VERSE 11. Then the Devil left him, and behold the Angels came and ministered unto him. - MAT. 4.11.
VERSE 11.
Then the Devil left him, and behold the Angels came and ministered unto him. - MAT. 4.11.
These words contain the third part of this description of Christ's temptation; to wit, the happy event and issue thereof, in Christ's glorious victory over the Tempter; which is the principal part, wherein consists the main comfort of God's church; for as in temptation Christ stood in our room and stead, so is this victory not his alone, but the victory of his Church. This issue contains two parts.
First, Satan's departing from him. Secondly, the ministry of good Angels unto him.
For the first, Then the Devil left him: that is, after that by temptations he could nothing avail, then he betakes himself to flight.
In this appears the unspeakable mercy of God unto his Church, in mitigating, and in due time putting an end unto the afflictions and temptations thereof; for the case of Christ the head in this conflict, is the case and condition of all his members. Now here we see what a gracious issue, the Lord put to these great assaults of Satan; in due time his enemy flies: and so will the Lord deal in all the miseries of his Church, and children: God promiseth to David concerning
Solomon, that if he sin, he will chastise him with the rods of men, and with the plagues of the children of men: that is, with such punishments as he shall be able to bear, but his mercy he will not take from him. The Prophet Habakkuk in his complaint against the wrong and violence of the wicked done to the just, is somewhat impatient towards God for his delay. Hab. 1.2, 3. Therefore in the vision afterward showed unto him, he is bid to wait for deliverance, for though it tarry, yet it shall surely come and shall not stay, Cha.
2.3. Thus Paul comforteth the Christian Corinthians, God is faithful,
and will not suffer you to be tempted above that which ye are able to bear, but will give an issue with the temptation that ye may be able to bear it; 1 Cor. 10.13. The bodies of the two Prophets who were slain for the testimony of the Lord Jesus, are suffered to lie in the streets unburied, for three days and a half, that is, for some short time; which being expired, the spirit of life coming from God shall enter into them and revive them; then fear shall take their enemies, but they shall ascend up to heaven, and their enemies shall see it. All these do plainly manifest God's great mercy in giving a gracious issue to the troubles of his children, yea by good experience we may see the truth hereof in the happy issue that the Lord hath put to the most fearful temptations of sundry in our time, who have been exercised therein, some for a year or two, other for longer time even many years together, and yet in the end have sung the song of joyful deliverance: it may be some of God's children bear the Cross to their dying day, yet the Lord sustains them in it by his grace, and in the end shows them mercy and peace.
Secondly, in this departure of Satan from Christ, we may observe a notable difference between the first Adam, and the second. The first
Adam was tempted and overcome therein; Satan prevailed in that conflict, and brings him captive into his kingdom, having spiritually taken possession of him. The second Adam is tempted also, but the Devil can find no means whereby to prevail with him: the prince of this world cometh, but hath naught in me, saith Christ, John 14.30.
But after his assault is fain to fly away.
Further, in this departure of Christ note two circumstances: when Satan departed, and for how long a time. First, when he departed is noted in this word then, that is after the third temptation; when
Christ in indignation for his blasphemy against God had said, Avoid
Satan; and withal had answered his temptation out of the written word, then he departs. Hence we learn:
First, that the best way to vanquish Satan is to give him no ground, but to withstand him manfully at the first: Jam. 4.7. resist the Devil and he will fly. Now Satan is resisted, when from our hearts we cast our souls on the promises of God contained in his word, and in the whole course of our lives pray for strength of grace to stand against all his assaults: whereby we may see the great error and deceit of those, who accompt of Satan's temptations as of fits of melancholy, and think they may be removed by music, merry company and such like; but these are no weapons to drive away the Devil. Secondly, this also shows their dangerous course who yield to Satan's temptations for a time, taking their pleasure in their youth, purposing to resist him when they are old and then to repent: too many take this course, but it is fearful: for thus doing, they set open all the doors of their heart to the Devil, and suffer him to take quiet possession, little considering that it is beyond their power to dispossess him at their pleasure: For indeed hereby they become like to a man that is sick of the dropsy, who the more he drinks, the more he desires; so he that willingly gives place to Satan's temptation, the more he sins, the more he may; for the longer he is tempted, the more by yielding is he weakened, and the greater is the danger of his endless confusion: therefore learn of Christ to resist betimes.
Secondly, in this circumstance, note that when Christ rebuketh Satan and bids him avoid, he departs and is presently gone. Was this any virtue in Satan that he doth thus readily depart at Christ's command?
