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i Tappan Presbuterlan flssoclatlon |
[ LilBRARY. I
\ 'f resented by HON. D. BETHUNE DUff lELD. |
From Library of Rev. Geo. Duffield, D.D. ^
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Imprimatur,
Hie Liber ( cui Titulus, Dxmonolo- gia Sacra : Or, (s>f Treatife of Sa- t^Ms Temptations^ in Three Parts. )
Martii, 9tft
Guil. Siff.
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#airm Cemptatton^ :
In Three Parts.
ByKiCHARB Cjilpik.v^JH
1 Cor. 2.11. W^^ ^r^ rtot g7Wr<<Mt o/" />« Devices, .
2»'^-^''^- nil •^■^^^-
LONDON,
Printed by J. D. for Richard Randely and P^/^r Maplifdeny Eookfellers in iy^n^ C4/?/f upon 2/>^•• 1677.^
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"^TTo the Reader:
le accuratf fedrches into the Secrets e/Na^
ture which this Age h^th freduced^ tho^h
they 4re in tbemfehes fufficient evidences of
a commendAile Indnftn ; yet feeing they fall
f^ exceedingly fbort of that difcovery which
MeM dim diy giving us apheft hnt frohable
cohjeHures^ dnd i$nceridin gueffes^ they are beccme as Utile
fdtisfdStory to Men that look after the true caufes of things^
4S thife Ships of dejire , rphofe great undertaking for Gold
bad rdlfed high exfectations in their attempts ; but in the
retnrny brought Jfiothing home for their Ventures but Apes
and Peacocks. While Men reflect upon themselves under
^fuch DifafpointmeniS'^theycannet but check themfelves^ for
ever;promijtngjhemfelves in their Adventures^ mththat
of 3?ippKar, y ain Mjin wop W be wifc^
: But hm bappv would it be for Men, if fuch failures of eicpel^atson might better inform them i If our Attainments («\ iff tbefepurfuits will not bear our Chargesy nor recompence' V tfifr paifk^and tofs of timo:^ wth ant afffrver able profit ^though
rjpe may fie eauje foretimes (as, a Hivertifement or Recre-[ dtfon)to ufi them; yet how fbafl we fat^sfie our felves ti] 1^ m4h them (ii$r chief and folebufinefs ? \ /
. ffweknewfifnoihin^of^ concern lo us than thefe^ur pegt^cf ofgreaUrl)!U iipere more excifable ; but feeing . wr. dreyf^ctenify )nj^rucledy that we have more tv eighty things to look after^ fuoh 4S relate to a cert ain future eft ate of happiffef or mrery: the very difiwery of this to a Rational'. Jkri»g> miujt np^ds tntitle^^^ to^ fhe firji andgrea,t,cft
fjtrt of hif care^ . He^ that, k^iowj ihd\ there is one thing ' , " * B ' • ncceflary,'
jmrfmt tf phaf^ ^/ troubUflg feirtrfetf abdMrnany Aii^, // more ju/ify chargdbU mtkfolfyy than he>4ihit negUHs bis Sfiate^, Md fwiis himfslf Mo/ftMP ImpA^mt^ but t0 fur^^ fuc Feathers in the Wind. .
JtmMgthofetBngsthdtlieUgi^ifferstoowfiHd^ God nffd our own hearts 'i^re the chitf. God is the Firft 4nd Laft, and whole ofottr HApfinefs^ the Beginnings ^^^^fh and Com^dtmcnt cf it is fromhim^ and in him^for in that /Centre do aUthe hints meet^natmr Heart is the Stage npem which this Feli^itj^ \as t^ the apptication of it) is tranfacted : upon this little Jpot of Earth, doth God and Satan draw uf their fever al Armies ; here dct^ each of f hem fbesv their tower ana Wifdom ^ this W treited hj hth^ each of thfn$ chaUengi. an interefi in it ; ^tii attained on the one piti^ and^ defenckd on the other. 3o that heri are. Skirmifies^ Battels^ and Stratagems managed \ that Man therithdt mUnofcon* cern himfelfin his "Enquiries, hon^the Matter goes in his otvn Heart,' tphaf Ground is got or loflj:,i»fhat.^orfsjir€J4* ken or defendedy what^Mines are fpritng^ yphai Jhnbuf:ados laid^ or hotp the Battel proceeds : n$u/l needs ketikderajufi impntdtion of the greatefi fiXly ; neither can he be exiufed in his negleCfJby the mfi preffingfoUicitations pother things that feem to require his jtt^enddnce upof^ the^hgheftmaH^^ , noble pretences of necejjhjf:. Fotwha^t is He pro^iedy tnaf ^4//ixchewkoleWorld,irhelp^^ .^
But the exact and faithful management of fuck jpirituat inquiries, mth their neceffary impro^menk to ilfltgent v^atchfidnefS'^and carefttl en/eat/ours of hf^itnce^isamihif' manner of voork than ntcfl Men dream ofi "to difiovet the intrigues of Satans policy y to ejhie his haunts and lurking places in our heart s^to note hisfubtile contrivances in takl advantages againjl us, and to obferve hirv the Pulp, if t Soul beats under his provocations^ d^dfceitf4t aHuremeHts^
hov^
^ni l^m ikiffi^BfSsy that it sMtfitt ^ ^^Hciei Hut fitch (fUn veko d£fig^Ho twre tbun t» &e ChrifttAits at the «Scft
Uotrti9t tbemfehesivitb a famil fiiprfidslity tf _ J or fiitih^ who, havntggiveM »f thtmMues to tie de^fi^ iv^tus (frvoridlji sMPxal delights, are.mtat lei- ■ Tfigage themfelves iafi fetioHs aWork 5 «r fuh
iret guilt ofrebeUioMt Comhi»4ti»» witA tie Devil _ }ody nukes t^m fearful to eot^r fnffy, the ht-
p^jt ofthMwickedagfs, which the^ htd rather iraaife mth forgetfulne[4., Ufi tha ret/iew if their watr^tmi fiiht of thetr danger^ fftmld awtkeio their Gonfiteaces to gvue them ummnkomdifyuiet I it cannot (I [ay) he exited that any oftbefefortsjlMm (^hilfi they art thm fct) Jinmldgfi^thempUvepth^ trotthle of fo much fatnfondioil at this Bafintfa doth r^itire, ■
Ujonthit coioSderation^ ImightrationaOySxprnVrotmo. . fiiek of the ettUrt^m^tt of the JoHoii>ting Treatife. What acceft^e ptevfr i$may fifd with fifth as m anJiJiy tin. aetn^fot their^oi^^ 4nd tbfi RealUies (f gje^^^/^tid «f fitch I may faj asjhe Apoftle Paul otmeming arothec- ly Low, I tbeJli ^st. at tmhi^ this Matter, TJiey neetuot that I write ^neo. thcnp, iocffccy t^nfiivcRare taught of God io h^- fi^iciom ^^htnf.device}^ a'ai'U .exferiener tkeyfitdMf, d^e^its fo 'fiorei,. dt^witdal fo dameroiu^ that' my half fir further difioyery^nd c^miott, m^tteedtbe^lcpm to them i yet) toke finethe?riioc^ ifMarknfJs (-tvho' is a^s jeahte loftht teafi attempt that may be madf agai^his ^firt) mi&armhh forem^ tioffd SubjecU agafnfi it, attd^homfiivgr e^ he can ww- vailufo»,.hythe,fmer4)f fre'jndicfi, to njecfit,asnrgin^ MS to a&ndymore fevitje or harflf, than it xonj^hnt, either: iififh tbe longer dxffre^ of kn^iUge ofmatry, or with thai eafi vohfch mofr Mt» 40re to ktdttlgt to themfehts ; orne .
iffermg f»h llMgt rMih tbey (t0 five tkemfehes fr^m fitrtber tr^U) rpiU he mHitig te cmB Chtinsera's 0r idle Spe€0Utio»s : snd this Ufi I ms^ reihtr exfe&y heijuffe in this Iditer Jg^^ SdfdM hdth Mdvaneei fi fit in hirgenerd de^MgiiPffi dU Chriftianity, and fir the intr^dn^i^n rf Paganifm ^iw/ Atheifin, thdt nevp mne cdn exfrefs s pri- $m cvnfcienticns cdrefir hlinefsy dnd the dnjoidance cfjin ; but Mfpn pain pf the imputdtien ef fillinefs^ er whiotng predfenefs ; snd mne cdn fpedk er write if Converfipn^ Fdithy er Grdee^ bnt he flma he hdZdrded bj the feoffs pf thofethdt are umviSing tp judge the private wprkings pf the hedrt tP Cpdivdrd^ er fpiritudl exercifes of Grace^ tP be dtiy better than cpnceited Whims^ and untDtelligtble Non- fcnfe : but feeing fnch Men mdke bfldtp ieery npt pnfy th*t Langndgey dnd thpfe firms pf Speech rphich the Bpfy Chpji thpfight fi tP make kfe pf in the Scriptures^ but dlfo the very tilings pf Faith, Grace ^ and S fir it, rphich are every where in the Sacred Oracles recemmended tP m wth the mpfi reeighty feripufmfs^ (whicbiKfith them pafs fir np better tha»d;^zts^ and fancies) r^e can eajifyft under th^ir eptaempti Md JbaU (ac rpe hepe ) befifarfrpm beinjg jeered puf ef Pur Rel^ipn^ that thtif feerns fhaU have no mpre impreffUn upen m^ than the ravings pf a frenzical Ferfpn that inetps tM rehat 4fe fpeaks.
MPtn^itl^nding theje, (w^ are np reaycpnjtdfrable fihr t0eight>) there are^ Ihpfei a great many, r^Bp feripujlyim- ploy tbemfehes 0$ the Imvards^ 4e weB as the Outtpords pf ReHghm, (akd vph wHbnptff^r themfeli/es tP be perfipo^ded, 4hat thejppftie pbtruded anemptyMtfp'nkppnBr^eversp uphen he rieepnnncnded that pbfkrvibtitruthyp ihiffn^ llonr, , 2. 28* He is not a Jcw-whicfi is one outwardly, &c.) fpT their fakes have t undertaken this iibdur pf ekle0iifg and methodizing the grand Stir at ag^s^ dni chiefpays pf de/ufpnpfJhe great Deceiver^ - ti theft I mujt-particn*
I • thdt I hsve fitiified mf Jelfim the Rtsfi^s pf tht f^lkgtum^lhcffFdffrSf iuUJU.mt JMdg it reqtujitetp ' trouble £nj fo far^ iie(t0t^&)Pi^jatbefiBjt4j^HtMr€. Ijbsyt who defire /r refi^fu^banEntmjfy wmd.wbofe^i^feriinee doth eoHviftoe themithgt ait^elfs Mrt nTteffsryjmlL'Motneid tbem^ and thofe thdt 0ril^n of fcorjf;^ or of Wftfpoid^re^ kfioify will ifot^rf^df^ thorn >thotigh I Jboo$lddecUr^ ,
2. To frevenftkt to^pftehtnfims (whkbf^j^ fim ffioy othehvife hhodir withdl) of. k.monfijtim frcdo^f^^ one trxtj beeMJ€ they moy ohjervo ooot tfxt iiothe Promts And no- otbet meHtio^tod thronghotit thi Firft Md Second JParts; they nod/ know^ thM imddenfe. pf fevetal in the f reaching <fthefe Difiourfi/y.m. fnitabh Mfiund^^ipnf for tie feveral ^iriifnUrs herein mentioned ^ h^t iff the noonldingnf^ of the Whole, into the method jf a. treatife^ for the edfe of the Readery I tbonght fit to Uy afide thofi tmrodnlfiofot^ 40 dUo many other.: oocdfioHdL AffUe^tion^y which were fr^ef f»i Sermont^ Mtd. s greats mofty things which werineceffiry to^Ve ff^ken.forExfUcdiion apd /^ fir At ion of thefe Points to d fopnUr Jnditoryy dndi^dvepn* ly frefented the Suhfidnce in a more clofe connecfion ; he- ^^^ft^ if^i^trt he dnyliifk johfcnrity thdt mdy dtfirfi dffedr tik » AS^y fiflpnsn ofvdrietyl>fwordfy the Tire dtife being under ^- their eye^ will be dtJeifnre to dttend their review in d fe^ condor third reading: Which however I would recommends tarneflly to thofe thdt ^ in thefe Concerns^ doredllyidejignto^ rr .Ww xortnciiuCiVts.' " -
3# Neither fbonld it feemftrdngeitbast I hdve frequent^
lymdde ufeoflnjldncei fromMiftory'^ or other UttrKeld^*-
tions. Wbofoever .Jhallsonjider the ndture of the Matter-
''ttfdted on J will not comfUinof this ao d neeilefs trouble' -
fht nfon them ; yet withdl I bajje been fo careful of dcing.,^
anysj
that I menticned no Names but p$ch^ dsufon /^ occ^^jlw^s have been -made fuUick ij^in^s beffre^ Xkf refi I have mlj mefftknedif^ihi ^ekerjd, 4H^(^weri0g their csfe wkene ifvMSi^efnip M$au;wuiiilh^ithe Serffns* r
4i H m^^ ferhif$ fiem sdefiet^ that the fever at Di- re^ionsy Kem^dieSy cr CeMnfiky n4ncb are ref$^fite u h ebferved in waking refifiaf^u agah^ SutAn^ are not added^ except fime fm bints in, the l^ir end^tke tbird Party itnd.f0me.rti^ittb9)$g>s^'Jn tAat^^ai^ mtke Jfyif/ifatic^s of the [everal Dofirfnesjbeffiny, (mbiok I thought J^t^ upon good gronndfy to Haw^intbe order of a JPreaehing Method) but Jhcb may be fleapd tocomfidery that fever dl hofue per* formed that part very fulfyi toj^hofe ILahoms I had rather refer the tUader^ tMi^trou^bimwitb a r^tifion: It vpds ^nlfniy dtfign<to .endeavour k more JkHdif^overf (thoi^ every r^ay fbort ^f the this^ it fetf) of Satd^s Crafty be- caufitheknow/edgofthis is fi nfeejfmyy aj(d mthal others have done it more ^aringSf^^ Smb as it is agcfpty and im- prove for thy fpiritnai ndiiantage i for that was the end of this undertakings by him trho d^s the* thy ^9(U may profpCTi
y . . »
* - •
Gilpin.
4
^^^m0i^mm^mmtmmimmm
A
A* *r 'i. : ;•. o* V '^'^
»4 . . ■ <^,
PART. J^
^ ' I
•\
.1. '^V
1 . . ' ^
Chap- '^-
life Intro^Sion to^iBt !Zfe:f , *w ajm^ ieAt*
rati titine of the Sfft^s oy^ Min. The Text ap^td^ ^^^prejjing Satm^iiaUce^:Jt(mer;'triifity^'a»i^^ . ^ ..
C)f ife 2SMfce ^/ S^tan infariiciilS'. ' ^tJ^ ^m^dt and daufif nf that Malice. T^ T^Yem^ iff it' frim and'Jt^ances eflkat
Of S atom ?mbr. Ifif Pomir Of an Angel cdn^ed. • IW if fo/K^ W that Tovpcr by his FaH Jfiflf !P^*er 4^ j9 Pei/i/. Of bit Cdmrniffion^- 7 he Extent of his Autboritj/, Ttf» E^aey of hU TojfPtr. Hbe Ad^ vantages vfhich he hath for ^emanagemnt cfit^ from ^ Nrnn^ b&^ Order y Tloc^ andKkoMedgcflyefnlr.
- Cfcap. 4. . • •- •
TW Satan hath a great meafk^^ tf Knon^edg^ froveiy by em^^ring him with the kpowledg of Adam in Imiocency^ and hy hit 'Title fm Of his Kn&jppkdg Natural;^ %96^itn^maly and Ace^pry. Of bis Mjtowledg ofottr Ihoxghts. HatP far Be doth nor fyot^ tbemy and horpfarl^dotby am by rchaf means. * Of Im^kiyit^^of things fSSii^anrWwhaiv^ Thf Advantage^
' in foint of Jenftation that he bath ty bk Knomk^^^^ ' * ' ^
Chap. 5. Jnfiances qf Satan^s PotPer. Of ITtSiherafty what i^h. Sa^arcr tower argitedfiom thence. " Of 0^Aiders. fFhther Satan can da Wraetes. An amount o/what-be ):<kdothat wayi jBEt ?oWer^ argtted fiofft AffOfirions ari^Pcff^ ^" •• •.- ••*wv'-
Cbafv ^
'^/^
Cliap* ^* - ' • - Of Sam's Cmlty. Mancts tbmof in hk MalingwUh wmndtd Spirit f, in ardin0ry Jemftaiions of the JTu^ ^uidGoay^in Fet^ iLftiMS, Ctmltits infV^ihiP. Hk cml bandkfig^ hk Slmmr.
Chap. 7- .
Of SatanYViliftme^ tn feutral Itfiancu. Ih Sn^^ «*^ f** Being tf Spirit f and Vtvils handled. 7h Sadducces OfiMn Jif. -cffimd. the Reality of Spinttfrmd.
' Gbap^-8«, 4* - . flf S atones Cnnmng and Craft in ibe general. Scueral Vemoffirati^ ^ onifrwMg-S^^^n to beJicntf4 ; dnijff^ the Riofons why be nuikgs f^eiff hk ptnning.
Of Satan'sDeceiuin partiatlar. What Temptatiimk. ^f tempting to^Sii^. Hk firfl general Knle. the Confuleration of ottr Condition. Hk'feedndKnU. ^previdin^fitabUl[emptations. Inwhatcafes be tempts m to thingittnfUitaMe to ottf tnelinationt. Hk third Rmk. the eantiomfropofalofthe temfMi^n^ and tbefiveral wayrtbert- of. ,mf Jottrthiidfk to eniiee the way thereof M by
yi$^iogad4^fit^ntbthUndthrm$gbl9^.
Chap. IQ.
that Satan enticetb byoitr Lufi. Ikef^atn^ayi by rMchbe dot^ it.
^ r\ r- , .Cnap#-i.i>; '* '<^ " '• ' ^ '
thaih^ da^sjheMnd^ EMden^ ikmef. fhefveivayf.hy nif^cbkilo^ blind Men. (i.j ty prhrntingtbe^edtefeifegf^eafon. the ways of t%at prqftntii^ y ,(!•] S'^rtjy in t^fng^ Satan's fubtilty therein. (2.y3nrprifahXii)i^radHalIntanglenu^ '
Of Satan^s, perverting mttafon^ l^k ficond way ef blinding, tin po^ility of tbk,^ and tbtman^.ifaccjfn^lijhing it directly^ .y«/e- raln^aysy and inSreHly^ by the delights offm^ and by foftfijVu^al ArgftnwfUvm^ i^'i^onntofthem^ / . / , ,
• '. : ^ .'. ■ (Jiap. i^y., ;^ -.'■;.. • . .^
Of Satan's diverting ptpf ixafon^ being th *bird. ypay ofblinjling Men.
Hk Policies ftrmmin'g OHr!lhpM>i^. His attempts to that pur^
poft-sn a more direS manner \ mlh the degrees of tbaUfr^ccdwre. Of.
dijlnrbing ord/jh^ng our Jlseafon^^'rphiw, is Satan ss fiiijilp ^^y^ V . blinding Men. ..t^ Mc^ts sberetjfi Of p^qpitaHcyy gaiM'spfib
m^ ofblindingMen. Several Jeceitstg, briog Men to ffyat.
Chap. X4« Of Satan's mamtaining hj/f Tcff^ik. l& firfl Engine fvf that fttr- fofe^ is bis finding 4f ^in^ b^itfWHtationandaggrOuatiQn. His t elides berm*
Chap. 15. Of Satan^s kj^ing aM in omet^ fphieb is bis feeend Engine fir kge^ng bis Tcff^fian > and far that ptrppft^ bisk£efing m from going tothe Ugbty by Jiveral fiihtiltiis : alja of'fnA^g m rifi nf agaisfi tbe U^t y and by vpbat v^ays he doththat.
Chap. itf. Of SatasCs third grand Policy for nkfintaining bis Poffeffhn h which is bis feigned V^arttire. (^•)'By ceafing the frofiassion of bis d^n^ __ and the cafes in vMcb be doth it.^ ( 20 fy abasing the. eageni^of fmfitit^ indbaspbt datbibat^ (^.) By oxdsangfng temftahons^ and bis foliey thereifu Ihe advantage he fed^ by feesning to fiy. ■ Of his (^) firatagemforks^ing his P^^on^ tmch is hisftop^ fkig dB 9^^ of retreat 9 and ho» be d^ that, ' ^ Chap* 17.
Satan^s Deceits agaisi^ Kdipaus Services and Vuties. The Grounds of bis JUfiUafitre agaiffi Relcom Thtties. His firfi d^n againfi - Dtttiify is to prevent them. His fiveral fibtilties for thao end^ \
Sy external hindrances^ by indiftfitians^ bodily, and j^itual^ by ifioetr^mmnts \ the tvays ther^^by dtflHnh the gromids thereof i by fofi^ical atfftihgs.^ IBs variom Pkm berdn.
Chap. I & Sat^^s fiamd grand dff^ agaihft DmieSy is to J^ them, (i.) In .[ 4ie fmnner (f mndertakpifi and bein^he effeSs tbis^ (2O ^ the ^ at or ferformaiKej by difira8i/ig muswardlyy and inrnandly^ his
various tpoys therein^ by vitiating thedtttyit felfi . Hnp he doth that (5O after ferformana h the mmner fher^*
' . •
* •
PART
I
%9ecott9eiiK
*
PART It
■*M»MM«WW«««*iWi^
mdeavcurs thattpay. *
Chap. 3. QftkAdtmiagtimHASaimkmb^ mdnjUkifir^UMdnKm- 4 Ikrm. (!> From bis mtm fnmtfS^irihuft fafii^^ tbt9t it fittk 0 FdiMf fnvim' ftom ScrifHttt^ Mi pwi wt KJpBs * tf in (aO FnMi »fir iiyi/fefliiiwi vfKnmhigy ^Partietdari^ Oemf a^^isumd. f^O Fmmih*9i4t$f $bt mbuL fFHattbhtf^t do byafi Hy and^pomur tfnmm^to fi^sy the ^mdafiaa^ng^ (4.) From Cmit^. CsO Frm Jkbei^l T>AmAeryof Com^-
Of Sakofr impmoMg tbefi Advamvge^-fir Brrnn i. fyJAAng,: the Vuiafiaadtng imhiy: mOAhe <M CtJ Aj emitaiantdig: Error fim Seaftmt. OfUtmmmgfhermi (t.)Myjfemm p^enctsrfMjfiamtrM^whmiib^mt.. Ofprfimdf&urits.^
hold ^ortmu no Rufkotof ibmtoti^ ($.) Ify Oe nctdkim • 4 iht ftrfons^ffommg for iii^ o^ibrt ^^ mt
mmbod of mmagiag tCoo diifigt^ (S*) My pMmdtd htfkation^ if^)By frttendm hStmAf^ fStmrnm^baAu (%*)By faaaml^ fn^trity im WMyr of ltrfm4 (fp) fy lyi^dgoiffi'l^r^^ amllbo^ Irof^ort rf iu
Ghap. 4,
.€f Satan's fiamd tpoyof tmfroidng bit Adtfantaga^ toUA is by
' nwi^'/Jg n^ the Vnder^amding imUreOty by ibe AfSiionsk Tms
bt'dotb (!•) by a filent infinfibk introditQion if Error. HSs
^ fmtbodhirm. {2.) Bytmaaglimg the AjfeOions mtb the escteraal prrb of Error. A gorgoom £^ or i^feOed flainn^. C3O By f^ bfdom imitations of Truth. The dejka thereof, (^)t^aeeomada^' thgT^rmb to a com^yaacewitbTdfhes that differ f^H^^ Vamm' itfiaoces hereof. (^.) tydrivh^to acoatragf extream* (6.) By
» ■ ^p. J.
«. todify frea^neff, 1- OmrMifme, Satan', comtntmm/ A- t Chap, 6,
bis Fmer, Gemot and Tjrtildi fSSf^'^T^."'
"Chap. 7.
Slft^rfr,^ '«jWP^*i5fa,,. mJanW^ZZ P;<>mi*ng tn tbem, a. Blafibemmrbmks, ^Tmifhtl^l
Inff^ns rf Fear, ^. ^gbtM fir^/^c%^^ rtA-L. Its J Chap. 5.
fent^i^^i^God. ^^Sins'.h^be^aggrZ^tb^'ftf
finii^
fining their Graces: Hotp.be doth fbdf. 2s HhfimdEfi^e^
• Fear^ h(mh fmpti^ii'his defign thai way.
Qiap. p.
Of his fntrth n^ay to binder Peace^ by Spiritual Difiriffts. u tbt Nature of tbefe Viflreffei, The IngrMents a$d H^eetef them. Whetbn all Vifir^fef of Soul arife from Melancholy. 2 ; Satan's Method in working them, 'the Oceafidns be makes nfeof. the Arguments he urgetb. the firengthning of them by Fears, ^.tbar fFeigbt and Burthen^ explained in fiveral Particulars. Concluding Cautions.
PART HI.
Chap. r.
THtfirfi Circumflance of the Combat.' "the l^ime'wbenit hap- pened. The two filemn Seafons of, temptation. ' The Ktafons thereof.
Chap. 2. The feeond Circtemftance. Chrifi's being led by the Spirit. . What band the Spirit of God bath in Temptations > and of running into Temptation when not led into itp
Chap*. 3* The third Circumflance. The Place of the Combat. The Adwmtage given to Temptations'by Solitude.-
Chap. 4. The fourth Circumflance. The eml wherefore Chrifi was led into the Wildetnefs. Fiolinefs^ Imployment^ PriviledgeSy exeunt not from Temptation. Of Temptations that leave not imprisons of fin bAind them. ' How Saian^s Temptations are diftingtafiul from the lafit * of our own Heart.
Chap. 5* Of Chrifi's F^ \ with the Vefign thereof. Of Saian^s tempting in an iiwifible way. Of his ineejfant hf^ortunities^ and bow he flys when fe0ed. Of Inward Temptations with outward AffiQions. Several Advantages Satan hath by tempting in AffiQion.
Chap«
3W Cmft^t Tttmfi0ti(ms vmtnal^ and net in vifion. That Temp^ tation if Sa$atCs ImflcytiwiS > . mtb the Evidences and Injianees tkentf. Of Satan^ fpnftingvifiBly''^ with theKtafons thereof .
Tit geniaral vietp .cf'tbefi 7q9Mati<ms. Of ,S atones gradual fro^- eeeding in 'temptations, uf, refhving a mat 'temftation hfi. What a great Temptation if. In vphat cafes to be expeQed. Of Satan^s ufing a common Road^ in con^aring tbefe Temptations mtb the ofdihafy Tentptations of Men. Uf the Advantage. Satan takgs ef Natural Appetite^ Senfe^ and AffeQions.
Chap. 8.
3Je Kife of Chrifi s firfi Temptation. Of Satan's fuiting his Hemp* tat ions to the conditions of Men. Of tempting Men upon the Plea $f Nece^y. The Reajons and Cheats of that Plea. Mis pretences ef friendship in tempting'^ mththe danger thereof.
Chap. p.
A particular Confideration of the Matter of the firfi Temptation. What Satan aimed at in bidding him turn Stones into Bread. Of Satan'' s mffuing m to things good or lawful. The end of fitch a Motion. How to kpow whether futh Motions are from Satan^ or the Spirit. What to do in cafe they be from Safan. Of bis various Aims in one Temptation. What they are^ and of his Policy therein. Of bis Artificial Contrrvemtnt of Motions^ to, tuakg one thing infer ano* tber.
Chap. xo«
Of Satan^s chief end in this Temptation. His skill in m^^g tho Means to Sin plaufible. The Reafins of that Policy^ with bis Art
. therein. Mens Ignorance bis Advantage. Of toe differences of things propounded to our ufe.
Chap. II.
Of the temptation to d^brtffiy Mpon the failure of ordinary Means. Of the Power of that Temptation^ and the Reafons of its preoaUmy^ Vf unwarrdntabU AttenMs for relief i with the Caufes therwf. Of waiting on God^ and \ffping bis way.. In what cafes a parti-- - cularMercyistobeexpeOed.
Chap. I2r
CfSatof^s proceeding to infer dijirtfi of Son-fh^.from dl^n^. of Providences. . Infiances of the probability of fitch a Vefifft. The Riafons of this undertaking. Of Satan^s endeavour to weakfft the
affftranct
oitcrnc»#
Ih frtfitraihn^ n "dk ficond Ttptftstwu Of ktr nbMtmfi n tauh Jdvamagu jfpm m 4^fi^st$ Timfimf&9* Ihtt.S^M atnitd CjhrifUn the Ah. Of bU Tmn t9 mdtft Ai "BtJw rf Gmfi CbiUm. Hmlinktb€f9M9ftdMhifxrff^ from Sstan, Of SMorfs rohymftamwg to tmmwoM mu^ nary Dtfeneis. Of Us mtendedftgh in fiA^fifj mtb tU' Keajhns rf Aat Totky. Pfbitimfrmibig0 TmffariM to fhvefi^ veral Ends.
Chap, 14.
TJW Tnfim^ion was the chief dgigfi of this ttnmation. Of tmft* ing to Extreanv. What fr^umftion is. The Jhtersl w^s of frtfrnning. Thefnqnauyof ibisHmftation^ in the gmttafi^of Vfof^ffts^ in Hjfoerites^ ind^psiring Foo/inSy and in tie CbUdiren qf God. the Rerfons of Snta^s Indu^ in this V^iffU His diceitfkt Qfntriifonee in hringjbig abont this Sin. Frefirvatmr agaimit.
Chap.i^
Self-mmher^ another «f his D^ns in tbts Tem^ation^ How he tenets to Setf^mmoer dir^ty^ andnftm vshat advantages beuntetb it. Hm be ten^s to it inJSrMyy andib^ tpays ^etfi Ofne^ ' neceffary trefirvatives agaif^ tbtsfenftation.
Chap. 10. Of Tride^ Satan^s dnefEnpm ta kting <tn Trefim^^tion. WhatFnde iSy and hojf» itfretfores Men forfinnine frefitnftetot^. Confide^ rations againft Pnde. The Kemediu for its Cure, rride fondled by a conpdtnee of FrivUe^es^ andftfrntarafflatife.
Chap. 17.
0f Satan^s fubtilty in tnging that of P&ipi. 11, ii. to Cbri/t.
Of bis imitating the, Spirit of Gad hvariouf mays 0^ " his ftetending S'cr^titre to further tenmation. the Keajons of Jitcb FretendingSy and the ends to wbicbbedoth abujiii. OfS^a^ ^ans unfaisl^nsfs inma^a^ni^tf^Satftures. Cautioas ag/w^, tbat deceits the way^ byn^^ itn^be difcovered.
' ' ' ^ ^ Chap*
nit
m
Chapi i9a ik matmtf rf Saisn's fiemiw the Kingdom of the fTarld. Of Sa-- imV TnfmMmnt befmmMnidH of Six. OfUi confronting ^ Jkt^y If imfiimjfimm imkMion: i miiBMm^tafirhiA fo. Of kif hmmijilffifg tk i^
JoA in Ho* »^^ V^&P^ the dffiSkmi by the Senjiu Of iris fiemb^ fiimfi. -
fyfmfrmd m $omfiSkj^€bnftu ftM 4$nm ani nMfkif Uim Of BMomomtifM^ fFtrntb^brnffin Ik ff^i^^ Smsn iff tiM TisMjpMWi^ iMv fk Anhnmningtf m I0t|9 tl/woin^ Mi the Rtnfmrf^wmng 'Blaffbomts ufon Mkn^ Co9^olntions tojiich m an cmMrnid^in juA TtmfoMmf^ Advice t^ jmb man fi af^
■ CHifiria .-■-'/• ^Qfcr J\SM0v of^lMifffy^ Sataifi' 9^fiff^ w to^nf^wc w^&ifh^ cf- God. He EvidePKis tbenrf^ with the Keajktr^ Jmh^ilUaPomrf^ Uk general 2>ejfeff of mtbdramng the Hearts tf Men from God to bis Sendee. The Troof tbat tbU is hk V^ign^ eifon whom be/ ffwrnls. That Prof^jum/ and Confidences are no Evidences to the omtrofy. JH6s deceit rf Prefotuiding Sbi m a Jmdl Ma^ thr
Chap; 21.
Cf JTorldfy fUdfi^ Proofs tbattbis isSatanU great Engine. What tbenk in Worldly Dd^s^ tbat makf tbene fo. - Cottt^ and ^Gm^fnscwgpr^ that 9nani
Chap. 22.^^ Of Cbr^s Anfimr in tbegpieraf. that tbefe ttmftasions wen nfoni*^' d^k/t for oar In^rttSion. Of the Agjreement betmxt EphcC &' MdMztth.^ the fafi DiheQion. Of coKn^ma V^jf^^ i« nfiiihg temptations. Its €on0ency vritb Jome ^ndef pir* the '•' magSy of tint Coaragu Wherein it cm0rv snd tbattbenio^ ^age im mottrning Sfhiss.,
Chapbaj*
i!befiemti1linaotk,ttat%Hm!st^ the
fmnolmsgff tfdi^lfftingmTkftmmtk MwbatCafes it it con^
vemeni and nectary to dijptut with Satsn. In what Cafes imn^ venimy and the Reafinsofif.
* •
eSian of ratting sfmMathn mtbottt ddaj/^i thnt^ doing. W^hat a jfeeJ^iunial doth contain.
^ third cfffity offo
Chap. 2 5. the fourth J>inSion. Of repdling a lenftation by Scriftwt Arg^
^^ments. ^Offioeral Mngs m^yedin theVinSion. i^he me^fy . ofanfimfingtySmftrntArgftmentt. TJh exeeU&ky ^ 4biiie'
oHedy. How Scr^ture Arfftments are to. he managed.
The fifth VireSion <f Prayer^ and of the ferioafnefi reoitired^if tbofi that exteS the advantage pf Titayer. Of God*/ hearing Prayer wbHe'm temftatiwk^ofainikd. OfJomeAatare troMed fmre^ nihik thy fray more;
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^atan$ temptations
The Firft Part.
CONTAINING
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Difcourfc of the Malice, Power, Cruelty and Dili- «nce of Satan. Of his cunning in Temptation in me general. Of his Method of tempting to Sin. Of his Policies for nnaintaining his Poffeffion. Of his Deceits for the preventing and fpoiling Religious Services and Duties.
By 3^. gilpin ^.D.
2 Cor. a . 1 1 . We are not igmrdnt rfhis Devices.
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PAR T I.
1 Pet. 5. 8.
<Bc fiber J he vigilmt . hecaufe your Jherfary tk i>eyil, M a roaring Urn, walkieth akottt feekm whom hemay ^Vour. -
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"' 'iifferdnr^m'^^theSotUso^ theTtfMofen^i^
* i^f^W'^g ^tAfts liSdlice^'Power^ CrfKky andDiligenf^e.
[He.&uls of Men zxtpemm^ the whole WorW c:axmpt repair their lois) hence by God are ajl Menin.paicticular chained with quccand tvatch* fulnejGf a^ut them; Hehath alioiQ^tupWat<»h- jtiicn and pverfeers^whofe bufinefsk is to watdi ever Souls^ and in the moft &xi(k and careful JBanner, as thofe that muft give an accountv what fian nu^e llir up Men to the diicharge of this Duty, than die ^cqj^talami :^)ndx wefcave of the aflaults gf fuch an Ad- ver£tfy, wfaofe Bufinefs 'tis to deftroy the Soul ? tZl^e fhiUfiimt an HJmthee^^^ i^ts continually, and ufeth all the
policy andikUl lie hath £br the management df his flrength. ! Be&lj^ ^tis aConiidcration very affb^ing, when we view the 'T>eJjfl^itfiW^^ what Wounds, whatOver-
tii»i(^ Qiftivities th^Ce cpn-
: *^ . * Da quered
tfuered Vaflals are put td« It was (as fixne think) an incxcu*
uUe cruelty in T>md againft the Ammontery when he pttt thm
2Sam.Tx.3x. nnder Sopps^ and Hamwf oflron^ and made them ^ ttmigb the
Briekcklln h but this Spititual Pharaoh hath a mote grievous Htmfi of Bondage and Ixon Furnace. Neither is this mi&rable deflru- dion ended, but will keep pace with Time^ and (hall not ccaie, till <^ift (haft at his appearance finally conquer him and tread him down. If Xerxes wept to look upon his Army through die prolpedive of devouring Time, whioi, upon an eafy f(»refigh?^ (hewed him the death of £0 great a company of gallant Men \ we may well weep ( as David at Ziglag ) till we can n^ no mm : or Cas Rachel for her Children ) refiifing to be comforted^ while wc confider what a great number of fucc^ing Generations, be^s upon heaps J willbedrawnwithhimtoaconfumingliippiber. And could we follow him thither, to hear the cries of his Prifiners^ the roarings of his Wounded, where they cmfi the day chat brought them forth, and themfelves for their folly and madnels in hearJ^ ning to his Delufions \ the dreadful out-crys of £frmf>jf,andthea their rage againft Heaven in cinrlisgs andbk^hemings, while they have no mitigations, or eafe, nor the rehrefliment of 4 drif of
, Water to eool their %nfftes^ we would GxxjAj think we could never (pend our time better, than in oppofing fucn an Enemy, and war« . ' ning Men to fly from the wraih to come^ iq take heed they come not into his fiiare 9 with what eameitnef^ would we endeavour to perfwade Men ? what diligence would we nie. to cafi Water upon thefe devouring Flames, and to pIuck'Men as Brands out of the Fire > ^Tis true, if Satan bad dealt plaitdy with Men, and toW them what Wages they were to expea, and fet a vIGblemark
^upon his Slaves, or had managed i vifwly a^uSive mfiuityy Men have iuch natural principles of felf-prefirvation^ and <£ hatred of what appears to be evil, that we itught exped they would ha^ fled from him, and flill have been upon their guard : But he u(eth fuch Artifices, iiich intoafleep, or 51 P^rijpejJ^ they fee
intoxicates them with a /(we of their ifufby^ and'a.delfght in helping forward their ruin » fothat they 'sttVotitntetrs'vi his Se»-
« vice, and pofTefled with a madn^md rage againft alVthat w;Bi^t
- be as mOing as themfelves to go to Hell 5 but efpfcially W' Ifli^^ put forth acocDpaffionate hand; to help any out t)iFtliaf OtilFofliiftiery,
- • xhcy
jtbey hate themi they gn^lk ^n than mth their teeth^ and run up- on them with uttnoft yi<^ce,^ as if they bad no Enemies \mt
How gicat u.thxsMjfi^yofli^T^t^cis ! ^Who fliafl be able to
.open the depths of k ? Who Ihall declare it felly to the Sonsrof
Men» to bring theiie bidden things to light ? Efpecially Teeing theft
hdUb Seants which are yet undiicovered, are double to thofe that
-hmft.hem abferved^ by any that have efcaped from his power: He
only whole preroga5iye it is to Jeafeb the hems of Men^ can know,
.and inake knQwn^ what is in the heart of Satan > he vie\Vs afl
.his goings even diofe Paths which the Vultures Eye bath not fien'y
and can trace thofe £bot*fteps of hk, which. leave no more print
or trad behind them, thzn aSh^ in.tbe.Sea^Qt aBirdinthe Atr^ot
iaStrfMonaStont* ^
- Yet Qot^thfhmding we may obferve fwich of his Policies, and .imtf WjduIdGod di£x>ver, it we did but humbly Wl&irK^airy improve what we know already. ' Tis my defign to make jfdme difcomy of thofe Haunts I have oblerved, if by that itieahst may be ufefiil to you to quicken and awaken you. And firft I Ihall fet before you the firength and power of your Enemy ^ before I open his Cunning and Craft.
There arc found in him whatfbever may render an Advcrfary Th^ text JredUbL •^''•
As f5rft> Mdice and Enmity^ o AvtISI^c®^ is a Law Term, and iknifies an Adverfary at Lam^ one that is againft our Caufe \ and the Text Cas Ibme think) heightens this Malice., (v.) by ntllFAiBele '<, ' wWdi JeiMts an Areh^tmmy% ( ar > > The. J^Janje A/<fep)oX®', which fignifies a Slanderer or Calumniator, C for the JjJ-;^^*-. word is twice in the New Tte^amptt ufed for a Slanderer:) (hewing
his hatred to be fo great, that it will not flick at lying andfelf- ?^J* ^rethlZ hood, either in accufing God to us, or «f to God. Nay it parti- Krp^^^oJ^^ colarly hints, that when he hath in malice tempted a poor Wretch cen.^ .3. to ill*, hefpares not to accufe him for it, and to load him with J^h all things that may aggravate his guilt or mifery, accufing him £br more than he hath jreally done, and for a worfe ^ate than he is
'^COTitfiy J His P^jwr, tmdcr the metaphor, of a Lion^ a Beaft of prey, whofe innate property is to deftroy, and is accordingly £tted with firength, with tearing Paws, and a devouring Mouth » ^t as a Lion would rend a Kid with eafe,and without refiflance,
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fo are Men fl^sjhwdxx^ i>y1uTR, as ivith.apeft Mootbt £> t&e word tocrmmH figmfios, he rm^ fup tliem i^ uta dnni^t»
Thirdly > His Cruelty a R^^i;^ £i^*, imfdyiiig,.t]pt ontyiiis innate property to dcftroy, wMA ttiufl^be^a ^ftrangc jfiarceneis, butalfothat this innate Ttitteipk is^^er^^;^e^ and whetted ^ Imnger in a Lion fliarpens and enrages that ^KpofidM, tiil te ' ^et his Prey h Co that* he becomes raWng and roaring, putting an awful Maj^y upon Crwlty^ and firi^ing them ovit of tn^ 4eavours, or nopes of refiftance, and inaeafing their miiCery witli affrig^tnoents and tremblings* Thus Satah (hews a iieice 4nd truculent temper, whofe power being put foifh^fiDfn (iich an implacable malice, muftneed$ become lage and fkrei^nds.
Fourthly > His I>iUgence > which, togedier with hk Omelty, •are confequences of his Malice and Powers hcjg^/ «i!Mf, sm yfidts'^ hfi is refllds in his. purfuit, and diligent, as one ^t pio- .toi^hhim&lf afiti^alftion br>^c(ttitettna«At4ai|iii Qm-
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Of tke H4iee of Satmin pArticular, , the Grounds and €4t^s ^ aEmT M4i<t94 Ihe Gresttiefs of it proved ; Mid li^imtes if thut Greatitefs. given,
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I Shall fir^ give feme account of his Malice^ by which it (hall appear^ we do not wrong the Devil in calhng him malicious > the truth of which Charge, will evidence it felf in the following particulars.
Firft V The Devil, though a- Spirit^ yet is a proper SnbjeQ of Sin. We need no other evidence for this, than what doth by daily ex- perience xefixlt firom our felves > we have tfns, which ow Spirit f and Hearts dd ad', that relate not to the Body, called a filthinefi rf the SfirH^ in contradiftinftipn to the filthinefi of the ¥i^. ^Tis true it cannot be denyed, but that thofe Iniquities which have a aeceflary dependance upon the Organs of the Body, C as Drun- kmads, Fornication, &c.} cannot properly, .as to the formality tf the AS^ be laid at Satan's door, ( though as a tempter and provoker of thefe in Men, he may be called the Father of thefe Ihis ) yet the fbrcmentioned Iniquities which are of a Spiritual Nature,' ^reprcperfy and formally committed by him, as tying, Pritfe, Hatred, .and Malice, And this diftrnftion Chrift himfelf doth kint, Joi. 8; 44. ff^en bt geJks^ a Lye^ he ^eakffh of his atpn \ where he aflerts fiich fpirirual Sins to be properly and for- mally aded by himfelE The certainty of all appears in the £^i- tififes given him, thcmekidOney the unclean Spirit j as alfothofe places that fttekk^his feH, they kspt not their fitfi l^ate; Jude 6. ^Angeb tbdt finnedy*2 Pet. 2.4. If fins Spiritud are in a true and:pr0j>et fenfe attributed to the Devil, then alio may Malice be attribiiti^ to him.
ScOondly » The wickednefs of Satan- b capable of w«w/e, a magis 6c mnus, though he be a wicked Spirit, and as to inclinati- on fullof wickednefs, though (b (farongly inclined that he cannot . but fin a and therefore as God is fet forth to us, as ihe Fountain cf Holitie& Bis Satan called the Author -aind F other ^i Sin. Yet
feeing
Teeing we cannot afcribe an injinhen^ to him, we muft aclmif^ that (as to ads of Sin at leaft 3 he may be more or lefi finlul^ and that the wickedncfe of his heart may be more drawn out, by Oceafmf^ Motives, and Provocations: bcfidcs we are cxprcfly taught thus much, iB^eif. 12'. 12. Ti&e Devil is come dot^n^ having
freat m'ath^ becaujl his time U jhort : where we note ( t.) that is wrath is called great^ implying greater thad at other times. (2.) That External Motives and Incentives, C^ ^e (bortneis of his time) prevail with him- to draw forth greater a<^.oF fiiry.
