanch…ly Thing, and that he who embraceth it, must banish all Joy out of his Diocess. Tho' the Apostle saith, Ioy in Believeng, Rom. 15.13. Satan suggests that Religion exposeth men to Danger, he shews them the Cross, but hides the Crown from them. He labours to put all the Disgrace he can upon Holiness, that he may tempt men to the Renouncing of it. Satan abuseth the Good Christian and gives him a wrong Name. The truly Zealous Man Satan calls hot-headed and factious. The patient man that bears Injuries without Revenge, Satan represents him as a Coward. The humble man is low-spirited, the heavenly-man, Satan calls fool, he lets go things that are seen, for things that are not seen. Thus the Devil mis-represents Religion to the World. As Iohn Husse that Holy Man was painted with Red Devils: So Satan paints Holiness with as deform'd, mishapen a Face as he can, that he may by this Temptation draw men off from solid Piety; and make them rather scorn than embrace it. The hand of Ioab is in this. Satan is tempting persons to Atheism, to cast off all Religion.

13. Subtilty of Satan in tempting is, to draw men off from the Love of the Truth to embrace Errour, 2 Thes. 2.11. That they should believe a Lie. Satan is call'd in Scripture not only an Unclean Spirit, but a Lying Spirit. As an Vnclean Spirit, so he labours to defile the Soul with Lust, and as a Lying Spirit, so he labours to corrupt the Mind with Errour. And indeed this is dangerous, because many Errours do look so like the Truth, as Alchimy represents true Gold; Satan thus beguiles Souls. Tho' the Scripture blames Hereticks for being the Promoters of Errour; Yet it chargeth Satan with being the chief Contriver of it. They spread the Errour, but the Devil is a lying Spirit in their Mouths. This is Satan's great Temptation, he makes men believe such are glorious Truths which are dangerous Impostures, thus he transforms himself into an Angel of Light. What is the meaning of Satans sowing Tares in the Parable, Mat. 13.25. but Satan sowing Errour instead of Truth. How quickly had the Devil broach'd false Doctrine in the Apostles times. That it was necessary to be Circumcised, Acts 15.1. that Angel-Worship was lawful, and that Christ was not yet come in the Flesh, 1 Ioh. 4.3. Now the Devil tempts by drawing Men to Errour, because he knows how deadly this snare is; and the great Mischief Errour will do where it comes. 1. Errour is of a spreading Nature, it is compar'd to Leaven, because it sowres, Mat. 16.11. and to a Gangrene, because it spreads, 2 Tim. 2.17. 1. One Errour spreads into more, like a Circle in the water that multiplies into more Circles. One Errour seldom goes alone. 2. Errour spreads from one person to another, it is like the Plague which infects all round about. Satan by infecting one person with Errour, infects more. The Errour of Pelagius did spread on a sudden into Palestine, Africa, Italy; the Arrian Errour was at first but a single spark, but at last it set almost all the World on fire. 2. The Devil lays this snare of Errour, because Errour brings Divisions p. 840into the Church, and Divisions bring an Opprobrium and Scandal upon the ways of God. The Devil danceth at Discord; Division destroys Peace, which was Christ's Legacy, and Love, which is the Bond of Perfection. Not only Christ's Coat hath been Rent, but his Body, by the divisions which Errour hath caused; in Churches or Families where Errour creeps in, what Animosities and Fractions doth it make? it sets the Father against the Son, and the Son against the Father. What Slaughters and Bloodshed have been occasion'd by Errors broach'd in the Church? 3. The Devils Policy in raising Errors is to hinder Reformation; the Devil was never a friend to Reformation. In the Primitive Times after the Apostles days, the Serpent cast out of his Mouth Water as a flood after the Woman, Rev. 12.15. which was a deluge of Heresies, that so he might hinder the Progress of the Gospel. 4. Satan tempts to Error, because Error devours Godliness. The Gnosticks, as Epiphanius observes, were not only corrupted in their Iudgments, but in their Morals; they were loose in their Lives, Iude 4. Ungodly men turning the Grace of our God into Lasciviousness. The Familists afterwards turn'd Ranters, and gave themselves over to Vices and Immoralities, and this they did boasting of the Spirit and Perfection. 5. The Devils design in seducing by Error is, he knows Error is pernicious to Souls; Error damns as well as Vice. Poison kills as well as Pistol, 2 Pet. 2.1. They shall privily bring in damnable Heresies. Now if Satan be thus subtil in laying snares of Error to deceive, had not we need pray that God would not suffer us to be led into Temptation; that he would make us wise to keep out of the snare of Error, or if we have fallen into it, that he would give us to recover out of the snare by Repentance?

14. Another Subtilty of Satan is, to bewitch and ensnare men by setting Pleasing Baits before them; the Riches, Pleasures, Honours of the World, Mat. 4.9. All this will I will give thee; how many doth Satan tempt with this Golden Apple? Pride, Idleness, Luxury are the three Worms which breed of Plenty, 1 Tim. 6.9. They that will be rich fall into Temptation and a Snare. Satan kills with these silver Darts; how many surfeit on Luscious Delights? The Pleasures of the World are the great Engine by which Satan batters down mens Souls. His Policy is to tickle them to death, to damn them with Delights. The Flesh would fain be pleased, and Satan prevails by this Temptation. He drowns them in the sweet Waters of Pleasure; such as have abundance of the World walk in the midst of Golden Snares. We had need watch our Hearts in Prosperity, and pray not to be led into Temptation. We have as much need to be careful that we are not endanger'd by Prosperity, as a man hath to be careful at a Feast, where there are some poison'd Dishes of Meat.

15. Subtilty of Satan in tempting is to plead Necessity. Satans Policy in tempting men under a Plea of Necessity is this, he knows that Necessity may in some Cases seem to palliate and excuse a sin. It may seem to make a lesser Evil good to avoid a Greater. As Lot offered to expose his Daughters to the Sodomites, and was willing that they should defile them, that he might preserve the Angel-strangers that were come into his House, Gen. 19.8. Doubtless Satan had an Hand in this Temptation, and made Lot believe that the necessity of this Action would excuse the sin. The Tradesman pleads a necessity of unlawful Gain, else he cannot live. Another pleads a Necessity of Revenge, else his Credit will be impaired; thus Satan tempts men to sin by telling them of the Necessity. Nay, the Devil will quote Scripture for it, that in some Cases extraordinary, there may be a Necessity of doing that which is not justifiable. Did not David in case of Necessity eat the Shew-bread, which was not lawful for him, but only the Priests? Mat. 12.4. nor do we read he was blam'd; then will Satan say, Why may not you in Cases Extraordinary trespass a little, and take the forbidden Fruit: O beware of this Temptation, see Satans Cloven Foot in it: Nothing can warrant a thing in its own nature sinful. Necessity will not justifie Impiety.

16. Subtilty of Satan in tempting is, to draw men to Presumption. Presumption is a Confidence without Ground: it is made up of two Ingredients, Audacity and Security; this Temptation is common. There is a two-fold Presumption▪ 1. Satan tempts men to presume of their own Hearts, that they are better than they are; they presume they have Grace when they have none. They will not take Gold on trust, but they will take Grace upon trust; the foolish Virgins presumed that they had Oyl in their Vessels when they had none. Here that Rule of Epicharmus is good, foreign, distrust a fallacious Heart. 2. Satan tempts men to presume of God's Mercy: tho' they are not so good as they should be, yet God is merciful. They look upon God's Mercy with the broad Spectacles of Presumption. p. 841Satan sooths Men up in their sins; he Preacheth to them all Hope, no Fear; and so deludes them with these Golden Dreams: Quam multi cum vana spe descendunt ad inferos. Aug. Presumption is Satan's draw-net, by which he drags Millions to Hell. Satan, by this Temptation, oft draws the Godly to sin; they presume upon their Priviledges, or Graces, and so venture on occasions of sin. Iehoshaphat twisted into a League of Amity with K. Ahab, presuming, his Grace would be Antidote strong enough against the infection, 2 Chron. 18.3. Satan tempted Peter to presume upon his own strength, and when it came to a trial, he was foiled, and came off with shame. We had therefore need Pray, That we may not be led into this Temptation; and with David, Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins, Psal. 19.13.

17. Subtilty of Satan in tempting, is, to carry on his designs against us, under the highest pretences of Friendship. He thus puts Silver upon his bait, and dips his poison'd Pills in Sugar. Satan doth as some Courtiers, make the greatest pretences of Love where they have the most deadly hatred. Ioab's Sword was usher'd in with a Kiss; He kist Abner, and then smote him under the fifth rib. Satan puts off his Lions skin, and comes in sheeps clothing; he pretends kindness and friendship: He would consult what might be for our good. Thus Satan came to Christ, Command that these stones be made bread ▪ Mat. 4. As if he had said to Christ, I see thou art hungry, and here is no Table spread for thee in the Wilderness; I therefore pittying thy condition, wish thee to get something to eat; Turn stones to bread, that thy hunger may be satisfied: but Christ spied the Temptation, and with the Sword of the Spirit wounded the Old Serpent. Thus Satan came to Eve, and tempted her under the notion of a Friend; Eat, saith he, of the forbidden Fruit, for the Lord knows, that in the day ye eat thereof ye shall be as Gods. As if he had said, I perswade you onelyonly to that which will put you into a better condition than now you are; eat of this Tree and it will make you Omniscient, ye shall be as Gods. What a kind Devil was here? but it was a subtil Temptation, she greedily swallowing the bait, it undid her and all her Posterity. Let us fear his fallacious flatteries. Timeo Danaos & Dona ferentes.

18. Subtilty, is, When Satan hath tempted Men to sin, he perswades them to keep his Counsel: Like them that have some foul Disease, they will rather die than tell the Physitian. It were wisdom in case of sore temptation, to open ones Mind to some experienc'd Christian, whose Counsel might be an Antidote against the Temptation. But the danger of a Temptation lies in the concealing of it; 'Tis like the concealing of Treason, which may prove Mortal. How had we need renew this Petition, Lead us not? &c.

19. Subtilty Of Satan in Tempting, is to make use of fit tools and engines, for the carrying on of his Work; That is, he makes use of such persons as may be likely means to promote his tempting designs. The Devil lays the plot of a Temptation, and as it were cuts out the Work, and then he imploys others to finish it.

1. Satan makes use of such as are in places of Dignity, Men of Renown. He knows if he can get these on his side, they may draw others into Snares: When the Princes and Heads of the Tribes joined with Corah, they presently drew a Multitude into the Conspiracy, Numb. 16.2.10.