No verily, though he obey, it is not praise worthy: for obedience is twofold, voluntary, and constrained; voluntary, when the creature doth God's command without compulsion, thus Adam did before his fail, and all holy ones that are justified and sanctified do thus in part
in this life: Constrained obedience is, when the creature is made to obey God, will he nil he. This is like to the obedience of rebels, who being attached and arraigned for their treasons, in suffering are made to obey the Princes laws. And such was this obedience of Satan, forced upon him by the powerful command of Christ, who is Prince and Lord of all creatures. And this is to be marked, that when Christ gives forth his powerful command, then Satan must obey whether he will or not. This is evident by his manifold dispossessions of unclean spirits, who came forth at his command, though they accounted him as their tormenter. Now that which here befalls the Devil, shall one day be verified of all wicked men; if they will not now obey God willingly, while in the ministry of the word he bids them repent, and believe the Gospel; they shall one day be compelled, even at the dreadful day of Judgment, will they, nil they, to obey that woeful voice of Christ, Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire, Mat.
25.41. In regard whereof, we must ever be careful, now in the day of grace, to yield unto Christ voluntary and cheerful obedience, unto all his commandments both of the Law and Gospel, lest one day we be constrained to obey in going to our endless woe: Satan who is a thousand-fold stronger than man, could not resist his power; how then shall we that are but dust and ashes stand before so great a God?
This circumstance of time is more fully noted by S. Luke, saying, and when the Devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him: whereby thus much is signified, that look what knowledge, craft, or power the Devil had, that did he employ to the uttermost in these temptations before he left our Savior Christ. Whereby it appeareth that Christ was tempted in the highest degree and measure that Satan possibly could attain unto: herein did the Devil show the extremity of his fraud and malice against Christ; which further appears by this, that the Angels of heaven came and ministered unto
him for his comfort; so as though Satan could not taint the sacred heart of our Savior Christ with the least spot of sin; yet in these temptations Christ was troubled with the same sorrows, griefs and vexations, which God's children usually feel in their temptations: The consideration whereof serves for special use.
First, to keep all God's children from despair in the greatest extremity of their temptations, even when they shall feel their conscience (as it were) set on an Iron rack, and the slashings of hell fire already kindled in their soul: for Christ Jesus the head of the Church was tempted by Satan in the highest degree, so as the Angels came to minister comfort unto him, and yet he still remained the well-beloved son of God; and so may any of God's children remain
God's deer elect, even then when the violence of Satan shall seem most to prevail against them.
Secondly, this teacheth us to suppress all rash judgment in ourselves, of all such as shall be exercised by Satan in extreme temptations: for oft it will fall out that the conscience of God's child shall be so exceedingly tormented in temptation, that he shall cry out, he is forsaken of God, and shall be damned; when as indeed he still remains the dear child of God, as Christ our Savior did God's wellbeloved in the deepest assaults of Satan. And therefore the relation published of Francis Spira his desperation, doth inconsiderately tax him for a cast-away; considering that nothing befell him in the time of his desperation but that which may befall the child of God: yea our own land can afford many examples which match Francis Spira, whether we regard the matter of his temptation, or the deepness of his desperation, who yet through the mercy of God have received comfort. And therefore in this case Christian charity must ever bind us to think and speak the best.
Lastly, Satan's departing upon the ending of these three temptations, gives us to understand, that howsoever the Devil abound with temptations of all sorts, yet these three are the ground of all, and the most principal temptations that Satan hath; for in this combat he did his worst, and showed the violence of his rage and wrath. And therefore it will needful for us to take special notice of them, as also of Christ's repulses given unto them, that so we may be the better armed against them and the like. Thus much for the time when Satan departed.
The second circumstance touching his departure is, for how long the Devil left him, noted by Saint Luke, not for ever, but for a season.
Some may say, we do not find that Satan tempted Christ ever after this, save only upon the cross, where he spoiled principalities and powers, Coloss. 2.15. Answ. The Devil tempts men two ways: sometime by himself, as he did our Savior Christ in this place and upon the cross, and our first mother Eve in the garden, Gen. 3.1. sometime by men whom he useth as his instruments; thus he tempted Adam by Eve; and Job, by the Chaldeans and Sabaeans that robbed him, and by his friends who sought to draw him from his integrity, Job. 27.5. now though Christ were not often after this tempted immediately by the Devil, yet by Satan's instruments he was many times sore assaulted to the grief of his heart, as by the Jews, the Scribes, and Pharisees, Herod, and Pontius Pilate, who required signs of him, mocked and persecuted him.