Thirdly \ Whatibever Oceafhns do draw out, or kindle maUce to a rage, Satan hath met with thcm'in an eminent degree^ in hi^ Quia indrdt- own fatty and Man's b^ifpin^. Nothing is more proper to beget rutAHi cx^el- ixialice, than hnrts or fmijhnumsy degradations from happine(s. SaSo^L- Satan's Curfe, though juft, fills him with rage, and fretting tarn amiferunr, againfi God^ when he considers that from the ftatc anid ,dignity of ideo dc alio- a IkffedAngely he is caft down to darkpepy and to the bafcft con- ^tia"clofebar '^& dition imaginable : for the part of his Curfe, ( which concerned ad eam^oppug- Satan as well as the Serpent J) Vpon thy Myjhalt thoHgOyond df(fi niiidam niau- JhaBh thy Meat^ implies a (late mod bafe 9 as the ufe 01 thephrafe. cioic fereba- proves, they JhdU lid{^ the dn^ of thy feet. . Thine enemies Jbat li<^
Til^^i'iT"^^ ^ ^^ Pfil.72.p. 7%MH<^^^^^^^^//«^%h.7a7• tVa. 49. 23, Where the Spirit isfo wicked, that it cannot aoctft the fmijhment
of its iniquity. All puniihment is as a foyfin^ and invenoms the heart with a rage againfi the hand that affli(Sed it > thus doth Sa- tan's fall enrage him, and the more, when he £ees Man entlated into a faffthility of enjpymg what he hath loft. The envy and pride of his heart boils up to a madnels ( for that is the only ufe, \ that the wretchedly miferable can make, of thefight of that Kap- pinefs which they enjoy not i efpecially if having once enjoy^dJit^j they are now deprived j: this begpt the rage and wrath in ^ain . againft Ahel^^ and afterward his Murther. The eye of the wicked, is«^i7, whore God is good. Hence may it be conclude^, thatj Satan f being a wicked Spirit, and this wic^?dne(sheingcajf^te^^^ of a,dting higher or lower according to occafionSj,- 'and with a 'fiii- ^ tjiblenels thereto) cannot but (hew an unconceiveable. malice againft us, our happinefi and bis mifery being iuch proper occajions , for thevvickcdnefs of his heart to work upon. Fourthly i This Malice in Satan muft be great :
JFiriti If we confider the greatnejl o( ius wickedness m Co^czt'
and
:caA cxpwft bo finaU; matters from h|cn,. M tO/th^ W5d«t^ i^ fuch cinrfed Principles i not only is he wickd, but the Jpirit in4 'txtraH of wickednefs, -as the phrafcjfignifieS) E^hefi ^.12., nrtw^oi^
Secondly i The Scripture lays to his charge all Degrees^ AUs^ "^ imHUs^ ^ ' and 'Branches of Malice > As f i j^ 4'^i^y in tfeie bffe$u^fis haft and violence of it, Ker/; ta* gnai^ mratby ^/(os) there irgpiljes Ejtf-t eandefcentiay the InflammauoM of" the Heart, ai|d whol^.M?n » which is violent in its motion, as when the BJood with a violent fiream rufheth through the Heart, and iets all Spirits on Are > and therefore this Wrath is not only called gicqat,. but is alfo figpift- ed .to.te (p, in itsthreatiiu^g a ir^ t^theldsMtMU^rftbeEarffH (2.) Jndiffiatm is more than Anger^ as ba,yln^ ropre of ft Jf^rarf fury V and this is appl](ed to himEfbef. 4. 27, in t;hat thoi^. that have this im^pyffjju^^ are (aid u give flase t$ the Devih which, is true, not only in point pf teroptatipn, but allp in fefpcd of f he TtJaMfince they ; c^rry to *^he fxaqie- oiid'.f $mp^ of . S^tan') &<<:
OHj as having deeper roots, a more conifkm©d ; aii^ , Iffij^l^cMi rt^. ^ . [oltaibn \ Anger aftd Indignation arc b^it >Zw^ fWWfu:, . which like furof.^^^*^ a^Land JFIood.are foon dowj), though tW arc ap,t to ftll the Banks on^adidden i*buttfatred-Wia^^ the.
'^'^'£4|fe#^'^' rthat C^ m haiiiig b» Bri^bp^ U (j ^b/t.^. ii^J^mi to be the prpper OflMpwaig and Kye^y Hiftgye '9C thir mt^OMy who is there ib calif d^ rathex tb^ft by the na^e of ^. . ■ ^ thi Dcvi^ becpiufe the Apoftle-vyopW ajfo infinoate, that hatred is tKe-''A35f^^-j^/ecf of ^tjia's \v^e4pe&i ^nd: thiit which gives ihi^.ffiiO^ft^^ Effeai pf bis qruelty ariic
frQni;WS^l?i^ thisi
puts' l^m upon ibreatliing aftar . ihofe mmhtfs an4 deftru^ftipna: which ^amhed Spiritsare now groaaing under* ,..../ J .'ifljliirdly i TWs MaUce is the refult of that Cw:/J.laid upon Sa- tan,-^Gfi;. J. 1.5* t rp$ $ia fiimty^jk^ th Wpman^. be^. iwten Fer^eed and thy. Js^d:- .\i(hich: itpplies .(? *) a great ^^amky h \ ainci ^^ipe iendei it^ kmicitia^ in$iacakkr^ implacable enmities;* "2.> A-l^ing enmity^ fijch as ib^qld continue as. longas thc.Curfe . iould lau. (sO That* this fliould be his tporliznd exCDctft, to: pofecirte an4 be i^pfeoited with this enmity > fi>;that,it /hews, the be^Vii^fl^ ^eiire isjn fhli yffiTJx^ md thathe is > i^hettpd oxii; Iby t^comjigg snnuty wl^^fche^weict^withalj Jtiisi ; - ':*£.• ' the
^1
tfll Work Dflir^ ^fiy ethhnkee^ cfM? ^mtigt^ mrf tfiat
^herein (id the del^bc he h capable of, Is placed. In that paj^
^IheOilTe, 1hifi^dthihyMta»} Ms innplycd^ f if fbmc in-
Vii rwrSy. terpret f l^t ) that if Satan can be' &id to have aty ddi^ or eale
©op. in loc, in his ConditicDs 'ti^ in the eating of this T>9^y the exercile of
diU Ennoity : No woiKler then if ChriftTpeak of his defires zA^ Ibfficitations with God, to have a Dhertv and Comcciiflfen for this Work i Stitfin ksih iefind U hoot tbtty ^at ht nuy mmum thee.
That this Curfb relates^ not only to the Serfent who was th^ Iffirmfutit^ but aUb to Satan who was the ^ent^ is a^eed bf att altnofi, thatkwasnot theScrjfjenttffow, but the Devil ipeafcri^ by it» is evJRced). from ks ffeJ^Hg and reafSnif^ \ and tfait ffte Oirfe readied finrther than a natnratEmmP^ 'twixt a Serpent and a Man, is as e^iden#, In- that CM/ is exprefly held forth, as giving the* full actompliffiment of this Oiorfe ajgkhiflf S^a^mi I John }. 8. 7h J^vUfimethfrn^ ibei'bednmngTfir 0^ pirgdOi wag the Son rf G^d fmnifilMy ii^atBtfktgk (i^hoytbe ff^tntf tfrn J>0uity whith is a dear Expofition and Tattifbrafis K)i^Wb^ mans Seed brmfing tBe Serpent J beadk
Fourthly h I &i\ add to this.lbme (bi^ hfiances of SaKsm's Nb^ Bee, by whicb it wis appear to be great.
Firfti That MaHce muftneetfe be great, whicfr ftewsf i^Jdi^
where ^eie is^ flidi a load of angnilh and ftnrir tharUes upaiivniffi 9
%Vtt.%.^ he is MW^nfemdmCkaii^ fthd^ik-BUS lie is^^ HeV^ «
p]ace<^ Tcrmentv or which is all one, iMitinbim^ he carries
it about him in his Gmfcience, which by ^od^s deaee binds him
tohis horror like a Chain, ^is'fiarce in»ghmhle t!2arhe;lhould
I^ve at thought firee §^tii the onatennplatibn fX Ins owii vti!^^
to fpend in a malidoiis piafiik of M». What can we think;
lelsof it, than a de^)etate madnefi and reven^againfl God,
wherein he ihew9 his ragr againft Hieaven, and hunts^afier bur.
Kood,' asfor zUteltWaettb mtbis "fongiu v and when "he /fiddiT
I his hand too {hort to pull the Mmi^ oatdEYas Thxone 9^he;
.' endeavours (FofObeK^W^} to tear m^Smm inlifan^ and' to put
' Man, created after hif faiage^ upon blafphenxing and di(honba->
rh^hisMaker.
Secondly 9 That Malice muft needs he, jgrear, that Mr itsl ownFoTf/, and provides or begs its own Occa&)ns s and mdkl iuch as gwe no fieftr ^frmeatm to hisanger. Orthis temper^
.his
to^ him, <vfbtdk .Aew< }mw boandlcfi he would I»ve been. |J*,*«^^..^»?^ •«* g}^ thn at M an qpca check
is^tc^
ThmMy i That Malice imut needs bcgreat, that wiB piiffhea fiuM matttr : what finall game will the Devil play, rather than al- «JBctherfironr» If hexairbnr trcraM^lSf piizzT^ or aSSfifT yet that he will do, .rather than nothing, if he can (like an^d- dar in the Path ) hut hke the JM, ti»u^ his Head be braifed tor it, he will notwithftanding buiie hlmielf in it.
•'??¥^ *\^°3J' ^^^J!^^^ ,«^'« M^' ^ cfftain of a ^Tf^"M^- J^AiiSktantemht.fS^i thpfe Speeches, ff^»q^*e»e^OTi^G<««, donethnplyany d<Hibt in Satah.i" he kii«#«wha>>ite ^wp&M if ^CKtil^' antf^Whi^thadhecn ^arerf fhrnW^kni^tKBilko^limk^ IM" o^tiil^'«oft%f be
«w*^eig(^«fW Ww KwAict vhat4^<^io^«QrAytCM)p.
tations doth he lay befote him, as to foB. dam and wmfliif Ufn f Was it that Satan thooght to prevail agamft him ? No furely, iHit foch was his Malice, that he would put an aftont jipon hhik th»a»V*WW Sc«*1d not pr^Wlkgaihfthmi.* • - .
^'i
htkt- teftifi«d>: Thii hath bto«^t Ibrth IJifcori, -RcvilL Ait^g «^fd^ fe?^^m ^'^^ t*}t'of -Kfairc^aldVie;
.^
^ba.:Jp^ll £ 2
in
in the Lani y^ fell we f^^
to put 6a a yiu^ Natsirty to ad the part of Uonry L^^grds\ p[igarfy if not niiwh worfe > The rea(pn of all we hayCi :j^ 84 '54« Te <ire 0/ vour Father the Vevil^ be p^Ofa lAunbem fhm fhe ke^ ginnings as^llo Gen.^* 15. ImS pm ennutybett^nn lirSeed snd $iy Seed : So that all this f^tws what iBalice is in .SatanV Hcfti^ who urgeth and jproycAes his Inffarumehts^ to fii^h )ilo6$}y :Im* treds. Hence who-cver were the Jgents^ ^cv.2»iq. ifi:Aififi[h^ foning the Saints, the Malice of Satan in ftining thcmnp to k, makes him bed>me the Author of it s SatanJbaUafiJimffye^
"Tr"
^ I it !■ li ^ m ■■^■i^^wiit i>
C H A P. IIL
ihit U k^nk tbatPcpier fy Us fd. "' ffif J?«»^.*f^ 4 Devil, Of his Cmmtun, The BtteM^''U* ■ Authority. The ^c/uy if his tmtr, the Adv4m- is^s which, he hfith ftr the smm^ement tf it,'frem. the Nimbtti Order ^ ilue^ ditd JOfmiedg^ cf Dt^
-, ^iig^ ■ . ....... ...-. , . '. -. .,j ,>::.'..■;•;?•. ••^
XHat Satan's Vwer is Grujt^ is our next Enquiry : Whocv Tirft> we will ccmfider- hi; Fow«.as^j|n; ilffp/,; In fS^Am^ 1 03 .ap. Angeli arc, iaid u excil m fijrengfb : and in urf.2 u'» ak £> PJal. 148. 2V they are called GaJts &fty wM^i, is mnPTf^. ' NtlX cxprelTed, i Kutgs 22, i^« I Jam ^ Lord fining agpoo his %bma^ QtQM ^^ 4^^ ^^ ^^ of Bfouti^fiandvig by' bm en bkri^ band 0^4 ^hff^. ieft ; whicli phnfe, ti^ugh it; import liieir Order an4 Q^lervak^ i . yet undoubtedly thcmain of its iutGn^ffmy i?^^o f^^J^k^^i Twer, as Hofls are the.ilr^gth rf Kings^ahA bpjtip^is, 4^ f-))|,(^ Kimfelf in putting on that Title, TbeLord if iX^^ makes kin, evidence of his incomprehenfible Power, that fiich Afiiiies oC fironj^ and mighty Creatures are at his comfnand. But this only/ in the general. That which comes nearer $0 ajpalrticujbff acooi^^ of their flrength, is that Notion of # S^ri^hf y^iakli^^^^
/ . ^ frestuentiy
•.4«
fimm'f^^rf^'i^)^ kasat 9f a Spirit is- tfc^ hlghfft.pur yndcrftand^ . -
fcft in this, that G^if plcafed' to.rcppcfentnjim$»lf tO'ui'^Mnder t]h# BOtion of a Spirit v Not that fie isW/v anicforoj^ that ^ . ■
tliisjs t^e xQoft es^ceUmt Being that falls tinder, puratorehenfion*. Befid^^b ]^. f«S* ^WfB.^i*^'^ raifeihSDur lin^erilWing tocon- cdy^ a. Bdog of a^ i^ »nd extiaoHinary'Ppwep ^ it 4odi fttr rbor/ead towfofjiipfi^ cioi^ceptiGaisto {ptr^a^m Nii^b^ , (j-A. Fk>» theknowledg that we We of ow ,owja . Spirits 9 th^itour Spirltisof a vaft cen^tiifenfuin ^^ aSiyhy^ our Ti)Q^^% E^e^ jReafoninjgs, and thtjparticukr Un^ qf jExme^ep i^^a if^tiljbd Spirit., do aJbimdutly evidence* ,(2 0 hk fhat It xepi)^b:KW a jSpirttual Bein^ .yrf«^|^m the ' c/(!g and hixv- derance cff ^n^pmiiy^ our own Spirits are /Jmt^ and ieflraincc! by our Bodies, as Fire, an adive Element, is retarded and made fl^^ggiih by ^tter unapt to ferve its proper fb^^^ as when i^tisio ^J^PptEfMliy which, is a](b fufiiciently pointedat in thatopr
lunderaace to* thtaSwityof a Spirit; A Spirit then,^ isin cffrpo^ ftal^ may be conceived to move eafily without moleAation^- ipuckc h *9^P^(L^^^ mOflibly^ (3.) This is yet further iUur jRiplfea fay^ti^eS^^ ;whichare (to the
OMnmbh fei^perience ©rail) of very great ^^^^ And *tis yet ' ., further- obfovablf , that the Scripture fometimc ipeaks of the ^ "^
power cTA^ls in i^c JbfiraS^ chu&ig rather to call them '£|w«^,' raiffetf. ^iMjp«?«rj^> clearly fliewing, mat Angels are Bein^ Coi.i.i6. pry^;/u^gt|]^as ii^ Anions done by them do abun?
dixvtfyl^ I^' wW tfte defhrdyuig Senndeheribs I|pft in a
i^f^^^^pqm Doors for ;Fei^v the caarryjmg P*/; ^!
lip m the Atf, and i^di othqf ACts^ which tern! to the jiptedioa !
qfthe l^pithfiil^ or puniflung of the wifked*. ' ^ * ' " " |
' , Thbv^ this oiay fully Ottisfie .us that Angels ^xcel in ffarengtliL
Jhe.^jJturcvlljggefts, aijothgr.pfinlidcraliw tothe
iand,tm^lf[)ypent,qf A .wfere their CojmmiBipn Ihewis
ngt only in^yidx the Exetcije pC this ?ov^cri^bwt alfo doth implv wii a Ipwer as is fit to be cmmiJlfoijaUd to 6xcKA.&Sy theie Inviubk E|ein|s are called JjEvawe/, Vmrnnp^^ Prindpatitie^y **' ^3iJP<>Iri^* ..?Tis indeed a task lilqrood a Ibbw under-
!
i4 7i%tmmw ymn^
ta&Iiig to dUUAkoSH t^^ Quid mm fc and Mark of dSrcncc j ,This, AttptfUH SdaioMid^jf»mx^ S^KS ^^ *^^o«^^^ t;> thatthcfe worcfe My S>ay gHi»
Ja, dicant qui Authority in Angtb. ( 2 J A power and JtrmgH> (mtable to tWtf poffunt, fi ta- Ibploynient, and rfiat Gbd fumiftcd them wLth power anlWe^ men poffunt nblc to thc Work which hc intended fcr^hcm, in his novfng Sm'cgoL*^ Heavens, and govcroing the Worfd^ ift^.- Howcter;-^trt ifta ign^are Iboie Cafesi. , Gdd' WorlS by Itiftirumerits ewry 'vizflUjjff&p^^ confiieor. t6 -fht'Si^idc, TWtfc Wdfc/fcy ^iie fomr fmg^'ie0fM3(fi\
^ force,in Qreatur^s, for the Ads to be done by theta s- astRofe ^ an innate 'Power in thi^Wipd to Mow, ih the fSre'trfBkirrL lii Hferb^aifd ?lanti?forM*?cRcmaIufe5.: iTIitt»tAay^wft^c6iW5^^ Angets, that aofi ufing them'as W^ IB^r Ii& ^«M<^ pfe^uhi hp bath'lhdowcttthw with in infeate liahjfrdl Powaf for thoiS ferfeat things which he doth by them I WhSeh^M:^ ti6t
which IVve" fca4 of iii' Scripture catty thif *:fetMyiWea^itittlii(i
thelr'ii^«i]F(S»/^vAfid^5?/ thus unfoWjIt felf, ITW it^m^hJi
- Ga$r}el thus,\ 1h Gli^<i>f<iod-i and tberefereiiM||yf -^rf^fflp^
them^npit fo inu<i the friftr ^Janiesof^ngelsi..bQl:Oa$ C4MU
InAir. /j .c.4. notetH ji JiotAina ad iiptim rufimm ittdffa^ ^Uita^hl/iMiigi^p^l
S- «. fittai Po<i^et-in fhOlt - V -a •• - ^ " . ■ • - 1 J ^orwnoqYf n8 -.no.
it ddijbttd Ifft hp fall hath bereaved him of tus^onieliency, Snd i?ii^ i^i^ ^m>/i' fi^dk i>fi 0Mgtb. i I ftalf evidence thar kir^ maixii
inls arexallcd Princi^aHfiet, ftmrt, Kklers i and C»/. 12^15. djqf have the .fetne 'Names which in verf, 10; Wtec gbhk ^ '906^ An-
.. _..,., , cotttnibdihg Fke' itotel: ^\tf^
Both which he did hi wofecution. of his Maflitfc ag4ittft'1fe*V htt carrying th^ .B<J«es or'Mfen in thc^'Ai<.^h^^&l'#itM ChfiJL huij^g hhii fir^om the Wildanefs to xM Moutoiitf^'acfta't^^
t«
-f& Aci^kie thV^eitipte f lii5 bt«ilkltig Chains ^id I^fftfs
of . Iron, A£fi^5. 4««fii$ bringing D^eafes, inftaftces WhWctf
we«e tbit ciMked Wooias whom Sa»an had bo»ed ugtthtr^
Luke f 3^rA «d the LmMi%\^ Perfifi^ Ln^.p. 3 i, with a greit
nui^ fBotffr C3^)-Tis alfo obfevable, that notwithftaftdhig )
<Sai2»if'^6tfllaAiMdedln akeratimk a$ fothe £/»</, 7//e/, aildO/-
]|b»,<)r hisFlDwer % yetneveitheleisGM/ i»<i%/ ir/e of this (farength
14 hkiiy MX ooly as an Tx^cnHom of- Wr^h tgain A his Enemies, .
f aslirfaefi he tcseed ^mj by this £vit Spivit h and throG^ this x Sam.i^.T4. >
£jwg ^^^ ©iw up i«lw* to be dcludied Mb his tuin^ and in- ^ ^*"S- »»•*!•
%&td Fhglse^ tit>on; %jf ^ hy fendkig Evil AngAs among tbmj P<aL7g.49*
hM ^dfe^fMthe /rjA^ofhisowD SerrantS) thus wsdjc^ aiffitfted
by Satan, and Pim^ufleted by hk hbffengef.
Seoondlf v This Power of his, as a Pm/, fs^ next under our confidootm^ whereiif are divers Particulars* to be noted; As^
Firfl^ tSs^Cmmi0m and Authority. If any put thiit Queftion tehn^ vrilft^ thejc^ did toChrif! s By vphai A$td)^ity dofttbik $b^ tbh^f otij frb0 gaveihteihk Amborityf Ve have the An* fwa m JJki^mt^ and 16^ i J. where he is called the Trinee of ifv l^nd'r and^acGCArdingly the Scripture fpeaks of a two-fold Etflgdoflii df L^^ax^ ^fVatiffefii 'and in diis we hear of SiEt^ tas^ Sm or ThrcA^j of his Servants and Subjeds. Yea, that iriiich bvMfC, 4^ Scripnurg fpeaks of a kiiid of V^y in Satan s triscalled the Gtidof this WitU^ % Cot. 4. 4^ Whkh doth not only &t £)itb the intolerable pride and ujurfatkn tf Sztui in ptopotscNlkB 6iii^If a^ fueh; k> drawlnj; on pdchr felindO^tur ^ towdiUP* ntfto, i^^ a% difcbver^ his^ Fowtr^ Whidi by G)^ Zandxm. 9f»i^/i.ftebith<i)b€a(faied ov^ tile Chiidm tf Difib^diina* Hence dMhhecbaHelnge^if^ as a kilnd of right and due froln tlie poor T^bmrkofii and odiers^ that they (tould^l down and y^mbip bim > airf upM^ this ^Suppoftt ion was he fointoUenibly prefump^
tiioasia ofleriiig th( KiDgdc»&i of (he Wotld to Chiift Ibr fuch iS6nnttand^WMWp;' • ' c V
Kithe qaeftbmdj What Satan^s Authority 19 > Khali anlWer &. it^tnixSi>. w-» ;*.-•• ri .
Firft » His Authority is not dfilnu op$tfdiH9ikd j ht cannot do J^ what hrplnft&^ and^Aetefore we'dc>£nd hiih^lii^^nf leave of God teethe Mett&g ofhhTfcm&in pctfticruhr Ga(eii> ais Wienilfems aLyi|)gSpttitiaithe>Mcx^ -
and inievBkf Adbok^ he madcupoft JUf >< nay, he could not ::.'h . cntear
1^^ . ::^^^^^ -.^J^iMfc^-
enter into tktStrint of the' GsdermTy tfO^h^-hnAi 0M^.Coah
ml/lion for it. ...«•'' »
Secondly V Yet hath he a Comnuflion in genortl, ii fiaadi^
Commiffin/ii a^ petty Kings.and GoyernQUrs had imd^. the. Kman
Eidrftrinr, jvhere they wejrc jiuthorifcd ;tq exgxrife 9» Auth\)iity
and^Power, according to the Rules a;ad|^(i3^qlisgfteivth(sa)>
this is clearly fignifkd by thofe ExpfeflSop^ rtj^ey w^]Q6igtt$re9^
bis fFiS^2itid giveu t^ t$ Satan^ as Petf(^$ Exa^moiwicaited)
and -when Men are cpnv^ed, they are (aid to be tranfiaHi fi-om
. hif fomfy and jmt u^dejf another ]qrifcU&ion,.iQ th^l^ingdmof
. -^ :, . 'Cbriji.y 'All whieh 'would have b6(i\ highjjiy iffffr^:^ifjbjCm^
mifton for Satan, and an' Authority fcnr tho^Wprj^^ ^.G()t)kiK&
had not been fignifiqd by them, ^
; Next let usvietv theEx/f/f#of this Authority, both as (o f«r-
finsmd iPiif^fy, ::h\ .tcJation to P^rfqt}^^ the bo\m^r^,of bis
iUngdoift reachcth as ft? a^ J>arkri^i he xidcs-ix^ r DMf f4ini(./k{4M»/
ff^ the Earth, or the darkff^^f this IFvrtd v^ff4 ^ffymi^JSitlgf
dqm is h>|ice d^cnninated a Kingdom of -Z>4)^jf» > This «M«tiil$
<^ we n:)ay well imagine^ as (ar as Heathen^h^evhfitht ^ifhcieJKt
jg Tyi?r(hipped as God, as:far as ajny darkije^ oil^fyk0^^
ilretchqth k i^f, ^s f^'as jh^da^kncfs <^:J^4^»jl^ilMiltfi
upon thefhe^rts of unoonveited M!^ i ^l^i^b-if rrtipUR^^i^iijge)
thcr, muft needs tsjke up the greaCeft p^f gf the W^rld .byi:)6r,t
whi^h is admowl^dge4i^not only .by that Jaq|»: fiMilKffibii;
F<^MxfH9ca ^ <*JSir A?ii*/,.flcp* *lit alio By. Aat.Pippfecticfc
jSpeech,pf:,^<ij.Ti^;^5..r^f»y?g^/ji^/:'^ ^re^Me^k
h^ not Ijeen ,fo :befere^, if^ the ft^fe *JKr«iiMK<?cW))feip5fcl^ \./ Neithfr. is his Kingdc^m fo hawft^d, but- that.ite^alfo 5ca6 f wheij. alio wgd j njtke ExcKrfions and I^rqa^ into. jthe Kiogdom. of Chrjft^ ,fq;4i as to ipoleft, difturb and: wwy: bw SuJ^eife : as the-^ifig'fof;3nyNWtQn,' befi4eMhe FbM?Mwbidi:riH»>l&ic«iEifij m their proper Jurifdidion, may molcft tbirirN^gliboHrs*:; A Chrift J& jSrr permits thi^, as \s i^^e^/ t<>viii5'«iwil3i(%^ with firaiter rcferves and limitations to Ssitan, and a re&lved re&" oie and wn^^cll for hisowa Pedple,
: ; Jf we enquiiif itfie E%mti of his Po5ver 10 rdatibn : i9 ibimt^j we^ndtbe^^irjn^ ptc^Jiar.mantfer pttfl»ie(«dtD:hiiaj^ £> that he isnatpedhy iti^fby<)nedfh&^bi^J?<^ ftineeugf
iht tiw€r,^fjk dk V w< l^dalfp J>mk^\ UTithftke ftwf cr qfJ
- . given
Chap.}, ^aian'tf iCemptattionflf. ^ 17
given up to tutn^ (b thatthis iszfer^hrafii of him, Ht%gthati At Pofcr of Veaib^ Hcb. 2* 14* And if we cake notice of hjs
'large {irofih to Chrift of the Kii^doms of the World, All this
' tml give4bee ; we may imagine that his Cooimiffion reacheth fiHr this way, as Kmaris and EnMuragmms to his ServicCf which we will therea^ilier entertain, when we find that by God's al- lowance^ wicked Men liave their f onion in thk Ufi^ and that tlieieaiecalfcd>tor60ii7%»^/« . ^
Thiidly \ Let us proceed a fiep further to the Ifficaej of this
• Authority » which alfi>,
Firft, Upon trid^d Men is no lels r^narkable than is his G>m- iniffion » he is called the flrong Man in reference to their Hearts, which he fbrdiies as Co many Cdfilu add Ganfins againff God : He alfe ndetin tbem without conttoul » tiis SuggelUons and Temptations are . as Lawf to them V he fSls their luarti with his ^* ^' ^ Deiigns, and raifeth jtheir Aflfedions to an hi^ ini greedy pur- fuit of tfaa93 9 he works in them, and by an mward force doth liuny them on to atdiieve his Ehterprifes > in all this enlharing ^^^' ** *•
wd captivating them ^ to //«i>t. tTm. z.is,
^ Secondly > The JT^/, which are^Subjeds of another King- dom, are iliUjM^£> complaining, watching, jpiraying, and Ipreading out their hsmd^ with limng up their Eyes to Heaven rorfaelj^againft hiitHthey comd andreftlel^ Aflaults
fiom mm v they areftnfible that he canTuggeft evil thoughts, and feUow them with inceflant Importunities i that he cap draw a i»fai€& upon their Underftltading,^by bribing their WilFsand AfMdot^iffMt them 9 that he can difturb their butie^, ajQ4 that becaufe of him they cannot do the good they would : many a fear doth he beget in their Hearts i many a. disquiet hour have they fym bim t their Adh hath no reft, and happy are they if ^ they efetpe fiom him without broken Bones ; nsuny excclkhi ones have been caft down^y him, and for a time haVe been like dead :Men. 'Tis £id to fct fo f ufta Petlcvi' as Lot under his feet > lb choice a Saint as T>avid wounded almoft to the death * Co high an Apoftle as Titer by force andiear from him, to openliis Mouth ,with Curies and Impifecations in (he denial of his Savu^ur i to fay^ * ^o^» ^ ^^7- nb^fffng df the BuiTetih^ which Was fufSciently wear
Obai tofift^, ^nd defcribedhy ^a porn in ike flejhs which' (f^^^ ^^. a liearfaed' Kfan thmk right > Is coihpiaurcd by a Metaphor,to thole r^wf. rrac^. iharpStakes upon wfaidxChrMlinxs were ctixdlyipittedand burnt.^^^i^* ^* ^•^- s?
F Thirdly »*?•
Thirdly > Bi$ ^^wHL^nd ^^^V accompliAmcnt, is a further propf of the, Efi«cy . of his J?owcr. No (op^cr had Qod gi- ven him a 0>n;TOiffiQja in reference to 7^*> but he gm^^ ^i^f^ jthcTefnpeft> bringdown the Houfe, flayesbis'OiUdren,BruM5s Firefiom H^ven^ and CwWch would fcem ftrange) hathmifc Troops of the 5^if^«/ and C5<i/Ai«wx at bis beck, as |f they had been fined under his known Command « fo that in a little, time he pwjs his MaUce into Aft* . , -^
. - Fourthly -J If any would flight all this, as being the ^qvq^ cf
Trinoipalities TivA ^of^er^ z$^i^'Fl^ znd-^ii^ We' ipay iee'bc hath fo much ftrength and coofidence, as to grapple. with* a^i Angd of Ugbi^ as he did in the cQnte(ling for Mojis his Bod/^ JftSle V. p. Thi$ was a Creat^ Ang^^ elfp be durft not Iy« hare . ' ptoi^t a T^Mg dc^tm > , but in that h^ (Iroye, and jayEnily accu^, it Qi^ws h$ waited not a daonjgtbf^klnd^ to I^^o^ni h^s tommiflion and Powetf !, ' / .'^
; Foufthly > It will be aUb xequifite to,Iay open the Advantages lie hath in the management of all this Power , which are great ;
(1 \ Zr- '■ y*''*^ The nm^tiif^Qt IH^Ss : . That thj^f (^ fwanivp is nor
y ^enyed, upon the mdehce offiifi,aift oucci£ik&g^,i^
and the legm which were (etled in one, poor Han at once* " it
may be we may not credit the Devirs own atcoxmt of hlsibrej^
^ To nwch, as tobelicvc that their Dij^miw mstx^ly anCvqpaow
r .^H^ o<j %o ^Timanldffiifi^ ^bi<^ f^f Iqtoc i]pciw>l^t; wasf^^^^;
there bein^ ib >pijm an .aUafiov to a rimun t^^fx \ and ' Scripture m the r<cital favouring it lb. fir, asto confbit to a truth in tb9t part of the Stc^y we can do no left thad. conclude . that the number (pfPeVils hx that Perfbn was a very great num^ ber, and fi> great^ 'that the iCiiulitudq of Legion was proper tp exprefs it by. , Be^des* Jf the Saiptore* had bepn fifcnt m tbi$ particular^ pjjr Reafgn, would have clearly draHTi Aat qwaulioii ftdm fuch premifts as thefr, ThathcisUie^ai/y i^jflF'^^ rules in the Childnn of VifoMimft i. for whatfoever we csoofietye ^ of his Power, we cannot think him Omaboteat^ or Omaiff^^nh
icotffnmnicaple Jlttrifrntes o| the great Cre^tpE.pf
sjli 'thixms^' m wbicjbi jao Creiture cajxihare wifh ^cn^.^,. ^^^^ • ri^enaflured that he i^:the Tempter of affMen,* an'Afhat bec«> V not be in all places at once^ weinuft needs apjprehend &e JDevil$
T ^ . ; 'to
tbiie BBtnf y: as ji> CfiniM. b7)th»t < ilpidiioa,' the J>M aal Ht
' Second > He Wh^ ^ A^vaoUge fi&r.the ex^cotit^ of bis ^ / Z' * kj 'I E)efi9»,'6ate tlba* (Mr»w)uch ftca the ftveitteBtioiied gsoundg 7
W4dclBriri««««»<)fthe.CW€rofAn^byiI>i^
xtiedcd^ iwt duly by »••*» and ^g«^, but alf&r. by tbd OMi- J-'J-*- «-'*"••
K^cf F&telkEdtts» ivfiouponthftt) anci other gjKxkids <>F like '^ .'
^^'Ara^t0*«^ . Hfitb^ d^fecne of our FiofieflaBt ioithont
Y as Cbtnmit and (Kha;^> itdo^ the GOffximeaA if Afigdb t3»PM»fi. Vol. s.
6r UinmdM^ : ( wbi^ fiiffjofition the. Pd^^ii ^etdd gladly L 9. c. lu
make vfe of* «> a FoubdatiMi wheHeso ibdiaMifli the Vnatafal'
B«*#&*^oftbt?*ff>b6iiiigAAin«WhfcbI>#»fhittifeif, (» -'
Cfrairrff* if<M« > *>»" dxwtPd <f r Yet do flone of thefe Au«*
thors dcayan Otdfi amoa^the Aiigefc, btttwilMngliygBait it, a*
dovly iBiWdfio»«heteri»*<^>Hff ufcdbf fiirf^ t;Tbefl;«'^"- «»'«*•
4. xtf. asA 6»ia: thftr beitgi OiSed CwTj'. Hi^. oe:Amiff,fibat
Order is neceflaiy for the right m^uu^cteiirt of tHdr Anng^hy ^
and inrfi^a the way <• the ftiin (f tfaqrdt^tt ; 71ie thing
they dillike. is, d* bold «id pwfcrowcjftidfctdri^^
pmiddar Orders among them, and the ^muen* o£ the feveialf^*-^"™'-'*'
Ghargjcs, Imploymcnts and Stations to eadi v which wbofoever ' *' '' * .
(hall do, muft needs be guilty of tamw&g into tUngt vpfaeh be
bath not feen. It would- upon the &me fcore be a prefumptuous
foily fTT f"^'^*' fi^h a determination of the fevcral Ranks and
reoticular Imploymcnts of Devils : Yet this hindereth iiot, but^-^ *- • W «/
with a waitanttble fobriety we may believe m the general, that
♦i,pr/. Jc M, (Sf^ amone the Devils. Not otIv do thefe Expref- .
tindt of Devils, will force our Reafon to an aflent : for if they muft be many, beeaufe all Kfankind is fenfible of their Aflaults, they muflbavc alfo an Order fn the management of their Temp- tatibnsi without which, their Defigns of Cruelty and Malice iDult (itfldaft to gteatpat) f4ll to die ground. -Ndthtr da f know well, how thofe Authors may be juOly blamed, who pro- SST Uttlc further in their Suppofitions,to teU us C as moft pro- «'-^«' ^^' bable) That thcfelrfemal Spirits doi&i«» the WnU among ir-t(<^
F, a them,
CM>f» in loc.
10. ^JLi9Si;mzw rarcu
. ^ them, ind are alloted to ievi^l Countries ahiiPtace^ as their owa proper Charge and Jurifilidion ) for. what other Interpret ^ tation tnofe Paflages in Pm. to. 13. can receive, I cannot (ee^ The frinctrftbt Kingdomrf J^a^ tritifimdingthe A^ 9m and ttpeniy 4ays \ and his help in that oppdition mm hlUbad^ can«* ^ nbt (if things be wdl weighed) be properly luadodlood of Cmniyfif the Son of Cyrm^ or a conteft with any Maiw However if we let this go, as a thing uncertain, ( becaule this Ihtorpietar tion is denyed i^ Some) yet that whidi is fpokeh of their Order . in the general, and the advantage thefe Spirits have againft us up- on that Cbnfideration, ieems to be paftaenyal.
Hiirdly > The advantage offlaee among Armies is tecfconed
much. Satan (eems to have (bmething this way as an advantage
%v riii vW of Gmtni^ in that he is fiiled Spiritual Wickedneis in tBgb
esP^loif.B.tbef.pi^^^^ lyhat advantage High Places may be to Devils and
^* '^' Spirits we cannot fimher imagine, than ilut they kebg thm
above us and about us in the Afar, fee and know our Wages and Adions, and Co receive Information fiom thence for thenr malt* dous proceedings^q^mH us. /*
Fourthly i But 1^ greateft advantage is fiom his Knowledge wUch I fl^ a little explain in the foUowing Chapteiw
CHAP.
I I
^•••i
Chap.^ ibmns Xmtpmioxxk. n
am^miJbmmtm
\
. C H A P, IV.
N.I. •
Xbdt SstM bdth d great meafare pf lOm^kJgy frived^ by cpmfdriMg him rpith the k^wlcdg tf Adam im Innopefu cj^ snd tj his litles. Of his KstmUdg Natmrdiy ^ftrime^ai, Md^cceffcry. Of his kw^ledgcfcmr Jhpn^hts. Hnp fdr he doth mt kmw them^ and h(w fwr ht d0thi dnd h n^hdt means. Of his kmrnledg pf thiiegs fMrnCyondly rfihdt ways he doth coBJeBure them. the Awuamtages im fiAntpf temftattQm that he hath by . ' his K^miedg.
IN the diicDVcry of Satan's Kmwledg^ I fiiall fiirft give Evidence -^H^ \nj- iS^ and Dembaiiration thereof. To which purpole^ (lO Let us confidertheKnowledgofi^itminZniroceircyy which being found ^<^ ci en/*" to be great, it will thence be ea% conchided, that &tan's Know<« ledg is fir greater : Tira notabk diicoveries we have of Adanfs Knbwledg, the one was his givti^ of Kama to all Creatures » Gen. %. tf. "Which was not only a Sign of .bis Vminitmy but alfo a notable Infiance of Us t^iuAigf^MbiB^) feeing the Names were given ac- chiding to the natures of Creatures 9 wherebf Bodbartm gives a Targe account^ as the Camel is called H&3, becauie it's apt to uitf0K0fc$tB^ repay injuries h the Kite riKI, from its (harpnefe of fight » Ac *• ^^^ Pdican is named nnpy fron^ its ufual Vomit]ng> (H. Theoon- fideration of the aptnefs of Names impofed on Creatures, made cr7 fl . . ^^^ fUto acknowledge That it was a work above ordinary cnncity. The other difa)very of Adan(% Knowledge viras his knowiedg of ^ Original of Eve at foft fight 9 Gen. 2. 25. he faid, Ttmis mem Bmefn^ Bones^ and Vt^rfn^Fl^^ Sec Thislnftance Lsnbee madeufe of to prove the knowiedg that we (hallhave of oneano-- ther in Heaven » which (hews that .^^mTs Undetftandkig was then mcomparably more fublime than ours, and. of a nearer ap* proacfatotne knowiedg which a fiatedf Glory fliall furniflius: itrithal» To this migbt be added a foither preief fioQti the rare
Immntmsy^
■
}
.^«_
1^ ,:^ Cteatefe tkf ,.fmh
Inventions, ancl excellent Difcoveries that* fome raifed Wits have
made, of things that have laid deep, and far out of the view of
common Capacities. As alfo thofe vims, fights,' and more fhaii
ordinary comprehenfioos which the Souls^of^en have had,when ^
they were a little freed from the clog and himftrancc of the Body,
cither in Extafies, or by opproachingDczth » all which put tcge-
thdr, will go far to prove a very gtnttncdms oi'Emf^^^
Satan, if we take along with us thbFoiiodatioii, That iaall the
Woriis of God, w^ ftw the highefl KnamltJ^ in thciwA/^ Bnng :
MvingCieatures are more excellent than Stones or Trees, and
therefore hath God furniflied them with Senses, jand hath atfi) di-
ftinguifced them by higher degrees of Sagacity, accoidipg to their
excellency above others: Thus the Ape, Foir, EkphMty &c.
have fuch Abilities above the Worm and Fly, &c dot fome have
qucifiontd whether dscy hai not fine lower deuces of Ilesifi>n :
Yet as the(e are below Man,(b doth hisRealon Bac excel their grea-
teft quickneis of Senfe. Angels are an higher Beitrg than Maji,(1br
he made him Icnver than the Angels) and conlequently their KiioW'^
ledg is propoftionably greater. So that \£Adam w InaoceDCf
unoerilood theNatoccof Things, how much sbokc exa^y . and
fiiBy BitiA wie imagine Satan to know theok?
Secondly > But the. F^enof is mocc fuU and dopQ^ fioiik tbp^
^H^BaikMuATuksivb^ Experfcocfr
TMen, hsve put opon him > his i^qal joaiM A^sipta^ which^
( in Mm^»9»5 u AMi f^ iz* JUa^ i6^ w^y we isap^^ PeviL
piopctly figniAetk oae that is mi|e, kornHho^ qr skiifoL &sA
howev^ thewkkedoefief that S^ithi«iihiafttdiflK>nouxed:tjM%
'W6rd; that 'ti$:8iwiiyl4.TS &me think> v&^ to^ |i|^e V^^dim
' Sfirius y yet AiS >ir cGBBdes: aa evidokor^C ilipiit : Nfillff^ i^ se(&-:
rtvM to Knonriede, that thou^ they ate wicked 0^a(uce% ;|^-
^e tbey wife and koowmg: 'tis Ba^ Getk 3^ i« tibf ^ei^^m, ivnr
mnJkMt^^oi^Bufitfftbt Fidd:^ whichithoi^it be tsue»h«
tersOIf of the Seipe&Ci wHdaoi^d Su^iky^, >iuuvali#)
IWmsAotidaM]^ Qdte4r yettfadt expxefficMhitbiUi egre Mpo^^Sat:
' <to, whew»ihr principal- Agcati wAtteSeipe«|tii^»i^
ted/8*ri/; a«. A^fi«arf. by Satai^/ wtefe :I^^
t^rincbaliter ^vMchiweii»y bdSeve,. not only upoirtbe ewdi;t ci^Aufiinm^
ad Diabolum Lyra, ta« Uioi^ ^cureb^ upon the T^Sdoas^iA etber Sa^j^tivesy
^^\Z^ ''^ whfeh'itelnb JUhafltoi^fli^^ icvur? ^ and JmpMt^ att^tjart
«iiidius. ^Qjj^fj . -J *e*:mattqpmett-(h£ dm' Taobpiuwx^ 10 ;^,paijtjc|)^
remark-
remaiteAle duHmd (obtiky of Satan ; tie Smfm ieffoUi Eve #6iw^g|^/5*f%, -^Cor.in }. and CiffeM coajcawe ridit) - tlic Appcffation f^tApbhv do (b fitly ;fuit Aia^ a»cry of the Tite <>rKnowkdg, that the tkteofKnowIed^fteiM gM^a iikn for this finguIaY M after-|3kce of Oraft.
ThflRlIy ') That Skittin hath Great Raciwledg) i$ bf ^diefe Ar- . cutiiems dHoDTcred ) but if further inquiry he ixwde into the ^KMre of Itts Knowledge, we (halt be heim tb a Atisfa^dn in tdns patddUar'S and jiere we may obferve a thn^fofd kttowledg inSatsD*
Fkft y A Nshfral Kuowledg, which the Schod-^men have di- Co^nido Vc- ftbgrfflicdinto thcfe tiwr i ( lO AtiEumtig Knowledge which E"^*" he received firom thin^ Created^ wheret^ the #icfe# of tMags Bank, s^n . wereimprefled upon hk Mrad, and fo reoeived, being a itnow- octam Tk^ kdg 2 fijMiri^ from the EffeSt of Things s which becaufe it b P- 3^*; ttorc darft and csWcint, than that which ari&th fiom the CMJis &^fitt^£" ^thhigs, they team&ed Evening Knowledfi. (2.) The other lib. i i.c.ijn ' is Mifr&^ Kmmfkdgi whkh is^ a Rnowledg of Things^ In die ^r. Jcniibn Pbwer and wadom of God, hi which he faw the liu's and ^ft J^ ^^" imaged of aB Things^ tins Knowledge. they prcfo before the p^^^^^ other, « Lines ^d^gittes ait better roown from MktBemakcal 'ipfam crea- ftftroAibik, lixxtk by dhdr bare trad, as writteninDaft. . ^uram melius
SeconfiyvBefidestKs he hath «n &^mffi«f4i Knowkdg ^fe W^ch is the improvement of that natural Soock, by fiartfaer Ao- tjquamsn ar« ^fifiORS dnd AttttiflmentS) and indeed Satan had very high Ad*- re qai fjEbeft, vantage for «n incteafe of ftnowledg, he had & great Siod^ tb^^J^'^^ w'P- Mfi withaU he hath had lit and fu^sbU OhjeOS to WoBrk ^mcM^i^!"^^ in his Contemplations, (b that by comparing tluiigs with things, ibid. * in fb kirgea field of FMdy, and that ^ fenMsy^omr together, it cannot be, but that he (hDuId be grown more experienoed and (iibtrl than he ^vi» at ftrft : and the Scripture doth fably coimtc- nance this SeiFtoofition, by telling us of hfe 23e9J0^, 2Q»vi» ir.NSifMTK.' jJthis Itfief- fipheC «• 1 1. and of his D^r, Rev. 2. 24. All Mi3^<Afl-t^- which Phtafes Imply, That Satan hath fo liadia the Point of ^*^' Temptation, that he hath now, from long Experience and Ob*- y ler^ation, ^ digeikd it into an Art and I^bthod^ and that with fiich ' .exa(9iie{s, thatiti$becomeajM)!^rry, andaPe/tilr, muchoovered 4hd eoticealed trofiH the notice and obfervation of Men.
TUrdly V To both the former, may be added another Know* led^ h which bGcaufe 'tis from another Spring, I may call it an
Acctff^ry
,■»•.»
24 a SCteatiCe of . Patti.
