ORDINARY SABBATHS
"I can't understand M'Cheyne; grace seems to be natural to him."
IT was in the spring of 1840 that Mr. Lamb returned from London to Dundee. His intention was to settle in that busy town, and carry on business there as a grain merchant. As to where he was to worship on the Lord's Day, and receive help in the cultivation of a Christian life, he mad his mind so far made up that he should go to St. Peter's, where the Rev. Robert Murray M'Cheyne preached, and whose fame as a young, evangelical minister was rapidly increasing. Many flocked to this church because they felt they got a blessing in it. The preaching came "with power," because manifestly with "the unction of the Holy One." And what a joy it is to come under the quickening and refreshing influence of a living preacher, a true man of God, whose face, like the face of Moses, shines as if fresh from the holy mount!
This was clearly the experience of William Lamb, as can be seen from the following notes from his diary:-
"Friday, 3rd April, 1840. Arrived at Dundee from London after a good and safe passage of 41 hours. On the Sabbath following, in the morning, accompanied by my brother John, I went to Mr. Roxburgh's church, where we heard a very good lecture on Paul's conversion. In the afternoon we went to St. Peter's church, Mr. M'Cheyne's, where there was a delightful service, and the text was Jeremiah xxxi. 31, 32, 'Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,' &c. I greatly enjoyed the preaching. Before leaving London I had heard of M'Cheyne's zeal and work for Christ's cause, and entertained a presentiment that I would worship with him, and sit under his ministry. But now that I have heard him myself I am satisfied. I shall try to get a sitting in the church, and God grant that I may derive much strength from the ministrations of His servant.
"Sunday, 12th April, 1840. Forenoon and afternoon attended St. Peter's, and was much gratified with M'Cheyne's sermons. He is so feeling and so practical. It was a great Sabbath to me. I could not help observing the contrast—the peaceful quiet of Dundee as compared with the bustle of London. Peace of every kind contributes to devotional feeling."
Not many days elapsed before Mr. Lamb felt desirous of becoming a member of M'Cheyne's increasing flock. Under this date he says : "I have become a member of St. Peter's, and for the first time have partaken of the Holy Sacrament there. I pray that my joining such a congregation, under the ministry of such a zealous and indefatigable servant of Christ, may prove of great spiritual benefit to my soul. How beautifully affectionate were M'Cheyne's addresses! He draws you to Christ. To-day he said, 'Christ has brought us into green pastures and by still waters, but would we follow the Shepherd into deep valleys of affliction and trial?' Ah ! true, it is easy to follow Christ when the way is smooth, but very different when the world—worldly desires, pursuits, and pleasures are in our way, as stones and traps which make us stumble. I felt composed and comforted, though downcast, because of my walking too much away from Christ.
"Sabbath, 30th August, 1840. Forenoon and afternoon at St. Peter's. Mr. M'Cheyne preached in the forenoon from Hebrew i. 13, 14 verses, 'But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?' In the afternoon his text was Revelation xxi. 6-9, 'And He said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega,' &c. Was much pleased with both discourses. He also expounded the parable of the Ten Virgins, showing that between real Christians and mere nominal professors there is little outward difference. At length, however, the difference appears in the discovery of the fact that while real Christians have 'oil' of grace in the heart, mere professors have none."
About this time Mr. Lamb speaks of a young friend, Mr. John S——, who came from Glasgow to visit him, and who, on being taken to St. Peter's, was much impressed and blessed. He was greatly arrested by the preacher's earnestness, and by the striking similes that were used to illustrate and enforce the truth. Indeed it would appear that Mr. Lamb made it a point to take all his friends to St. Peter's. Having been himself so often refreshed at this "well of salvation" he was anxious that all his friends should share in a similar blessing. "I took my friends to St. Peter's, and all were pleased with M'Cheyne. He was, however, weak in body, having just recovered from an illness."