Here we may see a notable pattern of the state of God's Church and children in this world, for look as Christ their head is sore tempted, and then let alone, and yet but for a season, being tempted again by Satan's Instruments; so fareth it with them, one while they are exercised with outward temptations, and another while with inward assaults; then through God's mercy they have freedom for a season;
but afterward Satan comes upon them again, either by himself or by his instruments: which must teach us wisdom in regard of the state of our own Church in particular, town, that we must not dream of a perpetual freedom from trials and temptations, howsoever through God's mercy we have enjoyed admirable peace and tranquility for many years together; for being a part of Christ's mystical body we must look for the same condition with our head Christ Jesus, who being sore tempted of Satan was left but for a season, and after tempted again: and therefore we must resolve ourselves undoubtedly that trials will come; what way, God only knoweth; but the winter of affliction will follow our harvest of joy and peace: and the yearly visitations, by plagues and famine, are symptoms, that is, signs and forerunners of more heavy judgments, unless we prepare to meet our
God in the practice of speedy and unfeigned repentance. And as this is the state of our Church in general, so is it the particular condition of every Christian, whose life is a continual intercourse of trouble and peace, and therefore every child of God must be watchful against security, and with the end of one assault, join his preparation for a new: This was the state of Christ, and the servant must not look to be above his master. And thus much for the Devils departure.
The second part of the Issue of this conflict is the ministry of the angels unto Christ; And behold the Angels come and ministered unto him. In saying Behold, the Evangelist commends to our consideration the view of a great wonder, to wit, that that person whom the Devil would have had to have worshipped him, is here worshipped and served of the holy Angels of God. Let no man therefore judge of himself, by that which Satan would persuade him to in temptation; Christ's estate doth now appear far different from that which Satan would have brought him to, and so shall all God's children find it to be with them after temptation, if therein they fight manfully after the example of Christ.
Touching the ministry of these Angels, here observe three points.
First, the bond that causeth the good Angels to minister unto Christ.
Secondly, their number. And thirdly, the time of their ministry.
I. Point. The bond of their Ministry, is Christ's sovereignty over the Angels, not only as he is God their Creator, but as he is mediator God and man, even the man Christ, (I say not the manhood of Christ) but Christ (as I may say) the man-God, is Lord of all Angels, and they do him homage and service. And though the man-hood of Christ be not Lord of Angels, yet being received into the unity of his God-head, it is thereby exalted above all Angels by many degrees. Wherein we may behold the endless goodness of God, in advancing our nature, which by sin was made more vile then all earthly creatures, far above the Angels in degree, by reason of this conjunction which it hath with the nature of God in the person of Christ.
Now as by this bond the Angels are made ministers unto Christ, so by virtue of the same, they become ministers to all his true members.
Jacob's ladder is thus expounded by our Savior Christ: verily, verily, I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see heaven open, and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of man. This son of man is Christ, who being God and man reacheth from heaven to earth, and from earth to heaven; to him the Angels minister, and by him they descend to minister to all the saints of God here on earth.
The use. 1. This teacheth us to admire the endless goodness of God unto his Church and children, not only in bestowing heaven and earth upon them, but even giving his glorious Angels to become ministering spirits for their protection, defense, and comfort. II. This their ministry, must admonish us to carry ourselves reverently and holily in all manner of conversation. If we were in the presence of an earthly Prince, oh how careful would we be to our behavior both for
words and actions? Much more then should the presence and attendance of God's glorious angels, who pitch their tents about us if we be God's children, make us circumspect to all our ways; and the rather, because their ministry is for our comfort and protection, while we keep ourselves in the straight ways of God.
II. Point. Their number. It is not said one Angel, but angels came and ministered unto him. Indeed when he was in his Agony in the garden a little before his passion, one Angel came and ministered comfort unto him: so that sometime one, sometime more attended on him; even as the evil spirits come to tempt, sometime one alone, as Satan did here to Christ, and sometimes more, as they did when he was upon the Cross. And as it befell Christ, so doth it to God's children, they have sometime one good Angel to attend upon them, and sometime many: so likewise have they sometime one evil spirit to assault them, and sometimes many, as the man in whom the legion was. And hereby falleth to the ground this common opinion, that every man hath one good Angel and one bad attending upon him, the one to protect him, the other to tempt him. But this opinion doth not well stand with the tenor of the scripture, which thus sets out the state of men in regard of his attendance by Angels, that there are sometimes more about him, and sometime fewer; whether we speak of good Angels, or of evil spirits.
