Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices

Then & Now · 30 of 44

7. Relapses

7. Relapses

BY ſuggeſting to the ſoule his often560 relapſes into the ſame ſin which formerly he hath purſued with particular sorrow, grief, ſhame and tears, and prayed, complained, and reſolved againſt. Saith Satan, thy heart is not right with God, ſurely thy eſtate is not good, thou doſt but flatter thy ſelfe, to think that ever God will eternally owne, and embrace ſuch a one as thou art, who complaineſt againſt ſin, and yet relapſeſt into the ſame ſin, who with teares and groanes confeſſeſt thy ſin, and yet ever and anon art fallen into the ſame ſin, &c.

  1. 560. 7 Device. [dropped from the edition]

BY suggesting to the soul his often relapses into the same sin which formerly he hath pursued with particular sorrow, grief, shame and tears, and prayed, complained, and resolved against. Saith Satan, thy heart is not right with God, surely thy estate is not good, thou dost but flatter thy self, to think that ever God will eternally own, and embrace such a one as thou art, who complainest against sin, and yet relapsest into the same sin, who with tears and groans confessest thy sin, and yet ever and anon art fallen into the same sin, etc‸.

I confeſſe this is a very ſad condition for a ſoule, after he hath obtained mercy and pity from the Lord, after God hath ſpoken peace and pardon to him, and wip’t the tears from his eyes, and ſet him upon his legs, to returne to folly; ah! how doe relapſes lay men open p. 245 to the greateſt afflictions, and worſt561 temptations? How doe they make the wound to bleed afreſh? How doe they darken and cloud former aſſurances and evidences for Heaven? How doe they put a ſword into the hand of conſcience to cut and ſlaſh the ſoule? They raiſe ſuch feares, terrours, horrours, and doubts in the ſoule, that the ſoule cannot be ſo frequent in duty, as formerly, nor ſo fervent in duty as formerly, nor ſo confident in duty as formerly, nor ſo bold, familiar, and delightfull with God in duty as formerly; nor ſo conſtant in duty as formerly: they give Satan an advantage to triumph over Chriſt; they make the work of repentance more difficult; they make a mans life a burden, and they render death to be very terrible unto the ſoule, &c.

  1. 561. A backſlider may ſay (opera & impenſa periit) all my paines and charge is loſt.

I confess this is a very sad condition for a soul, after he hath obtained mercy and pity from the Lord, after God hath spoken peace and pardon to him, and wiped the tears from his eyes, and set him upon his legs, to return to folly; ah! how do relapses lay men open to the greatest afflictions, and worst431 temptations? How do they make the wound to bleed afresh? How do they darken and cloud former assurances and evidences for heaven? How do they put a sword into the hand of conscience to cut and slash the soul? They raise such fears, terrors, horrors, and doubts in the soul, that the soul cannot be so frequent in duty, as formerly, nor so fervent in duty as formerly, nor so confident in duty as formerly, nor so bold, familiar, and delightful with God in duty as formerly; nor so constant in duty as formerly: they give Satan an advantage to triumph over Christ; they make the work of repentance more difficult; they make a man’s life a burden, and they render death to be very terrible unto the soul, etc‸.

  1. 431. A backslider may say (opera & impensa periit) all my pains and charge is lost.

THe firſt Remedie againſt this device562 of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that there are many Scriptures that doe clearly evidence a poſſibility of the St. falling into the ſame ſins, whereof they have formerly repented.563 I will heale their backsliding, I will love them freely, for mine anger is turned away from them, ſaith the Lord by the Prophet Hoſea, ſo the Prophet Jeremiah ſpeaks,564 Goe and proclaime theſe words towards the North▪ and ſay, returne thou back-ſliding Iſrael▪ ſaith the Lord, and I will not cauſe mine anger to fall upon you: for I am mercifull▪ ſaith the565 Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever. Turne, oh backsliding Iſrael, ſaith the Lord, for I am married unto you: And I will take you one of a City, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: So the Pſalmiſt, They turned back and dealt unfaithfully like their Fathers, they were turned aſide like a deceitfull bow. And no wonder, for tho their repentance be never ſo ſincere and ſound, yet their graces are but weak, p. 247 and their mortification imperfect in566 this life; though by grace they are freed from the dominion of ſin, and from the damnatory power of every ſin, and from the love of all ſin, yet grace doth not free them from the ſeed of any one ſin; and therefore ‘tis poſſible for a ſoule to fall againe and againe into the ſame ſin; if the fire be not wholly put out, who would thinke it impoſſible that it ſhould catch and burne againe and againe?

