The Works of William Bridge Volume 1, Part 2 · Sermon 5
SERMON V. Of TEMPTATION.
LUKE 22.31, 32.
And the Lord ſaid, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath deſired to have you that he may ſift you as wheat:Preached at Stepney Oct. 24 1647. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.
THeſe words (as ye have heard) acquaints us with a great temptation that was to come down upon Chriſts Diſciples. Concerning which ye have here, The Danger of the temptation: And the Remedy againſt it. For the Danger of the temptation, I have ſpoken already: and now come unto this 32. verſe, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Here is ſomething Implyed; and ſomthing Expreſt. Satans deſign implyed, which is, and was, to weaken the faith of Chriſts Diſciples, to make their faith to fail. And of that ye have heard already.
Now that which is expreſt is; Chriſts tender care of, and love unto his Diſciples in regard of their temptations. And this love and care of his towards his Diſciples under temptation, is Expreſt in many things. Firſt in the forewarning of them, of a temptation coming upon them: there is his love and care, in that he told them of the temptation before it came. And then alſo, He prayed for them. Yea, He prayed for them before they were tempted. Yea, And he tels them that he did pray for them that they might have aſſurance of his help in the time of their temptation. Great was his love and care, to, and for his Diſciples unders their temptation. And ſo the Obſervation is this.
Chriſts love and mercy, Doct. is never more at work for his Diſciples, and people, then when they are moſt aſſaulted by Satan. When Satan is moſt buſie to tempt, and aſſault their faith, then is Chriſts love and mercy moſt at work, to keep and defend both them and their faith. We don't reade of ſuch a prayer for Peter before. We reade indeed, that our ſaviour ſaid unto Peter; Ʋnto thee do I give the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my Church: but we don't reade there, that he prayed for Peter. But here he prayes, and for Peter in particular: I have prayed for Thee. Why? becauſe now his temptations were to be more than Ordinary; and therefore Chriſts love and care was drawn out, and expreſt in a more than ordinary way.
For the clearing of this Truth unto ye, I ſhall labour to diſcover.
Firſt, Wherein the love, care, and mercy of Chriſt, is expreſſed unto his people under their temptations.
Secondly, That this love and care of his, is moſt expreſſed when they are moſt tempted.
Thirdly, What there is in the heart of Chriſt, that does thus incline him to this indulgence, or mercy. And ſo to the Application.
Firſt, Queſt 1 If ye aske me, Wherein the love and care of Chriſt is expreſſed unto his people under their temptations?
I anſwer, Anſw. 1 Firſt, In the ordering of their temptations. For there is no temptation befalls any of His, but he meaſures out the temptation according to their abilities. As a wiſe Phifitian, does not give the ſame Phyſick unto every perſon, but conſiders every ones ability; that which he gives to one, is too ſtrong for another: he conſiders firſt the ability of his patient, and preſcribes accordingly. Now, though our Saviour Chriſt don't direct Satan for to tempt, yet he does order him in tempting; and Satan cannot put the leaſt dram into any temptation, but as it is meaſured out by the hand of Chriſt. And this is that which the Apoſtle ſpeaks plainly, in the 1. Cor. 10. Chapter, and the 13. verſe. But God is faithful who will not ſuffer you to be tempted above that you are able &c. that ye may be able to bear it.Pſal. 139 The Pſalmiſt David ſaies, Search me, O Lord, and prove me. That is (ſaies Gregory) Firſt, O Lord, look upon, my ſtrength, and then, if I muſt be tempted, ſuffer me to be tempted according to mine ability. Chriſt does meaſure out all the temptations of his people according to their abilities.
Secondly, As he does meaſure out their temptations according to their abilities: So he does alſo, mortifie their temptations, and weaken them as they come through his hand. Mortifie them before they do come at his Diſciples, and people, before they do come at you. And upon this account (partly) it is ſaid, That we are more than conquerers, through Chriſt that giveth victory. Becauſe our enemy is overcome before he ſtrikes, and his blow is broken as he ſtrikes. And therefore ſaies the Apoſtle, concerning our Saviour, That he hath ſpoil'd principalities, and powers, and made a ſhew of them openly upon the croſſe. All your temptations, the power and ſtrength of them were ſpoil'd upon the croſſe. There's no temptation befals any of Gods people, but it is mortified, and weakned before it does come it them, the ſting, teeth, and the poiſon being taken out.