Atc^m Knowlcafe cbnCfting in occafional Difiovcries made to . him, cither when GU is pleafcd to maHc known fo much of his Mind wdPurpofeas he imploys him C as ^ Jj^inwnent or Ser- vant) to execute, as he did in the cafe of JA and Ahab\ or when he inform himfelf from the Scr^unr^ or catcheth hint$ of Knowlcdg from the Cbtfreb, and the Ordinances thereof. If €ood Angels have an encreafc of Knowlcdg this way, as is evi- dent they have, (7#r to TrincifaUtus and Tmnt in Haruenfy fl^ e€s,UmiidekpownbytbeCb$trebthmanifM 3. loO we cannot but imagine that Satan hath (ome addirion of Knowtedg from fuch Difcoveries. WhUe we arc upon this Point, it will be necelTary to offer fome fctisfoftion to tiw gm^ons. QucR. f. . Firfti n^berSatMh^miotir'ihwghuf . Anfm I. It's undoubtedly God's Frerogaiue, to know the Thoughts i
he knows them intmUvOy^ which 4S beyond the power of any Creature, jfer.iy.p. Who can ksow it f This is a, Challenge to ' all, implying the utter lmpoffib}Ijty of it to any but to God alone i / tbe'Lordfidrcb ibe Heart y he knows the moft inward Thoughts. R€v.2.23.IambenfbicbfiarchetbihiReinr^ andtlie Hcb. 4^. 11. Heart i he knows themr evidently and certainly, M tHr^s are jm-
%^ and (fen hrfm bim^ mth whom we have to do, Hiotb iecrer
Thmkings and Intendments which are hid from others, anfl*
which we our felves cannot diftindly read, becaufe of their fe-
yilA^i. xret intricacy or confufednefi, yet the very if(fide and oeetfide of
rnr^^KiS' them are unca^, eittt^zxA anatomzed by his eye : in all whicli
^J** Exprcffions, God is careful to refcrve this to himfelf; I tbe Lord
doit^ ex I am be that fearcbcth i and fignifics, that none dfe is
^ble to do the like. Anfw. '2. Yet Satan can do mud) this way : for if we confjdcr how he
can come (b near to our Spirits, as to eomnutnicau his Injedions to us, and that he often entertains a Vifiute with us in this iccret V way of accefi that he hath to our Thwghts, if we obferve his Arffeingfy hi$ Anfweri and Keflys to our refo&ls, fo dire&^ ibfet- tinent^ fo contintfed^ we (hall be conftx^ned to grant that he caa do more this way than is commonly imagmcd. That I may ex- plain this with a due refped to God's Prerogative of knowing the Heart, ,1 fhall,
Firft, Shew that there are two things whidi arc clearly out of Satan's reach. C ^•) Gur fntHre Thongbts^ he cannot tdl what /hall be our Thought for time to come, he may polfibly advcn-
. turc
chap.4. ^atm'$ %mxptations* ij
ture to teD what Suggeflms he refilves to put into bur Hearts^ but what^ £hall be our Refolves and l>etermina$ions thereupon, he knows not : This is Cngled out as one part of God's Preroga- tive, that he knoweth the determinate P$irpofes and Relblves of the Heart afbrehand, becaufe he turneth the Heart as he pleaftth, Prav. 2 !• I. (2n) Our frefiut formed T!hou^ts\ the immediate and imminent Pi£ks of the Mind he cannot dUrtSly k^ kito : He may tell what Jbating Thinkings he hath pu^ into our Hearts, but our own proper Thoughts, or formed Rejfoheiy he cannot MreQly view h this is alfb particularly infifted on as [Proper to God alone. John 2. 24h 25. Cbri^hpm aUMen^ Co direaly, that He needednot that anyjhould tefiifie of Man^ (this Sat^n ftands in need of> he Ibmetimes knows Men and their Thoughts, but he meds a Sign or notiiication of thefe Thoughts, and cannot immediately look into them }i the reaibn why Chrift needed not this, is rendred thus^yifi&e t^etv what ipas in Man > that is, intuitively he knew Matih.i2,2f, his Thoughts, and could immediately read them. '
Sccormy > I (hall endeavour to explain hov^ much, or how far he can fry into oior Thoughts. Several things are granted which argue Satan caii go a great way toward a diurovcry : As,
Firft, That he knows the ObjeSs in our Fancy^ or Phantafins, ^^« J^nironN and this as clearly as we do behold things with our Eyes i and the ^J^^'f/f ^^ prodf given hereof is this. That there are Diabolical Vresmsy in pf^j. ^ ^^'^^ which the Devil cannot aeatc netp Species^ and fuch as our Senfts fTrf. Goodwin were never acquainted withal, (as to make a Blind Man dream ^^ildofuiht^ of Colours ) but that he can only call forth and fet in order thofe P' ^^' Objedls, of which our Imagination doth retain the Shadows or Impreffions > and this he could not do^ if he did not vifibly be- hold them in our fancy.
Secondly, *Tis certain he knows his own Suggef^ions^ and Temp- tations darted into our Minds > upon whicl^ he can at frefent know what Qur Thoughts are bufiedupon.
Thirdly, H5?'knows the fecret r^orhings of our Paffions^ as Love, DeGre, Feary &c. becaufe thefe depend upon, or are in a conco- mitancy of the motions of the Blood and Spirit^ which he can caf3y difcern, though their motions ^nd workings may be kept lecret from the obfervation of all by-ftanders.
Fourthly, Some go further, (zsScotus^ refmnte 'BarthoUSyhilla ) Qii^ft-pcreg. i-
narum p. jyj. Dnaonea cognoftuiit cogitstiones nofir as, quantum ad fubjedum, ob^dlum & ail'c^m, nun taxtm <)uantum ad JSnem. Sciuat quid cogicamus fed ignoraat ad quern tincm*
G fuppofing
\
%6 Z%tmikt( Pittl. '
ftippofing that he knows what is in our Thoughts at any time, only he knows not f9 nh^ thefe Thoughts inclint : but I leave tlus to thofe that can determine it certainly. In the mean time I proceed.
Thirdly., Toftcw what a gueffing Faculty he harii of what he doth n&t direlHy know > he hath (iicfa grounds and advantages for Conjedure, that he ftldom fails of finding our Mind : A%
Firft, His bng experience hath taught him, what nfujSy Men do think, in (uch cafes as are commonly hcSxc them > by a cunning ' •J/m/iiifwiof their Anions and Ways he knows this.
Secondly i He by ftudy and obfervation knows mr temper and inclination, and confequently what Temptations do moft fute them, and how we do ordinarily entertain them.
Thirdly h He knows- this the more, by taking notice of our ffswfi^ our complainings and nioumings over our defeil^s and inilcarriages.
Fourthly \ He is quick and ready to take notice of any Txteri"
wr Siffi^ by which the Mind is fignified, as the F«(/e, the motion
of the Body, the d)snge of the Countenance > all which do ufii-
. -^cprihcndas ally (hew the aflcnt or diflent of the Mind, and at leaft tell hhn
ahimitonnen. ^|^( entertainment his Offers have in ourThou^ts.
^S^m Z Fifthly •, Being fo quick-fightcd, he can underftand thofe far^
cie. Sajpett- tieular Signs whidj would dcape the obfervation of the wifeft
oens voccffl. Men h there are fbme things fmall m themftlves, Cand therefore
veAiq; vultus unobferved j which yet to wife Men are very great indicia of
things \ the like may be faid of ns, in reference^ to our inclinati- ons, our acceptance or rcfiftance of Temptatbns, which yet he
jT^ p hath curioufly marked out.
Sixthly > No doubt but he hath ways to pit us upon adijctrvery of our Thou^ts, while we conceal them, as by continuing and profccuting Ttmpfttions or Suggeftions, till our trouble or paC- fions do fbme way difcover how it is with us. By all which it appears that his gueflings and conje(fturcs do feldom fell hina. 'Tis now time tofpeak to the other Queftion, which is, Queft.^ 2. Whether and how far Satan kptnps things to come ? • '
Anftp, To this I fhall return Anfwer in thefe two ConcluGons.
i^onclnfm. Firft i There is a way of knowing future things, which is he^ yondthe l^nowledg of Devils, znd proper only toGody £{21.41', 23. there God puts the competition 'twixt Himfelf and Idols^ about the truth of a Viety upon this iflue, That he that can Jherp th Hrngs
^ that
^jmutombtn^hkGois which bceaufc they annot do. he doth hcKby evince them tobe no Gods. If Satan couW tnilj and properly have done this, he had had a Plea fcr a GodhtJL la DhoBC Predidioos two things a«e to be c<»ifidetcd. (u) The Maiur fcretold, when the events of thii^ tmiimHt, and Cm to fuotd Caufesi m/«i/, depending upon itidttenmnate Caufis, axe foretold. (aO The Uanim^ when thefe things a»e>)t «». ixrtaafy, or eonfSuroBy^ or darkly i but eUtrly^ cernanlv. ■ MM- hlyy and >ffy predided. Of this nature are Divme Pre<JkaionA which Satan cannot perform, near yet the Aaacis in Heaven^
SecoinUyi Yet Satan hath facb advantt^fbr the ksowkdg , ConcMon of future Thtngsi and fitch means and helps for a diffevery o^'*^'""''*"'*- them, that his Cpojc&ires have often come to pais.
Kjili He knows the C-»»/?/ of Things,- which axe fiem to us. Upon wmch he feems to K^retel many things firange to us > As a TbifKiMtBa!! foretel the IftUs, Workings, and MTocs of a Dif^ eaf^ as feeing them in ihtCat^et: which would pafifor little Jefs than Frj^ among the Vulgar. Thus an -rfJiwAwa- feietell* Eel^fety which would be taken for a P«/i«« Exceffeacy, where the knowledg of the gpund of theft foreteUiogs had not taken away the wonder.
Secondly i Many things are made known to him by kmrndi-
attVbmu Kevdatkmi "We know not the intercourie betwixt God .
and Satan in the matter of Jfohi Satan (having obtamed his
Comniifficni toaffliahim) might have made a long prophefieof
what fliould come to.pals in reference to j'oi, his Children and
Subftancei how matiyfuchPredi^ns he might make, we little know.
Thirdly, He hath.a deep mfigfft in Afairs of Kingdoms and States, and fo might (from his Experience and Obfcrvation ) cafiljr conjfc<aure Mtaahns and Alteratkwns. A Politician may do inucfa this way : for ought we know, Satan's Rrophefy C in the lik&i^c£ Sanmel) to Sani^ of his nun, and the tranflation of his K fcgdom td Vavid^ might be no more than a conjc(fhiral con- dufion, ftom his conaparfaig the order of the prefcnt Ptovidenor, with former threatnings ana pn>mifes.
Fourthly i He hath a greater undeiftanding of SeriptHre ?ro- fbecksy than ordinarily the wifeft of Men have > fo that at Jkand , band he might be able to foretel what (ball come topafer WbiUl we that do not fo clearly fee into Scripture-Predidtions^may not
G 2 be
^8 Z XttatiXt at Parti.
Invidus eris bc aWc to fmd out the matter. Hence by Oracle he foretokd -rftor- Alexandcr. ^„^ of his Succefs, which he knew from the Piophdy of Dj-
Str ''' «'^'^ Chap. 1 1, long before.
Fifthly) He hath advantage from bis Nature as a Spirit^ by which he over-hears and fees the friva^e Adings^ Cbm^ottkigs and Crniarations of Men in ilcference to certain Undertakings andc^eaCly, by his Agents, communicate fudiCoimcels or Re- iblvcs in remote Countries and Kingdoms, which muft pais for real Predidions, 'if the event anfwer accordingly-
Sixtlilyv He czsiforetel (and with probability of fuccefi) fuch things as he bytemptation is about to pta Men i^, elpe- cially feeing he can diufe iiich Inflruments, as he ( from experi- ence) knows are not likely to fail his Enterprife.
Seventhly •> To this may be added, the tpay and manner by
which he exprefleth himfelf^ either in dottbtful or enigmatical
Non not! fupe- Terms, or in general Expreflions, which may be applyed to the
rabic Gailus Event, what way (bever it fhould happen. Of thcfe, Authors
^P"'"*^., . . have obferved many Inftances, which were fuperiluous to enu-
nunquam per ^^^^^^*
bella peribis. Satan's Rnow^edg being thus explained, it is eafie to imagine . wha;t an advantage it is to him in tne management of his Temp- tations: For,
Firll, He by thismeans knows our tempers and di(pofitions.
Secondly > And what is moft likely to frtvaU with us;
Thirdly h How inclinable we are iqpon any Motion made to us, and what hope to gain upon us.
Fourthly) He knows ^r Tim^, Seafbns and Advantages againft us.
Fifthly ) He knows how to fterjke Saggeftions, and can chufe flrong Reafbns to urge us withal.
Sixthly y He knows how to delude our Senies, to dijherb our yPaffions.
Seventhly 9 He knows all the Ways and Arts of AffirigbemenfSy Vexations, Difquietments, flir/i^ii»cex and DifturbancesofDuty.
Eighthly 9 He by this means is futniihed with skill f&r his^* Uck^Cbeats and DeluCons in the World, how toamufe, aftonifb, and amaze Men into Errors and Miilakes, whidifae hath always endeavoured with very great fuccefs in the World, as we (hall fee hereafter.
CHAP-
«-«»^y- »Atans %mtptmm[. 19
C H A P. V.
Inftsnces ^ Satg^^'s I wet. Of Wiuhcrafty rvhat it is. Sat AH* s P^pfcr Argued from thence. Of Wonders. Whe* ther SMtan can d» Miracles. An account ofvphat he can do that vtay. His Power argued from Jffaritions and JPoffeJfions.
1 Shall add in the fifth place, (bme particular InfiaHces of his Power, in which 1 (hall inlift upon thcfe four, JFitchcraft^ Wonders^ jiffaritions znd Poff^ns.
Fir ft i JFhcbcrafi zlfotds a very great difcovery of Satan's Power : but becaufe {bme give fuch Interpretations of Witchcraft, as Cif true) would wholly take away the force of this Inftance, I ihallfirft endeavour to eftablifham^ Notion of Witchcraft, and ^ iecondly from thence argue Satan's Power.
Firft y Though the Imng of Witches is not direSly denyed fbe- caufe the Authority of Scriptuie, Exod.22.1^. VeHt.iS, lojd^c. hath determined beyond controverfi^, that fuch there are J » yet fome will allow no other interpretation of the word, than a sl^tt Scc^. Mfcowry and praSice in, the Aft of Toy finings becaufe the Septuagint doth ^f^'^^f^^fff* interpret the Hebrew word rHBMD by (pi^fjbocfuoLvenificam. ^'^'*' / Which apprehenfion they ftrengthen by tl^p^uthorky ^fofepbus^ Anttf. l^cz.
who giveth this account of the Law, Let none 4f the Cbitdren oF Ifiael nfe any deadly Poyfin^ or any Drug tpberewitb be may do htffy Stc. 'Tiseafie toobferve, {tint this conceit arifeth from a great inohferoamy of the rea(bn of the Application of t^efe words, (poi^iixv\4^ and veneficm to Witchcraft, in Gred^^znd. Latin Au- thors.
Witchcrafts were fuppofed to be helped forward by the ftrengtb of feveral Heri>s, and tbefe by Incantations and other Ceremonies j
at their gathering, imagined to attain a poyfonous and evil qua- lity or efficacy for fuch Effeds, as were intended to^be produced
by
kj — ■
\<>
^ fittwXttit
Jm ^Htti^bt *^9
by thcm,as appears by * Ovid^ ^'g'A and other An^mr. Hence "was k that the wofd ^^fM^. K@^ becamfe applicable to any fort of Witch- aa&« To i)m toif. ht added, thar fuch Per* fons were nfcrted to, for help againft Vifiajis^ ViiL Ld^^ Crit. Sac^ imVoc. As alio that they * u(ed VngHcnts for Tranfportations > Hence Ged^ vm, Jew. Antiq. Rh» ^c.ia. renders^«p/c(^bu^ by VnffKraariaf» JHaJufridtf^ C^. ae Rhmno^ hath sm. ExpitflSon to this pwpofe, Thse the Branch of that Tree, bein^ j^aced befoie the Doors, doth drive away t&v (poipyuina» tcoos^ '}kax^ Witchaafts » it were ridiculous to iay, it drives away Poyfooing^) which is a fiifficicitf evidence t^t the Gr^tdcms uM that vmxA tk> figniHe anothar Idnd of Witefaaiafe^ than thaie which this miftake would eftaUiih. Befides this, the Scripture dedi afibnt tmo flfong ilrgumehts againft this Interpietaticm of Witchcs»ft« ( I.) That this word is uxAuak with others, C^ being of the fime alliance ) wfakb will any dkc appreheniions of any ooofidaatcMBo^ to t^fffs done by the M^ of SafM, iaaniwnc/Su/ way, as Dear. i8. lo. tbve fhAfM hfimnd atmmgym^ fuJicr Pifg. any that makg^hii San arhis I>ait^k9tu-fi4^ fhnmg/lf tit Pini, (this Sight, lib. 4. is pQj jfjc confoming of their Children to JMfato*, but by waf oS ^MlimVm yid Lujf ration a Ma^Baptifhf, a picceof JiF2r«fccn»^, to prcfervefron» /W in loc. ' violent Thath) or that uftti^ Vmnatiow^ am oifimr of- Hmu^ or am. Incbanter^ or a Wheh^ dec. The very NeigMnnfacxxl of the Godwin Jews Witch^ will tcU US that tWs Wf tch iHufr Be # limner, Diviaackm
^"''^•^'1i^^' being the general tearm, comprehending the famn PartiodaEs Pool in k>c. f^ii^^ijjg . If ^o„j J ^ 3J, ijat jh ihrainmg to put in the R^oncr
fin the fenfe of our Oppo(ifes> among the Divinczs*^ Yet tiie f&cond Argument is ifiort cogent, which is this. 9 That among thofe whom PW^(?& called together to encounter with M^, Exod. 7. 1 1, we find TFitdjet or Sofccrers exptdTed by the feme word C3^St^3n, which is uied in E^odimaz, smdDeat. i8i What cdn more certainly fet the interpretation of the Wood than this phce, where the end of Pkar^i^p caJlmg them togp^ ther, was not to foyfin Msfes and Aaron^ but by Enchantment to
$utvy
* — « Mcdeidft Hetbse miftaqi cuniougicis merj&veiittiafoitta^ Oytd Art. Amanili. 1 1.
Has Hcrbas atque hxc Ponto mihi leda venena. Ipfa dedit Mxris— bis ego fepe lupum fieri & fc condeie Sylvis Mjpx im, (xpc animas iinis ovirc Scpulchns. yirg. Eccl. 3.
^AffMCJCM, Philtrum, & Ma- ^icas Adiones quae in imagiai- bus> 8c cara^ertbus, certi& ver- bis, ac fimilibus confiflunr^ %- nificar. Unde pharmaccucria ap- pellatut Idyiiium Secund. The- ocriti. & EcJog. 8. Virgilii. & Anciquos etiam vocabulum ^- ^/axio/ff proomnivencfidi gene- re, quo vcl homiaibus, vd ju* mentis, vcl frugibus, feu carmi- ne, feu aliis modis nocetur. ac- cif ere, manifeiU^patec ex Plato* nelib. 10. d<:Legibu$. Ec apud Ariftot. Htft, /ninial. cap. 25. ^o^fjMxiNf noroinantur. EtA- pocal. c. 18. ^«8fif<«Wfl6 pro prae-
6igiis& impollura furoicur,
Dan, Sennert. Tool 3. lib, ^. l^ait. ^ Cap* ^*
Chap. 5. »Atm' s %m\pmione. ^^ '
StbemJapotetofMvacIes. Which wiil (hew that Wkdi- '<
isfioePoylbiufig^ ixitthcikHsigof A^ |
of Satan. *Neithcr was this the ad of one Man, (who might 'i
poflQblf, togiether with diat piefent Age, be under a miftake concerning Witches, though it be a thing not to be fuppo^d ) but long afiior him^KekubaJMtzzmr in Van. 2. 4. bei^g aftonKhed widi hisDKams, calls for tbr Smmrs or JFitAts^ m4 Msp^ witchctdft Mr^ to ^ve Um the IfiterpRCacion > which had been a cnatter reckoned ^u di. vesf inpropcr fee tbeoa, 4f dieir AjU had kia only in mixing A'''^ f*-^*^
P6yfons. S'^^^'T
when we hare thus filoiced this loiagiination, we have yet ^•*®>**- aixKher to encounter with^ and that is of thofe that thbk th^(e Witches, of which the foiccited Texts dofeeak, are bu( meer u^\^' u ^"V^ Chems^ and by (bme oricks of Delufion and Legsrdemain^ pretend they can doings, whkii indeed they cannot do at all > and yet iinding death threatned to'iiich, which (in a bofinefi of meer }ug]ing ) would ieem toojgreat a fererity, they have firaroed this anfwer to it, Tliat the death is threatned, not for the JM^Ung^ ^^^ ^*^^^' but for their ptfitmfiuaui and hU^btmm undertaking todo things ^^r •^•^•^*- that belong to a Vmnt Tower ^ and for taking bis Name in vain. Or (as others are pleaied to (ay) though they have no repd power, HobsXif>#-«/6. they are jufily puniflied for the belief tiiCY have, that they can do ^'^ P-7* fuch niKchie^ joyned with their fttrfofi to do it, if they can.
In Anfwer to this apprehenfion, I ihall not much inGft upon i2«/eReafons, which yet are fpfficiently weak, (the latter accu- fing God's Laws cdanafinable feverity^ and the former ^^cufing^^*'^''^^^' them of if»iie6Q(fjnf rtdmndatuy^ feeing enough in other places is ^1^4.?/^^* provided againft clalpbemers ) but mail offer a Confideration or CWO) which I judg will be of force to reAiiie the Miffatke.
FirA > Hieu^ it cannot be denyed, but that a great many Cheats there have been in all Ages, by whkh Men have endea- voured to raife the repute and efleem of their own Skill and Ex- . o, cellencies, or for othorbafe ends^ yet fiom hence to conclude, %A^^'^^ \^f\JTi that ^ ibefe things that have been done under the name of Witch* cnrft were {uch,muft be an uofiiflerable piece ofinfolences net only denying that credit which all fober Men owe to H^oryjto the con* toot belief of all Ages, to the faitifitln^ tnd wifiiom of fftdger^ Jttrors^ JVitn^es^ Laws znd SanOionSy but aUb dangerouily oven^ throwing all our Sinfif ? to that at.this rate we may well qae^ioxt^
Whether
31 :a Xteatife Of Parti.
whether we teaUy Eat, Drink, Move, Sleep, and any thing ^hTthTjf^ elfe that we do i this Reafon is uiged.by grave and fcnous Men.
'■)^GtyilLj!J^sticns*fwrit.h,r4fi,f.6. Tcndbn ^/-i^ Hobs, ^./. ;. ^ j,.
Secondly i It cannot be imagined that fudi thmw are mecrly
delufory, where the i'o/iwi*«rj'Cwi/eJpw/ of fo many, haveaccuf^
thcmfelves and others, not of Tbinking or Juglinfe but oiruBy
Aaing^ and doing fuch things » with fuch Cirem^Mcet as have
particulariicd Time, Place, Thing, and Manner. . . . .
Thirdly i The real EffeSt done by the Power of Witchcraft,
Ji^'/i^**' Ihew it not to beDelufion : Such are the I'^Htfort^wa of Perfons
S« Kin many miles from their Habitations, and leaving them there itheit
talctf tom.^. tettiag things done in remote Places > raifmgoi Storms and Tem-
cpev.DAn.se«- f^^ ^ Vomiting of Pins, Needles, Stohes, Cloth, Leather, and
"fftfcbtefuch likei and thefcfome of them attefted by fober andintelli-
cuiis CU.C, lite, gent Perfons who were Eye-witneffes. Large accounts you have
r« N. B. note ^f thcfe in Bodim, Sfrtngerim^ and feveral others that have bor-
^te "aV caU " ^''^ed thefe Relatwns ftom them.
Wonikorum & Chymicoiura carafteribus, Rofas figura in dcxtra & trifoUi iii finiftrl artifid- Spiai^rAnnodriftiitfss. cor Servatovis telis transfixum, & imago fliJti, cun. mbo GerSo If*^> procumbeban^. [ Dr. M^e. ] Mr. Baxter ut fupia., Dan. Stnmtrtm Tom. J. Lib. 6. Pars 9. Vaiias hiltoriai. cnumerat de morbts incantauone wduCtis. txy«. J,a>rgu, ^Itx. Bent J/»<),CtrtteL Gemma, Fmfit,SC Ms.
i
The Notion of Poyfonmgs, or delufory Juglings, being below what the Scripture intends to fet forth, as Witchcraft j it is evi- dent that Witchaaft is a power of doing great Things by the aid of the Devil. By which our way is open to improve this Inftance, to demonftrate ( which was the fecond thing promifed ) that Sa- tan's Power muft be Great : For, - . Firft, 'Tis acknowledged that a great part of thpfe things that mlmonK are done in this Matter, as concmrent with, or helpful toward thp Magner. Vi.ln. pj.^Q^Qj.jjjg offuch hSt^ are Satan's fr(ffer Wo^^ as thetrou- ccia-.S. 87- jjjj^g ^{^g ^jy^ raifiAg Storms, Apparitions, various Shapes an4
Appearances, Traafpor tat ions from Place to Place, and a great many more things of Wonder and Amazement, all which exceeA humane Power. *
Secondly > Many things of Wonder done by fuch Perfons i tp
which
which (fome fuppofe) the fccret Powers of Herbs, or Things, contribute their natural Aids or concurrance, are evidences of Satan's y^ kpowledg of^ and infight into Natnral Caufes* Of this nature is that Ointment' "with which Witches arc faid to be- finear themfclves in order to their Tranfeortation : The power and efficacy whereof is by C^mc imagined to conHfi in this. That Dr, More. ft keeps the Body Tenantahk^ and in a fit condition to receive the ^^^^^ cmtfiflt Soul by re-w/ry, after fuch Separations^ as Cby all CircumftancesJ^^J; JJJ*^^ are concluded ) have been really made in purfuit of thofe WCiondi- jep^tranon 'of ry Perambulations and Tranfadtions. Which things if they be fo, so^aniBo.\j^ Cas they are not improbable) Witches Jiave them from Satan's f^^^J^' ^^'^• difciweryy and they are to be afcribed to liis Power. t^^t^fs ^^f
thi Body for \$tA\ union» What ie tht mtdning tlfe of thdt Exprejfion^ \_ Whither in tht Eodj or out o] ' the Body / CdftMOt till ] txcei/t the ^oul may ^t ft^arated fiorh the Body wtfhout dtath, J. Giaii" Vik^Mittbcrafi-, p. I$. iS* .
Thirdly i Thofe Adiofts that ate moTl -properly the Witches m»n AShns^ and in which the Power of Hurting doth C as ibme ibppoie ) refide, ate notwithftariding, either awakened or inflti- tnm by S^ftah : ^o though we grant (What fome would have) that Hdmont ubi the Power of Hurting ic a Natural Power,and a venomous Magnetijm %". ofthc Witch,and that her lmagination,by her Eye,darts thofe Ma- ^'^^U S lignant Beams which produce real Hurts upon Men,fafter the man- /j.Ptiig.qujcit tier of the Imaginations force upon a Child in the Womb, which p.401. Nefcio hath C as by daily Experience and Hiftory is confirmed ) f>rodu- ^"^^ ^eneros . ccd i^arks, impreflions. Deformities, and Wounds) and that Ghmi3ftch^ Satan doth tut dieat the Witch into a belief of his Aid in that crafty p. 24. ' Matter > that with a greater advantage he may make ufe of her Power, witltout which he could do nothing ? yet even this (peaks ^'^w»^ i:tfu- his Ability^ itt that (Ukafi he doth awaken and raife up that Ma- jatan^i/^ue gical Force, t^Which oAerwife woulfl lie a-fleep) and lb puts vim ungicam the Swotd into their hand.' Yet fome attribate far more to him, hanc excit . t to wit^ thetnfiiffoflof a poyfonous Ferment, Chy that adion of (^^^"^/^^imi. focking tht Witch in fome part of the Body ) by which not only S «t7iS" hsx Imagination might beheightned, by Poyfonous Streams fcre^i- bominis impe. tik^in, which might infeft Blood and ^irits with a noxious <i«ani) iiuuis
Tindure. \ ' -" '- mancipiis_
' R The
^ ;a5Cteattfeof Parti.
2. Wondits. The Second grand Irfianct of his Powcf, I ftiall produce from
thoft Adions 6f Wonder and Aftoniffimcnt which he *ibmetime performs, which indeed have been fi) great, that they have occa- iioned that ^^ip/r -, Q^ JFhether Satan can do Mtrdekf ?
jl^ I. To this we anfwer s C i.) TTiat G9d almu can workMiiacks»
r$ldmMf x^3». A Miracle being, a teat A3^ donevifihly^ and ahavt the Fifmer of
Nature. Such Works (bme have ranked into tibte4ieads » C'O Such as created Pto wer cannoihatoAxxct > as to make the Sun (land ftill, or <^! Ulx*t* go '^^t^'^^ard. C^O Suchasareinthcmfehes^Aoiwt&iyJV^ih^ c loi. cttid but not in fuch zn order as to make the Dead-to live, and tho& 47 Sclater, on that were borp Blind to fee, which is firongly argued Ji^ p. 32, * T^i.9. to be above humane Power \ and John lo. 2 1. to be above the
Power of Devlk. C3O Such as' are the ujual IForki of Nature yet produced^ above the pincifUs and belfrci Nature, siS to cure a Dileafeby a Word or Touch.
Things that are thus truly and properly Kfiraculous, are peai-*
Jiafly Works of God s > neither can it be imagined, tliAt (ince he
hath been plealed to ji^e hit Commands^ Ways, and Meflages,
l^fuch mighty Afts, a Cor. 12. 12. Heh.2.^. John 10. j8. and
aUb hath been put to it^ to jufiifie himfelf and his (6]e Supreacn
Being and Goahead) fironi tal(c Competitors, ?fal.^6.io.8c 72.
18. by his Miraculous Works : it cannot be imagined, I fay, that
^ he WDtild permit any aeated Being, (niuch left Satan) to do^
• fuch things.
\Aiti nonMi- Secondly i Though Satan cannot do things Miraembuf^ yet he
racula. ^^^ j^ things wonder/id and amazing. And iii this point lies
the danger of Delufion, as Chrift foretells, MattB.24^2^ Falfi
Chriftsfi^U arije^ and Jhew great Signs and Wonders-^ : in 2 72^
. 2.4. the Apoftle teHs us, The coming of Antidrrifi JhaU he mtb aU
Seller ialoc. Fop^er^ and Signs^ and fTondersh that fe (zs Ibme interpret)
with theifopper of Signs and Wonders h which however they be lyings both in reference to the d^gn they drive at, ( which is to propagate Errors) and alio in their otpn Natttre^ beui£ truly fuch, in relped of their fi)rm, falje > as Miracles^ being indeed no fiich ' matter, but jugling Cheats : Yet notwithifamding there is no fmall cunning, and working of Satan in them, inibmuch that the uncautious and injudicious, are deceived by thofe Wonders that he hatbfoipertodo^ Rev.iJ.iJ- In this matter, though we are.
not
,noit ^kk to ©ve a partioilar account <rf" thcfc nndefgrmmi kGor <m% 5 yet tlius much we niay (ay,
Fk», Tbttin iRgny Cafes, )m gre^it A^s, that pais for Mi- tacks, arc fjo rtfcore bqt dee^tions ef Senfi. Nahiralifif have ftewtt federal Feats aod Jr»«;|ir ©f tMs kind. J^.Baf.toru hath Magia Natu. a great iMny way$ of ftch deceptions, by l^s^ and tfaefeve- ^^aAis.U.c.ir. «aCompdkidos.of Qyls^ jby which not ooJy the colours oftrhings arc dianged, bat Men af^v without Heads, or with the Heads of Horfts, &c. The like IJeceptions are wrought by Glajf^s of various Figures and Shapes. If Art tan do fuch things, much more can Satan.
Secondly » He can mightily work upon the Famy and Inwi- naim 9 Jby whkii means Men are abufed into a belief of tW^s that are not.: as in Dreams, the Fancy pre(ents dungs which ^e leally imagbed to be done and laid 3 when-as they are ViCons of .the Night, which ranffli when the Mto is awake s or as in A&- imuboly Pexfiios, the Fancy rf Men doth fo flrongly impofe up- on them, that they believe ifaange abfurd things of themfelves, that they have Hirrns on their Head, that they are made of Gl^ Shsit they ntd^ and what not : If Fancy, both afleep and lawaJke, may thus ahufe Men into an apprdienfion of impoffible things> and that with confidence, no wonder if Satan ( whoie Power reacbeth thus fiur, as was be&re proved) doth take this jidvantage for the amufing of Men with ibange things. NA^ iMnMsar his Judgment, Van. ^ 25. whereby he was drivtn fvmiitn^ imd ea Grafi ^ Oxw^ was not a Metamorfhofis^ or real change into an Qk v this all Expofitors reje<ft as too hard > nei- ther ieems it to be only his txtnam necefity^ and low eftate, whereby he feemed to be little better than a Beaft, ( thou^ Cabtin ^vouif this Intetprctation >» hut by that Exprelfion, ^'*^^'«^"^^^-i <rer£;i$. [^tbentByVndaftawbng cam to m] it fecms evident^ < as moft Commentators think J that his Dnderflandi^g was fo thangtd in that PuniOunent, that he inn^imd faimfelf to be a Bc^C «i^d behaved himfclf accordingly, by eatuigGrafe, andly- inginthe open:FieUs. There aire.fevcral Stories toihis purpofe
Other Beafts, which Atigft^nB thinks ^o be nothing elfe but the ^^^^^DciJ-^^* Devilsfower upon the Fancy. c.is. -
Thirdly i There are wonderful Secrets in Nature^ which if cunningly ufed and applyed to fit Things and Times, muft needs
.i» •
amaze
jd Z%tmdZ(it Part!.
amaie vulgar Heads h and though fomc of thcfe are known to
Pbilofophers and Scholars^ yet are there many fccret Things
lock'd from the wifcft Men^ whofe Powers, and Natures, becauie
De Civ it. Dei they know not, they may alfo be deluded by them. A$igMftiH
lib.ii. c.5,5. reckons up many Inftances, as? the LoaJ^wit^ the Stone Bynttfy
Selenites^ the Fountain of Epirm that cin kfndle a Torch, and man)taiore'> and determines chat m^y fhrange things aredon^' by the application of thcfe Natural Powers, cither by the IFit rf" Man^ or Diabolical Art. To this purpofe he gives an account of AuKy^-AoCi- an unextingmjhabk Lamp, in a Temple of Venus ^ which allured ^^' Men to Worfliip there, as to an Unqueftionable Itoy, when ili
p//;».lib, 28. ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^8 ^^ ^^ ^ fifli/f/if(?«f Compofition frdm the Stone
Asb^on\ of which fliny makes tnention, that being kindled, ft VtL L v • ^^ ^'^^ ^ quenched with Waten Of this nature were thofe cimment? in ^^^^ found in feveral Vatdts accompanying the Aflies of the lib. 2 1. c.^. Dead, referved therein Urns, both in 'EnglmLzvA cHe where. De CivitDei. jf Men by fuch helps find fuch. eafy ways to delude Men, What
exadnefs of Workmanfliip, and ieeming Wonders may be ex^ peded from Satan upon fuch Advantages ^
Fourthly \ Many of his Wonders may challenge znhigher rife.
Satan knows thq feaet waysof Nantru Oferaiions^ and the ways
of accelerating or retarding thofe Works. So that he cannot ofUf.
Detcrminata ^^ ^^^ Nature can do, by a due application of aSive to paffivt
a<^tira ad de- P^inciplis^ and the help of. thofe Seminal Powers that are in
tciminsta paf- Things, but he may be fi^ppofed to perform themin zMid^ and
fivaapplican- niore expeditious manner: Thus fFlorms^ Flies^ and SerPentr^
that are bred of Putrefiidion, Satan may fpeedily proauce > And who can tell how far this he^ may xeadi in lus Works of Wonders ?
Fifthly ) The fecret way of Satan's Mmngt and ASingr is no fmall matter in thefe Affairs. How many things do common Jnglers by the finft mstims of their Hands, that ieem incredi«- ble ? Thus they make the By-ftanders believe they change the Subflances, Natures, and' Forms of Tilings, when, they only, by z^edy Conveyance^ take thefe things away, and put others in their room. They that ihalL coniider Satan as a Spirit, fubtif, imperceptible, quick of Motion, &c, will eaiHy beheve him to be more accomplUhed for fiich Conveyances than all the Men in thcWorld*
Having
1
.. HaTirtgiKjw'feenthe»w*y'of.hi^Wcp<Jers, Ictus nfixtconG^q ihe advantage h^ hath by fuch A^ion^. If we look upon Simon Msigusy ^6^% 8, IP, I f, v^e find, .that ht ty thefe ways,. had a general influence upon the People > TV fcftn *% tfff g^e iferf, ^w the kdfi tif. ibt '^eakjk h nnd that fcis, A(flipris wer? reckoned no lefiMihan MixacLiloufi, as. dooq ftij^ f he cni&hty Power of God. If y^ gp from ^QCer to the hhgiiiAns of Pharaob^ £xod. 7.11. ^tis fiid, 3ley ^M jSi mi^ f j^ hsbamrmntfy which C howfoever the . matter was.) prevailed fo with Pharaoh and the Court, that they law no diiference *twixt the Wonders done by Mofes and them, five that (it may be) they thought Mdfes the more skilful Ma^: ffHan^ ..But befides this, if wc conGder what they did, i^*will cwi /^» argue much. foi!. his Power, if we can imagine (as fbme do) pj^,^"^ ^^ that diey turned their I^ods into nal Serpents, the Power is evi- dent: and there is this that favours that Opinion, it is faid. They emli Wit nuki ^^^y which (eems to imply, they reaSy did the other things^ and it had been as eafy to delude the Senfes in the . matter of Lict, as in the Rods^ if it had been no more than a Delufion 9 neither are (bme a-wantingto give a reafon of fuch a Power, f wa.J Serpents, Lice, &c. being the OiF-fpring of Putrefii^k^n, by his dextrous application of the feminal Princi- ^^^^^ ^ .^^^ pies of things, he might quickly produce them. If we go lower, Pec^'eg. <^aeit. and take up with the Opinion of ^thofe, that think that they p. 57^ were neither meer Pe/t(/&>ffx^ rt^t jct true Serpents^ h\xt real Bodies iOvt/^.: l^ Serpents^ though mthottt life^ this wiU argue a Very great Power: Ox if we fupp^ic Caslbme do) that Satan toof^atpay the Rods, and fecretly conv^ Serpeints in their (lead, or (which is. the loweA apprehenfion we can have ) that PW^i's fight was deceived: The matter i^fiilliar fi;om being contemptible, for as much a^ we &e^ th^ $pedator$ were not able to dii]c;ern tb^ Cheat-
ThirdJy i The next lifianoe ptoduceable for evidencing his AfparitionrJ Towa^is thzt q£ apparitions. It cannot be denyed, but that the Faney of ffielancholick or timetous Perfbns^ is fruitful enough to created, thoufand B^^bears^ And alio that the viHany of ibme J'eribns hath been ddignedly imployed to deceive People with id$d^jhfariti$ns % of which abundance of Infbnces might be given bom the X^^^ry of the Fifijls^ difcovored to the World , beyond
7L%
lyeyond contra^dion ) but all this win not cooclttdey that dieie are n9 real Afftarantts of SfHrit or Devik* Sucb £id cflfoAs in all Ages there hav€l>een of theCe thiagS) that iBdft Men wiU take it for an undenyaUe Truth*
Inftead of others, kt the Apparitioii at £iubrto ^«iil oome
to examination : Scxne indeed WiU ha:^ciis belleiN!, that affl that
Scot, wkch^ was but a fiMl Chtat^ managed hf Aat 014 Woamn ^ and ^M
cr^Jt 1.7. en. iicither ^nitow/ nor the J>evil did appear, but that thelVomao,
in another Room by her felf, or with a Confidersie^ gave the U)(wer , to Saul. But whofbever flnll read that Story, and llutH <oofi« der SatiPs Bowing and Diftourle, and the Anfwcars given^ fim.ft . acknowlcdg that S^tl thm^^ at kaft, he fw» and fpake widi Sanmel: and indeed the whok TranfiMSion is fuch, diat (uch a Cheat cannot be foppofed.
Satisfying cmr felves then, that there was an Apparition, we Vid. popU S7. mtift next ennuire whether it was true Ssmtta^ ^ Sskm : itcan- nops. in loc. ^^ j^^ denyed, but that many judg it was true Ssmttd^ bat their .
Reafims arc weak. *
C lO That Proof fiorn Eoel^u^cm 4^. 23. is not QmoHkal with us.
( 2.) That he 'wnscoBedSamml is of no force ; Scriptvre ei^ ten gives names of things according to tb^ appearances* , _
(3.} That things future were foretold, was but fremcMif^. 8$tre ) in which Satan yet (&dl things confidered) liad gnd fffmi fonhds ffU0f^.
C4«) That the Name Jdmah^ k oft repeated, £gntfies no- thmg, the Devil is not (o (csuce of words 9 fefiu Il^m^ Mh that Spirit m the if 5Sr.
C J. > That he irifrmd Sin in Sml^ is nonaore than what the f)evil doth daily ta offiBid Cknfiieheef in ^der todefpair.
I muft go then with thofe that believe this was Sa^an in Saimfi- d*s likcnefs,
CiO Becanfe€odre/«/€K^to t^tr Saul by Frapbe^S at ZMm. And 'tis too harfiito think he woukl^fend-^jjiiiM/ fiom th^Dead, and (b anfwer him in an o^rmrdinmy Way. '^
(2.) This Cif it had been Sa$mid) woidd haveghtn t^ 'tnuch ctmnttnanee to Witchcraft, contrary to that chedk to Ma-' xiah, 2 King. I.J. If it not btea^/i there it mt a G^ in Jfiad^ fhn jeprto^qsHreofBaalzebHh? .
C3O The
\
f 30 Tlic^»«Aa&« of ^^iir^ Dc^ ytt fitiled as co the ixaBn^ of ttme^ fiv the Btttd w^ not feogfac tbe pezt day;
(4.> The aekixwledgaiaDt t£ the Wttcfacs Ibwer, [fiP^ i^lf »Ikw difqHiaed we ?] (heWs it could not he txut Ssmtttly the Itowaof Witdioaft not bemg able to reach Soiik at yeft with Goi
C 5O That Ezpveffion of (?^ir afeauUjig m 9fibt Emby n erideatly faijpicioiis.
The leality of Appmtions being thus eftabliflicd, Satan'$ Fbwer will be eafily evinced £rom it. To (ay nothing of the" Bodies in ^hicfa Spirits appear *» the haunting of Places and Per* fixQs, and the other EJeds done by fuch Appearances, (peak dyfork.
-liHI < K^ fl
Fourthly » The laft Infiance is of P<ffefionfy the reality ^of fojff0onr^ which can no way be queftioned, becaufe the Nem T^ament af^ folds (bmudifiir it ; I (hall only liote (bme things as concerning * thisHead« As, '
Firfi'> The tmdtitudes of Men ^fkfftd : (carce was there any thtng^ in which Chriii had more opportunities to (hew his Au- thority, thai! in ca(ling out of Satan > fuch Objeds of Compa{^ (ion he met with in every place.
Secondly > The nmltHiider of Spirits in oiie Per(bn, is a con(i« deration not to be paiTed by.
Thirdly % The(e Pcrfons were often firongly aded, (oihetime with fiaten^ and rage, A£f»i&. 8. aS. fome living without Cloaths^ and without JEI^xr/e, Luke 8. 27. (bme by an incredible tacpgthire^rigCbainsandFetterfy Mark 5. 3.
Fourthly > ^me time the Voffcttcd were (adiy z^exei and af^ Aided, ca&im the Fire and TF^trcr, Sec
Fifthly > Some were firangely tnfbteneed ; we read of one, A3s 16. 1 6. that had a Sfirit of Jimnationy and told many things to come, which we may (uppo(e frequently came to pa(s \ cUeme codd have faron^ nogdn to ber MafUr by Simb^fmrig^ Another we hear of^ whofe Po(le(fion was with a Lmaey^ andhad fits at certain thacs and feafons. The PoiTefled PCT(bn with ,
whomMr.R(^few«ff difcourfed, (within the memory of feme K-]^^;^^ ^^* ving ) could play the Critif^ in the Hebrew Laiiguage.
• Swhlyi ,.
40 31 STteatife of . PartL
Sixthly i In ibiric the Poffeffion was (b (bongj and Co firmly feated^ that ardinary meant and ways could not oKpoflbfi them: T))Ukind comes not out but by Vrayer and Fafting^ MaU27«3'i. which
ftews! that alt PofTeifiDii was not of oni kind ^ inaj^^ nor alike lyable to ejedion.
To all thefe may be added Objtjfions : where the Deyila^(%s the Bodies of Men, dilquiets them, haunts them, or fhikes in with their melancholy, temper, and Co annoys by hideous and black rcprefcntations. Thus was Saul vexed by an evil Sfirit fr<m theLori^ which Cas tn6ft conceive) was tte Deril working in his melancholy Humor. That the Devil (hould take pofleflion of the Bodies of Men, and thus ad, drive, troubleand diflrefi them> io difiort,diftend,and radc their Members > (b (eat himielf in their Tongues and Minds, that a Man cannot command his* own Fa- culties and Powers, but (eems to be rather changed into the na-
"' ture of a Devil, than to retain any thing of a M^n > this fliews a Power in him to be trctnbled at.
• Satarfs Power being thus explained and proved, I fhall next ^cak fomcthin^ of his Cruelty.
I
I
f ' ' 1
I ■« ^^^
\
>
I
9
CHAP, '
* % *
' r
! .: A '.. •;.;..• \ '. '- '
V
• \
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■***mO< I » II W I » BW*"^— i^— — — Wy^l*^— — <M^— .
t
'• •• * i X m^ r ' ' '
I * '
.chap.<$. Mtm'si Xmpmioms: 41
Mta
C H A P/ VI.
•• • •
0/ iS4t4n's CrtfeU/. Ufidmes thereof im hh Jledlhg mth wounded Spirits^ in ordinary Tempt dtions of the ■ Wicked and Godly ^ in Ferfecutions^ CrneUies in Wcr^ • finp. His cruel handling of his Slaves.
HE that (hall confider his Malice and Power, muft unavol- , dahly conclude bim to be crud. Malice is always lb, where . k hath the advanuge of a froportionable ftrength and ojpportuni- . ty. fqr the dpEed^gof its hateful Contrivances : It baniiheth all .pity and. ODminileration, • and fc^ows only the di&Sitc of its own rage with (iich fiercenefs, that it is only linuted by wan- ting power tp execute. We may then fay of Satan, That, ac- cording to his Malice and Power fuch is his Cruelty. The truth of this will bp abundantly manifefted by Injdances : As, .
