Page:Comer's conflict, or, The beginner's battle with the devil, when essaying to come to Christ by faith.pdf/2

 SE R M O N I. LUKE ix. 42. And as he was in a coming, the Devil threw him down and tard him.

Here is a hiſtory of chriſt's healing a lunatic child whoſe father came to the diſciples, and they could not cure him: and now he cometh to Chriſt. As we ought to come to Chriſt ourſelves for healing, ſo we onght to bring our children to him ; and when ſervarts and other means can do ns no good, we ought to go to the Maſter, and look over the head of all miniſters and ſervants. After Chriſt had reprov'd the diſciples for their unbelief, he gives the poor man an encouraging word concerning his ſon. Bring thy ſon hither. ver. 41. bring him to me. We ought to bring our ſons, and our daughters Chriſt, to bring our diſeaſes and all other various caſes to Chriſt. But after this encouragment, follows a trial in the text. As he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down and tare him. In which words we have three things obſervable, namely, 1. An excellent duty; that is, coming to Chriſt. 2. An eminent trial and heavy diſpenſation that befel the comer; The devil threw him down and tore him. 3. The time and juncture when this heavy trial and great affliction befel him namely, As he was get a coming, the devil threw him down and tare him. Hence we may obſerve the three following particulars, 1. The beſt courſe that any can take for relief from whatever ails them, is to come to Jeſus Chriſt the Saviour. 2. They that come to Chriſt for help will be an eye-fore to hell and the devil; he will be ſure to fly upon them. 3. They that come to Chriſt for help and healing, tho' they may be ſure he will help and ſave them, yet they may find their caſe worſe before the relief come; they may be thrown down, and torn as it were, to pieces by the way. Or thus, Chriſt may undertake to deliver people, and yet their diſtreſs may grow upon their hand before their deli- verance come. Here is Chriſt undertaking, Bring him hither to me. Here is the perſon coming with hope of deli- verance, he is on his care coming to Jeſus; and yet behold here is a dreadful daſh, a mighty trial to faith and hope, both in the Father and the Son : yea, after he was come to the phyſician, and the healing word ſpoken, as you ſee, Mark ix. 25, 26. where this ſame hiſtory is recorded, with other circumſtances, The Spirit cried, and rent him fore