2. The Devil makes use of such to carry on his Tempting Designs, as are Men of Wit and Parts; such, as if it were possible, should deceive the very Elect. He must have a great deal of cunning that shall perswade a Man to be out of love with his Food: The Devil can make use of such Heretical Spirits as shall perswade Men to be out of love with the Ordinances of God, which they profess they have found comfort in. Many who once seemed to be strict frequenters of the House of God, are now perswaded, by Satan's cunning Instruments, to leave off all▪ and follow an Ignis Fatuus, the Light within them. This is a great subtilty of the Devil to make use of such cunning subtil-pated Men, as may be fit to carry on his Tempting Designs.

3. Satan makes use of bad company to be instruments of tempting: They draw Youth to sin. First they perswade them to come into their Company, then to Twist into a Cord of Friendship; then to Drink with them; and, by degrees, debauch them: These are the Devils Decoys to tempt others.

20. Subtilty of Satan is, He, in his Temptation, strikes at some Grace more than other: As in tempting, he aims at some Persons more than others; so he aims at some Grace more than other; and if he can prevail in this, he knows p. 842what an advantage it will be to him. If you ask what Grace it is that Satan in his Temptations doth most strike at? I Answer, it is the Grace of Faith: He lays the Train of his Temptation to blow up the Fort of our Faith, Fidei scutum percutit. Why did Christ pray more for Peter's Faith, than any other Grace? Luk. 22.32. Because Christ saw that his Faith was most in danger, the Devil was striking at this Grace. Satan in Tempting Eve, did labour to weaken her Faith, Gen. 3.1. Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every Tree of the Garden? The Devil would perswade her, that God had not spoken Truth; and when he had once wrought her to distrust, then she took of the Tree. 'Tis called Scutum fidei, the Shield of Faith, Ephes. 6.16. Satan in Tempting, strikes most at our Shield, he assaults our Faith. True Faith, though it cannot be wholly lost, yet it may suffer a great Eclipse. Though the Devil cannot, by Temptation, take away the Life of Faith, yet he may the lively acting: He cannot Gratiam diruere, but he may debilitare.

Quest. But why doth Satan, in Tempting, chiefly set upon our Faith? A. 1 King. 22.31. Fight neither with small nor great, save onelyonly with the King. So Faith is as it were the King of the Graces; it is a Royal Princely Grace, and puts forth the most Majestick and noble Acts, therefore Satan fights chiefly with this Kingly Grace. I shall shew you the Devils Policy in assaulting Faith most.

First, Because this is the Grace doth Satan most Mischief: it makes the most resistance against him, 1 Pet. 5.9. Whom resist, stedfast in Faith. No Grace doth more bruise the Serpents Head than Faith. Faith is both a Shield and a Sword, defensive and offensive. 1. It is a Shield. A shield guards the Head, defends the Vitals; the shield of Faith causeth that the fiery darts of Temptation do not pierce us thorough. 2. Faith is a Sword, it wounds the Red Dragon.

Quest. How comes Faith to be so strong that it can resist Satan, and put him to flight?

Answ. 1. Because Faith brings the strength of Christ into the Soul: Sampson's strength lay in his Hair, ours lies in Christ: If a Child be assaulted, it runs and calls to its Father for help: So, when Faith is assaulted, it runs and calls Christ, and in his Strength overcomes.

2. Faith furnisheth it self with store of Promises; the Promises are Faith's Weapons to fight with. Now, as David, by Five Stones in his Sling, wounded Goliah, 2 Sam. 17.40. So Faith puts the Promises, as Stones, into its Sling, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, Heb. 13.5. He will not break the bruised reed, Matt. 12.20. He will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, 1 Cor. 10.13. The Lord will shortly bruise Satan under your feet, Rom. 16.20. None shall pluck you out of my Fathers hands, Joh. 10.29. Here are Five Promises, like five Stones put in the Sling of Faith, and with these a Believer wounds the Red Dragon. Now Faith being such a Grace, that doth so resist and wound Satan, he will watch his opportunity that he may batter our shield, though he cannot break it.

2. Satan strikes most at our Faith, and would weaken and destroy it, because Faith hath a great influence upon all the other Graces: Faith sets all the Graces a-work. Like some rich Clothier, that gives out a stock of Wool to the Poor, and sets them all a Spinning: So Faith gives out a stock to all the other Graces, and sets them a working. Faith sets Love a-work, foreign· Gal. 5.6. Faith which worketh by love. When once the Soul believes God's Love, this kindles Love to God. The believing Martyrs burned hotter in Love, than in Fire. Faith sets Repentance a-work. When the Soul believes there is Mercy to be had, and that this mercy is for him, this sets the eyes a Weeping. O saith the Soul, that ever I should offend so gracious a God. Repenting tears drop from the eye of Faith, Mark 9.24. The Father of the Child cried out with tears, Lord I believe. Faith set his eyes abroach with Tears; therefore the Devil hath most spight at Faith, and by his Temptations would undermine it, because it is such an Operative Grace, it sets all the other Graces on work. If the Devil cannot destroy our Faith, yet if he can disturb it, if he can hinder and stop the actings of Faith, he knows all the other Graces will be lame and unactive. If the Spring in a Watch be stopp'd, it will hinder the motion of the Wheels: If Faith be down, all the other Graces are at a stand.

21. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting, is, In broaching those Doctrines that are Flesh-pleasing. Satan knows the Flesh loves to be gratified, it cries out for ease and liberty: it will not endure any yoke, unless it be lined and made soft. The Devil will be sure so to lay his bait of Temptation, as to please and humour p. 843the flesh. The Word saith, foreign, Strive, as in an Agony, to enter into Glory; Crucifie the Flesh; Take the Kingdom of Heaven by holy Violence. Now Satan, to enervate and weaken these Scriptures, comes with Temptations and flatters the Flesh. He tells Men, there needs no such Strictness; Why so much zeal and violence? a softlier pace will serve; sure there is an easier way to Heaven: There needs no breaking the heart for Sin; do but confess to a Priest, or tell over a few Beads, or say some Ave Maries, and this will procure you a Pardon, and give you admission into Paradise: Or, the Devil can go another way to work; if he sees Men startle at Popery, then he stirs up the Flattering Antinomian, and he comes in another Disguise, and saith, What needs all this cost? What needs Repenting Tears? These are legal. VVhat need you be so strict in your Obedience? Christ hath done all for you; you may make use of your Christian Liberty. This Temptation draws away many; it takes them off from strictness of life. He who sells cheapest shall have most Customers. The Devil knows this is a cheap, easie Doctrine, which will please the flesh, and he doth not doubt but he shall have Customers enough.

22. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting, is in Reference to Holy Duties. His policy is either to hinder from duty, or discourage in duty, or put Men on too far in duty.

I. To hinder from Duty, as 1 Thes. 2.18. I would have come once and again, but Satan hindred me. So many Duties of Religion had been performed, but Satan hindered. The hand of Ioab is in this. There are Three Duties which the Devil is an enemy to, and labours to keep us from.

1. Meditation. He will let Men Profess, or Pray and Hear in a formal manner; This doth him no hurt, nor them no good: but he doth oppose Meditation, as being a means to compose the heart, and make it serious. Satan can stand your small shot, so you do not put in this Bullet. He cares not how much you Hear, nor how little you Meditate: Meditation is a chewing of the cud, it makes the VVord digest, and turn to nourishment. Meditation is the Bellows of the Affections. The Devil is an enemy to this. When Christ was alone in the Wilderness, giving himself to Divine Contemplations, then the Devil comes and tempts him, to hinder him. He will thrust in Worldly Business, something or other to keep Men off from Holy Meditation.

2. Duty, which Satan, by his tempting, would keep us from, is Mortification. This is as needful as Heaven, Col. 3.5. Mortifie your Members which are upon the Earth, uncleanness, inordinate affection. Satan will let Men be angry with sin, exchange sin, restrain sin, which is keeping sin Prisoner, that it doth not break out; but when it comes to the taking away the Life of Sin, Satan labours to stop the Warrant, and hinder the Execution. When Sin is Mortifying, Satan is Crucifying.

3. Self-examination, 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your selves, foreign, a Metaphor from Metal, that is pierced thorow, to see if it be Gold within. Self-examination is a Spiritual Inquisition, set up in ones Soul: a Man must search his heart for sin, as one would search an house for a Traitor; or, as Israel sought for Leaven to burn it. Satan, if it be possible, will by his Temptations keep Men from this Duty. He useth a great deal of subtilty.

1. Here, First he tells them, Their Estate is good, and what need they put themselves to the trouble of Examination? Though Men will not take their Money on Trust, but will examine it by the Touchstone; yet Satan perswades them to take their Grace on trust. The Devil perswaded the Foolish Virgins they had Oyl in their Lamps.

2. Satan hath another Policy, he will shew Men the Faults of others, to keep them from searching their own: See what a Proud Covetous Man goes there. He will allow them Spectacles to see what is amiss in others, but not a Looking-glass to behold their own Faces, and see what is amiss in themselves.

II. Satan's Policy is, to discourage us in Duty. When one hath been about the performing of Holy Duties, then the Devil stands up and tells him, He hath play'd the Hypocrite; he hath served God for a Livery; he hath had sinister ends. His Duties have been full of distraction; they have been Fly-blown with Pride. He hath Offered the blind and lame▪ and can he expect a reward from God? Satan tells a Christian, He hath encreased his sin by Prayer; and by this Temptation he would make a Child of God quite out of conceit with his Duties, he knows not whether he had best Pray or no.

p. 844III. Or Thirdly, if this Plot will not take, Satan labours by Temptation to put a Christian on too far in duty: If he cannot keep a Child of God from duty, he will run him on too far in it. For instance, humiliation and mourning for sin is a duty; but Satan will put one on too far in it; Thou art not (saith he) humbled enough. And indeed, Satan never thinks a Man is humbled enough till he despairs. He would make a Christian wade so far in the Waters of Repentance, that he should wade beyond his depth, and be drown'd in the Gulph of Despair. Satan comes thus to the Soul; Thy sins have been great, and thy sorrow should be proportionable to your sin. But is it so? Canst thou say thou hast been as great a Mourner as thou hast been a Sinner? Thou didst for many years drive no other Trade but sin; And is a drop of Sorrow enough for a Sea of Sin? No: thy Soul must be more humbled, and lie steeping longer in the brinish waters of Repentance. Satan would have a Christian weep himself blind, and in a desperate mood throw away the Anchor of Hope: Now, lest any here be troubled with this Temptation, let me say this; This is a meer Fallacy of Satan, for sorrow proportionable to sin is not attainable in this Life, nor doth God expect it. It is sufficient for thee (Christian) if thou hast a Gospel-sorrow, if thou grievest so far, as to see Sin hateful, and Christ precious. If thou grievest so, as to break off Iniquity; if thy Remorse end in Divorce, this is to be humbled enough. Then the Gold hath lain long enough in the fire, when the Dross is purged out: then a Christian hath lain long enough in Humiliation, when the Love of Sin is purged out. This is to be humbled enough to Divine Acceptation. God for Christ's sake will accept of this Sorrow for Sin; therefore let not Satans Temptations drive to despair. You see how subtil an Enemy he is, to hinder from Duty, or discourage in Duty, or put Men on too far in Duty, that he may run them upon the Rock of Despair. Had we not then need (having such a subtil Enemy) Pray, Lord, lead us not into temptation: As the Serpent beguiled Eve, let us not be beguiled by this Hellish Machiavel.