This evidently drew out the sympathies of Mr. Lamb for his minister, and led him to abound in prayer on his behalf. And in his diary he makes this remark, that "all Church members might well lay to heart to pray for their minister. This was Paul's request, and it is the request of every true minister of Christ. 'Brethren, pray for us.' It is only on the Sabbath I seem to remember our minister. But this is not sufficient, for in proportion as a minister is prayed for by his people, so will he be more strengthened for his duties among them. We seem to think that the minister should pray for us (and no doubt rightly), but we should be more anxious to pray for him, for then he will not fail to be blessed in his work. For my part I feel that without constant and earnest prayer my soul can never be in health and prosper. . . . Felt particularly drawn out to pray for M'Cheyne that God would encourage his heart, which from his preaching on Thursday evening, seemed downcast, because of a supposed relapse of his people. God spare such a useful life long to labour amongst us !
"Sabbath, 10th May, 1841. Mr. M'Cheyne preached this forenoon from Hebrews v. 10-14. 'Called of God an High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered.' &c. Was much edified by the discourse to-day. 'We get on so slowly,' said M'Cheyne, 'because of so many unconverted people among us, and because there are so many who are only "babes" in Christ. We have to work again and again at the foundations—the first principles of the oracles of God. Then there are so many Laodiceans, neither hot nor cold, among us ; so many Sardians, with a name to live and yet dead, that we are hindered from getting to higher things—to the perfecting of the saints.
" 'Again, we must not pass over "hard" things, though in the Bible, but read them with prayer and holy reverence, looking up to God for the enlightening influence of the Holy Ghost. How few come to the house of God to learn to become teachers of others! An old divine said, "Art thou of use in the Church of Christ? Wouldst thou be missed if taken away? Hast thou taught any Christless neighbours, any poor ignorant children?" People expect to be saved, and yet live useless lives, bearing the name of Christ and nothing more ; "babes" at St. Paul puts it, unskilled, untrained, like David in Saul's armour, not accustomed to it. Many do not exercise themselves. They cannot use the armour of righteousness when temptation assails them, or when trial and bereavement come. They have little skill in using the Gospel to heal themselves or others. What is the cause? "Take heed", said Christ, "how ye hear," for many are neither vessels of gold nor yet of silver, only cumberers in the Church of God.' "
It was one of the characteristics of M'Cheyne that he was skilful in the selection of his texts as well as in the exposition of them. He "sought to find out acceptable words" in order that they might be as "goads" and "nails," stimulating and strengthening. And one could not fail to see that he was looking up to the great Master of Assemblies to make them effective in applying the truth, as He alone could. This will appear from the texts quoted in Mr. Lamb's diary.
"Sabbath, 10th May, 1841. Mr. M'Cheyne preached in the afternoon from Ruth i., verses 13 and 14. His subject was Ruth cleaving to Naomi. Among other things, he said that Ruth's mother-in-law lost her husband and her two sons in quick succession. 'I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty.' This is often the case with the Lord's people. It makes their experience bitter and yet blessed. 'Call me not Naomi (pleasant), call me Mara (bitter) ; for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.' Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and wept bitterly when it was said, 'Set thine house in order.' Job, when he lost his children and all his property, was so distressed that 'he cursed the day wherein he was born.' Such are the trials that come to God's people. But this manner of acting is to 'faint' under the Divine rebuke, and we are warned against that. Trouble is sent to wean God's people from the world, and to break the bonds of sin.
"It has been noticed that when a believer falls he often falls very low. See how David fell into adultery and murder. And when the believer thus falls, his love for prayer goes, while the Bible becomes a sealed book, written within and without with lamentation and woe. Afflictions are sent believers that they may know the hidden lusts of their hearts, and that they may mortify them. God can make a believer feel His presence, and He can also make him feel His absence. In Job xxiii. 5, 6 we have a case of real desertion ; and in Job xxix. 2-5 we have the enjoyment of the Divine presence. Here Mr. M'Cheyne appealed to his hearers as to whether they ever had any experience of this, whether they had ever felt such things. Those were in real danger who went on in the easy ways of the world. God cannot forget a soul that is in Christ. His love is compared to a mother's love. It is even more abiding. It is unchanging. 'I am God ; I change not.' Although believers may be afflicted and feel so sorrowful that they cannot say, 'I will praise the Lord, who is the health of my countenance and my God,' yet a time will come when they shall be able to sing that song.
"Sabbath, 31st May, 1841. Mr. M'Cheyne preached from Philippians iv. 6, 'Be careful for nothing ; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know unto God.' It was a comforting discourse to every believer. Oh that I, as such, had more faith to feel this, and to trust in the Lord more fully ! Felt much 'joy and peace in believing' to-day, but I long to know more of the 'peace of God which passeth all understanding' that my heart and mind may be kept through Jesus Christ.
