[2.] With respect to spiritual strength, the best are subject to great infirmities, wliich oft betray us to sin, if our vexations be great and long : Ps. cxxv. 3, ' The rod of the wicked shall not rest on the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands to iniquity.' The oppressions of wicked men shall not be so lasting and durable as that the temptations should be of too great force ; this might shake the constancy of the best. He knoweth nothing in divinity that knoweth not that God worketh congruously, and attempereth his providence to our strength, and so will not only give an increase of internal grace, but lessen and abate the outward temptation ; that his external govern- ment conduceth to the preservation of the saints, as well as his inter- nal, by supporting their spirits with more liberal aids of grace. Therefore God will cause the temptation to cease when it is over- pressing. But all must be left to his wisdom and holy methods.
3. With respect to the devil and his instruments, to whose malice he sets bounds, w^ho otherwise would know no measure.
[1.] For the devil, see Kev. ii. 10 : ' Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold ! the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days.' Mark how they are comforted against the persecution coming upon them : Partly because the cause was clearly God's, for all this trouble was by the instigation of the devil, making use of his instru- ments ; — Eph. ii. 2, he is called ' the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience :' Partly because the persecution raised would not be universal — some of you, not all — and those not persecuted unto the death, but only cast into prison : Partly from the end, that they should be tried — it was not penal or castigatory, but ])robatory ; — the devil would destroy you, but God would suffer you only to be tried, so that they should come forth like the three children out of the furnace, without singeing of their garments, or like Daniel out of the lions' den, without a scratch or maim, or as Christ here — the devil got not one jot of
328 Christ's temptation. [Ser. Vlf,
ground upon Lim : Partly from the duration, ten days — that is, in pro- phetical account, ten years, reckoning each day for a year : Num. xiy. 34. It was not long ; the saddest afflictions will have an end. All which showeth how God bridleth and moderateth the rage of Satan, and his evil influence.
[2.] For his instruments, God saith, Zech. i. 15, ' I am very sorely displeased with the heathen that were at ease ; for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.' The instruments of God's chastisements lay on without mercy, and being of cruel minds and destructive intentions, which are heightened in them by Satan, are severe executioners of God's wrath ; and if God did not restrain them by the invisible chains of his providence, we should never see good day more. Well, then, you see the reasons why the children of God, though they have many troubles and con- flicts, yet they are not everlasting troubles.
Use of instruction to the people of God. It teacheth them three lessons — comfort, patience, obedience.
1. Comfort and encouragement to them that are under a gloomy day. Tliis will not always last. He may try you for a while, and you may be under great conflicts, and wants, and difficulties, as he tried the woman of Canaan with discouraging answers ; but at last, 'Woman, great is thy faith ; be it unto thee even as thou wilt,' Mat. xv, 28. He tried his disciples when he meant to feed the multitude : John vi. 5,6, 'Whence shall we buy bread that all these may eat? This he said to prove them, for he himself knew what he would do.' A poor believer is tried, children increase, trading grows dead in hard times ; how shall so many mouths be filled ? He promiseth Abraham a numerous pos- terity, but for a great while he goeth childless. He promiseth David a kingdom, yet for a while he is fain to shift for his life, and skulk up and down in the wilderness. He intended to turn water into wine, but first all the store must be spent. He meaneth to revive the hearts of his contrite ones, but for a while they lie under great doubts and fears. Moses' hand must be made leprous before it wrought miracles. Jesus loyed Lazarus, and meant to recover him, but he must be dead first. But I must not run too far. There will be tedious conflicts and trials, but yet there is hope of deliverance: God is willing and God is able. He is willing, because he is suffi- ciently inclined to it by the grace and favour that he beareth his people : Ps. cxlix. 4, ' The Lord taketh pleasure in his people ; he will beautify the meek with salvation.' The Lord loveth their per- sons, and he loveth their prosperity and haj^piness : Ps. xxxv. 27, ' He hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servants.' He is able either as to wisdom or power. Wisdom : 2 Pet. ii. 7, ' The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation,' Many times we know not which way, but God knoweth ; he is never at a loss. Then for his power : power hath a twofold notion, of authority and might. He hath authority enough. The sovereign dominion of God is a great prop to our faith. All things in the world are at his disposal to use them for his own glory : Ps. xliv. 4, ' Command deliverances for Jacob.' Angels, devils, men, the hearts of the greatest men, are all at his command. He hath might and strength : Dan. iii.