A guide to the Holy City, or, Directions and helps to an holy life containing rules of religious advice, with prayers in sundry cases, and estates ... / by Iohn Reading ...

CHAP. XXVIII.

§. 1, Of the conscience afflicted with feare of tentations, and falling away: What wee are herein to consider. §. 2. How wee must examine the conscience herein. §. 3. What wee must practice.

WEe are next to consider the wounded spirit, or conscience afflicted with feare of tentations and falling away through them, enclining it to despair of grace sufficient to resist them; hereby the soule is in hea∣vinessea through manifold tentations: in which case it is necessary to consider, that

1. Ab tentation is a tryal, or taking an experiment of some thing: the Devil whoc cannot compel, tryeth men whether he can allure them to sinne: and this is tentation.

2. There is a temptation of tryal: see 1 Cor. 10. 13. Act. 20. 19. Rev. 3. 10. and so James saith, My brethren,d count it all joy when yee fall into divers tentations—for when he is tryed hee shall receive the crown of life: and blessed is the man that so doth. God, who is said to tempt no man (that is, to evil: becausee as there is no sin in him, so neither is there any of him) yet tryed Abraham, (to make him known to others and himself:f for no man untryed knoweth himself) which is cal∣led tempting or proving: as Deut. 13. 3. Ex. 15. 25. Ex. 16. 4. Deut. 8. 16. Psal. 26. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 6. And there is a temptation of seducement, which is a solicitation to defection and fal∣ling from God by sinning, and doing evil. 1 Tim. 6. 9. 1 Thes. 3. 5. so thatg God tempteth that he may teach us, but the Devil that he may destroy us.

3. Some temptations arise from the corruption and sin inherent in the flesh. Jam. 1. 14. Every man is tempted when hee is 〈…〉〈…〉 his own lusts, such as are mentioned Galat. 5.

19, 20. Some are suggested by the tempter, who being a spirit, hath power to in••••••uate and conveyh his impious notions into our mindes: suggestion between spirits, being as contiguity and touching of bodies: now, whereas hee cannot know the unuttered secrets of the heart, (iti being Gods peculiar to search that) he marketh mens natural inclinati∣ons, and their habits, by their words and actions, and so pre∣pareth baits for them accordingly, sishing in these depths, the secrets whereof hee knoweth not, till hee perceive his sugge∣stions are swallowed, and the sinner taken: therefore he pre∣senteth such thoughts, as he con••ectureth will take, by that which is obvious to the senses of men: as, hee sitteth an op∣portunity of treason to impious Judas, by the malice of the high Priests: of lust to Amnon; of venturing on the cursed thing to Achan; of revenge to Cain; of idolatry tok Ahaz, by the altar of Damascus.

4. There are foure degrees of tentations, by which it cometh to full maturity: 1. Suggestion. 2. Delight therein. 3. Consent to. 4. Acting the same; as James 1. 14, 15. Man is tempted when hee is drawn away of his own lusts, and e••iced; thenwhen lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sinne, and sinne when it is finished, bringeth sorth death: the first of these (a bare suggestion) is not our sinne, if there be no delight therein, or consent thereto: for Christl was tempted,m in all points like as wee are, yetn without sinne. The devils sinne it is, when ever he suggesteth evil. The second (as the third and fourth) is sinne in its degree; for every delight in evil speaketh a mans will such: declining from good, and encli∣ned to consent, and act evil.

5. Tentation of tryal to the saint, is but as fire to gold; it purifieth and maketh more precious in Gods esteem: as 'tis written, Psal. 116. 15. Pretious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints; ando that the tryal of your faith being much more pretious then of gold which perisheth, though it be tryed with fire, might be found unto praise, &c. so saith that mirror of patience; p When he hath tryed mee, I shall come forth as gold: tentation on∣ly burneth out the drosse; it is as a winnowing winde: so Satan by a temptation winnowed Peter: now consider with

thy selfe, Can the refiner of gold so provide, that he will not loose it in the fornace? can the husband-man so use the winde, that hee will not loose the corne, but thereby cleanse it from the chasse? and canst thou think that God will loose thee, by permitting thee to temptations? Assure thy selfe hee cannot erre: hee measureth all, is faithfull, andq will not suffer thee to be tryed above that thou art able. Hee knowethr how to deliver his out of tentations: there∣fore hee biddeth them not tos feare any of these things which they should suffer, whom Satan should cast into prison.

