The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emanuel College in CambridgeThe works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge

LUKE 22.31, 32. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold,¹ Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.

1. 1Preached at Stepney Oct. 17 1647.

YE find that these words hold forth the relation of a great storm of temptation coming down upon Christ's Disciples: The Danger of it. And the Remedy against it. Of the Danger somewhat ye heard from the 31. verse. And now I am to speak unto the 32. verse. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.

YE find that these words hold forth the relation of a great storme of temptation coming down upon Christ's Disciples: The Danger of it. And the Remedy against it. Of the Danger somewhat ye heard from the 31. verse. And now I am to speak unto the 32. verse. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.

Here is somewhat Implied; and somewhat Expressed: Implied, Satan's Design, and his great Design upon their faith. Expressed, Christs love and care, his special love and care over them, and towards them in this temptation. As if he should say thus, Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to tempt you; not only thee, but all my Disciples: the temptation is great, and in this temptation, his great design is upon your faith: but I have spoken unto my Father, and your Father, that your faith may not fail. So that hence you may observe thus much: That in the time of temptation, Doct. Satan's great Design is upon the faith of the Saints, to make their faith fail.

Here is somewhat Implied; and somwhat Exprest: Implied, Satans Design, and his great Design upon their faith. Exprest, Christs love and care, his special love and care over them, and towards them in this temptation. As if he should say thus, Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to tempt you; not only thee, but all my Disciples: the temptation is great, and in this temptation, his great design is upon your faith: but I have spoken unto my Father, and your Father, that your faith may not fail. So that hence you may observe thus much: That in the time of temptation, Doct. Satans great Design is upon the faith of the Saints, to make their faith fail.

For the further clearing, and opening of these words, and of this Truth; I shall labour to show you.

For the further clearing, and opening of these words, and of this Truth; I shall labour to shew you.

First, What it is for to fail in our faith: and how far the Saints may fail in their faith in time of temptation. Secondly, What an evil thing it is for the Saints to fail in their faith in time of temptation. Thirdly, That Satan's great design in all his temptations, is upon our faith. Fourthly, How Satan labours to weaken our faith in the time of temptation: what strokes he gives unto our faith, and how we shall be able to bare off those blows in the time of temptation that so our faith fail not?

First, What it is for to fail in our faith: and how far the Saints may fail in their faith in time of temptation. Secondly, What an evilthing it is for the Saints to faile in their faith in time of temptation. Thirdly, That Satans great design in all his temptations, is upon our faith. Fourthly, How Satan labours to weaken our faith in the time of temptation: what strokes he gives unto our faith, and how we shall be able to bare off those blows in the time of temptation that so our faith fail not?

If ye ask me, Quest. 1 What it is for to fail in faith here?

If ye aske me, Quest. 1 What it is for to fail in faith here?

The word in the Original signifies, Answ. ¹an Eclipse, as the Eclipse of the Sun, or of the Moon: and the words may be so translated, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith be not Eclipsed. But according to the ordinary acception of that word Eclipse, Peters faith did fail, for it was much Eclipsed. The word signifies also, a total defect, such as Judas made, who of a Disciple became an Enemy, a Traitor; and in stead of believing, fell to despair: and so Peters faith did not fail. A mans faith is said to fail, Either when it falls short of what it hath been, or what it should be; and in both these respects Peters faith did fail: It fell short of what it had been, it fell short of what it should be. But there is a Two fold failing in faith: One in regard of the Acting and Exercise of faith; and another in regard of the grace of faith it self. In regard of the Acting, Working, and Exercise of faith, Peters faith did fail: but in regard of the grace it self, so it failed not. The Lutherans, they say and contend much for it, That a regenerate mans faith ⟨p. 265⟩may fail totally, and finally in time of temptation: and so they say, that Peters faith failed here, when he denied his Lord and Master; because it is said in the next words, When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. As if his faith had failed so far, as he should need a new conversion. But that word translated, When thou art converted, (as divers of the learned do well observe) may be translated,² Again, thus: I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not: and do thou strengthen thy brethren again: do thou return to that work again. And so you have the same word used in the Septuagint, translated in the 58. Psalm, at the 6. verse. Wilt thou not revive us again? The word in the Hebrew is thus: Wilt thou not convert, or turn unto us, and revive us? which we translate, Wilt thou not revive us again? And so the words here may be translated, (being an Hebraism) But do thou strengthen thy brethren again. But suppose that the words stand according to their present translation, it does not argue, that Peter did fail totally in this temptation: for, the whole life of a Christian here, is a continual converting, and turning to God: We repent, and repent again; turn, and we turn again. Every day we turn unto God yet more and more; every day brings forth another conversion:

