Spiritual Wisdom Improved against TEMPTATION.
IN A SERMON PREACHED At Stepney Septemb. 16. 1660. And now made publick to obviate misrepresentation.
By MATTHEW MEADE.
If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if I have spoken well, why smitest thou me?
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
Conscia mens recti famae mendacia ridet.
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Parkhurst, at the Three Crowns in the lower end of Cheapside over against the Great Conduit. 1660.
To the Congregation at Stepney, that were the Auditors of this Sermon, All Covenant-mercies be multiplied through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Shall not put my self to the charge of importuning your acceptance of this Sermon, being perswaded that you whose ears were tied so fast to the Preachers lips when it was delivered, will not disdain to cast your eyes upon it when it is translated from the Pulpit to the Press. Had not an unsavoury breath (that common telltale of a foul stomack) blowed upon it to infection, it had layen still with its elder brethren in the dark sepulchre of oblivion. Nor yet could that have raised it again, had not your affectionate desire rowled away the stone from the mouth of the sepulchre. You (it seems) first discovered other men digging pits in the field of my reputation, to find the unknown treasure of their own, and therefore thought the publishing this Sermon the best way to fill them up again; which I readily assented to, that the world may see how easily innocence and plain dealing may be baptized into [Page]the name of Faction and Sedition; nay that I preached Rebellion and Treason, is charged upon this Sermon, meerly because I spoke of sinful compliance with the ceremonies against conscience; That I mentioned not either the King or his Government, neither at that time nor any other, save only to pray for him, as by the command of God I am bound to do, I have thousands of witnesses among you.
How little my Sermons have been stuft with State matters you can all testifie; I did determine to know nothing among you, 1 Cor. 2. [...]. save Jesus Christ and him crucified.
That I have not in this Sermon spoken any thing of the nature of temptations, &c. is not only because the subject leads not directly to it, but because I have heretofore in twenty Sermons from Rev. 3.10. handled that subject among you.
I had thought I might have continued with you long enough to have out-lived my design upon this Text;Psal. 31.15 but the wise God (in whose hand my times are) hath given me a quietus est, not only in reference to my place, but to my conscience also.
The greatest evil I shall wish to those that succeed me, shall be, that they may be as true to the interest of your precious souls, as I did always desire,2 Cor. 12.14. and to my power endeavour to be: God is my record, that I sought not yours but you. My care and prayer hath always been that you might receive heavenly treasure out of a poor earthen vessel.
I may say that no part of Gods Vineyard in the whole Nation hath had more choyce and eminent [Page]labourers (my self excepted) then this of Stepney for several years together;Mr. Burroughs. M. Whittaber. M. Bridge, and till now Mr. Greenbil. and in this regard I had a hard province to write after such coples; but who looks for a mans head upon a childs shoulders? nor will God require the improvement of ten talents where he gives but one.
What good the Lord hath done by me, bless him for; set my name to no more then the weaknesses and infirmities that were discovered in my performances.
I have ground to hope that through the dew of Gods grace watering the seed of the word, some were converted, some convinced, some confirmed;Rom. 10.1 and my hearts desire and prayer to God for all, shall be that they may be saved. Heb. 13.10, [...]1.
Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant make you perfect in every goodwork to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
TO THE Ingenuous Reader.
THis Sermon had never borrowed one hour of thy light, could prejudice and ill-will (which never speaks well) have suffered it to have layn in darkness, it was honestly born, but, unknown to the parent, it was brought under a Canonical Baptisme, where it received the sign of the Cross, and so is made Crucianus though not Christianus; had it but pleaded the holiness of vestures, the decency of a ceremony, no doubt though its subiect had not been so good, yet its censure had not been so bad.
The Author intended no more in the delivering of it to his hearers, then a help to the delivering of them from the power of the Tempter. When should the Watchmen give warning, but when the enemy is approaching? and when should they call loudest to spiritual watchfulness, but when they are nearest to the snares of spiritual wickedness? This was the [Page]practice of our Lord Christ;Mar. 6.41. Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.
What it was in the Sermon that could possibly offend, I cannot guess, unless the eighth head; and I wonder not much at their offence at that, since it appears they are weak brethren. It is sad that men should walk not as wise but as fools, when the drift of the discourse was to teach them to walk not as fools, but as wise; and that a Sermon of temptation, should become a temptation; thus is Christ himself a stone of stumbling, 1 Pet. 2.3. whilst they that so mannerly how their bodies at the name of Jesus, cannot bend their consciences to the truth of Jesus; but herein is that Scripture fulfilled; [...]oh. 5.9. For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see, and that they which see might be made blind.
There is somewhat spoken about sinful compliance with ceremonies, and not much; if it had been more, it had not been much, coming from one that was born too late to remember them practised, and thinks he should live too long to see them imposed: If to speak against Will-worship and superstition, be a fault, (for that is my crime) who can love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and at this time be innocent? I had rather be charged with frowardness before men, then to be charged with unfaithfulness before God.
