A sanctuary for the tempted: being a discourse on Christ's friendly admonition to Peter Wherein the fall and rising of Peter, is at large considered: the craft, potency, and malice of Satan (that arch-enemy of our salvation) discovered: his various wiles. stratagems and machinations invalidated: several choice and excellent Gospel-truths handled, and cleared (from the calumnies and objections of gainsayers.) ... Delivered in sundry sermons, at first; and now, published for the benefit of God's church in general. To which is added, four sermons, preach'd upon sacramental occasions. By Thomas Powel, preacher of the Gospel, and one, whom Satan hath winnowed.

CHAP. IX.

COntaining the Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh De∣duction.

SECT. I.

If it be so, That such, who are Emi∣nent, may Relapse; then let us not * 1.1 Censure all that have Relaps'd, and been Guilty of Miscarriages. Emi∣nent Christians have been over-taken with a Fault; and therefore be Ten∣der in your Judging; and not be as some, who are Censorious and Rash, mis-judging the Cases of such, that have been over-come by a Temptati∣on. The Tempted are to be Suc∣coured, much less Censured: Sure∣ly, such have not Learnt Christ, who have not learnt this. So that there is great Cause of Lamentation, when we consider, what little Commiseration is shew'd unto the Tempted, even by them that pretend very much unto Religi∣on.

Ah! It grieves me exceedingly, I can truly say; because I see not that Sympathy in the Professors of this Age, as there ought to be. What Cen∣sures and Reproofs do we abound with, (to our Shame be it spoken?) We should consider our Selves, as of the Body, and such that may be Tempted. Gal. 6. v. 1.

Brethren, although a man be over-taken in a Fault, ye which are Spiri∣tual, restore such an one in the Spirit of Meekness, considering your Selves, &c.

I am verily perswaded, that scarce any Age hath afforded less of Souls, that understand the Doctrine of Temp∣tation, than this: And therefore it is, that a Loving Charitable, Sym∣pathizing and Gaining Carriage is no more manifested unto such, that are attended with Temptations. Thou that Censurest those that are Temp∣ted, may'st as well Censure our Sa∣viour himself; for he was Tempted. * 1.2 Thou hast more Reason (O Man) to be Jealous of thy Self, that hast not been Tempted; than others, that

have been Tempted. More-over, none are able to Speak a Word in Sea∣son unto such that are Tempted, than those who have been in like∣manner Exercised.

A Man that hath Rid over a Place where are Boggs and Quick-Sands, is the fittest to guide others through that dangerous Place. Who can bet∣ter Unmask and Discover Santan's Po∣licies and Sugar'd Lies, than those who have been long in the Fencing-School of Temptation.

SECT. II.

If it be so, That the Confident Cedar may Fall, such who are Emi∣nent * 1.3 in Christianity, may be subject to Lapses; then let not Christians themselves, as well as others, think Evil of themselves, because they may sometimes Halt, and have a Fall. How many Christians have I heard concluding Evil from their Tempta∣tions; as if no such Promise as this was in the Bible? viz.

‖ 1.4 All things shall work together for Good, for them that love God.

All Things; that is, the Best Things, and the Worse Things: Good Things, and Evil Things certainly are inclu∣ded in All Things; and if Evil Things as well as Good Things, then surely Temptation: And if so, Why then do some say, as I have heard; I am not a Child of God, because I am † 1.5 Temp∣ted: Rather from thence conclude, That thou art a Child of God. They are Bastards, and not Sons, that have not been Tempted more or less. God had one Son without Sin, but no Son without Stripes: Christ the Cor∣ner-Stone was Tried; the rest of the Stones in the Heavenly Building must also be Tried. Why murmurest thou because of thy Temptations, thinking amiss of thy self because of them; when-as thou can'st not be a Refined Christian, before thou passest through this Furnace? Since then it is so, content thy self; believing, that unless God had intended Good to thee, thou shouldst not have been Tempted, as thou hast been: and

say; Take (O Lord) the Trial of thy own Grace, bestowed upon thy Unworthy Servant.

SECT. III.