23. Subtilty of Satan, in Tempting to the act of sin, is the hopes of returning out of it by speedy Repentance. But this is a fallacy; it is easie for the Bird to fly into the Snare, but it is not so easie to get out of the Snare. Is it so facile a thing to Repent? Are there no pangs in the New Birth? Is it easie to leap out of Dalilah's Lap into Abraham's Bosom? How many hath Satan flattered into Hell by this policy, that if they sin, they may recover themselves by Repentance? Alas, Is Repentance in our Power? A Spring lock can shut of it self, but it cannot open without a Key: We can shut of our selves to God, but we cannot open by Repentance, till God open our heart, who hath the Key of David in his hand.

24. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting, is to put us upon doing that which is good unseasonably.

1. To Mourn for sin is a duty. The Sacrifices of God are a broken heart, Psal. 51.17. but yet there is a time when it may not be so seasonable. After some eminent Deliverance, which calls for Rejoycing, now to have the Spirits dyed of a Sad Colour, and to sit Weeping, is not seasonable. There was a Special Time at the Feast of Tabernacles, when God call'd his People to Chearfulness. Deut. 16.15. Seven days shalt thou keep a Solemn Feast to the Lord thy God, and thou shalt surely rejoyce. Now if at this time the Israelites had hung their Harps upon the Willows, and been Disconsolate, it had been very unseasonable, like Mourning at a Wedding. When God, by his Providence, calls us to Thanksgiving, and we sit Drooping, and, with Rachel, refuse to be comforted; this is very evil, and savours of Ingratitude. This is Satan's Temptation, the hand of Ioab is in this.

2. To Rejoyce is a Duty, Psal. 33.1. Praise is comely for the Vpright. But when God by his judgments calls us to Weeping, now Joy and Mirth is unseasonable, Isa. 22.12. In that day did the Lord call to weeping, and behold joy and gladness. Oecolampadius, and other Learned Writers think, it was in the time of King Ahaz, when the Signs of God's Anger, like a Blazing-Star, did appear; now to be given to Mirth was very unseasonable.

3. To Read. The Word is a Duty; but Satan will sometimes put Men upon it when it is unseasonable. To Read at home, when God's Word is Preaching, or the Sacrament Administring, is unseasonable, yea sinful. As Hushai said, 2 Sam. 17.7. The Counsel is not good at this time: There was a Set-time enjoyned for the Passover, when the Iews were to bring their Offering to the Lord, Numb. 9.2. p. 845Had the People been Reading the Law at home, in the time of the Passover, it had not been in season, and God would have punished it for a contempt. This is the Devil's subtil Temptation, either to keep us from duty, or to put us upon it when it is least in season. Duties of Religion not well timed and done in season, are dangerous. Snow and Hail are good for the ground when they come in their season; but in Harvest, when the Corn is ripe, then a Storm of Hail would do hurt.

25. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting, is, to perswade Men to delay their repenting and turning to God. He saith, as Hag. 1.2. The time is not yet come. Now youth is budding, or you are but in the flower of your age, it is too soon to repent, the time is not yet come. This Temptation is the Devil's draw-net by which he drags Millions to Hell. It is a dan…erous Temptation. Sin is Dulce venenum, Bern. a Poison; the longer Poison lies in the Body, the more mortal By delay of Repentance, sin strengthens, and the heart hardens. The longer Ice freezeth, the harder it is to be broken. The longer a Man freezeth in impenitency, the more difficult it will be to have his heart broken. When sin hath gotten an haunt, it is not easily shaken off. Besides, the danger of this Temptation to delay Repentance, appears in this, because life is hazardous, and may on a sudden expire. What security have you that you shall live another day? Life is made up of a few flying Minutes; it is a Taper soon blown out▪ Jam. 4.14. What is your life? It is but a vapour. The body is like a Vessel, tun'd with a little breath; Sickness broacheth this Vessel, Death draws it out: How dangerous therefore is this Temptation to procrastinate and put off turning to God by repentance. Many now in Hell did purpose to Repent, but Death surpriz'd them.

26. Subtilty of Satan in Tempting, is, to infringe and weaken the Saints peace: If he cannot Destroy their Grace, he will Disturb their Peace. Satan envies a Christian should have a good day; and if he cannot keep him from Heaven, he will keep him from an Heaven upon Earth. There is nothing (next to Holiness) a Christian prizeth more, than Peace and Tranquillity of Mind. This is the Cream of Life, a Bunch of Grapes by the way: Now it is Satans great policy to shake a Christian's Peace; that if he will go to Heaven, he shall go thither through Frights, and plenty of Tears. The Devil throws in his Fireballs of Temptation, to set the Saints Peace on fire. Of such great concern is Spiritual Peace, that no wonder if Satan would, by his Intricate subtilties, Rob us of this Jewel.

Spiritual Peace is a Token of God's Favour. As Ioseph had a special testimony of his Fathers Kindness in the Party-coloured Coat he gave him; so have the Saints a special token of God's Good-will to them, when he gives them inward Peace, which is, as it were, the party-coloured Coat to wear. No wonder then if Satan so much rage against the Saints Peace, and would tear off this comfortable Robe from them.

The Devil troubles the waters of the Saints Peace, because hereby he hopes to have the more advantage of them.

1. By this perplexing of their Spirits, Satan takes off their Chariot-wheels; unfits them for the Service of God: Body and Mind are both out of temper, like an Instrument out of Tune. Sadness of Spirit prevailing, a Christian can think of nothing but his Troubles; his Mind is full of doubts, fears, surmises; that he is like a person distracted, and is scarce himself: Either he neglects the duties of Religion, or his mind is taken off from them while he is doing them. Especially, there is one Duty, that melancholy and sadness of spirit unfits for, and that is Thankfulness. Thankfulness is a Tribute, or Quit-rent due to God, Psal. 149.3. Let the Saints be joyful, let the high praises of God be in their mouth. But when Satan hath disturbed a Christian's spirit, and fill'd his Mind full of black, and almost despairing thoughts, how can he be Thankful. It rejoyceth Satan to see how his Plot takes, by making God's Children Vnquiet, he makes them Vnthankful.

2. Satan, by troubling the Saints Peace, hath this advantage, of laying a stumbling-block in the way of others: By this policy the Devil gets an occasion to render the ways of God unlovely to those who are looking Heaven-ward. He sets before new beginners the perplexing Thoughts, the Tears, the Groans of them who are wounded in Spirit, to scare them quite off from all seriousness in Religion. He will object to new beginners; Do you not see how these sad Souls torture themselves with melancholy Thoughts, and will you change the comforts and pleasures of this life to sit always in the house of mourning? Will you espouse that Religion, which makes you a terror to your selves, and a burden to others? Can p. 846you be in love with such a Religion, as is ready to fright you out of your wits? This advantage the Devil gets by troubling the Saints Peace, he would discourage others who are looking towards Heaven; he would beat them off from Praying, and hearing all Soul-awakening Sermons, lest they fall into this black humour of Melancholy, and end their days in despair.

3. By this subtil policy of Satan, in disturbing the Saints Peace, and making them believe God doth not love them, he hath this advantage, he sometimes so far prevails over them, as to make them begin to entertain hard thoughts of God. Through the black Spectacles of Melancholy, God's dealings look sad and Ghastly. Satan tempts the Godly to have strange thoughts of God; to think he hath cast off all pity, and hath forgotten to be gracious, Psal. 77. and to make sad conclusions, Isai. 38.13. I reckoned that as a Lion, so will he break all my bones; from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me. The Devil setting in with Melancholy, causeth a sad Eclipse in the Soul; it begins to think, God hath shut up the Springs of Mercy, and there is no Hope. Hereupon, Satan gets farther advantage of a troubled Spirit, sometimes he puts the troubled Soul upon sinful wishes and execrations against it self: Iob, in distemper of Mind, Cursed his Birth-day, Iob 3.3. Iob, though he did not curse his God, yet he cursed his Birth-day. Thus you see what advantages the Devil gets by raising storms, and troubling the Saints Peace: and let me tell you, if the Devil is capable of any delight, it is to see the Saints disquiets; their Groans are his Musick: 'Tis a sport to him to see them torture themselves upon the wrack of Melancholy, and almost drown themselves in tears. When the Godly have unjust surmises of God, question his Love, deny the Work of Grace, and fall to wishing they had never been Born; now Satan is ready to clap his hands and shout for a Victory.

Having shewn you the advantages the Devil gets by this Temptation of disturbing the Saints Peace, I shall Answer a Question, by what Arts and Methods doth Satan in Tempting disturb the Saints Peace?

Answ. 1. Satan slily conveys evil thoughts, and then makes a Christian believe they come from his own heart. The Cup was found in Benjamin's sack, but it was of Ioseph's putting in: So a Child of God oft finds Atheistical Blasphemous Thoughts in his mind, but Satan hath cast them in. The Devil doth, as some, lay their children at anothers door: So Satan lays his Temptations at our door, fathers them upon us, and then we trouble our selves about them, and Nurse them as if they were our own.

2. Satan disturbs the Saints Peace, by drawing forth their sins in the most black colours, to affright them, and make them ready to give up the Ghost. Satan is called the Accuser of the Brethren; not onelyonly because he accuseth them to God, but accuseth them to themselves: He tells them, they are guilty of such sins, and they are Hypocrites. Whereas the sins of a Believer shew only, that Grace is not perfect, not, that he hath no Grace: When Satan comes with this Temptation, shew him that Scripture, 1 Joh. 1.7. The blood of Iesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

27. Subtilty of Satan, is, by plausible Arguments, to tempt Men to be felo de se, to make away themselves. This Temptation doth not onelyonly cross the current of Scripture, but is abhorring to Nature, to be ones own Executioner. Yet such cunning artifices hath Satan, that he perswades many to lay violent hands upon themselves; which the Bills of Mortality witness.

1. He tempts some to this in terror of Conscience; telling them, All the Hell they shall have is in their Conscience, and Death will give them present ease.

2. He tempts others to make away themselves, that they may live no longer to sin against God.

3. Others he tempts to make away themselves, that they may presently arrive at happiness: he tells them, The best of the Saints desire Heaven, and the sooner they are there the better.