Expect not Iliads in a nutshel, much in this little, it being but conceived but the day before it was born: I resolved as not to diminish one sentence from it, to make it more excusable; so not to add [Page]one sentence to it, to make it more commendable; only a little in the Introduction which I then omitted, and now, to make what follows sense, have added.
It was seed sown on good ground, Mat. 13.4. compared with the 9. preached to an honest congregation at Stepney, though some fell by the way side, and that the wicked one picked up: Thus as bold thieves will dare to pick pockets at the very bar of judgment, so Satan will be tempting and insnaring, even when and where his temptations are discovering.
This sermon hath a disorderly publication, both in regard of divers Sermons that were Preached before it on the same text, and divers that are to follow after it, but as this finds acceptance, so I at present purpose to deal with the rest, either to the closet, or to the house top.
If any thing in it prove useful to thy soul in the houn of temptation, let God have thy prayses, who deserves them; and let him have thy prayers who needs them, and who promises to be in return for them.
PAge 1. line 13. r. but a while. p. 10. l. 11. for should r. would. p. 12. l, 5. dele though [...] die. p. ib. l. 8. add not. p. 15. l. 17. for our r. out.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise: Redeeming the time because the days are evill.
TO be good at all times is a Christians duty, but to be good in bad times is a Christians glory; to be a Lot in Sodom, a Job in the land of Ʋz, a Saint in Nero's house;Phil. 2.15. To be blameless and harmless, the Sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, this is the credit of a Christian profession. Bad times and bad manners too often corrupt good men. Peter was very zealous for Christ among the Disciples, but when he had been a but while in the High Priests hall, how doth he then deny Christ!
Joseph had been but a while at Court, and he had learned the Court-oath, to swear by the life of Pharoah: The Israelites were no sooner [Page 2]mingled with the Heathen, but they forthwith bow and sacrifice to their gods: They were mingled among the Heathen, and learned their works, and they served their Idols, psal. 106.35.36.
The Apostle Englishes it, 1 Cor. 15.33. Evill communications corrupt good manners. Sin is of a very leavening nature, A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, Deut. 7. [...], [...], [...]. Gal. 5.9. And therefore it is that God commands Israel at their entring into Canaan, utterly to destroy all the Nations, to make no covenant, nor to marry with them; why? lest they should learn their manners and their customs.
And this was the reason of this Apostolical Suada, or Exhortation in the Text to the Church of Ephesus, to walk circumspectly.
This Ephesus was the Metropolis and cheif City in Asia minor: A City much given to superstition and Idolatry;Acts 15.27. there was the Temple of the great Goddess Diana: A City where the preaching and professing the Gospel was much persecuted;1 Cor. 1 [...].32. and therefore the Apostle Paul saith, He fought with beasts at Ephesus.
Now what with superstition among them, and persecution upon them, the days were very evil, and hence he gives them this counsel in the Text; See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise; redeeming the time because the days are evil.
The words have in them four parts.
- First, A great duty enjoyned, See that ye walk circumspectly.
- Secondly, The injunction explained, Not as fools, but as wise.
- Thirdly, The explanation amplified, Redeeming the time.
- Fourthly, The reason of all urged, Because the days are evill.
The first general, viz. the injunction of a duty, we have already spoken to, and are come to the second General, viz.
The explanation of the injunction, which sets out to us the manner of this circumspect walling, and that both negatively and affirmatively.
This negative caution which the Apostle gives Christians, not to walk as fools, doth imply in it this affirmative conclusion.
That there are many Professors of Religion are fools in their profession. Doctr.
This I have spoken too at large; and am now upon the explanation of the injunction, as wise; from whence we laid down this assertion,
That it is the Christians duty to walk wisely. Doctr.
I have explained the term, what it is to walk wisely.
I have confirmed the point, that it is the Christians duty.
I have given you the properties of this spiritual wisdom.
The fourth thing is to shew you when this spiritual wisdom is in season.
Answ. At all times, spiritual wisdom is never out of season;Eccles. 3.1. Solomon says, There is a season to every thing, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
Yet there are two things he allots no time for, for sin and for holiness: He doth not say There is a time to sin, because there is no time for that; he doth not say There is a time to serve God, and be holy, and wise to salvation, because all [...]me is for that. Holiness and spiritual wisdom is always in season.
But yet there are four peculiar seasons of this walking wisely.
- In times of outward prosperity.
- In times of outward trouble and affliction.
- In times of temptation.
- In times of spiritual desertion.
Where the wisdom of walking in prosperity lieth, I have shewed you already in five things. Where the wisdom of walking in affliction lieth, I have shewed you in Twelve things.
Now in the third place, I shall shew you that it is the Christians duty to walk wisely in times of temptation. And then shew you wherein the wisdom of walking in temptation lieth.