6. There can bet no victory without an enemy, nor crown without a conflict: no faith without troubles; nor conflict without some adversary: when God permitteth thee to tryals, hee stands, and beholds how thou enter∣tainest the enemy, how thou receivest his charges, hee sup∣plieth thee with fresh aids, as necessity requireth; and in the meane time prepareth the crowne: many by long and secure peace grow impotent; and for want of experience, unable to resist an enemy when hee invadeth: perhaps their own pride (born out of self-ignorance) overcometh them; or fulnesse debancheth them; whereas exercise maketh them strong, and temptations humble: least I should be exalted a∣bove measure, saith Paul—there was given to mee a thorn in the flesh, the messengers of Satan to busset mee—truelyu conscience of sin and feare of punishment, make the regenerate more religi∣ous; and so it is much the firmer faith which repentance storeth up—that yee sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulnesse it wrought in you.

7. The spiritual Pharoah most eagerly pursueth those who are going out of his kingdome:w hee passeth by his owne, as captives: hee chaseth those in whom hee percei∣veth Christ liveth: when he must be cast out, then he teareth most furiously. Luke 9. 42. so that his rage against thee is no argument of despair, but rather of great confidence, that the devil himself findeth that thou must be none of his: were hee secure of thee, hee wouldx let thee go untroubled to destruction, and never disquiet thee: least any agitation

should bring thee to repentance, and him to losse. This our Saviour taught,y When a strong man armed keepeth his pa∣lace, his goods are in peace.

8. Consider well that the best have been, and the best that live are tempted:z the Jebusite was left in Jerusalem, for an exercise of vertue: the mana rapt up into the third heaven was buffeted by the messenger of Satan: once for all, Christb in whom was no sin, was tempted: that thou art tempted, is no argument of despair: I know not how, hea∣ven and earth are here so mixed together, wee beingc partly spirit, and partly flesh, that wee cannot be as wee would: wee finde an irksom law in our selves, against our selves: our repaire is something, and supernatural, but so short of that which shall be, that our selves (like thed Israëlites in Ezra's time) sound a discordious concord of sharpes and flats, joy and sorrow; we must look for perfection in hea∣ven: oure present freedom from sin, is rather a desire to be free, then our being so.

9. Lastly consider that Gods grace (who at his pleasure f chaineth up the tempter) isg sufficient for thee. Hee restraineth him so much, that hee cannot be a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's Prophets, untill hee have leave (to tempt him out to his destruction) from him who justly per∣mitteth to strong delusions, that they should perish in be∣leeving lies, who receive not the love of the trueth, that they might be saved: God knoweth best how farre hee will suffer thee to be tempted, and accordingly measureth out the sufficiency of grace to all the regenerate. Why hee suf∣fered David so dangerously to fall, why Peter, why Paul, I know not, except to humble them, and leave us motives to repentance: I am sure his judgements are ever just.

Secondly, wee are againe (for comfort in this case) to examine

1. Whether art thou delighted in the temptation, or no? if thou neither delight in, nor consent to it, but rather

startlest at it, as a thing which thy soul loaths and abhorrs, it shall not hurt thee.

2. Whether the temptation which commonly afflicteth thee, be such as probably ariseth from the corruption of thine owne heart, which is usually inferred by the thoughts discourse from one thing to another, by direct or naturall mediums: but if it be a temptation of Satan's, cast into thy soule, it is commonly abrupt, and such as thou didst not think of, incongruous, sudden, unnatural sometimes, and such as thou tremblest at, as blasphemous, bloody, or desperate: though in some temptations hee maketh use of that wee see or heare, joining himselfe with our natural in∣clination to sinne: so are thoseh stimuli carnis, his messen∣gers, like traytors corrupted by some foraigne State, against their native soile: if a temptation arise of corrupted nature, the cure must be by beating down carnal reason and the af∣fections of flesh: if of Satan, the very discovery is enough to make thee hate it, and that to overcome it; seeing if wee yeeld not he is overcome.

3. When thou art moved to any thing, whether within thee, as by suggestion, or without thee, as by perswasions of meni examine the spirits, whether they are of God, or no: thou maist not beleeve all: because many false pro∣phets are gone out into the world; and God herebyk pro∣veth you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart: and the Apostle saith,l there must be he∣resies (or sects) among you: examine therefore whether they bring any propositions against faith, (the substance of the Gospel) sanctimony commanded in Gods law, peace, or∣der, charity, and unity: to the end that if we finde any thing in mens perswasions, or any inward suggestions, contrary hereto, wee may conclude them carnal, earthly, sensual, and devillish, and so take course to resist them; which may be by the practice of these following rules.

