The Power of Godliness, Book 6 · Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII. Discovering what the blessings are that we pray for in this petition, the evils that we pray against, the wants that we are to bewail, and the mercyes for wchih we must be thankful.
Question: WHat desire you of God in this petition?
A. To be freed from tryals themselves so far as will stand with the good pleasure of God, and alwayes to be delivered from the evil thereof,Mat. 26.39.41 Luc. 22.40. 1 Cor. 10.13. Luc. 1.74. Rom. 16.20. 2 Cor. 12.9. that we faint not under them or be foiled by them. That if it be to the honour of God we should not live without temptations, yet he would be pleased so to joyn us against Satan in battel, as to have us alwayes in remembrance, that whether he tempt us by prosperity or adversity, or what way soever, he may never be able to sever us from him, take us out of his hand, nor diminish the blessed communion we have with him.
Q. What do we ask more particularly?Job 1.10. 2 Cor. 12.9. Pro. 30.8. Zech. 3.1, 3. Rom. 16.20. 2 Cor. 12.8. Jude 6. v. 1 Jo. 3.8. 2 Cor. 2.11. 2 Cor. 11.3. Eph. 6 11. Psal. 140.8, 9. Gal. 5.12. Jo. 17.15. Mat. 15.19. Psal. 19.13. Rom. 7 24, 25. Gal. 5.17, 18, 19. Rom. 6.12, 13. Jam. 1.14. 1 Cor. 10.13. Jude 24. v. 2 Tim. 4.17, 18. Ps. 51.12. Es. 27.9. Pro. 14 27. Gen. 39.9. Neh. 6.11. 1 Pet. 5.9. Eph. 6.13. Jam. 1.12. 1 Pet. 5.10. Apo. 3.20. Psal. 131.1, 2. Gal. 6.14. 1 Tim. 6.9. Pro. 4.23. 1 Pet. 4.23. Luc. 22.40. Eph. 6.18. Mat. 26.45. 1 Thess. 5.6. 1 Tim 4.5. Ps. 60.12. Col. 1 11. 2 Thess. 2.17. 1 Cor. 15.58. Rom. 5.4. Gen. 39.10 Jud. 16.6.16.17. 2 Cor. 12.7.8. Ps. 5.3. Ps. 38.9. Rom. 8.26. Ps. 34.3. Mat. 26.39.42. & 6.4. Ps. 119.117. Mar. 25.29. Heb. 13.21. 1 Thess. 5.23. Zeph. 6.24. 1 Pet. 5.8.10.
A. First, That God would of his mercy keep us from knowing temptation; and to this end we pray. 1. That seeing we cannot be tempted without the will of God, nor resist without his power, if it be his blessed will, he would give us neither poverty nor riches, nor any such things as may endanger our spiritual estate, but mercifully preserve us from whatsoever might be occasion of sin. 2. That he would tie up Satan, restrain his malice, and bridle his power, that he might not assail us in that kind, or else make us wise to know, and avoid his stratagems. 3. That he would curbe the rage of wicked men, and preserve us from the evil that is in the world. 4. That he would kill sin, abate the power of corruption that is within us, and dry up the filthy streams of idle, vain, wicked motions, and desires. Secondly, We ask, that in temptations (if he see good to prove us, he would alwayes stand by us with his grace to keep us from falling, and vouchsafe to worke effectually by his holy Spirit, to stir up his graces in us and bring them into exercise to put good motions into our hearts, and cause us to remember his word. To strengthen us manfully in the encounter, to give us an holy use of our tryals, and to make us superiours, even conquerors in all things wherein we are tempted, that all things being finished we may stand strong, and endure stedfast unto the end. Thirdly, That God would not give us over to the lusts of the flesh, or to the malice of the Divel: but that