Firft, From his deiperate turfuits of Advantage, upon thofe whofe Spirits are wmndid. The anguifhof adiilreSed Contciencc 4s un(peak§bly great, in (p much, that many are ( as Heman^ .Pfa][lii.88. ^5.^ even diJh'oSedj tphile they Jkffer the Terrors of the Almgbty. Thefe though they look round about them (or help, « and invite all that pais by to pity them, becaufe the band of the Xofd hath touched t%em *, yet Satan lau^s at their Calamity^ and f«?d^.at them under their F€jr/,aad doth all he'can to augment the ilame : he fuggefis dreadful thoughts of an incen(ed Majedy y iiegets terrible apprehenfions of Infinite Wrath and Damnation *, he aggravates aU their Sins, to make them feem unpardonable: ' every A^ian he callsa /Sii, and every Sin he reprefents as a mllful .fbriaking of God > and €very deliberate Tranfgreffion he tells them is the fin againji the Holy Ghofi. He baffies them in their Prayers and Services, and then accujeth their Duties for intoUera- bfc, prophanations of God's Name i and if they be at laft aflfngh- ted from them, he then clamours that they are forfak^n of God^ be^uic they have fbriakeij him: He (as df ri^t Baalzebub) rates iptheir Wounds, as Flies are ever fucking where there is
I a
4t :5HCteatlftOf Panl.
a Sore. Their Outoys and Lamentations are (uch Mufick to kioQ, that he ^ves them no reft > and with fuch triumph doth he tread upon thofe that thus lie in the Duft, that he makes them fbmetimes accu(e theoielvesribr that whi^h they never did^ and in deriiion he infutts 6ver fhfcni th Ihfeir |;reateft perplexities, with this, JFbere k now thy God f and roho JhJl deliver thfeoi^if my band 7 This were enough to evidence him ako^ether void crif compaifion. But,
Secondly > He (hews no k(s cruelty in his Mfigi of thofe that are his 5^/^e/. The Service that he exads of thofe that are his moft wilUng Servants, is no lels than the higheft auelty * "and not only ( i») in -regard of the mfety and deftrudion which he makes them work out for themfclves, < w^h is fer jgrc&ter,thtn where Men are forced by the moft farutiftr Tyi*n«, <o fc^^tefr yrm f^fitiy dt to tiatkirmmThroa^f $ bfecaufe thfe i^ urt^hli- biy left than the cndlefs mHfettcs t>f Aemal TottJjerfts J : hut C a. ^ alfc in regard of die very flavery and drtd^r^ Payl of «he Service which he exadsfrom them \ he is not plealed that they Sln^ but, (he vildi Iniquities, moft contrary to God, and mdft abominable to Man, as the higheft violations dfthe Laws^f Nature and Reafon, are the things whkSiTie Wifl pttt themitiMii, where there are noreftraititsin his way : Bte'dtavetbc ER^kMs C ias Paul teftifies Rom. i . ) to^ffedions Co vik arid loatbfom, th*t in their way of finning, they:feemcd to'id^taAtr like'fi»«e# fhaii Men^ theh- Minds becoming fo bamdieioUf^ tftat they 'oft all ienfe of what was fit and comely. Neither C5.>^ot!i tWs (atlsfie his cruelty that ithe wbfft of Abominations te pradifed, birt te mgeth them to the high^ defperattnefs iri tbe manner of peflftM^- mance, and fo draws them out to the * font of the Battel, -that they might contemn and otH^dare God' to his face h he wfll»hfeve theiTi fin with an high hand^ and in the highdft ir^t^^ 0f ^nad* neft to ruQi into Sin, as the tiorfi into the Batttl. This cruelty tof Satan were yet the lefs, if he only brought them forth prefiittip* tuoufly, in fome one or two fet Battds upon ;^^ilr/ ocariGons ^ But C4O he Wbuld have this td be their conftant iwd^, the task of every day, upon the Cmiefiore that Achitofhel advifed Al^alm^ to an open and avouched defilement of his Rithers Concubines, that fo the breach 'twixt them and God might be fixed by aiefo^ kite determination > and confequcntly that their bands might be firong, and their hearts hardned in rtbcllion agaijift God. And
(50 that
^
C$0. That Sauta tdgbt oot coioe ihort of the utiscrfl of what ^^u^'cottkl do: We imy yet further pbferye, tl^t tfaaugh ^maiis #r tkn^va n'^^/jr enough^ to coxiflid agaioft God hLti»bi^piaeesifthf fkl4^ yet a& not ^jtisfied ivith their foi:^ ^v^dnefi, he \aikfih and whips them on to thdr work, and fomer ttmcMnirdftm them in tbek own eameftnels. Haman was fo honied and bverbom with violent hatred againft Mardecai and BOher ;. i the fmsy that his OMfnadvaoflement, and the marks of iingulat ferourfron ibc l^ng availed him not, as to My fatisfaSioB and ncioit contentment. . ^fr^, though King of Ifiael^ is £o vehe* mendy usged in faisdefires foi NahPb^s Vineyard, that he cove-* ted Us Face and grew fick upon it. Thus, as GaUjhSlaveSyWcxc ikefAainedtQtiSx Oar» and £brcedto their work beyond their
own ftfenffjth- •
' Thirdly, There is alio a crudiv feen in his ince$tnt fnmokjfigs and force upon the CbUdnn ofOoiy while he urgeth his hsathed Temptations iqpon them againfi their wilL When I confider Pates out-ay in this cafe, (Kom. 7. 1 5, ip.) ^^* TfPbich I do J ah Imfiot^ AtofilvAtth Iw^n^iy tbafdol^ &c.) my thougt^s mrefent him to me, like ihd^ Cbtiftians that were tortured in iS^!Amgb^ vAacyisdCM wa$ poured by a continued Stream up* o» their Alontlxs, t31 the C/pli!! ti^t lay upon their Lips was finid'daw ^tm^tkroau » oc like thofi that had iHnking Puddle- water hy a Tunnel pouted into their Stomacks, till they were readyio bm^ t and furely he apprehended himfelf to be under very cru(l dealing by Satan, wh6ahe oryedout, Qi^ad^edmas that lami^^ ^^^ ^^ ^ ^ ^^^ lerioufly cpnfider the mind and endeavours of thofe <aiiUten of^God, that are ftmiag againft Sin, and have caftitoff as the moft loathfim ahDoiinable thing, yhen Satan nrgatfi them to Evil withhisinceffant Impor- tunities 9 it is as if th^ were forced to eat i*«r om Ex^enienu^ or tofir^hfp down again their own Pimit s for the Devil doth but. C as it we^ > Sa^w thcfe TemptaticMis down their Throats againft theb wil]» * ''
FcMtf thly. If we caft our Eye upon the Perfeciams of all Ages, wefliall have thence enough to charge Satan iVithall, in point of Crueicy v for he, ^wto is .ftiled a hbabererfiomfbe btginning, fet them all on loot » 'tjshethat hath filled the/TivW with Blood and Fury, and hath in aU Agps^ m one place or other, made it f a very SbaiiAks apd Skugbt^uft of.Mcnf Ci.) Can we
I 2 reckon
44 3t%tedtife« psrti.
teckon bm oftai Satan hath been at this work i that is impoffifale. His moft^/ftl;, and general attempts of this kind aire noted by H^hries of all Ages. The Perfecutions of Fbaraob againft J^ael, and of the pvevailing Adveriaries ot Ifiadznd Jtmaby againft both or either of them, are recorded for the moft jpart in . Scrip* tnre: the Perfecutions of the KmumEmfemtrs agaii^ Chriftismity are fu£EcientIy known, and what is yet to come who can tell > A great Perfecutionby Antubrifi was the general belief and ex* pedation of thofe that lived in jltfiin's ti^ne, and long befinre y but whether this be one more, to the ten- former FeStoxtixms Dc Civit, Dei ( that fi) the Parallel betwixt thefe, and TharaoVs 4ruinc in the lib. 1 8. c 5*. Red'Sea after his ten Plagues, might run even ) be only to be
looked for, or that others are alio to be expe&ed, he thinks it would be prefumption and rafhnefsto determine : But however, fais partieular aflaults of this nattete cannot beniunbred.: how bufie is he fliU at this work, in all Times and Pbces ^ infomudi^ thdii^be that n^lwe Godly in tbi^fyMdymf^fit^ But
(2.) if we withall conhder what inventions and devices of Cruel^ I ty and Torture he hath found out, and what end]e(s variety of
Pains and Miferies he hath prepared, C ^ Catalogue wJierco^ would fill a great deal of Paper ) we can do no lefi than wonder at the merdleis fury, and implacable ^rage of ;him that coiusimdL them. Satan the great Engineef^ doth but give us the PiBmre ofbif Mind in all tboie Infirwnents of d^$iSion, And when we fee amongft Tyrants, ways of torturing. eMr^^.AfeM^ of the Body, and Arts o£ nmltif lying deaths, thatib thofe that perifli by their Hand$, might not have (b much as the mercy K)iz§eedy difi " patch, but that they might fed tbemfelvts to die^ we may refleiS: it upon Satan, in Jacobs words to Simoon and Lrvi, Cterfid bt bii Anger, for it is fierce, and bis Wrash,foT it is crmL (,^. ) But if we coniider what hfinments he ufeth, and apiihji vp^ant, we (hall fee cruelty in an higher exaltation : had he ufed ibme oftfae Beafis of the Earth, or feme of his i^fofkate Affociass^ to persecute and zSi\& the innocent Lamhs of Chrift, it might have been muchexcufed, from the namral infliniiorcax£tAantif»tby,o££\id\ Agents : or had he ufed only the vile^ of the Children of Men to ad his tragical fury, the matter had been leis: But as not content with common revenge, he periecutes Men by /tfejs, though all of one Blood and Off^ffring, and io perverts the ends of nature,, ma- king thofe that (houla be the comforts and fupport of Men, to be w the
die grcatdl tmrn^ and axtft ta them \s, thing which NatUte i(t ieUf abhors, and in regard of which, ( thattheimpreflSonsofPit^ inight be moce peimanent^ and efficacious ) God forbdd IJhael nfettk^'XidintbeMfftherxMHi^y nay, he hath prevailed with Icansx^'good Jittluuai^iuty znd toK AceMfli^ments ( for fuch were fbroec£theper(ecQting £r9fperMir/) to be his P^ie/, £ox author fixing the Rack,. (otfrmdiHt Fire and- Faggot > and ( which is fhange ) hath prevmled fb far with them, that they have been willing to tPM their Ears, to the taoRfalf^le Lyes, the grofleft '^^rgeries, the moft unr^^ma^e Suggeftioiis that; known Ma<i- iioe could iniiRit > and then after aU, when they were dcawn out to Btacbery^ and flaughter by multitudes, they have made fuch SfeSaclef ( whidi might make impreflSons upon an Iran Breafti, oran Adamant Heast, ) oiAy J^iuanctmuts of^heir Jollity > and as 2fm iron the fight. of iiaroingRtffffe, took his Harp and made 'Xiefcxiy : (o have thefe tormenting Furies fired C by the help of comfaufiible matter ) multitudes offuchh&tmkfs' Creatures; and then tajfcen the opportunity of their Lights . for their nigjbt Sports. And yet C me thmks ) the Devil hath . difcoverd a %wer Fury, when he hath made them rage againft the Vead^ and dig their fiiaves^ and jrevenge them&lv^ upon xhttxfinfl^ Afljts^ and when they could do no more, (bck to pleafc thteielves by executbg their rage againft thdr Pidures or Statues i which Adions,though •ttey might be condemned for F^Be/, yet are they evidences of %i^ Vury^ which commonly dcflroys the Judgment^ and facri^P ficeth W^ir, Keafin^ and Hwwr, upon the Altar, of Revenge. That the Qcvil (hould fo |oy/i« Mans Nature,^ that he (hould thus rife up ag^nft his Feltew, that carries the fame #ea/ic^ Being with himfcl^ fliews enough of his temperagainft Man, hut neven more than when he prevails againft the engagements of JB«J«^ Bbftd, Afimvj andRe/n^i^/i, toxaife a. Mans Enemies omofhk mn Houji^ m Father agam^ the 5 m, and the Son againft the fa$hen Ae Vaugbeetagainft^ the Matben, and the Mother againfi the JJangbteit : fcr. this is little lefs, than zxt unnatural Mfttiny of thc.Membos againft the Body. 7 ,
FifSily^ "We have yet a more yifible inftance of his Cruelty, m hisirJiriT^ and tyrannical St^eiftitions. Look but into tfce Rites and Ways of his Worfliip, among the Heathen in all Ages and . Places^ and you will find nothing bpt vile and rifaidrtir Fooleries, or infilM.zu& defpig^ful Wiafees*. In tlw fgiroer lie hathdriven
Men
V.
4^ z%tmmm ^mm
Men toVUBsfum TkhmArier, iatbe httti to EmmtkbCm^im.
Of the latter lAall i^nlyfneak, (iAmif^ m^Q^oftfm^ kfikr
ba&% Man to lielii$ Larngfiing-fio^ be i$m9tikiJm6»m mi
Mook^)^ Here I mi^tmeiuibn his tytmmid CtsMmmtA «f
tbe lower ondei!, fkdk as taMebn^ttfii fuAtWlM tbmf tc6k»te
tilffimagts^ as in ZtkUn thdr pam&l WhMttgi'y «a of the Youth
of Lac^emonzt the Attar of Z>r«ii4i or tbw. Fitofte* and that
nritfa ifMed Cordsupon their ^louldeis a$ at hkxim^ and A£n%-
^/wm* their harfli ufii^in tediottsFaftnigSi ftinliiu Dincbos^
hard lyings upon Stooes, eatii^ £arth) iWift- fiMoeanuuss cf
X Kings 1 8. "Wine, smd Convneroe, ^eir tortimngs and mm^lifigf of thw
Bodies by ceniUe Lanangsand JGntting^^ fer the effufimofBlood>
tlKirdffinembringthexnieiyes, pliickkgout.difiir Eyes, inlMigiing
their Flefii, tocaft in the Idols Face, ficri^cittg thdtwm aooiy
Tertul AoIog« asdid the Prioftsof BdEpM and Bm^i# » fo did the iUiPgf i£
^^f^ 9« 'Nev^Sfm at their EleAtoOy as Mumiivim thcjCboondv wM fiir
purcha&^Pii- ;qpJ£^ j^ drawing blood from bis Ears, and the oalves «f ibis
tT'c. 10. * 'L^s* In NarftMga and K/kagoTy they go their jBtlgdautges Mith
JCnizier fiickiogon then: Anns and L^S) till the wounded Flefli
Idem Pdft. hieflcrd. Some caft diemfelves under me fFhtk oC the W^gpuj
M.y ''^ii^cn which their Idol is.diawn.inPiDcefiiQ0« Yetaseallthefeto
imall matters, in ixinpaiifbn pf the faioody ontTxagte ommm^
iph'goiia (a-iupon Mankind, in the aboosnable cuftobiof ftcrificingMaafto
oificata, de ||j||,^ Of this, numy Authors gireus a laigeaaxttint, tide Im0»
pUcafthfcT^''^'*^^ the Plague; Acrifice z^kpH'* tht^hmti^
ton & virgine<^% the advio&ofw^^V Oracle) ftnt yearly to lUng JtlZwr ier
cxHi. ysrg. «ven NUes^ and ib many f masks Jto be iaaiiiGed to appeafe iiht
Plut.Pkral* 5vrath;oftfaeGod, ibr their killing of if«fr(«eiflri the C^rl^^
'-"^ ^' tiioMs r being vanqniihed by Agi^mks Kingiof ilici/jr > iaat&ed
two hundred Noblemens Children at once » the KaiMu^had tsaj
year fiichiacitficesef Meaand Women^ (<j€iadf Sex I9M ) £ir a
long time > ac^ this was ib common aoKng^hevifier ^lagan Nar
don$, that wbesfi^evser they fell into danger, . either of jWjut^ ^ck<-
^effes, or of^iiy other Calamity, they popSendy C to ixpiatetheir
Offences againft their fuppoled incenfed Gods, apdjto clear.thei|^
'(civesof their prdcnt MUeries or Dangers, ) j&ctiiiced (bmemean
Co^win Mofcs *^^^»^ ^^ ^^ ^his reafon were filled jujcflipfxaTO, Expiatj*
ar.d AaroD. - ons > and to ihis doth "the A^k alltfde, in i.Cdr« 4. X3. ^as
/. 3. f . «• SirtttiKify 'S^kfbanmi Gmimy and ojany othetsthink J) a&if hethould
"fay, weaieasmuchi^lPf/id^ andJoadedwithCittiu^Sr as thole
that
^t artf /i<^^ifl<^ ^ po^lKk Es^iMim, Bur what iarbcrufige
tiAfy^ iX^oBtfa me poor badmousNttiosisoftfae WoirU^
trfierr h^hM aU pt)lH>leadTatitage^&c theexcr^^
ifpaMf ^ inairf &i mftasioesof this kiad^ur^ coIleAdd Vjr-P'M'^f^
in his Pilgrimage, in his Difcouries of Virginiay tern^ IRtaj^lim^
kftdto, tUrida^ and other places, whole Stories of this Svlb}&St
^efi) teiriUe, and occas £> freijcient}^, that they are abnoft be<»
^ndaS beU^i all whidi &r bieirities (alee i unit, contenting mf
felf to note one inftance or two out of tht Scripture, 2 Kings^a 7.
The King of fAab twikjhii ebl^ Sob thai finmld haue mgiM U bis
fiud^^^fi^iit'ffi^ a BMrnt-^^firittg t^mth W4M : tQs he did
(^ ac€Ofdfa% to the>€Uftom of the Fumdaru. and others, ) being
Mduced to great Ifaaits, as £qppofing hf this means <' as his hfi
lefiige > to torn awayxbe wrath of his God« (XJbaa^^jis re^
corded, 2Cbron.2%.s. loathe htrmbk Cbildrm m tbe Fire^ ^fter
^ iAmitiatimi^ftUHBatbauThsit this was not a Li^jtitMr, or
Cotticciaiiox>of f hetr ChiUira C thoudi that aifc was «fed ) bat
a resd ik^ck% is wktout doubt tx)f(f^but^ who exptefleth it b^M»n^
thnS) Heolfembh Son as an IblooaM. Sot whatever Am did,
^lscertaifltheCaiilditn.of|fi«ddidto> ib^afiendtbdrS&ttSMd
Dsi^hers to Tkmlf^ TJaU 106.^7. Andi£ the Jaorificefff the dead
Which they catinthe HVildeincls ( menti(mef!w^2^. ) be un-
daitood<5f the fsafitewUch were made at the bttmingef their C^il^
dm^ ^fixttieth^ (dioughinany underftaid it of their yeTj/Ze/? Lfibtfoot ott
desd GmU^ or their dw^Haroet^ orfcr their deeeafed Friendf^ ) -^^ 7- 43.
thea <fhis tVMlty had footi poffisfled thjcm : However, pofiels them
it^diasappeMffralfobythc defctiption of their devouring Mifccfe, CadmrnUofc^
which tfK J«i^iU*W>»J' fef, was m hollow^ kazen Image in ^ ^^^"^
fhe fomiaMan, (fevingthackhadtheheadofaCalf,) the •'*• ' •
Arms flretchedin a poftiireof receiving, the Image w« heated with £re, and the Prieft put the Child in his Arms, where it was liOTttodcath;liiT*e mean time, a noifevwis made with Drums, thatAecry^of the ChtW might not be heard, and lience wasit cdkd t4fbeti lirom tofb^ whidi figni£es a Drum > ib that the nameafad Ihapcof the Imagefliews that it was ufcd tothefe exc^
aabteOuekies. . , , , j-
IPhefe Sofipfurc evidences, Ctf we. were backward to credit what Hiftoriesfiiy of this matter) may affure us of the temper ajiadifoofition of Satan^aiid mfayenabk us to believe what bloody
^<«)rKbehath-madeintheWotld, lyhich I ftaU Wcfly fum up « ^
-tiicfc particulars. *"^^
y
^8 %%XtmztA PaitL
Firft, Thefe idmmMt^ imt rather ( as Puwfc^r calls them > mr- hmam Sacriiices, were pradiled in mj^ Nations^ not ogjy the Indiant^ ParthianXy Mexkanr^ 8cc. hMJEfbiopimti Syrians^ C^ar^ tbifgrntans^ GrtcianSyJiniians^ Genmau^ Frtncb Md Britamv&A,
tfaeou
Secondly, Thefc Cruelties were aded not only upon Slavtr and Captives, but upon Cbildrtn^ whofe age and innodency might have commanded the companions of their I^ents for better ulagc. ' . . .
Thirdly, Thefc Satrificings were ufcd upon /et^w/ pcta^ as at the'jj^jJrti»foftheirConi,-at thciwi^^ Car^n^hn^
and Veatbt of their Kings and Noblemen, in time of ^#r. Dearth^ tfftHe^ce^ or any danger j in a word ( as the PrieAs in Fiorida arid Mexico ufed'tp fay ) when ever the Devil is iawigry otthafiy^ thatis-, asoftashe.%^'aiiikKL .... 'i.^ Fourthly,^ Inrfome>pIaccis the fDevil- brought them to fit-fipM foe tbofe 4)feings/ome were Monthly^ foAie Annual. The Latuut lacrituiedthe tM Child > the: Mfmd^ dseifwniDg of a Boy and a GiflJn Che.Lake of Mmic(K'y the cafling of two yearly from the tons Milviuf^ at Rome ihto tyker^ are but petty ioftances in . cpq:^ parifott of the reiK . i ;. . • . ; .
• . Fifiihiy, We cannot pais-by the xh^ numkfti^ Men o^fofidop ^tone tiJne s fb.thirfiy is Satan, of Humane- blood, that from oh or Pfi^o^ he hath raifed the number incredtUy higb.9 iaj&pe.SaaiT iices^vr, in {bfne m^ Xnism^xbtidf^ 'mXom^i^fkoiifiuidHv^ been offi^red up« . It was the argument which Montp^tttfia the laft EmperoHT of Mrxm ufed to Gmez to prove hijs (beiigth-gnd gr^iat- ne& byv that he. (krihc^d.-yeady/^voe/i^jf f^oit/^ men,\,arKl ^)me years Jf^ thwfmIL Some havetefesved tfeeir C*p*iw/ for that end^ others have made IVar only to fumifb themielves with Men ibr iuch occafions. • ' . • ■?:.!; -
. Sixthly, There atealTo .Several evrciM«/if^# of thefe Dis^K^ t)ut*'rQgestfaatnuylgtve af«ctherickHcov^ of hts gruelty, as that :f hcfe 4tniferablc Qt^iares thus. ImC to be butchered, have been ioadea with all the.Curfings^ Re^^iiings, and contumacious re* pfoaches, as a neceflary concomitant of their violent deaths* Thus were thofd ufSd, . who weire forced fo be the publick xd&^z^ fxaTo, or expiation».for the rempyal elf ; common Cals^nit^e^ Death alfo was not enough^ :exge|K^h$id been moft tifrtimti^g ia the\ manner of it^ ias <)fthofcthat (ui^^d by the emi»KK:(in?rv^
. . of
f^MtMfy llhcjiy vA fpfii^* of fudi Sacrificings (. windi were inthai&lves^pedadKofnx>unuii£aiKlfonow) vfotCritdtiu f9«fte Ihtiy ana a hmharmt a^mmfi» J^amft the I>«v/ of Na- Ctoc in the Livine. But the dafliingof die/MMJ^ Heart m the Uffffattj and mt puUing off tht Skpu fiqnt the maflaoed bo^ dies, that Men and Woinen m^t 4<fim in Uwm, wete yet tnor6 ouel Coemonies. And lafily. In thofe that have been prepaied Ibr thofe Solemnities, by ddieim Fart^ fmfu» Onuuimtt, and the i^i«^ Rnwfvnee or Honours, ( as was the manner of (everal Countries ) yet was this no other than iSatan's infulHi^ over then- Miimes,.Qfwhichwecan,(ay no otherwife, than that his imtkr^tieremmCnidtief. . . ^
Sercnthly, I may caft in to the accoiuit, that m lome places Satan C by a fhange madnefi (^devoticm ) luth perfwadedfbme to be Vdumtefs in fuilering theft Tortures and Deadis.Some have caft themftlves under the Charfot-Wheels of thdr Idols, and Co Pm^hMtl^i have been auttied to pieces. Some ySm/Jce thmfeiva to Adr ^ '• »*• >• Gods, iirft they cut off feveral i«eces of their Flefli, crying every '' ' time. For the imfi^ if my God, I cut tbk tity Jl^ % andatlaftfiy, iio» do lyidd tt^Juf m d^^ ** *^ kbtlf^my God, and fo kills Moifelf outHrigjht^
Eighthly, It is wonderfol to thmk that the Devil fiiould C by tintigt prtUKtt tfKufin ) have y«i»«i&«i over thefe barbarous In- , humanities, fo that they have become />/<«#/« things in the judg- ments erf" thofemiferabl^ Wretches. In Piacular Saaifices, they beUeved. that except the We of a Kfan wwc^ven for the life of Proviahonrf. Men, Zt the Gods could not be pacified. ^ other &c«fices - ^J- both Euchaiiftical and for Atonement, they retamed this Pnn- 1„^ ^ ^gn ciple, that tbofe things are to be offend t$ the Godt, that are tno^t pUa- deorumnumm fine JadaceePtabU to mi and that the ogmi^of a Calf or a Figeon, pla«r!, aiU. wof m fmableta fndt an end. This Mwimthey further improved j^^^f,^ by the addition of another rf the Cime kind, tbta tftt were fit to p^>puiar Er- Him an Humane Sacrifice, itnu^ alfi beinrnxnt, and confequentlyrots. cap.i^ • UttkChildren are the fitt^ for fitd> afmfofe. And fome have alfo coniedured, that the Devil hath not been a wantuig to inwove die aam^\&d[ Abraham faaificinghis Son, or the Law in Levity, vid. Lud.jCd^ 87 28. <» the Prophedes concerning the death of Chrift, asthe/W. de voto gr«t Sacrifice of Atonement, to yM and warrant his HeUUh y^j*'* § ^ , Ouelty. In fome ciissfirudtv hath mfai firom the very trtmfa ^ ^ ^tiC^ ofRefmnee and Lave which Children ha^fe to Parents, and Friends » ^„^, j . »,.
K ' to
|d ' Z %tmik of • ^F^l;
fdFHends, asiA i>fMAdn, Wlihi iriy tttft fibk^ tfieyfedttetli^fr
Orack to Snow Whtther the Parties ftiall liti er«[fc 5> intl)d zn^
PurchdsV\\%^ fwered thejr fhall die^ thed thtir Friends toaiigW the^ tfnrfcat
Part I. Us.\6. ^hem \ and all this from a kind o^ RciigioHS tcfteft totheir Riii*.
dred, to prefcrve ( as they imagine ;) theljp Fkm Item putt ifiAi-
on; ihd their Soufe ' firbta tdrttieiiti TheTllitfthey'doat ^«^
*ta!j(w-, vrhen their JFllehds grow oM antJ^^ot work, ©nl^'the*.
TMrehdj ibid. «at not tbefar oWn Ritfads, but carty them to the Market and fffl
them to thofe that do eat them,
Laftly, Let us call to mind hofi^ long thie PeVil domineered id
the World at this rate of craelty. Wheh the World grew to A
freer ufeof Reafon, and greater exerdfc of Civility^ tney found
out ways of mitigation, and changed theft barbarous Rites, itito
more tolerable Sacrifices s as in Laodicta^ they fubftituted an iXffI
to be facrificed inftead oFaFJrgte i in Cy^m^ an Oh was put in*
^ ftead of a M^/ti inEgjff, JF^Scen^Itnages iuRtad of ^ftn j htizg^^
of SfraxP at Konie were caft into Tyberin the ^lace of living Men i
and the terrible burnings k£ MoJocby fwhieh wsls not peculiat
Diod. siculm. only to the Nations near to Canaan^ but was in uft alfb at Car^
Biblioth. I.io. tbagty and found in the American Iflands by the Spaniards h the
i^" D^ar ^^^^ ^raien-Images were, alfo found in Lodovkti^Phn his tirti*
pSu J.7. c4.* ^^hc Frenc*, in an IjfZ^ni called by them Carolina.) Thefe wtrc
at laft changed into a Ftbmation^ and inftfcad of burning thek Children, they onlypaffed them betwixt two Fires > but it was long before it came to this. In the time of Socrates^ Humane Sa- crifices were in ufe at Carthage^ and they continued in the Romafi Provinces till the time of Tertnlliah^ Eufihim and LaSamim : Though they had been (evercly forbiddenby Atiguftm Cafar^ and afterward by 7ifeOTiWf,whowas forced to cmdfy fbmcofthePriefts that dared to offer fuch Sacrifices, to affright them from tholfe barbarous Cuftoms. In other places of the World, how long fuch things continued, who can tell, efpecially feeing they wct^ found at Carolina not fo very long fincfe ? , .
How impoflBble is it to caft up the total Snmo^ £0 many large Items? whenthefc terrible cuftoms have had fb^wmiZ aprai^t^ in mofl Nations, uponfb w.iwyoccafions, upon fuch f^itih^flak'^ fible Prinqpltf^ when fiich great numbers have been deftroyed at once^ and thcfe ufeges have been fo long praiftifed it! the Wiwrld, and with fuch i/j!??c«/fy reftrained, what vaft rtiultitudes-of Meii muft we imagine have been confumed by Satans execrable cruelty?
Sixthly,
; .^tfelj5>,TM|€f rei9suii?t)ij(>infcuicc Riore of the DfiFJilsCmel^ tji jvbich »$yet di/jfefcnt ^m the Ipuner, which I may call his f^/ml CtHdm^ bfcaufc they aire ^4 by his own immediate Ifol^upon^WtJiin.ofhisVaffal*, without th? help or interpofure ofM^ !vho Cmi^of th? forementioned cafes ; have been «sJliAruineots3i3;6dbyhim« Hq^c I might ta)((: Qotii:^ of hi$ ^tQtbs&th^mfm^^^ ibiqe hav^ been as it were raisd and tortuied in their Bodies, and their Lixxj^s ^nd Members fo 4jibf ted, th^t k hath beeij not only matter of Pity to the Be- bpldosi to fcff them fo abufed, but alfb o£ Admiration, toconfider ^QW fiiiii flb^fcs fcorfd be5x>nfiQent withth?ir lives, and that &dx «ndings wd tearings hay^ pot qj^te f?parated the $quI femi th^ Body. In the Qo^iyv^,!^ Qf f(»pe fcch t^Jk into tk tkrt^ and ifitP the fTa^f Others, conVeri^g with 7<?i9i&/ and 9efi(Mfm m the cold nights without Qlmhs^z^di all of them.fpo- ken of as Creatwrps fadly tormented^ and miferably ve^^ The HiAorks of later days (ell ijs pf fome, that vopaited drookgd Tinsy fitcti (^ JA0^rC9^lh Qhfh and fuch like, Qf others Ji^cM Queof their Hollies, and tired even to fainting^ and wafte of their $pixics, a5 Dvmm^^a^ ( mentioned by Bodin^ ) with a great many more totlu3 fame pvirpofe. We may take a view of his dealing with fHt^^ who ( thou^ he ftem to .©ratify them in their Trani{X)rc«tions fipm place tp placet, gndin their Feai^gs vnjii Mufi^ and I^nopgs, > ,are h^ oucUy handled by him very ofieni the very Worktneyjare put upon Cwhichis thedeftrudioa ^f Children^ Men, Women, Cattle, and the Fruits of the Earth,) is but ^bJ^b^hymvt > but the account he take$ of them^ of the fuUpadSbrmance of their £At^{^es, and th^ qniel Beating$ they iavc of him^ when thi^icftnnot %cf Omphlji apy of their Revenges, 15 no lefi than z^f^verti Cruelty K. He givess them no reft, unlefi ^ley be doing Hurt ». mA when they cannot do it to the Peribns 5le%ned, th^ are^brced ^o do thci fame.Mifchief to their wfi CiUdxmy or Reb^nsj thatrtbey tmfi ffm^ th^ir Tyrannical Mafien . JWIwi rclarerithe Sl^Ofy ioi ^ .French .^on^ ( who was j aftkrwird wttadttlbfof WitcboraftJ thgt* after he h«id killed Udft CMiQXtn, wzsM laft, upon a defign-ot facrificing his ^r^n C%/i to the Devil : and if «t any time they ^ew jfPiofy of fo exe- crable iSkwrj^lor.con&fediei^ Wj^kenef% t>ey ^e £b mifera- bly tonnented,t hat theychufe ratlTer to diethanlive : And what elfe Uit^JatLAty can thefe Slaves expedl from him, when the Ceremo-
K 2 nies
ii^
fdet of tbctr Efitnmce into thai tmki Stnkt^ httoktM nothing die > fbr their Bonds and Oblivions arenfually writ, or fub* foibed wfth their own Bhod » and (bmc Magical Books liave been ,
writ with the &W of many Children, bchdes the farewel that they have of him at their ufual Meetings, is commonly this thiUH dering Threatning, Avet^t yntr fehfeSj wj^fiaUdie. All thefe mrticulars are colleded bom the Confeflhnis <£ Wtcches, faf nodin^ JFutm^ and others.
. But leaving thefe, Let us finrther enquire into Satan^s Carriage
toward thofe, that in Ameriea^ and other dark and barbarous
Places know no other God, and give their devouteft worihip'to
him. To thofe he is not fi> kind as might be expeded, but his
conftant way is, to ttrrifu and t9rment them \ inibmucb, thsrt
. fi^tie know no other reaibn of their worfliip, but that he mayuM
htm tbem : And fince the ingl^ltCoUmis went into thefe Parts,
thefe Anmicant have learned to make this difiin(ftk)n between the
Em^Ufimunis God and theirs, thattheirs is an €otf Cai^ and tl^
Fi^fhritti 1%. other a good God 9 though that diftindion in other pfaiioes, is m
DeAMinent^ the general, far mofe ancient > where they acknowledge «irtfGU>,
run^bm.^ one good, the other bad, and the worie th( God is, the fiMik^
Aug. De Civ. ^A tnoun^ Rites of facriiicing were ufed, as in Cauefj and ia
Del; 1. 8. €.}{: the Nighty the manner of the Worihip fitly emedEbg the mime
of the God they ferved. Our Countvyin^ nave noted of the
Natives of Nem-Englandy that the Devil appeared to them in $tglj
Sbi^^ and in hideous Phces, as in Sv^smfs and XFWr. But
thefe are only the Ptdogne to mt tragedy it fetf^ fixr diey only
. ferve to imf^reis upon the minds of his Worfliippers, whatCruel^
ties and Severities tfaqf are to expeft from him h and accxndinglf
he often lets them ^el his hand, and makes tliem know, &t
thofe dark and difinal Tnbtdium^ are not for nothing ; fbrfi^ie-
time« he appears to the Wodhippers, tonmnHng and a^uig thev
mmJer v«r^- Bodies, Uaring the Fle/hfiom tbo Bonify and ea^rymg tbmamryqmdi
^H' /^^' /^ with him : ibmetime /^ have been carried away at once, none
^10. ^^ knowing what became of them. By fikh bloody ads as
' thefe, he kept the poor Anmrkans in Fear and Skvery 9 fi> that
as bad a Mailer as he is, diey durfl not but pay their Homs^e and
Service to him. All thefe particuhurs behig put together, win
ibew we do the Devil no wrong, when weoU himCn^^
CHAP;
I I
aar-T; »ma'si xmsmnM. . 5 ^
• «
C HAP. VII.
CfSsfstt't PUigeme im ptvettl Imfidmeti, TOk Sb^wm ^tm the Beif/g ofBfirHs tmi Devils hMtuUed, The Sdd- dMeeet Opnien tUfetvejrtJ^ the KetUty tf Sfirits
- fnvei.
J •
THb laft particular oUbved m the Text, 15 his Diligcn^ir. Thisadds force an^ firen^th to his Malice, Power, and Gradty, and ihews they axe not idle, dead, or maSivt Trin^es m Iiim, wliich C if they could be fo (uppofed > would render him Ids hurtful and fermidablew This I UuH dij^tch in afew lo/bnces^ noting to this pnrpo^
Firft, His P^ff/ he takes m fnnamg his Prey, and puriuifig his Defigns : 'Tis notiiing for him to wnpafi Sea and Land^ to la- hour to the utmoft in his ImpIoymenr> \]s all his Bufinefi to tempt and delfatoy, and his whole heart is in it. Hence Inter- vciSBonot Ceffation^cannot be expeded, he fums not by his 1»* lour, and Ms bbour with: the fitccefi of it, is all the delight we canfuppoieiiimtofaave: ibthat being puflied and htariedlw the Helliih Satis&dionsof ifctfdJyKevenge, and havmg zjhtnffk^at^ fwexable to thofe tSolmt Imfnlfity we muft (kppofe him to under- go ( with a kind of pleafing willingnels) aflima^able T^and ILidfimr. If we bok into our felves we hxA* it true, to our no finaH trouble and hazard t Dotbhe atany tiooe tafify delift, when we gbe him a RepuUe ? Doth he not come ag^ and agm^ wttb often and immidentlY repeated Importunities ? Doth he not cairy a Defign in his Mmd .ftnr Mmhi and Te^v againfius ? and Whoi the Motion is not /f^^, yet he /oi^gei/ it notj but after d Icn^ Intenruptioh b^ins ag^ where he Idt : IWhich fliews dnt heis big witfr^his^ Ptojeds^ and bU MindhaO^ mf^: Ut ftretch- ctb out his Netsall the day long : We may (ay of him, that he Tifdb t^ tarfyy mtdfiHe^fip toe at his work, and is content to hbbnr in, the very Fire, ib that fact!4gh(lmtei(|iai(|i«»d a €^^
of Cod,.br 44W a Pkofilftc^ ^ ^
Secondly^
i
.!...£<
j^ A »rTPWnr 01 ran:?;
Secondly, Diligence is not only clilcovercd in Laborioufiiefi, tyt alibln iPecuUff readings to e^^and^o clofe in with fit occa* fions, \i^ich niay in prdbaBiBty anfwer \ht End^'we drive at. In this is Satan admirably diligent, no occafion fliall flip, or throu^ inadvertency efcape him^ No iboncr arc opportunities hefm m. but we may perceive himfwg^if^ to us, P« tbit^fatUfU
fconer bl^tainsh^ aCpipnoifl^oft ^aipft a Child of God>but prefent- Vg he i? upon his Back, as he dealt with Joh^ he loft ho time, but goes out immcdiatlyirom ^le preftnce of the Lord and fals upon him, Befides what he doth upon filmn and extiaordinfitfy Opca- fions, thefe that are common and ordinary, are fo carefully im- 4PtW^ by hlm^^hativcry thipgiW? Af^ro?^ is jready to btomc cqrjft^ire, and Satan will aflay to tempt us bytheni, though tbey lye fetnething out oftb^ v^yolaox Inclination, and be not fi> lik^ Jy. to prevail with us. . , v
. Thirdly^ 'Ti$ alfo; a JDi^coiirerx of his Pilfgpwce, that hp ©ever fails to purfue every advantage whlfh be gets agaix^if u$, to ttic jMnufik If the; occafion^ ana mptipn thereupoja eo^j^ne.usi Co that if we are pcifiwaded by them, he foUow^ it on| and is not fatisficd, with either z:Umr 4^h of ^ing fibfuUy, or with om ^xmo z&s i \m tfeflS h? pre%h u^ 03 tofmio tbf W^, .with 4Jie^ greateriOonteBapt pf Go4i - and ^iev^gc^. of his Spirit, "thp ffBCzt^t fiAnd^I iwt* offence ]ta. our, ^i;etpi;£^^ wd^j;iaving omp iauftd us to I'^f^ h^would nevjer Wc;^^^ H^
Tcmptatiour^ theioCf ly^ upQiic|«, lilie the ArMJ^«j w rf^^ Htf^ which by the fi^<;w?(s of thfir current, aiake<i/iirgeapiiy% rooBetbfolkttf^;. HtJjknpjys h(?w to ^fpprqv,?, !us ^Stw-w, i^ didUnotrfiQfow S(>jfefclp6fs;.9r Pity, pegj^ tp cpjmpleat tbeni. iidnceit is^. thatfopiSliioes he reaps ft largt Jtli[rve]l where h^Ha4 fifiptK tittk^ and ^omm Tempc^tio9, ^npt o^ly; wounds thd ibi^ »f him that c(tmm^t4i<y W ^deyoi^rstp di^liUe. the Veadm an4 Poyfoi»te;fii{fftW<iCit.^#jl|«/^^ ff.^>i5>er/, tp t|ie,diferaj:f.c^
aiclij^poa,; t^Jjarilaii^ ^heiH?vtsflf K^cj«^ M^J^ ^^^tm^r
:iaig the I^notdQf Qi«X)f .^he Way flf; Tryt]^ riA Jtuie fpanf q^.# he porcdve thi^ Spirte i)f Men ^row diftempqred aid yvovsiQc^p he then flyfk tbemtwi^TWeat«iipg% ^lls theiQ wkhall manaeir ^iJf Difawiagpmflits, ifa^^ eye^\Tcuth mth the w^xft appeaj-
fuch Interpretations on all Providei^^'*;^ ^YWS i!^^^^iS^ '' ' augment
'•" 4
Itoi^itett! the Cdaxt ttkht^httoA tU1^{^ oVtt^lMMlt^HA '
FbuttMy, Thet^Jri*iirji«5^> which he til^ figwce > if one Pk* take not,^ he is imrwdiately upbnaH^cr i he coaftics not himTelf tt>^ P^fi^: ik» to ont Mednxi-v; bat if tjeftidohcTemt^iation'tddthi^^ ht]taifparis*iiotheVtnOr*
fkfMjis ifTerrwdonotafltightu'stodifpair, then he abufeth Mirtte/ to make us carelefs and prefuming. If we are not content to be npnly Wicked, then he endeavours to make nsfemily Hy* pocritical, or Fon»aI > >(bmetime he urMth Men to be Pnpban^ if that hit not, then to be ErronioUi S ifheiarinot work by ohe Tool, then he takes ' another, and if any thing in his way di^uft, he wiH not urge it over'-hard, but ftraight takes another courfe h filch is Ws Dfljgencc, that we may (ay of him C as it was faid of Ta$d upon a better ground;) he will kconu aO thingt to Ji Men^ tbathmaygmfim.';
• Fifthly, Diligence witttndftfliew it fdf wheii thing!^ art at ibcptaf^ basufrdy or when the fcfe/of fuccefeare ready to bring firth. In this point of diligence our Adverfary is not wanting, if Men are upon the foint of Errour or Sin, hovir induftrioufly doth he labour to bring them iviMy.bver, and to (ettle t^em in Evil ? one \^ould think at (bch tiAes he laid afide all other Ixiii« dels and only attended Ais i How fireqcient, inceflant, and ear-^ seft are his Perfwafions and Arguings with (uch ? the like diU« gence he (heweth in okbuding, difturbii^g^ and di(couraging us, Mrhen we areupoti our gteateft Services, or near our greateft Met- cies, what part of the day are we more^Wandring and vahi in our thoughts, Cifwe take not great care) than when we fet about Prayer } at other times we find (bme more cafe and freedom in our Imagmations, a^ if we could better rule or command them > but then ( as if our^houghts were only confiiGon and difbrder ) we are notable to mafter tnem, and to keep the door of the heart ib clofe, but that thefe troubleibme unwelcome guefls will be hpuding in, is impoffible : Let us obf^rve rt ierioully, and we flan find that our thoughts are not the fame, and after the (amc ftianner impetuous at other times as they are, when we fet about holy things^ which ariieth not only from the (ptkkpejs of our ^tiritual Senfi in our readier obfervation of them at that time, but aUb fix)m the Devils ^ Usl^a^i^zn^ ^cial diligence agaiiift us.
/^
'j4 %%tm\ittA Paitt 1
KtockSi he befiiisiiinircif toptereiitorhmderus^ if
/«m«9 iM^ Oime4fmy^ Acf may obler^e more ml^bHmu^ ^a^rtiftifins^ Of MfcomMnmms ^XM Torts, t))an when they lefi ^pooeria themfdves wiA the bufriefi He
ftfc&es what ^enmiif ateprovkkd, and often doth he Upon fiich foreCght endeavour to turn off ifoyS €xnn hearing, that have nufl mei^ and are moft likely to receive benefit by them. Many have noted it, that thofe Sermons and Oaaafionsthat have done them moft lood, C when they came to them ) diev have been (bme way or other moft difftpadedframy and i^yUve/againft before they came h and then when they have broken through theur ftrongeft hindrances, they have found that all their obfirudion was Satans diligmfa^igbty to hinder them of fuch a^Bleffing as they have C beyond hope ) met withaL TheJike m^t be oUerved of the . conftant reherfii of the Lards day^ if Men Witch not £(gainft it^ they may meet withmore than ordinary^ either AvoestioHs topre- vent and hinder them, or VififtrbatMi to annoy and trouble^ or hadify Indi^ofitiofu to incapacitate and unfit them : And 'tis not to be contemned, that fome hove obferved tbenifelves more apt to be JDroi^ Dull or Sleepy on that day. Others have no^ greater botuly Indij^dfUbnr tnen ordinarily, than at ^ther times » all which make no unlikely conje^xure of the Devils (pecial diU* gence againft us on fiich occafions*
Let's caft in another tnfiance to the(e, and that is, Of tho(e that 9tc upon the point of Coiivirfimy ready to (brfake Sin for Chrtfi* Oh! what pains then doth the Devil take to keep them back^ 'He vifks them every Moment with one hindrance or other *» ibme^ times they ore tempted to former FUaJkreSy (bmetime aifiri^teit v/ith Prejint Feart and fkture piptppmtments \ . ibmetime diftou- raged with Kefroaebet^ Scorns and Afflidions that may ^end their alteration > otherwile obftruSedby the perfwafipn or threat- jung of Friends and old A<:quaintances » but this they are fiire o^ that they have never more Temftatiansy and thole more fenfil^ troubling than at that time^ a clear evidence that ^tan isas ^« ligent as Malicious. I fhould now go on to difplay the Siibtilty
_of this Powerful, Malicioi^ Cruel and diligent Adverl^.