Thirdly, He does not only thus mortifie, and weaken a temptation before it does come at us: But he does cauſe Satan ſo to lay his temptations, as that he may be diſcerned, and ſo overcome, Satan tempted Adam and Eve; but he tempted in a ſerpent, and ſo Adam might eaſily have diſcerned the hand of Satan in it: for Adam knew all the creatures; he gave them their Names, & he knew their Natures: and he knew well enough the ſerpent could not ſpeak to him; he might eaſily have known, that the hand of Satan was in the buſineſs. And ſo now, though God does ſuffer Satan to tempt his people, yet he does cauſe Satan ſo to lay his temptations, as that the black feet of the tempter may be diſcovered: and when a temptation is diſcovered, 'tis half overcome.
Fourthly, He doth not only thus: But the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, hath the Timeing of all our temptationps. Time is a great matter in the point of temptation. Should a temptation come at ſuch or ſuch a time, poſſibly Gods child might be overwhelmed. I praiſe the Lord (ſaies one) I did reſiſt ſuch a temptation; but had it fallen out at ſuch a time, I ſhould never have been able to have ſtood under it. Satan obſerves his tempting times: he knowes that great advantage may be made unto him by his time. And therefore when Chriſt was an hungry, he tempted him to turn ſtones into bread: obſerved his time. And as Satan does obſerve his time to tempt: So our Lord and Saviour Chriſt, does ſet him his time; & the time of his temptations are in the hand of Chriſt. And therefore, if ye look into the 20. chapter of the Revelation, the 1. 2. and 3. verſes, ye ſhall find to this purpoſe thus: I ſaw an Angel come down from Heaven, having the key of the bottomleſs pit, and a great chain in his hand: And he laid hold on the dragon, the old ſerpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thouſand years, and caſt him into the bottomleſs pit, and ſhut him up, and ſet a ſeal upon him, that he ſhould deceive the nations no more till the thouſand years ſhould be fulfilled, and after that, he muſt be looſed a little ſeaſon. (Mark) The Lord Jeſus Chriſt, hath not only the tempter in a chain, that he can go no further than he gives him leave to go; but his hand alſo, is in the hand of Chriſt, and Chriſt hath an eye to the Time of his temptation, a ſpecial eye upon the time of our temptation, and this argues much of his care and love.
Fiftly. He hath not only the Timeing of our temptations: But he does alſo Sanctifie our temptations, and does make them bleſſed means of our Sanctification. And therefore ſaies Paul, I received the meſſenger Satan for to buffet me, that I might not be exalted. Twice he hath that, That he might not be exalted out of meaſure. But for this I need go no further than the inſtance of Peter; before Peter was tempted; what abundance of carnal confidence was there in Peter? Lord (ſaies he) though all men for ſake thee, yet will not I. But now, I pray look upon him after his temptation, and you ſhall ſee how this carnall confidence was laid down: for, our Saviour ſaies unto him, Peter, loveſt thou me more than theſe? Lord (ſaies he) thou knoweſt I love thee: but not a word of the comparative, More than theſe, he had left comparing now, having been under temptation, and having fallen, his carnal confidence was gone; and he don't ſay now, Lord, though all men forſake thee, yet will not I: the compariſon is left out now: he anſwers to the other part, but not a word to that. So that I ſay, If the Lord Jeſus Chriſt do meaſure out all our temptation for us: And mortifie them before they come at us: And does cauſe Satan to lay them, as we may moſt eaſily diſcover them: And if the Lord Chriſt does Time our temptations for us: And ſanctifie them unto us: Then certainly, there is much of Oh riſts love and mercy at work for his people under their temptations.
Secondly, If you ask me yet further, Queſt. 2 Wherein is the love of Chriſt expreſt, or drawn out unto his people under their temptations?
I anſwer, It is ſeen and expreſt in this: In teaching of them, Anſw. in, and by their temptations. Tempting times, are teaching times unto Gods people: the ſchool of temptation is a great ſchool. Luther ſaid, that the temptations of Satan, were the imbracings of Chriſt: meaning, that then Chriſt did imbrace his people moſt, and diſcover moſt of his love unto them. Three things (he ſaid) there were that made a Preacher: Meditation, Prayer, and Temptation. And indeed, when, or where does God or Chriſt reveal himſelfe more fully unto his people, than in the times of their temptations? 'Tis ſaid, that at Maſſab and Meribah, the waters of ſtrife and of temptation, there the Lord gave Iſrael his ſtatutes. How many experiences do Gods people get, in, and by their temptations? tempting times are teaching: and Chriſt teaches his people by their temptations. Satans Buffetings, are the Saints ſchoolings.
Yea, Thirdly, He does not only teach his people; But he does alſo bear up, and uphold their hearts with new ſupplies of his grace, and Spirit, in the times of their temptations. Chriſt does not ſuffer his people to go into new temptations, with old ſtrength: but as a new temptation does come from Satan, ſo new ſupply of grace and ſtrength does come from Chriſt. Saies David, in the 94. Pſalm, and the 18. verſe. When I ſaid, my foot ſlippeth: thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. He does not ſay thus: when my foot ſlippeth; thy mercy, O Lord held me up: but when I ſaid, my foot ſlippeth; when I thought I was quite rejected, caſt off, and forſaken: when I ſaid, my foot ſlippeth: then thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. As new temptations do come in, ſo new ſtrength comes in.