Austin speaks of Cleombratas, who hearing Plato Read a Lecture of the Immortality of the Soul, and the Ioys of the other World, se in praecipitium dejecit; threw himself down a steep Precipice, or Rock, and kill'd himself. This is Satan's Plot, but we must not break prison, by laying Violent hands upon our selves; but stay, till God send and open the door. Let us Pray, Lead us not into temptation. Still bear in mind that Scripture, Exod. 20.13. Thou shalt not kill. Clamitat in Coelum vox sanguinis—if we may not kill another, much less our selves; and take heed of discontent, which often opens the door to self-murder.

p. 847Thus I have shewn you 27 Subtilties of Satan in Tempting, that so you may the better know them and avoid them.

There is a Story of a Iew that should have Poisoned Luther, but a Friend sent to Luther the Picture of this Iew, warning him to take heed of such a Man when he saw him, by which means he knew the Murderer, and escaped his hands. I have told you the subtil devices of Satan in tempting; I have shewn you (as it were) the Picture of him that would Murder you; I beseech you, being forewarned, take heed of the Murderer.

1. Vse. From this subtilty of Satan in Tempting, let me draw two Inferences.

1. It may administer matter of wonder to us how any soul is saved. How may we admire, that Satan, this Abaddon, or Angel of the Bottomless Pit, Rev. 9.11. This Apollyon, this Soul-devourer, doth not ruine all Mankind? What a wonder is it that some are preserved, that neither Satan's hidden snares prevail, nor his fiery darts: that neither the Head of the Serpent, nor the Paw of the Lion destroys them? Sure it will be matter of admiration to the Saints when they come to Heaven, to think how strangely they came thither; that notwithstanding all the force and fraud, the power and policy of Hell, yet they should arrive safe at the Heavenly Port: This is through the safe Conduct of Christ, the Captain of our Salvation; Michael is too hard for the Dragon.

2. Is Satan so subtil; see then what need we have to pray to God for wisdom, to discern the snares of Satan, and strength to resist them; we cannot of our selves stand against Temptation, if we could, this Prayer were needless, Lead us not, &c. Let us not think we can be too cunning for the Devil, we can escape his wiles and darts. If David and Peter who were Pillars in God's Temple, fell by Temptation, how soon should such weak Reeds as we, be blown down, …id God leave us? Take Christ's Advice, Mat. 26.41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into Temptation.

Inference. 3. See what the end of all Satans subtilties in tempting is, He is a Tempter that he may be an accuser. He lays the plot, enticeth men to Sin, and then brings in the Indictment; as if one should make another drunk,2 Sam. 18.2.2 Sam 18:2 and then complain of him to the Magistrate for being drunk. The Devil is first a Tempter and then an Informer, first a Liar, and then a Murderer.

Having shewn you the subtilties of Satan in tempting, I shall answer two questions.

Quest. 1. Why doth God suffer his Saints to be so hurried and buffeted by Satans Temptations?

Answ. The Lord doth it for many wise and holy ends.

1. He lets them be tempted to try them. The Hebrew word Nissa in Pyhil signifies both to Tempt and to Try. Temptation is a Touchstone to try what is in the Heart. The Devil tempts that he may deceive, but God lets us be tempted to try us. Qui non tentatur non probatur. Aug.

1. Hereby God tries our sincerity; Iobs sincerity was tryed by Temptation, the Devil told God that Iob was an Hypocrite, and served God only for a Livery, but saith he, Touch him, (that is, let me tempt him) and then see if he will not curse thee to thy Face? Iob 1.11. well, God did let the Devil touch him by a Temptation, yet Iob remains holy, he worships God, and blesseth God, ver. 20.21. Here Iobs sincerity was proved, Iob had Fiery Temptations, but he came out of the Fire a Golden Christian, foreign. Chrys. Temptation is a touchstone of sincerity.

2. By Tentation God tries our Love, the Wife of Tigranes did never so shew her chastity and love to her Husband, as when she was tempted by Cyrus, but did not yield. So our love to God is seen in this, when we can look a Temptation in the Face, and turn our back upon it; tho' the Devil come as a Serpent subtilly, and offers a Golden Apple, yet we will not touch the forbidden fruit. When the Devil shew'd Christ all the Kingdoms of the World and the glory of them: such was Christs love to his Father, that he abhor'd the Temptation. True love will not be bribed. When the Devils Darts are most fiery, a Saints love to God is most Fervent.

3. By Temptation God tries our courage, Hos. 7.11. Ephraim is a silly Dove without an Heart. So it may be said of many, they are excordes, without an Heart▪ they have no Heart to resist a temptation, no sooner doth Satan come with his sollicitations but they yield; like a Coward as soon as the thief approacheth he delivers p. 848his Purse. But he is the valorous Christian that brandisheth the Sword of the Spirit against Satan and will rather die than yield; the courage of the Romans was never more seen than when they were assaulted by the Carthaginians; the Heroick Spirit of a Saint is never more seen than in a Field Battle when he is fighting with the Red-Dragon, and by the power of faith puts the Devil to flight. Fidei robur potest esse concussum, non excussum Tertul. This is one reason why God lets his People be tempted, that their mettal may be tryed, their sincerity, love, magnanimity; when Grace is proved, the Gospel is honoured.

2. God suffers his Children to be tempted, that they may be kept from Pride, quos non Gula, foreign superavit, Cypr. Pride crept once into the Angels, and into the Apostles, when they disputed which of them should be greatest, and in Peter, tho' all men forsake thee, yet I will not, as if he had had more Grace than all the Apostles. Pride keeps Grace low, that it cannot thrive, as the Spleen swells, so the other parts of the body consume. As Pride grows, so Grace consumes. God resists Pride, and that he may keep his Children humble he suffers them sometimes to fall into temptation, 2 Cor. 12.7. lest I should be exalted, there was given to me a Thorn in the Flesh, a Messenger of Satan to buffet me. When Paul was lifted up in Revelations, he was in danger to be lifted up in Pride. Now came the Messenger of Satan to Buffet him, that was, some sore temptation to humble him. The Thorn in the Flesh was to prick the Bladder of Pride. Better is that temptation that humbles me, than that duty which makes me Proud. Rather than a Christian shall be Proud, God lets him fall into the Devils Hands a while, that he may be cured of his Imposthume.

3. God lets his People be tempted, that they may be fitter to comfort others, as are in the same distress: they can speak a word in due season to such as are weary. St. Paul was train'd up in the Fencing School of temptation, 2 Cor. 2.11. and he was able to acquaint others with Satans Wiles and Stratagems. A Man that hath rid over a place where there are Quick sands, is the fittest to guide others through that dangerous way. He who hath been buffeted by Satan, and hath felt the Claws of this Roaring Lion, is the fittest Man to deal with one that is tempted.

4. God lets his Children be tempted to make them long more for Heaven, where they shall be out of Gunshot; there they shall be freed from the hissing of the old Serpent. Satan is not yet fully cast into Prison, but is like a Prisoner that goes under Bail, he doth vex and molest the Saints, foreign, Chr. He lays his snares, throws his Fire-balls, but this is only to make the People of God long to be gone from hence, and that they may pray that they had the Wings of a Dove, to fly away beyond Satans temptations. God suffered Israel to be vexed with the Egyptians, that they might long the more to be in Canaan. Heaven is centrum, a place of rest, centrum quietativum, no Bullets of temptation fly there, the Eagle that Soars aloft in the Air, and sits pearching upon the tops of high Trees, is not troubled with the stinging of Serpents; so, when believers are gotten above into the Empyrean Heaven, they shall not be stung with the Old Serpent. The Devil is cast out of the Heavenly Paradise. Heaven is compared to an exceeding high Mountain, Rev. 21.10. it is so high, that Satans fiery Darts cannot reach up to it. Nullus ibi hostium metus, nullae insidiae daemonum, Bern.

The Temptations here are to make the Saints long till Death sound a Retreat, and call them off the Field where the Bullets of Temptation fly so thick, that they may receive a victorious Crown. Thus I have answered this question, why God lets his dear Servants be tempted.

Quest. 2. What Rocks of support are there, or what comfort for tempted Souls?

Answ. 1. That it is not our case alone, but hath been the case of Gods eminent Saints. 1 Cor. 10.13. There hath no temptation taken you, but that which is foreign, common to man, yea, to the Best: Men Christs Lambs which have had the ear mark of Election upon them, have been set upon by the Wolf. Elijah that could shut Heaven by Prayer, could not shut his Heart from a temptation, 1 Kin. 19.4. Iob was tempted to Curse God, Peter to deny Christ; hardly ever any Saint hath got to Heaven, but hath met with a Lion by the Way, sortem quam omnes sancti patiuntur nemo recusat, nay, Jesus Christ himself, tho he were free from sin, yet not from Temptation, we read of Christs Baptism, Mat. 3.16. and Mat. 4.1. Then was he led into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil. No sooner was Christ out of the Water of Baptism, but he was in the Fire of Temptation, and if the Devil would set upon Christ, no wonder if he set upon us. There was no sin in p. 849Christ, no Powder for the Devils fire. Temptation to Christ was like a Bur on a Christal Glass which glides off, or like a spark of fire on a marble Pillar which will not stick; yet Satan was so bold as to tempt Christ; this is some comfort, such as have been our Betters have wrestled with Temptations.

2. Rock of support that may comfort a tempted Soul is, that temptations (where they are burdens) evidence Grace. Satan doth not tempt Gods Children because they have sin in them, but because they have Grace in them. Had they no Grace, the Devil would not disturb them, where he keeps possession all is in peace, Luk. 11.21. his Temptations are to rob the Saints of their Grace, a Thief will not assault an empty House, but where he thinks there is Treasure. A Pyrate will not set upon an empty Ship, but that is full fraught with Spices and Jewels: so the Devil most assaults the people of God because he thinks they have a rich treasure of Grace in their Hearts, and he would rob them of that. What makes so many Cudgels be thrown at a Tree but because there is so much fruit hanging upon it? the Devil throws his temptations at you, because he sees you have so much fruit of Grace growing upon you. Tho to be tempted is a trouble, yet to think why you are tempted is a comfort.

3 The third Rock of support or comfort is, that Jesus Christ is near at hand, and stands by us in all our temptations. Here take notice of two things,

1. Christs sympathy in temptation.

2. Christs succour in temptation.

1. Christs Sympathy in our temptations. Nobis compatitur Christus. Heb. 4.15. We have not an High-priest who cannot be touch'd with the feeling of our Infirmities. Jesus Christ doth foreign, sympathise with us, he is so sensible of our Temptations, as if he himself lay under them, and did feel them in his own Soul. As in Musick when one string is touched all the rest sound: So Christs Bowels sound; we cannot be Tempted ▪ but he is touched. If you saw a Wolf worry your Child; would you not pity your Child? You cannot pity it so as Christ doth tempted ones. Christ had a fellow feeling when he was upon Earth, much more now in glory.

Quest. But how can it stand with Christs glory now in Heaven, to have a fellow-feeling of our miseries and temptations?

