The Works of William Bridge Volume 1, Part 2 · Sermon 2
SERMON II. Of TEMPTATION.
HEBREWES, 2.18.
For in that He himſelf hath ſuffered being tempted,Preached at Margrets New-fiſh ſtreet Octob. 12. 1646. he is able to ſuccour them that are tempted.
BY the word Tempted in the firſt clauſe, relating to Chriſt, we are to underſtand Satans ſolicitations to evil, (as ye have read in the former Sermon:) By the word Tempted in the laſt clauſe, He is able to ſuccour them that are tempted, ſpecially to underſtand thoſe ſolicitations of Satan and our own ſins, by comparing the former verſe with this. As if the Apoſtle ſhould ſay: For in that our Lord and Saviour Chriſt was tempted by Satan, ſolicited to what was evil; He is able to ſuccour them that are both, either ſolicited to evil, or overcome thereby.
But how is it ſaid here, He is able to ſuccour them that are tempted; in that he himſelf ſuffered being tempted? Was he not as God, able to ſuccour them that are tempted? Why then is it ſaid, In that he ſuffered being tempted, he is able to ſuccour them that are tempted?
There is an ability of Sufficiency: and an ability of Idoniety. As God (indeed) he is able to ſuccour thoſe that are tempted: but by being tempted in the fleſh, he is able, that is, apt, and idonious to ſuccour thoſe that are tempted. There is an Abſolute ability: and a Reſpective ability as he is duplicate page duplicate page High-Prieſt. As God indeed, he was able to ſuccour them that are tempted, though he had not been tempted: but he ſpeaks of Chriſt here as our High-Prieſt; and ſo by being tempted, he is able to ſuccor them in that way. There is, (as I may ſo ſpeak) a Scientifical ability, or an Experimental ability. As he was God, he was able in the firſt ſenſe to ſuccour, 'tis true: but by being tempted, he is able Experimentally to ſuccour them that are tempted.
It is an ability of Diſpoſition and Compaſſion that here he ſpeaks of. And therefore in the fift Chapter, ſpeaking of the ſame thing, he ſaith concerning the High-Prieſt, That he can have Compaſſion on the ignorant, and thoſe that are out of the way. So then, Chriſt by being tempted, is able to ſucour thoſe that are tempted with an ability of Idoniety, an Experimental ability: with an ability of Compaſſion and Diſpoſition, and gracious Inclination. And ſo the Obſervation that lies before us, is this: The Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Doct. is a ſuccouring Chriſt to tempted ſouls.
In the former Doctrine ye heard, That God ſuffers his own ſervants, and deareſt children to be ſorely tempted: Now this Doctrine holds forth the remedy, Jeſus Chriſt is a ſuccouring Chriſt to tempted ſouls. As our hearts are full of Sin, So his heart is ful of Succour, he is a ſuccouring Chriſt. His Names, and Titles ſpeak him ſo. His Nature ſpeaks him ſo. His Officies, His Doctrine, His Life and Converſation; His Death and Sufferings call him a Succouring Chriſt. I ſhall not run thorow all theſe particulars. But becauſe men are known by their Names, I will fix there a little: and we ſhall ſee, how all the Names and Titles of Chriſt call him a Succouring Chriſt.
If we ſearch the Scripture, we may obſerve, That the Names of Satan, of the Devil, carry malice with them, and evil againſt them: And the Names of Jeſus Chriſt are contrary thereunto, as holding forth a Succour againſt all that evil that is in him, who is The Evil One.
Is the Devil called Satan? that is, an Adverſary: Jeſus Chriſt is called our Friend. Is Satan called Diabolus? the Accuſer, or the Accuſer of the brethren: Jeſus Chriſt is called our Advocate. Is Satan called a Deſtroyer? Jeſus Chriſt is called our Saviour. Is Satan called a Lyon, that goes up and down ſeeking whom he may devour? Jeſus Chriſt is called a Lyon of the Tribe of Judah. Is Satan called a Serpent? and, Old Serpent? Jeſus Chriſt is called the Braſen-Serpent. Still Names of reliefe and ſuccour anſwerable unto thoſe Names of Satan.
We ſhall obſerve, that there is no Evil in Sin, but there is ſomewhat in the Name of Jeſus Chriſt that ſpeaks the contrary, contrary ſuccour. Is ſinne called foreign or a tranſgreſſion of the Law? Jeſus Chriſt is called our Righteouſneſs: The Lord our Righteouſneſs. Is Sin called Folly? Jeſus Chriſt is called Wiſdom, The Wiſdom of the Father. Is ſin called an Infirmity, or Weakneſs? He is called the Rock, and the Rock of ages, and the Arme of the Lord. Is ſin called Darkneſs? He is called Light Is ſin called Pollution, or Ʋncleanneſs? His blood is the fountain opened for ſin and for uncleanneſs to waſh in. Is ſin called Death? He is called Life. Is there Ignorance in ſin? He is called our Prophet, in oppoſition to that. Is there Diſorder in ſin? In oppoſition to that, he is called our King to order. Is there Guilt in ſin? In oppoſition to that, he is called our Prieſt; he is called our Propitiation, in that place of John: But in the 3. of the Romans, and the 25. verſe, He is called our Propitiatory: Whom God hath ſet forth to be a Propitiation (ſo you reade it) but rather, a propitiatory:foreign. the Same Greek word that the Septuagint uſed for the Jewes Propitiatory: And in that he is our Propitiation, or Propitiatory; this ſpeaks him a ſuccouring Chriſt.