"A fast day was appointed by the General Assembly that we might humble ourselves as individuals and as a Church and nation, and pray that God might turn away His wrath from us, and revive us in His mercy. Mr. M'Cheyne officiated the whole day himself in St. Peter's, preaching from Ezekiel ix. 4 in the forenoon, 2 Corinthians ii. 14-16 in the afternoon, and Psalm cxxxix, 23, 24 in the evening. The last discourse in 'Searching' was impressive. 'Search me, O Lord, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.' The text was applied to the sins of the individual members of the Church. Both in his prayers and preaching he was most comprehensive, earnest, and heart-searching in his allusions to the sins of Christians. The Lord bless the Word to all who heard it, and to my own soul, for how many of the truths he stated apply to myself! Indeed, it is my prayer to God that he would enable me to search and try my own heart, and know my thoughts, that I may be aware of the wicked ways that are in me, and pray to be led in the way everlasting."
On another Sabbath in this year 1841, Mr. Lamb writes : "Attended my place of worship as usual. In the forenoon Mr. M'Cheyne preached from Hebrews, on the 'Priesthood of Christ.' In the afternoon the text was Acts xii. 20, 'But the Word of God grew and multiplied.' This sermon was a most impressive one. 'The Word of God grew,' and where that was so the following results appeared in believers : a feeling as if a second conversion was required; more love for the sanctuary; a holier living, giving up even doubtful practices, pursuits, and pleasures, leaving the company of the wicked, and avoiding all occasions or temptations to fall into sin. On the other hand, if the Word of God is not growing and not multiplying, then Christians become cold or lukewarm— Laodicean. Again, when the Word of God grows and multiplies, there are revivals of religion, notorious sinners are converted, and Christ's kingdom is advanced."
In November of this year, 1841, Mr. Lamb had a German Jew with him. As was his custom, he brought the stranger within his gates to the house of God. He felt that he was so far responsible for all who came under his roof; that he was his brother's keeper, and that his neighbour was the man next to him. Accordingly he invited the foreigner to the church. He came, and was delighted with Mr. M'Cheyne's kind and affectionate manner of preaching. The good seed was sown which he believed would result in a blessed harvest.
"Sabbath, 20th February, 1842. Attended church as usual. Mr. M'Cheyne officiated the whole day. In the afternoon he preached a most impressive sermon on Job xiv. 1, 2 : 'Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down ; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.' In confirmation of this truth he referred to the many sudden and painful bereavements which had recently occurred in the congregation. Both young and old—the child and the old man of hoar hairs—had been laid in the grave. These events were a commentary on the text, and one which we had every week, and would that we all laid the lesson of our mortality to heart. Here we have 'no continuing city.' At best we are but 'strangers and pilgrims.'
"Sabbath, 24th April. Mr. M'Cheyne preached a very powerful and practical sermon from St. Mark's Gospel, xiv. 7, 8. 'She hath done what she could.' These were the words of our Saviour with reference to Mary ; but they can be applied to all other Christians who seek to do what they can, in their several spheres, to promote the glory of God. Mary was a contemplative Christian, but she was practical as well. Indeed, Mr. M'Cheyne thought that the most pensive were often the most practical. To be contemplative merely is only to show the blossom and flower. We must be active too, and bring forth fruit, year, 'much fruit,' for by bearing fruit we glorify the Father.
"But what can Christians do now? We can love and pray more. We cannot, as Mary did, break a box of alabaster and anoint Christ's head with it. Nor was it to this our Saviour looked so much as to her broken heart and the flowing out of her affection for Him.
"Also, we can live holier lives, carry about with us a sweet fragrance, and endeavour to be consistent in our words, and looks, and lives. Let it be observable, by what we do, that we love Jesus. Yea, more, we can try to save the souls of others. Those who are saved by Christ must feel that others need salvation. Have we done what we could to save the perishing?
