PART 2-Reproof To Such As Are Not True Wrestlers

  (2.) The Spirit strives with men more imme­diately, when he makes his inward approaches to the consciences of men, debating in their own bosoms the case with them.  One while he shows them their sins in their bloody colours, and whither they shall surely bring them, if not looked to timely, which he doth so convincingly, that the creature smells sometimes the very fire and brimstone about him, and is at present in a temporary hell; another while he falls a parleying and treating with them, making gracious overtures to the sinner, if he will return at his reproof, presents the grace of the gospel, and opens a door of hope for his recovery, yea, falls a wooing and beseeching of him to throw down his rebellious arms, and come to Christ for life, whose heart is in a present disposition to receive and embrace the first motion the returning sinner makes for mercy.  Now when the Spirit of God follows the sinner from place to place, and time to time, suggesting such motions, and renewing his old suit, and the creature shall fling out of the Spirit's hands, thus striving with him, [the thing being unac­complished], as far from renouncing his lusts, or tak­ing any liking to Christ as ever.  This is to resist the Spirit to his face, and it carries so much malignity in it, that even where it hath not been final, poor hum­bled souls [so] over-set with the horror of it, that they could not for a long time be persuaded but that it was the unpardonable sin.  Take heed therefore, sinners, how you use the Spirit when he comes knocking at the door of your hearts.  Open at his knock, and he will be your guest; you shall have his sweet company. Repulse him, and you have not a promise he will knock again.  And if once he leave striving with thee, unhappy man, thou art lost for ever; thou liest like a ship cast up by the waves upon some high rock, where the tide [will] never come to fetch it off.  Thou may­est come to the Word, converse with other ordin­ances, but in vain.  It is the Spirit in them, which is both tide and wind, to set the soul afloat, and carry it on, or else it lies like a ship on dry ground which stirs not.

2. We wrestle against God when we wrestle with is providence;and that in two ways.

           (1.) When we are discontented with his provi­dential disposure of us.  God's carving for us doth not please us so, but that we are objecting against his dealings towards us, at least muttering something with the fool in our hearts, which God hears as lightly as man our words.  God counts then we begin to quarrel with him, when we do not acquiesce in, and say amen to his providence, whatever it is.  He calls it a contending with the Almighty, Job 40:2, yea, a re­proving of God.  And he is a bold man sure that dare find fault with God, and article against heaven.  God challengeth him, whoever he is, that doth this, to ans­wer it at his peril.  ‘He that reproveth God, let him answer it,’ ver. 2 of the chapter forementioned.  It was high time for Job to have done, when he hears what a sense God puts upon those unwary words which dropped from him in the anguish of his spirit and paroxysm of his sufferings.  Contend with the Almighty?  Reprove God?  Good man, how blank he is, and cries out, I am vile, what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.  Let God but par­don what is past, and he shall hear such language no more.  O, sirs, Take heed of this wrestling above all other.  Contention is uncomfortable, with whomso­ever it is we fall out—Neighbours or friends, wife or husband, children or servants, but worst of all with God.  If God cannot please thee, but thy heart riseth against him, what hopes are there of thy pleasing him, who will take nothing kindly from that man who is angry with him?  And how can love to God be pre­served in a discontented heart, that is always mut­tering against him?  Love cannot think any evil of God, nor endure to hear any speak evil of him, but it must take God's part, as Jonathan David’s, when Saul spake basely of him; and when it cannot be heard, will like him arise and be gone.  When afflicted, love can allow thee to groan, but not to grumble.  If thou wilt ease thy encumbered spirit into God's bosom by prayer, and humbly wrestle with God on thy knees, love is for thee, and will help thee to the best argu­ments thou canst use to God; but if thou wilt vent thy distempered passions, and show a mutinous spirit against God, this stabs it to the heart.
           (2.) We wrestle against providence, when incor­rigible under the various dispensations of God toward us.  Providence has a voice if we had an ear.  Mercies should draw, afflictions drive.  Now when neither fair means nor foul do is good, but we are impenitent under both; this is to wrestle against God with both hands.  Either of these have their peculiar aggrava­tions: one is against love, and so disingenuous; the other is against the smart of his rod, and therein we slight his anger, and are cruel to ourselves in kicking against the pricks.  Mercy should make us ashamed, wrath afraid to sin.  He that is not ashamed, has not the spirit of a man. He that is not afraid when smit­ten, is worse than the beast who stands in awe of whip and spur.  Sometimes mercy, especially these outward mercies, which have a pleasing relish to the carnal part in a Christian, hath proved a snare to the best of men, but then affliction useth to recover them.  But when affliction makes men worse, and they harden themselves against God, to sin more and more while the rod is on them; what is like to reclaim them?  Few are made better by prosperity, whom af­flictions make worse.  He that will sin, though he goes in pain, will much more, if that once be gone. But take heed of this contesting with God.  There is nothing got by scuffling with God, but blows, or worse.  If he say he will afflict thee no more, it is even the worst he can say; it is as much as if he should say he will be in thy debt till another world, and there pay thee altogether.  But if he means thee mercy, thou shalt hear from him in some sharper affliction than ever.  He hath wedges that can rive thee, wert thou a more knotty piece than thou art.  Are there yet the treasures of wickedness, and the scant measure that is abominable? saith god to Israel.  What! incorrig­ible, though the Lord's voice crieth unto the city, Micah 6:9, bidding you hear the rod, and him that hath appointed it?  See what course God resolves on. Therefore will I make thee sick in smiting of thee, ver. 13.  As if he had said, My other physic, I see, was too weak, it did not work or turn your stomach, but I will prepare a potion that shall make you sick at heart.