Famous was the ſuccour, and reliefe that the Jewes had from their Cities of refuge: and as if the holy Ghoſt intended the confirmation of this Truth that is now before us, thoſe Hebrew Names that were given to the Cities of refuge are given to Chriſt. Is any of the Cities of refuge called Kedeſh? ſignifying Holy: He is called Holy, Holy, Holy. Was another City called Shechem? ſignifying Shoulder: Ʋpon his Shoulder is the government; and the loſt ſheep brought home upon his Shoulder. Is another City called Hebron? from Society, or Fellowſhip: By him we have fellowſhip with the Father. Is another called, Golan? ſignifying one Revealed, or Manifeſted: 'Tis ſaid of him, He was Manifeſted in the fleſh. Is another City called Ramoth? Things Exalted: Him hath God Exalted, and by him are all Exalted. In the phraſe of the new-Teſtament, he is called our Father, and our Brother, and our Friend, and our Shepheard; a Hen, a Lamb, a Door: there's none of all his Names but ſpeak him full of ſweetneſs and loving diſpoſition, and ſuccour unto poor ſouls.
But that I may the better clear up this Truth I ſhall deliver my ſelf theſe Four waies.
Firſt, That Jeſus Chriſt is able to ſuccour tempted ſouls.
Secondly, That he is willing to do it.
Thirdly, That he is faithful in doing of it.
Fourthly, How he doth it, in the day and time of their temptation; and ſo come to the Application.
Firſt, He is able to do it. He is able to ſuccour them that are tempted. He is able (ſaith our Apoſtle in that 17. of the Hebrews) to ſave thoſe that come unto God by him, he is able to ſave them to the uttermoſt: foreignAs Satan tempts to the uttermoſt, he is able to ſave to the uttermoſt. And as they ſin to the uttermoſt, he is able to ſave to the uttermoſt. A man is ſaid to be able to do all that which he hath a commiſſion, and power from God to do: The Lord Jeſus Chriſt in the 3. of the Romans and the 25. was ſet forth to be a propitiation: Whom God hath ſet forth to be a propitiation. He hath laid help upon one that is Mighty; and that is Chriſt. Deſign'd, and called he is to the office of the High-Prieſt. The proper work of the High-Prieſts office was, to condole with, relieve and ſuccour the people againſt their ſins: And the more Eminent any High-Prieſt was, the more in this work. In the 17. of the Hebrews, we find all along, how abundantly he excels all the High-Prieſts that ever were. As for other High-Prieſts, they did not take an Oath when they came into their office: but he ſwears. Other High-Prieſts, had ſins themſelves to offer for: but he Holy, and Seperate from ſinners. Other High-Prieſts, dyed, and did not continue ſo for ever: but he liveth for ever to make interceſſion. Other High-Prieſts, offered not Themſelves: but he offered up Himſelf. He was a King and a Prieſt: they were not. They indeed entered into the Holy of Holieſt, but it was Earthy: he is gone into the Holy of Holieſt, and that is Heavenly. They were but Types of him, Shadows: if a ſhadow fall upon a dirty ground, it cannot make it dry; but the Sun can: and yet notwithſtanding, theſe other High-Prieſts, the Apoſtle ſaith of them, Being compaſt about with infirmities; they could have compaſſion on thoſe that are ignorant, and out of the way; They men of Infirmities, ſinners; They in the time of the Law: How much more is Jeſus Chriſt able to ſuccour, who is ſo tranſcendent an High-Prieſt, and excelling all others that ever went before him. I'le ſay nothing of the great Power that he hath with the Father, or in his own hands: The Keyes of hell and death. He is able by Conqueſt for to ſuccour you that are tempted: he is able by Conqueſt for to raiſe the Siege that is laid againſt our ſouls; he hath beaten through the Enemy: As now, if a Town be beleaguer'd ſtraightly, beſieged by an Enemy, and the Enemy abroad in the Field, having an army in the Field: if any will come to raiſe the Siege, they muſt fight through the Army, they muſt beat through the Army before they can raiſe the Siege. Never a tempted ſould but is thus beſieged with temptation, cloſely begirt, and the Devils were abroad in the field, were the Maſters of the field till Chriſt came: and no man, nor Angel was able to beat through: but Jeſus Chriſt beat up the Quarters all along, beat through the Enemy, caſt out Devils all along, overcame. Paul by being tempted overcame temptation. So by his dying he overcame death; and by taking our infirmities upon him, he overcame our infirmities; and by being ſubject to the Law, he overcame the Law, and the curſe of the Law: and ſo by being tempted, he overcame temptation; and having beaten the Enemy out of the field he is now able to raiſe the Siege; he is abſolutely able to raiſe the Siege, which none elſe is able to do: He is able to ſave to the uttermoſt. We ſhall not need to ſtand long on this.
But you will ſay, We will grant Chriſt is able to ſuccour tempted ſouls: but is he willing?