"And what are the motives that should impel us? Think what God has done for us, and how, before our conversion, we acted against Christ. Now, like Peter, let us say, that 'the time past of our life may suffice to have wrought the will of the Gentiles.' And let us remember that our works of faith and labours of love will not pass unrewarded. He shall acknowledge and honour us on the great day. 'Inasmuch as yet have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto me.' Oh that the dormant energies of all professing Christians were thus called forth, that at last it may be said of them, as of Mary, 'She hath done what she could!'"
Mr. M'Cheyne was fond of the Old Testament. It was manifestly to him a pleasant and fruitful field of research. He had no difficulty in finding the Gospel in it, almost everywhere, in type and symbol, as also illustrations and enforcements of Christian duty. Some preachers scarcely ever preach from the Old Testament Scriptures, which is apt to leave an impression on young minds that they are too difficult and dry, or that they are antiquated and obsolete. But that is far from the truth. The fact is, there are no writings more modern or up to date than the Old Testament Scriptures. There are no better illustrations of human nature to be found anywhere than in the book of Genesis.
Of course, we rejoice in the New Testament. It is the outcome of the Old, the upper storey of the house, from which we have wider and clearer views. But it is one and the same house.
That being Mr. M'Cheyne's view, he frequently went to the Old Testament for subjects of discourse, examples of which we give in the following extracts.
"Sabbath, 8th May, 1842. Mr. M'Cheyne preached in the afternoon from Zechariah iii. 1 : 'And he showed me Joshua the high priest, standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.' Here we have an example of how our great adversary continually seeks to resist believers. He is ever at their right hand, shooting his fiery darts, in the shape of infidel suggestions, or hard thoughts of one's self, or doubts concerning God's mercy, or inducements through the lust of the eye, the flesh, or the pride of life, and its pleasures, to sin against God. What believer is there that does not feel this to be his sad experience? And sometimes, alas! He sinks into some of the snares of the evil one. Nothing but the putting on, and keeping on, of the whole armour of God can enable us to quench these fiery darts, and this cause Satan to flee from us."
Here Mr. Lamb tells his experience on the evening of this same day, that he had wonderful liberty and freedom from restraint in teaching his Bible class, as if somehow he had been shielded from all attacks and distractions from without. And there can be no doubt that the devil, or some one in his place, is particularly anxious to interfere with the comfort and usefulness of all preachers and teachers of the Word. Hence the necessity of being forearmed and on watch.
From the following it will be seen that M'Cheyne adopted the symbolical or typical method common in Scottish pulpits then, but now falling rapidly into disuse.
"June 5th, 1842. 'Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars,' &c. (Proverbs ix. 1-6). Wisdom may be taken to personify Christ. In the previous chapter it is spoken of thus: 'The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old.' This wisdom gives an invitation to sinners.
"(1.) She hath builded her house. We may take this house as meaning the Church of God. Christ builds that goodly temple. (See Hebrews iii.). He is 'a Son over His own house, whose house are we.' Just as King Solomon built his Temple, and his name means the Prince of Peace, so our King Jesus—who also is the Price of Peace—builds His. Moreover he quarries out and carves every stone and lays it in his place. He superintends that building. He wishes us to be stones of His temple. As the structure rises joyful shoutings are heard: 'Grace, grace, unto it.' No sand foundation is here; no edifice that endures but for a little. 'For we know that of our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.'
"(2.) The seven pillars may represent eminent believers. They are needful to hold the building together. James and John and Cephas were thus pillars of the Church (Galatians ii. 9). And in Revelation iii. 12 it is said, 'Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God.' The number seven carries with it the idea of perfection. Christ fashions them gloriously, He hews out His pillars.
"(3.) Then Wisdom invites us to a feast. 'She hath killed her beasts.' Christ has made the great sacrifice for us. 'She hath mingled her wine.' The Holy Spirit is as wine, yet not as the wine of this world. 'Be ye not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.' 'She hath also furnished her table.' The sacrifice and the Holy Spirit lie there for us; they nourish us. So we live. Sin's death-power over us is destroyed.
"(4.) Messengers are sent out. 'Her maidens' go forth with the invitations. Weak vessels. So Christ uses such that all the glory may be in Him. Holy they are—chaste, pure. So Christ's ministers. Weak vessels indeed, but they must be holy. A bishop must be holy and blameless. Ah, ministers require much to be prayed for—they are Christ's witnesses—His standard-bearers,—have their commission from Him, and the devil likes to attack them. This arch-enemy says to his followers, 'Fight not with small or great, but with these.' . . . Wisdom 'crieth upon the highest places of the city.' Verily so did Christ.