That it is the Christians duty to walk wisely in time of temptation: Christian wisdom is never [Page 5]more necessary then when we are assaulted by that cunning adversary.
To clear this, I shall lay down seven gradual conclusions.
1. That the Saints of God are very incident to temptations from Satan; these are the Butts the Devil shoots the arrows of his rage against; the pyrate doth not assault the empty ship, nor the theif break open the poor mans cottage; but where the prize is, there the onset is.
Grace will keep us from sinning in temptation, but it will not keep us from sufferings under temptation. Christ was made like to us that he might be tempted, and we are tempted that we may be made like to Christ.
The more a man is renewed and sanctified, the more is he tryed and buffetted; the more God hath done for him, the more will Satan do against him; The more God encreaseth his grace, the more Satan disturbeth his peace.
Nay immediately upon the greatest discovery from God, the Saints have the soarest batteries from Satan; When God discovers most of his love to us, Satan will then discover most of his rage against ns; if Christ doth but take us into the banquetting-house, Cant. 2.4. Satan will presently lead us into the wilderness.
Paul was no sooner come down out of the highest heaven, but he is straight way set upon by an enemy from the lowest hell. He had no sooner received abundance of revelations to comfort him,Cor. 12. [...], 7. but the next news is a Messenger of [Page 6]Satan to buffet him. After that glorious revelation he falleth into a grievous temptation, insomuch that the joy of his spirit was much abated by the thorn in the flesh.
Thus it was with the Lord Christ himself; he no sooner heareth the voyce of God from Heaven, saying This is my belóved son, but immediately the spirit from hell cometh and questioneth his Sonship;Matth. 3. 16. c [...]mp. with Mat. 401. he was no sooner gone up out of the water where he was baptized, but he is forthwith lead up into the wilderness to be tempted.
And if he did thus to the green tree, what will he not do to the dry? So that it is clear, that the Saints of God are very incident to temptations from Satan.
Secondly,Ps. 119.117. and 17.5 Man is very weak at best to withstand temptation when it is least. So long as God holdeth us up we cannot fall; but if God giveth us up, we cannot stand. It is mans weakness to presume upon his own strength, when as his best strength is but weakness.
Peter promises not to leave Christ; but when the temptation cometh then he leaveth his promise. To persist in duties of sanctification, and to resist in cases of temptation, both these are mans work to do, but we must have Gods strength to do them. How vain is man to think himself any thing, when without Christ he can do nothing! Ioh. 15. [...].
Thirdly, We have in our natures much for temptation to work upon: Our corrupt hearts are [Page 7]like tinder, apt to take when the Devil striketh fire. He that promiseth himself that the frame of his heart will be the same under a temptation as it was before, may as well promise himself that though he fall into the water, he shall be dry, because whilst he was upon the shoar he was not wet.
It is not with Christians as it was with Christ; when Satan came to tempt him, he found nothing in him, no carnal principles, no secret lust, no corrupt matter to fasten his temptations upon. The Prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me, Joh. 14.30.
But it is otherwise with Christians: Satan hath for the compassing his ends a sure party in our own bosom: When Satan beleagureth us without, sin is ready to betray us within. A mans enemies are they of his own house.
Christ had onely the suffering part of temptation when he entred into it, but we have also the finning part of it. Though when Satan came to Christ, he found nothing in him; yet when he comes to Christians, he findes much in them.
Though Beleevers are not in sin, yet there is sin in Beleevers; much lust remaineth in the Best. Where grace is, it destroyeth sins power, but it doth not destroy its presence. Though we are sanctified in every part,Cor. 13.1 [...]. yet we are sanctified but in part. Though Regeneration taketh much sin out of us, yet Temptation findeth much sin still in us. There is much for temptation [Page 8]to work upon, and therefore we have need to walk wisely in temptation.
Fourthly, Satan with great cunning suiteth his temptations to mans nature and disposition; as he hath great malice, as being a Devil, so he hath great knowledge, as being an Angel; and as his knowledge is great by intelligence, so it is heightned by experience. For he hath been trading with souls well nigh Six thousand years. He doth not love to sail against the wind, nor row against the tide; he suits the temptation without us to the lusts and corruption within us, and so hath winde and tide with him. If he meet vvith Peter, he dealeth vvith his carnal fear, vvith Davids lust, vvith Jonahs passion, vvith Diotrephes his ambition.
Oh hovv vvisely doth it behove us to vvalk in temptations!
Fifthly, As all Saints are tempted to commit sin, so many commit the sin to which they are tempted: As Satan is alvvays very treacherous, so he is often very prosperous. He cannot make us fail finally, but yet he maketh us fall free-quently: He doth often bruise our heel, though he cannot break our head. He blovveth the coals of lust in David, and hovv quickly doth it flame in Adultery and Murder! Though Satan cannot break our backs, yet he may break our bones, and send us halting to our graves; and therefore vve had need vvalk vvisely in temptation.