Yes, He is infinitly willing to ſuccour poor tempted ſouls. Our great ſuccour lies in Reconciliation with God the Father; as by comparing theſe two verſes together doth appear. God the father hath ſet him forth to be a propitiation: it was the will of God the Father, that Jeſus Chriſt ſhould come and make propitiation, it was his will. Now, look into the 40. Pſalm, and ſee what Chriſt ſaith concerning the will of the Father; verſe the 7. Loe, I come: in the volum of the book it is written of me: I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy Law is within my heart: Some books reade it, Thy Law is within my bowels: thy Law is within my heart, 'tis in my deſires. Yea, not only (ſaith he) in my deſires: but in the Goſpel we reade it, With deſiring have I deſired to eat this Paſs-over, before he ſuffered. Deſiring have I deſired. And (ſaith he) I have a baptiſme to be baptizeds with, and I am ſtraitened till it be accompliſh't: I can have no reſt till it be done, I am ſtraitened till it be accompliſhed. Yea, not only ſo: but (ſaith he) here in this Pſalm, I delight to do thy will: 'tis the will of God he ſhould make propitiation; and ſo ſuccour: I delight to do thy will. And in the 8. of the Proverbs: My delights are with the ſons of men: ſome reade it, All my delight: but 'tis in the plural number. When God laid the foundations of the earth my delights were with the ſons of men. A high, and a great expreſſion. Surely, Jeſus Chriſt cannot but be willing to ſuccour tempted ones, when his delights are with the ſons of men.
Again, A man muſt needs be willing, to do that which he is willing to ſuffer much for, to be at much coſt and pains for. David was willing to build the Temple, becauſe he laid out ſo much by way of preparation. And Araunah was willing to have a ſacrifice, becauſe he gave up his threſhing-flowr, it appear'd he was willing. And now when Jeſus Chriſt is content to ſuffer ſo much that he may make a propitiation for ſinners, and reconciliation with the Father, and ſo ſuccour; it argues that he is very willing.
Beſides, A man is willing to have that done which he is much troubled for if it be not done. You know when Chriſt came to Jeruſalem, he wept (ſaies the text) and he wept: He came a ſuccouring, and they would not be ſuccoured: How often would I have gathered thee as an hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and thou wouldſt not? A Hen is a ſuccouring creature: Chriſt came a ſuccouring, came to gather them as a Hen. A Hen ſits upon the eggs, and hatcheth with the warmth of her body: So doth Chriſt do with the warmth of his love. A Hen ſits till the feathers be off her own body, makes her own body naked for to hatch up: And ſo did Chriſt. When the chicken is hatch't, ſhe ſuccours it, and covers it under her wings: and when the chicken can run abroad, let the hen find but a grain of corn, ſhe clucks, and cals the chicken to her to have part of it: And ſo did Chriſt. And when danger comes, the Kite comes, ſhe cals the chicken under her wings again to ſuccour it: So does Chriſt. When he ſaies thus, he came to gather them as a Hen gathers her chickens under her wings, he came to ſuccour them, but they would not be ſuccour'd; ſee how he takes it: the text ſaies, He wept, he wept; he was much troubled. Wiſe men don't uſe to weep before company; children will: but thoſe that are very wiſe, if they will weep, they weep in private: Jeſus Chriſt (that was the wiſdom of the Father) fals a weeping, and all becauſe they would not be ſuccour'd; Surely then, Jeſus Chriſt is very willing to ſuccour poor ſinners. And beloved! this was his love, and this was his compaſſion in the day of his infirmity; how great is it now in the day of his glory?
Again, It argues that he is very willing to ſuccour poor tempted ſouls, becauſe he was ſo willing to cure diſeaſed bodies; when he was upon the earth he was willing to cure them: So willing, as though it did coſt a miracle, yet he would do it. So willing, that though they did not know him as he was, but thought him a Prophet, yet he would do it. So willing, as that though they did not deſire it themſelves but were brought by others, yet he would do it. So willing, as that though they were unmannerly in their coming to him; withneſs the pulling the tyles off the houſe, yet he would do it. And that ſo willing, though much unbeleef expreſſ by thoſe that were brought unto him, yet he would do it. I beſeech you conſider it: this was a work that Chriſt came into the world to do; this is The work: the work that Chriſt came to do, it was to bind up broken hearts: The work that Chriſt came to do, was to open the priſon doors to poor captives: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me (you know the place.) To adminiſter a word in due ſeaſon to thoſe that are weak: He hath given me the tongue of the learned to adminiſter a word in due ſeaſon to thoſe that are weak. Now then, if Jeſus Chriſt was ſo willing to do the other work which was but his work by the bye, which was not The-work that he did come about: how infinitely willing muſt he needs be to do The-work that he did come about? but I ſay, to ſuccour poor tempted ones, this was The-work that he came upon; Heaven hath not alter'd him, he hath loſt none of his love by going thither: Surely therefore, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is infinitely willing to ſuccour poor tempted ſouls.
Well, But though he be able, and willing, yet it may be he is not faithfull.
Yes, ſaith the former verſe, Faithful: merciful, and faithful High-Prieſt. Faithful in all his houſe as Moſes was. What honeſt man will break his word? go contrary to his oath? He is ſworne into this office of the High-Prieſt. Yea, we have not only his Promiſe, and his Oath, but the fathers Bond for the Sons performance: The ſeed of the woman ſhall break the ſerpents head: it ſhall bruiſe his heel, ſhe ſhall break his head. The pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hand. This is the work that is in his hand, to ſuccour tempted ones: it ſhall proſper in his hand. In the 8. Chapter of Matthew, We reade there at the 16. verſe, That he caſt out ſpirits with his Word, and healed all that were ſick: That is might be fulfilled which was ſpoken by Eſaias the Prophet, ſaying, Himſelf took our infirmities, and bare our ſickneſſes. Becauſe he took our infirmities, and bare our ſickneſſes, he took himſelf to be engaged for to heal the ſickneſſes, and diſeaſes among the people. Beloved! he hath taken our infirmities, He hath borne our ſins, and therefore he takes himſelf engaged alſo, for to heal our ſoul-diſeaſes, to heal thoſe temptations: He is very faithfull.
