3. Satan is beaten in part already, Christ hath given him his death-wound upon the cross, Col. i. 15. 4. Satan is a chained e- nemy, — his power is limited, — he cannot force the will ; it was all Eve complained of that the serpent deceived her, not ccn- strained\\QY, Gen. iii. 13. Satan hath astu- tium suadendi not potentinm cogendi, — he may persuade, not compel. 5. He is a cursed enemy, and God's curse will blast him : therefore put on holy gallantry of spirit and magnanimity. Fear not Satan, (ireater is he that is in you, than he that is against you.
15. If we would not be overcome of a teinptation, let us call in the help of others If an house be set on fire, Avould not you call in help ? Satan tempts, that he may rob you of your soul ; acquaint some friends with your case, and beg for their counsel and prayers. Who knows but Satan may be cast out by the joint prayers of others ? In case of temptation, how exceeding help- ful is the communion of saints ?
IG. If we would not be overcome of temptation, let us make use of all the en- couragements we can. If Satan be a roar- ing lion, ' Christ is the lion of the tribe of Judah.' If Satan tempts, Christ ])rays. If Satan be a serpent to sting, Christ is a bra- zen serpent to heal. If the conflict be hard, look to the crown, James i. 12. Whilst we are fighting, Christ Avill succour us ; and when we overcome he will crown us. What makes the soldier endure a blootly fight, but the hope of a golden harvest ? Think, that shortly God will call us out of the field where the bullets of temj)tation fly so fast, and he will set a garland of glory upon our head. How will the case be al- tered ! Instead of fighting, singing; in- stead of an helmet, a diadem ; instead of a sword, a palm-branch t»f victory; instead of armour, white robes; instead of Satan's skirmishes, the kisses aiul embraces of a Saviour ; the viewing these eternal recom- penses, would keep us from yielding to temj)tation. Who would to gratify a lust, lovse a crown ?
Use 4. A word of counsel to such as are tempted ; be so wise as to make good use of your temptation. As we should labour to improve our afflictions, so to improve
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oar tcmpt.'itions. We sliould pick some good out of temptation, as Sarasou got ho- ney out of the lion.
Quest. JV/iat good comes out of a tempta- tion ? Ca?i there be any good in being set vpon brj an enemy ? Can there be any good to have fiery darts shot at ns ?
Ans. Yes, God that can make a treacle of poison, can make his people get much good by their temptations. First, hereby a Chris- tian sees that corruption in his heart, which he never saw before. Water in a glass looks pure, but set it on the fire, and the scum boils up : so in temptation a Chris- tian sees that scum of sin boil up, that pas- sion and distrust of God, as he thought had not been in his heart. Secondly, hereby a Christian sees more of the wiles of Satan, and is better able to withstand them ; St. Paul had been in the fencing-school of temptation, and he grew expert in finding out Satan's stratagems, 2 Cor. ii. 11., " We are not ignorant of his devices." Thirdly, hereby a Christian grows more humble ; God will rather let his children fall into the devil's hands, than be jjroud ; temj)ta- tion makes the jilumcs of pride fall, 2 Cor. xii. 7., " Lest I should be exalted above measure, there was given me a thorn in the flesh." Better is that temptation that humbles, than that duty which makes one proud. Thus you see how much good a Christian may get by temptation ; which made Luther say, three things make a good divine, — prayer, meditation, temptation.
Use 5. To such as have been under sore temptations and buflfetings of Satan, to lust, revenge, self-murder, but God hath stood by them, and given them strength to over- come the tempter.
1. Be very thankful to God; say as 1 Cor. XV. 57., " Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory !" Be much in doxo- logy. Why were we kept more than others from falling into sin ? Was it because temptation was not so strong? No ! Satan shoots his darts with all his force. Was the cause in our will ? No ! such a broken shield would never have conquered Satan's tem])tations ; know, that it was free grace that beat back the tempter, and brought us off with trophies of victory. O be tliank-