Page:Comer's conflict, or, The beginner's battle with the devil, when essaying to come to Christ by faith.pdf/8

 8 The Comer's Conflict; or,

for reſt, and yet -find trouble ; for it is the devil and the ill heart that breeds all the trouble ; keep up honourable thoughts of the Lord Jeſus; believe he can do for you, and wait till you find that he will do. Bring wind from all croſs providences to haſten you nearer to your reſting- place: for all that come to him ſhall find reſt in ſpite of the devil: ſome begun reſt here in time, however diſturb- ed by the devil from time to time, and by unbelief, until reſt be perfected in heaven. 5. Hence fee an evidence of a true believer and comer to Chriſt if the devil be no enemy to your faith, you may know it is a falſe faith. Many have a faith that the devil is pleaſed well enough with: and therefore he never troub- les them nor it; but if you have ſaving faith, it will be the eye-fore of hell; or if you be truly coming to Chriſt, you may expect the devil will be upon your top. No ſooner doth true faith begin, but the fight of faith begins. Some may bleſs themſelves they were aſſaulted by the devil, and yet they are but ſleeping, as it were, in his cradle ; he is rocking them. Try your faith; if it be from heaven, it will meet with oppreſſion from hell: We wreſtle not againſt fleſs and blood, but again principalities, againſt powers, againſt the rulers of the darkneſs of this world, againſt ſpirit- ual wickedneſs in high places. Eph. iv. 12. Therefore we are called as part of the Chriſtian armour, to take the ſhield of faith, whereby we ſhall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ver. 16 - The devil may let you go peaceably about duty, read and pray, and communicate, becauſe you nay do theſe things carnally and formally, and go to hell when all is done: but if once you begin to come to Chriſt, or to go about any duty believingly, then you are on the way to heaven, and if the devil can, he will draw you back, and throw you down with diſcourage- ment, and tear you with temptations ; either as you are coming or after you are come. But it is always the beſt faith that is moſt oppoſed by the devil. This Doctrine may be applied by way of addreſs, 1. To theſe who never yet came to Chriſt for help and ſalvation. 3. To theſe who are coming, in obedience to his call. 1. We addreſs ourſelves to you who never yet came to Chriſt for help and ſalvation. Oh! ſtay not away from him to for fear of the devil, left be throw you down and tear you.