Sixthly, A man may withstand a temptation at [Page 9]one-time, and yet fall under the same temptation at another: For the influences of grace may be more at one time, and less at another; a mans own heart may be in a watchful frame at one time, and in a sleepy, carnal frame at another; and Satan then cometh soonest when the heart is securest.Mark. 13.37. It is the beleevers duty to watch always, but the beleever is not always in that duty.
Now if Satan cometh once and findeth him watching, he will go and come again when he may find him sleeping.
Satan is not for ever conquered, because he is once resisted; What he faileth in at one time, he attempteth at another. When he left Christ, it was with an intent to come again, Luk. 4.13. when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him, for how long? for a season; [...], untill another opportunity; for he set upon him again, Joh. 14.30.
We shall never be out of Satans reach, till we come into the bosom of Jesus Christ.
As Christ sometimes leaveth us, and then returneth again; so doth Satan. Christ leaveth us to make us act grace, and walk more strictly; Satan leaveth us to make us lay aside grace and walk more remisly.
When Christ departs, we are apt to be cast down, and to say We shall never see comfort; When Satan departs, we are apt to be lifted up and to say, We shall never see trouble. When as both withdraw, to return again; Christ withdraws [Page 10]that he may return with the greater mercy, and Satan withdraws that he may return with the greater fury.
7. In every temptation the soul runs a great hazard of eternal destruction: The design of the Tempter is the ruine of the Beleever: As the design of Christ in regeneration is to save the soul: so the design of Satan in temptation is to destroy it. Our blessed Redeemer would fane make us as happy as himself in heaven; and this cursed Tempter should fain make us as miserable as himself in hell. He that kept not his own station, Iude v. 6. grudgeth us ours; it is matter of his envy that we should possess that habitation which he so sinfully left; and therefore his work on earth is to hinder vs in our working for heaven. He envieth us everlasting crowns of Righteousness, when he himself lieth in everlasting chains of darkness; and therefore he would fane defile us here, that so he might destroy us for ever.
Surely therefore if at all times a Christian should walk wisely, then in time of temptation more ospecially.
Query, But you will say, Where lieth the wisdom of walking in a time of temptation? Suppose I am much exercised with temptations of several kinds, wherein doth the wisdom of walking consist at such a time?
I shall answer the Question in thirteen particulars.
1. In submitting to the will of God in temptation. [Page 11]There is no tempration befalleth us but it is according to the will of God: God willeth our trials, that he may try our wills, whether they will how to his will or no: A Christian should say the will of the Lord be done, Act. 21.14. though he be undone; much more he should be contented when it is the will of God he should be tried.
God ordereth, and disposeth, and timeth all our temptations: Satan cannot do what he pleaseth, but what God pleaseth.
He had not power to touch Job till God gave him leave;Iob. 1.12. and when he had power he could go no further then the wise God gave him order. In temptation it is not what Satan will, but what God will.
Yet how frowardly do many of the children of God carry themselves in temptation, speaking hardly of God, as if he had forsook them, because he suffers Satan to buffet them?
Now then, if I submit to the will of God in temptation, and say, Although I could rejoyce to be rid of this temptation, yet it is not fit I should chuse my condition, then I walk wisely in temptation.
2. In disclaiming self-confidence, and not trusting to our own strength: Self-confidence usually meeteth with some sad miscarriage for its recompence. Satan desires no greater advantage against us, then to find us in our own strength when he cometh to assault us. Solomon saith, He that trusts in his own heart, is a fool; Why a fool?Pro. 28.26 because he is sure to be deceived. [Page 10]So foolish was Peter; Though all men forsake thee, Mat. 26.33. yet will not I. What? deny my Master the Son of God, my Redeemer! What deny the blessed Jesus? Thou art Christ the Son of the living God; and therefore though I die, though I should die with thee, & 16.16. yet will I not deny thee; and yet who forsook Christ so sadly as Peter? & 26.35. he doth only forsake him, but forswear him.
The strength of a Beleever lieth not in himself but in his Saviour; God can overcome Satan without our hands, but we cannot so much as defend our selves without his arm: He can do all things without us, we can do nothing without him.18 am. 15.29. He is the strength of Israel.
And therefore when the Apostle layeth down directions for the withstanding temptations, he giveth this as his first counsel, Be strong in the Lord, Eph. 6.10. and in the power of his might; Gods power is greater to help us, then Satans is to hurt us: As without Gods leave he cannot tempt us; so when he doth tempt, God vvill not leave us; vvhen Satan doth his vvorst to throvv us dovvn, God vvill do his best to make us stand: As we are kept by the power of God to salvation; 1 Pet. 1.5. so vve are kept by the povver of God from temptation.