The word in the Original signifies, Answ. ¹an Eclipse, as the Eclipse of the Sun, or of the Moon: and the words may be so translated, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith be not Eclipsed. But according to the ordinary acception of that word Eclipse, Peters faith did fail, for it was much Eclipsed. The word signifies also, a total defect, such as Judas made, who of a Disciple became an Enemy, a Traitour; and in stead of beleeving, fell to despair: and so Peters faith did not faile. A mans faith is said to faile, Either when it fals short of what it hath been, or what it should be; and in both these respects Peters faith did fail: It fell short of what it had been, it fell short of what it should be. But there is a Two fold failing in faith: One in regard of the Acting and Exercise of faith; and another in regard of the grace of faith it self. In regard of the Acting, Working, and Exercise of faith, Peters faith did fail: but in regard of the grace it self, so it failed not. The Lutherans, they say and contend much for it, That a regenerate mans faith ⟨p. 265⟩may fail totally, and finally in time of temptation: and so they say, that Peters faith failed here, when he denied his Lord and Master; because it is said in the next words, When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. As if his faith had failed so far, as he should need a new conversion. But that word translated, When thou art converted, (as divers of the learned do well observe) may be translated,² Again, thus: I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not: and do thou strengthen thy brethren again: do thou return to that work again. And so you have the same word used in the Septuagint, translated in the 58. Psalm, at the 6. verse. Wilt thou not revive us again? The word in the Hebrew is thus: Wilt thou not convert, or turn unto us, and revive us? which we translate, Wilt thou not revive us again? And so the words here may be translated, (being an Hebraisme) But do thou strengthen thy brethren again. But suppose that the words stand according to their present translation, it does not argue, that Peter did fail totally in this temptation: for, the whole life of a Christian here, is a continual converting, and turning to God: We repent, and repent again; turn, and we turn again. Every day we turn unto God yet more and more; every day brings forth another conversion:

1. 1[Greek or Hebrew]〈non-Latin alphabet〉
2. 2[Greek or Hebrew]〈non-Latin alphabet〉

yet not so, as if the former conversion were made void. And if the faith of a believer would fail totally in the time of a temptation; what should be the meaning of those words, in the 1. of Joh. 5. Chapter, and the 18. verse. We know, that whosoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not: The wicked one: that is Satan, he toucheth him not. But now, if Satan could tempt a godly man, and prevail so far in his temptation, as to make his faith fail totally, then he would touch him to the purpose: but (says the text) he keeps himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not: and therefore his faith cannot fail totally, a regenerate mans faith cannot fail totally. And ye know what is said, in that 7. of Matthew at the 24. and 25. verses. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doth ⟨p. 266⟩them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which hath built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell not, because it was founded upon a rock. Now every Believer is founded upon a rock, (Christ) and therefore, though the rain descend, and the floods come, and the winds blow, and temptations be never so great, he cannot fail totally, because he is built upon a rock. In the 13. of Matthew, ye know it is made the property of the false ground, that in the time of temptation it fell away: Now if the good ground (a regenerate man) should fall away in the time of temptation; what difference were there between the false ground, & the good ground? Plainly therefore, the Scripture holds forth this truth unto us, That a regenerate man, a Believer, though his faith may fail much, yet it does not fail totally in time of temptation. And thus Peters faith failed, and thus it failed not: In regard of the Exercise, and Acting of his faith, it did fail; but in regard of the grace it self, faith it self, so it failed not: and so it is, and may be with others of the Saints also.

