Milo

2 MARCH

Our greatest snares

‘Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’ Genesis 3:1
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Job 2:1–10

Satan tempted Eve by a serpent, Adam by Eve herself. She was bone of his bone, his dearest friend, his other self. By sin she was brought under Satan’s power and became his instrument, so that then he had access to Adam in the least suspected and the most ensnaring way. If he did not prevail thus, he could have little hope of success in any other method. And alas, he took his measures surely. Adam hearkened to the voice of his wife. By the subtlety of Satan, our best earthly comforts and the choicest gifts of God may become our greatest snares. If it was so in Paradise, how much more are we exposed to this danger now. Do you rejoice in the possession of many blessings and comforts? Rejoice with trembling. The enemy is watching to make that which is good an occasion of your falling. There is not one of them but may draw you into sin. We know not how often our nearest friends may (perhaps unawares to themselves) be influenced by the enemy to tempt us to sin. He will not so frequently solicit us by those we hate, as by those we love. And when they mean us well, they may be acting the part, to our hurt, which a professed enemy could not attempt. Thus Satan employed Peter to discourage our Lord from his purpose of love to us; but he saw that though the words were Peter’s, the suggestion was from Satan and treated it accordingly (Matthew 16:23).

FOR MEDITATION: This consolation he himself gives, Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world [John 16:33]. Jesus likewise overcame in himself and overcame in his people all that is in the world suited to poison and alienate their hearts, so that by faith in him they are enabled to withstand not only its frowns but its smiles, which are perhaps the more dangerous weapons with which the world can assault them.
Sermon: Revelation 19:13, 7 September 1777

SERMON SERIES: GENESIS, NO. 6 [2/3], GENESIS 3:1

1 MARCH

Satan’s wily methods

‘Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’ Genesis 3:1
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: 2 Samuel 11:1–26

The serpent said to the woman, who was created to be a helpmeet for the man. Adam was the immediate head of the creation and God gave him the woman to be his companion. We may believe they were each furnished suitably for the different parts assigned them in life—equal with respect to their great end, the knowledge and love of God, but the woman in some respects subordinate to the man even in Paradise. It seems probable that Satan expected more easily to prevail over her, that he was afraid of being discovered and repulsed if he applied directly to man, but if he could deceive the woman first, he hoped by her means to draw the man into transgression likewise, as the event proved (see 1 Corinthians 11:3, 9; 1 Timothy 2:13–14). In this first temptation we may see something of his general methods to this day.
It seems that Satan was well acquainted with Adam’s ability, therefore he proceeded cautiously; he knew his situation and suited himself accordingly. The Scripture, as I have observed, intimates that even in the state where both were perfect, the woman was in a sense the weaker vessel, therefore he began with her, watching an opportunity, as it should seem, when Adam was absent. And thus he besets and watches us all, especially awakened souls. He will not ordinarily come upon you in your strength, at a season when you are best prepared and most upon your guard, but will wait his advantage. He did not tempt Peter to deny his master when upon the Mount, but when he found him in the high priest’s hall. He will not tempt you by directly thwarting your knowledge and judgement, but will tempt you when you are weaker, by your imaginations, passions or prejudices.

FOR MEDITATION: ‘Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’ (1 Peter 5:8, NIV).

SERMON SERIES: GENESIS, NO. 6 [1/3], GENESIS 3:1

29 FEBRUARY (PREACHED ON 28 FEBRUARY 1794)

When he hides his face

‘When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him?’ Job 34:29
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 13:1–6

When he hideth. Here it is supposed that the Lord may hide his face from those to whom he has once given quietness. This for wise reasons:
(i) to show them what is in their hearts. When the sun sets, beasts come forth.
(ii) to keep them from spiritual pride.
(iii) to make them value peace the more.
(iv) to teach them how to walk with others.
(v) to chastise them for unfaithfulness in their walking.
When he does hide his face, who can behold him? We can then gain little help from:
(i) knowledge. We may speak, read, hear of divine truths, but there is little life and comfort in them till the Lord returns.
(ii) experience. We think in our happy times, ‘Sure I shall never forget this.’ But we may be left to doubt of all.
(iii) helps from men. All are then found miserable comforters.
For a close: this is scriptural, agreeable to the experience of the most—in this path you may see the footsteps of the flock. Be not surprised if some talk otherwise, but keep close to your Bibles. I would press believers to assurance, but not to be strong in themselves as if they had a stock of grace and comfort within. Our strength is in the Lord.