"Notice who are invited. The 'simple—him that wanteth understanding.' She must arrest the attention of the foolish. 'A prudent man foreseeth the evil, . . but the simple pass on, and are punished.' Forsake your folly and live. The companions of the foolish shall be destroyed. If we will only think we will not turn away from the great salvation God offers us. 'Come,' says Wisdom, 'eat of my bread and drink of the wine which I have mingled.' Partake, or no benefit will come to you. 'The Bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. He that cometh to me,' says Jesus, 'shall never hunger, and he that believeth in Me shall never thirst.'"
"Sabbath, 22nd May, 1842. Mr. M'Cheyne preached to-day on Caleb following the Lord fully. It was a very practical and edifying discourse. How few believers, indeed, follow the Lord fully! How inconsistencies prevent this, and make them stumbling-blocks to others! I greatly enjoyed the sermon, and felt that I could take not a little of it to myself. May the Lord enable me to follow Him more fully than ever! Take away every hindrance, subdue mine iniquities, and keep my heart."
Such searchings and humblings of heart on the part of hearers are sure signs that the preaching is if the right sort, quick and powerful, and leading to the cultivation of a holier life. May the King send more ambassadors of this sort!
"Thursday, 1st December, 1842. A day of thanksgiving for the late abundant harvest. Mr. M'Cheyne officiated all day. In the forenoon he preached from Nehemiah viii. 9, 10: 'And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha (governor), and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law,' &c. The opening prayer was based on the greater part of the 148th psalm, and was most appropriate throughout. Truly he was enabled to pray in the Spirit in a particular manner. Then his preaching came with such power. He dwelt especially on the closing words of the 10th verse, 'the joy of the Lord is your strength,' showing that when the Christian has great joy in the Lord from believing, he gets strength for every duty and trial.
"In the afternoon the subject was continued, and was felt to be exceedingly comforting and strengthening. He said,—(1.) The joy of the Lord was not animal, carnal nor merely 'innocent' joy. It was spiritual, and the portion of the believer. (2.) It came to us from Christ. Such was the Ethiopian treasurer's joy, such was the Philippian jailor's joy. (3.) It continued in us through the Holy Ghost. And just as natural joy upholds us and gives strength to us, so with this spiritual joy. It shall be manifest to others, and we shall invite others to share in it. 'Eat the fat and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared.' Note further (1.) Christ Jesus had that spiritual joy. He was a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, yet He had joy in His soul which made Him strong. He 'rejoiced in spirit.' For 'the joy that was set before Him' He endured. (2.) Paul also had much of this joy. He speaks of it, and again and again one sees it in him. (3.) All faithful ministers have this joy. They suffer much, it is true. So they can comfort broken hearts. But when ministers allow sin to lie on their consciences, the spiritual joy leaves them, and they are weak. When God's Word to them too is a sealed book—when they read it not in the Spirit—know not its contents for their souls—then their sermons have no joyous life in them. Take away the comfort that 'the joy of the Lord' gives us, and we are as Samson when his locks were shorn." Mr. M'Cheyne then referred to suffering for the right—for the Lord's cause—and said, "I read my Bible ill of such sufferings as the martyrs suffered are not coming now, but, as with Stephen, the 'joy of the Lord' will hold up the sufferers."
"Sabbath, 18th December, 1842. Mr. M'Cheyne preached to-day from Hebrews ii. 3 : 'How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?' It was a solemn and searching sermon. What a terrible guilt lies at the door of those who hear the Gospel, and yet fail to accept its gracious invitations! We need only to neglect what is offered, to perish, and go down to a lost eternity. Who can answer the question of the text?
"In the evening I had much liberty in teaching and speaking seriously to the children in the Sabbath school. Oh that some may be brought, through my instrumentality, to a knowledge of Jesus Christ! One soul led by me to find 'the pearl of great price' would far more than compensate for all my nights of teaching and praying with and for them.