yet not so, as if the former conversion were made void. And if the faith of a beleever would fail totally in the time of a temptation; what should be the meaning of those words, in the 1. of Joh. 5. Chapter, and the 18. verse. We know, that whosoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not: The wicked one: that is Satan, he toucheth him not. But now, if Satan could tempt a godly man, and prevail so far in his temptation, as to make his faith fail totally, then he would touch him to the purpose: but (saies the text) he keeps himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not: and therefore his faith cannot fail totally, a regenerate mans faith cannot fail totally. And ye know what is said, in that 7. of Matthew at the 24. and 25. verses. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doth ⟨p. 266⟩them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which hath built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the flouds came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell not, because it was founded upon a rock. Now every Beleever is founded upon a rock, (Christ) and therefore, though the rain descend, and the flouds come, and the winds blow, and temptations be never so great, he cannot fail totally, because he is built upon a rock. In the 13. of Matthew, ye know it is made the property of the false ground, that in the time of temptation it fell away: Now if the good ground (a regenerate man) should fall away in the time of temptation; what difference were there between the false ground, & the good ground? Plainly therefore, the Scripture holds forth this truth unto us, That a regenerate man, a Beleever, though his faith may fail much, yet it does not fail totally in time of temptation. And thus Peters faith failed, and thus it failed not: In regard of the Exercise, and Acting of his faith, it did fail; but in regard of the grace it self, faith it self, so it failed not: and so it is, and may be with others of the Saints also.

Secondly: Quest. 2 If the faith of a believer do only fail in regard of the Acting, Exercise, and Working thereof, What great inconvenience is there, or evil in the failing of his faith?

Secondly: Quest. 2 If the faith of a beleever do only fail in regard of the Acting, Exercise, and Working thereof, What great inconvenience is there, or evil in the failing of his faith?

Much, (my beloved) very much: Answ. For though that faith fail only in regard of the Acting, Exercise, and working, he does lose an opportunity of glorifying God. 'Tis said of Abraham, That he believed, and gave glory to God. Faith gives glory to God: it glorifies his Power, his Mercy, his Faithfulness, and his Wisdom; not faith in the Habit, but faith in the Exercise of it glorifies God: and so much as a mans faith doth fail, in the Acting, Working, and Exercise of it, so much he loseth an opportunity of glorifying God.

Much, (my beloved) very much: Answ. For though that faith fail only in regard of the Acting, Exercise, and working, he does lose an opportunity of glorifying God. 'Tis said of Abraham, That he beleeved, and gave glory to God. Faith gives glory to God: it glorifies his Power, his Mercy, his Faithfulness, and his Wisdom; not faith in the Habit, but faith in the Exercise of it glorifies God: and so much as a mans faith doth fail, in the Acting, Working, and Exercise of it, so much he loseth an opportunity of glorifying God.

Moreover, He loses his own Comfort. Faith is a Comforting grace. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. And in the 15. to the Romans, and the 13. verse, ye find, That Joy and Peace grows upon faith: Now the God of hope, ⟨p. 267⟩fill ye with all Joy and Peace in believing. So much as a man does believe, so much Joy and Peace: if a man fail in the Exercise of his faith, he does lose his Comfort.

Moreover, He loses his own Comfort. Faith is a Comforting grace. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. And in the 15. to the Romans, and the 13. verse, ye find, That Joy and Peace grows upon faith: Now the God of hope, ⟨p. 267⟩fill ye with all Joy and Peace in beleeving. So much as a man does beleeve, so much Joy and Peace: if a man fail in the Exercise of his faith, he does lose his Comfort.

