2. He that is well acquainted with Satan's methods of tempting, will not only discern it sooner than another; but also knows his work and duty, and how to manage the conflict with it, which is a great matter. There are many poor souls that labour under strong temptations, and know not what to do : They go up and down com- plaining from Christian to Christian, whilst the judicious Christian plies to the throne of grace with strong cries, see 2 Cor. xii. 8. keeps up his watch, Luke xxii. 46. countermines the temptation, by assaulting that corruption^ by endeavours of mortification^ which Satan assaults by temptation, 1 Cor. ix. 27.
3. Lastly, To name no more ; he that is best acquainted with the mystery of temptation^ and can maintain his ground againstit, he shall be the preserving Christian under persecutions, and the victorious Christianover them. Here lies the main design of Satan, in raisingper- secution against the saints. It is not so much their blood that he thirst- eth after, as their fall by temptation : and all persecutions are design- ed by him to introduce his temptations. These work upon our fear, and feai' drives us into his trains and snares, Prov. xxix. 25. The devil's work in raising persecution, is but as the fowler's work in beat* ing the bush in the night, when the net is spread to take the birds^ which he can affright out of their coverts. He that understands that, is not easily moved by the strongest opposition, from his place and
TREPARATION'S FOR SUrFEIlIXCS ; OR,
duty ; and so is like to prove the most constant and invincible Chris- tian in times of persecution.
Oh ! then, how necessary is it, that since all persecutions are in- tended as means to promote temptation, and that skill and insight into these designs of Satan so advantages as to frustrate his designs in both ? I say, how necessary is it that you should be all instructed wherein the strength of temptation lies ; as also how to resist those strong and dangerous temptations, which your sufferings only are intended to usher in, and make way for ?
It will not be unseasonable or impertinent, then, in this clrapter, to shew you, First, Wherein the force and efficacy of temptation iieth ; Secondlij, What you are to do, when in a suffering hour such temptation shall assault you. And first.
Quest. Wherein doth the efficacy and power of temptation lie ?
Sol. I answer. It lies principally in three things.
I. In the kind and nature of the temptation.
II. In the craft and policy of Satan in managing it.
III. In that secret correspondency that Satan hath with our cor- ruptions.
I. It lies in the kind and nature of the temptation itself; for it is most certain, that all temptations are not alike forcible and danger- ous. Some are ordinarily more successful than others ; and such are these that follow.
1. Strange and unusual temptations, I mean not such as none have been troubled with before us; for there is not a dart in Satan's quiver, but hath been let fly at the breasts of other saints, before it was levelled at ours, 1 Cor. x. 13. But by strange and unusual, I mean such as the people of God are but rarely troubled with, and possibly we were never exercised with before. These are the more dangerous, because they daunt and amaze the soul, and ordinarily beget despondency, even as some strange disease would do that we know not what to make of, nor can learn that others have been sick of.
2. Mark them for most dangerous temptations, that are adapted and suited to your proper sin, or evil cojistitutiou : For certainly that is the most dangerous crisis of temptation when it tries a man there. Now, if he be not truly gracious, he falls by the root irre- coverably, Luke xxii. 5, 6. Or if sincere, yet without special assis- tance, and extraordinary vigilance, he falls scandalously, 2 Sam. xi. 2. compared with 1 Sam. xvi. 12.
S. When it is a spiritual temptation, which rises undiscernibly out of the Christian's duties. This is the less suspected, because tempta- tions usually come from the strength Sind.\\\e\messo\^ corruptions; but this, from the slaughter and conquests we make of them. Duties, and enlargements in them, which are the poison of other lusts, prove the food and fuel of this, 1 Cor. iv. 7, 8. And how much the more
THE T?KST OF WOllK IX THE A^'ORST TIMES. 61
Covert and close any temptation is, by so much the more dangerous it is.
II. The strength and effiacy of temptation hes much in the skill and policy of Satan in the management of it : And hence they are called wiles, methods and devices, 2 Cor. ii. 11. Eph. vi. 11. and himself an old serpent, Rev. xii. 9. And among the rest of his deep and desperate stratagems these following are remarkable.
1. In employing such instruments to manage his temptations as arc least suspected, and have the greatest influence. J Teacher^ Gal. ii. 14. A w'lfe^ Gen iii. 6. Jobii. 9. Friends^ Acts xxi. 13. The devil knows it is a bad business, and therefore must make the best of it ; Paul's sorest trial was by his dearest friends.
2. In the orderly disposition and ranging of his temptations, begin- ning with little things first, and then by degrees working over to greater. His first motions are commonly most modest. Gen. iii. 1. Should he discover the depth of his design at first, it would startle the soul, and make it reply as Hazaei, " Am I a dog that I should " do thus.'*" It is far easier to gain his end by parts, than putting for all at once.
r3. In endeavouring to engage the soul upon his own ground. I mean to tempt him from his station and duty where God sets, and expects to find him. He knows while you are with God, God is with you, 2 Chron. xv. 2. Whilst a man abides there, he abides with God, 1 Cor. vii. 24. Whilst he is there, the promise is a good breast-work to keep off all his darts : And therefore, as fishers, when they have spread their nets in the river, beat the fishes out of their coverts and caverns ; so doth Satan.
4. In not presenting the temptation, till the soul be prepared to receive it. He loves to strike when the iron is hot. He first lets their troubles come to an height, brings them to the prison, gibbet, or fire, and then offers them deliverance, Heb. xi. 35, 37.
5. In tiring our souls with a long continuance of temptations. What he cannot win by a sudden storm he hopes to gain by a tedious siege. Forty days together he assaulted the Captain of our salvation, Mark i. 13. And truly it is a wonder the soul yields not at last, that hath been tried long, Psal. cxxv. 3. " When the rod of the wicked " lies long upon the back of the righteous, it is much if he put not " forth his hand to iniquity."