1. Every day dedicate thy first and thy last waking thoughts to God in earnest and hearty praier, to preserve thee

from temptations, and to guide all thy thoughts, words, and actions, so that waking thou maist walke sincerely in his presence, and sleeping rest confidently in his prote∣ction.

2. Prepare and arme thy selfe against these encounters of tentations with the wholem armour of God: look before hand for tryals: thou hast to resist, flesh and blood, principa∣lities and spiritual wickednesses: it is a conflict by so much more terrible, by how much more hidden, and with an unseen, puissant, unwearied, and restlesse enemy, with whom thou canst have no safe truce: therefore cast before∣hand, like the wise builder, to lay the foundation upon the rocke; against whichn no windes, stormes, or floods can prevaile. The sea-man doth not contrive his shippe for calmes onely, but also against furious storms and rough seas: prepare thee good ground-tackle, theo anchor of the soule, hope to lay hold on Christ (who therefore suffered, and was tempted, that hee might deliver thee from, and in tem∣ptations:) get the ballast of patience, and all things neces∣sary for tryals which thou must, in reason, look for before thou canst make thy port. It were great incogitancy to thinke that Satan, who could not abstaine from tempting Christ (in whom hee found no sinne)p will ever give thee rest from temptations, in whom hee conceives some hopes of prevailing (because some sinnes) to foil and grieve thee, though not to make thee finally his.

3. Watch least yee enter into temptation:q your ad∣versary continually watcheth to destroy you: be not lesse vigilant for your own salvation. Many a man, not mar∣king whether a mischievous temptation carrieth him, hath been surprized and led into some desperate sinnes, which waking hee abhorred and trembled at: looke for more and more assaults: Satan leaveth men sometimes, to returne withr seven worse spirits, that security may destroy them, whom nothing else could.

4. Be not precipitated into any sudden undertaking, but consult with God's Oracles first, and resolve to be directed thereby. Let them be as the cloudy pillar to Israël, where

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that designeth thy stations, or marches, there rest, or thence advance.

5.s Resist the devil and hee will flee: if thou yeeldest, or givest him the least ground, hee is tyrannous:t flee from thy lusts; they are like serpents, there's no safe de∣bate with them, except by fasting and praier: the best way is flight; stop thine ears to the enchanting Syrens; make a u covenant with thine eies,w not to see, that which thou maist not desire in thine heart. Take heed of all incentives and occasions thereto: beware of Tamar's waies, and Deli∣lah's embraces: thex curtisans invitations, and presented opportunities: suspected company, lascivious entertain∣ments, betraying gifts, and whatsoever may lead thee to the pathes of death.

6. As the subtile enemy sets his snares according as hee findeth men inclinable to be taken therewith; (as hath been said) so be thou carefull most to fortifie thy selfe, where thou findest him placing his main batteries: there most care∣fully watch over thy selfe, where hee most frequently as∣saileth thee: and be constant herein; because hee is so in his malice to destroy thee: he sometimes changeth his artifices; now hee cometh like a mischievous fruiterer, with his de∣structive commentaries on the forbidden fruit; sometimes like an holy prophet, with lying visions, to bewitch the foo∣lish and unstable; sometimes like a beguiling courtier, with large promises of worlds of honor and wealth; sometimes hee plaies the pander, shewing a naked Bathsheba; sometimes the secret conspirator, and puts into Judas heart to betray the King of Kings, and presently the executioner, presenting the desperate traitor, an halter to make away himself; the rule therefore is, be careful and search again and again into his gifts,y whatever they are, feare the enemy; as Saul said of David,z See his place where his haunt is—for—hee dealeth very subtilely; he never offereth any good, but for some mischie∣vous end; hee is a great studier of men; where hee findeth a gentle nature, hee tempteth to luxury; where an ambi∣tious, to some high and impious designes; where an angry, to revenge: be thou as cautious, learne thy selfe well,

and where thou art most weake, most fortifie thy selfe a∣gainst him.

7. Take heed of idlenesse, that lazy mother of all evil; a ever set thy selfe about something which is good, that the tempter (as I said) may never finde thee at leisure to enter∣taine him. What fearful advantages found hee on David, in his few houres vacancy to staine so glorious a life?

8. Dally not with temptations; happy shall be hee who dasheth them yong: as Elisha said ofb Jehoram's messenger, Looke when hee cometh, shut the doore, and hold him fast there: is not the sound of his masters feet behinde him? So must we do with Satan's messengers, sent to take away our lives; wee must destroy the cockatrice egges, least breaking out into a fiery serpent, wee cannot overcome it, but say too late, as the Turke of Scanderbeg, this enemy should have been subdued in his minority: a tentation is nourished that houre it is not mastered.

