The Remedy against Satan's distracting us in God's Worship, is, that of Christ's own prescribing, Matth. 26.41. Watch and Pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Stand upon your guard, give no heed to ⟨p. 119⟩his suggestions. As you run to the water with the bucket, to quench a spark of fire in the thatch; so drop a tear of contrition upon this spark of temptation. *Treat not with these thoughts, but dismiss them unregarded, and by some short ejaculation call in thy friend, to countermine thine enemy. And still watch and pray. And pray and watch, and always remember, that we have as much need of the strength of Christ for assistance, as the merit of Christ for acceptance in every duty. And be sure to cast out his injections with disdain and hatred. Nam superbus est spiritus, *& non patitur contemptum. He is a very proud piece, and cannot endure contempt. The stronger is your resistance, the longer will he stay away; and the more you hate his motions, the less mind he'll have to offer them. The devil is like that Sanballat, Nehem. 6.2. &c. that sent to Nehemiah, who was busy in the work of the Lord; And I (saith Nehemiah) sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease, whilst I leave it and come down to you? Yet they sent messengers unto me four times after this sort, and I answered ⟨p. 120⟩them after the same manner. Come, says Satan, let's meet and confer, here's a notion and here's a business, you must needs discuss this. Nay, say thou, I am doing a great work for Eternity. As that gallant Painter, being demanded a reason of his exact curiosity in his work, answered, Pingo eternitati, I paint to last for eternity. So, I am doing a work for eternity, I am pleading the cause that runs for life or death; so that I cannot hearken to thee. Why should my great work cease, while I leave it and come down? Alas, this business will go no farther than it's lifted at. I am rowing upon a River, if I trifle or nod a little, I go down again*. I have a business on the wheel, that cannot be le•t a minute. If I look away, my iron burns, and I suffer loss. Yet he'll send messengers over and over again, as Sanballat did; but still answer them after the same manner. Discourage him, and break his heart with thine obstinate resolution; Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
The Remedy against Satan's distracting us in God's Worship, is, that of Christ's own prescribing, Matth. 26.41. Watch and Pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Stand upon your guard, give no heed to ⟨p. 119⟩his suggestions. As you run to the water with the bucket, to quench a spark of fire in the thatch; so drop a tear of contrition upon this spark of temptation. *Treat not with these thoughts, but dismiss them unregarded, and by some short ejaculation call in thy friend, to countermine thine enemy. And still watch and pray. And pray and watch, and always remember, that we have as much need of the strength of Christ for assistance, as the merit of Christ for acceptance in every duty. And be sure to cast out his injections with disdain and hatred. Nam superbus est spiritus, *& non patitur contemptum. He is a very proud piece, and cannot endure contempt. The stronger is your resistance, the longer will he stay away; and the more you hate his motions, the less mind he'l have to offer them. The devil is like that Sanballat, Nehem. 6.2. &c. that sent to Nehemia, who was busie in the work of the Lord; And I (saith Nehemia) sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease, whilst I leave it and come down to you? Yet they sent messengers unto me four times after this sort, and I answered ⟨p. 120⟩them after the same manner. Come, says Satan, let's meet and confer, here's a notion and here's a business, you must needs discuss this. Nay, say thou, I am doing a great work for Eternity. As that gallant Painter, being demanded a reason of his exact curiosity in his work, answered, Pingo eternitati, I paint to last for eternity. So, I am doing a work for eternity, I am pleading the cause that runs for life or death; so that I cannot hearken to thee. Why should my great work cease, while I leave it and come down? Alas, this business will go no farther than it's lifted at. I am rowing upon a River, if I trifle or nod a little, I go down again*. I have a business on the wheel, that cannot be le•t a minute. If I look away, my iron burns, and I suffer loss. Yet he'l send messengers over and over again, as Sanballat did; but still answer them after the same manner. Discourage him, and break his heart with thine obstinate resolution; Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- *Nam ipsum advertere & examinare istas cogitationes, evagari est. Itaque te babeas quosi eas nod aspicere dig•••is. Alvarez.
- *Luther.
- *It is said, Gen. 15.11. when the fouls did light, Abraham drove them away; not when they were sitting or feeding upon the carcasses, but as soon as ever they lighted. We must not give place to these thoughts, no not for a moment. Mr. White, of vain thoughts.It is said, Gen. 15.11. when the fouls did light, Abraham drove them away; not when they were sitting or feeding upon the carkasses, but as soon as ever they lighted. We must not give place to these thoughts, no not for a moment. Mr. White, of vain thoughts.