Yea, and ſupplies of greace in Proportion to our temptations. My grace is ſufficient for thee (ſaies the Lord to Paul) my grace is Fit for thee.
Yea, he does not only give out Proportionable ſtrength; but an Cverplus of ſirength. As the woman, that had oyle given her, not enough barely to pay her debt, but an Overplus to live on the reſt. So Gods people in the time of their temptations, have not only ſtrength given them to ſtand out againſt their temptations, but an Cverplus to live on the reſt.
Yea, and they have not only in-comes of Aſſiſting grace; but of Accepting grace too; more Accepting grace. God doth and will then Accept leſſer than at another time. Though the prayer be weak, and the faith low; yet, ſaies the Lord, it is the time of temptation with this my poor ſervant; and therefore I will take the Duty, though it be never ſo little, becauſe it is the time of temptation, it's a time of darkneſs, and a time of ſadneſs. Ye know what our ſaviour ſaid unto Thomas: Reach hither thine hand, and put it into my ſide: Come Thomas, if thou wilt not beleeve without it, I'le take thy faith, even upon theſe termes, for I know it is a time of temptation with thee. What grace! what love and mercy is here!
Yea, Fourthly. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt does not only come in thus, with ſupplies of grace, & ſtrength in the times of temptation: But he does give his people an Eaſe, and a Remedy, a breathing time under their temptations, though they be never ſo ſad, and never ſo great. Indeed, Job ſaid, That God was his enemy, and would not ſuffer him to ſwallow his ſpittle, he followed him ſo cloſe: but the good man was miſtaken much: for at the ſame time, the time of his temptation, he could ſay, I know that my Redeemer liveth; and he could bleſſe the Lord: he had his breathing time in the midſt of all. When David was perſecuted by Saul, he was under temptation, for, as the Devil caſts ſome men into priſon; ſo the Devil perſecutes in wicked men: yet David had his breathing time, now and then, Saul given into his hands, as a pledge of that ful deliverance that David ſhould have afterwards. And this is no other than that which the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, in that ſame 1 of the Corinthians, the 10. Chap. at the 13. verſe, Who will not ſuffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation alſo, make a way to eſcape. Make an Out-let, (ſo the word is;) He will make an Out-let. Though the ſmoke be very offenſive, yet there ſhall alwaies be ſome window open for to let it out, or ſome door open for a poor tempted ſoul to go out at: ſtil an out-let, ſome breathing time in the midſt of theſe temptations.
Fiftly, and laſtly. As the Lord Jeſus Chriſt liveth for ever to make interceſſion for us; So he doth it eſpecially when his people are under temptation; then he prayes for them, and then eſpecially. I will not determine, whether Chriſt now in Heaven does intercede Vocally, or Really: but when Satan lies hard upon a poor tempted ſoul, and fetches blood from it, then does the Lord Jeſus ſtep in unto his Father, and preſent his wounds, and his blood, and ſaies unto his Father, O Father, I have prayed unto thee, that this poor man or woman, may not fail in the time of temptation. Thus it was with Peter here; I have prayed for thee: and yet this was not the time of his full interceſſion, when he was here on earth. There are two parts of Chriſts Prieſtly Office: Satisfaction, and Interceſſion. The proper place for him to make ſatisfaction for ſin, was here on earth: and in Heaven, the holy of holieſt, he does make interceſſion; there he does do it fully, but he could not for bear while he was here on earth, but he ſaies unto Peter, I have prayed for thee. Though my great work in Heaven be to intercede, and my ſpecial work here on earth be to ſatisfie: yet notwithſtanding, I have prayed for thee already Peter. And the Lord Jeſus Chriſt was heard in all that he prayed for. Now then, if the Lord Chriſt doth intercede here on earth for his poor tempted ſervants, and was heard here; how much more, when his Diſciples are tempted, does he intercede, and pray for them in Heaven, and is heard there. Satan may come running in upon you with his temptation: but when Satan runs in upon you with his temptation, Chriſt runs into the preſence of God the Father, and ſpreads his blood, and his ſatisfaction for you, and there he ſaies unto the Father, Father, I have prayed that this man or womans faith may not fail. Oh! what grace and mercy, and love is here! Thus, in all theſe reſpects, (and many others that I might mention) is the love of Chriſt, and his mercy drawn out unto his people in the time of their temptation.