  1. 562. 1 Remedie. [dropped from the edition]
  2. 563. Hoſ. 14. 4.
  3. 564. Ier. 3. 12. 14.
  4. 565. The ſin of backſliding is a ſoul-wounding ſin. I will heale their backſliding: you read of no arms for the back, though you doe for the breaſt.
  5. 566. When a ſouldier bragged too much of a great ſcar in his forehead, Auguſtus Caeſar (in whoſe time Chriſt was borne) asked him if he did not get it when he looked back as he fled.

The first remedy against this device of Satan, is, solemnly to consider, that there are many Scriptures that do clearly evidence a possibility of the saints falling into the same sins, whereof they have formerly repented.432 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for mine anger is turned away from them, saith the Lord by the prophet Hosea, so the prophet Jeremiah speaks,433 Go and proclaim these words towards the North, and say, return thou back-sliding Israel, saith the Lord, and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the434 Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever. Turn, oh backsliding Israel, saith the Lord, for I am married unto you: And I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: So the Psalmist, They turned back and dealt unfaithfully like their Fathers, they were turned aside like a deceitful bow. And no wonder, for though their repentance be never so sincere and sound, yet their graces are but weak, and their mortification imperfect in435 this life; though by grace they are freed from the dominion of sin, and from the damnatory power of every sin, and from the love of all sin, yet grace doth not free them from the seed of any one sin; and therefore ’tis possible for a soul to fall again and again into the same sin; if the fire be not wholly put out, who would think it impossible that it should catch and burn again and again?

  1. 432. Hos‸ 14:‸4.
  2. 433. Jer‸ 3:‸12, 14.
  3. 434. The sin of backsliding is a soul-wounding sin. I will heal their backsliding: you read of no arms for the back, though you do for the breast.
  4. 435. When a soldier bragged too much of a great scar in his forehead, Augustus Caesar (in whose time Christ was born) asked him if he did not get it when he looked back as he fled.

The ſecond Remedy againſt this Device567 of Satan, is ſeriouſly to conſider, that God hath no where ingaged himſelfe by any particular promiſe, that ſoules converted and united to Chriſt, ſhall not fall againe and againe into the ſame ſins after converſion. I cannot find in the whole Book of God, where he568 hath promiſed any ſuch ſtrength or power againſt this or that particular ſin, as that the ſoule ſhall be for ever (in this life) put out of a poſſibility of falling againe and againe into the ſame ſins; and where God hath not a mouth to ſpeak, I muſt not have a heart to believe. God will graciouſly pardon thoſe ſins to his people, that he will not in this life effectually ſubdue in his people. I would goe far to ſpeak with that ſoule that can ſhew a promiſe, that when our p. 248 ſorrow and grief hath been ſo great, or ſo much, for this or that ſin, that then God will preſerve us from ever falling into the ſame ſin; the ſight of ſuch a promiſe would be as life from the dead, to many a precious ſoule, who deſires nothing more then to keepe cloſe to Chriſt, and feares nothing more then backſliding from Chriſt.

  1. 567. 2 Remedie. [dropped from the edition]
  2. 568. In ſome caſes the Saints have found God better then his word; he promiſed the Children of Iſrael onely the Land of Canaan, but beſides that he gave them two other Kingdomes, which he never promiſed. And to Zachary he promiſed to give him his ſpeech at the birth of the child, but beſides that, he gave him the gift of Prophecy.