^ There is but one thinp in the way, which hitherto I have taken for granted;^ and thatis^ l^htber indeed there be a^fiuh things 4S
Vevils
:chaLp.7. Oman's %mptations. \r
^X>emlrand i^id^ Spiritf, oftbafthifi are hut T^beddghdl Engim ,€9ntrmd hy Ferfins that eatryagood mB to Morality, and the P»^ , iit^Peace, to^l^ Men] mief ansaxpfid ft^ of fwb Mifcamagit, as may tmdit them othemifi a Shame to thmfihef^ and a TmAle to otberr. It muft be acknowledged a tranfgreffioir of the rules of Mabod to ofler a proof of that now^ which C if at all ) ought to have beenpiOTedin the Ae|w«/«g of the Difcourfc : And indeed the queftion at this length, whether there be a Devil, hath fuch ,affinity with that other C though for the matter they are as dif- .&itnt as Heavat and US) whether there be a God, that as it well delenres aconfirmatiort, ( for the ufe that may be made of it to evidence^thatthcreisaGod, becaufcwe feel there is a Devil,) fo would it require a ferious endeavour to perform it fubftantially. :But it would be not only a needleis labour^ to levy an ^n^iy againii ptofefied Atheifif, who with high fcornand derifion roundly de- ny both God^nd Devils > feeing others have frequently done that, ^butaUbit wouldoccafion too large a digreffion trom our pre(^nt ddign* I ihall therefore only (peak a few things to thofe that awnaS^ dXidjct deny fitdf a Devil as we have de{crij!>ed, and yet not to allof thefe neither 9 for there were many Heathens wh6 Wjsre confident AflertCHTS of a Deity, that neverthelefe denied the Being of Spirits, as fevered from Corporeity y and others were Co fir fiom the acknowledgment of Devils^ that they confounded them in the member of sbm Gods i others there were, who gave (uch credit to. the frequent relations of Apparitions, and di(hnr- -faances of that kind, that many hadattefied and complained of^ that they exprefifed piore Ingenuity than Lucian, ( who pertina- icioufly refuied to believe, becaufe he never (aw them, ) and yet though they believed fomethmg of reality, in thatjthat was the, affijghtment and trouble of others, they neverthelefs afcribed fuch extraordinary things to Natteral Caufis : Some to the powers of iii^ Heavens znd Stars in their Influences upon Natural Bodies, 7-^ vtrhatt^ or by the iw&itiwrof certain Herbs, ^Stones, Minerals, Creatures, tici^. Voices and Charaders, under a fpecial pbfervation of the motion ^orphjrint. of tfae Planets. Some refer fuch things to the fnkilty and quiche D^f j ^ ^*^ * ize/rof the Senfes, of hearing and feeing, which might cttztt q^^'^^'^'^^' Fottns/ and Images of things, ordifcover C I know not what ) ReflefHons from the Sun and Moon. Some fancy thp Shapes Pomponatiofm and Vifions to be extevia^ thin Scales or Skins of Natural thiiigs. Epicureans^ ' ghriDg reprefentatipns of the Bodies that.caftthem off, oxExha^ .' L . lations
Cardan. Uio»f ftow Sqpukbrcs rc|»eftm»g tlie ftifC 'f£ ifce Boif. Acadmich. Others Riake tfeyeoa the Ej^fl/ofour ttotfM%and^ac«i0rf^fa^^
the (kUlity Mdcomipcion whereof, they conckide tD he itwii^ and fogrnergl, thatnioft Man are in jbazafd l^ be mipded upM by^Jelufive Appesorances. But with far^reaier flicw of likelihood, do fcnie make all fucb things, to be nothing dfc but the Iffimt^ "Avmoef. MdancbcHy and com^ Hmmrs. wbkh »»ke$ Men bdieire tbef
hear, &e, aod iuStt ftral^e things, wb» there is nothing near
Cdpn ad Bru- theiB > Of r«ally to wd^go ftrange *t$, asin hmicy and fi/t^^..
turn ex /^//>r- Leavingtbefc Men astioticapaMe of Infotmatiottfoni Scrq^ose
t^ch. in vita ^^y^nce, becaufedifowningit s Let us enquire what miftahea
• apprchenfions there haye been in this Matter, amoi^ thofc that
have pretended ? reverence to, and belief of Saiptuce ; The SmJU
Juceei de&i^ the iirft place, beeaufe they ue by name nofied in
Sai|>ture to have denied $bc K^fimtSifm^ and to have ^ffirmedtb^p
th&'g y nutber Aagtlnir Spirit^ A£ts ^3. 8. Matth. %2. aj.
This opinion oif theirs (coubld we certainly^fiDdjt out J would
<[^e owch &)r the oottfirmatton of the Trmfa m qnicMon, frdiiig
( what ev^ it was) it kftfimfywfuiamiediBL Seiiptuse, andtiie
contrary afleited to be true, ^hny ( and that upon confiolerablji;.
£roaads ) do think, that they do not deny afaic^utdy that theve
were any Aitgds 4ir off, but that aeboowlec^ing that fimecfaitig
t/" there was whidi wasc^fflttfaii dlvgtly yet they imagining it to be
far Bthermfi than what it is indeed, wtce accuftd jpfily toe deny^
ing filch zkind i^ Afigth asthe Scnptare had evesy where aflertet:
and defoibed : Forcoofidecing that they owned aG^d^ and f ait
leaft ) t\nt^ Bo^if Ua^y if sot aH the txha Books of tlie
Vid SMnhem. Old TeftamenT, < as Statifft and others judge, not without gnat
dub. Erang. probability, iot neither dodi the Scriptiare, nor Jcfifkm^ menr^
Jar 1 3,dub^^ ^j^^j, ^^ (jj^ x}ain% q£ the Eioidiets } it is nnuisqginaue that dicy
would akogetbesr deny that there was dngtlor Spm at alL Tbey. . XjSzdKsfAngih appearing to Lat^ to Abrakam^ and met with itfb fireqiiently, that believing Sorif^xfts^ to be muc, they could not believe AngtU to bean oifibiufiBm^ fbr aie FMe et FaHity hi Saipture C which (bhighly afferts it fetfto be znunmting Chaek^ oftbetroeiGodJ tmiftofneceffilyhxvedlt^^^ ^' and xendf ed tbem as jufily fiaijpeded to be taue in maiaag^ wfaca
i apparently ^(e or faJialous ixr any dbing^
Agai^, If we call to mind wliat Jffrebei^hns they had of Ha^ ( vh iQh dH qonfent they did aj;to)wlipdge; \s^ ought moit ea%
UDagin^
\c wiiit tppitbeofions^ tfnt^fhad ofAng^ft^ S>r in tega^l 'Mr^ fmde metieksi of Gifds Face and Bit cj^-^^r^/, and that Evodi }i« 1 fiequeottf Hmidi. mi other /)>^ii^ of Mans Body were attributed »lmni thcytwckded God to be C^rf&red \ and feeing the ^e/f of CKaiores whidi God created cannot be fuppofed to have a more mbU Biing tkm was that of their CrAi^^r, and at the utmoft, to be made accc^idiRg to the Faffern of his own Image and likenels> they iB^iit upon thi# Bottom eafily fix a denial of IneorfmalSfh fks^ am by confe^ience^ that the Siml of Man wzs mmal^ and tbercfbie that there could be no KeJkrreHhn > fo that the nature of jtngtU being dcfaibed under the notion of Spiritual SHbJhncify^^ tb^axe judged to deny any fuch thing,' fuppofing that to be //i- tnfoteat^ was as much as mt ta Beae aS h and yet it were unrea* fonaUe ta deny, that they had not fome Ineerttjtstion for thofe MjQQig^ of Scripture that mentioned Angelr^ wiiich in their ap- picfacnfidAS inight be fbme Satw to the truth of thofe Hiftorical y^ndi^ whichlliey acknowledged, but what that was, we ^re fiat to<on}e<^e : And indeed Jojfhm by a little hint 6f their Lib* u de Opfaionfecms to teBus,^ that they did not fo much deny the Bd/j^BcUoJud.c^j. <^ !*• &irf as the femaneney of it, and fo by confequence they J^Sav? ^ might HOC fo much deny abfolmely ibe exjflenee of Spirits as th^ir ^^x; ^ j^ Natm'ol Being and cof^innance. Something there was that was 77^*5 ja^ a^w- called by tli nameof i*fge/, ( that they could not but own ) and yd^ dmttn' that this muft be a re^/, and not an imaginary thing, is evident fiomihc real E0eas and things done by them y yet obfen^inJB their aufeauums to have been upon fbme f^ecial occafion, and their M^earingto havtbeen on zfudden^ they might conjedure them t(»\x created by Ged for the fftfent fervice^ and then reduced to nothing
when that fervice was done.
Their C^iom then of Angels fecms to be one of thefe ttro^ . , ' - . Either tfeit they vrcxc Corporeal Suhfiances created upon zffeciall^^^^'^^'^'^M* mergtmy^ but npt permanent Beings > or that they were butf-^f; nh qiH- JmamziA Impr^ons fupematurally formed mtbc Fan<y by the aemolim Sad- foeaalO^^iiwicf God, to fignify his Mind and Commands toducxoiumopi- , llSi, u^n ^Wchthey might fitly be called God's Me{fenger^ and Z^'^^^- ' Minifltrs. I put in this laft into the conje<aure, becaufe I hnd it ^^^j ^^^^ ^^ soeotioned by Cahin^- as the Opinion of the Saddvceef, but both n,otus quos are noted by Viodate on AQt 23.S. as with equal prokbility be- peu» homini- tongingto them 5 his words are, ney did not helim they tvm jub- ^' ''^l^'l^' Mmt> and tMmortal Cnatufesy but tranfitory A^pantionj, w /owe ^j^^is fuse _ * La divine fyeciwku.
P^ Z%tmitt(lf Parti.
... Others alfo have been lately hammering out the fame amebeth'
fm coft^ning Angels, and pxofefe themfelves delivered from it
H^i lev.c 34.-wuh great difficulty, differing only in this fiomfome of the Hea-
p. ill. & »i-Kthens before mentioned, bhat what thofe afcribed to the fH^Mtt
Qi the Stars, Natural Powers, or to weaknefs of Senfes andcoj, nipt Humors, they C by the advantage of the general i^itioils of gripture ) have ajcribed to God, putting fofth bis F«wr **,» tht Mtnds and Fames of Men, or working by the Othmrf o( the Body: upon this foundation they will eafilier make bold with Deyils todeny, if ».M&n. Being, yet their temptations, imagining thatwernaypoffiblydohimwiong, in fethef ing upon himthS SoUicitations and Provocations to Sin, which we by experience find to be working and ading upon our Minds, thinking Satour own Fancies or Imaginations may be the only Devils that vex us ; and thi^they more readily hearken to, fiom the nature dElhea^ and Vifions which happen to Men in an ordinary Natural wav where our fancies flay with us as if they were dijlina from us • as alfo from this conlideration, that the Lmatid^, EpikptiA w
17. 15. with I^, p. where the Pcrfon is calle<l Lmatil Jnk - y^^ [^d to l^t^ken^dve:cedhy a Spirit: Co ^ojT^^^
... *''**? *^?"A*«'V?'''.- But thefereafoningscai do little with an intelligent cDnfidering Man, to make him deny whaf^fo «ally feels, and is & often forewarned of in Scriptirr: for fuS pofe theft were called Demoniackf by the FulgJ, it doth not
prefsly that JcTar reh^dthe Devil, and bejparted mThSi which woul/not have been proper'to have been f^ on S
tural Dtfeafi, for fo would he. unavoidably have been Ldml guilty of the fame mirtake with thfe Fnlgl. But if we Ihould grant, that divers mentioned under the name of 2)112 t wereMendiflurbed withM/.«c^/;j,, ortheX4Srr5ii were not fo ; for thofe in Matth. 8. 3 1. befittght ciifi S\^ V^am, to have liberty/, go into the ■ H<rd of Smne, fo ThaUf
OiaF,/. ;S>atatt'j9f ICeniptatiottifif^ li
Mr. ilitt^e iotended to aflert, ^^lat all Dtmmacks were no other ^^' <* p* W« than mad Men^ and Lunatid^ : I queftion not but he was mifta- ^^ 3^^** ^'^' jken, and by his reafbn, not only muft m^^ Men and Limatid^ Tvfins pais for Demomackj^ but ^/Z Vifiafes. n^hatfiever : for thp ftio^andPim^ were .called aUb 'Dtmoniai^^ Maiith.p.^z^ and 22«22. But the roatter (eems to be this, that where Men were affli(Sed with fitd^ Vifiemfers Ssitzniofi^the advantage o£ thtm, and aded the Poffejfed accosdingly > as he frequently takes th^ aJbantage of a Melamholly Indi^tioriy and works great Terrors and Ai&ightments by it, as in Saul^ or at leaft that, where he poffefled, he cowaetfeittd the fits and furies of thofe Natural Di^ Aempers, andaded, ibme like tnad.Mm^ and others he noade VwA and "Deafy ( which (eems to have been the cafe of thofe in Mstth.f.ZEA 12* Vfh&it.th^.deafnipjcmid$tmbn^diA the Ptff^ionj and was atred with it : ) others^were made to fall im afndden into t^ireor Water^ as thofe that zt^,Epiletick^ and thexdbremi^t fuch he called, both LmMid^ ox^Efikftid^;, and zlib f(^lleffed with a DevUm
As tp that reafon which fbnae fetch from Ttnannj 'tis rathei; aPyi&Mithan a Reafin againfl the Being of Devils, feeing the Effi3i of thefe Infernal Spirits are far merwifiy . than the utmofl df what can be imagined to be a(^ed upon the Stage of Imagina^ tioni \ fb that the nal and fernument Being, of Devils, may be eafily proved : • . ,
Firfi^' From thofe real ASs noted to be done by Angipls and Devils. The Angels that appeared to Lot, were feen and enter- tained in the Family, fem and obferved by the SoJhmites. Thofe. % . that appeared to Abraham were more than fancied . Appearances, in that they ejtW^/r^/iJ;^ with him.- The Devil c(wt/eyei Chrift fiom place to place, this could not be af^ncy or Imagination : their oegging leave to go intq the S'mne^ fbews them real £xr iftences^.
Secondly, From the r^/ EffkUt done by them* . We have un- doubted Teftimoniesof Men really hurt and tormented by Satan. Of fbme really Jhatdf^d away, and carried a great difhince from ifeeir Dwellings* Of others f^efed^ in whom the Devil reidfy fieid^ atidibU Voices^ and firangeLanguageSy gives notice of ilnngr fafty and fbmetirae di things to come. The Oracles of the Heathen, C^vhich however they were for the moft part falfe or delufbry, fet > in thar they were re^onfes from Images ziid Idols^ were more t\arxThantaJms. Thirdly*
TfcWHyv Ttoitt what tfce Strhtmre jjMf wery-trherc of thttttl Of thdr AWfceand Crj«/#jf. Th^ Dcvib ate- AArrrfcrrrr firm the beginnmg. Their <ii/(y ii^tfirwfg how thqr tt^ d Their
iirt/, KP//cr Jttid Stratagem. Their Mmer and Appcl&tbn^ when filled frincifalHiefj tcffp&r^ Sphhmd W^dn^. m Trinctrfihe'fMftrftbt Att^ and agteatmany more ta that pux^ pofe, (hew that without apparent fefl)r and dotage, we cannot mtcrjpict thefeof Af^ioR/ only upon the minds and ra^es ofMen : Befidles, the Scripunre fpeaks of the Offixs cfgpoi Angdr^ zs thea
Dan, 7. la fian^ng tomimtat^ befaretbe Jbronty thdr htmSng the foot ofOad^
their aeeomfarying Cbrifi at hirfkond €omif%thct[ gatbering the EleS fiomtbtfoKt JfiddT^ &c« wludi cannot be imderfhxid of any thing e]fe,htit real and permanent beings > and tfaisiis aHb an crt- •dence that Devib are, feefaig the Scripture mentions thefr/^, and their M^itpMnf.
Fourthly^ Sceihgi^Hb the Scripture ccfiftdciiined the Opinion of ikat SadAieetr^ the mitrary of that Opinion muft be true \ and exprefily in AQs 1 2. 9, That which was done by an Atigd^ is <)]ppded to What might be Vijmal <fr Jmagnary.
Fifthly, The realrty of Dtvfls, and their Kfia(figm*ty hath beea the opinion -of Heathens. For there is nothing more coimncm amxw^ them than the belief of inferumr Dutiet^ whidi they cal- led miiLJums at ftctjyuiviaj that is Devfls h and aotwitMaiuUng Mide Apoft. that they fuppofed thcfe to be Meiiat9rs to the £2pream Oods,
Utter Times, yet thet Icarnedto diflingcdfli them into good and em. The Fta^
p.^ 9- fomfis t hoaght that the fouls diliytaftts after death became Lemteret
Auguf. de ^ tarvic^ that is huti^l Vnnls v and at hft, the name 1>evUbc^
^j^j^y;J*cameoffofarfafigfliJication, that to fiv, tlmb^ aVeoO^ was Reprdadi and not Rraife ^ but what thefe groped atin the darfi; the Scripture doth folly determitxe, uiifig the word Devil only &f i Mali ffiantSf hit.
ilfc***>ii***P**A*— i^fc— — *i ■ *» !■ > — *— *— ^M^W— fc»MMMifci^*«^i— — •aWi^^^ait^ta^^^M^aMMl^
chap;
aup.». »Him'iSXmptations. <5j
^mrm'mmm'mr^mmfmm*m*^mmmm
1 ■m— ---^
CHAPv VIIL
tht fiUfoBf wfy be mdkts nfe tfhk Kemmm^,
V V tkiit wUl open the way to a cleaiEcr diicovery of hs Smbtiltf and Csaft, which is bis gneat JSi^i^e by which he work; all hisTyKWnr a»d Oueky in the World, to the ruliie or pre- jadkecf the fct^of Men ) of which the Apoftle (in zCffr^»ii.) z Cdr. 'Hul ^ptaks^ a$ a thing known by the comnaon exi^etience x^ all di£* <eming Peifins i his way is to over-reach and ukc JJkfoMtagUy and for this end he iifeth Tkvms^ and Stra$agems^ which is a thing & ordinary withhtnL that none can be ignorant of the mith of it v
. . This C befece Icome to the particukrs ) I (ball pro^^e and 11-^ Inlhate in the genesul^ by the gradual procedure of thefe f^ fixt- l0wing Confidesatibns»
Firft^ All the Malice^ Power; Cnielty, and Diligence of which weiia« fpoiceU) widiaH the ackaats^es of Multitude, Order and Snowlo&e, by.wlddE& thefe o^l C^li/ication^ are heightned. ^
Tfaefeapetet imFwrniUffe and Accprnplsflunent which fit him few . lkisfuiKi}e Gmtrirancesof Pdufion, and make km able tode- «enie;> ne^erifiidifae.anyierei)f hisFower.and Knowledge but iaxefcfencetoPicn^, in Epb.^^ii^iz^ f which is a place where- ia the* Aj^Ie^foth ^ptirpo(cpre&nt Sataatn his way of dealing ^ ^^
with Men 3 hit. whofe jpc^dice is (et forth undet the term and aiotion<of AvU^md Wtlts^ h . ihnt^.yfium^ be able to fi4nd a^wfiibe / MVes n^ ^ JktiU This is the whole work of Satan, againft wbicb^the fiumitare erf that Spiritual Amiour is requifice v and : ^li^a^ihouki think that ins Power ot Wickedoefii are. other dj-. .
"fiai^ thtnjt& inhioa, which are te be p^vii^ againfi by other < J
.iCMransofhelp, he pcefcntly adds^ that thefe are na otherwife ufid v iiyl^mbHtia^fl^tolKS.^^AiM:^^^ aa^.th^^Ofe^Boi: ' '
- . i
64 ' ZXttmitt^t Parti. ^
' to be looked upon zsdifiinS^ though indeed to'be confidered in cMjunUion with his Subtilty and Cunning, as things that make his Wiles the more dangerous and hazardous i For wt nmliU not againji' FUjh and Bl^d, htt agmfi Friutipafities^ agcunfi Fawttty againfitbe Rulers^dftht Varkp^f ofthifWoM^ ag^fi Spiritmat ^d^dnefi iff high pljtcei > which words do but firengthen the Apoftles Warning arid Cautk)n about the fbrementioned Wiles^ which ar&therefore the<nQore carefuUy to beobferved and watched againft, bec^ufe his Fmer is (b great that he can comr'wt Snares with thcrgreateft SkiU and Art imaginable > and his Wid^dn^is ib great, that we cannot exped either Honefiy or Mod^y fliould reflrain him from making thtvit^ and moft dfiuigenuous Propo* iais, nor from attefiiftg a conveniency or goodnefs in his Motions, with the higheft confidence of moft notorious' Lj;i«g.
Secondly, The StAtilty that the Scriptures do attrH)ute to Sim,
.or {p the Hwrr, is moftly and chiefly intended to tefleS upon Satan
as the Ambor and Contriver of thefe t>eceits. In HA. 3* ij. there
is mention of the deceitfidnefs ofSin^ but 'tis evident that ibm&*
thing elie (beftdesSin) is intended, to which Deceitfiilneismuft
Vii ^/'r/oiF be propetly afcribed \ .for Sm4)eing ( as moft conclude ) fbrmal*-
£xer,Met4fh. jy ^ Ffivotion^ pr if wc fliould grant it a Fofitive Bcn^, C asibqie
^en 2. contend, } yet (cieing the liighdt notion we can airiveat this way,
FUc. Script. C excluding but the figment of Flacius HHricm^ who feems to
Traa.^.p.47p. make Original Sin indiftinQ from the very Ejfencecitke Soul)
is but to call it an A3. Deceitfuttiefs cannot be properly attri- bute3 to 'it, but with reference to him who orders rfwr AQ in a way of Deceitflilneis and £>elufion> which ultimately .w31 bttngit to Satans dbor : if here the deceitfulnefs of Sin be devolved upon the Subjed, thenitruns intothe (amefenfewith jFcr. ly.p. Jh Heart is deceitful above all things : But why is the deceitfiilnefs fixed upon the Heart ^ The ground of that we have in the next words, ft is deceitful, becaufe it is wicked, defieratelym^^, But "Who then inflarpes and fiirs upthe Heart to this Wicke&eis ? h It not Satan^ Who then is the propet Authof of Deceit but he^ TTis true indeed, that our Hearts are proper Fountains of Ski, ( and Ib may beaccuied poilibly in ibme cafes where Satan'cannot be jultiy'Hamed > ) yet if we coniider Deceitfiilneis asa Crw^iooit of every Sin, though our Hearts be to be blamed ibr the Sin, S^ tan w HI be found guiltyof the deceitfitlii^ It may be faid'a hfen ^ complyes withthofe things which are intended for Jbis delufloO)
and
and (b in^roferljf by his negligence m?y fall under blame of 7?/^ dectftion^ out 'tis unimaginable that he can froferly atid formally intend to deceivt bimfelf. Deceit then not faling from Sin, nor our felves properly^can find out no other Parent for it felf than Satan. ":• Befides this, that thefc Texts, upon a rational Enquiry do charge Satan with the deceitfiilneis ot Sin : they do over and above point at the known and conftant way of Satan, working Co com-- monly by Delufion, that Deceitfulneis is a dole Companion t>f every Sin. The decdtfulnep ofSin^ is as much as the decehfitlnefi ofepery fin. Nayfiirther, that Text of Jer. 17. (hews this Deceitfulneis not , to be an ordinary Sleight, but the greateft of all Deceits ^ above meafkrey and of an unfearchable depth of Myfiery, who can
Thirdly, All ^i?/ of Sin C fome way or other ) comethorow Satans Fingers. 1 I do not fey-thar all Sin is Satan'5 proper off- fpring, for we have a curfed flock of our own ) and it hiay be did of us, C as eUewhere of Satail, ) (bmetime we fin out of our oipn Inclination and Diipofition > yet in every Sin, whether it arife firom us, or the World, Satan blows the fparks, and mana- geth all. AsVavid faid tQ the Woman of Td^ah^ Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this ? So may we fay, is not the hand of Satan with thee in evory Sin thou comndtteft i This is Co emi* nently true, that riie Scripture indifferently afcribes the Sin fbme-* times to «f, fbmetimes to the Vevih, It was Feters fin to tempt Chrift to decline Suffering, yet Chrift repelling it with this Rebuke, Get thee behind me Satan^ doth plainly accufe both Peter Marth. 16. 15. and Satan. *Tis the perfbnal fin of a Man to be angry, yet in fuch ads h« gives place to the Vetnl^ both Man iand Satan concur £pj,^f. . ^^^ in it. VanTs Thorn in ihe Flefi C what ever Sin it was ) he odls 1 Cor, x 1. 7.* Satans Meffenger :■ he that fiibmits not to God, doth in that com- ply with Satan » ason the contrary, he that doth /ii^ini> himfelf Jam. 4. 7, to God^ doth re0 the Devil. ^
. Neither doth that expreffionof the Apdftle, Jam. 1. 14, l.very man is tempted tphen he is drawn am^ if his.own Ittfi^ &c. give apy contradidion to this > 'tis not the Apoftle's defign to exclnde Satan, but to include Man as juftly culpable, notwithftandingf Satan's Temptations 9 and that which he afftrts is this,that there is Sin and a Temptation truly prevalent when there is the leafi tonfent of our lull or defire, and that it is that brings the blame upon US '9 fo that hi&purpofe is not to ekcufe Satan, or to dcny^
M . . Iiim
Iflt. Z%ttamtt Parti. 1
hka to have a haxMl in drawbg or tempdng us ofi to Sin, but to
(hew that 'tis our lurn aS that makes the Sm to become oisrx.
Fourtlily, Such is fhe amjUmim cf the Soul of Man, that it's
M^ntcn on finning cannot be conceived lyjtfaout feme Veixfiion or Delufion :
Jsun. I . M- for granting that the Soul of Man is made «p of Befmsy wA that
the Sod were nothing dfe, but as it were, xmwSing or lufting r^j^^r divcrlified by fcyeralObfcds i and diat this Power, orthefe Faculties, are de(»raved by the Fldl, and oonrupted \ vnd that Man in every adion doth coofult wkh his Defires > and that they have {o great an i«fiuesce aipon hioi, that they are the Ls» of $be Mem* . bersy and give out their Commands accordingly for Obedience \ Yet fiiU thefe thrn things are £rm and unfliaken Principles, Firft, That Delias cannot be fet upon any Objed but as 'tis Omne ^^^h affnbendei ( truly or appasently ) good: 'tis incompatibie to a . bonum. rational Soul to defiie evil as evil»
' Secondly, The Will doth sot refilveSy embiace any Objed*,
Voluntas fe- till the light of the UndesAanding hath made out ( ibme way or
^m aidamen ^^^ } ^^ »>odiic6or conveniency of the Objed.
ibtdlcauspra- Thirdly^ There bno Man that hathi^t z eomfeUMt Li^ fot
fiicii difcovery of the goodnefi or evil of ap Objed ^eiented. Un*
regenerate. Men have (u) The Light of Nature. (2.) Some have an additional Light from Smptun difcovery. (3.) Some l}^vc yet more from common ConvicliottSy which heget iienfible fiir* nngs and awful I'mpreiTions upon th^» (4.) To thofe God Ibmetime adds Corrdiions and Puniihments, which are of ferce . to make that Light burn more oUar^ and to iiir up care and cautioa . in Men for- the due entertaniment of theie Notices that God a& fords them. Regenerate Men haveall this Light , and bdides that, . they have {i.) The Light of their own Exferience^ of the vile- neis and odioufnefs of Sin vthey know what an evil and biueribing J<4)4^^. it if... C2O They have rmorc fidi difcovery o( Gddj which will hl^6.$. n^ake them abhor themfilves in du^ and a/kts.^ (^J) They have
the advantage of a nen^ Hearty the Law of the Spirit of L^ make ingtbem free from the Lam of Sin and TSiaih. (j^") They have tSd the hdp and ailifianfie of the Sfbrit^ in its Motions, Suggefli- ons and Teachings. C 5. ) They fi»tilk tfaem&Lves with the firongeft Kefolutmsnot to give, way to Sin.
Notwithhandii^ all thde, ^is too true, that both Regene- mre and Unregeoaate Men do fin» The sea&n whereof cannot bev^vea f$ovfk any other account than .wh^at we-hase aflerted » «
to.
t(>#it) thcf «(8 fofMWaV or other delmkd or dcctivci \ Come Cmrtain is drawn 'twixt them and the Light 9 ibme FtfiKntry or other is^piir upon t6e Underflandkig k>me way ot other > the fPill h brAtdoi 6)rafled, there is treachery in the cafe, for 'tis unima* gintble that a Man in any ad of Sin fhould offer a plain open and dmS vidlemx to his own Nature and Faculties 1 €0 that the whole Iiufine& is here, 'Evil is prefented under the notion of Good > and to make this out, fome coniideialions of pleafure or profit do krihetht Witl, and give falfe light to the Underftanding : Hence fe k, that in every aft of Sin, Men ( by complyance with Satan > Jam. t. ii, 19. are laid to decdoe^ or to put tricks and fellacies upon themfihir. wofA^yj^C*; rifthly, AlII^/f£fcof Subtilty are in Scripture direftly charg<td '*'"' •^*^^- upon Satan, and in the higheft degrees. Sometime under the ' notion q( Logical faHadef j thofe ileights which Difputants in ar- gmtig put upon their Antagonifts. Of this import is that expreP* fion, 2 Cor. 2. II. Wt an not ignorant of hU Devices^ where the von^idl*. word in the Original is borrowed from the Sophiftical leafonings J^''^ ^f^n, of ttfputants. Sometime 'tis expreffed in the fimilitude of JP<?/i- yuuriusL fieatdeedfss as the Scripture gives him the title ofaPrfwe, (Ofhtfms abof*t - doth it mark out his tolkies in the managennient of his Kingdom, tke body of
Ktv. 12. 7. cxprefely calling them Deceits, and comparing him ^^f • . to a Vfoffu or Safent for his fubtilty. ^metime he is reprefent- "^^^y^^- ed as zfrarrioter^ Kev. I2. 17. Ti&e Dragon wot tproth^ ana vptnt to nuks Wat^ &c. and here are his fTarliks Stratagems pointed at. Mention is made (aTiw. 2.2^/) of his ^Jir^ire/, and the taking l^«yj»fawi.^ of Men alivt^ or CaptWe, diredly alluding to Warlike proceed- ings. The fiifetile proceedings of Arts and Craft are charged on hin> and his Inftruments : Men are foid to be enticed^ Jam. i & as Fifti, or Fowl^ by a Bait : Others deluded, as by Cheaters in felfe Gaming, t^h. 4. 14* By the fleight of Meny and the cunning craft ofh^? xxjCucl
thofe that ly in ipait to deceive : The over-reaefaing of Merchants or ^'f ^^ f'?" crafty Tradefinen, is alluded to in 2 Cor. 2. n. All thefc fleigjits ^^"^ '^^'^' are in Satan, in their highfi perfedion and accomplifliment : He ^)^ovv^tv
t^^fransfirtabmfdfintoanAn^lcfLi^^ 2G>r. 11. 14. where didi qui ava- hehath an ocpafion for it. In a word, all deceiveahlenefs ofunrigb- ''"«. v<^' ^^ teoufrn^ is in him, 2 Tfcj): 2. 10. So that a general TOV»?j<a, a fj^^ ,J^J^J dexterity 4tad ability for aB kind of lubtile Contrivances is aiaibed rat. bcj^. to him, 2 Cor. 11. 3. and that in his vetj frft effay upon Et^e, . when the Serfent deeehed her tboratp ftthtiltyh fo that whatfbev^r A&/we can (uggcffi, or JFit and Art contrive for Delulibn, or
M 2 whailbevcr
58 ZXttMtttf PartT*
. - - ' • -
• whatfdcv^er Viliiencf can pradifc, or Cruelty execute, all that muft be imagined to be in Satan. v
Sixthly, All this might be futher proved by Infianees : What Temptation can be named ivherein Satan hath not aded as a Serpent ? who can imagine the cunning that Satan uftd with Vavid in the matter of Vriah ? How eafily he got him to the roof of the houfe in order to the Objed to be prcfcn^ed to him ? Howf he direds his Eye,. wrought upon his PaflSons, fuggefled the' Thought, contrived the Conveniencies ? What Ait rouft there ba to bring a darknefs into J)avid*s mind, .a forgetfulnefs of God's * Law, a fearlefnefs of his difpleafure, and a negled of his own danger > furely it was no fmall matter that could blind David's Eye, or befbt his Heart to (b great a Wickedneis ? But above all Infianees, letus take into confideration that 6f £ve, in the firft tranlgreilion, wherein many things may be ob(erved: as fir (l, : That he chofc the Serpent for his Inftrument, wherein though
we are ignorant of the depth of his defign, yet that he had a der fign in it of fiibtilty, in reference to what he was about to fuggef^,
• ^ is plain from the Text, J^fP the Serpent n^as more Jkbtik then aay
Beaftoftbefieldj it had been needless and impertinent to have noted the Sertents fubtilty as Satans Agent, if he had not chofcn it upon that icore, as aivantageem for his purpofe. (a,} He fist upon the weckp' yeffel^ the Woman, and yet fuch Cas once gained,^ he knew was likely enough to prevail with the Man^ which fell
y^ ^0. ^out accord ingly.- C 3 0 &>nie think he took the advantage of her
Husband s abfencty which is probable, if weconfider that 'tis unr
/" . ' likely, that Adam fiiould not interpofe in the difcourfe if he had
beenprefent. C4O He took the ad vantage o£ the Oi&fe£F. It ap- pears fhe was within fight of ^he Tree, Sbefm that it was good firfood^ andpleafant Jo m ■Eyts :. thus he made the C)bjed plead for him. <50 He falls not direQly upon what he intended, ( lefl that fiiould haVe feared her off, ) but fetcheth a compafs and enters upon the bufinefs by an enquiry of the aiS&ir, ^s if he in- tended not hurt. ( ^O He fb enquires of the matter, £ Hath Gad faid^ ye (ball not eat of every tree of tba Garden^ 3 as if he made a quefiion of the Reality of the Command '9 and4iis vi^ords were fb ordered, that they might caftjSwif doubt hereof into her mind. iy.) He under a pretence ofafTerting God's Liberality^ fecretly i<^^:^»tf^/^/thetbreatning, asifhe hadfaid. Is it pojfible.that fi bount^ul a Creator Jhould deny the libertyofeating of any tree ? to ipJkat
furpofe
fHTpofi tpaS'it made^ if it might not betafted? (8.) When he finds that by thefc Arts he had gained a little ground, and brought her to fomekind ofquefiiomng of the reality of the threat- ning, C for ftc ftems to extenuate it^ in faying, lejiwedie,) he grows more bold to fpeak out his mind, and plainly to annihilate the threatning, TeJhaV not die h this he durft not do, till he had gaiued in her mind ^wavering fuj^ition^ that poflibly God was not in ^W f^;;€/? rn that prohibition. ($•) Then he begins to urge the c(?wew/e;7cy and excellency of the Fruit, by equivocating upon the name of the Tree, which he tells her, could make them l^owihg as Gods. C 1 6. ) He refleds upon God as prohibiting this, out of emy and ill-will to them. ( ii.) In all this there is ^ . not a rpord of the da/iger^ but impunity, and advantage promifed. C 12.) This deadly advice he covers with a pretence of greater klndn^^ znd care than God iiad for them. Seeintl^is, as m a clear Glafe, Satan?s way of Policy > after this rate he proceeds in all his Temptations*
If any enquire, wh'y fo mighty and potent a Prince ufeth rather the Fvx^s Skin than the, Lyon's Farp^ thefr reafons may fatify.
Firft, There is a jieceffity upon him (b to do : . He mutt ufe his ViJ. Ca^eK - €Faft^ becaufe.h^ cannot compel ; He muft have Gods leave before Temp.p. 27. he can overcome : He cannot winnow Peter before he fue out a ^^^^ ^^^^ *" ' Commiilion,nor deceive Ahab tillbc get a Licenfe > neither can he Confc. 1.2^,1^ » prevail againft us without our own confent.The Scripture indeed Goodwin ufeth fome words that fignify z farce in tempting, as, that btfat <^WW- Light it imp the heart of Judas,, fiUed the heart of Annanias, frovok^d Da- ^q^\ t '• . . vid^ rules in the hearts of theChildren ofdifobedience^ and leads them 1. 1 ^ . ^^^ captive at bis n>Sl^ &c. yet all thefeand the likeexpxeflSons intend f^olknteer/^ he \ no more than this, that Jie ufctli forcible In^tunities^ frames "f^^r ^<"»- firongVelufwns^ and joyns fometime his Vower to his Temptati- m^TtkerTji^i- onsi as fometime Fowlers Jhevv themfelves to the Birds the^ thf wil^Znt-^ intend to enfijare^ that fo they may be aflrighted into an awe and >fr forced by . amazement to rive a better opportunity to fpread their Nets over ^'^>. »f ^^^^ " them. ^ f^ ■ ^^nniu- '
Secondly, Ifhecoald compel, yet his wayof aaftand fub- tilty is generally the moft prevalent and fucccftful. Force ftirs up an ' ^
oppofitipn, it ufually alarms to caution and avoidance, and frights to an utter avednefs in a^jydeCgn >.fothat where Force Ihould - gsfin its tboufauds^ SubtiIty,)viU gMa its ten tboujands^
' /• • ^ Thirdly,.,
^0 ZTttAtiUtf
Tliirdly, His Sttcngth is not ufihji tohim: Potbefides, that it enables him to deceive with higher advantage than othetwift he could do, ( as hath been faid, ) he hath times and occafioiSS to (hew his Strength and Oruelty, when his cunning hath pre- vailed (b far as to give him poffeffion. What was (aid of FoPt Boniface^ that he entred like a Fex^ and ruled like a Lhn^ may be applyed to him^ he infinuates himfelf by fubtilty as a Fax oi Serpent, and then rules with rigour as a Lion.
C H A p. IX.
Cf Satan's Deceits inpdtticular. What tetrntation is. Of temping to Sin. nisfirfi general Rule ^ Vie Confide^ ration of our Condition., His fecond^Mle. Offroviding futaUe Temftati^ttj. In what cafes he tenets tu to things unfutable to^ our Inclinations. His third Rule. The cautions Fropbfal of the "temptation^ and the feverdl rpajs thereof. His fourth Rule is to entice. The waj thereof in the general^ hy bringing a ddrknefs upon the Mind through lufi. '
Otlr next bufin^fs is to enquire after theft ways of Dedeit in particular, in which lAalf firft l|eakof fuch as are of more general and liniverfil coricemmtttt. Such are his Temptations to Sin^ his Deceit^ againft Vuty^ his cunhing in promoting Krror^ his attemi)ts againft the Femie an^'Cotafort of the Saints, &t. arid then I (hall come to fbrtie Waysof beceits that reflate to Cafes lifiore fpecial.
As an Introdiiftion to the fir0, I ftiall ipeak a word of Temp- tation in the geheral. This irt its general notion, is a T^ryd or Experikkrif mddk df a tUHg : the word that fignifics to tempt, 'me^JC^ * copies fronS a word that fighifics to pierte^ or bore thorow, imply- n/f».' ing fuch a Tryal as goes to the veryuatt^ an'd inwiatdsof a thing.
In this fenft *tis attributed t6 God, who is (aid to have ttmptbd Abraham^ and to put our Faith upon tryal 9 and fometime to
Satan
SpM wbo is fiud to iuTe tenipced Chrift, though he could not
exped to prevail: But thon^ God and Satan do make thefe cM-^.imu
tty^ls^ yjtt is there a iFift difoence faetmxt them, and that not ^i- cio.$ 4^^
only in their Imtfaitmsy ( iht one defigning only a difiavay to
Men of %v4ut is in them, ^ndtfatt forjmod boiyenis^ the other
infiendiBig tmot and deftrudiau s ) hut aiib in the ir^ of their ^ . ^ «
Proceedings. God by providence ^^/^n^r Objects and Occafions)
Satan dofih not only do tiiat, but farther indinetb and piftthely
pedwadeth.to eviL Hence is it^that Temptations are diftingui&ed
into Trytf/z^mecrly, and StdMcefmntj w iutaBIe to that of TCtrtwKan^ De Orat«
Viabolm tentat^ Vius friAat^ the Devil tempts, God only trys.
Wefpeakof TeflQptationas'tis&omSatan, andib ^fis deicribed, •
to be a dramng tfrmming Mm to fin wnder calattr tfjime reafon. By C^feL Tempt» -
which we may obierve, tbat in every fuch Temptation there isP *^*
the ObytS to wUch the Tempcatioatends, the tnitmmct ef Satan
t9 e^c/m our hearts and drawonourconfent, and the Infimnnni
by which is (bme pretence of reafon 9 not that a real and (olid
reaibfi cam be given for Sin,' but that Satan x^flers ibme ctm^iera-^
tiwu to usto prevail with us^ which if they do, we take them to
berea(ons# Thismay a little help us to underfiand Satan^s me- ^
tl>od in temptiiig to fin, &iu of which lam fivft to fpcak.
In jceooptations to Sis, we may ob£erve Satan walks by font ' ^enccalRiiks. . • ^
Fitft, He amfiiets and acquaints himfelf with the condition of Sat ant firfi " ^e^Tiery Man, and for that end he fhidies Man. (Sod's qaefkion general BmU^ - concerning Joh^ Ha(i ibm co/^idmd my Seroant Job ? dotn imply. Job x. 8* not only his difigept enqnky iiico jy^s:flaee, ( &x the Odjg^l ^ exprefTeth it, by Sztzn^s putting hU heart upon Job, or layini him dtrjU inloci t§ Sk heart ) bottfaat tliis is ufiul with Satan'fb to do *9 as if God hadfaid, ^is th wof ta fry narromfy mto amy Man '^ bafitbimdont * $bit$a}ch^haft^H»tonfideredbimnftboumJ^t9dofzad '
Satan owns.this as his .bt^n^znd impbyment^ in his adfwer to Gody I come frmn going fonndftoM the Earthy fnmmdl^ng tip and denminits This cannot4>e properly fiud of Jtini who is a Spim > ^ Bodies' go upanddowi^ but not Spirits: fe that his meaning is, - KeL had been iat his work: of enqmrisg and (eardung, Anpfb « tfe$^ifton tranlktes it^ firom/Ard^gto and.fin) in the Earth v ^3)^ drcum-'^ as'tisfaidof the£yesof<jod, that they mn to and fro^ wiudiTpexit, luftra-^^ intends his InteBigerice^ SfDmh^ and K>nowIedge of diings v 'tis yit. Mttofhi ^
fuch -
:a Xtccatife Of Parti.
fuch a going to and fro, as that in 2>jw.i2.4. which is plainly
there cxprefled to be for the encreafe of Knowlcdg*
, . The matter of his enquiry, or particulars of his ftudy, are fudi
. ; as thcfe : ( i . ) Man's Statt^ he confiders and gucffeth whether a
Man be Regenerate or Unregenerate. (2.) The De^eeof hi^
^ -^- State \ if Unregenerate, how near or far off he is the Kingdom of
JJ ' ^^ God i if Regenerate, he takes the conipafe of his Knowledge, of
his Gifts, of his Graces. C 3- ) He enquires into his Confiitttthn and Temper, he obferves what DifpoGtion he is off. (^) His Flaee^ Calling and Relation, his Trade, Employment, Enjoy- ments, Riches or Wants. ( 5. ) His Sex. ( 6. ) His Age^ Sec The way by which he knows thefe things is plain and eafie, moft of thefe things arc open to common obfervation >. and what is , intricate or dark, that he beats out, either by comfaring us with our yi/ve/, and confidcrmg a long traS of adions and carriage » or by comparing us with others^ whofe ways he had formerly noted findobferved.
The end of this fearch is to give him Ugbt and in(farui5Uon in point of advantage') hence he knows where to raife bis Batteries, and how to level his Shot againft us. This Chrift plainly di^ •covers to be tbedefignofall his ftudy, /<?A. 14. 30* where he •cells his Difciples, he expeded yet another, onfet from Satata^ and thatiiearat hand, /ar/i&ePriflceijf/i&e World was then upon hh motion, he was a coming \ but withall, he tells them of his fecu- lity dgainfi his affauks, in that there was nothing in Cbrifi oFad- vantage in any of thefe foremencioned ways to foot a Tempta* tioniipon. It appears then that he looks for fuch advantages, and xbat without thefe he hath little expo^ncy of prevailing.
Satan's /?- Secondly, Satan havingacquainted himfclf vfith Our condition'^ cond general makes it his next caie to provide yi^fWe .Temptations, and to Rule. flrike in the right. VeinV for he loves to have his work eafie and
feaCblC) helbvesDOtgoagainfi the Stream*. Thus he coniidered JW4f as aM«M(irPer(bn, and accordingly. provided a Temptation of gain for hirai ' Ifejdid.the likewith Acban.^j and hence was it, that he bad th6 Saltans io ready for the plunder of Job > he had obferved them a People given to rapine and fpoil > and accor* dingly Job*$ Goods being propounded to than as a good and eafie Booty, he nxaigbtway prevailed with, them.) rit was eafie for him io draw Abfohm^ into an open RebdIionL agkinft his
\ Father,
JFathex^ he had taken notice of his ambiriam and aQnring Humor, and of the gr^^f and diflatisfadions under which he laboured > fi) that providing him a fit opportunity, he engaged him imme^ diatly, according to this rule,« where he obferves Men ofJhaB^ Seaof and low Parts, he the more freely impofeth upon them in things palpably abfiird 9 where he takes notice ofz/eoffid Tern- ^ •per, there he tempts them with Terroar/ and affri^tfiil Sugge* itions 9 he hath Temptations proper for the Sanpmt compUxion^ and for the Utlamholy \ he hath his methods of <&aling with the Lt^ftU and Wanton \ with the Pajjionate and Reyengeful h he hath Navdiiet at hand for the hdmg Eaty and Si^eftk>ns proper ((x t}K)fe that are Jtbe^ticdfy inclined*
To this may be objected, That experience tells us, Satan doth Olj. notal ways walk in tnisKoad, nor'confine hioiielf to this Rules ibmetimi he teippts to things whidi are crofi to our tenders and Inclinations, eS^«
. 'Tistniehe doth lb » but yet the general Rule is not prejudiced Anjw^^ hy this exception, Specially if we confider,
Firft, Thii ^atan being Aill under the coounand^ and t^aint of the Afini^ty, he caiinot always tempt irWTf ipshUL^ but according, to a mperiour order and a>mmand« Of this nature I fuppofe was that Temptation, of which ?aul complained fo much, beJ^'dma^bUSody^ upon this very dc%n, thathemight have it inpibjeSipny and yet is he htfie^ with a Temptation, which expeded an advantage ufually from the tmferjxod frames of pur Bodies '» ( fas So tnudi I fupipoCc^ that Phrafe, a thorn in the fl^h will unavoidably imply, (thc«i^ ftftiH leave us at uncer- tainties) what tl^ Temptation was in panicujar. X Here Satan tempts at a di6d vantage and ccwitrary tq this Rule i but then wc mim know, that he was not the Mffier of hiS wn Gam \ God exprefsly ordering fuch a Temptatwn as was difagreth^ with the jlpf^les diiqfaion^ that it mig|it the Ufifrevail or haTajrd him, and yet be more available to keep him /w, l^ he Jhnld be exalted above meafitre^ wVich was God's defign in the matter.
