tudes to walk; the multird against, or thou wilt be cannot deliver thee. Is it han to wander into crooked go to heaven alone than to suffice for the present; and you, other arguments will eep souls off from holy exof vain thoughts, whilst ing on God; and by this in heavenly services, and souls from religious perno heart to pray, nor no saints, &c. Satan doth so ng in such a multitude of nd my own soul, &c., that od in any religious service. do so distaste my soul, and 1, that they even make me Oh! I cannot be so raised uickened and enlarged, so I might be, and as I would multitude of vain thoughts, oul, &c.2 ng. Satan are these: his device of Satan is, To the greatness, holinesss, hom you stand, and with services. Oh! let your souls ty, and majesty of that God ld be afraid of playing with Ah! when men have od, in their drawing near to f, and to cast in a multitude e soul in its waiting on God. much to the keeping out of omniscient God, an omnill of all glorious perfections, vill not suffer him to behold blessed saints and glorious ne vain thought is, because crucible, hazard his immortal soul, steps that lead to the chambers of ntur; Lord, now how fain would I camp by persuasion, he cast him- they are greatly affected with the greatness, ho and glory of God. Remedy (2). The second remedy against this be peremptory in religious services, notwithst dering thoughts the soul is troubled with. T against them for the soul to be resolute in w it be troubled with vain thoughts or not; t still, and hear still, and meditate still, and ke saints still. Many precious souls can say from their souls have been peremptory in their wait hath left them, and hath not been so busy in vain thoughts. When Satan perceives that thoughts that he casts into the soul do but ve diligence, carefulness, watchfulness, and perer heavenly services, and that the soul loses not and devotion, but doubles his care, diligence, an ceases to interpose his trifles and vain thoughts Christ, when Christ was peremptory in resistin Remedy (3). The third remedy against this consider this, That those vain and trifling tho our souls, when we are waiting upon God in service, if they be not cherished and indulged and disclaimed, they are not sins upon our be troubles to our minds; they shall not be F nor keep mercies and blessings from being en soul in uprightness can look God in the face, approach near unto thee, there be a world o in upon me, that do disturb my soul, and weak my comfort and spiritual strength. Oh, these a my torment, my hell! Oh, do justice upon th that I may serve thee with more freeness, single sweetness of spirit. These thoughts may vex not harm that soul, nor keep a blessing fro thoughts resisted and lamented could stop the render a soul unhappy, there would be none on taste of mercy, or be everlastingly happy. Remedy (4). The fourth remedy against t solemnly to consider, That watching against ing of sinful thoughts, lamenting and weepin carries with it the sweetest and strongest evid power of grace, and of the sincerity of your he and the surest way to be rid of them, Ps. cxxx carnal considerations may work men to watch their actions; as hope of gain, or to please frier the world, and many other such like considerat 1 It is a rule in the civil law, Nec videtur actum, si quia seems to be done, if there remains aught to be done. Si a thou sayest it is enough, thou art undone, saith Augustin It is not Satan casting in of vain thoughts that can l undo the soul, but the lodging and cherishing of vain thou shall vain thoughts lodge within thee?' Jer, iv. 14; Heb. pass through the best hearts, they are lodged and cherish our thoughts, to weep and lament over them, &c., this must needs be from some noble, spiritual, and internal principle, as love to God, a holy fear of God, a holy care and delight to please the Lord, &c.1 The schools do well observe, that outward sins are of greater infamy, majoris infamiæ; but inward heart sins are of greater guilt, majoris reatus; as we see in the devil's. There is nothing that so speaks out a man to be thoroughly and kindly wrought upon, as his having his thoughts to be 'brought into obedience,' as the apostle speaks, 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. Grace is grown up to a very great height in that soul where it prevails, to the subduing of those vain thoughts that walk up and down in the soul." Well! though you cannot be rid of them, yet make resistance and opposition against the first risings of them. When sinful thoughts arise, then think thus, The Lord takes notice of these thoughts; he knows them afar off,' as the Psalmist speaks, Ps. xxxviii. 6. He knew Herod's bloody thoughts, and Judas his betraying thoughts, and the Pharisees' cruel and blasphemous thoughts afar off. Oh! think thus: All these sinful thoughts, they defile and pollute the soul, they deface and spoil much of the inward beauty and glory of the soul. If I commit this or that sin, to which my thoughts incline me, then either I must repent or not repent; if I repent, it will cost me more grief, sorrow, shame, heart-breaking, and soul-bleeding, before my conscience will be quieted, divine justice pacified, my comfort and joy restored, my evidences cleared, and my pardon in the court of conscience sealed, than the imagined profit or seeming sensual pleasure can be worth: What fruit had you in those things whereof you are now ashamed,' Rom. vi. 21.4 If I never repent, oh! then my sinful thoughts will be scorpions that will eternally vex me, the rods that will eternally lash me, the thorns that will everlastingly prick me, the dagger that will be eternally a-stabbing me, the worm that will be for ever a-gnawing me! Oh! therefore, watch against them, be constant in resisting them, and in lamenting and