Vol 01 - Chapter 07 - Comfort for those that are weak in faith, and strongly tempted.
Chapter 07 - Comfort for those that are weak in faith, and strongly tempted
1. BECAUSE this weakness of faith is a very grievous temptation, therefore has the Holy Spirit furnished us with strong consolations against it; which ought deeply to be rooted in our minds, that we may apply them in the hour of temptation. And first, God does not despise, or reject our weak faith; but cherishes, strengthens, and at last crowns it with a blessed conclusion. In this sense we are to understand those golden passages, "You has been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat," Isaiah 25:4. " Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to _them that are of a fearful heart, be strong, fear not; behold your God will come and save you," Isaiah 35:3-4. "He givcth power to the faint; and to them that have no might, he incrcaseth strength," Isaiah 40:29; Isaiah 40:31. " The Lord God Math given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary," Isaiah 1:4. « I revive the spirit of the humble, and the heart of thecontrite ones," Isaiah 57:15-16. " The Lord has sent me to preach good things to the meek, to hind up the broken-hearted, and to comfort all that mourn," Isaiah 61:1.
2. Secondly, let us be assured, that whensoever, in our greatest infirmities, we can but think upon Jesus CHRIST, he will be with us. Thus it, is said," In all places where I record my name, (or, as it may be better read, where there is a remembrance of my name,) I will cone unto thee, and I will bless thee," Exodus 2:1-25; Exodus 10:24. For we cannot so much as think upon GOD, without his special assistance. Moreover, being engrafted into CHRIST, as branches into the living vine, we truly live in him, and draw life and nourishment from him. Our life, and the strength of our faith, is hid with CHRIST in God. And "the Holy Spirit witnesseth the same in our hearts," by the joy, peace, and comfort, which he produceth there. As therefore in the Old Testament, there was no prophet, but heard God speaking in him; so under the gospel, there is no true Christian but hears CHRIST speaking in him, and tastes the unction of the Holy Spirit. And though you has not always so lively a perception of this in thy heart, " Yet greater is he that is in thee, than he that is in the world," 1 John 4:4.
3. Thirdly, when we are weak in faith, let us look up unto CHRIST Jesus, our Redeemer, and merciful highpriest, who offered up himself for us on the cross, and is still praying that our faith may be strengthened; as he did for St. Peter, " I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not," Luke 22:32. To whom also he stretched out his Almighty hand, when he thought himself sinking into the sea. And he says, " Sanctify them in thy truth: neither pray I for them alone, (viz. the apostles,) but for those who shall believe on my name through their word," John 17:11; John 17:20. " For we have not an high-priest that cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities; but that was in all points tempted, like as we are, but without sin; who is at the right hand of GOD, who also maketh intercession for us,"
4. Call then to mind that noble saying of Jeremiah, "The Lord will not cast off for ever; but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion, according to the multitude of his mercies. For he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men," Lamentations 3:32. Whence you may learn, that though the Lord suffer thee to be afflicted for a season, yet he will not cast thee off for ever. But perhaps you wilt say, that the thoughts wherewith you art troubled, are not from GOD, but front the devil. Now though it cannot be denied, that they are suggested to us by the devil; yet it is also true, that the devil can do nothing but by God's permission. In this case, look unto Jesus, whom our heavenly Father suffered to be tempted by the same adversary. The fiery darts, which the evil one cast at our blessed Savior, came from himself, and not from God; but it was GOD, that gave him permission to assault him as he did. And though our blessed Lord bore all this, yet did he still continue the dearly beloved Son of God; nor could the tempter, with all his art and power, do him the least harm. Hear this, O afflicted soul, and believe that you also shall be safe and unhurt, among all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
5. But why does God suffer thee to be afflicted It is certain that the true, inward taste of the Word of God is accompanied with joy, peace, and comfort, vastly exceeding any comforts or enjoyments of this life. This is 4 foretaste of eternal life, arising from the true and living knowledge of CHRIST Jesus; by which we discover the heart of God flowing with the most tender compassion; inflamed with an ardent, sweet, and eternal love towards lost mankind. But so corrupt is human nature, that it is too apt to be exalted above measure, by the abundance of these Divine manifestations. This perverseness of soul, as it is directly contrary to the method of our salvation, so it is very hateful to God. This makes him withdraw his consolations from us, and hide himself for a time in thick darkness. Hence we learn, how great a good there is in God; that no true, solid, or constant peace can be found but in him. And this cannot be learnt any where but in this experimental school' of temptation. And whosoever is unacquainted with this, knows not God and CHRIST, as they ought to be known.