Well, Queſt. 2 But how may it appear, that Chriſts mercy is moſt at work, when his people are moſt aſſaulted by Satan? Chriſt deals by His, Anſw. as God the Father did deal by Him. Now ye ſhall find, that Gods love was never more towards Chriſt, than when Chriſt was under temptation. When Chriſt came to die, Satan was very buſie; it's called, The hour of darkneſs: ſo buſie was Satan with all his malice againſt him; yet then was the Fathers love towards Chriſt, then eſpecially; for ſaies Chriſt, Therefore does the Father love me, becauſe I lay down my life. If the Father did therefore love him, becauſe he laid down his life, then his love was moſt at work towards Chriſt when this hour of darkneſs was. And ſo I ſay, when you hour of darkneſe is, the hour of temptation; Chriſts love is then moſt at work becauſe he deals by His, as the Father did deal by Him.
The truth is, Chriſts dealing with his Diſciples, was a pattern and plat-form of his dealing with all his people, to the end of the world. Now ye ſhall obſerve, that Chriſts love was never more let out towards his Diſciples, than from this time, after he had ſaid theſe words, Satan hath deſired to ſift you as wheat. After this time they were all offended becauſe of Chriſt, and they all forſook him: Peter denied him; ſome doubted whether he were the Meſſiah or no: and another would not beleeve his Reſurrection; & as ſheep, they were all ſcattered, and ſhattered; great was their temptations: yet from this time, do but obſerve the love of Chriſt towards them: after this ſpeech, then Chriſt preaches a moſt excellent, and ſweet Sermon to them, in the 14, 15, and 16. chapters of John. Then he takes water and a towel, and waſhes and wipes his Diſciples feet. Then he appoints the Lords Supper. Then he ſpends a whol chapter (the 17. of John) in prayer for them, makes a moſt excellent, and ſweet prayer for them. Then he cals them his friends: Ye are no longer my ſervants, but my friends: Yea, his Children: Yea, his Little children. Never was his love more drawn out, or expreſt towards them, than after this time. And (I ſay) this was a pattern, and a plat-form of his dealing with all his people unto the end of the world. And therefore, though Chriſt do ſuffer his own people to be tempted, yet his love and mercy is never more at work than when they are moſt aſſaulted by Satan.
Thirdly, You will ſay, Queſt. 3 What is there in the heart of Jeſus Chriſt, that does incline him to this indulgence toward his people, that his love and mercy is then moſt at work when they are moſt aſſaulted by Satan?
My beloved, Anſw. There is the quinteſcence of all the excellency of loving relations in Jeſus Chriſt. A Father, a Mother, a Brother, a Friend; He is the everlaſting Father. And his ſoul was in travel (ſaies the Prophet) He is not aſhamed to all you his brethren. And he is a Friend: I call you my friends. Now though parents be tender of their children at all times, yet eſpecially when they are ſick; then there's a chair of love ſtands by the childs bed-ſide. And ſo, though Chriſt be alwaies tender of his people, yet then eſpecially, when their ſouls are ſick; and labour under temptation. There is the greateſt pity in Chriſt that can be, the moſt pitiful diſpoſition in Chriſt; which is alwaies laid out where he ſees a fit object for it: pray what is the object of pity? The object of pity is, One whom ye love in miſery. If ye ſee a man in miſery, yet if ye don't love him, ye don't pity him; if ye ſee a man whom ye love, yet if ye don't ſee him in miſery, ye don't pity him, ye love him, but ye don't pity him: but a perſon whom ye love in miſery, is the object of pity. Now all the Saints and people of God, are the beloved of Chriſt; and when they are in temptation, that is their greateſt miſery; and therefore, when they are moſt tempted, then is the love and mercy of Chriſt drawn out unto them eſpecially.
Beſides, The Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath a great Intereſt, and ſhare in every beleever, a ſhare going in every beleever. As the member hath an intereſt and a ſhare in the head; ſo the head hath alſo in every member. Thine they were (ſaies Chriſt) and thou gaveſt them me. Chriſt hath a ſpecial and great intereſt in all his people, and he will not loſe his intereſt. The truth is, when Satan does aſſault a beleever, he does rather ſtrike at Chriſt, than at a beleever. And therefore ſaies Gregory well, The Devil in tempting Job, did not ſo much ſtrike at Job, as at God; for the Lord had ſaid, That Job was an upright man: and now the Devil would go about to make Job an Hypocrite; ſo that the Devill would fain have made God a lyar; and he did not ſo much ſtrike at Job, as at Gods teſtimony of Job, he did ſtrike at God. And ſo now in all the temptations of the Saints, he ſtrikes at Chriſt, and they bear thoſe temptations becauſe of Chriſt. Let a man go on in a wicked, and ungodly way, Satan won't vex him with temptations; but let a man once become godly, and be in Chriſt, and then, how many temptations will Satan vex him with? Now (ſaies Chriſt) ſhall this poor ſoul endure all this for me? and ſhall not I help? ſhall not I aſſiſt? ſhall not I deliver? If a man break his Arme, or his Leg before ye, you will pity him: but if he break his Arme, or his leg in your work, or ſervice, in a work that you ſet him about, you count your ſelf ingaged then to help him. 'Tis the work of Chriſt that the Saints are about, and Chriſt ſets them on work, and when Satan comes to tempt, 'tis to diſturbe them in the work that Chriſt ſets them about: Now therefore, (ſaies Chriſt) ſhall they endure all this becauſe of me, and becauſe of my work? and ſhall not I aſſiſt, and defend them, and help them? Surely I will. Oh! my beloved, if ye did but know what an Intereſt Jeſus Chriſt hath in every beleever, you would eaſily ſee the reaſon of this, ſo great tenderneſs in him, that his love and mercy is never more at work, than when they are moſt aſſaulted by Satan.