he would have merciful respect to our weakness, and favourably keep us from the hour of dangerous and pernicious temptation Fourthly, that he wou…d stir us up to be sober and vigilant, standing upon our watch, prepared for the on-set, having our loins girded with verity, and our heart furnished with the spiritual armor of a Christian. Be sober and watch, for the Divel goeth about like a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour. Fifthly, We pray that God would make us poor in spirit and strong in faith, that we never trust in our selves, nor distrust in God his power and aid, Through God we shall be able to tread down our enemies. Sixthly, We crave faith, hope, fear of God, patience and consolation, that be our temptations never so many, so long or so grevious, we may hold out and stand fast, and neither presume of our wit, nor despaire of Gods mercy, but continue in prayer, and wait for deliverance in the Name of the Lord. Seventhly, That he would preserve and increase his graces in us, whereby we might the better quell the motions of the flesh,Heb. 13.21. 2 Pet. 3.18. Ps. 51.12. Ps. 119 32. Eph. 3.16. Ph. 1.9.11. Ps. 5.8. & 27.11 & 119.117. 1 Thess 3.12, 13. Ps. 119.125.144. Col. 1.9, 10. Ps. 119.115. Eph. 5.15, 16. Helpes that further in wel-doing prayed for, be, 1 Good and holy counsel. 2. Holy exhortations. 3. Good examamples and panions. 4. Gods blessing upon all these. Ps. 119.33, 34. Is. 8.19, 20. Pro. 19.20. 2 Chr. 20 20. & 32.7 8. Act. 18.27. Psal. 119 63. Pro. 13.20. Ps. 51.12. Zech. 12.19. Luc. 22.61, 62. Pro. 10.22 1 Cor. 3.6, 7. Psal. 116.3, 4. Rom. 7.24. Heb. 13.21. Rom. 16.20. and resist the instigations of Satan; and with right judgement and holy will, constantly and faithfully cleave fast to the admonitions of the spirit, walking in the way that the Lord shall shew in his holy word. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies; I am thy servant, give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies. Eighthly, that he would teach us to walk warily, accurately, exactly, honestly, and make good use of all occasions and opportunities, mercies and judgements, and that insteed of temptations to the contrary, God would afford us all helpes unto well-doing, as good examples, holy counsels and encouragements. Ninthly, that when we are intangled in the snare of temptations, whence we cannot rid our selves, that he would give such an end as may be for the glory of his Name, and the furtherance of our salvation. Yea, and if he leave us at any time to our own weakness, for our humiliation, that he would not let our faith fail finally, but that he would graciously raise us up again with increase of spiritual strength and courage, and so strengthen us, that we may see all the evils that we have suffered working to our good, and our selves at length more then conquerors in him who loveth us. 10. We pray that God in his time would perfectly free us from all misery, put an end to all tryals, and to these dayes of conflict; perfect the work of his grace in us, and grant us full victory over all our enemies. Finally, As we ask these things presently for our selues who are already in the warfare, so we wish it to all Gods Elect when they shall be called to like condition.