9. Pray constantly and fervently; leade us not into tempta∣tion: oft-times these are a divine revenge on some precedent unrepented sinne: against which the Saintsc usually pray; and if, as often as Satan assaileth, wee could betake our selves to hearty prayers, wee should beat him at his owne weapon, and hee should give us frequent alarms to awaken us to a stronger guard, and occasions of fleeing to the sha∣dow of God's wings. The first enemy that assailed Israël in his way to Canaan, was overcome by prayer: whend Moses held up his hands, Israël prevailed: the greatest of our ene∣mies shall so be repulsed. Mat. 17. 21.

An ejaculation fit to be used asa sonne as thou wakest.

LOrd be merciful unto us: blessed be thy name, as for all thy mer∣cies, so for thy gracious preservation of us this night: continue thy goodnesse to us this day: keep us from sinne and shame: preserve us bo∣dies, soules, and estates: let no evil come neer our dwellings: let not the mischievous tempter gaine any advantage upon us, or ours this day: but direct thou all our thoughts, words, and actions, by the continual pre∣sence of thy holy spirit, that wee may wholly spend this day to thy glory, and our comfort. Preserve the Church, this family, and all those whom thou hast stirred up to shew thy goodnesse to us, or appointed to re∣ceive it of us: blesse us all, and keepe us this day, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN.

After thou hast strictly examined thy con∣science, what good dueties thou hast omitted, or what evil thou hast done in the day, and hast heartily repented of the sin: compose thy last waking thoughts with such an ejacu∣lation.

LOrd forgive us all our sinnes and failings this day: seal up our re∣demption by thy good spirit the comforter of thine elect: give us that peace of conscience which may cause us to rest securely on thy mercies: let our sleep be re••reshing and comfortable unto us: restrain the enemy that he may neither perplexe nor disturb it: Lord, whose providence sleepth not, preserve us, and ours, sleeping, waking, living and dying, that in every estate it may appeare wee are thine, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN.

The prayer of a wounded spirit against temptations.

O Lord God Almighty, all-seeing examiner of the heart and reines, who knowest before wee aske; what wee have need of; who by thy holy spirit helpest our infirmities, who know not what to pray as wee ought, and thereby makest requests for us according to thy will with nnutterable groanes which thou only understandest: helpe my infirmities, endite my praiers, and restraine the busie malice of the tempter. Direct my praiers as incense in thy sight; let them come into thy presence through Jesus Christ our onely redeemer and advo∣cate. Trueth it is, O Lord, that all things shall worke together for the best to them that love thee, and are called according to thy purpose, for thou hast said it; and that it shall be good for mee which thou doest to mee: I am confident, O my God, that it shall once appeare that it is happy for mee that I have been in trouble, when after the tryal of my faith, and exercise of my patience, thou shalt give mee the quiet fruits of righteousnesse. I beleeve that they shall not finally miscarry who trust in thy mercy: this is the voice of my faith in thee, whom I beleeve and know to be the God of trueth: but, O Lord, thou best knowest, that I am also fraile flesh and blood, full of infirmities, feares, doubtings, and failings, because mine iniquities have taken such hold on mee, that I cannot looke up: they are more in number then the haires of my head, so that my heart faileth mee: neither have I to deale with flesh and blood onely: Lord thou knowest those unseen powers of darknesse, which wth restlesse encounters assault my soule to destroy it: O Lord God of my salvation, be not thou farre from mee: shew thy power, and deli∣••iver mee from the messengers of Satan, which are too mighty for mee: rescue mee, bridle their insolent malice; binde the st••ong man, and de∣liver thy vessel from his usurping tyranny, that I may in every faculty of my soule serve and please thee: pardon all my sinnes for thy holy sonne Jesus sake who died for mee: heale my wounded soule, which hath (to the present sorrow of my heart) so often sinned against thee: hide not thy face from mee in the time of my trouble: forget not my bitter affliction which maketh mee goe mourning all the day long, while the insul∣ting