"What a lovely starry night! The moon and stars are shining on the river, and as seen from my window the whole scene is enchanting. I thought on the greatness of God, and what a lack of faith I often showed in not trusting Him who is almighty to make all needful provision for me in this life and that which is to come. How should I doubt or fear when I consider Him who made the heavens and the earth, the sun, moon, and stars, and upholds them all? Why question either His willingness or ability to supply all my wants? Read my Bible, and retired to rest."
In addition to these reports of sermons, Mr. Lamb has many references in the diary to important ecclesiastical events that were then transpiring in Scotland. He tells us, for instance, of the "Church Defence" meetings—for so he calls them—that were held by the St. Peter's people; of the detailed account M'Cheyne gave of the Convocation held in Edinburgh in November, 1842; of the resolution of the members and office-bearers to "come out," if separation from the State were necessary; of his own going to Edinburgh as a member of the General Assembly of 1843, and attending the preliminary conference in St. Luke's Church on the Tuesday and Wednesday; of his being present in St. Andrew's Church on the Thursday when the Disruption took place; and of his going to hear Dr. Candlish on the following Sabbath in his "new church, the first Free Presbyterian Church in which worship was performed," when a magnificent sermon was preached from St. Matthew v. 16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is heaven." It would be interesting to quote some of these entries, but they go beyond the scope of this book. It may be remarked here, however, that Mr. Lamb, in addition to the diary, kept little note-books in which there are many jottings on those events. But in these little note-books—written in pencil— there are also many notes of sermons and expositions of Scripture by M'Cheyne which do not appear in the diary. Let us cull from them some M'Cheyniana.
The Transfiguration. "There are great deeps here that pass knowledge, just like the agony in Gethsemane." "In the Church of Christ there are some who are not only of the twelve, but of the three—men who are not only believers, but eminent believers—men who are specially near to God. It is good to be among the twelve, but better to be among the three. Covet earnestly the best gifts." "Christ loved solitary places, but also the prayer meeting." "Moses and Elias appearing unto Him—to talk with Him about his decease at Jerusalem—was an answer to the prayer ' that those whom the Father had given Him might be one with Him, and behold His glory.'"
Sins of Saints.
Want of Faith. St. Luke xxiv. 25.
Want of Humility. St. Matthew xvii. 1-6.
Want of Love. Romans ii. 1-4.
Want of Unity or Harmony. 1 Cor. i. 11-13.
Prayer. "Pray without ceasing." Have a prayerful spirit. Have stated times for prayer. Daniel and David had such. In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Strange that some Christians should only pray in great emergencies—at a death-bed, say, or under some great trial. We should lay all matters before God. Nothing is too little to lay before God. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without His knowledge—unless it be His will."
A Believer's Fall. "Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai, not to the voice of God. Our errors arise just from taking counsel with flesh and blood. Here, then, Abram falls after he has been a believer for 110 years. Ah, but how many fall after only 10 years!"
Keeping under the Body. "How particular Paul was in keeping under his body! Satan gets a great advantage over Christians when they are intemperate in eating, in drinking, in sleeping. Paul felt that if he lived after the flesh he would simply die—that all his work for Christ, all his spiritual experiences and attainments would go for nothing—and that life then was really not worth living. More, he would come into terrible condemnation. God would cast him away."
A Castaway. "The word 'castaway' seems to be connected with the melting of metals. It is that which is thrown out, and is worse than useless. A chosen one like Paul, then, if—because of continued sinning—rejected by God, is as castaway, thrown-out, reprobate silver."
Our Lord's Temptation. "He was tempted in a fourfold way to distrust, presumption, idolatry, ambition."
Possessed of Devils. "The unconverted are like such. They dwell in the tomb. Their abode is as the grave—no mention of God's name there, no praise ascending to God. And their surroundings are corrupt as the place where dead bodies are." . . . "As with these devils, who can 'tame' the unconverted; the pride of the proud man; they eye of the adulterer; the foot of the drunkard as he crosses the threshold of the tavern? Many hands are stretched out to 'tame,' to 'bind' the sinner: parental authority; an earnest minister's warnings and entreaties. All these, however, fail to lay hold of a Christless man when the flood of temptation and sin rises in his bosom. It is just like trying to bind the legions spoken of in the Gospels. Christ alone can change his nature. He clothes him and puts him in his right mind. At once he leaves the tomb and the company of the filthy and corrupt.