Yea, hereby also, he does lose his present prize. A Christian hath a prize in this life; he hath a two-fold crown: A crown of glory in the world to come; and a present crown. And therefore says the Lord unto the Church of Philadelphia, Hold fast that which thou hast, lest another take thy crown. Now if a man do fail in the Exercise of his faith, he does lose much of his present prize. Ye know how it was with Moses and Aron, ye read of it in the 20. chapter of Numbers, and the 12. verse. And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believe me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel; therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have promised them. They were shut out of the land of Canaan for not believing. But Moses & Aaron did not lose the grace of faith, it was only failing in the Exercise of faith; their failing was not in the grace it self, but only they failed, in the Exercise of their faith, and they were shut out of Canaan for it. And Moses besought the Lord earnestly in prayer, that he would reverse this threatening, and it might not be; he was shut out of Canaan, merely for failing in the Exercise of his faith. Oh! what an evil thing is it then, for a Christian to fail in his faith, though it be no more than in the Exercise of his faith.

Yea, hereby also, he does lose his present prize. A Christan hath a prize in this life; he hath a two-fold crown: A crown of glory in the world to come; and a present crown. And therefore saies the Lord unto the Church of Philadelphia, Hold fast that which thou hast, lest another take thy crown. Now if a man do fail in the Exercise of his faith, he does lose much of his present prize. Ye know how it was with Moses and Aron, ye reade of it in the 20. chapter of Numbers, and the 12. verse. And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye beleeve me not, to sanctifie me in the eyes of the children of Israel; therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have promised them. They were shut out of the land of Canaan for not beleeving. But Moses & Araon did not lose the grace of faith, it was only failing in the Exercise of faith; their failing was not in the grace it self, but only they failed, in the Exercise of their faith, and they were shut out of Canaan for it. And Moses besought the Lord earnestly in prayer, that he would reverse this threatning, and it might not be; he was shut out of Canaan, meerly for failing in the Exercise of his faith. Oh! what an evil thing is it then, for a Christian to fail in his faith, though it be no more than in the Exercise of his faith.

Further, In this failing of ones faith, though but in the Exercise of it; A Christian does lose much of the benefit, and sweetness of the mercy promised. Look as it is with a wicked man, in regard of the judgment threatened; So with a godly man in regard of the mercy promised. Now take a wicked man, and let the threatening of God be fulfilled before him upon others, upon himself; he profits not by Gods judgments. Why? because that he don't exercise faith concerning the threatening; and so when the judgment comes, he profits not by Gods dealing, by Gods judgments, he loses the benefit of Gods dispensations that way. So I say with a godly man: let the promise be fulfilled, and possibly ⟨p. 268⟩he does not find the sweetness, or the benefit of the mercy promised when the promise is fulfilled: Why? because he don't exercise faith in the promise it self. When as the Lord gave Manna, Moses had the sweetness of it, why? because he exercised faith about it: But the children of Israel, they make a tush of it, a light matter of it: why? because they looked upon it in a way of sense, & did not take it in a way of believing, and so they lost the benefit, and sweetness of the mercy promised. Beloved! it is no small matter this, for to lose the benefit, and sweetness of the mercy promised: that a Christian loses by failing in his faith in regard of the Exercise of it; and therefore certainly it is a very evil thing: though their faith fail not in regard of the grace it self, yet if it fail in regard of the work, and the exercise of it, it is a very evil thing, and much inconvenience comes unto the Saints thereby.

Further, In this failing of ones faith, though but in the Exercise of it; A Christian does lose much of the benefit, and sweetness of the mercy promised. Look as it is with a wicked man, in regard of the judgment threatned; So with a godly man in regard of the mercy promised. Now take a wicked man, and let the threatning of God be fulfilled before him upon others, upon himself; he profits not by Gods judgments. Why? because that he don't exercise faith concerning the threatning; and so when the judgment comes, he profits not by Gods dealing, by Gods judgments, he loses the benefit of Gods dispensations that way. So I say with a godly man: let the promise be fulfilled, and possibly ⟨p. 268⟩he does not find the sweetness, or the benefit of the mercy promised when the promise is fulfilled: Why? because he don't exercise faith in the promise it self. When as the Lord gave Manna, Moses had the seetness of it, why? because he exercised faith about it: But the children of Israel, they make a tush of it, a light matter of it: why? because they look't upon it in a way of sence, & did not take it in a way of beleeving, and so they lost the benefit, and sweetness of the mercy promised. Beloved! it is no small matter this, for to lose the benefit, and sweetnesse of the mercy promised: that a Christian loses by failing in his faith in regard of the Exercise of it; and therefore certainly it is a very evil thing: though their faith fail not in regard of the grace it self, yet if it fail in regard of the work, and the exercise of it, it is a very evil thing, and much inconvenience comes unto the Saints thereby.