enemy oppresseth mee: thou art my King, command deli∣verances: I am poore and needy, destitute of helpe and strength to resist Satan's fiery darts: put thy whole armour upon mee, that I may be able to stand: arise for my helpe, O thou Preser∣ver of men: redeeme mee from the devouring lyons mouth: for for thy mercy sake thinke upon mee: make haste to helpe mee; make no long tarrying, O my God: suffer mee not for any tryals to fall from thee: lay no more upon mee, then thou wilt give mee strength, patience, and perseverance to beare cheerfully: con∣firme mee unto my end, that I may be blamelesse unto the day of our Lord Christ: give mee a blessed effect of, and issue out of every tryal; that the more thou permittest mee hereto, the more certaine experience I may have of thy mercy, and the greater as∣surance that thou wilt never faile mee, nor forsake mee, that I may (through him who hath by suffering vanquished death, hell, and him who had the power of death) overcome all these spiritual wic∣kednesses, which fight against my soule. I have trusted onely in thy mercy, holy Father, who hast ordained strength in the mouths of babes and in••••••s, strengthen mee unto the end, that my heart may rejoyce in the salvation: spare mee that I may recover my strength: put thou a new song into my mouth, that I may praise thee for my deliverance, and declare unto afflicted sinners, what thou hast done for my soule. Lord heare mee, and have mercy upon mee; Lord who art ever more ready to give, then wee can be to aske, deny not the requests of a poore sinful soule, crying unto thee for Jesus Christ his sake our only Lord and Saviour.

AMEN.

Notes

• §. I.
• a

  1 Pet. 1. 6.
• b

  Tentatio est experimenti sumptio de eo quo l tentatur, &c. T. Aquin, 2••. q. 97. a. 10.
• c

  Suggerere potest, ••ogere non potest. Chrysost. in Matth. Hoc tantum potest, quod egit in principio, seducere & abstrahere mentem, &c. Irenae. l. 5. c. 3.
• d

  Jam. 1. 2, 12.
• e

  Sicut ergo peccatum in ••o non est: ità peccatum ex eo non est. Fulg. de praedest▪ ad Monim l. 1.
• f

  Nec sibi qu••squam in∣notescit, nisi rentatus. Aug. in Psal. 60.
• g

  Tentat Deus ut doceat, ten∣tat Diabo••us ut perdat.
• h

  Tentat in nos conserre quae sua sunt. Minuc. Fel. Octav.
• i

  1 Chro•• 28. 9.
• k

  2 King. 16. 10, &c.
• l

  Mat 4 1. Luke 4. 2.
• m

  Hebr. 2. 1••.
• n

  Hebr. 4. 15. Luke 22. 28.
• o

  1 Pet. 1. 7.
• p

  Iob 23. 10,
• q

  1 Cor. 10. 13.
• r

  2. Pet. 2. 9.
• s

  Rev. 2. 10.
• t

  Nullum sine hoste certamen Leo. serm. 25. Nemo prae∣mium percipit ante exper••∣••••cutum, M••n. ••el.
• u

  Peccati con∣scientia, & met••s poenaere ligio si••rom f••¦cit, & semner mult•• firmior est sides qu••m reponit poeni∣tentia, Lact. l 5. c. 13.
• w

  Tanquam captivos & victos praete∣rit hos pergit l••cessere in quibus Chri∣stum vidit ha∣bita••e. Cypr.
• x

  Eos pulsare negligit, quos quieto iure se poss••••ere sen∣lit. Gregor. hom. 2.
• y

  Luke 11. 21
• z

  2. Sam. 5. 6.
• a

  2 Cor. 12
• b

  Heb. 4. 15.
• c

  Gal. 5. 17.
• d

  Ezra 3. 13
• e

  Nec t••m de∣sivi à vitiis, quàm coepi vesle desinere. Hier. l. 1. ep. 40.
• f

  Rev. 20. 1, 2, 3.
• g

  2 Cor. 12. 9
• §. II.
• h

  2 Cor. 12. Gal, 5. 20.
• i

  1 Ioh. 5. 1.
• k

  Deut. 13. 3.
• l

  1 Cor. 11. 19
• §. III.
• m

  Eph. 6. 1••.
• n

  Matth. 7.
• o

  Hebr. 6.
• p

  Mat. 26. 41.
• q

  1 Pet. 5. 8.
• r

  Luk 11. 26.
• s

  Jam▪ 4. 7
• t

  2 Tim. 2. 22
• u

  Iob 31. 1.
• w

  Pro. 6 25. As Pericles told Sopbocles, a Governour must not only have his hands but also his eies cleane. Plutar Per.
• x

  Pro. 7, 14.
• y

  Quicquid id est metus Danaös, & dona ferentes.
• z

  1 Sam. 23. 22.
• a

  Chap. 18. § 4: 9.
• b

  2 King. 6. 32.
• c

  Psal. 27 9. Psal. 119▪ 10.
• d

  Exod. 17.
• a

  Primitias vigiliarum ••u∣arum ••hristo dicato: pri∣mitias octuum tuorum Chri∣sto immola. Ambros. de Virg. l. 3.