The second remedy against this device of Satan, is seriously to consider, that God hath no where engaged himself by any particular promise, that souls converted and united to Christ, shall not fall again and again into the same sins after conversion. I cannot find in the whole Book of God, where he436 hath promised any such strength or power against this or that particular sin, as that the soul shall be for ever (in this life) put out of a possibility of falling again and again into the same sins; and where God hath not a mouth to speak, I must not have a heart to believe. God will graciously pardon those sins to his people, that he will not in this life effectually subdue in his people. I would go far to speak with that soul that can show a promise, that when our sorrow and grief hath been so great, or so much, for this or that sin, that then God will preserve us from ever falling into the same sin; the sight of such a promise would be as life from the dead, to many a precious soul, who desires nothing more than to keep close to Christ, and fears nothing more than backsliding from Christ.

  1. 436. In some cases the Saints have found God better than his word; he promised the Children of Israel only the Land of Canaan, but besides that he gave them two other Kingdoms, which he never promised. And to Zachary he promised to give him his speech at the birth of the child, but besides that, he gave him the gift of Prophecy.

The third Remedy againſt this Device569 of Satan, is ſeriouſly to conſider, that the moſt renowned, and now crowned Saints, have in the dayes of their being on earth, relapſed into one and the570 ſame ſin. Lot was twice overcome with wine; John twice worſhipped the Angel; Abraham did often diſſemble, and Iay his wife open to adultery, to ſave his owne life, which ſome Heathens would not have done. And it came to571 paſſe, when God cauſed me to wander from my Fathers houſe, that I ſaid unto her, this is thy kindneſſe which thou ſhalt ſhew unto me, at every place whether we ſhall come, ſay of me, he is my brother. David in his572 wrath was reſolved, if ever man was, that he would be the death of Nabal, and all his innocent Family, and after this he fell into the foule murther of Ʋriah. Though Chriſt told his Diſciples that his Kingdome was not of this world, yet againe, and againe, and again, three p. 249 ſeverall times, they would needs be on horſe-back, they would faine be high, great, and glorious in this world; their pride and ambitious humour put them (that were but as ſo many baggars) upon ſtriving for preheminence, and greatneſſe in the world, when their Lord and Maſter told them 3 ſeverall times of his ſufferings in the world, and of his going out of the world. Jehoſhaphat,573 though a godly man, yet joynes affinity with wicked Ahab, and though he was ſaved by a miracle, yet ſoon after he fals into the ſame ſin, and joynes himſelf with574 Ahaziah, King of Iſrael, who did very wickedly. Sampſon is by the Spirit of the Lord numbred among the faithful worthies,575 and yet he fell often into one groſs ſin, as is evident in the book of Judges;576 Peter you know relapſt often, and ſo did Jonah; and this comes to paſſe, that they may ſee their owne inability to ſtand, to reſiſt, or overcome any temptation, or corruption. And that they may be taken off from all falſe confidences, and reſt wholy upon God, and onely upon God, and alwayes upon God; and for the praiſe and honour of the power, wiſdome, skill, mercy, and577 goodneſſe of the Phyſitian of our ſouls, that can heale, help, and cure, when the diſeaſe is moſt dangerous, when the p. 250 ſoule is relapſt, and growes worſe and worſe, and when others ſay there is no help for him in his God, and when his owne heart and hopes are dying.

  1. 569. 3 Remedy. [dropped from the edition]
  2. 570. A ſheep may often ſlip into a ſlough, as well as a ſwine.
  3. 571. Gen. 20. 13. ch. 12.
  4. 572. Perhaps the Prodigall ſets out unto us, a Chriſtian relapſt; for he was a ſon before, and with his Father, & then went away from him and ſpent all, and yet he was not quite undone, but returned againe.
  5. 573. 2 Chron. 18. ch. 1. 2. 3. 30, 31.
  6. 574. ch. 20. 35. 36, 37.
  7. 575. Heb. 11. 32.
  8. 576. Jud. 14. 15. 16. ch.
  9. 577. The Prodigal ſaw the compaſſion of his Father, the greater in receiving him, after he had run away from him.