6. And would to GOD, that for his glory, and our own advantage, we would readily submit to this visitation, which is designed for the trial of our faith, even as gold in the furnace is tried! I doubt not but we should quickly reap the amazing benefits of such a purgation. The faithful soul that can hold out, and not faint under it, comes forth glorious, like gold out of the fire, cleansed from all its dross; so that neither fire, nor water, nor the cross, nor death, nor even hell itself, can hurt it. Such a one will learn how to behave himself ever afterwards with patience and humility; to look up steadfastly unto GOD, the everlasting fountain and giver of all goodness; and to embrace every dispensation of Providence, (whether sweet or bitter) as his only happiness; and in every condition of soul and body, to rejoice in God alone.
7. You then, after the example of thy Savior, be content to drink the wine mingled with gall, that you may hereafter sit down with him in the kingdom of heaven. Learn to bear his shame, and you shall be a partaker of his glory. Learn to be conformed to CHRIST crucified, that you may be conformed to CHRIST glorified. And see that you expect not deliverance from any other than God himself, through our Lord Jesus CHRIST, who "hath overcome the world and the devil." Fly unto Jesus CHRIST; from him alone expect help, comfort, and peace. Support thyself under the. conflict, with the comfortable promises of Jesus CHRIST, that in due time you shall conquer, if you faint not. Thus he tells us, " Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." And as all the host of Israel triumphed in the person of David, when he slew Goliath, and routed the Philistines; so the victory of our Lord is the victory of all true believers. Hence we are told, " Now is come salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our GOD, and the power of his CHRIST., For the accuser of the brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the wordL of their testimony," Revelation 12:11. Whenever, therefore, you findest thyself assaulted by the fiery darts of the evil one, and thy soul afflicted with such suggestions as these, you art dawned; you art undone; you art mine; God has forsaken thee; it is in vain for thee to hope, believe, or pray any longer; when you findest thyself assaulted with these kinds of thoughts, take courage, and answer him boldly; "O you enemy of mankind, what have you to do to condemn me God has not appointed thee to be my judge; but the faithful shall judge the world, and thee, at the last great day," 1 Corinthians 6:2.
8. And because such is the nature of this spirit of blasphemy, that a Christian is forced to undergo it against his will; hence let him comfort himself, when he is tempted, that God will never lay it to his charge, since it is not he that acts, but the devil; and may therefore be assured, that such thoughts should never be imputed to him for sin. For as people in a besieged town cannot hinder the enemy from throwing fire into the town, though they may do what they can to quench it, and hinder its spreading; or, as Hezekiah, (Isaiah 36:12,) could not hinder the blasphemy of Rabshakeh: so we cannot hinder the devil from shooting his envenomed arrows at us. All that we have to do is, to take care, not to suffer our thoughts to vent themselves in blasphemous words; but, on the other hand, having set a guard upon our tongues, so to stifle their hellish sparks, that they break not out into a flame.
9. Nor is there so much as one instance to be produced of any man, that was forsaken of God under this conflict. But, on the other hand, it is certain, that he has always restored his servants, "whom he has thus chosen in the furnace of affliction," to the same and higher degrees of grace than those from whence they thought they had fallen. This ought to be great matter of comfort to us,. that when the hour of temptation is ended, the season of joy and redemption will quickly follow. Let no man therefore faint under tribulation, but bear the indignation of the Lord for a little while, till the Sun of Righteousness arise upon him again with healing and consolation on his wings. For " there springeth up a light for the righteous, and joyful gladness for such as are true of heart."
