THE saint's safety IN EYIL TIJIES. 317
arm of flesh, tliat unless God driveth us from these holds, by casting us into a perplexed estate, we shall never know what it is to live by faith in God alone, when all other props are pulled away, and when the stream of things seems cross unto us. That God therefore may train us up to live the spiritual life of the just, which is by fuith in him, when all else fail, he suffereth us to fall into the lion's mouth, that so oui* prayers, which are the flame of faith, may be more ardent and piercing, rather cries than words. ' "Why criest thou unto me,' saith God to Moses, Exod. xiv. 15. When was this ? Even when he knew not what way to tui'n him. It was out of the depths that David cried most earnestly unto God, Ps. cxxx. 1 ; and Christ, in the daj's of his flesh, cried unto God with strong cries and tears, in a deep distress, and was also heard in that which he feared, Heb. v. 7. Strong troubles force from the aftiicted strong cries. Even experience shews, in prosperity, and a full estate, how faint and cold the prayers and desii'es of men are.
2. Besides, it is meet that the secrets of men's hearts should be dis- covered ; for when all is quiet, we know not the falsehood of our own hearts. Some over- value their strength, as Peter, Mat. xxvi. 33 ; others undei-prize themselves, and the gifts and graces of God's Spirit in them, thinldng that they want faith, patience, love, &c.,who yet, when God caileth them orit to the cross, shine forth in the eyes of others, in the example of a meek and faithful subjection. The wisdom of God therefore judgeth it meet, that there should be times of sifting, that both the church and om*- selves may know what good or ill is in us, what soundness or looseness remains in our hearts. When, therefore, we are wanting in fanning our- selves, God in love takes the fan into his hand.
It is likewise behoveful that false brethren may be discovered. Afilic- tions are well called trials, because then it is loiown what metal men are made of, whether pure or reprobate silver. Think it not strange then, when our estate seems desperate. It is but with us after the manner of God's dearest ones ; why should we have a severed condition from them ? Remember this, that God, as he suffers his childi'en to fall into the lion's mouth, so he deHvers them out ; and that he never leaves his, especially in extremity, but in fit case of soul to receive the greatest comfort, and to render him the greatest glory. For then it is known to be God's work : our extremity is his opportunity. God will especially shew himself at such a time, and make it appear that the church stands not hj man's strength. When Christians are at a loss, and know not which way to turn themselves, then is God nearest hand and careth most for them.
And this the Lord doth, both for the greater shame of those that contrive mischief (when they make themselves surest to bring their wicked plots and purposes to pass, then their designs are most frustrated) ; as also to draw on others not yet called ; that they, seeing God's immediate care over his church and children, may come in and obtain like protection and deli- verance.
The manner how God delivereth his childi'en out of the Kou's mouth is diverse.
Divers tva)js Jiow God delivers from the lions month: — 1. By suspend- ing their malice for the time. As in Noah's ark the fierceness of the wild creatures was stopped by divine power from preying upon the tamer, so the lions' mouths were stopped from preying upon Daniel in the hons' den, Dan. vi. 22.
2. By stirring up one lion against another; as the Persians against the
318 THE saint's safety in evil times.
Babylonians, Grecians against Persians, Romans against the Grecians, and the other barbarous nations, as the Goths and Vandals, against them ; so whilst lions spit then- fury one upon another, the sheep are quiet. Thus the Turks and other enemies have kept popish princes from raging and tp-annising over the church to the height of then* malice.
3. By casting something tinto these lions, to divert them another icay from their intended 2>rey ; as when a man is in danger, a dog is cast unto the lion (j). Thus, when Saul was ready to devour David, the PhiUstines made a breach upon him, invaded the land, and turned his fury another way, 2 Sam. xxiii. 27.
4. By altering and changing lions to be Iambs; as when Paul was set upon havoc and mischief, God, by changing his heart, gave the churches cause to glorify God for him, of whom before they were most afr'aid.
5. God shews himself a lion to these lions; by breaking their teeth and jaw-bones, striking them with sudden and fearful judgment ; as Herod, Acts xii. 23, and the persecuting emperors ; and as in '88, when God with his four winds fought for us against the enemies of his truth.--
6. By making them lions to themselves : witness Ahithophel, Saul, and other such-like enemies of God's children.