FOR MEDITATION: See the necessity of walking humbly and closely with the Lord in his ways. Not as the condition of salvation—this is in Christ alone—but as the means of keeping the evidence clear. If thus with the Lord’s people, what must the sinner and ungodly expect? To believers, though the streams fail, the fountain is sure. But O if the Lord should hide his face in death, or frown upon from his judgement seat.

SERMON: JOB 34:29 [2/2] [ON THE FAST DAY]

28 FEBRUARY (PREACHED ON 28 FEBRUARY 1794)

He gives quietness

‘When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him?’ Job 34:29
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Job 34:21–30

True quietness and peace is not our portion by nature (Isaiah 57:21). It is the gift of God and, as the first communication, so the continuance depends upon him—if he hideth. The way in which he gives (for it is a free gift) we are taught in Isaiah 32:17. See also Psalm 29:11 and 85:8. When the righteousness of God by Jesus is made known, approved and received by faith, the effect is quietness. All can witness it is not to be found in the ways of sin, or in attempts to establish our own righteousness—or, if a seeming peace, it is not solid such as will bear examining. Therefore such are angry. But God’s peace—the more lived by his word, the more confirmed. As this quietness depends upon God, so upon him only—no matter who frowns, if he smiles (so Romans 8:31). It will stand the brunt against all charges: the law cannot disturb—an answer is prepared and the soul can admit every charge and yet plead Jesus; indwelling sin cannot remove it—this causes mourning, but the blood and grace of Jesus are effectual; changes of frames—these for a season occasion great searchings of heart and are always cause of humiliation, but, as faith grows, it can rejoice in an unchangeable God; temptations—these indeed are war, but the Lord can give peace in the midst of war; much less, outward afflictions—hear the Apostle who drank deep of this cup: Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
FOR MEDITATION:
The tempter, who but lately said,
But JESUS pitied my distress,
I soon shall be his prey;
He heard my feeble cry;
Has heard my Saviour’s voice and fled
Revealed his blood and righteousness,
With shame and grief away.
And brought salvation nigh.

O wondrous change! but just before
Beneath the banner of his love,
Despair beset me round;
I now secure remain;
I heard the lion’s horrid roar,
The tempter frets, but dares not move
And trembled at the sound.
To break my peace again.

SERMON: JOB 34:29 [1/2] [ON THE FAST DAY]

27 FEBRUARY

Afraid of the daylight

‘There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.’ John 3:1–2
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Isaiah 51:1–8

Nicodemus came by night. Some ascribe this to prudence and modesty; he would not interrupt Jesus in the day but waited for his leisure. For my own part I made no doubt he came by night because he was afraid to come by daylight. He was under the sinful fear of man lest he should be persecuted or laughed at. He was not willing to run the risk of being thought a follower of Christ, at least till he was sure that he was right. We have many such spirits that would hear if they durst, would be glad of the opportunity of a strange place or a dark night, but so afraid of being called mad or a Methodist [an evangelical]. I doubt not but you are acquainted with some who are afraid of coming to us for that reason, and perhaps some of you are thinking how you shall face your acquaintance when you go back. However, it’s well you are come at all. Our Lord did not reprove Nicodemus on this account, though it was quite wrong, but he is very gracious and gentle to young beginners. I shall only advise to pray to him for strength, and the oftener you come and the more diligently you hear, the bolder you will grow.

FOR MEDITATION: [re the conversion of William Wilberforce] To the Rev. John Newton: Sir, I wish to have some serious conversation with you.… PS Remember that I must be secret, and that the gallery of the House [of Commons] is now so universally attended, that the face of a Member of Parliament is pretty well known.
William Wilberforce to John Newton, 2 December 1785

I saw Mrs [Aunt Hannah] Wilberforce today, and left her in tears of joy. She says you may depend on her strictly observing your requisitions. The reason I mentioned at first that Saturday was not convenient was only from the possibility of your being known and noticed by somebody—which reason now seems not so mighty as it was then.
John Newton to William Wilberforce, 22 December 1785

SERMON SERIES: JOHN 3:1–2, NO. 1 [7/7]