Answ. This fellow-feeling in Christ ariseth not from any infirmity or passion, but from the mystical union between him and his Members, Zach. 2.8. He that toucheth you, toucheth the Apple of mine Eye. Every injury done to a Saint, Christ takes as done to him in Heaven; every temptation is a striking at Christ, and he is touch'd with the feeling of our temptations

2. Christs succour in temptation; as the good Samaritan first had compassion on the wounded Man, there was Sympathy, then he poured in Wine and Oil, there was succour, Luke. 10.34. So when we are wounded by the Red Dragon ▪ Christ is first touched with compassion, and then he pours in Wine and Oil, Heb. 2.18. in that he himself hath suffer'd being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. The Greek word to succour, foreign signifies to run speedily to ones help; so fierce is Satan, so frail is Man, that Christ who is God-man runs speedily to his help. When Peter was ready to sink, and said, Lord save me, Christ presently stretched forth his hand and caught him. So when a poor Soul is tempted, and cries to Heaven for help, Lord save me, Christ comes in with his Auxiliary Forces: Noscit Christus, our Lord Jesus knows what it is to be tempted, therefore is so ready to succour such as are tempted; it hath been an observation, that child-bearing Women are more pittiful to others in their Travails, than such Women as are Barren. So the Lord Jesus having been in Travail by Temptations and Sufferings, is more ready to pity and succour such as are tempted.

Concerning Christs succouring the Tempted, consider two things.

1. Christs Ability to succour.

2. His Agility to succour.

1. Christs Ability to succour, Heb. 2.18. foreign he is able to succour them that are tempted. Christ is call'd Michael, Rev. 12.7. which signifies, Who is like God? Tho' the Tempted Soul is weak, yet he fights under a good Captain; The Lion p. 850of the Tribe of Iudah. When a tempted Soul fights, Christ comes into the Field as his Second. Michael will be too hard for the Dragon; when the Devil lays the Siege of a Temptation, Christ can raise the Siege when he please. He can beat through the Enemies quarters, and can so rout Satan, that he shall never be able to rally his forces any more. Jesus Christ is on the Saints side, and who would desire a better Live-guard than Omnipotency?

2. Christs Agility in succouring. As Christ is able to succour the tempted, so he will certainly succour them. Christs power inables him, his love inclines him, his faithfulness engageth him to succour tempted Souls. This is a great comfort to a Soul in Temptation, he hath a succouring Saviour, as God did succour Israel in the Wilderness among fiery Serpents, they had the Rock set abroach, the Manna, the Pillar of Cloud, the Brazen Serpent; what was this but a Type of Gods succouring a poor Soul in the Wilderness of Temptation, stung with the Devil that fiery Serpent? Alexander being asked how he could sleep so securely when his Enemies were about him, said, Antipater is awake, who is always vigilant. So when our tempting Enemy is near us, Jesus Christ is awake, who is a Wall of Fire about us. There is a great deal of succour to the tempted in the Names given to Christ. As Satans names may terrifie, so Christs names may succour. The Devil is called Apollyon, the Devourer, Rev. 9.11. Christ is called a Saviour, the Devil is call'd foreign the Strong man; Mat. 12.29. Christ is call'd el Gibbor, the mighty God, Isa. 9 6. the Devil is call'd the Accuser, Rev. 12.10. Christ is called the Advocate, 1 Ioh. 2.1. The Devil is called the Tempter, Mat. 4.3. Christ is called the Comforter, Luke 2.25. The Devil is call'd the Prince of Darkness, Christ is call'd the Sun of Righteousness: The Devil is call'd the Old Serpent, Christ is call'd the Brazen Serpent that Heals, Iohn 3.15.

Thus the very names of Christ have some succour in them for Tempted Souls.

Quest. How, and in what manner doth Christ succour them that are tempted.

Answ. Several ways.

1. Christ succours them by sending his Spirit, whose works it is to bring those promises to their mind, which are fortifying, Iohn 14.26. he shall bring all things to your remembrance. The Spirit furnisheth us with promises, as so many Weapons to fight against the old Serpent, Rom. 16.20. the Lord will shortly bruise Satan under your feet, 1 Cor. 10.13. God will not suffer you to be tempted foreign above that ye are able, Gen. 3.15. The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents Head. We are oft in times of Temptation as a Man that hath his House beset, and cannot find his Weapons, he hath his Sword and his Gun to seek: now, in this case Christ sends his Spirit, and he brings things to our remembrance that help us in our Combat with Satan. The Spirit of Christ doth to one that is tempted as Aaron and Hur did to Moses, they put a Stone under him, and held up his Hands, and then Israel prevailed. So Gods Spirit puts the Promises under the Hand of Faith, and then a Christian overcomes the Devil that spiritual Amalek. The Promise is to the Soul as the Anchor is to a Ship, which keeps it steddy in a Storm.

2. Christ succours them that are tempted, by his blessed interceeding for them. When the Devil is tempting, Christ is praying.

Of this the next timer

2. Christ succours his Saints by interceeding for them, when Satan is tempting Christ is praying. That prayer Christ put up for Peter, when he was tempted, extend… to all the Saints, Luk. 22.32. Lord, saith Christ, it is my Child that is tempted, Father pitty him, when a poor Soul lies bleeding of his wounds the Devil hath given him. Christ presents his Wounds to his Father, and in the virtue of those pleads for Mercy. How powerful must Christs Prayer needs be. He is a Favorite, Iohn. 11.42. He is both an High-Priest and a Son, if God could forget that Christ were a Priest, yet he cannot forget that he is a Son; besides, Christ prays for nothing but what is agreeable to his Fathers Will, if a Kings Son Petitions only for that which his Father hath a Mind to grant, his suit will not be denied.

3. Christ succours his People by taking of the Tempter, a Shepherd when the Sheep begins to straggle, may set the Dog on the Sheep to bring it nearer the Fold, but then he calls off the Dog again. God will take of the Tempter, 1 Cor. 10.13. He will with the Temptation make a way to escape, foreign, he will p. 851make an Out-let. Christ will rebuke the Tempter, Zach. 3.2. The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan. This is no small support, that Christ succours the Tempted. The Mother succours the Child most when it is sick: she sits by its Bed-side, brings it Cordials. So when a Soul is most assaulted it shall be most assisted.

Object. But I have dealt unkindly with Christ, and sinn'd against his Love, and sure he will not succour me, but let me perish in the Battel.

Answ. Christ is a merciful High-priest, and will succour thee notwithstanding thy failings. Ioseph was a Type of Christ. His Brethren sold him away, and the Irons entered into his Soul, yet afterwards when his Brethren were ready to die in the Famine, he forgot their injuries and succoured them with Money and Corn. I am, saith he, Ioseph your Brother, so will Christ say to a tempted Soul, I know thy unkindnesses, how thou hast distrusted my Love, grieved my Spirit, but I am Ioseph, I am Jesus, therefore I will succour thee when thou art tempted.

4. Rock of support. The best Men may be most tempted. A rich Ship may be violently set upon by Pyrats. He who is rich in Faith yet may have the Devil (that Pyrate) set upon him by his battering pieces. Iob an eminent Saint, yet how fiercely was he assaulted. Satan did smite his body, that he might tempt him either to question Gods Providence or quarrel with it, St. Paul was a chosen vessel, but how was this vessel battered with Tentation, 2 Cor. 12.7.

Object. But is it not said, he who is born of God the Wicked one toucheth him not? 1 Joh. 5.18.

Answ. It is not meant that the Devil doth not tempt him, but, he toucheth him not, that is, tactu lethali Cajetan, with a deadly touch, 1 Joh. 5.16. There is a sin unto Death; now Satan with all his Temptations doth not make a Child of God sin a sin unto Death. Thus he toucheth him not.

5. Rock of support. Satan can go no further in tempting than God will give him leave. The power of the Tempter is limited. A whole Legion of Devils could not touch one Swine till Christ gave them leave. Satan would have sifted Peter, to have sifted out all his Grace, but Christ would not suffer him, I have prayed for thee, &c. Christ binds the Devil in a Chain, Rev. 20.1. If Satans power were according to his malice, not one Soul should be saved, but he is a Chained Enemy; this is a comfort, Satan cannot go an Hairs breadth beyond Gods permission. If an Enemy could not touch a Child further than the Father did appoint, sure he should do the Child no great hurt.

6. Rock of support. It is not the having a Tentation makes guilty, but the giving consent. We cannot hinder a Tentation, Elijah that could by Prayer shut Heaven, could not shut out a Temptation, but if we abhor the Temptation, it is our burden, not our sin. We read in the old Law if one went to force a Virgin, and she cried out, she was reputed innocent. If Satan would by temptation commit a Rape upon a Christian, and he cries out, and will not give consent, the Lord will charge it upon the Devils score. It is not the laying the Bait hurts the Fish, if the Fish doth not bite.

7. Rock of support. Our being tempted is no sign of Gods hating us. A Child of God oft thinks God doth not love him, because he lets him be haunted with the Devil, non sequitur, this is a wrong conclusion, was not Christ himself tempted, yet by a Voice from Heaven proclaimed, This is my beloved Son, Mat. 3.17. Satans tempting and Gods loving may stand together. The Goldsmith loves his Gold in the Fire, God loves a Saint tho shot at by fiery Darts.

8. Rock of support. Christs Temptation was for our consolation, aqua-ignis. Jesus Christ is to be looked upon as a publick person, as our Head and Representative, and what Christ did he did for us. His prayer was for us, his suffering was for us, when he was tempted and overcame the temptation, he overcame for us. Christs conquering Satan, was to shew that every Elect Person shall at last be a Conqueror over Satan; when Christ overcame Satans temptations, it was not only to give us an example of Courage, but an assurance of Conquest. We have overcome Satan already in our Head, and we shall at last perfectly overcome.

9. Rock of support, the Saints Temptations shall not be above their strength. The Lutenist will not stretch the strings of his Lute too hard, lest they break, 1 Cor. 10.13. God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted foreign, above that ye are able. God will proportion our strength to the stroke. 2. Cor. 12.9. My Grace is sufficient for thee ▪ The Torch-light of Faith shall be kept burning, notwithstanding all the Winds of Temptation blowing.

p. 85210. Rock of support, these temptations shall produce much good.

1. They shall quicken a Spirit of Prayer in the Saints, they shall pray more and better. Temptation is orationis flabellum, the exciter of Prayer! perhaps (before) the Saints came to God as cold suiters in Prayer, they pray'd as if they pray'd not; temptation is a Medicine for security. When Paul had a Messenger of Satan to buffet him, he was more earnest in Prayer, 2 Cor. 12.8. Three times I besought the Lord; the Thorn in the Flesh was a Spur in his sides to quicken him in Prayer. The Deer being shot with the Dart, runs faster to the Water, when a Soul is shot with the fiery Darts of Temptation, he runs the faster to the Throne of Grace, now he is earnest with God either to take off the Tempter, or to stand by him when he is tempted.