Q. What are the evils that we pray against?
A. 1. We pray that God would not deprive us of grace, whereby we should resist temptations or leave us to our selves at any time when we are brought unto the tryal.Psal. 119.8. Ps. 71.9, 10. 2 Chr. 32.31. Psal. 19.14. Psal. 1.9.36. & 141.4. 2 Sam 24.1. Eph. 4.18. Ps. 27.12. Ps. 38.21. Ps. 140.8. Ps. 119.37. 1 Sam. 25.32, 33. Pro. 30.8, 9. Ps. 119.133. Vers. 10. Pro. 3.5. 2 Thess. 2.11. Jo. 3.19. Rom. 1.26. 2 Thess. 2.10, 11. 2 Tim. 4.3, 4. Ezek 14.4. 1 Cor. 8.1. Ps. 81.8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Jer. 44.25, 26. Ezek. 14.45. 2 Thess. 2.12 Mat. 26.8, 9. 2 Sam. 11, 1, 2. Ezek. 16.49. Jo. 12.4, 5. Mat. 26.14, 15, 16. 2 Cor. 12.7, 8. I will keep thy commandments, O forsake me not utterly. 2. We entreat that we may not be given over to the power of Satan, the swing of our lusts, the will of the ungodly; that their wicked enterprises may not prevail, whereby they seek to seduce and destroy us. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies. Forsake me not, O my Lord, O God, be not far from me. 3. That we be not ensnared with the occasions of sin that be in the world. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity. 4. That we be not captivated or held in subjection of any sin. Let no iniquity have dominion over me: Oh, let me not wander from thy commandment. 5. That we be not left to our selves to trust in our own strength and wisdom, as did Peter, nor given over to impatience and despair as Saul. 6. That we grow not secure and mindless of the craft, malice and power of our enemies, and the danger wherein we stand at all times by reason of the snares they set privily to catch us. 7. That we forget not to run unto God by earnest and hearty prayer for his gracious aid, at what time soever we find the enemy to set upon us & sollicite unto evil. 8. That we may not be presumptuous to rush upon the occasions of sin; such as evil corruptions, needless entanglements in the world, reading scurrilous books, &c. 9. That we run not into such sins as provoke God to lead us into temptation. Of which sort are these, all refusing or slight receiving the love of the truth; abusing or not making right use of that knowledge a man hath; willingness to be ignorant of the truth, & wilfulness to practice evil presumption of our own strength; all willing casting ones self into the occasions of sin; idleness & living without a calling, allowance of secret sins & such like. 10. We pray against all motions & enticements unto sin. As the Apostle Paul did beseech God that the prick of the flesh, & buffeting of Satan might depart from him, not onelyonly that he might overcome. 11. That all stumbling blocks and occasions of our stay in the race of Christianity might be taken out of the way, or made no rocks of offence unto us. 12. That we might not be an offence or scandal unto Jew or Gentile, weak or strong Christian, brethren or them that be without. Lastly, We pray that God in his displeasure would not punish sin with sin, hardening the heart, and giving us over to vile affections.
Q. What are the wants to be bewailed?
A. 1. Our spiritual servitude, and continual rebellion of our wicked natures; the remnants of the old bondage under Satan most grievous and irkesome, the evil motions that arise from it without ceasing, as foggy mists from a muddy pond, and our proneness to yeeld up our selves in every temptation to sin and Satan. The Jews in bodily captivity, wept when they remembred Sion; How much more should we weep, when we feel the Law of our members, rebelling against the Law of our mindes, and leading us captive to sin? 2. Our Sencelesness and presumption, that forget the danger wherein we live by reason of our many and malicious enemies, and notwithstanding the daily experience of their power and our frailty, we neglect to look unto God, as if we were able to stand without his aide; we presume upon our strength, feel not the want of his assistance, pray seldom and coldly to be supported, disregard the motions of Gods Spirit. 3. Though we pray not to be led into temptation, yet we thrust our selves into it: for we discover our passions and lusts, manifest our weakness, rush into the occasions of sin to satisfie desire, suffer our thoughts to rove and wander up and down we know not whither, confer with the suggestions of Satan, and give them harbour in the minde. 4. When we feel Satan thrust sore at us, we are ready to faint, as if the Lord would not or could not help us; and if the suggestions of the flesh be strong and importunate, we grow weary of resistance, and give place to sin. 5 Though we be compassed with enemies on every side, both within and without, yet we lay down our watch, cast off our Christian armor, and set upon the performance of many duties, and converse in most companies, as if we had none to set against us, or contrive our hurt.