Secondly, Scraetune our Temper alters ;as the tempers of our Bodies in a.feicknefs nay in a fit be fo changed, that they may defire at that time what they could not endure at another. A fpecial occafion or concurrence of circumftances may alter for the time our ConBitutton, and fo an imfual Temptatton may at that
,toe «« wi* te JeOg.. ^ ; _ .^^|^_
%
-r4 %%tmiUtf ParcL
Thivdly^ Sometime by one ttmftation. Sbtan intends but to la^:^ the jinmdation of another, and thenof pui^e he begins with a firanggfi^lg^o$y either to keep us at the-g^er while'he covertly i^oth (omething eHe againft us, oY to move us to a copttrary tx^ - m^ by an ov^-hafiy rafhnels. ,
IbuttMy, SofTietime he temots when his main defign is only yitroMbk and disquiet us> and in iuch caf^ thtincyll HmtahtnA * /Temptations backed with a vk)ient mfetmmfn^ do his work ~ / thebeft*
Sttta/s third Satan*s, next work is the fh^fai of the Temptation : U die m^dTiuk. ^^^ foroier he provided Material and laid the Trains^ in thi^ * / ^ -. * he gives Fire, by propounding his deiign > and this alfo he dodb'^ / with cgutlon, theft ftveral ways.
/ Fiift,,He makes the Oi^efiffpeak for him, and in many he is
icarce put to any further trouble. \ the Qbje^ before them ipeaks &ttan'$ mind, and gains their^oonfent immediatly, yet is^there no ' finall cunning uied in fitting the Objeft and Occa^^ and bting- faiR things about t6 anfwer the very nid^of time whidi he takes to be advantageous fi>r him.
Secondly,^ SometinEie he appoints a Proxy lo fpeak for him i not^hathe i^i^M!^.^^ in^ Temptatn>p, and^ot always at M- jfivrfbr his-dwB wbrk^ biit thisway Ixinfiituam hlmftltthenlore dangerouily iHd^ our AfTedlons, and with kfi fuipicion ufibg oar EtienJr^ Rttetions or intimate Aci}tudntanee to interceed for a wkked dtiigm He dy not (peak himftlf to &e, but choie a Safent ^ he thou^t Eu wouM (boner prevail upon Adam than the Serpent oould, . He tempted Jok by thetongue of his Wlfb^ asif hehadhoped^^ that w)iat fb tiear a Relation had counfelled, would eafily be hearkened to. * He tcmpted'C*^ to avoid fh^-. faig by Peptr^ under a pretence of higheft teve and care, B^tTy fim tity fdfh -yet Our Saviour forbears not to note Satan's Temp- tation dofely twifted with fW$ k&idnefi. At this rate are we often temptedwhere we Kttlcfirfpeft danger.
Thirdly, If he iinds the two firft wayij' unhopeful <x unfutable, then he irjiSs the m$HoHy and (o plainly -tjpcaks to us inwardly hknfelf, Do this aS^ t^ ibk advanta^ fir fteafitrr tfrjrefit^ &c. He thou^t it not-enough to tempt fndat by the ohjtd of Gain, but he brake his mmd in dfred' terms, and fntit im^Uf bearf^ }6L. i^. 2. He didihe.like to Jfutnia^ whofe heart hejiiy with
a Urge motion for th^tljet avd backed it with many covMmA
tions of the neccflity and expediency of ity ASs 5. 3. There is ;-.
no queftion to he made of this i Dr. Ggodmn gives dear proofs chAdcf Light. ',,
rfit, and fo do feveral others. When we confider, that thoughts P- ^J-
are ibmeti^ie caft upon the min^s of Men whidi are above their
kpml&igi and that they (ay and do tilings femetime which are
iar beyond any of their Accomplkhments a^ Parts, and y^t ia
the nature of it wicked, we .muft be forced to run fo high as to
charge it upon Satan. SattTs fHrophefying^ i Sam. 18.. 10. was
ly the influence of the evil Spirit*, and this (^Jwduty thinui^ Vii. Pcolsj^
and others interpret) muft of neceffity be underftood of fuch a *''^' "*'^
iind of »aion and fpeaking, as the frue Prophets of the Lord
ufiially exprefled under the influences of the bkiTed Spirit » for
from the l^nefi of the zStion in both, muft the name be borrowed.
The experience that we have of wwW Dij^tuigs^ the bandying
of Arguments and Anfwers in feveral Cafes, is a proof of this _ _
b^oiS exception. Woundc4 Confciences exprefe an admirablc""3Ijr^ // ^/
dexterity in breaking all A^guqaents urge^ for their peace an4
efiabliflimcijt s ^s alfo in /rjmi^.Objediions againft them(elve%
fo far above the nfi:^! meafure of common Capacities, that we
cannot afaibe it tp any other than Satan's private ajd this way.
Fourthlyi The rnotion being made Cifthercr be nod) he doth irrit^^e and ftir up the mind to the en^racement of it : zfid this.hedotfa#»awayf, ^
Firft, By an eam^bufi ofSeuicitation t when he urgcth the thing jy^ei; aiid over, and gives 00 reft > when he joyns with this, an Importunity of begging and intreating witi) the repeated motions wheq t^ draws together and advantageouily doth order a nmlti^ tfuk of cQnfidaratk)&s to that end h andwben in , ail this hf doth fiol4dwit ihe mind. and thoughts, and keep tt^em upon acon- tcmpl^ion of the Objed, Motions,, and Reafons. Thus he pror yoked V(^^ I Cjbron. ai. i. And this kind of dealing occafio- ned th^ Appftl^ to name his Temptations, and our refiftance, by the nane ofvmfilings^ in which ufually thare appears many ei;i» deavoiir% and often repeated to throw down the Antagonift. ,
Secondly, He doth irritate by zfecretfomt arid force that hf hath upon pur Fancies and Faflions. When Men are faid to be ewri^ and feJ by Satan, itimplyes ( in the judgment of fome) mp^ thap Mfonmrn^ > and that though he cannot/^ce the ^ing of dia Will, yet he^ipay coafiderably aft upon it, by. pulling at * N '2 the
76 ZXmtittt^i ^ titif.
the freights and Plummets, that is, by moving and z&lng our Imaginations and AfTedtion?.
Safan^s The motion being thus made, notwithflanding all hb impor*^
fntrth geoe^ tunity, often finds refinance : in' which cafe he comes to the ral R»/e. pradiceof a/wwt* Rule, which is to draw away and eiitiee the -M4ir/winIoc. heart to w«/e«^i as 'tis exprefled. Jam. 1. 14. EverymanU tmftti!,
n»ben he if drawn away and enticed. I fliall avoid here the variety of the apprchenfions which Ibme declare at large about^the mean* ing of the words, fatisfying my (elf with this, that the Apoftle points at thofe Artifices of Satan by which he draws and allures the will of Man to a complyance with his motions^ which when he et feds in any degree, then may a Man be faid to be prevailed upon by the Temptation. But then here is the wondet how he Aould (b £ur prevail againft that Reafon and Knowledg which God hath placed in Man, to fence and guard him againA^a thing (o abfiird ^ J and unreafonable as every fin is ? The Solution of this knot we have in 2 Cw. 4. 4. 7%e God of thk fFarU Uinelsihe eyes -of Meir^ draws a curtain over this Knowledg, and raileth adarkne^ upon them : which darknefs though we cannot fiiUy apprehend, yet that it ' is a very great, and fbange darknefi may be dilcovered ) , (i.) Partly by confidering the JidjeSt of it, Man, a rational
Creature, in whom God hath placed a Confiimce^ which is both zLaw^ and Witneji^ and Jiidge. It cannot be iirppofed an eafle matter to Ctoud or obliterate that Law, to filence or pervert that Witnef^ or to corrupt that Judge \ but it will rife higher in the wonder of it, if we confider this in z godly Nbn^ one thatySr/ God before him^ and is wont to.have his fear in his heart r- fudi a manas D^ie/AVas, that in fo^/i^M a cafe, in & hi^ a manner^ ib long a time, with fb little fenfe and apprehenfion of the evil and danger, Satan (hould fb quickly prevail^ 'ti^ an afionifhment< neither will it be lefs ftrange if we confider C 2 O The ijfue and tffc& of this bKndnefs : Some rife up againft this Law of Con- iciencev arguing it falfe and erronious, and making condufions diredly contrary, zsJ>etit.^p.ip. IfhaS have peacCy thou^ Iwall{^ fn in the imaginations of my heart. I hauefeVowfhip with him^ though J walk^in darknefs^ i ]oh. J. 6. IFe wit not hearkpi unto thee^ ht^wit cettainly da whatfoevtr thing goeth out of owrawn mouthy Jer.45.1 ^,17, in which cafes, the fl^WM?M«is, or principles of Conffciencc are ^ite overthrown. Sonoe are hardned^ and as to any implication of
their
their a^s to this Rule, quite dead and fenflefs \ though they rife not up againft the li^t, yet are they mUngly ignorant^^ without any^nfideration of what they aredoing •> here the (yvvuShais^ or wkneflii^ and excqfing power of Cpnfcience is idle and afleep* Sonae though they know the Law, and in fome meafure fee their gdions arfe finful, yet they pafe no judgment, apprehend no dangcri No manjfm$es ttPon bU thigh^ faying^ tphat have I done? Jer. 8. 6^ Nay, focofi are io far from this,. that they prefumptuoufly juftify themfcl^ss though they fee their own blame and mine before them, - 1 da tpeU 4o be Mgry^ and that to the aeatb^ faith Janab^ when Satan had fpread a darknefi upon hire. .
What (hail we Yay. of thefe things ? here is darknefi to he felt J Egyftian darknefs : to explain the way of it fully is impoC- fiUe for us, to do it in any tollerable way is difficult. To make fome difcovery herein IftaD* C'O Shew that the DevU doth cnticetoCn, hjftirringtfottrlt^. (2.) That by the />^i>^€r and . pr^valcncy of our luft, be brings on the hUndneft fpoken of. -
^ 11 I ^
rtH^MBM*^MM«BM«kil*MBrtM
C H A P. X.
tUfst^ Safa» emiceth by o»r L^. the ftverd wys hy which he doth it. Of the fewer tutd danger of the - vioienee <f Affe^iont, -■ _ ■
THe way, then by- which he doth entice, it ly^ingupotee If^, Bw It^ I mean thole ffaeral defiringt of our noiftds ' after *nv unlawful obie(a, which are forbidden in the tenth Com- Tit. *. 1 1- • Sm^rthus we read of ,«.r% /«/?x, of the^^^^ of h^igf to my, . and in a word, we read of divert U^, the y.;,. ^ j, whole attempt and ftriving of corrupt Nature apmft the Spirit, gmL y 17. being fet forth by this cxpteffion, of lafHag agaiafl tbtSpmh - Thstf Satan takes advantage of our own lufls, and (a plows with ««r Heifer, tuirning our own Weapons agiinlt our fdves, is evident by* the general vote of Scripture. The Apolllc Jamt 1. 14. tells us, that every Teroptatiort prev«»lir only by theipower and working of our, «m /«// ; Sauti jsthe. 'Ceroptei,
i^s ac 5Cteatife of Paiti.
but our lufts are the ad vantages, by whkh^ he draws and enticetfa i the corrupt principle within us^is called)^, but the way where* by it works, either in its m^n frofer motion^ or as fiitni up by the De^il> is that of lujt and affeSian > and therefore he that Would flop that ifTue, muft look to mortify it in its afeSions and '/i^/, GaL 5. 24.^ We arc further told by Johfi, 1 Efift. 2. |5* that all thole (hares that are in the World, are only hazatdous, I Pet. 1. 4. and prevailing by oftr L^i. More generally the ApoAle Pettr fpeaks 9 the whole bundle of adual Sins that have ever been in tne World came in at this door. The cmn^ion that U in tbefFarU U through Luft. In the fiirring up our Lufts, Satan uieth no finall Art and Subtilty, and ordinarily he worketh by (bme of thefe
' following ways.
Firft, He ufeth his skiH -to dnS up an Objed of Luft that it may betaking and alluring h he doth not content himfelf with t firnfle frtfofal of the Objeft; but doth as it wttcpaim and varniih it, to make it (eem beautiful and lovely h befides all that wooing and importunity which he ufeth to the Soul by privateand unfecn Suggeftions, he hath (no doubt) a care to gather together all
, poffible concurring Circumftanccs, by which the feeroing good- nds or conveniency of the Objed is nauch heightned and en- larged* We fee thofe that have skit to work upon the Humors of Men, pbce a great part of it in the right aramfiantiaUng a inotion, auUin taking the.Tempew and Inclinations of Men at a ^n^ tim. * Ahd ihey obftrve, (hat the miffing of the ri^t feafon is the hazard of thedefign,evcn there where the Ofajedand Incli* nation ordinarily are futable. There is much in placing a Pidurc in a right pofition, to give it its proper grace and luftrc in the Eyes
* of thcBeholdcrs. when aman istmPofbmmr^ht noHfidtihis ufiial delights, and jgrbwsySfiwf tothtegs of frequent praAice. 'Tis likely Evt wasTiot a Stranger to the Tt ee of Knowledg htfott the Temptation, but when . the Serpent liiggefTs Ihe ^dnk of \ the Fruit, the Fruit it fe!f feems mm hedtnifiti ind Admhle,
' \ g09dfnr Food, andfkkfant to the Eyes^ Though wt are not abtt , to findout the way of Satan's beautifyingan Objeft- tlmit may ?fle« with more piercing and powerful delights r yet h^that (haU conlider, that not only Frudence Cin an advantageous manage- ment of things ) adds an additional beauty to Objefts piopoftd^ but a«o that Art by placing things in a right poihire, may derive a radKincy and beam of Beauty andLight upori them, C as an ori.
dinary
Chap, I o: ^Atm'iSXmi\itations. 7^'
dinaiy piece of Glaft, may be^ pofitcd to the Sun beams, that rt -may me/fefi a fparkling light as if it were a Viamnd : ) He that (hall confidet this C I fay J will not think it ftrange for the Devil tO'Ufe fbme Arts of this kind for the adorning and fetting off an Obiecft to the Eye of OHr Lufrs.
Secondly, We have realbn to fufpeca that he ttiay have ways of Deceit and Jfmfolhn upon our Senfej. The deceits of the Scnfes are fo much noted, that fome fbilofiphers will fcarce allow Des cartes. any credit to be -given them i not Aat they are always deceitful, ^"^•^^* %^^^' - butthat they areoftcn (b, and therefore always fufpitious* The JJ"^^^°l^^-ve^- 8ouIhathnoiife%*crbutbythe5^e;?/f/v 'tis then a buCncfs of ' eafie belief, that Satan may not a:ltogether flight this advantage; but that wlien he (ecs it fit for his purpofe, he may impofc upon us by the deception of our Eyes and Earsi we little know how oft our Scnfes nave di^uifcd things to us. In a pleafing Object, our Eyes miy be as a nktgmfying or nmlsiffyiag Glaft. Id the firft : Tdrnptation Satan feems to have wrought both upon the Objeft, and affo upon the Scnfes, Sbeja» itvoiH good for Food^and plea/ant ^ - who can queftion But that (be &w the Fruit before i but this wa^ - amber k^d of fight, ^f more power and attradion* An inftance of Satan's Cunning in both the forementioned particulars, we hatrt-fiom^i^, relating the Story of his Friend Alifim^ whd • by the impottunity of his Acquamtance confentedto goto the Vneatre^ yet With a refolve, not to open bis Eyes^ left the fight of Spedavrt, theft Spedades fhould entice his Heart i but being there, theS?^"^^^ia«D:- '* iioift and fudden flioutmg of the multitude prevailed fo far with Sdc^'feS him^ that he forgot his rclbluti©n > takes the liberty to fee what inOiniam" qua occafionedthefhouting, znd cneefieing^ i^ now lb inflamed with ftinularetur dcHght, thathefltoutsasthereftdo, and becomes a firequenter (if '^^>«"^* ^^* • the *theatH as others : What was there to be feen and heaord he knew before, by the relation of others i but now being prefent,- his Eyes and Ears were by Satan fo hei^tned in their offices, that ^ thofe bloody Objedts feemed pteafant, beyond all that had beenr tepM^oithtOiy and the luft of his Heart drawn out by Satan V ^ 1
cunning dilpofal of the Object and Senfes.
TTiirdly, There is no fmall inticemcnt arifingirom the ftfte^ ^' and (utablenefs of Occafion. An Occafion exadly fitted, is more than half a Temptation \ Tliis often makes a Thief, an Adul-^ tcrcr, hx. Where the ads ofthefe Sins have their rife from a fiidden fit oPhumor, ( which acc4/i«i puts them in, ;> rather than .
from defiffn or premeditation. Cunningly contrived Qccafions jare like the danger of a Precipice > if a Man be fo fooliOi as to take up a j^^ there, a fnull ^i«(& will throw him over, though a^ greater might not harm him if he were upon a Level. 'Tis Satan's Cunning to draw a Man within the reach of an Occa- fion. All the refolves of Alifim were not fafe-ptard to him when once he was brought v^itbin hearing and fight of the Temptation : If he had ftaid at home, the hazard of &itan'sSi^- . geftlons C though cameft ) had not been (b much as the hearing of his Eaors, s^nd fight of his Eyes. In 2 C^. 2.11. FomPs fears of Satan's taking advantage ag^ft the Cmnthians did manifefily ariie from fhe Prejent fofiure of their Church affiurs : for if the ex- communicated Per(bn (hould not be received again into the Church, an ordinary pufh of Temptation might either have fr- Vid. Cdhim nemd or consumed their Contentions, or precipated them into an in loc: opinion of too much fivaity againft an oflending Brother 9 and
that their prefent frame, made them more than ^ordinarily ob- noxious to theie Snares, is evident from the Apoftle's caution . inferted here in this Diicourfe^ fb ahmftly^ that any Man may obferve the neceffny of the Matter, and the tarh^n^ot his Afledi- ons did lead his Pen. The Souls of Men have their goieral IKp- crafia\ and Difaflfet^ons, as our Bodies have» from a lingriog didemperature of the Blood and Humors j in which cafe, ^fmdl occafion (like a particular error of Diet, &€. in a dediningBody^ will eafily form that Inclination into particular a<l^s of Sin.
Fourthly, Satan hath yet a further reach in his Enticements,
by the power which he hath upon our Fancies and Imaginations :
That he hath fuch a power was difco vered before. This being then *
fuppofed, how ferviceable it is for his end, 'tis now to he con-
iidered. . Our Fancy is as a Glafi which with admirable celerity
and quickneis of motion, can prefent before us all kinds of Ot)-
jeds ) it can in a moment run 60m one end of the Earth to the
other j and befidesthis, it hath a power of creating OhjeQs^ and
cafling them into what j^rmx and ibapes it pleareth, all wUch our
undeWianding cannot avoid the fight o^ Now the/011'er of Ima*
gination is acknowledged by all to be very great^ not only as
SurunsUic-^ working upon a Melancholy and diftempered Spirit, C of which
hnch. Pan i. Authors give us large accounts ) but aUb upon Mitids imrv remote
^Ren^ij^ ^^^ ^^^ peremptory Delufions » as may be daily obferved in the
Treat! of Paf f^'^'^dices and frefoff^ns of Men, who by jrcafon of the w^rejpons
ficDi. c. 4. of
the adiBowfcdgtnenc 6f the tfuth'of tFrfngs, and the true un<fer^ Jiandkig of Matttcrs h heithcir is the Vhc&rftmdi^gonlf liable to a
^. «;>- v^s^,%^x^ v«w lure-viicvi riumu^ uDicfv^/ rnac jpancy dom i!:#fiwUr ibid. ^oftA more tt)W»d ir PerfwafibA t^fti ir^Mi^iif, ^thaa a c»gei
\ This is no feis'a p<*w^ml Tnftftrtnent irt Satan's hancf. than conwnonfy^nd freiptmly inade ufe of) wh6 amongft us doth not fin* an4 feel- him dWliiigvfilh-ds.a^thts \Veaf^ri ?'\yhen he ^ propounds an Objeft to oqr Laft,''he dbtti nbf ufuafly cxpofe it m^d undei? the hazard' ofdying oiit fttc want of profecution, but \Mpt^ht}^\QAhm'o\k^ an4'thcre raiifeth a '
l^htomy -obJ which he jfli-b^fore our Mind$, the Sip in ai its tt^ayt ^f^d "^IFhegp&tWstipohRevtiij^, pr upon tufl^/bftln^ ^ d8MiJ«f5i: Sr .Cwefelifce&i W 4nibM6nV. wd are Cure (iCwi pwv-ent it -not ^ ta h^e odf tmaghtatibti pfefehtihg A'efe tKingj tou5, as ifkJively^PRberef mA Reffmbtatrce^ ' by which our defires may b^€ri#attjed^fid'prfeMxtd
-.:Fiifkbffi>Sbtt*c«ki)^ W^^^^ hfe A^t In prepaiiffg and fitting mtBddiePto'l^s^i^^ pMtrfiWI^g^temptatiohs to our Bodies, a«d-:thc^Ihcli&a<^A|f^tfit^ though it be a noble
3o»& y^ ^ ^ tihHled hf the tiody^'aird Iflconunodated by the^ c»w»yff#^-^ikfr ihdi(J)(p(iti6h$ thereof^ Gy that it can no more adl
where
ifctsfkh^RJi^ do akd^ tR^Jcwfes -aitd* add another Tiind oCbyafs\ td thb Sbul thanwhSt-ft tiad-btfere- '"I^his,Satan takes notice
(if^he hathfome fpecial defigp.) endeavours to c^^.out Ekidy iilto^jfiid<T?d«fer9i^^^^^ fntentioii; ^A was-
iA»feJfi^%^«aS Wbfcrfierfiri peeMnefs and rattianger in- hff^*«e*.^tef Si^ Hfe: fife'Body ' grew dlfeale'd.^ Satan Hadhis • advi(ntAj|e agairift Skmdtixo draw him to IdMatry when ^^ ^9, - aHdiK^(^wgfS*Pfiad hMftfc ham irtai&zlkane to the ibflicicadOns of) his Wives » fFben Sojompn wvK ,ddLf hU ffhes turned an>^ his lito^ U Sftijgl^irtf. *jfi ' H^ttk^ When he :toQk upon* hW tOj foretel Job's blafpheming Gbtftb hft JF^Ce, 'yet he attempted not'
O the
the main dd^n till he thought he.had ^taa^ljft^Mtd hitii for it, by the anguifli and finart of a'dlftempered Body and Mind i and tboagb he failed in the great buiinefi of hiis> Boaft, yet he Itft us an exp^inoent in pb^ that the likelieft way to ^a^ xipon the Mind in hideous and defperate Teniptations» is to moulif the B6dy. to zfittabk fiamc : He prevailed apt againft foi to ai^ hiu cuifc God, yet he prevailed'far, be anfedtbt Jay •/ **» Bnh^ and fpake many things by the force of that diftre& which he profefleth himfelf afliamed of afterwards. The Body then will be in danger ( when 'tis difbrdcred } to give a tin^me to every adion, as a diftempered Palat communicates a bittcr- ncfi to every thing it takes down. .
Sixthly, Evil Comfaity is a general preparatory to all kinds of Temptation : He enticeth ftrongly that way. Fw (t,) Evil So- , cietydoth infinfibly dead the Heart, and quench th? heat of the
Affcdions to thethiMsof Gpdi'it hath a kind of bewitching power to cat out the fear of the Lord in our hearts, and to take off the weight and power of religious duty j it not onlyfiopt Mf Tonffiet, and retards them in fpeaking of good things, but in- fimuxtb the very Hearty and poyfonsit into a kind of deadncfi and l^argy^ fc that our thoughts run low, and we b<^ to think that fevere watchfulnefs of Thoughts,, and; thp guard of out Minds to be a needlefs and me/tfm^i^ ^(^^«)Miq^tf«. ( 2, j Ex- ample Iwth a fhrange infinuatmfi force to ufsmf a Eefimblame, and to beget Imitation. Jvfq^ living where his Ears were fre^ - quently beaten with Oaths, finds it an eaCe thing C upon a feicned wcanon)tofwMrbytbeLifeofPA»r<Mfc. Evil Company is Sins NHffety and Satan's Academy, by *\J|jch he trains Up thofc whofe knowlcdg and hopeful beginning had made them fhy o€ Ins Temptations j and if he can prevail with Men to take fuch Compamons, he Wjjll with a little labour ptefcntly hmz them to any Imquity. j -o >«. w
Seventhly, But his %M projeift in orda to the anidng of
The Scnpture doth difttnguifh betwixt the lln>fii»s aJd wS Gal. J. H. . (^ *^ ^«»^ Wd Lft i clearly implying, that the way to
j^;^^gs'ott^if "^^"'^^ ^^^^^^
- Firf^
Chap. 10. ^mm'sxtttipmiotts, s>
Jt^J^f"^ i^^"' S^i?' ?*^' '^ ^"^ ^"65 an<J Sails Vid. ft*,^ of the SoBU^n4 eycry Paflion jn «s own-worJtiog doth cxwefi ^-^wt. of At
a wolence. CA./ov is an ^meft Rage i f^ohfimmrmfi is nothing ^^"• J«tej^ cr^ Of th<Sr^ : each oFthehi flriving wfich fliould of pSkS"'*
7^r^*. T;^*?^ ^- 'H*^'* .««d*^MH like (b«any ' iw7i B/rfis let loofe, hwyingdieir Rider which way they pkafe ;
they *«*not upon the.;gnjpiand of Reafon, but oft wevent
IT in their;«Wf»«/<inciffltor do they take ReaibnsA^e for their €mft proportionable to the occafibn, for often their W»r, rather
than the matter of the provocation, give$ them Sptrt i and when
th(6y have oMtratU thfkh^ they ceafc, not asfoUowmg thi
coQunand of Rffi^on, but as mal^ by their owfa vMam,
Thirdly, They are hot ei^y eompurtd^ not only becaufe they ream their (hength and obfet after aDeftat^ andlilie fomany I$kWi's heads fpiiagijpasfaftascutol^ but thisy a^e wrfehu^ iyecanneithei;,runftomt|}einj nor ftoqi the k>ve/of them.
Fourthly, And, oaifeguently highly adomagmt, in Satan's Pe%OBAiul£nticemenr, when they are driven up to a Fmy and Faffiooatenefi i for befides their itiward rage ( whiA the Sciip- 1 Cor y «. turc calls bunteig) by .which Men are /i^ and goaded onRonui.jy. without reft or eafe, Xp maltg pnv^iont fir the Fl^^ and to enjoy oead what their ui^xidied vk>Ience will.lead to in the executum ofi their deikcs:;T^r carry all on befoie thqn, and engage the iplw/eAiM with die h^efteagemdsM/iK{|!/iw^ to go up Bfb. ». t. to the , higheft degrees, and with an im&tiable g^m^ to yield iiysaik}^tsftnmfs,tflmfutynmlmfdty, Kom.i.j9i.
Mate
-. (
iMb^
lAaMfti
■ rfi
o%
6HAP,
j4 'i^xttmtM ; Pa«r.
I.J lin
I -1.' -'--'-"'''•" ' ♦- ' - I • ■ -^ .^^^^.^-^^..A^
i>
*
thdt tafi darkens the MImL Evidemes fhmf^ Tie
ventim. (i*) petrify ' ih' Um^tin^^ S'^sn's JimSfy therein^ {z.^SurfrtfiL {i.) GrAdMdlKtMtf^Umtntf^
, *• . . f . . •. ;i'. .. i
!Trpat Satan ^otb'^eniSce^ ife ty fliriiiigij^ h\n £u», Fia»i been
psoqpooaded whldi iras,' ' - ; '' • '^ ^ , ^ **
Tiiatbythk|K)wer'Of Liifi he MBm& md iaAffis mtriBn^
That the Li:As d'Men are the gttat ftipdbU ttpon which Tatan •Bgo autcm proceeds ii^^dttn#fek ciiSS'-'^Ht a Mndhefti ( ast^ehavefiKAeii W immor. ^fy I 'fliaB hrfofly evmct fe thefe fe#^ ObfexVattons/ S R^i!l KiA, Tsom the mn^finahlen^- . Md ibfiWity of fynrf ««ior« Hoioiaeni ibu* m Meo otheiwife fufficieRtly ratibnaf. He thit ccttifidersthe zSt% feqpkiu ati- d^Akxandfr in tmtrtheidiig Gatijihenef^ lor no other cxiifie than S comiT; ^^««dtt>g «he tsmfHftbeaodt, -and al5rt»Jpg5^ *«ipfef-<orid tbtDiviriitasr wubc^knatce H'JRw^v Without ^rp^bking a^ijy ^ itHi ytt tWi
tionc rX Whcfoi^er f Ffiy} fhatt cpnfider thw ewclty^ will
ftts v^^cinuf condemn ^tf/ex^/z^ as lluid sind inedona! in^tlHs mat^erj and crodck ut DC- yet no other caufc can be affigncd hereof^ but that his bfi afttr .fariumconuni- Qlory and Honour darkned his Reafon. The like may be faid of his Iracundia — kiUing E/^i&e^iWs Phyficianabecaufe hedied.Thebrutalfury of that vthxtlytzmusConful^ that made a Slave to be eaten up with Lampreys^ for no omnia fuomc- other fault than the brealtigg pf %_GIaf$^can be afoibed tanothing rupfSaJs, ^^^ B'uT the boyling over of his Paflion. A fadder inftancc^ &jucorationis this we have in t Theodofim finior^y^ho for an affix>nt given to fome cxcuffbgladicsof bis Officers in Ihejfalqitica^ commanded the deftrudion of the ^^V^^ 5?^^r* City, and the flaughter of -the Citizens to the number of 7600, xr rw'"" 7<![h0Mi*iJ>liftin(aion of nficdO and innocent : This bUnd rage Hiil Hccieh tne Hijlorian notes, as the fruit of violent and unbridled Lull in
a Mtiu otfaenrafi: pft and giinous. Thoufiuids of Inftances of this nature^^t be added; fint,
SecQfidly;^ . ffWedoifiderthc kmwu and v^U bduurds to Lil^ imd £flare^ md { that wiakh as ttibre, ) to that, part of them which is Immtial iu apon aJl wixich, M^n do ^efperately adren"* mre^ttpOn no other ^ound or motive than the grm^aihn/ of (heii* Lofts ; Weitmy eafdy concbde that there is a (batige force add |»weria<tfaeirJBaiIiDfis to blind and hcibt them > and this hot^ witHa^t^pil the oonotnon ptaiSioc of all Men, where Grace Ca^thebn^ S^Jalm ) doth not seftore the iight. The Heathens in aU theft piedicesof f iitfahiefi $ki F<^ys teeolded Km, t.ip.. They had lib far adifeovcry of thedaoBer C if they had not im* ffiiwed that Tfidb and U|ht itiVmigmmflu^ verf. i8. ; that n thqp.lMMSIe tJisjd|g^ ttmth^ i^bkbtommh fitch thingt
snt^fff^if^Jkm^ T<er£32» Tee notwithffanding, the vanity of f thek Ima^iadoia ( influenced by Luft } daikned their heart fo iiMcby that thcfdidiiit f^tip 4$ thfi things ( of fe great vilenefs aod unfi^eakablehazaid, ) rat ImdpteMfitre in tb&fe ^at didtbm. . TJtikhff Thctiiodiiigpower of Luft is yet nx>re remarkable : Tffhcn WC' (ee hkaglerfing in tbUr Sbameiy and mounting their triupapha) Chariots to ekpoie theaiCelvies a 5^^ in that
f^d^^Bfd^mmty Ifhidi their Lufts have pst thbm in. ."^is a (lindneft todo any aA againil the ruks of Kea(bn, but 'tis a far great blitidiiels fisir Kfen to pride themftives in them. What have tbe Mueaiof ntt^fi Wars been^ bm faunmgs <£Git»(s, devafhtions of io^riiUi^ KuwIooB, ijfniy^g the blood of Millions; befides all the Faflitte an^othet miferies that follow \ yet thefe adions (that bettfilbeietai Tigavs, Liotis and favage Bruits, than Men 4 of Reafi)n} aiehonouaed with the great triumphant names of Verhte, Maidwd^ Cmnff^ Moffumhmty, Conqntft^ Sec. If the powa and humor of max Lofts of vtm-glorf and revmge had not 9uit« muAed thdf uodeiAmdings thefe things would have been caUbi by their fnfer nOnet^ of MurtiKr,Cruelty,Robbeiy , &c. and the A^ois o/ESasii^taffdUs^ inftead of triunophal Ardfes and acdamati^dsof Pndle^ would have been buried under heaps of Ignpariny acd perpetual DMgiices, as Frodigks of Nature, Afoii- Jfer/ of M«B, and £&*er/ of Mankind,
Fouittty^ Btte the^e -is yet one Evidence more plain and con- vindag. When our Lofts ^bt if, though Keafin offer its aids to allay the Storm, yet Ae wifeft of Men ( otherwife conipofcd
and
* •
>
\
I /
Z6 ZXtmUttit Partr,
and calm ) an (b iat from taking the advantage <it its guidance;
-ahat oftentimes they trouble upon it and dapiCek-i and as if
Lulls C by foroe fecrct LtofMation ) had made them imfaiotdbh^
they are not capable of its lidit and Gondod, andean mahe no
more v& of It, than a UimMan can do of a Crnidk. To this
purpofe, let us obferve the caniage of OiTputants > ft" M«i do
■«ny way publickjy engage themfclves in a Conteft erf" this natute»
, ' though Tmth can be but on the one fide, yet both Btoti^MJi^
Arguments, and anfwer Obje^ons with e<jnal cOTfid^^t*"
viAory, and a contempt of thercalbnsandfkengthof cachotheis
difcourfes : and this proves £> fital to him that maiiitaihs the
• , miftake ex untruth, that not one of a thoufiad hath the benefit
and advantage for the finding of Truth, which fi^e and ««»m«*
dictd By^andvs may have 4 fo true is that, Omepmtpidiebmam
I us tranfit in ^feSum, When AffetSKonsaiit engaged, Jufaent is
darkned. 'Tis a thing of comnk»t)bfevatioB, that when Meii axe djfcourfed into AngirvaA Heat, they prdently axaw^fmd i are difabkd fiw fpeaking or underfianding Reafon, and w oft I J *f S'^r i°«»^«»«'ces and mifcarriages, th^t they are framed of themfclves i when they dul and tfe fit is over Imb^ drt,raammm,^<u To all this might be added, the poWetof Lull HI V^x^xis^H^m, who dedicate themfel^es to^eSta' fures of the Flefli. Thofe that fmvt divert Ufis a^ piL^r
their llaviihEfiate, their bafeDmdgery, do Sly evfea"^^^ Luft Hnma,s them, and puts out their Eyw; NM^AntJZ this means becamea$bve toCle^aira i never did apoor Opti^ iirivemoretoobtam the good wiHofhis Lord thantetoDfeS th.s Woman, infomuch that befottedwith-hislTh^S^ wanttlMt«»««,«>«/?^fepf his danger, whidXSSw? fureof Reafon ntughthaveaflbrdedtoaLy, aSfodSwS mto his^ne. Fr^ all thefe Confide^ «d X^f
^P^^TJ-f "**^ f**^ VapoHTsand Mifts, Aat^SSn^ " « darkled by them, or rather, they areIikV^}J^Sf!£j Jrot^y iiupifies and binds up th7senfes. But veV ^^ . hatXe various ways by whiit^r Lufts do Sfnd^S be JS larly op«|ed, and they are fiw. (*,) Our LXbS.?nit^ ««*«,/;i?e de and eierdfe of a^eafiny^lfr^^^
C30By»-«A^«rt«gtheMindfromit. cVi B/^SS £ •*ts operation. And C «. ) Bv a diOm-^^ ^J^LZ^ '***f*««f f w
laall-morefidlyexpWii ^^^ ^^^**'^- ^^*^
Fifft, Ow Lwfts blind; us hyfrmniing and intercepting the exerdieofU^tMdReafbn, anid Satan in this cafe ufeth theft deceits.
•
Firft^Heendeavoutsfi) to jfir 11^ oinrLuft, as yet to amcealhk dif^n., Stcf^haKofJtusmihiEngbiet^ he doth not C in this ftew hk Weajxm before he ftrikes > and indeed his Policy is great, TotX u ) By this means he takesuMt unsmam;^ AcQ% an4^unprepared for refifiance. fa.) We are often en- haa^wi$b(M naife^ and before our coniideration of things can come in to refcm us. (3.) If he get not his whole defignupon us this way, yet he oft makes an MfviOm ^ by this means he procures an half cqnibit, or.indination to (m before we <^ . *" .
that we are under a Temptation *> for when the Fmtndation of a Temptation iskid wu^yU^ then we awaken with the Sin in am hand^ asfleepingMen awake fbmetime with the word in their < moujths. If any queftion, how can thefe things be ? how can he jltal a Temptation upon us with fiich feaefie ? I anfwer, he can do it thefe diree ways.
Firfl^ He fiimetimes after a card^ maimer^ and as it were by the by, ir^ in aSugg^on into our hearts^ and that without noife or jmp(»tunity, gjiyingit ( as it were this charge, ) fiir nat wfj nmmpAin \jm \ and then he fits by to obferve the iflue, and to fee if the 'iindet will take fke of it i^lf. Thus nuny a motion thrown into our beasts, as* it were accidently, or ever we are awasib begets afudden flame.
Second^, He fbmetimes fe^fab a eomfaf^ and makes a thing £ur iijfiwit to be zIrunMe or Intiodu^on to his intended de- ' fign. Thusby Obieds, Impbyments>JDiicourfe, or Company, that (hew not any aired tendency to evil, doth he infenCbly oc* calion Fiide, Pai&m or Lufl. . How ilyly and fecretly doth he put us upon what he uitends as 9 further fnare ? how una wares,while we thmk of no fuc^ thing, are we carried fometime upon the bcnrders of Sin, and into the enemies quarters ^ Satan in this aAs like a Fowler, who ufeth a (talking . Hodrfe, as if he were upon fbnie other imptoyment, when yet his defignis the deffaoidion of die Bird.
•1
among them the
to
8^ Ti^tmiUet I »4ftf.
to vanifh, he by littk auad Ktrie firi^es this otrt aj a «i*e Q>€cial
objc<£l of coofideraf ion, b that wc caflafadaen gl^oe^upon tWs,
and we are often taken with it before wc(;6nGder the dzn^cr,
fci this Satan doth as Souldifirs, y9hot».^^ti»^
ft> make a nearer approach to. their HiilniJfcft) isiAd* to (urprife
ttoem before dlfcovery ofthedai3JOTr.t'l»t»Kr6tl»f^
we are in a M»iwg JS^, 01 a Me/<«^
A Cecond Deceit for the frmntmg o6z&fiM^conKkfitk>n^ is fiidd^ Sffifrifak In the : former he endeavoured to cofijceitl the
temptatm pfmnly^ oply>fa6fcte. tipw-us wi^oht^ gtWiig of us irar^jwg of the. onfct y huttben fae backs^it Wieh aff the vident importimity be.can, and by^schehiiidptS'the^r^cc^ledKng of ou^ ftlves and the aidof Reaibn. 'Thifttaurft&rtte only takes, with thpft whbfc PaflSons arc^apt xc be- t»ay fj»mg -ind -^boyft^rous 5 Qr fuch as being bis SlWeuifd/Vaifeto i^mim^pti^^ hbocrm:- mands. Thuiafaddeti pcovocadon^to tfislSi^Mati) giVes hini •^ * . . not time to confider, tut carries him headlong^ hfitirptifiv£ Occafion aijd Opportunity, is faqtrcntly ar-ctf^fqfiwg^to^tfiplethat have any earMefin^ ef^^Hope, Doiire, orR^v.efige : 3ixrcfyl>md was tifikcn at this advantage in d^fetndi^tertdi^Birii^^b; ' -Atr^ here we may notei^. tha^' good M,^ \S^h - Sxehf AjUddin^nmi^ ' yUld ( without any: blow ^rftrwgHfag^^o that, which vtt^dM^ ilww^jr they could not be Jrawn- to by fiaany rf ii/f;;!^. • * -
Thirdly, Confideration is prevented by gnw/lM^ T/r^WWBbfy;
Strength and- fets .upooois with hfPifi, Ttna)3ta*kjris,{ atid^^itlt 7el^ fijrce than x>ther wife he cduld^t^ He b«o#s-we^att-not*.rntirvtJ<l^trf epc^ami^ hut by ifiep^ and hahitr^ are- not oonfemerf, but hfgra- 4f(d proceedings \ to take too- great ^ftridea, * may ftmethm mtv^Sl aj;prefent, buttbefiKldenneftand*greatnefe€^thealeArattbn^
f{fr^' ^ -i. ^ g^mn%.zfirMgtnefix>n the Soulj misky-occaBbn nfitMhk^btTzrii
. " recayling.: Theref(»e,be certptsfirft-to *^l8wj#g*% tjhchtoa/^^ in t hefe thoughts, then to tha continuation of them, iiitn torifilve^ and fo on to pr^fif/ce. And in like inanner, he tempts' fomc to make bold with zfmaltmamr-^ which (hall fcarce comcundqr the , notion of wrong'^ then to zgrtdPer^ ind- fo gcsidhzllf to i^ighf^ things, and thus- he infentibly briiigs on a thicirifli Inclination and Piadice.^ For the (ame end fometime^ he feewrhis'Sfeflf 'lb*
the
the maotgAooit b£ Occafions, be imperceptibly Books Men intb Sin^by drawing them iirft to be bold with Ucgafms > he tells them they fpay (it at the Me*hou(e, and yet not be dmnk h that the^ may keep Familiarity, and yet not be lewd % that they may look upon a Cbnimodity^ and yet not fteal : and when the Oceafhns ate % this nieans made familiar to them, then he pots them on a fiep further, but by fiich flow motions, that the progrefi is fcarce * dHcemed till they be in the Snare.
CHAP. XIL
0/ Sdtan's perverting, cur Reafon. Hij feccni iMf cf^ bUiuUm. Xhe fiSS^litj ef this^ smi the man^
> umfUpimg it dire&fy^ jeverdlwdys ; dtUindire^ly^ by the delights rfSin^ dndby SofhifiiUl Jrgiiments ^ with
. gn^Mecpufftofthem.
"•TpIJe ftcond way by whidi Satan blinds us through the power JL of Luft, is by perverting and cmupting our Reafon, drawing it to appiove cf that, which it firft dip^i^oved. That our l,ufts have fuch a power upon the Undcrftanding to make fuch an aJte- faeion, ncM^^norfcemi ftrangeto thofe that (hall confidcr, that the.Scriptoie projpbundlngthe kriowkdgof thehigheft Myfteries, doth pofitivdy require (as a neccffary p^qpequifite to thefethmgs) that we lay afide attfiltbinefi andjiferflu^ ofnanghtin^ ( in thcfe ji terms, noting the loath&m defilement of our Lufts ) that fo we nstty revive the inffrafifdJFQrd > Ibongly implying that our Lufti have a power to elud» and evade thtftrang^ reafon/y and to hin* der their' eoter:faiilaient: Which our Saviour notes, to have been 'alfo the caufe of the Jews blmdnefs, Hoiv can ye beJiak n^hich rn- j^h. j, ^^ tdve honour one of. another fthm luAsof Honour fiood in their Light, jind perverted their Reafon. ^ '
f But beicstnCe this osty fieni to (bme ahnoft Impoffible th^ Lufis fiiotild tiitji bur &Ki/> itato dirkncfe, ifliall a'litrk explain it. " The Underftanding doth dually, ( if pradice of Sin have not put ovt it^Mgbt) at the ^J](f. faithfully reprefm to Our Mind thena-
P turc.
[am»x. zo*
^wc oP Good 0i4 <£yil iiL«att8ts of Tea^aRJOiaMl Owy ( «ct 4ts power io tliift(afeis only jSMUueuid fwftre^&itlic Jrk iot ^>'*»«(y^«lM»»»w » the WSUmpft iblte»r tfcc llii4eiftan4iaM 4i&my Mciis not.uDdoran^.nnxffitr of Mowiag its fi^ ^dtiitti ys ihc «fenii#»» i«««MMh '.ike lftft.dn$a«e 4(i»t it « eoMeed .*r>
4^peiMl^t up0Bt*ic*tad^ftaiMliiig, yot 4fac VmAtHmJui doth alio MojJ exerdtiim, depend upBiiihe #5e, 4Wi « 40 tlw %ff «f cMfider^ion^ is under its command i fo that after the Undcrftand- "'.S™th faithfully reprefcnted the evil ofaSin, the WilLcaucom- mandit to another confideration, and force it to «m tbongbt, and confultations aboutjit i Jp whi^h <»fc. the^ill doth pLp, the Underftandmg, teft it what urdia it would have it to btmzin "•i^ doth rcaUyfollidte and beg for a coroplyance. * *
*•. *? t«*aiMttJiog is.i<«afc<^ capaWe of being^AU and iMmm»s^ «i^ &rtoiej««««fcy »he wSl, an«f « a . « a [*"^>^"°^r ? ^aryal Jh% gives leoteni^«v *&e Jmnwdd Tx'T^ 5ff* .**. * '"^ ^^^ rasooeofafwves; the Uadufiaoaiae and Will
yimg GrJtt. ""t"* 3™ gratifymgeach other. *^^ **
^ The poMty of Lufls perverting our Undetflanding bdnis
^.xJ?^,"^^^"*^" Adionsa-dthingstUtt/StS T'" JW^fon*>thinoft appear in Aofe«K»th«a?lS A^and dl^p^, aatu«rVr inthofe A^Sl^^
is cjpabfe of any ftumor VwuO^ that lie takes «he^Sli^
oC
f
1
i
►1
oC SmPi $Mfftciitg ^ a grett ifii^tjr, mi yet the pretcoco of the^^mr/ Goodn^of ^ ziBdon (being in it felf cocnmandcdj. andrffae l^pp<>fiKrNip€q^>or£4»r$ <^^ caaic
noV wette GoqfidevfttloQli ^pm which his lliid«iftaitdtii^ wair^« ed mjikn that uodemkiiig. fm^ Pciiccutiott^ ( tbou^ a teal ^tificatioif of his cnTiDu$ luftrngs ) by hb k&odtd UnderOand^ lag yras jmtf||e4dutf : What moie comoKMi tbui for WoifIcOt^ miad€diiers and 0>trcKouiher% to be called a fititfafat and dt^ Jhd oaixc for the pfovifioii ^jfokiv Famitia ^ Luk6vvafame& is ofbea jiiAified ttiider the iKKkm of Modeitatkm and n^ andaay
thing that «an but nreteod ^Ayliffuked fo, or f ctemfalaBce of Good, pur Liifts^ piefcntly |w?att fi)r aa a^i^^ catiQii'Ofit;
Seo^iy) Satan ufeth the Jidvaatage of JbMmu-, j(br the cor* niptii% of our Uaderftandings. To this puipofe he doth aH he caa to make fiidi an E^ttream odUmuA difpIcaCng^ that fbwe laay run unon the cmrmy^ as mattcf df duty. Many there arc ^faofe heads aieib weak; (hat If they fiat (he danger of m £it- irMM, thevMf«r think chMbfelves in fiifetytillthey iiytoaiviir $rary tjec^ and then they Aink the£tetiieanH they embMraoe needs noothcr jMAifiGad(H}> than the apparent EtiI ol wlut dicy have avoidod. Satan fcnowhig this» like the ^pnw^ makes the
geateft HMft when be is fivtbeft fi«tn his NeO, and in much >mkigeatMfeie6, tempts as to lomething that is inoft crofi to our Temporov prefect Inclmation i or endeafonrs to render Ibmcip thingfi> to us, not with any hopes topievail with ns thac^ but to mate us ton as £urfiom it as we can into another Snare, anffalip tp naake us bdiete that we have done ivcU and innkkd a Tempca* tioo, when indeed we have but txAanfftd it.