The third remedy against this device of Satan, is seriously to consider, that the most renowned, and now crowned saints, have in the days of their being on earth, relapsed into one and the437 same sin. Lot was twice overcome with wine; John twice worshipped the angel; Abraham did often dissemble, and lay his wife open to adultery, to save his own life, which some heathens would not have done. And it came to438 pass, when God caused me to wander from my Father’s house, that I said unto her, this is thy kindness which thou shalt show unto me, at every place whither we shall come, say of me, he is my brother. David in his439 wrath was resolved, if ever man was, that he would be the death of Nabal, and all his innocent family, and after this he fell into the foul murder of Uriah. Though Christ told his disciples that his kingdom was not of this world, yet again, and again, and again, three several times, they would needs be on horse-back, they would fain be high, great, and glorious in this world; their pride and ambitious humour put them (that were but as so many beggars) upon striving for preeminence, and greatness in the world, when their Lord and master told them 3 several times of his sufferings in the world, and of his going out of the world. Jehoshaphat,440 though a godly man, yet joins affinity with wicked Ahab, and though he was saved by a miracle, yet soon after he falls into the same sin, and joins himself with441 Ahaziah, King of Israel, who did very wickedly. Samson is by the Spirit of the Lord numbered among the faithful worthies,442 and yet he fell often into one gross sin, as is evident in the book of Judges;443 Peter you know relapsed often, and so did Jonah; and this comes to pass, that they may see their own inability to stand, to resist, or overcome any temptation, or corruption. And that they may be taken off from all false confidences, and rest wholly upon God, and only upon God, and always upon God; and for the praise and honour of the power, wisdom, skill, mercy, and444 goodness of the physician of our souls, that can heal, help, and cure, when the disease is most dangerous, when the soul is relapsed, and grows worse and worse, and when others say there is no help for him in his God, and when his own heart and hopes are dying.

  1. 437. A sheep may often slip into a slough, as well as a swine.
  2. 438. Gen‸ 20:‸13‸ ch. 12.
  3. 439. Perhaps the Prodigal sets out unto us, a Christian relapsed; for he was a son before, and with his Father, and then went away from him and spent all, and yet he was not quite undone, but returned again.
  4. 440. 2 Chr 18:‸1, 2, 3, 30, 31.
  5. 441. ch. 20:‸35. 36, 37.
  6. 442. Heb‸ 11:‸32.
  7. 443. Judg 14:‸15; ch. 16. ‸
  8. 444. The Prodigal saw the compassion of his Father, the greater in receiving him, after he had run away from him.

The fourth Remedy againſt this Device578 of Satan, is, to conſider, that there are relapſes into enormities, and there are relapſes into infirmities; now ‘tis not uſuall with God to leave his people579 frequently to relapſe into enormities, for by his ſpirit and grace, by his ſmiles and frownes, by his word and rod, he doth uſually preſerve his people from a frequent relapſing into enormities; yet he doth leave his choiceſt ones frequently to relapſe into infirmities (and of his grace he pardons them in courſe) as idle words, paſſion, vaine thoughts, &c. Though gracious ſoules ſtrive againſt theſe, and complaine of theſe, and weep over theſe, yet the Lord to keep them humble, leaves them frequently to relapſe into theſe; and theſe frequent relapſes into infirmities ſhall never be their bane, becauſe they be their burden

  1. 578. 4 Remedie. [dropped from the edition]
  2. 579. Relapſes into enormities are (peccata vulnerantia & diviſtantia) wounding & waſting ſins. Therefore the Lord is graciouſly pleaſed to put under his everlaſting arms, and ſtay his choſen ones from frequent falling into them.

The fourth remedy against this device of Satan, is, to consider, that there are relapses into enormities, and there are relapses into infirmities; now ’tis not usual with God to leave his people445 frequently to relapse into enormities, for by his spirit and grace, by his smiles and frowns, by his word and rod, he doth usually preserve his people from a frequent relapsing into enormities; yet he doth leave his choicest ones frequently to relapse into infirmities (and of his grace he pardons them in course) as idle words, passion, vain thoughts, etc‸. Though gracious souls strive against these, and complain of these, and weep over these, yet the Lord to keep them humble, leaves them frequently to relapse into these; and these frequent relapses into infirmities shall never be their bane, because they be their burden.