2. God makes the temptation to sin a means to prevent sin. The more a Christian is tempted, the more he Fights against the temptation, the more a chast Woman is assaulted, the more she abhors the motion. The stronger Iosephs temptation was, the stronger was his opposition. The more the Enemy attempts to storm a Castle, the more he is repelled and beat back.

3. Godly temptations causeth the encrease of Grace. Vnus Christianus temptatus mille. One tempted Christian, saith Luther, is worth a thousand. He grows more in Grace. As the Bellows encreaseth the flame; So the Bellows of a Temptation doth encrease the flame of Grace.

4. By these temptations God makes way for comfort. As Christ after he was tempted, the Angels came and ministred unto him, Mat. 4.11. As when Abraham had been warring, Mechisedeck brought him Bread and Wine to revive his Spirits, Gen. 14▪ 18. so after the Saints have been warring with Satan, now God sends His Spirit to comfort them, which made Luther say, that temptations were Amplexus Christi, Christs embraces, because he doth then most sweetly manifest himself to the Soul. Thus you see what Rocks of support there are for tempted Souls.

That I may further comfort such as are tempted, let me speak to two cases of the tempted.

1. Case. I have horrid temptations to blasphemy?

Ans. Did not the Devil tempt Christ after this manner? Mat. 4.9. All this will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me. What greater Blasphemy can be imagined, than that the God of Heaven and Earth should worship the Devil? yet Christ was tempted to this. If when Blasphemous thoughts are injected you tremble at them, and are in a cold sweat, they are not yours, Satan shall answer for them. Let him that plots the Treason suffer.

2. Case. But my case is yet worse▪ I have been tempted to such sins and have yielded; the Tempter hath overcome me?

Ans. I grant that through the with-drawing of Gods Grace, and the force of a temptation a Child of God may be overcome. David was overcome by temptation in case of Bathsheba and numbring the people. There is a party of Grace in the Heart, true to Christ, but sometimes it may be over-voted by corruption, and then a Christian yields; 'tis sad thus to yield to the Tempter, but yet let not a Child of God be wholly discouraged, and say there is no hope, let me pour in some Balm of Gilead into this wounded Soul. Tho' a Christian may fall by a temptation, yet the Seed of God is in him, 1 John 3.9. His Seed remaineth in him. Gratia concutitur, non excutitur, Aug. A Man may be bruis'd by a fall, yet there is Life in him; a Christian being foiled by Satan, may be like him who going to Iericho, fell among Thieves wounded and half dead, Luk. 10.30. but still there's foreign, a vital principle of Grace, his Seed remains in him. Tho' a Child of God may be overcome in praelio, in a skirmish, yet not in bello in the main Battel, an Army may be worsted in a Skirmish, but overcomes at last. Tho' Satan may foil a Child of God in a Skirmish by Tentation, yet the Believer shall overcome at last. A Saint may be foiled, not conquered; he may lose Ground, not lose the Victory.

3. God doth not judge of his Children by one action, but by the frame of their Heart, as God doth not judge of a Wicked Man by one good action, so neither of a Godly Man by one bad action; a Holy person may be worsted by a temptation, but God doth not measure him by that, who measures milk when it seeths and boils up? God doth not take the measure of a Saint, when the Devil hath boiled him up in a passion, but God judgeth of him by the Pulse and Temper of his Heart, he would fear God, when he fails he weeps; God looks which way the Biass of his Heart stands: If his Heart be set against Sin, God will Pardon.

p. 8534. God will make a Saints being foil'd by Temptation, turn to his spiritual Advantage.

1. He may let a Regenerate Person fall by a Temptation, to make him more Watchful. Perhaps he walks loosly, and so was decoy'd into sin; but for the future he grows more curious and cautious in his walking: The foiled Christian is a vigilant Christian. He will have a care of coming within the Lions Chain any more, he will be shy and fearful of the Occasions of sin; he will not go abroad without his spiritual Armour, and he girds on his Armour by Prayer. When a wild Beast gets over the Hedge and hurts the Corn, a Man will make his Fence the stronger. So when the Devil gets over the Hedge by a Temptation, and foils a Christian, he will be sure to mend his Fence, and be more vigilant against a Temptation afterwards.

2. God lets his Children be sometimes foiled by a Temptation, that they may see their Continual Dependance on God, and may go to him for strength. We need not only habitual Grace to stand against Temptation, but Auxiliary Grace. As the Boat needs not only the Oars, but Wind to carry it against a strong Tide. God lets his Children sometimes fall by a Temptation that seeing their own Weakness, they may rest more on Christ and Free-Grace, Cant. 8.5.

3. God by suffering his Children to be foiled by a Temptation, will settle them the more in Grace; they shall get strength by their Foils. The Poets feign, that Antaeas the Giant in Wrestling with Hercules got Strength by every fall to the ground; it is true here. A Saint being foiled in wrestling with Satan gets more spiritual Strength. Peter had never such a strengthening in his Faith, as after his being foiled in the High-Priest's Hall. How was he fired with Zeal, steeled with Courage? He who before was dash'd out of Countenance by the Voice of a Maid; now dares openly confess Christ before the Rulers and the Councils▪ Acts 2.14. The shaking of the Tree settles it the more; God lets his Children be shaken with the Wind of Temptation, that they may be more setled in Grace afterwards. This I have spoken that such Christians as God hath suffered to be foiled by Temptation, may not cast away their Anchor, or give way to sad despairing Thoughts.

Object. But this may seem to make Christians careless whether they fall into a Temptation or no; if God can make their being foiled by a Temptation advantagious to them?

Answ. We must distinguish between one who is foiled through Weakness, and through Wilfulness. If a Soldier fights, but is foil'd for want of Strength, the General of the Army will pity him and bind up his Wounds. But if he be wilfully foil'd, and proves treacherous, he must expect no Favour. So if a Christian fight it out with Satan, but is foil'd for want of Strength, (as it was with Peter,) God will pity him, and do him good by his being foil'd. But if he be foil'd wilfully and runs into a Temptation, (as it was with Iudas,) God will shew him no Favour, but will execute Martial Law upon him.

The Vses Remain.

Vse 1. See in what continual Danger we are. Satan is an exquisite Artist, a deep Headpiece, he lies in Ambush to ensnare; he is foreign, the Tempter, it is his Delight to make the Saints sin, and he is subtil in tempting; he hath foreign, Ways and Methods to deceive.

First. He brings a Saint into sin, by making him Confide in his habitual Graces. Satan makes him believe he hath such a stock of Grace, as will Antidote him against all Temptations. Thus Satan deceiv'd Peter, he made him trust in his Grace; he had such a Cable of Faith, and strong Tacklings, that tho' the Winds of Temptation did blow never so fierce, he could weather the Point. Tho all men forsake thee, yet, I will not; as if he had more Grace than all the Apostles: thus he was led into Temptation and fell in the Battle; a man may make an Idol of Grace. Habitual Grace is not sufficient without Auxiliary. The Boat needs not only Oars, but a Gale of Wind to carry it against Tide; so we need not only habitual Grace but the blowing of the Spirit to carry us against a strong Temptation.

Secondly. Satan tempts to sin by the Baits and Allurements of the World. Foenus Pecuniae funus Animae—one of Christ's own Apostles was caught with a silver Bait. Such as the Devil cannot debauch with Vice, he will corrupt with Money. All this will I give thee, was his last Temptation, Mat. 4.9. Achan was p. 854deluded by a Wedge of Gold. Silvester the Second did sell his Soul to the Devil for a Popedom.

Thirdly. Satan tempts to sin sub specie boni, under a mask and shew of good; his Temptations seem gracious Motions.

1. He tempts Men to Duties of Religion; you will think this strange that Satan should tempt to duty, but it is so. 1. he tempts Men to duty out of sinister Ends. Thus he tempted the Pharisees to Pray and give Alms, That they might be seen of men, Mat. 6.5. Prayer is a Duty, but to look a squint in Prayer, to do it for Vain-glory, this Prayer is turn'd into sin. 2. He tempts to duty when it is not in season, Numb. 28.2. My Offering and my Bread for my Sacrifices shall ye offer unto me in their due season. Satan tempts to duty when it is out of season. He tempts to read the Word at home, when we should be hearing the Word. He will so tempt to one duty as it may hinder another. 3. He tempts some to duty, out of design that it may be a Cloak for sin. He tempts them to frequency in duty that they may sin and be less suspected. He tempted the Pharisees to make long Prayers, That they might devour widows houses under this pretence, Mat. 23.14. Who would suspect him of false Weights, that so oft holds a Bible in his hand? Thus cunning is Satan, he tempts to duty.

2. He tempts men to sin out of a shew of Love to Christ. You will think this strange, but there's truth in it. Many a good Heart may think what he doth is in love to Christ, and all this while he may be under a Temptation. Christ told Peter, he must suffer at Ierusalem, Peter took him and rebuked him, Be it far from thee, Lord, Mat. 16.21. as if he had said to Christ, Lord thou hast deserved no such shameful death, and this shall not be unto thee. Peter as he thought did this out of love to Christ, but Peter was all this while under a Temptation. What had become of us if Christ had hearkened to Peter, and had not suffered? So when Christ wash'd his Disciples Feet, Peter was so mannerly, that he would not let Christ wash his Feet, Ioh. 13.8. Thou shalt never wash my Feet. This Peter did (as he thought) out of Love and Respect to Christ; Peter thought Christ was too good to wash his Feet, and therefore would have put Christ off; but this was a Temptation, the Devil put Peter upon this sinful Modesty; he struck at Peters Salvation, insomuch that Christ saith, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part in me. So again, when the Samaritans would not receive Christ, the Disciples, Iames and Iohn said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire from Heaven to consume them? Luke 9.54. They did this as they thought out of Love to Christ▪ they would wish for fire to consume his Enemies. But they were under a Temptation, it was not Zeal, but the Wild-fire of their own Passion; Ye know not (saith Christ) what spirits ye are of.

Fourthly. Satan tempts to that sin which a mans Heart is naturally most inclinable to; he will not tempt a civil Man to Gross sin, this is abhorring to the light of Nature. Satan never sets a dish before men that they do not love? but he will tempt a civil man to Pride, and to trust in his own Righteousness; and to make a Saviour of his Civility. The Spider weaves a Web out of her own Bowels; the civil Man would weave a Web of Salvation out of his own Righteousness. See then in what danger we are when Satan is continually lying in Ambush with his Temptations.

