■•»ccasion; the text saith, he would not be with her, (icn xxxix. 10. If you would not be ensnared with popery, do not hear the mass. The Nazarite, who was forbid wine, might not eat grapes, which might occasion intemperance. Come not near the borders of a temptation. Suppose one had a body
be blown up : many pray " lead us not into temptation," and they run themselves into temptation.
10. If you would not be overcome by temptation, make use of faith, "above all things take the shield of faith," Eph. \x 16. Faitli wards off Satan's fiery darts, that they do not hurt, 1 Pet. v. 9., " Whom re- sist, stedfast in the faith." Mariners in a storm flee to their anchor : flee to your an- clior of faith ; faith brings Christ along with it ; duellers bring their second with them into field : faith brings Christ along for its second. Faith puts into Christ, and then the devil cannot hurt us. The chicken is safe from the birds of prey, under the wings of the hen : and we are secure from the tempter, under the wings of the Lord Jesus. Though other graces are of use to resist the impulsions of Satan, yet faith is the conquering grace ; faith takes hold of Christ's merits, value, and virtue ; and so a Christian is too hard for the devil. The stars vanish when the sun appears : Satan vanisheth when faith appears.
11. If you would not be overcome of temptation, be much in prayer. Such as walk in infectious jdaces, carry antidotes about them : prayer is the best antidote a- gainst temptation. When the apostle had exhorted to " put on the whole armour of God," Eph. vi. 11., he adds, v. 18., " Pray- ing always with all ])rayer." Without this, reliqua armn parum prosunf, Zanch. All other weajmns will do little good. Christ prescribes this remedy, " Watch and pray, lest ye enter into tem|)tation," Mark xiv. 38. A Christian fetchcth down strength from heaven by prayer. Let us cry to God for help against the tempter, as Samson cried t(» heaven for help, Judges xvi. 28., " O Lord God, remember me and strengthen me, I pray thee, that I may be avenged of the Philistines !" And v. 30., " The house fell upon the lords and all the people." Prayer \s fngelhm diafxi/i,— it whips and torments the devil ; the a|>ostle bids us *' pray without ceasing," 1 Thes. v. 17. It was Luther's advice to a lady, when temp- tation came, to fall upon her knees by prayer. Prayer doth assuage the force of
made of gun-powder, he would not come a tempUition. Prayer is the best charm or near the least spark of fire, lest he should ! spell we can use against the devil. Temo-
582
OF THE SIXTH PETITION IN THE LORD'S PRAYER.
tation may bruise our lieel ; but by prayer we wound the serpent's head. When Paul bad " a messenger of Satan to buffet liim," wliat remedy doth lie use ? He betook himself to prayer, 2 Cor. xii. 8., " For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me." When Satan as- saults furiously, let us pray fervently.
12. If you would not be overcome of temptation be humble in your own eyes : such are nearest falling, who presume of their own strength. Penelton, who said, Lis fat flesh should melt in the fire, instead of his fat melting, his heart melted, and he turned from the truth : when men grow into a big conceit, (lod lets them fall, to prick the bladder of ])ri(h'. O be humble ! such are like to hold best out in tempta- tion, who have most grace ; but God gives more grace to the humble, James iv. 6. Beware of pride ; an imj)ostliume is not more dangerous in the body, than pride in the soul. The doves (saith Pliny) take a pride in their feathers, and in their flying high ; at last they fly so high, that they are a prey to the hawk : when men fly high in pride and self confidence, they become a prey to the tempter.
13. If you would not be foiled by tempta- tion, do not enter into a dispute with Sa- tan. When Eve began to argue the case with the serpent, the serpent was too hard for her ; the devil, by his logic, disputed her out of paradise ! Satan can mince sin, make it small, and varnish it over, and make it look like virtue : Satan is too sub- tle a sophister to hold an argument with him. Dispute not, but fight. If you enter into a parley with Satan, you give him half the victory.
14. If we would not be overcome of Sa- tan, let us put on Christian fortitude. An enemy we must expect who is either shoot- ing of darts, or laying of snares, therefore let us be armed with courage, 2 Chron. xix. 11., "Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good." The coward ne- ver won victory ; and, to animate us in our combat with Satan, 1. We have a good Cap- tain that marcheth before us ; Christ is called 'the Captain of our salvation,' Ileb. ii. 10. 2. We have good armour; grace is armour of God's making, Eph. vi. 11.