  1. 445. Relapses into enormities are (peccata vulnerantia & devastantia) wounding and wasting sins. Therefore the Lord is graciously pleased to put under his everlasting arms, and stay his chosen ones from frequent falling into them.

The fift Remedy againſt this Device580 of Satan, is to conſider, that there are581 involuntary relapſes, and there are voluntary relapſes; involuntary relapſes are, when the reſolution and full bent of the heart is againſt ſin, when the ſoul ſtrives with all its might againſt ſin, by p. 251 ſighes and groans, by prayers and tears, and yet out of weakneſſe, is forced to fall back into ſin, becauſe there is not ſpirituall ſtrength enough to overcome; Now though involuntary relapſes muſt humble us, yet they muſt never diſcourage, nor deject us, for God will freely and readily pardon thoſe in courſe. Voluntary relapſes are, when the ſoule longs, and loves to return to the fleſh-pots of Egypt; when ‘tis a pleaſure, and a paſtime to a man to return to his old courſes; ſuch voluntary relapſes ſpeak out the man blinded, hardned, and ripened for rulne, &c.

  1. 580. 5 Remedy. [dropped from the edition]
  2. 581. There is a great difference betwen a ſheep that by weakneſſe fals into the mire, & a ſwine, that delights to wallow in the mire; between a woman that is forced, though ſhe ſtrives, and cries out, and and an alluring adultreſs.

The fifth remedy against this device of Satan, is to consider, that there are446 involuntary relapses, and there are voluntary relapses; involuntary relapses are, when the resolution and full bent of the heart is against sin, when the soul strives with all its might against sin, by sighs and groans, by prayers and tears, and yet out of weakness, is forced to fall back into sin, because there is not spiritual strength enough to overcome; Now though involuntary relapses must humble us, yet they must never discourage, nor deject us, for God will freely and readily pardon those in course. Voluntary relapses are, when the soul longs, and loves to return to the flesh-pots of Egypt; when ’tis a pleasure, and a pastime to a man to return to his old courses; such voluntary relapses speak out the man blinded, hardened, and ripened for ruin, etc‸.

  1. 446. There is a great difference between a sheep that by weakness falls into the mire, and a swine, that delights to wallow in the mire; between a woman that is forced, though she strives, and cries out, and ‸ an alluring adulteress.

The ſixth Remedie againſt this Device582 of Sathan, is, to conſider, that there is no ſuch power, or infinite vertue in the583 greateſt horror, or ſorrow the ſoul can be under for ſin, nor in the ſweeteſt, or choſeſt diſcoveries of Gods grace, and love to the ſoule; as for ever to fence, and ſecure the ſoule from relapſing into the ſame ſin; Grace is but a created habite, that may be prevailed againſt by the ſecret, ſubtile, and ſtrong workings of ſin in our hearts: And thoſe diſcoveries that God makes of his love, beauty, and glory to the ſoule, doe not always abide in their freſhneſſe, and power upon the heart; but by degrees they fade, and weare off, and then the ſoule p. 252 may return again to folly; As we ſee in Peter, who after he had a glorious teſtimony584 from Chriſt his own mouth, of his bleſſedneſſe and happineſſe, labours to prevent Chriſt from going up to Jeruſalem to ſuffer out of baſe ſlaviſh fears, that he and his fellows could not be ſecure, if his Maſter ſhould be brought to ſuffer. And againe, after this, Chriſt had him up into the Mount, and there585 ſhewed him his beauty, and glory, to ſtrengthen him againſt the hour of tentation that was a comming upon him; and yet ſoone after he had the honour, and happineſſe of ſeeing the glory of the Lord (which moſt of the Diſciples had not) he baſely, and moſt ſhamefully denies the Lord of glory, thinking586 by that means to provide for his owne ſafety: And yet again, after Chriſt had broke his heart with a looke of love, for his moſt unlovely dealings, and bade them that were firſt acquainted with his reſurrection, to goe and tell Peter that he was riſen; I ſay, after all this, ſlaviſh fears prevail upon him, and he baſely diſſembles, and plays ehe Iew with the Iewes, and the Gentile with the Gentiles, to the ſeducing of Barnabas,587 &c.