Well, But ſuppoſe he is faithful: How doth he ſuccour thoſe that are tempted, in the day and time of their temptation? (that is the Fourth thing.)
He ſuccours Before temptation: He ſuccours In temptation: He ſuccours After temptation.
Chriſt ſuccours tempted ſouls Before the temptation comes; ſometimes: By a ſpecial manifeſtation of himſelf, ihs love, and fulneſs to them. When Chriſt himſelf was to be tempted, immediately before, the Father ſaid from Heaven, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed. And ſo, when Chriſt ſees that a ſoul is to go into temptation, he ſpeaks out from Heaven, and ſaies, This is my beloved ſervant in whom I am well pleaſed.
Sometimes he ſuccours Before temptation; By laying in of Goſpel-principles, and Goſpel-diſpoſitions in the heart. The Law is weak, ſaies the Apoſtle. As it is weak unto the point of Juſtification, the matter of Juſtification; ſo a legal diſpoſition is weak as to the matter of reſiſting temptation: a Goſpel-diſpoſition is able to bear it off. Chriſt fore-ſeeing a temptation, laies in ſuch a diſpoſition, & then when it comes, Oh! ſaies the ſoul, How ſhall I be able to cloſe with all this love of the world, having received ſo many love-tokens from my dear Saviour.
Again, He ſuccours Before the temptation: By filling the heart with the holy Ghoſt. When the veſſel is fild with one liquor, it keeps out another. I will return to my houſe (ſaith Satan) and I came and found it empty; and ſo he entered. The Lord therfore, fils the houſe, the ſoul with the holy Ghoſt, and ſo keeps Satan from entering.
He ſuccours alſo, Ʋnder temptation: By opening the eyes of him that is tempted to ſee that 'tis but a temptation. A temptation is half cured, when a man knows that 'tis but a temptation: when a mans eyes is open to ſee the tempter, and the temptation. Therefore men are ſo hardly cured, becauſe they are hardly perſwaded that 'tis a temptation; when they ſee that, then they ſay, Get thee behinde me Satan. Chriſt opens their eyes.
Again, He ſuccours Ʋnder temptation: By letting fal ſome glimpſe of his love, ſome love-look upon a tempted ſoul. And ſo, when Peter was in the High-Prieſts hall, Chriſt looks upon him, and he went out and wept bitterly. It was the ſweet look of Chriſt, that made Peter weep bitterly; Peters tears, came from Chriſts eyes firſt: and though he were much engag'd, yet having a love-look from Chriſt, I'le ſtay no longer, and away he goes. And ſo, when a ſoul ſees but the gracious eye of Chriſt looking on him, he breaks off from his temptation: thus he ſuccours.
Again, He ſuccours Ʋnder temptation, by temptation, even from temptation. Beloved! the Devil ſeldom tempts with one ſingle temptation: As we ſeldom commit ſingle ſins, or receive ſingle mercies; ſo the Devil ſeldom tempts with a ſingle temptation. One may be laid in our Natures; and the other laid in our Callings: Chriſt ſees now, that one is given to Uncleanneſſe, or to Pride; and ſo he lets out Satan upon him, to trouble him with blaſphemous thoughts, and by the afflictions of thoſe blaſphemous thoughts, they are kept from Pride, and from Wantonneſſe, and delighting in other ſins.
He does ſuccour From temptation; I ſay, from temptation by temptation (ſometimes) by cauſing a word in the temptation to ſtandout, ſo as thereby to give the tempted man an hint to Jeſus Chriſt. So when Chriſt tempted, and tryed the woman of Canaan: 'Tis not lawful to caſt childrens bread before dogs: There ſtood out a word, that word Dog: ſhe laies hold on it, True Lord: yet the dogs eate of the crums. Chriſt does ſo order the very temptations of Satan, that ſome word or other in the very temptation does ſo ſtand forth as to hint the ſoule again unto Jeſus Chriſt.
Sometimes he ſuccours Ʋnder temptation: By throwing in a Promiſe, lotting the ſoul upon ſome Promiſe; which as a Cable, keeps the heart faſt in the time of a ſtorm.
And ſometimes he ſuccours Ʋnder temptation (again:) By weakending the temptation, and by keeping the heart, and the temptation aſunder; may be, by raiſing up ſome Affliction: Woe to that ſoul, when the heart and temptation meet, corruption and temptation meet. The Lord Chriſt therefore, ſometimes is pleaſed to raiſe up an Affliction between them, that ſo theſe two wicked lovers may be kept aſunder. Thus Under temptation.
After temptation he ſuccours: By filling the heart with joy unſpeakable and full of glory. By ſending the Angels to Miniſter: As when the Devil left Chriſt, had tempted him and left him; then came the Angels and Miniſtred to him. Every way, Before temptation: and In temptation: and After temptation, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is aſuccouring Chriſt to tempted ſouls, he is a ſuccouring Chriſt: Beloved! he was aman of ſorrows, that he might be a God of ſuccours; his heart it is full of ſuccours.