Itnldly, He dirtdly blinds our Qnderftandings in finful Bra* dice$, byei^^ti^itsto^Mv^t^pw^ Qurekfi Courfes. Satan with gnat eafe can put Men upon Shi, when once hefaath prevailed with them to receive an ortor, which dtt€(dlf leadstoft. Conrunt Principles do natqrallyconrupt Fra«- ^c^ and both thefe may be obf^rvcd lo meet in thofe deluded ene^ Whom the Scripnire mentions^ ^4$ dmtd tin $nly Lvrd G^ mdJtfifCkrifi, tufw^alfi tht grace of God w$6 tafum^ n^\ ftlfe-Teachers thathrou^t in damnMe i%r^, counted it ^oGtrt f&rhf^ had eyeifiM rf Adtdtery^ and Mdd noi ee^ from DVHb What confidence andfecurity will Sin be pradiltd
P 2 when
?«
^t % SCteatife of Part !.
wheo an O^n figns a IFarrantj and pleads a }uftifkation for
It r •
Fourthly) In Adions, whofe gocdnefs or badneis is princi-^ pally difcovcrabk by the ends upon which they are undcrtal5te,^ his no great difficulty for Satan to impofc upon Men a Belidf that they ^S by ends and refpeds, which do n^t indeed mwe them at all > and in this cafe Men are (b blinded, ^thatthey do not; or \H11 not know cir acknowledge they do evil i the matter of the Adion being jporramablt, zaa the end bSing out of the read; of common dilcovery, Acy readily believe the b^ of themfel vcs h and looking more at the warrantablenefstjf the nature of the 2t& in the general, thsm at their gro^flds ahd , intentions, they think not that they do evil This was a fault which Chrift ob-^ fervcd in the Difciples when they called fox ppe from Heaven upon luk. p. 5^ tht Samaritani : the.tfaingit QXEEliof had done before,and Chrifr might have done it then, but they wanted the j?ifi# ifElia$ >- and therefore Chrift rejeds their motion as.unlawfol in them,^ who coaiidctednotdia^ a spirit qfPaffion and 'Revenge did altogether influence them, and inftesld offtiewkigajtift difpleafine agswnft tJie Samaritans^ he Qxiws that Satan had blinded them by their Luft, and that the thing they urged was fo far from being good, that it., was apparently evil, ih that they were aded by anoti)er Spirit than they imaging This way of deceit is^ very common. How ofien may we obferve Chriftians pretending omfiiensiQUi dif- fatisfaaUms ahouttbeaAionsof others^ Wfien the private fpring ^t animates them is (bme/ecr^ p^^ that lyes at the bottoni v andyetbecaufe the thing wherein they are diflatisiied may truly deferve blamt, they are not apt to condemn themfeltes but think they do well.
-. Secbndly, Lufis alfo pervert eur R^afon and^ KnowfeBg indi- reSly: and this is, when we ate not frfar blinded, afs to believe the thing liato which we are tempted, to be ^ood* abfihnely y yet BOtwichftandingy we areperfwaded <Xfimt4)onfidirMe f^oanefiin k, and fuchasmay for the prcfent be embraced. • iFot'this^ purpofe Satan hath ready thefe fii'a Engines: - > ' Firft, He fet^ beforeus the PUaJkns^ Profits^ srad other deligbis efSin: Tfiefc he he^tens with all his Art and SkillJ that he may focinour Minds thi^conclufion^tbat however ithc firbidebn^ m yet it wonld . conduce mud> to our fathfaSion or advantage if it
were prscftifed » and heteo he* promifeth fuch goldea ends aini
fruits
fiuits of Sip, as indeed it can never lead unto, inviting us in (he words of the Gbdot^ IbamJa^myBedmthetnmngio/Tapefiry;^ i^;
md^earvei JFarkfytMbfine Linntn of Egyft. I bavt perfumed it w^idynbey Aloes and Cinnamon. Come^ let^stakiofir fiHofthefe delights. . Thus he £bt upon Eve^ 'tafie this Fruity andyefliaU be of Cw. Thus he attempted Chrift himfelf^ AUthefi mB I give thee; prpfiering the Kingdoms ^ the World, and the Glory of thetn; The pleafures of Sin are Satansgreat Bait^ and thcfe (Irongly in- vite and flir up our Luiis > yet bccaufe the fear of the danger may flick in the Heart, 'Tkpk^ant^ bnt 0 1 dare not, faith the Sinnery I fear the hazard or the eoil that may foUorp : Therefore Satan hath bisothdr Engine at hand to bKnd us, and to carry our Mhids from (uch confiderations, and that is, - '
Secoridly,*^ His Sopb^ieal Argmems^ by which the danger rftaf * be-kfTened v of the^ his Quiver is full. « As, '
Firft^ Heurgeththat the Sin tempted to is little. But a littlt - wej 'tis not ( faith hie > lb great amatter as you make it, there are other Sins^.^ea<cer, and thefe alio pnidrifed by Men that proftis as much as you. Thus he wouki /bjMe us C ^s it were ) Out of our /f^, by caUing kfeverity^ meen^ or an uiinecdTary fredjintfi. If this prevail not^ -
Secondly, He hath then another Argument. Oh (faith he> be4t fi>, that it is a littU ikare than ordinary^ yet iris bttt oncei tafie orttyit, you need liot engage* your felves to ^^n/ pradice, you may retreat at pkafiire. Bat if the fear of the danger pre-- vail againfi this, then,
Tnudly, He labours tp put us under a kind ofnec^ycfRn-^ nitig> and this he)deads as ajuftification of the evil. -'Tisnot altogether right, but you cannot well avoid it. This plea of nccef^ fity ki l^rgi^ occafiofl, example^ command of others, -ftrength of inclination^ cufiom, and what not, are pleadied by him in thi^ viJ. one- cafe •> fome particularly reckon them up : and rather than fome' Dtceiefuhiefs Men m]lackif(npkdg theev>l,they will blame Gods deeree,j3ts if they ^^ ^^^^ were nea^titd by it, or his providicnce, as Adam^ IbefFoman'^' '^^* that $boH gav^ we, Jhe gave me oftbeT^ : David's Woody re-' ' iolve agunil the houfe of N^/ (eems tp be jultified -by him, i Sam. 25. u, from Nabal'sfft^t ingratitude. In vain, have I kgpt X that thW^ FeBa^'batb^in toe tf^Hdem^^ &Cm and as one engaged by a* neceffity ! of repsvying fiich wtongs and ai&ontts, doth he determine to cut then^oC '* '^avon: (WhiBnhe was taxed by A^yi^aboiix- thegokkn-
CalO
% \
94 v^mtiameof ^vmeL
Calf) excufeih the nmtst bf > ptttcndcA neoeflitf of dojjii^
what he did uf»iQ the vk)lrac kiifK)ctumtf of fivk animdy
£xod. 31* 12.. People ) and cteit whofi Mffis was not to be found, thml^fm^
: the FetfU^ $hfi they an /e» tn mfibirf. This that he mged t«»
Mofesy Satail no doubt had urged to him, and he had acquie&cd
in it, as fomethbig that he thou^t would exode^ or at leailmi*
tigate the offence. Tet if the Sinner facealitfaiough this &iait,
Fourthly, He comes cm wifli afoftetpiaof Mffhnri^^ and en*
deavoors to perfwade Men that they may yield under pretence of bwtgfmeiy and that their jtrmi^/ and rkwBamm will l^tn the evil to an apparent^ rfif^irmity \ and thus he befpeaks than, Hm irttf GMf CbildreM infirtmticf f ^fin^ timigb vriA reMlmcy^ and doeft not thou refifi ? dcthniatbefiartlMifindjybimrtJbiip^aM waPiUkmie/t y mayeftthpu not plead, tht evU Aaf I nmid $m' da^ that do If iftbouyidd^ wUrnt God aecmntk a ra^ tfm thma int^yf Ifthiisilurrowfticknot,
Fifthly^ Then he esctenuates the ofience, fay propoandmgfi)me* .imalIer^<N9^or convenience that n^tty/tfflbr that e^^ And thi% though it be a way of arguing diiedly opntmy c& th^ ndc^ Va not evil that good ffuj/i emuty yetit oftpioves too fiicce&fbl > and *tis like that common ftratagem of War when by the propolal of zfmatt booty in view, the Enemies ave dnawn tm rf their HMmto a fore^ntrhud Danger. Thus Satan pkacb. This a«e a afSm msyfin y9Hk$4aeapcu^0fh0n»mipgGiniaxmm. Sbme have admitted advancements and (Kgnities 4^11;^ OmftioKe^ num no better ground, but that they might %^ 09a Knaves^ and that they might be ma condition to be M^^ to good Men. purely the Devil prevailed with Lot by this Weapon, when he olfered the proftitutwn of his Daughters to the luftsof thi Sodoa^es that the Strangers C as he thought them ) might be pm&rved \ \tbia tvil ( thinks he } ^ gnaar may *e: aimtkd. Hmi's Confclcnee could not at ftrA coofent tp the cutting off the head of John Baptift Ut when Satan fuggefls the obligation of his Oatfc be concludes, that in the killingof 7rt6« heAouM eicapc the vtofe- tion of the Oath V ThuszfrkimUg9odtoamie,beam:szpaader to aprefeiit certain iniquity. Now if after all theft arguii^ the ConfciCBCtcarrieth an apprchenfion of danger, then
Sixthly, He plainly difputeth the /^ifcftft^ ihoHgb tkfin to commHid. AU the inOnuttkms of S«fii»CMd advantage by which Eve was tempted, couU not at fifihk^ out
her
her fears of the confequence of that trangreflion, it dfid ftick in licnzund iliU, :2^ j» xlk « then Sataafku^deayeth the dai^r flie feared, TeJbaB not Jkrely die^ the tbnatning ( fafth he ; it may he WM hit fir trial^ fir wkkont ajiri3 flni fofuipe purpofe in God to eoaetueh^ there U no cedainty that God i»M i/t good earnefi rphen be fp^fi. The Etevil ufually imcth the Mercy of God, the Merits pfKMilt^ im fMHlfif of Faiiiofl) the Infitmtiu of the Sainti,
ifm^m^ wdf^MMs^ Asc* FfofD dll tbofe .dt^wiog xhx% ooaiclaiiQn, ti^t w^ 4Raf venoire iipon the Te^pc^tioo wvhout ^ny apparesc hjwrd, 'Zk^i^ rsfrntu^ ^ftith.he^ ^nd that is an
e^work^to affamMf Sioul^ Ood is ready to ^ reconeiled^ even to a troHgal Son ) Jbe k notfi cr$t^ as toeofi aioay axyfar ^spndl nufttery kt "Am fp^aitf^o jhe^aeioas trii mt ly as tasAfir ^orsumsits and aeafiogsso dofkoym^ beMmsde^jfrsst^sinth^dsasiifaSiaastmU not eUli^ to t^ firiS exceptions againit every faHifig^ ,
If Satan can prevail with us to extenuate the Sin, to JUgbt the hazard, or any way to leflen it upon any of the forementioned -aoootmt^) tlK»4iavMg pdTiiflU « bdK)«e 1^ hig^ ^Mftdrnfions Jttidif^tmd firtisfiKSti0o$in the Sir^ he qwiA% ponwtdes to iM^^faeteoAoa, 4B4ttfii% a convMM^ Vf4 advpmge inic «K to<be4dpifed: ntd ms^Ehe indinBfyfermrt4)^¥M&m^ wfiMk U ^ ftoooA vmf f^ ttSj^iiotig|h. th^
' • ^ •^ ' t ^ »
^miffm^i^0mfmmmmmmmmmmr'^mmri^m9tmmmm^^rmt^m^^»r*''^mmm^rm0^^^^l^Mr*^'99^^mf'i^*i. i
CHAP.
f.
t t
^ aSCteaWeof Parti.
CHAP. XIIL
OfSAtM's diverting our Redfiff^ heiffg the third r^gy of ' J^lindiMg Men. Hit fclicies for diverting our thoughts. His attemfts tp thdt pnrfofe in 4 mortdire^ munner ^ v^ith the degrees of -thit Procedure. Of dijlurbing or diJlrdSfing pur RedfoUy much is Sdtdn^s fourth wdy of Minding Nbn. His deceits therein. Of precipitancy^ V SatdnjJ^th ipoaj of Minding Men. . Severui Jeceits to bring Mgn to thdt.
THirdly, Satan blinds the Son^ of Men by deomingand drawing their Ktsfin^ and taking it ofF firom the pibfitis of its diicovery or apprehenfions. For jUxnetime it cannot be in« duced to go (b contrary to its Light, as to call evil .good, either dinQly or indireQly : Then is Satan pot to a new piece of Policy i and it the frame of the Heart and the miatter of the Temptation fuit his deiign, he endeavours to turn the fiream of our thoughts either wholly another way^ or to fiitt them by turning them into a dead Sea^ox by (bme trick to beguile the Underftanding with (bme new drtfi of the Temptation. So that we may obferve in &taa ^threefold policy in a fubferviency to this detign : fbr^
Firft, Satan fometime ceafeth his purliiit and lets the matter fall, and thinks it better to chanie the Temptation than to continue a follicitation at (b great a difidvantagc. When he tempted Chrifl
Lulr. 4* 13. and could not prevail, he departed for afeafin with a purpofe to return at (bme litter time, which Chrift himfelf was in expe<9a* tion of^ knowing it to be his manner to ly in wait for advantages, and accordingly when his (uiTering drew nigh^ which Cashe {peaks
Luk. 12. 53. to the Jews,) was thdr hour and power of daH^^^ he foretold his
lefurn Upor> him. Now the Trince of this World comah: however, this attempt of his againft the Lord Jefus prevailed not, yet he (hewed his Art and SkiB in the Jk^ending of his Temptation to a more futable time. And the fuccefs of this againft us is fadly ,
remarkable :
/
•
Chap. I j. ^^tm'si XtntpmionSi 97
remarkable^ (or however we teh&j and at prdlent flmd out, ytt ' his (blicitatiotis are often like leai/en^ ^hich while 'tis hid in our thoughts^ doth not a Utile ferment and change thetn) fo that at his return, he often finds>aur Ijtfls fr^ared to raiie greater clouds upon our Mind. Many there are that >e^ firongly at pre(ent that which they eafilyJUde into, when Satan ha^h given them time to heath > that fay twill not^ and yet do it aften»ardt. ^ Secondly, He (bmetimes withdraws their conflderations, by -hnffng tiTem up with a confidence that they are above the T^emftati»n : As a conqnefi in a fmall s^rnnflf^ begetting an oifinion of victory, makes way for a total overthrow over a carelefs and fecure Army. We > ' > %*^ ^ * are too apt tp triumph over Temptations, becaule we give the firll on-iet with eaiougeand refblution. Chrift forewarned Peter of his denyaj, heftoutly d^es it, and not improving this Adver- rilement to Fear and Watchfiilneis, Satan who then was upon a defign to Jj^ i&ii«, took him at that advantage of/fcio-iiy, and by a contemptible inftrument overthrew him. Thuswhilewegrow ffeong in our apprehenfions by a denyal of a Sin, and undervalue it as oelow us, our Confidence makes us carelefs, and this lets in 019 i^e*
■ Thirdly, Ifthefe ways of Policy fail him, he feemingly comf^lieir . with AT, and is content we jttdge the matter finfid^ hit then he fraffefs hisfhvicetohingtispffbydifUnliionfj and here the Sophider ufeth *his skill to furtluir our Underftanding iii firaming exct^^ coyning evafions^ and fb doth otu-fhoot us in our «tpn Bow. The Cmnthi* ani hid learned to diftinguifli betwixt eating of Meat in an Tdolr Temple in honour to th Idol^ and as a commnFeafl in civility and xc^c£i to their Friends that invited them : this prefently with* drew their confideration, and fb quieted them in that courfe, diat the Jpofile was forced to difcover the &Uacy of it. The K'oelites curfed hinl'thiit gave a Wife to any of the Tribe of Betqamin : but when they turned to them in compaffion, th^ fa- tisfied themfclyes with this poor diftinAion, that they would not give tbm Whesy but were willing to fiiir them to^^^kg them. *Tis J«<Jg* tu i«, a common faare in matters of Promifc, or Oath, where CcMifci* ^'^^ * ence is ftardcd at a direS violation thereof, by fbrae pitiful falw^ or fiy evafion^ to blipd the Eyes j arid when they, dare not heal{^ the Hedge, TO leap over it b? the help of a brdkgn Reed.
5u? I muft here further pbferve,. that Satan doth fbmetimes fet ^fide thefe peewits afoirenf^entioned, and trys .his ftrength for the
QL withdrawing
\ I
withdratMig of aui confideiatioa from the daogcr of Sin, in a more flairi and dinS manoer, that is, hy amtkadug tbi frofitH of ibefivtetP afii pleafttta of Sin wuUr attr Eyty and whbal^ ^gi^ ns hy r^eatidfitkitathnrta a^ *bt tbtughn af the danger bekindonr ha^i In which he (b fat pcc\iails fomecinies^that Men are charged with a deep fcfgttfulne^ of God, his Law, and of themfclvcs, yet ufudllj it atifetb to this by degrees : As ^ .^ Firft,. when a Temptation is before ns, and- our confclence nluQs it, if there be any inclination to nctdz from a convidion, the nK)tion isrefified witii a/nrrt ngre$ and ibrrow. As the young /^/y Wan was faid to go amayfornafml^ whe» Chrift propounded (ach terms for Eternal Life as he was not wilUng to hear of : So do we, our Heart is dirided betwixt Judgment and AffeSion^ and we begin to wHb that it might be lawful to commit ftich a Siii, or that there were wkdangr in it 9 nay, often our w^s coirtradiA ' Dor fr^yen^ and. while we defire to be delivered^om the Temp- tation, our private wi(bcs beg a denyal totho(e fupplications. • Secondly, If we come thus far, we ufually proceed to the next Sep, which is, to giae a difimffion to theft thoughts that offofi the Sin : We fay to them, as Felix to Paul^ Go thy way for this timty and whm I ham a convenient ofportuniiy I mi find for thee. ' Thirdly, If a plai»difi»iinpn fiTveirat to ttptX thefts thoughts, Rem. 1. 18. we begin to imftkfm the Tntthitt Vnri^btofmfmfi^ and by a more X Pet. 3. 5. pereiuptory rehifal to Gallic it, and to keep it under, and become at laft mDhgty ignorant.
' Fourthly, By this means at laft the Heart ffcywsfkti/h andfor^ §ftfiA : The heart vstaikgn-aiacy^ as the Prophet fy^lsSj and the A do thefe thoughts of conviAion and warning at prefeat feri^ to^ gether. This withdrawing of our confideration is Satan's third
way of blinding us. Follows nesst
The fourth way by whidi our LvA prevails in Satan^s haiid to h&nd Knowledge and. that is by difiraOing and difiterhing it in Hr wwks This picceof fubtilty Satan ihc lather ufeth, becanfe 'tis: aicjptided with a double advantage, and like z txi^tdged Jmrd win cut either way. For (t.) A eonfitfion and dtftradion m the Dsdeiiianding, will^ hinder the eawt and dear apprebenfinu d thioaa, & that thofe principles of Knowledg cannot reach fo deep, TiOT be (b firm and fuJl in their application r For as the Sen&s, iP ' . aay way diftradedorhindrcdj thoughnet^ (b intent, rtriAneeds fii&r prejudice in their operations v a tbk/k Air orMif^nof enlf
hinders
Jiiaikrs che fr^ of the Eve^ but ilib wnSvK^h t6 i mifrqwfai* tAtion of Objedsx Thus fedie «nder(taiitling Iwkhred ^ coflfis fion. Hue (^) It ihit Ibcoed tU3t, yet by fhis he lunders^ fiaced^ comfbrt oTGod's^Childreti : 'Ti^ a^ioable to be hattoted with ^ii thov^hts* To work dii$ diftrtdjdn,
Firft, Satan iifeth ^ cUmor9Mi in^Mmmty^ and <iotih fo foHow us with SoggeftioDS, that what way Ibever we tuvn they fM(M us ') we can think nothing elie, or hjkrnothmg elfe, they are eret before U5»
Secondly, He i^rketh this 4fflttrbance hi our thou^i ts by kty^ ing ai^m of Temptations agaibft «5 \ iMny m ^noe^ tnd cfffhtral ^MT^ ttom m$bin^ &otaiPitboMj oh eveiy !fide, he gathers aB fiom Ihc Vian to xiie B^^keba of his^ £Ni;pi»v to^pre^ us with a -flapkitude ) ibtiiatwkile our thoughts dre dhfiikd about many things, they are lefi fixed and obfervant in any particular. . r T^dly, He icraethnes ^dea^ours^ nifemy m out i^ith long ^oU UeiiatiMs. Asthiofethat befiege a City, when they cannot jfa^, ibuieavtMt to Wade th6k Strength and f^rovifions by a htig Skgtk Bis dd^ \xi diis is to ctNne. tipon us C as AbkdfM c6unIeHed dbjblm ) when .v^^xe smeary •4MfPeali^band by watclnng adg jg^ seiifiancb. . > ; 1
. Fourcbly, ButJiisd^ef de%n'is to lake tht advaktap if any tratAk in/^fltd 9r ^mkntrd^ and £y Aht help of thts he dangeroetfly ^/c^q/et&ahddiifaradsourCoiff^ ifanybavei
^hJt^Kftecfiper'd^ctf ly under the apprehei^Bons of Wratb/tis eafie • ibr him io confound and ornate fudi, that they Aall (ocrceknow Yihaftht!/ dts ior wtiat ithey ^iEttAl(. Tfajelikevdratttag^hehatb \ firom outward Affli&ionS) and thefe <^port«iniries he the rathe^ takes, foTithele fieafons. '
Firft, nfiiafiy inward or outward trovbleB leaves fome jf ^ tr/ mmiumring and fiillennefs upon tftir Hearts, and of themfelres di« ilempei: our: Spirits with a fad inclination 4of^Bkjn mtri^^ or ^ to aS ummhAfeafy. J^ afflidk)n^birtered hiis Spirit, and Sal- tan mMTeth tot the advantage > then he cbmes upon him with Temptations, «nd prevailed ib far, thatliefpabe many things^in hisanguiih, of which he was a&amed afterwskrd,* and hides his iacefor it ) Onctbaw Ij^cigH^ but Iw3tm9 anfium : yn^titiee^but J Job4o. 5. ^ ipiS frpctcd itQ fiowxr^ . , .
Secondly, Ey xeafbn of our BordMi we are: Itfi'rmldy^ and more unapt to noake any refiftance. God hjmfclf exprefleth iht ^
0,2 ' ' condition
V-. V
too ZXttatiXttf Parti.
coxidilion of fiich) under the fimilitude of thole tba^ are grtat vritb ycmng^ who becauCe they cannot be driven faft> he gently leaif them: Bat Satan ktiows a finall matter will dilcompole them, and hereiQ he deals with us, a$ Simeon and Levi dealt with the Stcbmtta who fet upon them when they were fire by circumdiRon. T^irldly, Troubles oftbqmfelves occafion Confi^^ multitudes of Thoughts, Difttadtioqs and Inadvertencies. If Men fee k hazard before them tlicy are presently at thek wits end, they are puzled, they know not what to do, thoughts are divided, now relblving'tbis, then prefently rhanging to a contrary. purpofc. 'Tis feldom but of in s wudtitude of imrdt there U mttcbfoBy^ fo in a diftrafiion of Thoughts there are maiiy Mifirarriages, -and Satan with a little labour can i^nprove them to more y here he works unfeen, in thefe mtAled Wkm he toves to angle, becau(e -his Baits arenot difceraed. ;
fifthly. Our Confiderations and lUaibnings agatnft ^ are hindred by a bold fcnpord fredfbaney. When Men are hafted and prefled to the committing of Sin, and Hkfc the deaf Add^ flop their Earsagainft the voice of the Ckfrmer: in thiscafe thcri^llious Will is like ^furiouf Horfe, that takes the BriiUe in Im 7m&, and inftead offuhmtting to the government of his Rider, he carries him violently^ whither he wdbld not* Thus do Men' rufli into Sin as the H<»:fe into the Battel. The devices by which Satan doth forward this, we may obferve to be theie among others. Fir(t,He endeavours to aflrigh Men into an bopelefr^offrtoaiting againft bim, and ib intimidates Men that they throw down their.
,^; Weapons, and yield up themfelvcs^^ to the Temptation i they con-
dude there is no hope by all their kefiflance to ftand h out againfl him, and then they are eafily perCwaded to comply w kh him. To help this forward, Satan ufeth the Policy of StmlMenL, w&o ufually &>tfff high of their jirewgti^r and refolutions, that the hearts and eofirage of their Adverfaries failing, the ViSmy may faH to them without Jfrflj^y^ The Devil exprefleth a difilam and (corn of our weak oppofition, as Goliab did of Vavid^ Am I a Vog^ that thou com^ to me with Stdott f doefi thoH tUnkjofimd it otet agaiifimef ^tisiniwin to^ htd^ on thine Armour^ and therefore better r»ete it to fave thetroubUoffbriving than to fight to no perpofi. With fixch like
[^ arguings as thefe, are Men fometimcs prevailed wiA to throw
down their. Weapons^ and tO oycri-r on their Reafon tbrough fear- ^ and hopelefiielsv
Secondly,
th^ 1 3 . ^tm's Centptattonjs. tot ]
Seoondljr) Sometimes he is more (iibtile, and hy tbre^ing Men ^ d^fpn^ that f bey have canfenttd already^ he fms than Hpon debate 'sduentutts of gnng farward^ Thb is ufually where Satan hath 4i(ed nwy ibKcirations h^^^ after our hearts' have been urgied itrongly with a Temptation V when he fees he cannot win us over to hisi) then he triumfhs and boafts we are eoaqttered already^ and tfaat our tboi^ts could not have dwelt Co long upon fuch zfubjeOy but that we had a/ij^ifg to it, and thence would perfwade us to .
go on and enjoy xhcfiUneff crf'that delist which we have already fiotn privately, aver Sbooes^ am Boots. Now though his arguings here be very weak, (• &r tbough it be granted, that by the Aay oif the Temptation en our thoughts he hath a little entangUd us, it cannot hence "be inferred that it is our wifilom' to ^entangle our ftiy€9fitrtberfy') jet arcmany overcome herewith, and give up thenfifelves as alteady couriered, and fb give a flop to aAyfinther> jOonfidcvaticHU ^
. Thirdly^ When Men will not be trafmned into the Share hy the former delufions, he attempts to work them up to a fitddete Mdhafty refidve af jvmng v ne prepares^ all the materials of the ^in, puts every thing in order, and then carries us (z% he did. Chriit } into tfae^Mbootain^ to give us a profped of their beauty and glory : AIL tbefi ( (zith he ) mil Igtvethn > do bat confent^ and M online. N0W4 albeit there are arguments at hand, and' ierious confideratioiis to deter us from piadice» yet how are all laidafide by>aquick relblve ? Satan urgeth us by* violent htny^ (zs Chrift faid to jfttdoi) iphat thouhafi todo^ do it qnid^ > the Soul pafwaded with this puts on a fudden boldneis and relblu*- tion, and when Realbn doth offer to imerpofe^ it holdffafi thedoofy , . becaufe the fiund of its Mafierf fsH U behind it \ doth it not fay, to it (elf, CMe, wewill nateonfider^ let us do it qHickJy before theje lively confiderations eome^in to bhider m \ \is loth to be reflrained^ and conceiteth, that if it can be done before Confiience ojvaksn and ' make a noife, all is well \ as if Sin ceafed to be imful, becau(e we by a violent hafle endeavoured to- prevent the admonition of Con- iclence*' Thus they enjoy their Sia (zs the Ifradites ezt their. PaiTover ) in hafiey andmth their films in their hands.
Fourthly, Wb^ Opportunities and OccaGons will well (uit it.. He takes tte advantage of a ps^onate and fnllen Humor^ and by this means he turns us clearly out of our ByaG ;. Reaibn is tram- pled imdet-foot^ and Paifion quite over-^runs it.. At this • difad^
' vantage.
vaatage the Devil takes fvnah^ and hardens faiin t6 a flmnge ^ refolve of quarrelling God, , mdit^ifying hiaafelf in that lofolencf^ The Hnmer that Satan wrought qpon, was his ft^tfiil fidkfm^ railed up to a great height by; the difi^^kitinent of hiscipedla^ tioD, and this makes him break iput into a Ghottrid^^ iciohitiod) 7 io n^U to he angry. Had he been compofed in his Spirit, had his Mind been calm and fedate, the Devil ( furely ) could jicM: by any arguments have drawn turn up to it *> but when the Sfim is in a ragCy a tittle matter will ^iV fdealbD in Chains^ and pofli a Mati upon zJe^atecareUJh^<)fMg daaget/Chat toay follow v - (iita'bk to that expreffion of jfob^ chap. 23. i^* Let maUm that Imay J^CiB^^ and let come on me what mil.
Fifthly, All thefe are but fmall in compiuriibn oitbatcddibetiMit determinations which are to bef(u^ m(kb mt^h iSinnen^ who ait therefore^' {aid to . fin .yyith a^ hi^ |imm4 p'^^imflmmfy^ iMfidfy^ agduifi CohfcienteyOgaif^^
only atBong.thof^ whom a^i)(}(7i» of Sm faath faifrdtied and ton- firmed imp zhotdne^ of a. wicked way itAd qourfe. When the Spirits of l^en are thus1'irji€//«^^d prepared, Satan can;at pka- fure almo/l fom them into a deliberate refolve^ to caft the toeMffutMU ^ ment behind their hat^ aod t^refufifo beoH^n^. Wken any Temp^ tatipn is oifered tliem^ if God fay^, Mfjfor the iddfiubst^ widmiO^ therein^ '( as Jer. 6. 1 5, ) they wiH rdadily aiffwer. We -mil me jvjtl{therein : If God (ay, Hearkfftto$befii^oftheJrnm]^: thef Wiir reply. We xptll not heark^n^ Wbtftthe Pdople by a coUfft oif finning had made tbem&lves lik^jche midJfsjaitA to the M¥iU defn^l^ then d id they peremptorily fit t^ their Will agaitift all't be Keafon and ConOderationthatcould come in to deter themjchough " they were told the inconveniences, ( ^er. ^ a 5« ) that this did unjhoo their Foot, and aiBi^ed tiiem with Tbirfi and fFant^ yet was the advice flighted, there is nohefe (ftid they,) there is no expedation that we will take any (notice, of thefe. pleadings, (ca we h^vc fixed our relblve, If^e have laved Sirangp't^ and after^tbon mil rpe go. So Jer. 44, 1 6. As for the wotd that ^HmJfn^ jH^^ unto Hs in the Name of the Lord^ we will not hearkgn unto thee, btawe will certainly do wbatfievcr rijing.ffetb out of our awn Mouth. A plain and full refolve of Will difchargeth all the fowers of JCe^n, and commands it filence* Aqd th^t this is moft pfdinaty among Men, may appear by thefe frequent CKpreflioas of Scriptuse, wlieidn Cod lays, the blame of all that madnefs which their bves bring
forth
cfa^nj. mmei icttn^tations^, tot,
&Unfto«Jd pioceed fe firwith tfce genmlity of Men, an<f rfw JejiltouU-do that tba£ flionlii (eem lb inoanfiftent iw»h thoft PoBC^s wiuffb they ictaio, and the Light which muft ttCak trom}henct: BiitwenwftKtocmher, thatthefe mlhahdjhjfh
'fr^^fJ^^?' ^ ?5 }^^ '"^'^ P^« ^"'^'^ int creation of <beir Adfe and Carnage, which fpeaks as much, though it may be their Minds and Hearts do not fo formally mould up their TlH«»ehts imo fuch open zndbrazen-facd aflertions. And yet we ouftht aUb further » confide vjhat when, the Sfmt of God chargeth Man with wtlfuln,ff, there is furely mort Of ^ formal wlfklned m the heart of Man than lyeth open to owr vim. And this will be kfe Itemge to us when we call to mind.
Sixthly, That through the working of Satan the Minds of Men are darkned, and the light thweof put out. by the pre- vukncy oiAMud Prm^la. Something of Atheifm is by moft c^ul Tempt. Divines concluded to be m every Sm, and according to the height of It in Its vapous degrees, is Reafiin and Cobfideration o^«i turned ; There are, it may be, &\i that axe triftffed Atheifts in ^finiMy and Dogpaatically lb,but all rwj^J Men arc lb « Praakr, • though they-profefs God, yet the Fnl faith in hu hm, that k ■ m -GodfiMi .in their var^tbejt dam biin. This is a Principle that dir«aily ihifees at ttfc root : fot if thac be no God,, m Htit or PmiSmtnt, .wJ» will bcfiand from taking bis delight in $in fay any. fiich confideraciaa JLTte Dc«il therefore ftrives to in- - • ftil this Poyfon with his Temptation. Wheo heenticed Etebr {fearer infindatioiiv he Sra^ijiulHtnt the truth of the threataiiig a^ then proceeds. to.an opeTidetiyil oHt^yefballmfitrdydus and 'ti« pteio, -flie was induced to the Sm upon; zfteret dith^li^of the danger i . Oae reckons up the advantages, gaodfor Food, tUafant to thtiEyey fa ht.d^ttdto makg tut wifi ; wherein 'tis evWcnt (be be- lifivpd, whaoSateit had, afl&aied, that tbeyflfeuld h m God, and then it was cot tor Jje feared that they fliould die. This kmd of Jl^K^mis c6mmon > Mea may not disbelieve a Godhead, nay they tasf Mim tJwek^God, and yet qtu^imWit truth of his threat- tiii^f. Tfaofe conceits tJiat Men have of God, whefeby they mould afdvitamMmiin tbdxfandtfj Atable.to their humors ( which is zfhvt^g th^hejf.fitt^gnont.m okrfilves) are Streams and Pial. so. Vapours l&am t^ Pit, and tlje Hearts of' the Sons of Men are
* de^eratcly
104 Z%tmitt^t • Paat
de^atety/if tritbin thtm to do tvil^ upbu'tfiefe grounds^ intich more when they ariCf to high as fai fomc who (ay^ DotbOmlfymf If that kiffowhdg in the mojl High ? If Men give way to this, what reaton can be imagined to (land before them ^ All the couuofna- tions of Saipture are derided as £o maxnj Umlogieal fean-Cm»r^ and undervalued as fi> many pitiEd contrivances to keep Men in awe#
CHAP. XIV.
dfSatM-s mAinUimng bu FcffeJ/tm. Bisjirji Engmefor that furpofe^ ishisfinijbifigofSin^ iff its mterdtUn and AggYAvatUn. His tolUits herein.
HAving explamed the fvt ways by which Satan through the power (H*Luft caufeth blin^neJs of Mind in tempting to Sin, I ihall next lay open Satan's Devices for the h^tfing and wauiiainhtg bis Pvffeffionj which are thele :
Firft, He endeavours C after he hath prevailed with any Man to oomnait an Iniquity ) to jini/h 5m, Jam* r. 15. After ^tk cm^ iwnd^zxA hm^fmb^ then ^th finked i wfaidi notes its growth and increafe* This comprifeth thefe mw things, its KAtrathn^ 9nd its jiggravatm*
Firft, lis Keiteration^ is when by/ri^MEMt ii£Er it is ilrengtbnied, and confirmed into an habit. There ate vvdomfi^s by which Men alcend into the fiat oftbe Scifrnfki^ Nemo r^te tmfifflmHSy 'Tis not ontaQ that doth denominate Men wifitodoeuih In TfaL I. David ihcws there ztc gradationr and degrees of Sin, fome tvalkjntbe counfihf the Vngodly \ fome by progrefi and continuance of Sin ftand in the w^ of Sinners v fome by a hardnefs of He^t and fixednels in wicked Purpofes, fttmsbefiatnftba Scorn/ft^- To this height doth he labour to bring his Proielytes,' yet he fuf* ther defigDS>
Secondly, That Sin may hate its utmod accompIiThmeots in alt the aggravations whereof it may be capable. • He Ifarives toput • Men upon (lich a courieof finning as may be. mnjit fiandalmtr to
the
Wisnf^ 1 4« Batm^0 Xtmptations. i o ^
the Gofpel) mofttrfnarMg and offcnfive to others, mhII bardnuig aod dtfperate to out fefves, m^ cffiiffiue and provoking to God » in this he imitates the coonfel of AbHtfhd to Akfdmy when fab advi(ed him to go in unto his Fathers Concubines in the Gght of all Ifr^ that (b th( ineach betwixt him and his Father might he widned to an iaipoffibilky of recondHation. Thus he labours " that Sinners Qiould 2e6t at fuch a rate of open defiance againft Heaven, as if they rejilved to ly JUwn in their iniquity, anowdre purpofed nwer to thi^ofretmrning and making up their peace . with God. That Sin may be iinilhed m both chefe refpedb, he ^ uTeth thefe Policies >
firft, After Sin is cii€ie committed^ he renms his Motions and SoUicitations to ad it ^aiti, and then again, and ib onward till they be perfed and babituattd to it» In this cafe he a^s over again the y^niwrinetM by which he firft enfnared them, only with fuch alterations as the. prefent cafe dothineceflitatehim yoto 9 before he urged for the committing of it but onee^ ( how little is he to be trultcd in thefe promiies, ) now heurgeth them by the vpy aO they have already done, Is it not apUafant otfro* fitabUjmto thyvetytscftriamf ba^ thou not tafkd ana fien f bi^tkm not already eonfinttdf tafteandtryagtmjandyetfkrtbery tritbdraa^ no^ thy band. A little Temptation foved before,lKit a k& (erves now > for by y iekiing to thcfirfi Temptation,our hearts are (ecretly ehdintd to the Sin^jami we carry a greater affedion to it than be(qre:fi>r this i^ the )?^Vi and defilement of Sip, tijat when once committed, it kaves hnPreffions of delight and love behind, which are ftill the more oftpmnted by a further frognfs and frequent commiflSon, till at lait by a (Irong power offajanathn it bewitches Men that they cannot forbear \ all the entreaties of Friends, all thejj^ own Pro- mifes, all their Refblves and Purpofes, though never (b ftrong and fetious ( except God frrike in to reicue by an omnipotent hand ) can no more refirain them than fetters of Straw can hold a Giant. God bimielf owns it as a natural in^^bility^ Can the Ethiopian change bit skin i no more can ye do goody and therea(bn of that impoflibility is from hence, that they are acct^iomed to do ml. Such ifaong and powerful inclinations to the fame fin again are begot in us by a fin already committed, that Some- time oneaQoifim fills fbme Men with as vehenmt ztA faffionate diftres for a further enjoyment, as ^^om and continuance doth others. -4/«/Ji/i:reports that Ali^'tus when once he gave w^y to the
r R Temptation -
io< Z %tmtiU tx ? . Paul.
T<mptatk)i| of beholding d^ Gladiat$tf^ was bewitched WiA fuch a delight that he oiot only de&ed to crnie ag^id miA ^kers^ hat^^brfongtbiri. Netthex is it ^uiy gseat woiidcr it ihould b«r(b) wlkn ( beiides the lakrlimdoDS that ate begot iii \a by a^y^ of $ip t^ neooawit it •){ .Sioipius iis imtf rfGotfsftp^ t^Giimy deMiMes and vifeakess. our GvictSy jtrenffhens Satan's
- Arm, and often frqams him fiartber power aiul comraiffioa againft U5. .
« . Secondly, Satan endeairouis to make one Sin an engstgsmm
tp another, and to fcawe Men to drsa(> In^mtj mA cards Sf^V^kf.
Vtov, 30. 9. V Jgur notes % concatenation in Sins, Mi 1 fieMi snd tghg $h$ Name
rfGUh vm. 4dam finiling tai the fbifaidden f mk, junI pro- flfUCPCd ^iky by his Conftience, tons in&o another fin kt the
- ^i^cuie oi the forn^t, th$ Womm that thou^gsvefi me^ &c J>a^ 2ffoxds af^d Miance of this, the lin with Baikflf^ba being coat^ putted, 4ndik wkh Child upQn it, T>acii ca Hide the (iMbc of
~ '- i)i$Qffcnc« (i) f^oeyitieattf pretends great hindneft toViriab.
yAj^^ef ^z^) When th^fs fervednot, next he nakcs kim etntnl^^ and it
may be He imt^d noany others in diat fin zsjtoc^/m^ ( jO What ^is^ ^urfe failed^ his heart conceives a mrpeie anii icfiiltition. lp. mrni^ huxK ( 4«^> He cvuelly makes Kim theMMwj^ of his owM defiiu^ion^^^ C 5- ) He engageth jfcaAinir, f A > AnSitk^ ^c^ih Q^timy of lu^ Souldiers. (7.; Sy this puts the viholt ^^frmyMfOf^ aA batumd^ ( 8*} Em^^ the bl^y ^os^vance^
•^ ^ — by Brmdeacf^ ($(•) Idk aN ulingiUIIxhe 6«i^ of diffimulkrionw
Skf^n )ffipiw$ hsm nainral it is for Mot to hide the jMifof thdy inlgnicy^ and Vicisodkigly prpisides occafions, and prbvocatieu^ to dtiye, then»ofl tO{u)u4ld;of neosfi^ry^ .'Vthitdly, ^y.^.p»vetfitr^frfeMatimaftbeJhae<^^^ Mm^ he draw^ on Sin to an higher oompleatikKnt* How often dpth he let before us the Mifciy, Afflidioo, Contempt^ Cjpolfes, and SadneAesofthe one^ and the jollity^ Ddigbtsi, Pknty^ Peace, Honours, and Power of rfie otheri? It was- li Tenaptation tl^t had aimoA brou^t Havid to atiAibeij^cal i^lve againil alt 1^ legions duty, and that which he oh{ei\^d bad prevaikd altogether with many ProfdTors, Pfah 73. Whcp thejt obfexved tbeymre not in troHbk lik^ 9iber Mififlxid that their Ntouthand Toiague had heeninfi>leitf againft God, without any x^buke or checit from him ) when in the iDQean time, the Godly mre^ftdgwdaU the day, and chaj^Mfdwfy nmmg ; feme ( <tbat were in ppofellion^ or tiVi-
ination
ISttjp.
1 4* ^^t&tfs Cetiipeat(dtt<8f. i^r
jnuidfi Qt kaft,God's Feo^) cetufned to tate up^t4i^[e though^i, /^ml to rtfi>l«c upott io^li jitadt ices^ vttf i a als if GtMl ivho fees all theicwidyfi> nmchixtence, tmiO l»e flxpp(^ai ktioWingly to give fbme countenance to fuch adions. This indeed ( when * .*tis profccutcd upon ourhearts iait^&xU ilrengti^mth thofii ugly fuTinifcs, jealoufies, and mifapprehenfions that are wont to ac- ^ company it) is a fadOep.to a dc(peft tc^gle^ of duty and a carc- k&tCs in finning, W tnat ft injcnfihly introduceth Atbeiflical im-. prcfl^.ns upon the heaf ts of Men, and liich are apt to cafdi hokL ^v<q upon good Mcn^ who are but too ready to lay, as l^avid^ I ' boM el^afijtd my hdkdf'ittvain,
^Qur^hlyo ^tan hath yet another piece of Policy £br the mul- ttplii^tion and aggravation of Sin, which U the ^nmty 4td mofi^ tion of the Law. Of this the Apbftle Taul (adiy coinplains from his own experience^ Kom. 7, 8. Sin taklngoccafionbythe Command^ menij vmmgbt inmeaU manner ofconcufifitnce. "What he laments is ihis, tbi^iubbiis tfcc/mtfr/2^ that the La W \^
fyoA of re/fe-MBh^ u^rdoth the more iwa^i^ u^ fo that ^tUnfijfy th^ Law. doehniitkiply Sin : lot when the reflrraint of tbc Lt^ i$ Mbre.ns, Liiftbunis nor only motd iiMrardly, but whM.ft i^^nsiOC liekqpit ina^d finotkocd, then k \xtdks out wkh greatet Tk>IeDce,: JAi mhad^tbm hndt aftoukf^ Afc. i^hen the lAv¥ wcAtKmi out LaSsi^ (hey giowB (uriy and' def^irate, LePweai and ^tkjifi^ i« riim-M» 9€ OfA, '&1C4 If any wdtnler that the LaM^ . ( which was given of purpde to rcprei^ Sin, and which is of (d ff^t ufein ies aatfaorlty to klH k in us, and to himter Tempta^ t|i9m,.j} flioiild thiis<be ufed by Satan to encreafe and ei^ge kl they may cenfidevth^t 'tis but 4Ht viiaceidMal (kcaJUn^ aitd not a cjm^^ add Smt^Ag^ ibif^$€e^m ^kHont ady ftult of the Lawi j.^^ Ab(aIom Satan to this: end 1*mKidUfi& the tiMe when oi»he»ts ate moifAft^ hh fir^anti n^ly fct upon cnir Lufts, when our de&es are moft h%hly m^ watchid when g^ged, and then by zfubnU Art fo oppofeth the Law ( ktting ^"^^j' in it's contfadiftiops in way tiki meaiiire fii^hle ) that our hearts ^^fk wimK conceive a pnigt at leftvaint, w)iich together v^ith kd earntfin^ to JitUfyw Fi^, arifedi op to ^fitrioks insdn^ aftid violent driving to tnauiiain a Kberty and freedom to do acoording to the d^es i^ theis iieart 9 v^hereas thisfimi h(tm^ if it be applyed to the heart when 'tis morecookd and no^'fb itgbly $ffgagU upon a defiga^Lufty wall kraJ^ *»t^, and i^^MPrmrheut, and put fygh t d^ ufon TemptatUMS that they fiiatt not be able to ftand 1 ' R 2 before
n
I
-<
-I
io8 :S 5Creatjfe Of Patti/
befimit. So g^t a di/farence is there in the ifarht^fiafins of the application c^ this Law 9 in which Art, for the enflaming of the heart to iniquity, Satan Aiews a wonderfi]ldexterity«
' J
CHAP. XV.
