The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carryed on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...

Inference 4.

From the fourth particular of Christs Humiliation in his life,* 1.1 by Satans Temptations, we infer, That those in whom Satan hath no interest, may have most trouble from him in this world. Joh. 14.30. The Prince of this world cometh, and hath nought in me. Where he knows he cannot be a Conqueror, he will not cease to be a Troubler. This bold and daring spirit adventures upon Christ himself; for doubtless he was filled with envy at the sight of him: and would do what he could▪ though to no purpose, to obstruct the blessed design in his hand▪ And it was the wisdom and love of Christ to admit him to come as near him as might be, and try all his darts upon him; that by this experience, he might be filled with pity to succour them that are temp••ed. And as the set on Christ, so much more will he adventure upon us; and but too oft comes off a Conqueror. Sometimes he shoots the fiery darts of blasphemous injections. These fall as flashes of lightning on the dry tha••ch, which instantly sets all in a combustion. And just so is it attended with an after thunder-clap of inward horror, which shivers the very heart, and strikes all into confusion within. Di∣vers rules are prescribed in this case, to relieve poor distressed

ones. One adviseth to think seriously on that which is darted sud∣dainly, and to do by your hearts, as men use to do with young horses, that are apt to start and boggle at every thing in the way; we bring them close to the things they fright at, make them look on them, and smell to them; that time, and better acquaintance with such things, may teach them not to start. Others advise to di∣versions of the thoughts, as much as may be; to think quite ano∣ther way. These rules are contrary to one another, and I think signifie but little to the relief of a poor soul, so distressed.

The best rule doubtless is that of the Apostle, Eph. 6.16. Above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Act your faith my friends, upon your tempted Saviour; who passed through Tem∣ptations before you; and particularly exercise faith on three things in Christs Temptations.

• First, Believingly consider, how great variety of Temptations were tried upon Christ; and of what an horrid blasphemous na∣ture that was, fall down and worship me.
• Secondly, Believingly consider, that Christ came off a perfect Conqueror in the day of his tryal. Beat Satan out of the field. For he saw what he attempted on Christ was as impossible, as to bat∣ter the body of the Sun with Snow-balls.
• Thirdly, Lastly believe that the benefits of those his victories, and conquests are for you; and that for your sakes he permitted the Tempter to come so near him. As you find Heb. 2.18.

* 1.2Heb. 4.15. If you say true, Christ was tempted as well as I: but there's a vast difference betwixt his Temptations and mine. For the Prince of this world came and found nothing in him, Ioh. 14.30. He was not internally defiled, though externally as∣saulted; but I am defiled by them as well as troubled.

* 1.3This is a different case. True, it is so, and must be so, or else it had signified nothing to your relief. For had Christ been in∣ternally defiled, he had not been a fit Mediator for you. Nor could you have had any benefit either by his Temptations or Suf∣ferings for you. But he being Tempted, and yet still holy, bear∣ing the burden, and still escaping the defilement of sin, hath not only satisfied for the sins you commit, when tempted; but also got∣ten an experimental sense of the misery of your condition which is in him, (though now in glory) as aspiring of pity and tender compassion to you. Remember, poor Tempted Christian, the

God of peace shall shortly tread Satan under thy feet, Rom. 16.20. Thou shalt set thy foot on the neck of that enemy. And as soon as both thy feet are over the threshold of glory, thou shalt cast back a smiling look; and say, now Satan do thy worst. Now I am there, where thou canst not come. Mean while, till thou be out of his reach, let me advise thee to go to Jesus Christ, and open the matter to him. Tell him how that base spirit falls up∣on thee; yea, sets upon thee even in his presence. Intreat him to rebuke and command him off. Beg him to consider thy case, and say, Lord dost not thou remember how thy own heart was once grieved, though not defiled by his assaults. I have grief and guilt together upon me. Ah Lord, I expect pity and help from thee; thou knowest the heart of a stranger, the heart of a poor Tempted one. This is singular relief in this case. O try it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infer. ••.
• * 1.2

  Object.
• * 1.3

  Sol.