I come to the Application
Whiſt I ſtand upon this Truth,Applyca. 1. me thinks I hear a ſolemn, and gracious Invitation to all poor tempted ſouls to come unto Jeſus Chriſt, to come for ſuccor. There's none of you all, but labour under ſome temptation or other. Ye have read that the Lord Chriſt is a ſuccouring Chriſt: ſhall I need to invite you to come unto him? Ye have read how able he is: and willing he is to ſuccour. His heart is bent to ſuccour you, his armes are open, his boſom is open, his heart is open to poor tempted ſouls that they may receive ſuccour from him. Oh! therefore, you that are tempted, Come unto Jeſus Chriſt that you may be ſuccoured by him, Come unto Chriſt, Come unto Chriſt alone.
You will ſay, Queſt. But does he ſuccour all that are tempted? why then are any damned?
Some men will not come unto him: Anſw. Ye will not come unto me, that ye may have life. Some come unto him, but make an halfe Chriſt of him: They won't come under great temptations, then they are afraid, and then they deſpair: They won't come under ſmall temptations, then they deſpiſe: But for middleing temptations, thoſe they will come to Chriſt for ſuccour in; and thus they make a halfe Chriſt of him. Some come to him as to a Moſes, make a conditional Chriſt of him: they muſt have their own Preparations, and Humiliations before they come unto him, or elſe they will not come unto him. But beloved! ye know what our Apoſtle ſaies, in the 7. of the Hebrews: He is able to ſave unto the uttermoſt thoſe that come to God by him. Thoſe that come to God by Him: if you do come unto Him, he will ſuccour.
But my temptation is an Old temptation, Object. an Ancient temptation; I have gone under fears, and temptations for many yeers together, I may ſay, almoſt my whole life: and will Jeſus Chriſt ſuccour ſuch a one as I am?
Pray what think you of the verſe that goes before the text? Anſw. reade it, and conſider it: the 14. and the 15. verſes. He himſelf took part of the ſame, that through death he might deſtroy him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil. And (at the 15. verſe) Deliver them from Satan that were all their life time ſubject to bondage. That he might deliver them from Satan that were all their life time ſubject to bondage: in fear of death, and all their life time ſubject to bondage.
Art thou therefore, a man or woman, that hath gone up and down all thy daies in fear of death, and fear of hell, and been in bondage all thy life time? See, he came to deliver ſuch ſouls, ſuch tempted ſouls as theſe are Chriſt came to deliver.
Oh! But my temptation is not a bare temptation, Object. there's much affliction that is mixt withal: and will he deliver thoſe?
Yea, you know how it was with Jacob: Anſw. Jacob uſed indirect means to get the bleſſing; Eſau's heart roſe againſt him: Jacob flies for it; when he was in the field, in the night, then Chriſt appears to him: A ladder, whoſe top was in Heaven (the Deity) the bottom on Earth (the Humanity) and Angels aſcending and deſcending. All the while he was in his fathers houſe, he never had this Viſion of Chriſt, but now, when he lay in the open field, Chriſt appears for his ſuccour, by his Angels thus.
Oh! but my temptation is not ſuch; Object. but my temptation is mixt with much Corruption; I have a Proud heart, an Ʋnclean heart, a froward heart; Will the Lord Jeſus Chriſt lay ſuch a wretched heart as mine is in his boſom? Oh! will he ſuccour ſuch a ſoul as I am?
For anſwer to this, Anſw. I pray conſider theſe Three things with me. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is a ſuccouring Chriſt ye have read: And
Firſt, He will ſuccour tempted ſinners moſt, when they are moſt tempted. When the Child is ſick, and when the Child is moſt ſick, then the Mother comes forth and ſuccours it, then love ſits upon the bed-ſide, then love laies the Child in her boſom. And (ſaies he) in the 66. chapter of Eſay, and the 13. verſe: As one whom his mother comforteth, ſo will I comfort you.
Again, He will not only ſuccour thus: but he will ſuccour you that are tempted, when you cannot ſuccour your ſelves; when your own thoughts cannot ſuccour you, when your own thoughts dare not ſuccour you, or when your own thoughts trample-upon your Evidences, and when your own thoughts ſhall make a Mutiny in your hearts, and ſet al on fire: In the multitude of my thoughts thy word comforts my ſoul. The Lord knows how to deliver in the time of temptation, though you do not know; and when you do not know it, then he knows, and then he will deliver when you know not. Reade again the ſame place, the 13. verſe of the 66. of Eſay. As one whom his mother comforteth ſo will I comfort you. Who are thoſe? (ſaies he) at the 5. verſe. Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble his word, and you that are caſt out by your brethren: As one whom his mother Comforteth, ſo will I comfort you: you that lie and tremble before the promiſe, and dare not draw neer unto it, As a mother comforteth, ſo will I comfort you.
Thirdly, He will not only ſuccour thus: but he will ſuccour poor tempted ſouls with a Notwithſtanding; Notwithſtanding all their failings, Notwithſtanding all their infirmities. Joſeph, a Type of Chriſt, his brethren ſold him away, he indured much miſery: Afterward his brethren came to want; and they go down to Egypt to him; and when they came there, Joſeph ſuccours them, Notwithſtanding all their former unkindneſſe; I am your brother Joſeph, I am Joſeph your brother; 'tis true, you ſold me, and thus and thus you dealt by me; but you are come for ſuccour, and I will ſuccour you with a Notwithſtanding. So ſaies the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; Poor tempted ſoul, I know how thou haſt dealt by me, how thou haſt ſold me, how thou haſt neglected me, how thou haſt crucified me: but I will ſuccour thee with a Notwithſtanding, Notwithſtanding all thy guilt, and all thy fear, I will ſuccour thee with a Notwithſtanding.
