4. That God doth not expose us to the fury of Satan, to be dealt with as he pleaseth, but doth bridle and restrain his rage.
[1.] God is the sovereign orderer of this business of temptations. As the shaking and tossing of the saints is by his leave, so is the pro- tection of their faith from his grace. The devil is a creature under government, as all other creatures are ; and it is a great comfort to the saints that, when they are in Satan's hands, Satan is in God's hands. Neither the devil nor the world can help or hurt us without his leave. The devils are represented to be ' under chains,' and ' chains of darkness,' Jude G, 2 Peter ii. 4. These chains are God's irresistible power and terrible justice ; either the restraints of his powerful provi- dence, called therefore ' chains,' or the horror of their own despairing fears, called therefore ' chains of darkness.' They can do nothing but as far as God's justice and holy wisdom permitteth them.
[2.] As our protection cometh from God, so it cometh to us by the intercession of Christ, who prayeth for his people ; a copy whereof we have, John xvii., and a pledge of which is this. He hath intendered his own heart by experience, and so is more likely to pity us : Heb. ii. 18, ' For that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.' There is ability of power, ability of idoneity and fitness, as it is proper and agreeable that he should
404 SERMON UPON LUKE XXII, 31, 32.
become compassionate, and willing to relieve those that fall into the like or same evils, namely, sharp persecutions in this world for his name's sake: Heb. iv. 15, 'He was in all points tempted as we are.' He hath felt the weight and trouble of temptations himseh', and will be sensible of our condition ; as a man that has had the stone or gout knows better how to sympathise with others in the like case, and as Israel was commanded to be merciful and pitiful to strangers, because they knew the heart of a stranger. Non ignara malt, miseris suc- currere disco.
[3.] Christ's love is never more at work for us than when under temptations. He hath a tender sense of our danger by Satan. When he followeth them out of malice and spite, then God puts forth the strength and efficacy of his mediation : Zech. iii. 1, 2, ' And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him : and the Lord said unto Satan, The Loitl rebuke thee, 0 Satan.' When his people are assaulted by Satan he hath most love for them, and taketh care aforehand • John xiii. 1, ' Having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them to the end.' Saith Christ of them, Poor creatures ! they are left to storms and tempests, and they are undone if I help them not.
[4.] Though he permit the temptation, yet he alloweth not a total victory, as he prayed that Peter might not utterly forsake the faith. No7i pugna sublata est, sed victoria. He doth not hinder the fight, but the victory. He overcame the devil and the world, therefore fear not. God promiseth help for human frailty, not for rashness and sloth. We are sure of victory whilst we resist and keep up the fight : James iv. 7, ' Eesist the devil, and he will flee from you.'
[5.] Being kept from the evil is better than to be exempted from the trouble of vexatious temptations. Our Lord prayeth so : John xvii. 15, ' I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.' He teacheth us to pray so : Mat. vi. 13, 'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' There is a direct prayer, and a prayer by way of reserve. First, if it be the will of God, ' lead us not into temptation ; ' but if that be, then ' keep us from the evil.' It is a more wonderful providence to be kept from the evil than to be kept from temptation. A garrison never assaulted is easily kept. And partly because the evil of sin is greater than the evil of trouble. Sin separateth from God, affliction driveth us to him ; and to be preserved from the reign of sin is better than not to be permitted to fall into a signal act of sin ; for the act may be consistent with grace, but not the reign.
Use 1. Let us not be secure. Christ was tempted, so was Job, so was Paul. We have a fierce and subtle adversary to encounter with, many trials we must look for. None are so tempted as the best christians; the pirate doth not set upon an empty vessel. Wicked men are not troubled ; they are already in the snares, slaves and vassals to Satan, of whom he is sure already : Luke xi. 21, ' Where a strong • man keeps his palace, his goods are in peace.' A middle sort of men God permitteth not to be tempted : 1 Cor. x. 13, ' God will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able.' They are not seasoned