Inference 2. See mans Inability of himself to resist a Temptation. Could he stand of himself against a Temptation, this Prayer were needless, Lead us not into Temptation; no man hath Power of himself to resist a Temptation further than God gives him Strength, Ier. 10.23. O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself. If Peter who had True Grace, and Adam who had Perfect Grace could not stand against Temptation; much less can any stand by the Power of Nature, which Confutes the Doctrine of Free-will; what freedom of Will hath man, when he cannot resist the least Temptation?

Infer. 3. Here is Matter of Humiliation that there is in us such an Aptitude and proneness to yield to Temptation—Nitimur in vetitum—we are as ready to swallow a Temptation as the fish to swallow the Bait. If the Devil tempt to Pride, Lust, Envy, Revenge; how do we symbolize with Satan, and embrace his snares. Like a Woman that hath a Suitor come to her, and she doth not need much wooing, she presently gives her Consent. Satan comes a wooing by Temptation, and we soon yield; he strikes fire and we are as dry Tinder that catcheth the first spark. He knocks by temptation, and (it is sad to think how) soon p. 855we open the door to the Devil, which is as if one should open the door to a Thief, this may cause a spring of Tears.

Infer. 4. See hence a Christians Life is no easie life, it is Military; he hath a Goliah in the field to Encounter with, one that is arm'd with Power and Subtilty; he hath his Wiles and Darts. A Christian must be continually Watching and Fighting; Satans Designs carry death in the Front, 1 Pet. 5.8. Seeking whom he he may devour. Therefore we had need be always with our Weapons in our hand. How few think their Life a warfare? Tho' they have an Enemy in the field that is always laying of Snares or shooting of Darts, yet they do not stand Sentinel or get their spiritual Artillery ready? They put on their Iewels, but not their Armour, Iob 21.12. They take the Tymbrel, and Harp, and rejoyce at the sound of the Organ, as if they were rather in Musick than in Battle. Many are asleep in sloth when they should be fighting against Satan, and no wonder the Devil shoots them when he finds them asleep.

Use 2. It reproves them who pray, Lead us not into Temptation, yet run themselves into Temptation. Such are they who go to Plays and Masquerades, and hunt after strange Flesh. Some go a slower pace to Hell, but such as run themselves into Temptation, these go galloping thither; we have too many of these in this debauch'd Age, who as if they thought they could not sin fast enough, tempt the Devil to tempt them.

Vse 3. Exhortation. Let us labour that we be not overcome by temptation.

Quest. What means may be used that Satans Temptations may not prevail against us?

Resp. 1. Avoid Solitariness. It is no Wisdom in fighting with an Enemy to give him the Advantage of the Ground; we give Satan Advantage of the Ground, when we are alone. Eve was foiled in the Absence of her Husband; a Virgin is not so soon set upon in company, Eccles. 4 10. Two are better than one. Get into the Communion of Saints, and that is a good Remedy against Temptation.

2. If you would not be overcome of Temptation, beware of the Predominancy of Melancholy. This is Atra bilis, a black Humour seated chiefly in the Brain; Melancholy disturbs Reason, and exposeth to Temptation. One calls Melancholy Balneum Diaboli, the Devils Bath; he baths himself with Delight in such a Person. Melancholy clothes the Mind in Sable, it fills it with such dismal Apprehensions, as oft end in self-murder.

3. If you would not be overcome of Temptation, study Sobriety. 1 Pet. 5.8. Be sober, because your Adversary walketh about. Sober-mindedness consists in the moderate use of earthly Things; an immoderate desire of these things oft brings men into the snare of the Devil. 1 Tim. 6.9. They that will be rich fall into a Snare. He who loves Riches inordinately, will purchase them unjustly. Ahab would swim to Nabo…hs Vineyard in Blood. He who is drunk with the Love of the World is never free from Temptation, he will pull down his Soul to build up an Estate. Quid non mortalia pectora cogis auri sacra fames? —Be sober, take heed of being drunk with the love of the World, lest ye fall into Temptation.

4. Be always upon your Guard, watch against Satans Wiles and Subtilties, 1 Pet. 5.8. Be vigilant▪ because your Adversary the Devil walks about. A Christian must Excubias agere, keep Watch and Ward. See where Satan labours to make a Breach, see what Grace he most strikes at, or what sin he most tempts to, Mark 13.37. I say to you all Watch. Watch all the Sences, the Eye, the Ear, the Touch; Satan can creep in here. O how needful is the spiritual Watch! shall Satan be watchful and we drowsie? Doth he watch to devour us, and shall not we watch to save our selves? Let us see what sin our Heart most naturally inclines to, and watch against this.

5. Beware of Idleness. Satan sows most of his seed in fallow Ground; it was Hieroms Counsel to his Friend to be ever busied, that if the Devil did come he might find him working in the Vineyard. Idleness tempts the Devil to tempt; the Bird that sits still is shot, he that wants Employment, never wants Temptation. When a man hath nothing to do, Satan will bring Grist to the Mill, and find him work enough.

6. Make known thy Case to some godly Friend. The hiding a Serpent in the Bosom, is not the way to be safe. When the old Serpent hath gotten into your Bosom by a Temptation, do not hide him there by keeping his Counsel. p. 856If a spark be got into the Thatch, it is not Wisdom to conceal it, it may set the House on fire; conceal not Temptation. The keeping of Secrets is for familiar Friends: be not so great a friend to Satan as to keep his secrets; Reveal your Temptations, which is the way to procure others Prayer and Advice. Let all see that you are not true to Satans Party, because you tell all his Plots, and reveal his Treasons. Besides, the telling our Case to some Experienced Christian, is the way to have ease; as the opening a Vein gives ease; so the opening our Case to a Friend, gives ease to the Soul, and a Temptation doth not so much inflame.

7. Make use of the Word. This the Apostle calls the Sword of the Spirit, Ephes. 6.17. a fit Weapon to fight against the Tempter. This Sword of the Spirit is Gladius anceps, a Two-edged Sword; it wounds carnal Lust, and it wounds Satan. He who travels a Road where there is Robbing, will be sure to ride with his Sword. We are travelling to Heaven, and in this Road there is a Thief will always beset us. Satan is in every place where we go. He meets us at Church, he doth not miss a Sermon, he will be tempting us there, sometimes to Drowsiness; when you sleep at a Sermon the Devil rocks you a-sleep, sometimes he tempts by distracting the Mind in Hearing. Sometimes he tempts to question the Truth of what you hear, thus we meet with the Tempter at Church; and he tempts in the shop, he tempts you to use Collusion and Deceit, Hos. 12.7. The Ballances of Deceit are in his Hand. So that we meet with the Tempter every where; therefore, this Thief being in the Road, we had need ride with a Sword; we must have the Sword of the Spirit about us We must have skill to use this Sword, and have an Heart to draw it out, and this Sword will put the Devil to flight. Thus our Blessed Saviour when Satan tempted him to Distrust and Blasphemy, he used a Scripture Weapon▪ It is written. Three times Christ wounded the old Serpent with this Sword. Christ could with his Power and Authority have rebuked the Prince of the Air, as he did the Winds, but he stops the Devils Mouth with Scripture, It is written. It is not our Vows or Resolutions will do it, it is not the Papists Holy-Water or Charms will drive away the Devil, but let us bring the Word of God against him; this is such an Argument as he cannot answer. It was a saying of Luther, I have had great Troubles of Mind, but so soon as I laid hold on any place of Scripture, and staid my self upon it, as upon my chief Anchor; straightway my Temptations vanished away; there's no Temptation but we have a fit Scripture to answer it. If Satan tempts to Sabbath-Breaking answer him, It is written, Remember to keep the Sabbath Day Holy. If he tempts to Uncleanness, answer him, It is written, Whore-Mongers and Adulterers God will judge. If he tempts to Carnal Fear, say, It is written, Fear not them that kill the Body, and after that have no more that they can do. No such way to confute Temptation as by Scripture. The Arrows which we shoot against Satan must be fetch'd out of this Quiver. Many People want this Sword of the Spirit, they have not a Bible; others seldom make use of this Sword, but let it rust, they look seldom into the Scripture; therefore no wonder they are overcome by Temptations. He who is well skill'd in the Word, is like one who hath a Plaister ready to lay upon the Wound assoon as it is made, and so the danger is prevented. Oh study the Scripture and you will be too hard for the Devil; he cannot stand against this.

8. Let us be careful of our own Hearts, that they do not DECOY us into sin. The Apostle saith, A Man is drawn away of his own Heart and enticed, Iam. 1.14. Quis que sibi Satan est, B…rn. Every man hath a Tempter in his own Bosom. A Traitor within the Castle is dangerous. The Heart can bring forth a Temptation, tho' Satan doth not Midwife it into the World. If Satan were dead and buried, the Heart could draw us to Evil. As the Ground of all Diseases lies in the Humours of the Body; so the Seed of all sin lies in Original Lust. Look to your Hearts.

9. If you would not be overcome of Temptation, fly the Occasions of sin. Occasions of sin have a Great Force in them to awaken Lust within. He that would keep himself free from Infection, will not come near an infected House, if you would be sober avoid drunken Company. Ioseph when he was enticed by his Mistress shun'd the Occasion, the Text saith, he would not be with her, Gen. 39.10. If you would not be ensnared by Popery, do not hear the Mass. The Nazarite who was forbid Wine, might not eat Grapes; which might occasion p. 857intemperance. Come not near the Borders of a temptation. Suppose one had a body made of Gunpowder, he would not come near the least spark of Fire, lest he should be blown up: Many Pray, Lead us not into Temptation, and they run themselves into temptation.

10. If you would not be overcome by temptation, make use of Faith above all things. Take the Shield of Faith, Ephes. 6.16. Faith wards off Satan's fiery darts, that they do not hurt, 1 Pet. 5.9. Whom resist, stedfast in Faith Mariners in a storm flie to their Anchor. Flie to your Anchor of Faith: Faith brings Christ along with it. Duellers bring their Second with them into the Field: Faith brings Christ for its Second. Faith puts us into Christ, and then the Devil cannot hurt us. The Chicken▪ is safe from the Birds of Prey under the Wings of the Hen; and we are secure from the Tempter under the Wings of the Lord Iesus. Though other Graces are of use to resist the Impulsions of Satan, yet Faith is the Conquering Grace: Faith takes hold of Christ's Merits, Value and Vertue, and so a Christian is too hard for the Devil. The Stars vanish when the Sun appears: Satan vanisheth when Faith appears.

11. If you would not be overcome of temptation, be much in Prayer. Such as walk in infectious places, carry Antidotes about them. Prayer is the best Antidote against temptation. When the Apostle had exhorted to put on the whole Armour of God, Ephes. 6.11. he adds, Vers. 18. …raying with all Prayer. Without this Reliqua arma parum prosunt. Zanchy. All other Weapons will do little good. Christ prescribes this Remedy, Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation, Mark 14.38. A Christian fetcheth down strength from Heaven by Prayer. Let us Cry to God for help against the Tempter, as Sampson cried to Heaven for help, Judg. 16.28. O Lord God, remember me, and strengthen me I pray thee, that I may be avenged of the Philistines: and, vers. 30. The house fell upon the Lords, and upon all the People.