Three great ſuccours that the Jewes had in the wilderneſs: Succour from the Rock, that gave out water: Succour againſt their Thirſt. Succour from the Mannah that came down from Heaven: ſuccour againſt their Hunger. Succour from the Braſen-ſerpent: from the fiery ſerpents that ſtung them. All theſe Three were great Types of Chriſt. And the Rock was Chriſt, ſaies the Apoſtle. And ſaies Chriſt himſelf: I am the bread, (ſpeaking of the Mannah.) And when I am lifted up, (ſpeaking of the braſen-ſerpent, alluding to it.) Now, look into the ſtory and you will find; God did not give out theſe ſuccours to them till they murmur; in the 15. of Exodus, there they murmur, and murmur, and murmur, and then God opened the rock, and God gave them water notwithſtanding. And in the 16. of Exodus, there he gives them bread. And in the 17. there he opens the rock: but firſt they murmured; the Lord gave them theſe ſuccours with a Notwithſtanding. The thing that I mean is this: Will the Lord give them a Typicall Chriſt for their ſuccour, with a Notwithſtanding? and will he not give poor tempted ſouls the Real Chriſt with a Notwithſtanding, Notwithſtanding all if they do come unto him, if tempted ſouls do but come unto him? Oh! what a mighty incouragement is here unto all poor tempted ſouls to come unto Jeſus Chriſt? Oh! you, Come unto Jeſus Chriſt, you that never came unto Jeſus Chriſt, Come unto Jeſus Chriſt, you ſhall find him a ſuccouring Chriſt.
Secondly, If this Doctrine be true: what ground of ſtrong Conſolation is here unto all the Saints? Oh! you that are the ſervants of God, children of God; you that are Saints, will you ever doubt of Chriſts love again? will you ever ſuffer your hearts to lie under the preſſure of deſpondent fears again? Doubting ariſes from Ignorance, miſtakes of Chriſt; we put Eſau's cloathes upon him; we make him an Angel of darkneſs and then we fear him. Ye don't look upon him as a ſuccouring Chriſt, and therefore you are ſo full of Doubtings: or if you do, you don't actuate your conſiderations, and you notions on him.
Beloved! Either there is a truth in this Doctrine; or elſe there is not. If there be not, what mean all the proofs that ye have had? And if there be a truth, if the Lord Jeſus Chriſt be a ſuccouring Chriſt to tempted ſouls; why then ſhould you not triumph in him? and ſay, Well, nothing ſhall ſeparate me from the love of God in Jeſus Chriſt: I am perſwaded, I am perſwaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other ereature, ſhall be able to ſeparate me from the love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus our Lord. Thus Paul reaſoned in the 8. of the Romans. And I pray mark it; Who then ſhall ſeparate us? (ſaies he at the 35. verſe) ſhall tribulation, or diſtreſſe, or perſecution, or famine, or nakedneſſe, or peril, or ſword? Nay in all theſe things we are more than conquerers, through him that loved us. I am perſwaded, that neither death, nor life, &c. Whence did ariſe this perſwaſion? (at the 33. verſe) Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? it is God that juſtifieth. (Mark) He does not ſay, 'Tis God that juſtifies me; but only in the general, 'Tis God that juſtifieth: Who is he that condemneth? It is Chriſt that died. He does not ſay, 'Tis Chriſt that died for me: but 'tis Chriſt that died.
You will ſay, Queſt. I, indeed, if I could ſay, That God juſtifies me; and Chriſt died for me; then I would ſay with Paul, That nothing ſhall ſeparate.
Paul raiſes his perſwaſion thus: Anſw. 'Tis God that juſtifies, and 'tis Chriſt that died.
I but, Queſt. was there any temptation, in any of all theſe that Paul ſpeaks on?
Yes ſure: Anſw. Why does he ſay elſe, That in all theſe things we are more than conquerers? There is an adverſary power in this. And what think you when he ſaies, That neither life, nor death, nor Angels, nor principalities, and powers? Does not the Devil come in there, under principalities and powers? Neither does he ſay thus: I'le hope well now, That becauſe Chriſt dies, and 'tis God that juſtifies; I'le hope well: No, but I am perſwaded, none of all theſe ſhall ſeparate me from the love of God in Chriſt. Though I have feared, I will fear no more. Thus he makes his Triumph. Oh! what ſtrong conſolation is here to all the Saints? You that are the tempted Saints of God, do not your hearts burn, and glow within you with love to Jeſus Chriſt? and will you queſtion his love to you? Did Chriſt Come and ſuccour you? and will not you ſuccour your ſelves? Is his heart full of ſuccour toward you? and won't you own it? The Lord rebuke our unbelief.