If it be so, That Satan may Foil E∣minent * 1.6 Christians; then learn, whence it is, that Satan is a Proud Spirit: Pride indeed he had, before ever he Foil'd our First Parents, and our Selves; for * 1.7 Pride it was, that made him a Devil: Yet doubtless, this adds much to his Pride, That he some∣times by Permission doth over-throw many of our Brave Christians. Satan did much Rejoyce, when he had gotten Advantage of Peter, One so Eminent in the Church of Christ. Oh! therefore Believers, beware of Satan's Devices; because if thou Fal∣lest, he will Triumph.

SECT. IV.

If this be so; then we may hence learn, That if Eminent Believers do * 1.8 Over come Satan, it is not in and by

their own Strength: But when they are Foil'd, it is, because they went against him in their own Strength. Of our selves we can do nothing; it is God in † 1.9 Christ, that must do all for us. If we Fight alone with the Go∣liah of Hell, we are sure to be van∣quished. Separate the Soul from the Body, and it is incapable of Action or Service: And so, take God from the Soul, and it will be incapable of Wrestling with such a Mighty Spi∣rit, as the Devil is. Let Believers be like the Vine, that being weak, twists about the Elm to support it: Being Conscious of our own Imbecillity, we should twist by Faith about Christ, 2 Cor. 12. 9.

And in Him we are more than ‖ 1.10 Con∣querours

Phil. 4. 13. I can do all things through Christ, which Strengthens me.

Sampson's Strength lay in his Hair, Ours lies in our Head Christ. Iesus Christ hath laid his Feet upon the Neck of that Old Serpent; and will enable you so to do, if you will trust in him, and accept of him as

the Captain of your Salvation. If Christ Iesus doth but bring in his Auxiliary Forces, Satan shall then be trodden down.

SECT. V.

If this be so; then from hence we * 1.11 may learn, What a mighty Power of God that Power is, which is con∣cern'd in the Preservation of a Be∣liever.

What a Mighty Power of God is concern'd in our Preservation, as we are Creatures? more, as we are Chri∣stians. Consider Man, as he is a Crea∣ture, and we may stand amaz'd at the exceeding Great Power of God in his Preservation! What a Tender thing is Man, when he is in the Womb of his Mother? and how subject is he to Mis-carrying, even while he is there? And what Expectation is there of his Coming forth into the World, mingled with Hopes and Fears, lest he should become Abor∣tive? And Lo! God in time brings him forth; and a Perfect Man he is,

as to the Limbs and Lineaments of his Body; notwithstanding the Perils and Dangers, that encompassed him about, when he was but an Embryo in the Womb.

And then afterwards Consider him not only in the Womb, but consider him also in his Infancy, Child-hood, Youth, Riper Years and Old-Age; the Miseries, that are proper to all these, and the Dangers, that he has gone through in all these; and it is a Mi∣racle, that Man should live to Old-Age.

But further Consider him, as a Christian; and so you may have a greater Prospect of the Admirable * 1.12 Power of God. A Soul is no sooner New-Born, but immediately Trials, Agonies and Conflicts do come in up∣on him, as a great Tempestuous Sea. The first Cry (sayes one) of the New-Born Infant Allarums all the De∣vils of Hell. The Devil and the World set themselves in Battle-Array against the Children of God: And one would think it impossible, for one to become a Christian: Nay in∣deed,

all things considered, and it is a Miracle to be a New-Creature.

And when a Man becomes a New-Creature, what an Admirable Power is concerned in the Preserving of him, as such? What Difficulties goes he through, and wrestles with, before he gets into the Port of Heaven: So that indeed, all that are Saved, are Saved with a great deal of Dif∣ficulty.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Deduct. 3.
• * 1.2

  Heb. 2. 18.
• * 1.3

  Deduct. 4.
• ‖ 1.4

  This is Jacob's Staff in the Hand of Faith, with which we may Walk cheerfully to the Mount of God. What will satisfy or give con∣tent, if this will not? Watson in Loc.
• † 1.5

  Tempta∣tions stir up the Pater∣nal Compas∣sions in God to them, who are Temp∣ted. Idem.
• * 1.6

  Deduct. 5.
• * 1.7

  Pride was the first Sin that ever Reigned.
• * 1.8

  Deduct. 6.
• † 1.9

  Venit Dia∣bolus, sub∣venit Chri∣stus.
• ‖ 1.10

  God is a∣bove the Devil, should be e∣very Temp∣ted Soul's Motto.
• * 1.11

  Deduct. 7.
• * 1.12

  We are kept by the Power of God thro Faith unto Salvation, 1 Pet. 1. 5.