Hitherto we have only observed such devices as Satan makes use of immediately by himself; but there is a
_Fifth_ I shall mention, which is not the least, tempting us by our _carnal friends_ and _relations_.
This is one of the most common, as well as most artful devices he makes use of, to draw young converts from GOD; for when he cannot prevail over them by himself, he will try what he can do by the influence and mediation of others.
Thus he tempted _Eve_, that she might tempt _Adam_. Thus he stirred up _Job_’s wife, to bid him “Curse GOD and die.” And thus he made use of _Peter_’s tongue, to persuade our blessed LORD “to spare himself,” and thereby decline those sufferings, by which alone we could be preserved from suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. And thus, in these last days, he often stirs up our most powerful friends and dearest intimates, to dissuade us from going in that narrow way, which alone leadeth unto life eternal.
But our blessed LORD has furnished us with a sufficient answer to all such suggestions. “Get you behind me, my adversaries;” for otherwise they will be an offence unto you; and the only reason why they give such advice is, because they “savour not the things that be of GOD, but the things that be of men.”
Whoever, therefore, among you are resolved to serve the LORD, prepare your souls for many such temptations as these; for it is necessary that such offences should come, to try your sincerity, to teach us to cease from man, and to see if we will forsake all to follow CHRIST.
Indeed our modernisers of christianity would persuade us, that the gospel was calculated only for about two hundred years; and that now there is no need of hating father and mother, or of being persecuted for the sake of CHRIST and his gospel.
But such persons err, not knowing the scriptures, and the power of godliness in their hearts; for whosoever receives the love of GOD in the truth of it, will find, that CHRIST came to send not peace, but a sword upon earth, as much now as ever. That the father-in-law shall be against the daughter-in-law, in these latter, as well as in the primitive times; and that if we will live godly in CHRIST JESUS, we must, as then, so now, from carnal friends and relations, suffer persecution. But the devil hath a
_Sixth_ device, which is as dangerous as any of the former, by _not tempting us at all_, or rather, by _withdrawing himself for a while_, in order to come upon us at an hour when we think not of it.
Thus it is said, that he left JESUS CHRIST only for a season; and our blessed LORD has bid us to watch and pray always, that we enter not into temptation; thereby implying, that Satan, whether we think of it or not, is always seeking how he may devour us.
If we would therefore behave like good soldiers of JESUS CHRIST, we must be always upon our guard, and never pretend to lay down our spiritual weapons of prayer and watching, till our warfare is accomplished by death; for if we do, our spiritual Amalek will quickly prevail against us. What if he has left us? it is only for a season; yet a little while, and, like a roaring lion, with double fury, he will break out upon us again. So great a coward as the devil is, he seldom leaves us at the first onset. As he followed our blessed LORD with one temptation after another, so will he treat his servants. And the reason why he does not renew his attacks, is sometimes, because GOD knows we are yet weak and unable to bear them, sometimes, because our grand adversary thinks to beset us at a more convenient season.
Watch carefully therefore over thy heart, O christian; and whenever thou perceivest thyself to be falling into a spiritual slumber, say to it, as CHRIST to his disciples, “Arise (my soul) why sleepest thou?” Awake, awake; put on strength, watch and pray, or otherwise the _Philistines_ will be upon thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldst not. Alas! Is this life a time to lie down and slumber in? Arise, and call upon thy GOD; thy spiritual enemy is not dead, but lurketh in some secret place, seeking a convenient opportunity how he may betray thee. If thou ceasest to strive with him, thou ceasest to be a friend of GOD; thou ceasest to go in that narrow way which leadeth unto life.
Thus have I endeavoured to point out to you some of those devices, that Satan generally makes use of “to get an advantage over us;” many others there are, no doubt, which he often uses.
But these, on account of my youth and want of experience, I cannot yet apprise you of; they who have been listed for many years in their master’s service, and fought under his banner against our spiritual Amalek, are able to discover more of his artifices; and, being tempted in all things, like unto their brethren, can, in all things, advise and succour those that are tempted.