For Application.Applic.
What abundance of Comfort is here unto all thoſe that are the true Diſciples of Jeſus Chriſt! you are not alone in your temptations, Chriſt is with you; and he is in Heaven too, interceding, and praying for you: he hath ſent his Spirit into your hearts, to make interceſſion for you there; and he himſelf is in Heaven, making interceſſion and praying for you there: when you are in temptation, Chriſt is at prayer for you. Yea, he does not only pray for you, but his love and his mercy is moſt of al at work then, when you are moſt aſſaulted. Oh! what Comfort is this!
But will ſome ſay, I fear this comfort belongs not to me, Object. becauſe I am none of theſe that are Chriſts true Diſeiples; Chriſt prayed for Peter, becauſe be was his Diſciple, and he prayed for thereſt, becauſe they were his Diſciples: but as for me, though in profeſſion I may be a Diſciple, yet really I fear I am no true Diſciple of Jeſus Chriſt, and therefore I fear that he does not pray, and intercede for me in the time of my temptation.
Two things for anſwer to this. Anſw.
Firſt I pray conſider that place in the 16. chapter of Matthew, and the 24. verſe. Then ſaid Jeſus unto his Diſciples, If any man will come after me (or, if any man will be my Diſciple, ſo ſome books hath it) let him deny himſelf, and take up his croſs, and follow me. (Mark) Here are Three properties of a true Diſciple. (To open the words a little unto ye, that I may ſettle this comfort the more fully upon your hearts.)
Firſt, A true Diſciple does deny himſelf. So long as a man is in the ſtate of Nature, he is alwaies in the Circle of ſelf, and Satan keeps him in it: but when Chriſt comes, he gets out of that Circle, and then he denies himſelf. Self ſaies, (whether Natural-ſelf, Civil-ſelf, or Sinful-ſelf) Thou art now minding Chriſt, and the waies of Chriſt: but mind thy Eſtate more, and thy Name more, and thy Firends and Relations more, and thy Health more, and thy Pleaſures and Recreations more. Nay, (ſaies a true Diſciple) but I muſt mind Chriſt more, I muſt mind mine own Soul more, I muſt mind mine Eternity more; ſo he denies himſelf; his ſinful-ſelf, and Civil-ſelf, and Religious-ſelf too: his ſelf-reaſon, and his ſelf-will, and his ſelf-affection.
Secondly, He does take up his Croſs: A true Diſciple takes up his croſſe. 'Tis not ſaid, He does bear his croſſe with patience; there is a great deal of difference between theſe; Bearing of a mans croſs with patience when it is laid upon him, and taking up his croſſe when it is laid before him. Properly a man is ſaid to take up his croſſe, when there is Sin laid on one ſide; and there is a Croſſe, and an Affliction laid on the other ſide: Now, either you muſt commit this Sin; or elſe you muſt endure this Croſſe, or Affliction: Nay then, (ſaies a true Diſciple) rather than I will commit that ſin, I will endure this affliciton; and ſo he takes up his croſs.
