Temptation (1)

(1) Some think they have no faith at all because they have no full assurance. The best actions will smell of the smoke; so, all our actions will savour something of the old man.
(2) In weakness of body some think grace dies because their performances are feeble. But they do not consider that God regards the hidden sighs of those that lack abilities to express them outwardly.
(3) Some again are haunted with hideous imaginations, and with vile and unworthy thoughts, which disquiet and molest their peace. Will every sin and blasphemy of man be forgiven, and not these blasphemous thoughts, when Christ himself was molested in this same way? But there is a difference between Christ and us in this case. Because Satan had nothing of his own in Christ his suggestions left no impression at all in his holy nature and were presently quenched. But when Satan comes to us, he finds something of his own in us. There is the same enmity in our nature to God and goodness, in some degree, that is in Satan himself. Therefore, his temptations fasten some taint upon us. These thoughts, if the soul dwell on them so long as to draw by them any sinful delight, then they leave a heavier guilt upon the soul, hinder our sweet communion with God, and put a contrary relish into the soul, disposing it to greater sins. All scandalous actions are only thoughts at the first. These ill thoughts force the soul to all spiritual exercises, to watchfulness and a nearer walking with God. They reveal to us a necessity of daily purging and pardoning grace, and of seeking to be found in Christ, and so bring the best often upon their knees. Our chief comfort is that our blessed Saviour, as he bade Satan depart from him (Matt. 4:10), so he will command him to be gone from us, when it will be good for us. Christ can and will likewise, in his own time, rebuke the rebellious and extravagant stirrings of our hearts and bring all the thoughts of the inner man into subjection to himself.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Bruised Reed, pp. 45-49 [49-53]
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