Thirdly, Quest. 3 Whereby may it appear, that Satan's great design is upon our faith in the time of temptation?

Thirdly, Quest. 3 Whereby may it appear, that Satans great design is upon our faith in the time of temptation?

He does tempt most unto that sin which is the greatest: and the sin against the Gospel is the greatest sin. Answ. Satan's great design is, to hinder the work of Christ, the kingdom of Christ in the hearts of the Saint; to counter-work the Spirit of God. Satan does tempt that he may tempt: and the greatest temptation usually comes in the rear, comes at the last. Satan does tempt a man to break the Law; but he hath a further reach in that: for he tempts a man to break the Law, that so he may tempt him afterwards to sin against the Gospel: he lies in ambush in one temptation, for to draw to another. When Satan tempted our first parents Adam and Eve, he tempted like a serpent, in form of a serpent: and so now too, he comes, and he winds about us in his temptation; but his sting is in the tail, and at the latter end. And thus ye see it was in the temptation of our Saviour Christ: his great design was upon Christs faith: in the 4. of matthew, ye know he hath Three temptations there: and says he, in the two first temptations, If thou be the Son of God? and If thou be the Son of God? ⟨p. 269⟩And in the Last temptation: All this will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. He tempted him to Blasphemy, and Atheism; and what greater unbelief? So 'tis with the Saints also: Satan, he comes and tempts them to sourness, frowardness, and passion in their families, but he hath a further reach upon that distemper: for (says he) I will tempt this man or woman to passion, and frowardness, and when he hath been froward, and passionate, then I will tempt him to be doubting whether he be the child of God or no: first I will tempt this man for to break the Law, and when he hath broken the Law, then will I tempt him to sin against the Gospel, then will I strike at his faith: his great design still is upon your faith in all his temptations.

He does tempt most unto that sin which is the greatesi: and the sin against the Gospel is the greatest sin. Answ. Satans great design is, to hinder the work of Christ, the kingdom of Christ in the hearts of the Saint; to counter-work the Spirit of God. Satan does tempt that he may tempt: and the greatest temptation usually comes in the reare, comes at the last. Satan does tempt a man to break the Law; but he hath a further reach in that: for he tempts a man to break the Law, that so he may tempt him afterwards to sin against the Gospel: he lies in ambush in one temptation, for to draw to another. When Satan tempted our first parents Adam and Eve, he tempted like a serpent, in form of a serpent: and so now too, he comes, and he winds about us in his temptation; but his sting is in the taile, and at the latter end. And thus ye see it was in the temptation of our Saviour Christ: his great design was upon Christs faith: in the 4. of mathhew, ye know he hath Three temptations there: and saies he, in the two first temptations, If thou be the Son of God? and If thou be the Son of God? ⟨p. 269⟩And in the Last temptation: All this will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. He tempted him to Blasphemy, and Atheisme; and what greater unbeleef? So 'tis with the Saints also: Satan, he comes and tempts them to sowrenesse, frowardnesse, and passion in their families, but he hath a further reach upon that distemper: for (saies he) I will tempt this man or woman to passion, and frowardness, and when he hath been froward, and passionate, then I will tempt him to be doubting whether he be the child of God or no: first I wil tempt this man for to break the Law, and when he hath broken the Law, then will Itempt him to sin against the Gospel, then will I strike at his faith: his great design still is upon your faith in all his temptations.