Thirdly. He does alſo Follow Chriſt. Some there are, that having ſuffered for the Name, and Cauſe of Chriſt; they then grow Proud of their ſufferings, and they fal into foul miſcarriages: But a true Diſciple of Chriſt, when he hath taken up the croſſe, he follows Chriſt: now properly a man is ſaid to follow Chriſt, when he does do thoſe things at Chriſts command, wherein Chriſt does differ from others. As now, a man is ſaid to follow Luther, when he does follow him in thoſe things wherein he differs from Calvin: and a man follows Calvin, when he does follow him in thoſe things wherein he differs from Luther. So a man is ſaid to follow Chriſt, when he follows him in thoſe things wherein he differs from others. There are ſome things wherein Chriſt and Nature do agree: Nature ſaies, That a man muſt do by another, as he would be dealt by himſelf; Herein Chriſt and nature agree. But Chriſt ſaies, A new commandement give I unto ye, That ye love one another, as I have loved you: Here Chriſt differs from Nature. Nature teaches a man, That there is a God, and that God is to be Prayed unto; and that a man is to pray for his friends: But now Chriſt ſaies, Pray for your Enemies. I ſay, a man is properly ſaid for to follow Chriſt, when he follows him in that wherein Chriſt differs from others. Now whoſoever thou art that makes this Objection, That thou art not a Diſciple of Jeſus Chriſt, and therefore he does not pray for thee in the time of thy temptation; I appeal to ye: Are ye not willing to take up your croſſe? rather to endure that affliction, than commit this ſin? Do ye not ſet your ſelf to deny your ſelf, your Pleaſures, Recreations, Relations, and all for Chriſt? And do ye not deſire to follow Jeſus Chriſt in thoſe things wherein he does differ from Anti-Chriſt, and from Nature, and from Moſes? then ſurely, thou art a Diſciple of Jeſus Chriſt.
But beſides this, Our Saviour tels us in the 17. of John, That he did not only pray for thoſe his preſent Diſciples; but (ſaies he) I pray for all that ſhall beleeve on me through their word, verſe the 20. What is it to beleeve on Chriſt? To reſt upon Chriſt for life and glory in the time of our temptation; this is to beleeve on Chriſt? Now in the time of your temptation, don't ye reſt on Chriſt? don't ye relye on Chriſt? then Chriſt hath prayed for ye. And though thou art in ſuch a temptation, as thou complaineſt, thou canſt not pray, yet the Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath prayed for thee: and he is heard in all that he prayed for.
But I fear (will ſome ſay yet) that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt does not pray, Object. or intercede for me in the time of my temptation, becauſe my faith failes me; Oh! my faith hath failed me in the time of temptation: did Chriſt pray for me, my faith would not fail, for he is heard in all that he prayes for; but Oh! my faith fails in time of temptation, and therefore I fear, that this love and mercy of Chriſt, is not at work for me in the time of my temptation.
For Anſwer, Anſw. 1 Firſt, There is a great deal of difference between the failing of your Faith, and the failing of your Heart. Poſſibly, your Heart may fail in time of temptation, and yet not your Faith. Look I pray into the 73. Pſalm, the 26. verſe, and you ſhall find as much. Saies the Pſalmiſt there, My fleſh and my heart faileth. I but did not his Faith fail now? See what he ſaies; his faith ſtands notwithſtanding this; But God is the ſtrength of my heart, and my portion for ever: here's his faith. So that though his fleſh failed, and his heart failed; yet his faith did not fail. There is a great deal of difference between a recoyling fit of a heart-failing in time of temptation, and the failing of ones faith.
Secondly, It is one thing for you to fail in your faith in our own opinion; and another thing for your faith to fail in the opinion of Jeſus Chriſt. When Peter denied his Lord and Maſter, in his own opinion he could not but think that his faith failed; and yet in the opinion of Jeſus Chriſt his faith did not fail; for Chriſt prayed that his faith ſhould not fail, and it did not fail, for Chriſt was heard in what he prayed for.
Thirdly, There is great deal of difference, between the failing of faith, and failings that do accompany faith. The poor woman that came to Chriſt, and touched the hem of his garment, failed very much, for ſhee came behinde him and thought to have ſtolen a cure: I but, though there were many failings that did accompany her faith, yet her faith did not fail; for ſhe came and touched the hem of his garment, and was cured by her faith. So I ſay, there is a great deal of difference between the failing of faith, and the failings that do accompany faith: there may be many failings that do accompany ones faith, and yet ones faith may ſtand, and not fail.
But yet further, Whoſoever you are, that ſay your faith fails you, and therefore you are afraid that Chriſt prayes not for you: Man or woman, Did thy faith ever fail thee like Peters; didſt thou ever deny thy Lord and Maſter as Peter did? and yet Chriſt ſaid, I have prayed that thy faith fail not, and he was heard in the thing that he prayed for.
Oh! but, that was but one Act in Peter; Object. but my faith doth conſtantly fail; Peter denied, and his faith failed in the exerciſe as to one Act, but my faith doth conſtantly fail in time of temptation: I was heretofore more able to beleeve in the time of my temptation than now I am; my faith is failed, and it conſtantly fails, and therefore I fear that the Lord Chriſt will not pray for me in the time of my temptation.