Thirdly, If Jeſus Chriſt be a ſuccouring Chriſt: Then let us be ſuccouring Chriſtians. Shall the Lord Jeſus Chriſt take a poor tempted ſoul into his arms? and ſhall I thruſt him away with my hand? Shall the Lord Chriſt take him into his Boſome? and muſt I thruſt him out of the City, and the place where he dwels? Shall the Lord Jeſus Chriſt carry a poor tempted ſoul upon his ſhoulder, by way of ſuccour? and ſhal I carry him upon my ſhoulder as a burden? It was Chriſt's Command: See that ye love one another, as I have loved you. And how did Chriſt love us? He loved us, and gave himſelf for us: He loved us, and was made in the form of a ſervant, took our Infirmities upon him: he loved us, and was tempted for us, ſuffered being tempted: And ſhall not I be willing to ſuccour thoſe that are tempted? You look upon another mans Opinion, or his Practice, or his froward diſpoſition, and you are offended at it whom otherwiſe you would love, and do account godly: But how do you know whether that be not his temptation? that his diſpoſition, and Opinion, and Practice; how do you know whether that be not his temptation that he lies under? and will you not ſuccour him? Oh! my beloved, How contrary are our diſpoſitions to Chriſts? Chriſt came from Heaven to ſuccour thoſe that are tempted: and we call for fire from Heaven againſt thoſe that are tempted. Chriſt would bear with much ſmoke, for a little fire: and we wil quench a great deal of fire becauſe of a little ſmoke. Oh! therefore, as you deſire to be like unto Jeſus Chriſt, ſuccour the Saints: and if there be any thing in their life that does offend you, ſay with your ſelves; I but, may be it is a temptaion that ſuch a man lies under; and Chriſt came to ſuccour thoſe that are tempted, why ſhould not I?
Fourthly, If the Lord Jeſus Chriſt be a ſuccouring Chriſt? Then why ſhould we yeeld unto our ſins, and to our temptations? Though the Siege be ſtraight, and violent, and fierce, if a City be block't up, be beleaguer'd; if it have but hopes that ſuccour and relief will come, it will hold it out: and if it know for certain that ſuccour will come, it will hold out unto great extreamity. There's never a temptation but you are beleaguer'd by it: and when your temptation is about you, ſay, O my ſoul, be quiet, yeeld not; the Lord Chriſt is a ſuccouring Chriſt, and ſuccour will come, and therefore hold it out. Shall the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ſhall he ſuccour me againſt my temptations with his boſom? and ſhall I take my ſins, and temptations into mine own boſom? Shall he come to ſuccour me againſt my ſins? and ſhall I ſuccour my ſins that he comes againſt? What a mighty argument is here to keep us from all our ſins, and from yeelding to our temptations? Jeſus Chriſt is a ſuccouring Chriſt to tempted ſouls.
In the fift place, If there be a truth in this, Chriſt is a ſuccouring Chriſt: Let us all labour to anſwer Chriſt. Beloved! 'tis the duty, and the property of the people of God, to obſerve what God is doing upon their hearts, and to help on that work. If Jeſus Chriſt be ſuccouring of any of your ſouls, againſt your temptations; Oh! help it on, help on the work; 'tis your duty for to help it on, and to anſwer him.
But you will ſay, Queſt. Chriſt ſuccours Before temptation; and he ſuccours Ʋnder temptation; and he ſuccours After temptation: how ſhall I anſwer this? how ſhall I help his work on?
Give me leave to give an anſwer unto this Queſtion, Anſw. and ſo I will winde up all. Does the Lord Jeſus Chriſt ſuccour Before temptation? Obſerve his ſuccours, and lay them up in your hearts againſt a rainy day: Gird your ſword upon your thigh, it may not be to ſeek when the enemy comes: have it in readineſſe. You don't lay the plaiſter on upon the wriſt for the Ague, when the Ague is on, but before it comes. Obſerve what thoſe tokens of love are that Jeſus Chriſt does throw into your boſom before a temptation comes, and lay them up carfully there.
And beloved in the Lord; Labour to keep the ſence of his love warm upon your hearts; Look as it is with water in winter; ſo with your hearts in this reſpect: So long as the fire is under the water, and the water is hot, it freezes not; but when the heat goes off, and the water is cold, then ice comes upon it. And ſo long as your heart is kept up in the ſence of Chriſts love, and warm with Chriſts love; ſo long the ice comes not, the temptation comes not. The ſlumber of grace, is a preparation to ſin, and a preparation to temptation. When once our hearts grow cold, and grow remiſſe; then way is made to temptation: and therefore, if you would anſwer Jeſus Chriſt; Oh! labour to keep the ſence of his love ſtill upon your hearts.
And when the temptation is come: Then look upon Jeſus Chriſt. No temptation ſo violent, or fierce, but a thought may ſteal out, and get a look upon Jeſus Chriſt. The ſight of Chriſt on the Croſs, is a Judge upon the Bench againſt all temptation. The conſideration of Three things, keeps one from the power of temptation. The worth of a ſoul: The hainouſneſs of ſin: And the love of Chriſt. And you ſee all theſe in Chriſt upon the Croſſe. When temptation comes, ſtand & look upon him. You know, that when the Iſraelites were ſtung, they were then to look upon the braſen ſerpent, and by their very looking upon it, they were cured thereby. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is our braſen-ſerpent, lift up upon Goſpel poles, having more excellency than any braſen-ſerpent: That was but a piece of braſſe: he is the God of glory. That for a time: he is our High-Prieſt, and lives for ever. That for the Jewes only: but he for Jew and Gentile. That for thoſe that could ſee; and if any poor, blind man was ſtung, it was a caſe, what ſhould become of the blind man, how ſhould he look upon the braſen ſerpent? how ſhould he be cured; but this our braſen ſerpent, is able to give you an eye. Beloved! this Ordinance is ſtill on foot ſpiritually. And therefore Chriſt ſaies by the Prophet Eſay, Look unto me from all the ends of the earth, and be ſaved. Oh! when a temptation comes; poor tempted ſoul, addreſſe thy ſelf to the Lord Jeſus, ſtand wiſhly looking upon him.