  1. 582. 6 Remedy. [dropped from the edition]
  2. 583. Chriſt upbraded his Diſciples for their unbelief, and hardneſſe of heart, who had ſeene his glory, as the glory of the only begotten ſon of God, full of grace and truth. 1 John 14.
  3. 584. Mat. 16. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. 22, 23, 24.
  4. 585. Mat. 7. 1, 2, 3.
  5. 586. Mat. 26. 69. ult.
  6. 587. Gal 2. 11, 12, 13.

The sixth remedy against this device of Satan, is, to consider, that there is no such power, or infinite virtue in the447 greatest horror, or sorrow the soul can be under for sin, nor in the sweetest, or choicest discoveries of God’s grace, and love to the soul; as for ever to fence, and secure the soul from relapsing into the same sin; grace is but a created habit, that may be prevailed against by the secret, subtle, and strong workings of sin in our hearts: And those discoveries that God makes of his love, beauty, and glory to the soul, do not always abide in their freshness, and power upon the heart; but by degrees they fade, and wear off, and then the soul may return again to folly; As we see in Peter, who after he had a glorious testimony448 from Christ his own mouth, of his blessedness and happiness, labours to prevent Christ from going up to Jerusalem to suffer out of base slavish fears, that he and his fellows could not be secure, if his master should be brought to suffer. And again, after this, Christ had him up into the Mount, and there449 showed him his beauty, and glory, to strengthen him against the hour of temptation that was a-‸coming upon him; and yet soon after he had the honour, and happiness of seeing the glory of the Lord (which most of the disciples had not) he basely, and most shamefully denies the Lord of glory, thinking450 by that means to provide for his own safety: And yet again, after Christ had broke his heart with a look of love, for his most unlovely dealings, and bade them that were first acquainted with his resurrection, to go and tell Peter that he was risen; I say, after all this, slavish fears prevail upon him, and he basely dissembles, and plays the Jew with the Jews, and the Gentile with the Gentiles, to the seducing of Barnabas,451 etc‸.

  1. 447. Christ upbraided his Disciples for their unbelief, and hardness of heart, who had seen his glory, as the glory of the only begotten son of God, full of grace and truth. John 1‸:‸14.
  2. 448. Matt 16:‸15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24.
  3. 449. Matt 17:‸1, 2, 3.
  4. 450. Matt 26:69–75. ‸
  5. 451. Gal 2:‸11, 12, 13.

Yet by way of caution, know it’s very rare, that God doth leave his beloved p. 253 ones frequently, to relapſe into one and the ſame groſſe ſin; for the law of nature is in armes againſt groſſe ſins, aſwell as the law of grace; ſo that a gracious ſoule cannot, dares not, will not frequently returne to groſſe folly. And God hath made even his deareſt ones dearly ſmart for their relapſes, as may be ſeen by his dealings with Samſon, Iehoſaphat, and Peter; Ah Lord! what a hard heart hath that man, that can ſee thee ſtripping and whipping thy deareſt ones for their relapſes, and yet make nothing of returning to folly, &c.

Yet by way of caution, know it’s very rare, that God doth leave his beloved ones frequently, to relapse into one and the same gross sin; for the law of nature is in arms against gross sins, as well as the law of grace; so that a gracious soul cannot, dares not, will not frequently return to gross folly. And God hath made even his dearest ones dearly smart for their relapses, as may be seen by his dealings with Samson, Jehoshaphat, and Peter; Ah Lord! what a hard heart hath that man, that can see thee stripping and whipping thy dearest ones for their relapses, and yet make nothing of returning to folly, etc‸.