weeping over them, and then they shall not hurt thee, though they may for a time trouble thee. And remember this, he that doth this doth more than the most glistering and blustering hypocrite in the world doth." Remedy (5). The fifth remedy against this device of Satan is, To labour more and more to be filled with the fulness of God, and to be enriched with all spiritual and heavenly things. What is the reason that the angels in heaven have not so much as an idle thought? It is because they are filled with the fulness of God, Eph. iii. 19.6 Take it for an experienced truth, the more the soul is filled with the fulness of God and enriched with spiritual and heavenly things, the less room 1 Thoughts are the first-born, the blossoms of the soul, the beginning of our strength, whether for good or evil, and they are the greatest evidences for or against a man that can be. 2 Ps. cxxxix. 23; Isa. lix. 7, lxvi. 18; Mat. ix. 4. xii. 25. Zeno, a wise heathen, affirmed God even beheld the thoughts. Mat. xv. 15-18. 4 Tears instead of gems were the ornaments of David's bed when he had sinned; and so they must be thine, or else thou must lie down in the bed of sorrow for ever. 5 Inward bleeding kills many a man; so will sinful thoughts, if not repented of. 6 The words are an Hebraism. The Hebrews, when they would set out many excellent things, they add the name of God to it: city of God, cedars of God, wrestlings of God. So here, 'That ye may be filled with the fulness of God.' hem, &c., this must needs principle, as love to God, a please the Lord, &c.1 The of greater infamy, majoris ter guilt, majoris reatus; t so speaks out a man to be having his thoughts to be ks, 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. Grace is l where it prevails, to the up and down in the soul." ake resistance and opposisinful thoughts arise, then oughts; he knows them ii. 6. He knew Herod's oughts, and the Pharisees' Oh! think thus: All these soul, they deface and spoil e soul. If I commit this e, then either I must ret me more grief, sorrow, efore my conscience will ort and joy restored, my urt of conscience sealed, 1 pleasure can be worth of you are now ashamed,' ghts will be scorpions that his device of Satan is, To 6 1, the beginning of our strength, ences for or against a man that 25. e thoughts. Mat. xv. 15-18. id's bed when he had sinned; n the bed of sorrow for ever. houghts, if not repented of. they would set out many exod, cedars of God, wrestlings of of God.' there is in that soul for vain thoughts. The fu the less room there is for water. Oh, then, 1 Christ, of precious promises, and choice experi then you will be less troubled with vain thou of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth xii. 35. Remedy (6). The sixth remedy against thi keep up holy and spiritual affections; for are, such will be your thoughts. 'Oh how I meditation all the day,' Ps. cxix. 97. What muse upon. When I awake, I am still wit That which we much like, we shall much mi quent in their love to God and his law, will b God and his law: a child will not forget his n Remedy (7). The seventh remedy against To avoid multiplicity of worldly business. take up your hearts and thoughts at other tim in pieces with the cares of the world will be mented with vain thoughts in all their app thoughts will be still crowding in upon him. business. The stars which have least circui and men that are least perplexed with busines to God. The eighth device that Satan hath to hind services, from holy performances, is, Device (8). By working them to rest in rest in prayer, and to rest in hearing, readin of saints, &c. And when Satan hath drawn t service done, then he will help the soul to wert as good never pray, as to pray and rest i hear, as to hear and rest in hearing; as good munion of saints, as to rest in the communion device he stops many souls in their heavenly souls from those services that should be th lviii. 1-3, Zech. vii. 4-6, Mat. vi. 2, Rom. i. 7 all Now the remedies against this device are th Remedy (1). The first remedy against this dwell much upon the imperfections and we your choicest services. Oh the spots, the blot to be seen on the face of our fairest duties !2 all thou canst, thou hast need to close into judgment with thy servant, O Lord,' Ps nesses that cleave to my best services. We church, All our righteousnesses are as a mens If God should be strict to mark what is done & we are undone. Oh the water that is ming dross that cleaves unto our gold! up Remedy (2). The second remedy against this device of Satan is, to consider The impotence and inability of any of your best services, divinely to comfort, refresh, and bear your souls up from fainting, and sinking in the days of trouble, when darkness is round about you, when God shall say to you, as he did once to the Israelites, Go and cry unto the gods that you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your tribulation,' Judges x. 14. So, when God shall say in the day of your troubles, Go to your prayers, to your hearing, and to your fasting, &c., and see if they can help you, if they can support you, if they can deliver you.' If God in that day doth but withhold the influence of his grace, thy former services will be but poor cordials to comfort thee; and then thou must and will cry out, Oh, 'none but Christ, none but Christ.' Oh my prayers are not Christ, my hearing is not Christ, my fasting is not Christ, &c. Oh! one smile of Christ, one glimpse of Christ, one good word from Christ, one nod of love from Christ in the day of trouble and darkness, will more revive and refresh the soul than all your former services, in which your souls rested, as if they were the bosom of Christ, which should be the only centre of our souls. Christ is the crown of crowns, the glory of glories, and the heaven of heavens. Remedy (3). The third remedy against this device of Satan is, solemnly to consider, That good things rested upon will as certainly undo us, and everlastingly destroy us, as the greatest enormities that can be committed by us. Those souls that after they have done all, do not look up so high as Christ, and rest, and centre alone in Christ, laying down their services at the footstool of Christ, must lie down in sorrow; their bread is prepared for them in hell. Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, compass yourselves with the sparks: and walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks ye have kindled. This shall ye have at mine hands; ye shall lie down in sorrow,' Isa. 1. 11. Is it good dwelling with everlasting burnings, with a devouring fire? If it be, why then rest in your duties still; if otherwise, then see that you centre only in the bosom of Christ. Remedy (4). The fourth remedy against this device of Satan is, To dwell much upon the necessity and excellency of that resting-place that God hath provided for you. Above all other resting-places himself is your resting-place; his free mercy and love is your resting-place; the pure, glorious, matchless, and spotless righteousness of Christ is your resting-place. Ah! it is sad to think, that most men have forgotten their resting-place, as the Lord complains: 'My people have been as lost sheep, their shepherds have caused them to go astray, and have turned them away to the mountains: they are gone from mountain to hill, and forgotten their resting-place,' Jer. 1. 6. So poor souls that see not the excellency of that resting-place that God hath appointed for their souls to lie down in, they wander from mountain to hill, from one duty to another, and here they will rest and there they will rest; but souls that see the excellency of that resting-place that God hath provided for them, they will say, Farewell prayer, farewell hearing, farewell fasting, &c., I will rest no more in you, but now I will rest 1 Omne bonum in summo bono, all good is in the chiefest good. Nec Christus, nec cælum patitur hyperbolem. this device of Satan is, to any of your best services, our souls up from faintwhen darkness is round did once to the Israelites, nosen; let them save you 4. So, when God shall say yers, to your hearing, and you, if they can support at day doth but withhold es will be but poor cordials ill cry out, Oh, 'none but re not Christ, my hearing Oh! one smile of Christ, hrist, one nod of love from ill more revive and refresh ich your souls rested, as if be the only centre of our glory of glories, and the this device of Satan is, d upon will as certainly e greatest enormities that after they have done all, and centre alone in Christ, of Christ, must lie down in hell. Behold, all ye that sparks: and walk in the ve kindled. This shall ye orrow,' Isa. 1. 11. Is it good devouring fire? If it be, erwise, then see that you at this device of Satan is, To llency of that resting-place all other resting-places himand love is your resting-place; s righteousness of Christ is ak, that most men have forplains: 'My people have been them to go astray, and have ey are gone from mountain Jer. 1 6. So poor souls that ce that God hath appointed from mountain to hill, from est and there they will rest; resting-place that God hath ell prayer, farewell hearing, in you, but now I will rest chiefest good. Nec Christus, nee only in the bosom of Christ, the love of Ch Christ. III. The third thing to be shewed is, The several devices that Satan hath to kee ing, questioning, and uncomfortable condit Though he can never rob a believer of h malice and envy, that he will leave no stone attempted, to rob them of their comfort and a burden and a hell unto them, to cause the sorrow and mourning, in sighing and comp questioning. Surely we have no interest in C true, our hopes are the hopes of hypocrites presumption, our enjoyments are our delusion I shall shew you this in some particulars, & Device 1. The first device that Satan hath doubting, and questioning condition, and so is, By causing them to be still poring and mind their sins more than their Saviour; y as to forget, yea, to neglect their Saviour; that 'The Lord is not in all their thoughts,' Ps. fixed upon their disease, that they cannot se be near; and they do so muse upon their debt mind nor heart to think of their Surety, &c.2 Now the remedies against this device are th Remedy (1). The first remedy is for wea That though Jesus Christ hath not freed the sin, yet he hath freed them from the damnato most true that sin and grace were never born sin and grace die together; yet while a b world, they must live together, they must Christ in this life will not free any believer fr one sin, though he doth free every believer fr of every sin. 'There is no condemnation to Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after The law cannot condemn a believer, for Ch him; divine justice cannot condemn him, fo fied; his sins cannot condemn him, for they in pardoned; and his own conscience, upon rig condemn him, because Christ, that is greater t acquitted him.3 Remedy (2). The second remedy against thi S 1 Blessed Bradford, in one of his epistles, saith thus, ' feel it so with me, as if there were no difference between have a blind mind as they, a stout, stubborn, rebellious h goes on, &c [A frequent plaint by this holy man. mainly of Letters,' by Townsend (Parker Society), 1858 2 A Christian should wear Christ in his bosom as a flow paradise of delight. He that minds not Christ more than and fruitful as he should. Peccata enim non nocent, si non placent, my sins hur Sin is like that wild fig-tree, or ivy in the wall; cut branches, yet some strings or other will sprout out again, |