A PRAYER. SPREAD out thy wings over me, O Lord, that I may flee under them from the face of the enemy that pursueth me. And break you the heads of the great dragon, whose continual endeavor is to deceive and devour the souls which you have created. -Therefore we cry unto thee, our GOD, deliver us from our daily adversary, who, whether we sleep or wake, eat or drink, or whatsoever else we do, presseth in upon us; assaulting us day and night, and shooting his venomous arrows at thy servants; sometimes openly, and sometimes privily, to slay our souls. Help me now,
O Lord, the least and unworthiest of all thy servants; yea, make haste, O my GOD, to deliver me. For behold how he watcheth continually against me, and never sleepeth, that he may pluck me from thy hands. O behold what infinite snares he has pitched before my feet, and how he has filled all my ways with sundry traps, to catch my soul! But you art the God in whom I have trusted, my rock, and my strength; and under the shadow of thy wings I shall be safe, though even thousands should fall on one hand or the other. Unto thee my soul therefore fleeth, that I may be preserved in this evil day: O that thy grace and mercy may always prevent me, delivering me from the evil one, and all his temptatations; saving me from what is past; lifting me up from that which is present, and guarding me from that which is to come; and unravelling all his snares before me, that, being escaped, I may give glory to thee for ever. Amen! PRAYER for trite Rest and Tranquility of Soul.
O LORD Jesu CHRIST! you Prince of Peace! you most blessed rest of faithful souls! you has said, "Come unto me, all ye that travel, and are heavy laden, and ye shall find rest to your souls. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but in me ye shall have peace." Alas! how often have I sought for rest in the things of the world, but have not found it! For my soul, being immortal, cannot be satisfied with any thing but thee alone. O immortal GOD, You, and you alone, art the rest of our souls. The world, and all that is in it, is hastening to decay; they "all wax old as does a garment, and as a vesture, shall you change them, and they shall be changed; but you art the same, and thy years shall not fail." How then shall my soul find rest in such fleeting things Even as You, my almighty Creator, couldst rest in no creature but in man; (for when you hadst made him, you didst rest from thy works;) so the soul of man can find no rest but in thee. O GOD, my soul cannot be satisfied but in thee. "My soul hungereth and thirsteth after thee," and cannot rest till it possess thee. And you have invited us, saying; "Whosoever thirsteth, let him come unto me." O say unto me, " Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away; O my dove, you art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places," in the wounds of Jesus CHRIST.
O you Rock of my salvation, in which my soul trusteth and is at rest! Thomas; thy beloved apostle, could not rest till he had thrust his hands into the place’of the nails, and into thy wounded side. From these wounds flow fountains of salvation, streams of peace, and rivers of Divine love. O, Lord Jesu, how ardent is thy charity! how pure, how free from deceit! how perfect! how spotless! how great! how exalted! how profound! how sincere, how hearty is thy love! Suffer, I beseech thee, my soul to rest in this thy love, in thy heart, which is burning with the purest flames of love. Here let my poor soul rest free from fear of danger or disquiet. In thee let all my senses rest, that I may hear thee sweetly speaking, O you highest love! Let my eyes behold thee,
O you celestial beauty! Let my ears hear thee, you most harmonious Inusick! Let my mouth taste thee, thou. incomparable sweetness! Let the refreshing odours of life breathe upon me from thee, you most noble flower of Paradise! Let my arms hold thee fast in the embraces of love! Let my heart rejoice in thee! Let my will desire thee alone, you only joy of my heart! Let my understanding know thee alone, O Eternal Wisdom! Let all my desires, all my affections rest in thee, O blessed Jesu, my Love, My Peace, and my Joy! Take out of my heart every thing that is not thyself. You art my riches in poverty; my praise and glory against reproaches; my strength in infirmity, and my life in death. And how then shall I not rest in thee, who art my "all in all" My Righteousness against sin; My Wisdom against folly; Redemption from condemnation; Sanctiflcation from my uncleanness Come unto me, and let my soul rest in thee. Keep thy Sabbath in me, that I may hear what you wilt say in me! that I may perceive thee living in me, O my life! and be comforted, refreshed, and enlightened by thy presence,
O You, who art my comfort, my delight, my joy, and my everlasting Light! Let me, I beseech thee, surrender my whole heart to thee, since you has given me all thine. Let me go out of myself,. that I may enter into thee. Cleanse my heart, and empty it of the world, that you may fill it with thy celestial gifts! O Jesu, the rest of my heart! the Sabbath of my soul! lead me into the rest of a, blessed eternity,. "where there are pleasures at thy right hand for evermore." Amen.
END OF THE SECOND BOOK.