III. Point. The time when these good Angels came and ministered unto Christ, is noted in this word Then; that is, when the Devil had done all he could against our Savior Christ: they came not in the time of his assaults, but when Satan had ended his temptations and was gone. There is no doubt, but the good Angels were always about our
Savior Christ attending on his blessed person, but at this time it is like they took upon them some visible shape, that so their ministry
might be the more comfortable unto him; as it is like, the devil appeared in some shape for Christ's greater terror in his temptations.
In this circumstance of time, we may observe a work of God's providence which he pleaseth to exercise in the time of temptation upon his own children; to wit, for a time to hide his mercy from them, withdrawing the sensible feeling of his favor. Thus he dealt with his beloved some Christ Jesus, during the time of Satan's violent temptations he concealed from him the sensible assistance of the ministry of his Angels, they show not themselves till Satan is departed. And so fareth it many times with God's deer children upon whom he bestows the good graces of his spirit, as a nursing-mother to try the affection of her child, will sometime hid herself from it, leave it alone, and suffer it to take a knock or a fall; so will the Lord leave his children to themselves and conceal from them the signs of his favor, suffering them to be buffered in temptation for a time, that they may find thereby what they are in themselves without God's grace, and by feeling the bitterness of that estate, the more to hunger and thirst after his grace and favor, the more joyfully and thankfully to embrace it when it is renewed, and the more carefully to keep it all the days of their life. What made David to accompt so highly of the courts of God's house, as that he esteemed the silly birds happy that might build their nests by God's altar, but his banishment thence, by the persecution of Saul wherein he was constrained to remain in Meshech, and to dwell in the tents of Kedar? And so when the people of God were in Babel, remembering Zion they wept; oh then, let my right hand forget to play, if I forget thee O Jerusalem; let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I prefer not Jerusalem to my chief joy.
But unto many this doctrine of temptations will seem to small purpose, nay altogether needless, for that they never felt any such
conflicts with the Devil, they defy him from their hearts, and they trust to God never to be troubled with him: this is the common estate of most men (those only excepted who have felt how hard a thing it is truly to repent and believe) thus to bless themselves in a carnal peace; but silly souls, they know not their own hearts nor the fearful case in which they stand; for all the true members of Christ must be made conformable unto their head; now he was consecrated the prince of their salvation through afflictions, Heb. 2.10: his soul was heavy unto the death, before he could finish the work of our life: yea he is tempted by Satan before he is comforted by the Angels; those therefore that were never tempted have yet no fellowship in his afflictions, they have not begun any conformity with Christ, so as it is like they are still bondslaves unto Satan, for if they had escaped out of his snare, they should feel his assaults to get them in again: in regard hereof the child of God is constrained to buckle hard with Satan in temptation, and to pray many a time to be delivered from his buffeting. And indeed howsoever for the present this be not joyous, yet they may count it exceeding great gladness, as the Apostle saith, not only for this trial of their faith which bringeth forth patience, but also because herein they become like unto Christ in his humiliation, which may give them assurance that they shall be like him in glory: for if we be dead with Christ we shall also live with him, and if we suffer we shall also reign with him. Add further that these men that never felt the assault of Satan, are as yet under a most fearful judgment of God in hardness of heart. When Christ fed five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, he distributed it by the hands of his disciples; But after it is said, they perceived not this matter of the loaves, and this reason is rendered, because their hearts were hardened, verse. 52. And so it is with them that never feel the temptations of Satan, for he goeth about continually like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour, as they whose hearts are not hardened do well perceive. To conclude therefore, let these men
who yet never felt in themselves these assaults of Satan, unfeignedly endeavor to change the course of their lives by the practice of true repentance in eschewing evil and doing good; let them give themselves sincerely to the exercise of prayer for the removal of their stony hearts, and the renewing unto them hearts of flesh, let them hear the word and do the same; and then they will shortly sing another song, to wit, that whosoever will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer temptations and be assaulted by the Devil; and then will they find that this doctrine is needful, yea they will bless God for this work of his spirit that caused these temptations of Christ's to be so particularly recorded, with his happy issue and victory over them all, not only for himself but for all his members, that in their temptations they may look unto Jesus, lest they should faint in their minds, for in that he suffered and was tempted he is able to succor them that are tempted, Heb. 2.18.
ROM. 16.20.
The God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
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