Novv then, if in temptation I disclaim self-confidence, and rest upon divine omnipotence, if I cease from my own strength, and rely upon the strength of God, then do I walk wisely in temptation.
3. In distinguishing between temptations from God and Satan. Sometimes God tempteth, [Page 13]and sometimes Satan; God tempteth for good ends, Satan for evil ends. God tempteth to try grace, Deut. 13.3. The Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart.
Thus it is said, God tempted Abraham, Gen. 22.1. It was to try his faith and obedience.
Thus he tempted Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32.31. God left him to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
But Satan tempteth to destroy grace, not to try it.
As the design of temptation is the ruine of grace, so God is said to tempt no man. Ian. 1.13.
But as the design of temptation is the tryal of grace, so God tempteth every man.1 Pet. 1.97
God tempteth for probation, Satan for reprobation; God when he tempteth, cometh with his fan, to fan out the chaff and the rubbish,Mat. 1.12. but to keep in and preserve the wheat; but Satan when he tempteth, cometh with his sieve, Luc. 22.31 to let out the wheat, but to keep in the rubbish: The fan casteth out the worst and keepeth in the best; but the sieve keepeth in the worst, and casteth out the best. So God by his temptations purgeth corruption out of us, and nourisheth grace in us: But Satan by his temptations laboureth to confirm sin, and weaken grace.
God tempteth because he would have us stand, Satan tempteth to make us fall: God tempteth to purge out sin, that when Satan tempteth he may not take advantage againstus by our sin; [Page 14]God tempteth to cleanse corruption out of us,Ioh. 14.10 that so when Satan cometh he may finde nothing in us; God tempteth us because he loveth us; Satan tempteth because he hateth us: God tempteth to make us like Christ; Satan tempteth to make us leave Christ.
Now then, if I distinguish aright between temptations from God, and temptations from Satan; between those that are only to try grace, and those that are to destroy grace; that I may improve the former, and resist the latter, then do I walk wisely in temptation.
4. It is wisdom not to bring our own reason to the temptation, but to bring the temptation to the blood of Christ. Vain man thinketh in the strength of his own reason to out-argue the Tempter; this is to shoot with Satan in his own bow. To argue with him is as the proverb hath it, To light a candle to the Devil.
Yet how ready are we to parly with him! when he knocks at the door, how apt are we to look out at the window!
Eve ventureth to treat with him about the forbidden fruit, and from treating she falls to eating,Pro. 6.27.28. to the ruine of a whole world at once. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his cloaths not be burnt? Can he go upon hot coals and his feet not be burned?
Reason is but a carnal weapon, but our enemy is spiritual;Eph 6.12 and therefore the weapons of our warfare must not be carnal; 2 Cor. 10.4 he must be spiritually subdued: The blood of Christ can quench [Page 15]temptation, Reason cannot. Satan saith to carnal Reason, as the evil spirit did to Sceva's sons, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you? and it leaped upon them and overcame them. Act. 19.14; 15, 16.
Bring Reason to a temptation, and it beareth down that; but bring a temptation to the blood of Christ, and it cannot stand before that.
Now then if I oppose not temptations by my own Reason, but bring them to the blood of Christ to extinguish them, then I walk wisely in temptation.
5. It is wisdom to lay in provision in time of temptation; To store the heart with somewhat that may keep temptation out. There is Gospel provision, which if laid up in the heart, will keep our all temptation from entring to hurt;Mat. 26. [...] and that is the sence of the love of God in Christ. Though we be under temptation, yet this will keep us from entring into temptation.
sense of the love of God in Christ doth constrain grace, and restrain sin; it strengthens the new man, and weakens the old; and there temptation never prospereth, where grace flourisheth, and sin withereth.
Now then, If I lay in suitable provision in time of temptation, that may be a help to preserve me when Satan doth assault me, then I walk wisely in temptation.
6. The wisdom of walking in temptation lieth in fighting Satan with Scripture weapons. There is not a temptation of Satan which the word doth not arm you against.
It is storied that a certain Jew should have poysoned Luther, but was prevented by his picture which was sent to Luther with a warning from a faithful friend, that he should take heed of such a man when he saw him; by which means Luther knew the murderer, and prevented the design.
The Scripture doth not only warn us, and shew us the face of those lusts, which Satan worketh by to destroy us, but it armeth us against them: Satan is never so worsted as when Scripture weapons are used: Those shafts strike Satan to the quick that are taken out of Gods quiver.1 Sam. 17.40, 9. David with stones out of the Brook slays Goliah, that enemy of Israel; so with stones out of the Brook of Scripture may we conquer this enemy of God and souls.
When the Lord Christ was forty days together combating with Satan,Luk. [...]. he useth onely Scripture arguments.
When he tempts him to turn stones into bread, Christ answers him with Scripture, It is written, Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, Mat. 4.4.