Q. How must we stir up our selves devotionally to make this Petition?
A. 1. We must often call to remembrance the dangers in which we live, whiles the soul is in this mortal body, whom the flesh, the world, and the Divel do oppose on every side. What anger, what lust can do in us; who is not compelled to feel it to his great sorrow and grief? who doth not find these pricks? is not provoked with these stings? The stroaks and assaults are so many, so divers, that it is most hard not to receive some great wound. But besides these enemies which dwell and live with us, there are other most bitter adversaries, which the Apostle calleth spiritual wickedness, principalities and powers, whose hatred against us is infinite, unappeaseable, that we cannot expect any truce or peace from them, if it could stand with Christian courage, resolution and honesty to desire it. 2. Another motive is to think, to what the temptations of the Divel tend: This is the White he shooteth at, that he might make us naked before God, stripped of his favour, which is better then life. For the divel seeketh by them to make us dishonor God, rob our hearts of his Kingdom, fetter us so with our sin, that we may be dis-enabled from obeying him; to take away all our peace and prosperity in things outward, to fill us with fear and weariness in all the duties we go about, and uncomfortable doubtings, yea despairings touching the pardon of sin; In a word, to bereave us of all good which in the former petitions we desire; and to bring upon us the contrary evils which are most horrible. He playeth no small games when he beginneth his temptations. 3. We must remember how tedious his former tempting and prevailing against us hath been, for we (like children) who remember beating no longer then it smarteth) we I say, remember the bitterness of our daily falls the divel giveth us, no longer then God letteth the sting of them stick in us; and this doth make us, that we feelingly cannot pray against that whose anguish and evil we do not remember. 4. We must consider, how we are every where subject to temptations, at home, abroad, in wife, children, servants; in good company to security and unfruitfulness; in bad, to sin with them in speech, gesture or consent; yea in good deeds, before we do them, when we have done them, to carelesseness, pride, security, vain-glory; at bed, at board. For as fools and children not knowing evils fear them not; so we not knowing this evil, are less fearful, and flee not so fearingly, praying to have it prevented. Every where snares of temptation are laid for us, who, that should go such a way, in which he could not take a step without danger, would not go wearily, and often lift up his heart for protection? 5. We must think how diligent and watchful the divel is; he that knoweth what baits we bite at, and will cast them out every where: he knoweth where we are weakest, and will never want occasions to provoke us. Again, we must think how mighty he is, what cannot he do with us, if God keep us not? he would carry us to any evil, as a whirlewind doth the drie stubble. 6. We must often repeat our own infirmities, how we be so far from being able to withstand him, that all we have of our own, is readier to follow then he to whistle us after him. 7. We must remember such examples of worthies as have been grievously foiled, as David, Peter, &c. yea presidents we have of some hanging themselves, some tempted to it; for such examples are like the thunder, though it striketh a few, it feareth all. And are not we subject to have our minds distracted, assaulted with any even the most grievous things that ever we heard to have befallen others? Lastly, We must consider what a joy it is when we go a day more freed. What an ease is it to the soul? Or if we be in a little forwardness to sin,1 Sam. 25.32, 33. yet if we be rescued seasonably, how it doth it rejoyce us? what peace doth it bring to us? Now could we work upon our hearts, the feeling of this benefit when we have it, the sweetness of it would enforce us to beg it heartily; whereas not heeding the worth of it, we ask it unaffectionately.
Q. VVhat are the mercies for which we must be thankeful?
A. 1. We give thanks to God, who hath redeemed us from the power of Satan by his Son Jesus Christ.1 Cor. 6.20. Ps. 124.5. Rom. 7.25. Gal. 1.4. Ye are bought with a price, therefore glorifie God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 2. This is a great daily mercy, when God keepeth us from temptation: Not to know a disease is better, then having it to be healed of it. 3. That he hath strengthened us in the combate, and given us victory over our enemies. Thanks be to God, 1 Cor. 15.57. 2 Tim. 4.17, 18.which giveth us victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, to whom be glory for ever and ever. 4. That God hath been pleased to prevent our sinning, when we were ready to fall. Not to fall when we are ready to fall, is a great favour. If one when our feet are ready to fall from us, should hold us up, we would count it a great benefit.1 Sam. 25.32, 33. 5. That God hath made our tryals fruitful and profitable, bringing us thereby to the knowledge of our selves, awakening us from security, and strengthening the graces of his Spirit in us. 6. That he hath been pleased to recover us from our flips, and turn our infirmities and falls to our greater benefit. To have damages advantage us, this is the evidence of power and goodness it self..