Page:Comer's conflict, or, The beginner's battle with the devil, when essaying to come to Christ by faith.pdf/9

 The Beginner's Battle with the Devil. 9

Better be thrown down by the way in coming to Chriſt, han thrown down to hell, with the devil, at laſt by the hand of God, who will throw you and the devil down to hell if you do not come to Chriſt. Better that the devil rear you to pieces, when there is a deliverer, even Jeſus at hand to deliver you from trim, than that God himſelf rear you to pieces when there fall be none to deliver: Confider this, ye that forget God, if I tear you in pieces, and there be cone to deliver, Pr. 1. 22. Come, otherwiſe you remain naves to the devil and your laſts. O be ſenſible of your ſlavery and malady! know none can ſave you but our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: he is a mighty Saviour, and a merciful one : No name is given under heaven, whereby a ſinner can be ſaved, but the name of Jeſus. Put the work in his hand; put your ſoul in his hand. Bring him here to me, ſays Chriſt, to the man here. O come and bring your children with you; hear him ſaying, bring your ſon to me, bring your daughter to me, bring your ſoul and your caſe to me bring your hard heart to me, and I will ſoften it; bring your filthy heart to me, and I will cleanſe it : bring your heart polieſt of the devil to me, and I will calt out the de- vil; bring your ſeven devils to me, and I will caſt them out.. 2. We addreſs ourſelves to you that are coming in anſwer to his call. O be not diſmayed tho' the devil throw you down and tear you as you are coming Here is a Saviour ready to lift up when the devil throws down; ready to heal, whom the devil tears: ready to help all that are hurt by the old ſerpent. It is his trade to deſtroy the works of the devil. You may be always ſure that it is an evil ſpirit that is dealing with you, that would mar and hinder you in your coming; for the voice of the Spirit of God is, Come; the Spirit and the bride ſay, Come. The Spirit of God, as a ſpirit of bondage, may caſt down the ſoul be- fore it come to Chriſt, and in order to its coming, but it is not the Spirit of God that throws down the coming believer: no; We have not received the Spirit of bondage again unto fear, Rom. viii. 15. After coming to Chriſt, and believing in him, it is only the devil that caſts down and tears you. Fear not the lion of hell; here is the Lion of the tribe of Judah to defend you, it is unbelief, and departing from Chriſt, that may bring you to the greateſt danger ; therefore, fear not, only believe.