2. Because of the unaccountable confusions that all things are filled withal at this day in the world. Whatever in former times hath been a temptation in human affairs unto any of the people of God, it abounds at this day. Never had men, profane and profligate, greater outward ap- pearances to strengthen them in their atheism, nor those that are godly greater trials for their faith, with respect unto the visible state of things in th.e world. The psalmist of old on such an occasion was almost surprised into unbe- lieving complaints ; Psal. Ixxiii. 2 — 4, &c. And such sur- prisals may now also befal us, that we may be ready to say with him, ' Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency ; for all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning ' Hence when
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the prophet Habakkuk was exercised with thoughts about such a state of things as is at this day in the world, which he declares, chap. i. 6—12. he lays the foundation of his con- sideration in the fresh exercise of faith on the being and properties of God, ver. 12, 13. And David makes that his retreat on the like occasion, Psal. xi. 3—5.
In such a season as this is, upon both the accounts men- tioned, those who are spiritually minded will much exercise their thoughts about the being and existence of God. They will say within themselves, ' Verily there is a reward for the righteous; verily he is a God who judgeth in the earth/ Hence will follow such apprehensions of the immensity of his nature, of his eternal power and infinite wisdom, of his abso- lute sovereignty, as will hold their souls firm and steadfast, in the highest storms of temptation that may befall them.
Yet are there two things that the weaker sort of believ- ers may be exercised with, in their thoughts of the divine bemg and existence, which may occasion them some trouble.
1. Satan knowing the weakness of our minds in the im- mediate contemplation of things infinite and incomprehen- sible, will sometimes take advantage to insinuate blasphe- mous imaginations in opposition unto what we would fix upon, and relieve ourselves withal. He will take that very time, trusting unto our weakness and his own methods of subtlety, to suggest his temptations unto atheism, by in- snaring inquiries, when we go about to refresh our souls with thoughts of the divine being and excellencies. But is there a God indeed ? How do you know that there is a God? and may it not be otherwise? will be his language unto our minds. For from his first temptation by way of an insnar- ing question, ' Yea, and hath God said it, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden ? he proceeds still much in the same methods. So he did with our Saviour himself, ' If thou be the Son of God.' Is there a God? how if there should be none? In such a case the rule is given us by the apostle ; ' Above all take the shield of faith, wherel^y ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked ;' Eph. vi. 16. Tov TTovripov, of ' the wicked one,' that is the devil. And two ways will faith act itself on this occasion.
1. By a speedy rejection of such diabolical suggestions
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with detestation. So did our Saviour in a case not unlike it; ' Get thee behind me, Satan.' Wherefore, if any such thoughts are suggested, or seem to arise in your minds, know assuredly that they are no less immediately from the devil, than if he personally stood before you, and visibly appeared unto you; if he did so, there is none of you but would arm yourselves with an utter defiance of what he should ofTer unto you. It is no less necessary on this occa- sion, when you may feel him, though you may see him not. Suffer not his fiery darts to abide one moment with you; en- tertain no parly or dispute about them; reject them with in- dignation, and strengthen your rejection of them with some pertinent testimony of Scripture, as our Saviour did. If a man have a grenado or fire-ball cast into his clothes by his enemy, he doth not consider whether it will burn or no, but immediately shakes it off from him. Deal no otherwise with these fiery darts, lest by their abode with you they inflame your imagination unto greater disturbance.
(2.) In case they utterly depart not upon this endeavour for their exclusion and casting out, return immediately with- out farther dispute unto your own experience. When the devil hath asked you the question, if you answer him, you will be insnared; but if thereon you ask yourselves the question, and apply yourselves unto your own experience for an answer unto it, you will frustrate all his designs.
There are arguments to be taken, as was said, from the light of nature, and reason in its proper exercise, sufficient to defeat all objections of that kind. But these are not our proper weapons in case of our own temptation, which alone is now under consideration. It requires longer and more sedate reasonings than such a state will admit of; nor is it a sanctified medium for our relief.