When he tempts him to cast himself down from the pinacle of the Temple, Christ urgeth Scripture again, It is written, Thon shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, vers. 7.
And so when he tempteth him to worship him, still Christ opposeth Scripture to the Tempter. It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve, vers. 10.
Thus the Lord Christ fetcheth arguments out of Scripture, and with these puts to flight the Tempter.
The word of God hath a power in it to quash all Satans temptations; do but oppose his assaults with Scripture commands, and he will never be able to stand. And therefore the Apostle giveth good advice in this very case of opposing Satan, Ephes. 6.17. Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
So that if in temptation I oppose Satan with scripture weapons, if I urge scripture injunctions against the serpents suggestions, and so set Gods wisdom against Satans cunning, then I walk wisely in temptation.
7. It is wisdom to look upon temptation as broken and overcome in Christ, and to consider Satan as a conquered enemy: This will not make us the less careful, but the less fearful: All the temptations that befal the people of God, are already overcome in Christ; For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil, 1 Joh. 3.5.
The Lord Christ was a common person, and that not only in his death, but in his life; Christ was not born for himself, but for us;Isa. 9.6. To us a child is born, to us a son is given. Rom. 5.19. Gal. 3.13. He did not obey for himself but for us; By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. He did not dye and suffer for himself but for us; He was made a curse for us.
Whatever evil Christ did undergo, he underwent [Page 18]it for us; he was tempted for us, he broke Satans head for us. As when Adam was tempted, he being a common person, we were all tempted in him, and he falling in the temptation, we fell in him. Omnes er amus ille unus homo. So when the Lord Christ lived in the world, and was tempted by Satan, we were tempted in him, and when he conquered, we conquered in him; so that we are more then conquerors through him that loved us, Rom. 8.37. Satan now through the victory of the cross is a conquered enemy: He fights against the members of Christ with broken weapons; for the Captain of our salvation hath spoiled Principalities and powers. Col 2.15.
So that if I look upon temptation as broken, and Satans power as spoiled and overcome by the death and cross of Christ, then I walk wisely in temptation.
8. If the temptation travel with a dilemma or difficulty on each hand, and the Christian chuseth that part of the dilemma that is for the glory of God, though grievous to the flesh, rather then that part that is profitable and gratifying to the flesh, but tending to the dishonor of God, then he walks wisely.
Sometimes the people of God are brought to such straights by temptation, that either they must sin much to avoid suffering, or suffer much to avoid sinning: Their own carnal advantage and outward safety lieth through sin, but the glory of God lieth through suffering.
Such a dilemma was that which the three children [Page 19]were brought into by their temptation, Dan. 3.11. they must either turn or burn; either they must bow to the image the King had set up, or burn in the furnace he had caused to be heat.
If they worshipped the Image, they should obey the Kings command, but then they broke the command of God; if they did not worship, they should provoke the Kings displeasure, but then they kept in Gods favour: If they did worship, they dishonoured the God of Sion; if they did not worship they provoked the King of Babylon.
Here is the dilemma; now see how wisely they chuse, vers. 17, 18. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O King: But if not, be it known unto thee, O King, we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the Image which thou hast set up.
What a choyce spirit is this? not found in every house where the profession of Religion is hanged out at the door. How many in this hour of temptation are caught in this ensnaring trial? what say some? Come let us rather conform to the ceremonies, then lose our liberties; rather let us bow at the name of Jesus, then lose all for the sake of Jesus; it is better to baptize with the cross, then to bear the cross; and to wear a Surplice, then to pinch our carkass.
Thus many (it is to be feared) destroy their consciences, to keep their places; and conform [Page 20]against their judgements, to preserve their profits; this is as if a man to save his hat should lose his head, or as if a man should sink the ship to avoid the storm. Alas poor souls, how are they fallen in the hour of temptation!
Suppose a man were put to this, either he must swear canonical obedience, or he must be put to silence; either he must prostitute the seals to all, or he must preach to none; Either he must take up the ceremonies, or lay down his Ministry; This would be a great temptation, which part ought a man to chuse in this case?
Why, you will say, It is pitty but such a man should preach; I but it is greater pitty that he should sin; you will say, He may do much good in his Ministry would he but conform. I but he must not do evil that good may come on it. Rom. 3.8. If I suffer for conscience sake, God is honoured; but if I sin for Gods sake, he is dishonoured; for my lye cannot advance his glory; and 3.7. and therefore the resolution of the three children is a good pattern, we will not worship the image thou hast set up.
So that if when temptation brings me under a dilemma, I chuse that part of the dilemma which is for Gods glory, though to my loss, rather then that part which is for Gods dishonour and my gain, then I walk wisely in temptation.
9. Wisdom lies in a diligent endeavour to improve grace by temptation. As the Israelites were multiplied by being oppressed;Exod. 1.12 it is said, The more they were afflicted, the more they grew; so a true Israelite, the more he is tempted, the more is [Page 21]his grace encreased; as trees are the deeper rooted by the wind that most shakes them, so beleevers are most strengthned by the temptations that most try them.