Well, But if you be more able to relye upon meer free-grace, Anſw. than ye have been heretofore, then your faith is not leſs, but increaſed rather. If you be now more able to be contented with your condition, than you were heretofore. If you can let God and Chriſt alone, to uſe his own means about you. If you can leave the Events and ſucceſſes of things, more unto God than you could heretofore; then your faith is not failed, but rather increaſed. Man or woman, if that you are able now to take thoſe hints of a word which you could not heretofore. If your judgment be more ſetled in the Truth. If you be more contented to ſuffer now for the Cauſe, and the way of God than you were heretofore: Then thy faith is not failed, but thy faith is increaſed rather, and ſo thou comeſt within the compaſſe of the Lord Chriſts prayer.
Oh! Object. but yet (will ſome ſay) I have ſinned greatly, very much; I have been a great ſinner; and therefore I fear, that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt will let me alone to wreſtle with my temptations all alone, and will not pray and intercede for me in the time and hour of my temptation.
Well, Anſw. I muſt yet ſay again to you: Haſt thou ſinned more than this Peter did, when he denied his Lord and Maſter? Yet Chriſt prayed for him, and his prayer took and prevailed. Have you ſinned more than Jeruſalem did? Oh! Jeruſalem, thou that ſtoneſt the Prophets, (ſaies Chriſt when they put him to death.) And yet if you look into the 1. of the Acts, you ſhall find, that Chriſt after his Reſurrection, bids his Diſciples for to ſtay and wait at Jeruſalem, and not ſtir from thence; and preach the Goſpel, and mercy, and free-grace in Jeruſalem. Haſt thou (man or woman, that makeſt this objection) ſinned more than thoſe that did put Chriſt to death? that run him into his body with a ſpear? that nailed him upon the croſſe? haſt thou ſinned more than theſe? Ye know our Lord and Saviour when he was upon the croſſe, he prayed for them; Oh! Father forgive them, they know not what they do. But, (Lord) theſe are thine oppoſers, theſe are perſecutors, and they perſecute thee to death. Well, be it ſo, (ſaies Chriſt) I know what I do, and I know whom I pray for: Father forgive them, they know not what they do. Oh! what grace, and mercy, and love is here! Comfort, yea, Comfort unto all the Diſciples of Jeſus Chriſt: when ye are in temptation, the Lord Chriſt is at prayer for you. And remember the Doctrine; Never is his love and mercy more at work for ye, than when Satan is moſt buſie about ye, to tempt ye moſt. What comfort is here! This was that (in part) that comforted the Martyrs in the Primitive times, ye reade of very great comforts that the Martyrs had in the Primitive times, thoſe times next after Chriſt: I have deſired to conſider, what it was eſpecially, that bore up their hearts under all thoſe perſecutions. And Turtullian, pitches upon this as one thing: We conſider (ſaies he) the caſe of Peter; Satan deſired to winnow him; Chriſt prayed for him. Here were (ſaies Turtullian) two requeſts before God the Father: One was the requeſt of Satan: and another was the requeſt of Chriſt. Now the Son having more credit with God the Father than Satan, his requeſt muſt needs prevail: So (ſaies he) Satan hath deſired for to tempt, and to winnow us, and perſecute us; but the Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath requeſted for us: There are two requeſts before God the Father; There's Satans requeſt to winnow us; and there's the Sons requeſt praying for us: Now therefore, ſeeing that the Son hath more credit with God the Father than Satan, therefore are we aſſured that we ſhall be upheld, and our faith ſhall not fail. And ſo may you alſo. This is matter of great comfort unto all the Saints.
You will ſay, Indeed it is matter of great comfort: Queſt. but is there no Duty that this Truth cals for at our hands? Here is much comfort, but what is that Duty that this Truth cals for?