And then: Give thy ſoul over into the hands of Chriſt all thou canſt: put thy ſelf out of thine own hands. So long as the planck, or the board ſwims in the ſtream, in the midſt of the water, you may draw it along with a little thred: but if once it come towards the banck, towards the ſhoare, and touches upon the ground, then you can hardly draw it. So long as your temptation is in the ſtream of Chriſts love, and of his blood, you may draw it along the more eaſily: but if once it come to touch upon your own ſhoare? Oh! then you draw hard. Whenſoever therefore, a temptation ariſes, go unto Jeſus Chriſt, and ſay, O Lord, I have no ſtrength to ſtand againſt this great Enemy: I confeſſe it is my duty to reſiſt this temptation, but 'tis thy promiſe to ſuccour me under this temptation, and therefore I put my ſelf upon thee.
And then, reſt upon Chriſt. As I uſe to ſay, Your very reſting on him makes him yours; your reſting on his ſtrength makes it yours; and your reſting on his ſuccour makes that yours.
And if the Lord command you to the uſe of any means; Don't reſt upon any becauſe they are great: Or deſpiſe any becauſe they are ſmall. You do obſerve, that the great Victories amongſt the Jewes, they were obtained by the weakeſt means; and by the blowing of rams horns wals fell down. Thoſe were but Types of thoſe ſpiritual Victories under the Goſpel.
God ſeldom does wound the head of a temptation, but firſt the heel (the means) is bruiſed whereby the head of the temptation is wounded. As Chriſts heel is bruiſed in his wounding of Satans head; So I ſay, 'tis in regard of means: ſeldome that any means does wound the head of a temptation, but the very heel of that means is firſt bruiſed: and therefore, don't deſpiſe it though it be ſmall.
And if it pleaſe the Lord, to caſt in any Promiſe, when you are under a temptation: Oh! take heed, that you don't live upon the letter of the Promiſe. I mean, don't live upon the Conveyance, but upon the Land: and yet how many do live upon the bare Promiſe, bare letter of the Promiſe. When a temptation comes, paſſe from the temptation unto the Promiſe; and through the Promiſe unto Jeſus Chriſt, and learn to live upon the thing Promiſed, and not the letter of the Promiſe.
After temptation is over, (I can but touch on things) Either you have the better of Satan: Or elſe the worſe. If you have the worſe; Be for ever Humbled, but never Diſcouraged. And if you have the better of him: Then rejoyce in the Lord, and in all his goodneſs toward you, and in all his ſuccouring love and mercy. Rejoyce in the Lord evermore, and again I ſay, rejoyce. As one whom his mother comforteth, ſo will I comfort you: and then it follows, They ſhall rejoyce; your hearts ſhall rejoyce. But take heed your ſpirituall joy after Victory, don't degenerate into carnal joy, and you be drunk therewith. 'Tis reported of the Engliſh, that once going into Spain, and taking in a Town there: after they had taken it in, there being much wine in the Town, the ſouldiers fell a drinking of themſelves drunk; and the Country came down upon them, and beat them out, and recovered the Town again. So 'tis with many: They have a Victory over temptation, and they begin to rejoyce ſpiritually; but their ſpiritual joy degenerates into carnal joy, and they are drunk with their joy, and ſo loſe their Victory. Beloved! Joy not in your Joy, but in the God of your Joy after Victory.
And if you have the better after temptation, if you have the better: be ſure of this, That you improve your Victory to more aſſurance. If the Devil get the better of you, he'le be ſure to improve his Victory to your deſpair: I ſay, if he get the better of you, he will be ſure to improve his Victory to your deſpair. Therefore, if you get the better of him be ſure that you improve your Victory, to more aſſurance of Gods love in Chriſt.
Yea, (my beloved) for ought I know, there is no temptation that a child of God meets withal, but he may improve it to more aſſurance. As thus:
Surely, If I were the Devils own, he would never trouble me thus. When the ſtrong man keeps the houſe, all is at peace, and all is at quiet. Now ever ſince, from the very firſt day that I have ſet my face towards heaven, and Chriſt; Oh! how have I been troubled, and tempted, and perplexed, and vexed in my ſpirit? Surely therefore, I am none of the Devils. Now if I had been his own, I ſhould have been more quiet under him: but becauſe I am thus troubled. I hope in the Lord I am none of the Devils, I am the child of God. Thus a man may improve.
And, Oh! what a good thing were it, if we did make improvement of our temptations! what gracious improvement might we make of all our temptations? and what a bleſſed iſſue might we have in our temptations, if we did go unto Chriſt for ſuccour.
I beſeech you therefore in the Lord, when as any temptation ariſes, go unto Jeſus Chriſt, he is a ſuccouring Chriſt. He hath National ſuccours; and he hath Family ſuccours; and he hath Perſonal ſuccours: You have National temptations; and you have Family temptations; and you have Perſonal temptations; Soul-temptations; temptations when you are alone. Therefore go unto Chriſt for ſuccour.
To conclude, I beſeech you (beloved in the Lord) go to Chriſt and try him, put him to it: The greater your temptation is, the more fit work for Chriſt to cure: do not deſpair, do not ſit down; go to Jeſus Chriſt, you ſhal find him better than I have ſpoken, you ſhall not find him worſe; he will go beyond my words, he will not fall ſhort of my words. As the Devill goes about like a roaring lyon, ſeeking whom he may devour: So Jeſus Chriſt in the Goſpel, goes up and down with his ſuccour, ſeeking whom he may ſuccour. Go to him for ſuccour: and the God of peace, even Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, tread down Satan under our feet ſhortly.