Temptation is the Devils bellows which he brings to blow out the spark of that heavenly fire that is in us; but as the breath of the bellows makes the fire flame the more, so the blasts of temptation make grace increase the more. God hath an over-ruling hand over temptation, and he turns them to good when Satan intends them for hurt, and makes grace prosper by that very means whereby Satan hopes to make it wither. Thus can God out-shoot Satan in his own bow.
So then, if I labour to grow in grace in time of temptation, if I turn a tempting season into a growing season, then do I walk wisely in temptation.
10. It is wisdom in temptation to use no indirect means for riddance, but to rest upon the promise for deliverance. There is no temptation that can befalus, but God hath made a suitable promise to releive us; that so we might not sinfully deliver our selves, but patiently rest on him for deliverance.
He hath promised to tread Satan under our feet, to bind the strong man, Rom. 16.20. not to suffer us to be tempted above what we are able, but to make a way for us to escape, Cor. 10. that we may be able to bear it. O that Christians would study the promise, and converse much with the promise in time of [Page 22]temptation.Heb. 13.5. God hath promised never to for sake us, and therefore neyer let us forsake the promise.
There are three things very remarkable in every promise.
The faithfulness of the Father who gives it. Owen.
The grace of the Son which is the matter of it.
The power of the Spirit which accomplisheth it.
The faithfulness of the Father makes the promise good to us. The grace of the Son makes the promise sweet to us. The efficacy of the Spirit make the promise good in us.
So that the promise is a sure resting place for a tempted soul.
Now then, if in temptation I use no indirect means for riddance, but rest upon the promise for deliverance, then do I walk wisely in temptation.
11. The wisdom of walking in temptation lieth in not yielding to temptation. Temptation from Satan is our suffering, but it is from our selves if it becomes our sin: The Devil may flatter us, but he cannot force us; He may provoke, but without our consent he cannot prevail: He may tempt us unto sin, but he cannot tempt us into sin: He could never come into the house if we did not open the door:Iam 1. [...]. Every man is tempted; when? when he is assaulted? no, but when he is drawn away of his own lust and onticed. The true procreating cause of sin is in every mans soul; Satan is the Father of temptation, but the heart is the Mother of sin. Suggestion without could do nothing, were it not for corruption within; it is not calliditas diaboli decipientis, Aug. de [...]ec.orig l 2 ap 37. but voluntas hominis [Page 23]consentientis; outward crast could do nothing without inward lust; Satan woes our wills, but we will our own woes.
[...], the fire is in our wood, though it be the Devils flame; we may do the Devil wrong (as bad as he is) to lay all our sins at his door, as though we were innocent; For though the Bastard be gotten by him, it is conceived and brought forth by us.
This is an old trick, as old as Adam: when God asketh him,Go [...]. 3.11, 12. Hast thou eaten of the tree I forbad thee? mark how he shifteth it off; The woman which thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the fruit of the tree and I did eat. And when God comes to the woman and asketh, What is this that thou hast done? saith she, the Serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. Adam shifteth the fault from himself to the woman, and she from her self to the Serpent.
But had not they been willing, what could the Serpent have done? if we are tempted, it is Satans fault; but if we yeild, it is our guilt.
Sceva at the siege of Dyrrachium so long alone resisted Pompeys Army, that he had two hundred and twenty darts sticking in his shield, and lost one of his eyes, and yet gave not over till Caesar came in to his rescue.Deut. 22.23, to 2 [...]. Under the Law if a man met a Damsel and lay with her, if she consented she dyed, but if she cryed out she was innocent and acquitted. So if when Satan assaults us, he obtaines consent from us, we die; for fin when it is finished, brings forth death; Iam. 1.15. But if we consent [Page 24]not, but cry out to Christ for help against temptation, we shall be delivered.
So that, if I stand out and yeild not when temptation comes, if I consent not to the sin the temptation leads to, if though Satan perswades, yet he prevailes not, then I walk wisely in temptation.
12. The wisdom of walking in temptation lyeth in praying much, when we are tempted much; this is the Lord Christs own counsell, Watch and pray, Mat. 16.41. that ye enter not into temptation.
Prayer is faiths recourse to the fountain of strength, to fetch help and succour against the Tempter; in praying much, when we are tempted much, we counter work Satan in his design; for one of his great designs in temptation, is, to stop the stream of prayer.
Christ should be most sought when we are most assaulted. Paul had a strong temptation, and he made strong supplication; The thorn in his flesh caused the groans of his Spirit: The Messenger of Satan comming to buffet him, made him send many a Message to Christ to come and support him. For this I besought the Lord thrice, 2 Cor. 12.7, 8. (that is often) that it might depart from me. When Satan doth his worst in tempting, a Christian should do his best in praying.