Much every way. If I be an Ungodly man; Anſw. what a mighty incouragement is here for to get into Jeſus Chriſt, that I may be in the number of the true Diſciples. So long as a man is out of Chriſt, not a true Diſciple of Jeſus Chriſt; Satan may come and tempt, and do what he wil with him, and no Chriſt by to help. Satan could not hurt, or touch, or tempt Job, but he muſt ask leave: But Satan went to the Sabeans, and brought in them upon Jobs Eſtate, and he did not ask leave for that, they were in his power: He ruleth in the children of diſobedience. Daniel was in the Lyons-den, and they devouered him not, their mouthes were ſtopt, and they could not hurt him: But when the Enemies were thrown into the Lyons, they crack'd, and cruſh'd their bones before they came to the ground. If a godly man, one that is a true Diſciple of Jeſus Chriſt, if he be in a den with theſe Lyons, Devils, their mouths ſhall be ſtopt, they ſhall not ſwallow him. But oh! for wicked men, that are not in Chriſt, theſe Lyons, they cruſh their bones, every day they cruſh their bones: and a wicked man may ſay as Saul did, The Philiſtims are upon me, and God is departed from me: So a wicked man, that is not in Chriſt, he may cry out and ſay, Oh! temptations are upon me, and Chriſt is departed from me, I have none of Chriſt to help me: as for the Saints, and thoſe that are true Diſciples of Jeſus Chriſt, they have Chriſt at hand, though they fall, Chriſt is by for to help them up. And Chriſt himſelf meaſures out all their temptations, and Chriſt aſſiſts them, and helps them, but Oh! as for me, I am all alone in my temptations, I poor ſoul, am all alone in my temptations: Ah! who would be a Drunkard ſtill? who would be a Swearer ſtill? who would be an Unclean wanton ſtill? who would be a lyar, and a Theeviſh ſervant ſtill? Let me tell ye, that while ye go on in theſe ſins, you are out of Chriſt: Poor ſoul, a Swearer, a Drunkard, a common Lyar, a Sabbath-breaker, a Wanton, out of Chriſt, and thy temptations fall heavily upon thee; the Lord knowes, thou art all alone in the time of thy temptations: Oh! but, get into Jeſus Chriſt, get into Jeſus Chriſt, to be in the number of Chriſts true Diſciples; and when thou art tempted, the Lord prayes for thee; yea, and the love and mercy of Chriſt is never more at work for thee, than when thou art moſt tempted, and aſſaulted by Satan. What a mighty incouragement is here to al that hear the word of the Lord, to get into Jeſus Chriſt!
But if I be godly; and al this be true: Why ſhould I queſtion the love of God towards me in the time of my temptation? Beloved! ye know it in your Experience, ye are never more apt for to queſtion the love of Chriſt, than in temptation; and yet Chriſts love is never more at work for you, than in temptation. Oh! what an unworthy anſwering of Chriſts love is here!
Again, If I be Godly: Why ſhould I not be contented, and quiet under all my temptations, though they be never ſo great? Chriſt prayeth for me, Chriſts love is moſt at work now I am moſt aſſaulted, his bowels then yern towards me.
Yea, If I be Godly: Why ſhould I not with Paul Triumph over all temptations? and make my boaſt of Chriſt, and ſay as he did, Now know I, that nothing ſhall ſeparate me from the love of God in Chriſt; not Principalities, nor Powers nor Devils, nor Temptations; for when I am moſt tempted Chriſt is moſt at work in love for me.
Yea, (beloved in the Lord) why ſhould we not all warm our hearts with this love of Jeſus Chriſt? it's a mercy that the Lord Chriſt will caſt but an eye, or a look upon a poor ſoul under temptation; that is a mercy: I but, I tell ye more than ſo; Chriſt does not only caſt an eye, and a look upon a poor tempted ſoul, but his love and mercy is never more at work, than when you are moſt aſſaulted, and tempted by Satan: Ah, what grace, and heart-warming love is here!
If I be Godly: (again) upon this account, why ſhould I give over ſo ſoon, and lay down my weapon in time of temptation? If a City be beleaguer'd, beſieged, and know that help will come, they will not give over. And though I am thus beſieged, and thus tempted, help will certainly come, for Chriſt hath prayed; why ſhould I give over then in time of temptation?
And if theſe things be ſo, if there be ſo much love in the heart of Chriſt towards poor tempted ſouls: then (beloved) ſhould we not all run to Chriſt in the time, and hour of our temptation, run unto him by prayer?
It may be there are ſome that will ſay, Queſt. If Chriſt pray for us in time of temptation, what need we pray?
But I pray look into this chapter, Anſw. and you will find our Saviour carries it otherwiſe. In the text, ſaies he, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fall not. At the 46. verſe, Why ſleep ye? (ſaies he) riſe and pray, leſt ye enter into temptation. So that, though he had ſaid, That he prayed for them, yet he cals upon them alſo to pray. It's good praying (my beloved) when mercy is coming: and mercy is then coming when Chriſt is praying; and when you are moſt tempted, then Chriſt is at prayer.
But to end all. What ever your temptations therefore be, you that are the ſervants of God, ſtill think ye hear Chriſt ſaying to ye, Man, Woman, be of good comfort, I have prayed for you: though thy temptations be very great, I have prayed for thee: thought thou canſt not pray for thy ſelf as thou wouldſt, I have prayed for thee: when fleſh fails, and eyes fail, and heart fails, and all fails, yet remember this, Chriſt prayeth for you, in the time of your temptation Chriſt prayeth for you: think that ye hear Chriſt ſpeaking to ye in the time of your temptation, for certainly he does it as well to his Diſciples now as he did to his Diſciples then, he does ſpeak and ſay, Be of good comfort, man or woman, though thy temptations be great, yet I have prayed for thee, and thy faith ſhall not fail.
FINIS.