Of our support in spiritual losses. Yet there be divers degrees of uphold- ing us when we are at a spiritual loss. For usually, in what measm-e we, in the times of om* peace and liberty, inordinately let loose our aflec- tions, in that measure are we cast down, or more deeply in discomfort. "VNHien om* adulterous hearts cleave to outward things more than becomes chaste hearts, it makes the cross more sharp and extreme. For that which is not enjoyed with over much pleasm-e, is parted withal without over much grief. But for spiritual extremities, oftentimes the strongest, feel them with
820 THE saint's safety in evil times.
quickest sense ; for God herein respects not always sins past, or more or less measure of grace, as in Job's case, who could, without much distemper of soul, endure extremities of body and estate, but when God wrote bitter things against him, presently he begins to sink, and but begins only ; for when he was at worst, he stays himself upon his Redeemer, to the glory of God's grace, and shame of the devil. Thus sometimes God makes his children triumph, whom he sets as champions in defiance of Satan. They, in weakness, think they shall utterly fail and perish, but their standing out in greatest conflicts shews the contrary.
But to come to that which I intend chiefly to insist on, ' the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work,' &c., wherein we may see —
1. The author of his safety .
2. The deliverance itself.
The author is the Lord. No less than an almighty power is necessary to deliver fi.-om any evil work. For such is our inclinableness to join with temptation, such the malice and strength of our enemy, so many be the snares, and so cunningly spread in everything we deal withal, that whatsoever delivereth us must be above Satan and our own evil hearts ; more wise, more powerful, more gracious to preserve us than any adverse pov/er can be to draw us unto evil works. In which case, well said Moses when God, in his wonted glorious presence, refused to go along with them. 0, saith Moses, if thou go not with us, carry us not hence, Exod. xxxiii. 15.
' Deliver ' supposeth danger, possible or present. Beloved, our lives are such as stand in need of perpetual deliverance. Our estate here is waver- ing. The church lives always in tents, and hath never any hope of rest until the day of triumph. Therefore, after forgiveness of sins, follows ' lead us not into temptation ;' because, though sins past be forgiven, yet we are in danger to be led into temptation. Let none promise a truce to himself, which God promiseth not. If Satan and our corruptions join, we cannot be quiet. After sins of youth we are in danger of sins of riper age ; for though by grace, in some sort, sin be subdued, yet, until it be wholly morti- tified, there will be some stirring up, until that which is imperfect in us be abolished.
But I hasten to that which follows. ' The Lord will deliver me from evei-y evil work.'
Whence, from the form of the argument, observe that we ought to reason with God from former experience to future, 1 Sam. xvii. 37 ; 2 Cor. i. 10. Yea, it is a binding argument with God. He loves to be sued and pressed from former mercies, and suffers them to be bonds unto him. Men will not do so, because their fountain is soon drawn diy ; but God is a spring that can never be emptied. As he was able to help in former time, so he is also for the time to come. He is always, I am Jehovah ; always where he was ; his arm is not shortened. What he hath done heretofore he can do now.
Use. We should therefore register God's fevours, which is the best use we can put our memories to, and make them so many arguments to build upon him for time to come, as David, ' The Lord that delivered me,' saith he, ' out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine,' 1 Sam. xvii. 37. Oh, were we but acquainted with this kind of reasoning with God, how undaunted would we be in all troubles ! We should be as secure for the time to come as for the time past, for all is one with God. We do exceedingly wrong our own Bouls, and weaken our faith, by not minding of God's favours. How strong
THE saint's safety IN EVIL TIMES. 321
in faith might old men be, that have had many experiences of God's love, if they would take this course ! Every former mercy should strengthen our faith for a new, as conquerors, whom every former victory encourageth to a new conquest. So old favours should hel^y us to set upon God afresh.
But what is the hmitation here ? ' From every evil work.' Which words we will first touch a httle severally, and then consider more particularly of them.
Sometimes God speaks of duties as they issue from man, because, in- deed, the will is man's, from whence the duty comes, and therefore the Scripture speaks, as though the duty came from us, because the powers are ours from whence they spring. Sometimes the Scripture speaks of holy duties as they issue from a higher power, fi'om God. So here, the Lord win deliver me from every evil work, he means that God would stir up his heart to a care to avoid evil works. We are agents and patients in all we do. We are agents, because the powers are ours ; we are patients, because the Lord doth all. Now it is the language of the Holy Ghost for the most part, when he speaks of good duties, to go to the fountain, especially when faith is to be strengthened.