There are four things especially which should be the matter of our Prayer in Temptation.
Pray that our grace may be above our tryal.
Pray that Temptation may be first Sanctified to us, then removed from us.
Pray that though we suffer by temptation, yet we may not sin in temptation, deliver us from evil.
Pray that Christ would not be so far from us, when Satan is so neer to us; that when we are under the greatness of Satans malice, we may be under the experience of Christs promise; who hath said, my grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Cor 12.
Faiths diligence for preparation, in the hour of the souls temptation, lies much in supplication; Satan may tempt us, but if he find a praying frame of heart, he cannot hurt us.
I have heard of a malicious woman who gave her self to the Devil, provided that he would do a mischeif to such a Neighbour whom she mortally hated; the Devil went once and again to do his errand, but at last returns and tells her he could do no hurt to that man; for when ever he came, he found him either reading the Scriptures or praying. There is no voice God loves better, or that Satan likes worse then the voice of prayer. One of the fathers calls it Diaboli Flagellum, the Devils whip to torment him; The Apostle when he would teach us to stand against Satan, bids us, pray always. Eph. 6.18. He that prayeth much is seldome taken in sin, but he is never taken with sin; he seldome acts it, but he never likes it.
Now then if temptation doth not make me lay aside duty, if I turn times of temptation, into times of supplication, if when I am in greatest danger I run to Christ for help and succour, then do I walk wisely in temptation.
13. It is wisdom when Satan is tempting, for [Page 26]us to be believing; all the Christians strength and comfort is fetched without doors, and he hath none to send of his errand but Faith.
In temptation thy work is to believe, and then God will do the rest. Therefore saith David, At what time I am affraid, Psa. 56. I will trust in thee, he tells God he will make bold to step into his house, when taken in a storm, and doth not question his welcome.
It is one means of preservation to believe that God will preserve us; As the duty that Satan hates most, is the duty of praying; so the grace that Satan opposes most is the grace of believing; all his temptations are levelled at the ruine of Faith.
He may tempt thee to sins against the Law, to uncleanness, unjustice, &c. but this is not his ultimate end, his great design lieth against thy interest in the Gospel; what ever sin he tempts thee to, his aim is not onely to draw thee to commit that sin, but to ruine thy faith, and so rob thee of all good and benefit by Jesus Christ. This was his design in sifting Peter; and this the Lord Christ foresaw, and therefore tells Peter, I have prayed for thee, Luk. 22 32 that thy faith fail not. And hence it is that the Apostle exhorteth us, Above all to take the shield of faith, Eph. 6.16. wherewith we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Every grace is of use in this combate, but faith is above all.1 Iob. 5.4. This is the victory that overcomes, even our Faith.
Faith hath two hands, a receiving hand and a [Page 27]working hand, and the receiving, hand releiueth the working hand; the receiving hand fetcheth in from Christ, the working hand improveth it for Christ; in temptation the receiving hand fetcheth in strength and succour, and the working hand useth this strength whereby we conquer; could we but believe, Satan could never hurt us; for then in our greatest conflicts the Lord Christ would help us.
There are eight things we should exercise our Faith upon in temptations.
1. Believe the great efficacy of the blood and Cross of Christ to quench temptations.
2. Believe that thou hast interest in all the fullness and merits of Christ, and say when thou art in temptation, Christ is my wisdome, right cousness, 1 Cor. 1.10 sanctification and redemption.
3. Believe that when thou art in Satans hands, Satan is then in Gods hands.
4. Believe that the promises run with the sweetest streams, when Satan raiseth the greatest stormes.
5. Believe what spiritual assistances there are at hand, to help and incourage us in the combate; the love of God, the grace of Christ, the power of the spirit, and besides all this,Psal. 4.7. Heb. 1.14. The good Angels guard us by Gods commission, when the bad Angels molest us by Gods permission.
6. Believe that the Lord Christ hath learned to have compassion,Heb. 1.19. and 6.5. by his own tryal in the day of his humiliation.
7.Luk. 17.32 Ioh. 17.15 Believe that while we are conflicting on earth [Page 28]with the tempter; Christ is interceding for us in heaven with the Father.
8. Believe the glorious recompences that are appointed for all such as overcome when they are tempted;Rev. 2.26. and [...].12. to him that overcomes will I give to sit with me on my threne, as I also overcame and am set down with my Father on his throne. Rev. 3.21. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life, Rev. 2.10.
Now then if when I am tempted much, I trust much; if I turn times of temptation into times of believing, then do I walk wisely in temptation.
And thus I have done with this third season of walking wisely, and that is in time of temptation.
Now the Lord help you and me to pray for,Iam. 1. [...]. and seek after this spiritual wisdom, that we may be fortified against temptation,2 Tim. 3.15. and so made wise to Salvation.