Prayer is stagellum diaboli, it whips and torments the Devil: The Apostle bids us Pray, foreign, without ceasing, 1 Thes. 5.17. It was Luther's advice to a Lady, when temptation came, to fall upon her knees by Prayer. Prayer doth asswage the force of a temptation. Prayer is the best Charm or Spell we can use against the Devil. Temptation may bruise our Heel, but by Prayer we wound the Serpents Head. When Paul had a Messenger of Satan to buffet him, what remedy doth he use? He betook himself to Prayer, 2 Cor. 12.8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. When Satan assaults furiously, let us Pray fervently.

12. If you would not be overcome of temptation, be Humble in your own eyes: Such are nearest falling who presume of their own strength. Penelton who said, his fat flesh should melt in the fire; instead of his fat melting, his heart melted, and he turned from the Truth. When Men grow into a big conceit, God lets them fall, to prick the Bladder of Pride. O be humble! Such are like to hold out best in a temptation, who have most Grace: but God gives more Grace to the humble, Iames 4 6. Beware of Pride; an Imposthume is not more dangerous in the Body, than Pride in the Soul. The Doves (saith Pliny) take a pride in their Feathers, and in their flying high; at last they flie so high that they are a prey to the Hawk: When Men flie high in Pride and Self-confidence, they become a prey to the Tempter.

13. If you would not be foil'd by temptation, do not enter into a Dispute with Satan. When Eve began to argue the Case with the Serpent, the Serpent was too hard for her. The Devil, by his Logick, disputed her out of Paradise: Satan can mince sin, and make it small, and varnish it over, and make it look like Vertue; Satan is too subtil a Sophister to hold an Argument with him. Dispute not, but Fight. If you enter into a Parley with Satan, you give him half the Victory.

14. If we would not be overcome of Satan, let us put on Christian Fortitude. An Enemy we must expect, who is either shooting of darts, or laying of snares, therefore let us be armed with courage, 2 Chr. 19.11. Deal couragiously, and the Lord shall be with the good. The Coward never won Victory: And, to animate us in our Combat with Satan,

1. We have a good Captain that Marcheth before us. Christ is called the Captain of our Salvation, Heb. 2.10.

2. We have good Armour; Grace is foreign, Armour of God's making, Ephes. 6.11.

p. 8583. Satan is beaten in part already: Christ hath given him his Deaths-wound upon the Cross, Col. 1.15.

4. Satan is a Chained Enemy, his Power is limited. He cannot Force the Will: It was all Eve complained of, that the Serpent deceived her, not constrained her, Gen. 3.13. Satan hath astutiam Suadendi, not potentiam Cogendi; he may perswade, not compel.

5. He is a Cursed Enemy, and God's Curse will blast him: Therefore put on Holy Gallantry of Spirit and Magnanimity. Fear not Satan. Greater is he that is in you, than he that is against you.

15. If we would not be overcome of a Temptation, let us call in the help of others. If an House be set on fire, would you not call in help? Satan tempts that he may rob you of your Soul; acquaint some Friends with your Case, and beg their Counsel and Prayers: Who knows but Satan may be cast out by the joynt-prayer of others? In case of Temptation, how exceeding helpful is the Communion of Saints.

16. If we would not be overcome of Temptation, let us make use of all the Encouragements we can. If Satan be a Roaring Lion, Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Iudah; if Satan Tempts, Christ Prays: If Satan be a Serpent to Sting, Christ is a Brazen-Serpent to Heal: if the Conflict be hard, look to the Crown, James 1.12. Whilst we are fighting, Christ will Succour us, and when we overcome he will Crown us. What makes the Soldier endure a bloody fight, but hope of a Golden Harvest? Think, that shortly God will call us out of the Field, where the Bullets of Temptation fly so fast, and he will set a Garland of Glory upon our head. How will the case be altered? Instead of Fighting, Singing; instead of an Helmet, a Diadem; instead of a Sword, a Palm-branch of Victory; instead of Armour, White Robes; instead of Satan's Skirmishes, the Kisses and Embraces of a Saviour? The viewing these eternal Recompences would keep us from yielding to Temptation. Who would to gratifie a Lust, lose a Crown.

Use 4. A word of Counsel to such as are Tempted; Be so wise as to make good use of your Temptations; as we should labour to improve our Afflictions, so to improve our Temptations. We should pick some good out of Temptation, as Sampson got Honey out of the Lion.

Quest. What Good comes out of a Temptation? Can there be any good in being set upon by an Enemy? Can there be any good to have fiery darts shot at us? Yes, God that can make a Treacle of Poison, can make his People get much good by their Temptations. First, Hereby a Christian sees that Corruption in his heart, which he never saw before: Water in a Glass looks pure, but set it on the fire, and the Scum boils up: So in Temptation, a Christian sees that Scum of Sin boil up, that Passion and Distrust of God as he thought had not been in his heart. Secondly, Hereby a Christian sees more of the Wiles of Satan, and is better able to withstand them. St. Paul had been in the Fencing School of Temptation, and he grew expert in finding out Satan's Stratagems, 2 Cor. 2.11. We are not ignorant of his devices. Thirdly, Hereby a Christian grows more humble; God will rather let his Children fall into the Devil's hands than be Proud; Temptation makes the Plumes of Pride fall, 2 Cor. 12.7. Lest I should be exalted above measure, there was given me a thorn in the flesh. Better is that Temptation that Humbles, than that Duty which makes one Proud. Thus you see how much good a Christian may get by Temptation; which made Luther say, Three things make a good Divine, Prayer, Meditation, Temptation.

Vse 5. To such as have been under sore Temptations and Buffetings of Satan, to (Lust, Revenge, Self-murder,) but God hath stood by them, and given them strength to overcome the Tempter.

1. Be very thankful to God; say as, 1 Cor. 15.57. Thanks be to God who gives us the Victory. Be much in Doxology. Why were we kept more than others from falling into sin? Was it because Temptation was not so strong? No: Satan shoots his darts with all his Force. Was the Cause in our Will? No: such a broken Shield would never have conquer'd Satans Temptations; know, that it was Free-grace that beat back the Tempter, and brought us off with Trophies of Victory. O be thankful to God: had you been overcome by Temptation, you might have put black-spots in the face of Religion, and given occasion to the Enemies of God to blaspheme, 2 Sam. 12.14. Had you been overcome, you might have lain sick of a Wounded Spirit, and cried out with David of Broken Bones. After David yielded temptation, he lay for above three quarters of a p. 859year in horror of Mind; and some Divines think, he never recovered his full joy to the day of his Death. O therefore, what cause have they to stand upon Mount Gerizim, blessing of God, who, in a Field-battel, have got the better of Satan, and been more than Conquerours. Say as the Psalmist, Psal. 124.6. Blessed be the Lord who hath not given us as a prey to their Teeth: So blessed be God who hath not given us as a prey to Satan that Roaring Lion. When God puts Mercy in the Premisses, we must put Praise in the Conclusion.

2. You that have been tempted and come off Victors, be full of Sympathy, pity tempted souls; shew your Piety in your Pity. Do you see Satan's darts sticking in their sides, do what you can to pull out these darts; communicate your experiences to them; tell them how you broke the Devils snare, and your Saviour was your Succourer—The Apostle speaks of restoring others in the Spirit of meekness, Gal. 1.6. The word foreign, to restore, alludes to Chirurgians, who set Bones out of joint: So when we see such as are tempted, and Satan hath, as it were, put their bones out of joint, labour to set them in joint again with all love, meekness and compassion. A word spoken in season may relieve a Soul fainting in Temptation; and you may do, as the good Samaritan, drop in oil and wine into the wound, Luk. 10.34. Vir spiritualis consilia magis quàm convitia meditatur. Aug.

3. You that have got a Conquest of Satan, be not Secure. Think not that you shall never be troubled with the Tempter more: He is not like the Syrians, 2 King. 6 23. The bands of Syria came no more into the Land of Israel. A Cock if he be made once to run away, he will fight no more: But 'tis not so with Satan; He is a Restless enemy; and if you have beaten him back, he will make a fresh onset. Hannibal said of Marcellus, a Roman Captain, That whether he did beat, or was beaten, he was never quiet.

When Christ had worsted Satan he went away from Christ; but, ad Tempus, for a Season, Luk. 4.13. as if he meant to come again. When we have gotten the better of Satan, we are apt to grow secure, to lay aside our Armour, and leave off our Watch; which, when Satan perceives, then he comes upon us with a new Temptation and wounds us: He deals with us as David did with the Amalekites, when they had taken the spoil, and were secure, 1 Sam. 30.16. They were spread upon the Earth, eating and drinking and dancing: then, Vers. 17. David smote them, and there escaped not a man of them. Therefore, after we have got the better of the Tempter, we must do, as Mariners in a Calm, mend our Tackling, as not knowing how soon another storm may come. Satan may, for a time, retreat, that he may afterwards come on more fiercely. He may go away a while, and bring seven other Spirits with him, Luk. 11.26.

Therefore be not Secure, but stand upon your Watch-tower. Lie in your Armour; always expect a Fight. Say, as he that hath a short respit from an Ague, I look every day when my Fit should come: So say, I look every day when the Tempter should come; I will put my self into a Warlike posture. Satan, when he is beaten out of the Field, is not beaten out of heart, he will come again. He had little hope to prevail against Christ; Christ gave him three deadly wounds, and made him retreat; yet he departed onelyonly for a Season. If the Devil cannot conquer us, yet he knows he shall molest us: if he cannot destroy us, he will disturb us. Therefore we must, with the Pilot, have our Compass ready, and be able to turn our Needle to any Point where Temptation shall blow. If the Tempter come not so soon as we expect, yet by putting our selves into a posture, we have this advantage, we are always Prepared.

To conclude all; Let us oft make this Prayer, Lead us not into Temptation: If Satan wooes us by a temptation, let us not give Consent. But in case a Christian hath, through weakness, (and not out of design) yielded to a temptation, yet let him not cast away his Anchor. Take heed of Despair, this is worse than the fall it self.

Christian, steep thy soul in the brinish Waters of Repentance, and God will be appeased. Repentance gives the Soul a Vomit. Christ loved Peter after his denial of him, and sent the first news of his Resurrection to him; Go tell the Disciples and Peter. 'Tis an Error, to think that one act of sin can destroy the Habit of Grace. 'Tis a wrong to God's Mercy and a Christian's Comfort, to make this despairing conclusion, that after one hath fallen by temptation, his Estate is irrecoverable. Therefore Christian, if thou hast fallen with Peter, repent with Peter, and God will be ready to seal thy Pardon.