Milo

3 MARCH

Don’t doubt the sure word of God

‘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: Psalm 119:9–24

Satan’s arguments. We shall find a train of Satan’s subtleties in his discourse with the woman, and in her answers we shall see how he prevails by degrees, when he can get us to listen to his reasonings. He does not show all his design, but begins with starting a doubt.… ‘Is it possible?—I can hardly believe it’ … and this he expresses ambiguously—of every tree?—as if he asked for information. Such questioning, where the command of God was concerned, the woman ought not to have indulged. Here seems to have been the beginning of sin and we are often endangered the same way. Satan’s doubt respected:
(i) the reality of the command. And so still he prevails, persuading many that the precepts and threatenings in the Bible are not the sure word of God. Yea, he would sometimes force such doubts even upon believers.
(ii) the reasonableness of it. Why should God say so? Thus he teaches sinners to reason: ‘If God has threatened, he will not make his threatenings good; sure he will not punish me with everlasting misery for taking my pleasures here a few years.’
So there are many points of doctrine as plainly expressed as words can express them, yet Satan teaches men to reason about them till they deny and disbelieve them totally. Even some of God’s dear children are kept in suspense to their hurt.

FOR MEDITATION: But I must stop for the present, adding a word concerning Jesus, who was revealed to destroy the works of the devil. In him there is pardon for all transgressions and wisdom to enable us to withstand Satan. Without him sinners must perish—but those who believe in him shall be made more than conquerors and placed out of Satan’s reach for ever. Seek his face therefore and your souls shall live.

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

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]