Of SdtM^s keefimj^ all iff ^uiet^ rphifh is hkfeco9$d EnpM for kcefing his Fojf^ffipM, and fir thdt purpofe his ketf^ ing us fr0mgpiffg to the Light ty fever id fmiities •, Mfi
pf msJcing ns rife uf sgainft the Light ^ dsUfyrphat tpsjes he doth that.
s
Ltan's next Engine, for the mamtaining hi^Pofleifion , sr u kg^ ^m qmis: which obr Savionr notes^ Lirf^ r r. ax* HHm sjtrofig$iumamiedkgife$bbkfataeeybk^ He ux^
geth this asainfi thofe that, bbjeded to him, that he caft odt De^ tUs by Betemv^, whidi calumny he confoteth, by (hewing the in* confiftency of that, withSatan'sPrincipIesandDe^n) ifbenig a thing fufiiciently known and univerfally pradiled, that no man will dtfit^ or diptii againft his own feaceaUt Pog^§n \ neither can it be fuf^ied Satan will do it^ becaiiiehe ads by this common Rule of keeping dowta andhindring any thing that may di^uiet breach of Peace, is hazardous to a TNDlTeilion > an uneafie Govern- ment occafions mutinies and revolts of Subjefts t yet we might think that (the wages of Sin, the light and^wer tof Conioence conlidered,) it were no eaiietask for the Devil to rule his Slaved with fo much quiet as 'tis obferved he doth > his skill in this parti- cular,aMi the way of managing his uitereft for foch an end, wc may clearly (ee, in J^3. 20» Evety^ne tb0t dotbanl^ hatdbibe ligh^ mi^ tbtr eomi^hto the ligbs^ l^ bis deedi^/hotdd be teprwed. From which place we may obfme t (i) The great thing that doth difquiet Satan's Poirefl[ion,is Ligh^ (2) Tnereafon of that.diiquietment is, the difiavery ibaiJJgbt aul^, and the Jhan» that follows that
difirovery. (3) The way to frevens that Light, and the reproof of it, is to avoid taming ^ ir > and where it cannot h» avoided, to bate it. 'Tis Satan's faufineis then £i»r keeping all in peace.
(O To
Ci ) To keep lis fnmtU Ligh \ or if that cannot be, then C^ ) To make us rifi up agMifi it. I fiiaU make enquiry after both thcfe projeds of ihe DeviL ,
To keep us from Goming<to the Light, he uleth a great many
■ fubtilties: as,
Firft, for his onvi pert^ he forbears to do any thing that might difcmfoft or a/fright eBtan^e4 Souls : at other times, and in other cales he loves to torm&it and af&ight them, to cau(e thdr Wbundsr tQ jfjiii^and corrupt v but in this cale betakes a contrary courie, be keeps^off Cas much as- may be) all re/kSwts of Conicience y he Of neeaU the ev\] ai^d danger of Sin, he ji^f^/ thimaflttf in their fo% tiU a dart firths **''«# *^ 'wr^ atid hafteiis them to the Ptor. ?• *j* bkate^asa^birdtbat kpmvitb n§ttbat it is far birlife. They that fliall'
. €oniider, that the heart of a finner ishardned through the deceit— &]ne& crif Sin > and that the greateft part of the affirightment^ that molefis theconfciences of fudi^ is from Satan's /vry and ma- lice r they will ealily conceive howmuA his (feg/e forbearance to : moled, may contribute to the peace afideaftof thofe thatare/iN lid upon thdr lees ; but befides his fothUfpinct^ wj^ may exped that what ever chads or dar^fs he can mCt to exclude theLight,or to ^ muffle the eyes^ he wiU Hot be negligent in the u(e of that power
> whatever he dm pofitively do in the raifing up , the corfiaence of ^ prefumptibn or fecurity in the Minds of Men » what ever he can ^ do to make them fottifi or careleis, that (hall not be wanting.
Secondly, he jbews no lefe skill, and diligence hyfeeret contri^ voHets to binder occaiions of reproof, and difix>very h how much he can pradiie upon others, that out of pity and compaffion to* - the Souls of Men, are ready to draw a finner';/Jwirf/&e errour 0/ hs , wayy and to Jove a SoklfronpdeatL^ We can firarce imagine what ways he hath to divert znd hinder them, by what private difiou^ ragements he doth defes them, who can teU ? He that could difpute with the Mgel about the body of Mofis to prevent the (ecret in* Jud. ^, ferment of it : he that could giveajf^^p of One- and twenty days l>^^- j^"^- to the Angel that was to bring thie comfortable MefTage to Vd* fiiel, of the hearing pf his Piayers, may more eafily <?*/frKff and oppoie the defigns of a faithful reprover. Some time he dotll this by ^fible means and indruments^ ftirringup the Spirits of wicked men to give oppofition to fuch as feek to deliver their Soulj^from the Ubodof men, by faithful wirntngs or exhorta? lk>n$ : Tii&DeviUi»s (a cartful to keep Jtroboam quiet in his fin-
«
fitl couri^ of J^olMfYi tfa^t* he^fio's^up Amsxisb tof bahiA 4*^ irom the p>urt« left hi$ pbin cfealinK fliouhi ibrtle or a wakra^be Confcienccof the King i i<#«(7j 7. 12, 13. C9yfltetbee aarj^ka^tlie hnd of JifdabiScCf knt fnft^vnptj^minMP&the fvy-^i^lstbe Ktngf Cbi^d^ it if the Kings Cotirt. . .:'t
^ ^ ThiwBy,; ][n c^d^x to the Acdpieg out the Light from the «on- . fdcjQces of Meq, he lofitiuittes himfelf as « />f^ Spirit^ ma fhe mafttbt^of fome of hismer^^i^rUs i and they .^k./nifltfii tkiftgr and ^e/f to Satan's Captives \ telling thcm> that they a^re in a .^J9Qd Goxidition % CforiAiaq$:good eoougb, a»d may gi[> to jHea\reii as we|l a^th^ prr^ifeft : ^tia a fault iikmfaulfflti Afiyri^^, «h«y <{o , '^he Devil this fervice,<^. highly poaj^pbins of it* ^jSktf.i-i.
, yiyi%5 fme^pws^ ,v^rtb^$ iinppt4cei fctek*, if|* 10. Jb^ ba^ f^dwed m/iftcfki fi^ipg, - Pe^^ 09djtbfrejKitsn$pe4a^ and<mhHik
( T^!f^^^ ^ the^oprA U^Iy tapts^diL hocwie it takes the ad- y^ni^ e^ the hnmiif^ who;mtisra%
think thh^ qT then^liiMh i^iKidclight that others fhouM fpeo^ what 4bfy vmli b^m tbm > fi) that when Men hjr the DeviFs Jnftigatioa prophefie df ceit to finful Nfen, 'tis wa& Kkely they IhoiUd be.bM^ i^iog Sk^y deike fuck ftophets, Mdhutto
hmitfos , •., *. .;- i . • ; . c -. ;
Toyrthly, ^atan ke€|^ the Light, % ^^fcbkig mo^ tbe mrd after it ify5»pa.This policy pfhis,ChrittC3ijMrcfly di&avcxs,Ua$b. i j, 1^. Whn 0nyQn€ b<arethtbi »W^ 1^ Ki^t^mand undafiandetb it mt^ ^m mneth tbemid^d 4me^ 4nd cMdntb m^ tbj$ wbiA wss fom in fjis heart : f^ch ppp^cwitie^ the D^yil doth nanowly watch i to be Cure he will he prdfeot at a Setmon, or good dif- courfe, and if he petceive any th»^g fpohen that may 'endaoger his peaceable Poifdlion, how buiie is be to withdraw the heart, jbmetime by thcfigbt of the Eyes^ fometitnes by vmAmghtr of buGnefs, occafions, d^Hght% W^A what not \ and if thiscpme »ot up to his end, then he iqndeaypurs, 4fier M^ ba»i beard; to jnftte all out by impertinent Vifio^rfis, ttrgfnci^f of Iinploymcnt, aad a thoufand fuch di vertifcmen ts, that fo Men naay not kythe wamiag to heart, nor by ferious meditation to apply it to their Conicien- ces.
Fifthly, He foraetimes fm^s out the Light by Perfecution. TliQfe hevcrs M^M3.2p^?x. .thtthad.r«ciwd the Word with
£otaQ
C^pii^ ^mteit:tntptiXti6nsy
Ibme. woiklug? of ?fleaion$^ and jQy>. a«t /rr/?«*/>? dghuUdnim
Purfeaam^kiCaHfe rftbt f^ard,/arifetb. By tWs, hc thr^tcns Mctt into aa«c^!€^ody>iii th^ prefeBt^^DttUlieii^ thztiftk^defa^
njew, and;H^tr<d6 i.ha^ffi&s)fhtH that them, md fay this means he ftares Menfrdm the Light.
Sixthly, He Cometimcsjimthers and choaks it with the dtres tf thtVf^arld. As ib4>(^ that xeceiveJ Seed amoDgThovnes f by ear- aefi ei^agements ia buiineg^ all fhat tm^^ilxttkffh aod zSkSA^ on which OjouU have beeo lafdouc in tbc.pro^cption o£ Efelven* ly things^ af<s wbpUy laben «p ai»l fpent on owltwaol thmgs $ by thk means that Liglit that iim^ into the htfart&of Men, is negkdad and put by* • .
; Sevfnthly^ He (laves off Men gop^conttogtoftfad Lights fay. putting thwiVi'potmifaffnhtf^^ BfiMt^m judgjtngtfaoiw
fijveslby tjiecoaunooopioion. Sa«aii hath To faeprdfatlcdwiiA) Men, that they arehcconaeconftdpat ofrhisconceit^ jSi* Jfew' mff tJkg A m^irau Uber»)K U SiMifng^ diut yik neveribehfi iein ^r gpod c$ndkUH V tbss^ Sin ir mafi grtu ik'm^Hr in G(^*s ^eutky m ift iJk jmlgnmtcf Jwurifffom fi^^fim^ thst Ik t»iS n^lthafieiiarfmii U-wmpI^ vi4m$ me sb mifi^ W /5we firilfs ttcftfffurj ^m , What cafii ^oi gijceatcs hiadf ^c^.; Xf that i^g^oas ]^«(c^.itei(^' osumi^^^ tion, and impartial judging, or fliamingour felvesforcmritti^. qftisics> f vhif* tfie.LigjH pE Sqriptvwic Wowld ei^*ge ununto ) than fudi a conceit as thi??^ and yet that this opinion isnotom-. Jy <50nii|wvbut,jincientj, is. naanifert by tbqfie waiptngsand cau- tions ^rq* by the Jfx^k tojthe wn trary* Gak ($.j. Be H9f dtm- v$d^ Cod U nqt p9od^dk tpfyatfomr a Man,Jmeth-fha$fi9dl htalfo reap. Epb. 5. 6. J^e^aontan dmhjtyote^ wkb vain rv^ords^ farbeeaufi oftbeft tkiHgf 4omeiip ^ wfatb sfXJodf^QO the .cliUdnH af difobedknce. If it. bad nQt beTOufual foj ,Men to Jive in Uncleanncfe, Core- t<)f^iin6fsa|)d &ah U]j;e.oifcnc^s :( which hzcAWsfemng uthefiejh) and yet in., t^e Hiidft ,of, .thefe, to thinjc they were ^01 under the ha- zardof Wrath > or if Mwi had not profefiedly and avowcdjy niain- t^ed fuch .^nppinion>it had bi^eo^fliperfiiious for the Apoiile to l-^ve warned' us y^'v^ fo mudi-earneltnels,- Bj not deceived^ te no. malt deceive you "wub fksb vain: myds,
; :Bightbl)^,. r,TU',V&i^l' for Satan to ftiU and giiiet th§ ftirriitg • t\fmiij^ts<^ Si^ hof^s iiid^arjfi^es. officrefie. As diUdren
a|e .4«i«ted>i|4 pteafc<J^ W«h/to^ff5fKl,.rattl€% fq are .Sinners..
lit
HI ZTtttLtWiW
put off, and diverted from profecuting the dilcoverics that the Light would make in them, by this conHdence, ibai though they have dMi amipt^yti their trnjamriaget JhaB mt he hid apen^ . i^ manned hefwte Men. 'Tis incredible1x>w much the hopes of conceahnent doth (acisfie and delight thofe that have Ibme (enie of GCiilf. Ifa. J. f. Soipetinae Men are Impudent, that *fcy declare thehSin as Sodom,
they hide it not : But before theyaniveat (b great an Impudency, ihey ufually fiek^ deep to hide their connfel from the Lord^ and their wofi^arein thedati^ andtbp'fsy^ tphofiethmf and whol^orpetb mf I£i.2p.i5. ^Likethotefo^ilh Creatures that think them- feivesfufficiently concealed by hiding their heads in a BuOi, though all their bodies be expofed to open view. Ifa.2%.1 5. Thole chat made lies their refkge^ and under faljhood hid tbemfelves^ became as confident of their fecurity, as if fhey haAsfnade a covenant with deatby asdtPtrt as an agreement rvisb bells and when they have con- tinued in this oouife Tor/fome time with impunity, the Light is fo banilbed, that they cairry it (b, as if God oblerved their A&ons
Job. 2»» 13* ^^°^ ^° ^^^ ^^''^ ^ '^^^^^ ^ ^^° ^^' ^^ ^^ Godhifomf ( fay
they J can be judge through the darl^chmdsf thickjdouds are a cave^ ring to bim that bejeeth not *, and hence proceed xhey topromile tfaemlelves a (afety from judgements, fiP&a the overftmingfeourge Jhaltpafs tbrougb^it fiaB not come nigh unto lu^forwe have made Ike our r^fuge^ &c.
Ninthly, Satan keeps them from going to the Light by demurrs and del^s. If the Light begin to break in upon their Conlciences, then he tells theiir),^hat thae is time enough afterward :. Oh C laith he ) tlMtu art young and bafi many days before thee^ ^tis time - enquf^ t^ repent rrbenyou bepn to he old : or^ * thou art a Servant^ an apprentice under command^ thou tvanttft Jit importunities and coaveni-' encies for ferious confideraiion defer till thou vecomejl free,, and at thine otpn di^JaU That this is one of Satan's deceits to hinder us from making ufe of the Light v ( befidcs what common experience may teach every Man; maybe clearly gathered from the exhor- tations of Scripture, which do not ontyT^eir us, ti&e rray^wherein i»e ought to walk^^ but alio prefs «f to a prelent embraccment of Heb. 2.7- ^^^^ Counfcl h Todayy to day^ vMle it h called to day^ harden not 1 Cor. 6. !• your hearts. Notv is the accepted time ', Norv is the day of Salvation^ Ecdef. 1 1. 1 . Remember thy Creatorin the days of thy youth bejbre tin evil day comes : lla. II. u. if ye wiU enquire^ enquire,, yea return^ come. This hafty urgency to ' ' clofe with the oficred occaHoiis, plainly accule us of delays, and
that
that it is pfii^l.vfitl) tis to iid^vnra thbfe thoBgiNts^« fitttt -(im- port unity>^^^ we mt siM milliiig tsi aoinfif mdi 'fat 4he {Hre* Ccnu
By theife ;f i^e <!eTiccs he keqps (be "Light GBOmtpimr^d Siftnefs, or them 6^om c<)i&ing to. tbcl^gfat. But if all tliis oamiot dmw a curtain before thp Sun, if its bright beams bitaksthfi^b ail, ib that it caimot be avoided, but tbeie will be a manifaftation and diicovery of the bidden Mngs §f daitkpefs % then Satan ufeth all his art an4 pUnmiig to fiir up in the bnrts of Mm theif kamd agffifift the Ligbl,
This is his Second grand piece of Policy to keep all hi^gaiet uoder bis comm^d, to whiich purpofe/
Firfi, He mkavoins to draw on a "hatred againft the Light, by rai^Dg in the minds of Men a frqudite agnnfi ^ ferfwtbdt brings or ofir$ k: if he that warns or repfovei, exfvds hinafelf ai^ thmg n^armlyy or ettttinpy agunfi his bxochers Sin, this th^ Devil pfitSsBtly mahesufe of > ^pd tlKsCcdnat ave coneeraed think ^ they have at )uflcaoIetojb^iiE«0^ air/, and J^^ ^kir neck<^ he^ caiife they conceive, that anger^ or iff-mff, or (bmefuch k^thing jdiddi^tfethoreC though^) rebukes. The Devil turned the heart cf Jhab againft the feitfadiiil Iwartiisgs of UufmA upon a ileep psejudiice mat he had taken np^Ramithim ; for (b he cso-, preflfith himfclf to JAop^at^ IhaH him^fir he n00efpr^h^tb\ii^g^,^^ 9 good nmo m. In tUs caie; Men confider not how j^, hovf tndyy bo WjATP^^/y any tbkig is fpoken, but (as fi>me Infedts that feedup^n Sores> rhey pals bf; wl^tis found and good, andfi^t uponth^tvrhichisitopuptaiidput^ eicllerthr^ and iiKibierrancy of the t^awt^ or fi«€nd.ed xc^ be fuch j iy ^ the " ^^^i^of the /^wfeich doth akogether 4ifaiblehim to'pot t light cojoftrudtionupon any tiuAg.
^CDQ^, : If this help not,, then he fdeks to get the advantage r : pfa/'rm^, .psffiosate, or otherwife difiempe^ad fit, and then iiatred i^ eafiIy:pix)onted againft any tlHog^ tbat com^s inMt$
Thirdl^j.Sfltan endeavours to enjeage our- hotri&d agamft the Mghto I>y ptrfcmhig our intend afJhH^^ or ertdaiigcred by it. If Interett <m 'be drawn in, and made a party, 'tii not difficult topbtallthc f.40oMs^c£z MaiimJflw/,^^ give open ^fianceto any Difcovery it can make. That great rage and tumult of Kings and People mentioned in ^fsd. 2. combining and i^ng coOn/el
S againff:
•1
^ahfi t]^I^^an4 his Laws, is upon the qMrrel of Intereft: their fufpitioos and jealoufies that tl^ Jhting tif of Chrift upon his Thione would tclipfi their power and greatneis, makes them (out of a defperate hatred againft the Light)' fall into refolves of open Rebellion againft I^s Laws : Let us breaks bit bands ajfun^ der^ and caft at^ay bis cords from w. This pretence of Intereft firengthned the accuiation of Ank^abzgzm& Amop^ Cba^. j. io« Ams bath conj^ired agaiffi tbet in the nua^ of tbt boufe of Ifiad: the Land is not able to bear aU his words. No wonder then if j^e- roboam inftead of hearkningto the threat ning, banifti him out of the Landt. We find tht like in Afa (z good man) t[ie Devil ftirs %Chx.i6.%o. up his hatred againft the Seer, he was wroth witbhtm^andftstlnm in the ?rifon4)09^e ^ for be was in a rage agaiffi- him. The ground of that rage was ttd^ > the JCiffgV Inter^in his apprehenfien) was wrapt up in that X«|g«« with the King^of Syna^ vcrC 2 ,3 • fo that he could not bear fo. pldn a reproof, which ikoStlj laid the Axe to the Root of fo great an Intereft, as the (afe^ of the King and Kingdom, which feemed to depend 1q much upon that League, . .
.Fourthly, Satan ftirsup hatred again(t the Light from the m^ avoidable EffeSs of Light, which are difiovery and manif^ation. Ephef. 5. 13^ AU things tbaS an reproved are maikmanifift:for wbat^ . foever doth makg manifeji^ is Lights Nowtheii!ueof this mani-- feftation isjhame^ which however it be the datsgbter of Sm and Light, yet would it naturally d^oy the Sin that bred it v and therefore Rep^tanceis ufuaUy ezpieiTed by being a/bamed andcon^ founded: but that Salftn nolgbt avoid this, be turns the edge of fhame, againft the Light^ which Qiould have beenemptoved againft Jer. 1. 1€. Sin. When Men thaefore have iinned, and are4f a TUefmmi be
is takgn^ ready to fall into the hands of fliame v for the avoiding Job 14* 13, ^f *a^ they rebel againfi the tight. The ground of rfiis Ratred,
Chriftin Job. 3 . 2 o tells us^ is, l^ their deeds flnudd be refroved^ and they forced tQ bear their ftiame > (o this end they are put upon it to hide themfelves from Qiame, by lyes, pretences, excufes, cx-^ tenuatbns, or by any/tg-ie^that oomesfirft to hand. And as thofethat live in hotter Regions m^^ire«fM, becaufe it fcorchetli them 9 fb do thefe cur/i the Light : and inftead of taking ^ts help, raife up an iireconcileable Enoiity againft it r and ia run fiom it,.
* * * «
CHAP.
C H A iP^, XVL 1
• ■ ■ 3
> . • - • ■ i
Of SstM9$s third grdndFcUcy for mM$99t4UmhghuPpff^ ^
Tvhich ii his f eigne A Def$rture. ( i .) Bfeeajing n9e tr4- i
fecntion ef hit defigH ; 4;94f r A^ cafes in rghich he doth it. (t.) Bj atating the fi^ernefsjf fnrfuit i and hm he doth that. ( ^.) By exchanging tempt stions ; And his Belief,
• therein, the advantage hefeAs byfeeming to fijt. Of his (^.) Stratagem for keeping his PejfeJ^ony rphich is
hie fiof^ng all nf ays of retreat ^ andhov^hedoththat^ '
- ' ■ ' •' ■ * ' '
• • •
B Elides the ttpo former DeHgns C of fioifliing Sia^ and keeping all in guiec ) by wljich the Devil endearours to namtamkis ^ Pofleilioo, ne hatha third mnd (iibtilty, which is this > He kgeps in$ betdjbyfiigmg bimfdfMjf^^tdand cifi out. Of this we have: a fuU account) i^ 1 1. 24* If^ the nnckdhSfhtk iegme mH cfi 31 MaUy bewalkstb thorow dry placet^ fid^ rifl : 'Mdfimmg wme^ be fd^^ I vMl mmnntiUf m^ boHJi v^bam I ca$m out. CfanAhad there noted that 'tis Satan's great Principle to do nothing by which his Kingdom may be divided, px undermined. Satan will not bexlivided againA hiipfeli^ aid yet yery fealqnably he tdls US) that fi)r an advantage he will feem to ^uit hfe Inteieft, and upon defigp he will femetimes ib carry himlelf that he toky be deemed and (uppofed to be gone ota of a Man i As thole that beGege Forts or walled Towns, do fometimes raile the Siege and feign a departure, intending thereby to take a fudden advantage of the carelefiiels of the befieged. In the explanation of this Policy, I (hall, (x.) Shew how manym^s he feigns a departure, (^0 Vfme what deigns he'doth it.
^There are thru ways whereby Satan (eems to (br&ke his In* tereft. .' '
»
Firft, He frequently ctafeth the frojkmm of a Defign^ which yet he hath in his Eye and pt^e, when he perceives that there are Jme tbingt in U$ w^ that render it not fiafibky ttiy he fivbears-
S a to
to urge Men to their darling fins, upon the fame icore : and who would not think Satan caft out in fuch a cafe ? When a Man fpi ts out the fwcet Morfcl which heretofore he kept under his Tongue, and fucked a fweetne(s iiqm it v y^hm Men joT noted Iniquities abfiain from then),* and hecontc fmooth and civil, who would not think but that the unclean Spirit were gone ? This way and nuife he puts is praidice in ievertl cafes.
Firft!^ When he perceives $>nie txtraardifwy oocalkxi puts any ot his Subje^s into z.gpod um4 or luunor of Keligion« Wkked Mf n'are not ordinarily Co highly bent upon evil ways, but ttiat theymay beat fbmctim^s fifin£d and relaxed. Pharadf (who is Hiolieminently noted ifor a heart judicially hardned ) at the J'lh* pearanccofthettagncsnponhimfelfandEpf^, ufuaK*' .--^^.^w.: (^newbat, and wotdd confeis bt badfifmed^ w^ iuoL Ht would continueoipon him &r .^e little ii9^« But xctyihffmfy ^ti$ thus with atbersy an extraordinary occafion meltf and thaws down the natural ailedions of Men, ( as a warm daj melts the Snoysi. moa thbMouotainsi» ) aoithtn rtii fireaiii wiff for a tiriie i^uii aigbaniflxoi^ at which tkne Satm ftesr 'tis iii vtui to vifgp dieiti^ Thus Men that vecdve an emmm kindb€i& and deHVe- naat fircim i3od^ what is itiore common than ^iCxdk Meh t( ^t.wtwiltnemMfaMcl^iasi^that^ktn^i^
^mt^ ibt^ff^orU^fiafffawTifi^ Thefe a^e ipd^e<
gjocxl words, ^xtd ymho|%h S^itih hhows'that fiK^ C3^ei/fion$ asre not Aonor a«a6d * that ffPeitt.y2p. inpblyes,
'ib^buvir^lUfim^ QMm Aa^i09ttfH^dnbM¥iina^^,) hene« ▼mhddfs^Oiinfcsl itinocficib^fito prefii -them «o their lifiid Wic^- ddncls at that tiliie t 'far> iumril ^^id^ns rsifid high in: apn^fifia^ ^JUliffon^i^Mti^il^iml7'ii^ihntfi¥ap^ and therefore hefctf* bears tflt the ^eam run knfar. What a fit of aflf^ion had the JfrmHt^ when their £yes had (^n that mkaculous deliverance at die Red Sea } What^tY^s of re^ycinghad ehey } what revives
w0fdf^ ^fimg bir:fipdp$ : Srftan i6th not prcfendy urgethem to
murmuring and unbelief^ ( though that was his defi^ti ) but he
fiays tillthefit was over,- a^nd then he could foon tempt them to
I Sam. 14* x^« fi^g^ his vml^. How like a Convert did Saul look, after VauiJ
«c Z6.XU httlooiyrmcedilnm of Wd im^rity, and'haii<j>ared*hjsiife indie
Ca;vie ^ he weeps amd adkiievy4(?dgifh4ii imqutty, juftiHes P^ii, owns Jiis.kiflidRc6/ and^ftenis to^uiefc^iti his fucceflion to the'
-^ Kingdom.
*f"'^
Chap. 1 6, ^acan'jfif Xtntptuioxxs, v 1 1 r
KingdoiT). The Devil had no queftion a great fpite at Dauid^ a«d 'twas his great defign to fthr up Saml agarnft him, and yet at that time he could not prevail with him to deftroy Vavid^ though he might cafily have done it > he was then in zgoodmood^ and Sa- * tan wajfbrced ^o give way to neceffity, and to (cem to go out o£Sa»l fot the prefent.
Secondly, He alfo ceafeth fiorti hk defign when he fees he can- not fit his Tettiptation mth zfktMe ojfartmify. \V.hat conld be more the Devirs defign, and Ejf2w's fatisfadion, than to have. had Jacob OsLin? Efan profeffeth, it Was the defign of his heart, ^nd yet he refolvcs to forbear fb long as his Father Ifaac lived. Gen. 27* 41. The days of my Vatbefs mournini^ are at band^ then ( bat not tHI then ) mi IJby tny Brofh& Jacob; Th^ Devil often . (bwshi^ieed, and yet ipaitttb and bath long patience^ not only in tpoteringznd fittmg the hearts of Men for it, out alfo in epcfeOamy of fit opportunities > and in the meati time, he forbears to pat Men upon that, which time atid oecafion cannot fitly bring forth topoti^e.' TTie l^ophet, Hj/a^ 7. 4. fpeaks of that People, as notddrk>ufI)F vricked, ttey are at adtdterefs \ but withal^ he ob- ferves lYatt they-forbare thcfe enormous abdrninations for want of fitii^toS^Ae/f heart wof. Of TtH Chen heated By the B^%r, fuifici- cntly eaflaiti^d afttrtlieit witfeflnefe, and yet the Baker after he. bod i^^i the 4[wgi^,prepared all the ^ound-work of the Terop* t^ion, cjiafedfiimraijing^ fetpingM the ni^ifUfatt vpof leavened y - that IS) though their hearts wete enragecffor Sin, yet the Devil* ^ <k)thtt^ait till occafions preftrtt therafelves, and becomes in the . mean time lifce-6ne ^Ste\{. No\* ^hlle the DevU thus ilecp^ . the lite that Is ftci^et^m the heatt, Ijcfng tiOt feen, "Men^ain the " goa3 ofMon t^t Converts witfaothets, and often with tbemfelves, not kftowing what Spfrit they are of, becaufe Satan eeafeth ( upon the want of occaCons ) to tempt arid prov6ke them.
Thirfly, Our Advcrfity is cotitent to foafbear, when he per- dcvts thdtzr^aining grace iothhdk^up the hearts and hands of Men. When afironger than-he tometb^ v^ho can expeft lefs but thtft he fiiould be more quiet ? that God doth rdhrain Men forae- timc when he doth not change rhem, n^eds no proof, that Satan . knows crf^thefc reftraints, cannot bedenyed 5 who can give an accoubt of thefe communings and difcourfes that are betwixt . God and Sltan concerning us ? his pleadings in reference to Joh^ were as unknown to Job (tiH God difcovcrcUtliem^.'as his ' • pleadings >
^ /a »riTtw;ui? Ul ran 1,
pleadings concerning our felves are to us. Bdides, who can tell
how much ofGod's reft raining grace raayly in^tbis, of God's 4i-
miting and llr aiming Satan's Comnaiffion ? Now the Devil hath
not fo' badly improved his obfervattons, but that he knows 'tis in
viih to tempt where God doth flop his way^ and tye up Mens
htmds. MiimUckjwzs certainly reiolved upon wickc^lnefi^when
- he took SarahSxovci Abraham^ Gen. 2o« 2. and yet the matt^ is
fo carried for fometime, ( how long we know not, ) as if the
Devil had been aflecp or forgot to haflen ^^imir/edl;,to'his intended
wickedne(s ) for when God cautions him, be bad not come ntarher^
verf. 4, the ground of all this was neither in the 'DeviTs bad^ari^
^> nor Abimelecf(s modefly^ but Satan lets the matter reft, becau(e
he knew that God withheld bhny andfi^fered Urn not to touch ber.
•Fourthly, When Men are under the awe and fear of fiich as 1
carry an Authority in their Countenances and Imploytnents,for the di(a)nfaging of din. Satan Cashqpeleis to prevail > -doth n^ felicite to' (cand^ous Iniquities. Much of external Sandity, »d Satint^tke behaviour arifeth from hence • the faces and prdence of finne Men have (uch a fliining#/e«i9r, that Iniquity bUt^e$b and htdeth its heiad befi>re them. Sin dare not do what it wouk), ' (b great a reverence and efleem of fiich perfons, is kept up in the coniciences of (bme, and^ Co great an awe and fear is thence de^^ rived to others, that they will not, or dare not give way to an infblency in evil. The Ifiaelites wcxt generally a wicked People^ ]oC t. 7* Y^ fhch an awe they had oCjcfima^, am the Elders that outlhed
jflfiit^^ vpho bad feii all the great worl^ of the Lard^ that Satan (e^ed to be cafi out all their days. Who could have thoi^bt- Joafh had been Co much under Satan's power, that had obferVcd xCliron*i4. a', his ways all the time of ?e oiada the Prieft ? Then he did $bat which
wot right in the fight of the Lord > Satan was content to let him alone, becaule/el^^iWii'sIifeandauthoritydidoveniwehim, but after his death Satan returned to his FofTellion, and the King Vcrf. 17. bearkgnedtothe Fr//icei>f Judah, and ferved Graves and Idols. Tht % Croo.-a^. 5* like is obferved of Vzziab^ the reverence that he had for 2jecbariaby VcrC 16. whohadunderAandingin^^vi^^ 0/Cj^a^,diIcourag€dthe Tem- ^ pter from folicitinghim to thofe evils which afterward he engaged
him in : Satan is willing C when he perceives the awe and au-. thority of good Men fhnds in his way ) rather to (tifpend the- ptoficution of his defign, than by forcing it agaiaft Co ibong 4 (Mre^r to hazard the S'ibipipr^ of it.
Fifthly,
<:iiap. 1 6. Satan's Xmipmions. 1 19
Fifthly, Heaironiakesasifhcw«fecaftout,whenhepcrccivcs the confcicnces of Men are /cored by thnatntd or felt judgments 5 he fcrbcars; to- urge them agaiifi the frid^^ when God draws his Sword, and brings forth the glittering Spear. BaUam's A& would not run againft the Angel that appeared terribly againft him in his way. The Devil knoWs the power of an awakfned GMy2ieas^|||||n4 fees it in vain to ftrive againft fuch a ftrcam v and ' L^jJP^yi^^^ he withdraws. As great a power as SHpfikf^, when- he w^s affrighted and btfmhkd, he odTor-that feafon.drave.hin not on to his wonted r-F-r^- W wickednefs. He alfo carried thus to the Nenwher^ wljehjhcywc^c awaked by the preaching oI^/mjA, then w« fee them a reforming People, the Devil furccafed to carry them into ^ their former provocations* How frequently is this feen among Rrofeffors, where- the Word hath a learching power and force open them ?' Sinis (b curbed and kept under thit *tis like a rootof bittetncfiin Wmter, lying hid underground, Satan for- « b i* »< ' bearing to ad upon it or to improve it, till the ftorms and noife ^ of Judgments ceafe, and then ufually it will firing uf ^trotihk ibem. If Satan hath really left bis bold^ he ceafcth not to md^ -and vex even awakened confcicnces, with urgent fblicitations to Sin i but if he perceive that his tntereji in the hearts of Men remains^ to him and unfhaken, then C ift caft of afrightment atnd fear of wrath ) *tis his policy to conceal himfcif, and to ^iTemble a jdepacture.
Sixthly, Satan is alfb forced tothis^ by the prevaiJftog /><?»»• «/ Knon^ledg and prmciflex ofLigbt^ where the Gofpelin profeflSon, and preaching, dilplays abroad his bright beams, then whatever fiiift Men make to be wicked in^fecret, yet the light U as the Jha^ dei^ of death t<y^bene^ and 'tis even ajhame toffeak^of th'efe things in ^^r ^ ^ ptblicks Here. Satan cannot rage fb firedy, but is put to his Ihiftsj ^^ * ' * and is forced to be filent, whilft the power of the Gofpel cuts eff^balf hif garments^ Men begin to teforip, tomQ-ixe clean, e/caped from errottr^ 2 Pet. 2. 18. others abandon their rtlthy lufts and &andalotiS fins, and^ efi^ thepVutions of the World through the kpwkdg rfoun Lord and Saviour Jefiu Cbfijiy vct^20^ Yet under allthefe great alterations and appearances of amendment, the Devil isbut feemingly ejeAcd 5 fbrin the place mentioned, when the Light declines, thofe that were efiapcdfr^m Ernoi^r^' and thofe that had &d fiom .finful Pollutions wsxe both entangled again
and .
no ZTtmdtOf Paitl.
and carried to the Tame pitchv<and a g^eat deal forthor) of that Sin and Errour m which they had been formerly engaged,
Theie are the Six Cz&s in which Satan ceafeth the Protecution of bis Defign v which was his iirft Policy in feigning bimfelf to he caftout^ but he fia:ther diiTemblesaiUghtjWhen he thinks it not iit to ceafe wholly*
By abating bit turfidt^ by flaching his Courfe : jj^* this he 4otb, ^^
Firft, When he Tempts ftiU, but yet Ufs thai^^itm^ (b great is his cunning and patiaiice^ that when he cannot ^^1«tiat he would have, he contents himfelf with what be can get, rather, than loie all. He defures, that Men would give ^xp thomfelyes fully 4q4 freely tphis (ervice : but if they like not this, he is witling Greenbdms to ta,ke th^m (as one fpeaks) as rHaiwrSy and to fuflor them to Works p.79j. (^ ^ liberty, to oome aJ94 go at pleafiore; He huh tnfo main ends in tempting Men to Sm, one is to avet^e himfelf $ipm G$d in open deliance Mi diihonour of his Nmie > the other is the ntiiif' and perdition (f Stmts : if be coukl, he would have the£b two ends meet in every Teooptation i yet he pkafeth himfetf* with the latter, when he cannot hdp it, and in that too, he (a- .^isfies himfelf ibmetimes with as linall an Intetefi as oiay be^ (e that his Po0eifion atid Inttreft be but pre&rved^ He knowsithat 4me Sin, loved and embraced, brings VeMh for its JTagei. A Itali unitopped and negledted may fink the Ship as wdl as a great Storm > and therefore when he perceives the Consciences of Men (hie and nice , he is willing they c$mt to him ( as Nkodemuf came to Chrift) ly night in private, and that by ftealth th^ do himfervice.
Secondly, Hefbnietim^of}trsMenaC(iif^p^^i9ff,and£bkGeps * hishold^nrn^e/v, by giving them an 2ifiiK^e/M» and Tolkratiim^ to comply with Religious duties and obfervations. TharoA con- defcended, that Ifrael (boidd go and ferve the Lord in the Wilir dernefs, upon cohditioi^ that their Wives Children and SuhOance were left behind : fo Satan faith to fbmc, Go and ferve the Lordi onfy let yoter heart bemtb me^ leave your AfiOiions behind ^ftm the IForld. That ferious warning of ChrlA, fe cannot ferve tmo Ma^ fiersh ye cannot firtfe God andMamneon^ evidently fhews, that the JDevil uieth to conceal his Intereft in the hearts of Siimecs, by oflfering fitd^ terms > and thatMen are fb apt to thmk, thaf Sjh tan is gone out, when they have JX^^re^ the heart betwixt God
and
'Z^Ahim,h that thty ftandin need of a full discovery of that Che«, ani.earncl} caution againft it : the Devil was forced to yieli that Hfr(?^ Ibould do maijy thiogS:at the PresuJimg of }^fli«, y^ he maintained his poffcll)if)h; orh4sh(jart^ byiixiag hijninifais xefqlv^ed JLiMl V in tjhf . njaptor of -hfW/W : akd thisgives juft ^ound of complaint againlt the. generality of Sicmors v Xe nt- tMrn, Imt^fetto me, notxtritbyoHrwhoh bfotts: bavey^fafUi tomf have ye mourned ta mtf they cmnt and fit as m^fttf^ bni their bmftt are after their cavttpufneff.
Thirdly^ Satan hath yet another wile Jby which he would cheat men into a belief thsit 1« is call out of the heart j . mi this is a fiibti]^ way that he hath to exchange Te^aticns. How weak and childi(h are Sinners that ifuffer themielves thus to be abufed ? When they grow lick and weary of a Sin, if the Devil take that ^om them, and lay in jthcrooiD of it another as bad, ok the (amc ^gain, only a little changed and altered « they pkaie them&lv95 that they :have vomited up the firft^ but cqnfider not^ that thejr have received into their embracement another as bad, or worfe; Concerning this exchange, jareilnav note two things :
Firft, Tbatibmctimes heat^eins his end, by 'exdhangi;ng4?JM beim n(mt Sin £ot another as hainq]S,onfy not\(o mi|ch otuoff^^um^ As thecuftoms, and tiines,and places give law^ and rules for Faflii* ons > according to which, the decencies, or indecenci^ of Gtf bs and Garments are determined : fo isit (bmetimes with Sin, Meh and Countries have their darling Sins > T^ones and Ages aUb have their ^ecK/itfr Iniquities, wh^h (in the judgquent of Sinners j| do cloath them with a titneis, and fuits^BIends. Sofnedanes l^ea grow weary of Sins, becaufe they are every where fpoken agaioijt'ic becau^ Men point at them with the h^gec, the Devil in this cafe is ready^to change with them. Drank^eishathin i^soc, Ages and Places canied a brand pf Infamy in its forehead » ^ hith Undeanneis and other Sins ; when, Sionii^rs cannqt pr^^iie thrfewlt;h credit an4 «?puisitiop, t^en they pjeafe thcmfeivel withjanalterafioniihe thatw^sia Drunkard,. is, nowiit-ipay.b^ ^wnarobijlaus a||d^ he fhat Mjaj Cpyetous, is. heCwiQ
a F<^4^ ^ P^^^ Wafler.) 4i^ hearts is as vain and fottifl\as before, only their Lufts a«e^ let out apothcr way, and rvq in SancM
therchannfL Sometimes Lulls are. €hangfdalfo,iyit}i» the d^t^ga of ^/ cwi^'^^^the Wo^^^^
iw4r?-^P^h:flS#«« flJFf ^^J>^culi« Si?^ -^l^qjtl^ftt.^^pQlte . ^r i
is
t-»" rs ' "*'^ '^
5|4^ aCtCattftOf P^rtll
o. -r^/ ^^ ^'X
i$ manle rich, kaves Ims Sitfs of Diflruft) Envy, or Deceicfiil Dealing) and fi^ows theByasof bis pident ftace to otitirr wick- edness equally rQmailcibfe> and yet may be fi> i>linded as to appiebeiid, that Satan is departedfiom him.
Secofklly, Yfi may obfetve, that Satin excfaangeth Sins with
i4en^ in nicfa a Ctactfrhatemamier^ that the change is noteafily
and by this (hift he cafts a greater miit beferc the
^j^^ 4en: tbnshe exchanged open Prophaneis, into (ecret
Sins: FiUbinefs cf tbefl^, mtofiltbimfs tf the Sfhit. Men fttm to reform tbehr grois Impieties^ ablfathing mm Drunken- ticfsy Swearing, Adulteries, and then fit may be) they arc taken iq> with Sfirhndtfidt^ and their hearts are pulled up with h^ 'conceits of themlelTes, their gifts and attainments^ or they zsc entangled with error, andfpend thehr timcintbtiflj^jftmrr ^O^i- M/ that engender JhifrrdtberibM iJifybifh or they are taken up ^hh Hypmarifkf : thusthePhariftesleK their open iniquities,iin^
Mae. A). 16. f^ tkt ^Mi-fidt €ftbeC$f mi Pisner i Md inflead of th^.
Luk. XI. 44- indeavouted toTarniA iand paint themielTes over 9 Ibtfaat in affl this change, they were but zsGraves tka afpmtd ne^ Or they acqiliefi in F&mdHy^ and the outwards of Religion \ like riiat pfoud BoaAer, hord^ I tharj^^ thee Imn w» at other Men are^ &c In all thefe things the DeTil (eems caft out, and Men refetmed^ when indeed he may continue his Poflfeifion^ only he lurks, and itJei himfaf Wider fbt Jh^. Thefe wayes of Sinning are but fifK^f^finSy which, though not ibimrfMiirtotheftoii^ norib fittd^ in their di^tch, yet maybe zs ftnedyand eertoMydtadfy'^ fvch fly fix>ifi the £v« iPta^ and 4 tofp of Sted firil^ tbm^
Hating^ thus eicpiained the three wayes ^ which Satan pcc^ tends to dq>art 6dm Men, Imuft next (hew his Defignin ma^^ king fiich a pretence of feiiaking his Habrtatk>n«
Fkft, That aB this is done by him only upon V^hpi^ may beeafr-
iy conduded 6om feveta! things hinted to us m the fere-<^d':
phce of L9iks !!•. As C I } he doth not fey, that the Deril
— isioft oiti^ z$i£ there were aforceiipon him,l*if tfeathegwti-wrt^
*tjs of choice, a voluntary departure* (2) TEhat hb going wit
(in this fenCe) is notwithftanding n^me and troublefome to him.
The Heart of Man (as one ebfenres; i^a Vdac^in his eftimation,
critmbsm^ and diibofleflioii (though upon Deiign) is i^ a 2>^&rt to ti^ that
t* W^ • iflprds hkA ytde taft or rcft^ ,( j>' That hi* going our, is^bt^
' quitting
qukdfigof hislnterefiv/liecdisit tetti^Aill^ IwHlmmn^f^ Saifiy &idi' he. (^) He tak€sctre la goingoixc tolock thedoor^ tbac it may not be taken tip with better Gudis ) hckecpsic in^ and femntabkibr himfeff*; he temixs liiU, though not (bi^blf^ and (farives to fitpprefs. fcich good Thoughts and Mbtk>ns as he itsm may sjuite out himof Jiis PoffeSEoiu (5) He goesoutj cttm^ miitm Ttutrioidi^ with a putpofe of letucotfig. (6) His Seceflfon is (b dextetouily^aiidadvantagbuflymasiaged^thatfae iuidsan dSc adnittaiice at his letiini 1 andhis P^effionconfimied and _^ COhj^ed : they enitt in^ and JmS tftm*
Seoondly^ The advantagies that he dd^nes by das Polky are thcfe chiefly* (i) By this means Men are daBgeroi]llyaia«» Iktned in their >«nbbfr. thmtbtFbariJklOdfcdJa^ i f i^tfn^ifiar, tea They frio^ ihm&ihts with this fuppofitioa, that the Devilis caft xm \ and upon this, they oiKiie their War and . Watdiiiilne& As Smd when he heard tfaia^ Dmiid but cQ^ caped,iMit mf smt tm fiJ^tfier bimt ibtfaefe ixonbk noe.then> ftfarrs any furtiierco enquire Satan'shaunts in their Hearts y thus fae-^fittttdf within^ .wfailft they thmk he is fled fioas theeo. (2) ISy tUsnacans al&hefitsMenasInflnmientafvySrwtofanw in akntrnfy-^i lits: faemuftiiave in fi>flwcales» hstu^omudk td' work wkhak all Men ase not fit Agei^ in Pc^fioiiii^^ either tooedk it>art6catfyictfatoug|h with figporand zea}: &rtUs ' end he Jfaensto^eiB of fixne^, that unda ^jSm^lig b^viouB^ < when'tiiey are ftined up to Perlecute) tbe si90urfniek.ieeai)u& Thus detmt^ uwdhonHtiMt Whmii h&$ 13. wereitinDedt»to.edcficiste Am/ and &m«bir s the Deirii had gone out fi> nit, that -thef had gaiaed the seputation xddmmty and then thdr Zeal.wotdd i^fiiy talce lirefcrr Periecution, and -withsd puC a itTpeft and credit i^ntt : for wlio woaU readily fidpeft that to lie Ea^il, or Satan^s Defign, which is cantyed on fay fiidi Igflmmcnts? Befides , if he at any tiine intoids to hkmifk the good ways of God by.tiie miibrriagesof Brofi^lTors, he .fetcheth ins Arrow out of this QoiTer ubia^y h if he brings a Ttfimd HypHrkt to a fqandabus Sin, timi doth tiie'Mottth of Wkkednefs c^ien it ielf to Ua{|Bli8iBe idkCtneMdrntiafitbi Jwfi^ as if none were better: fitdi Agents 09Uld nocbe fo com«^ iiKnly ait tend fer ftch a&naoe, if Satan did not in the wayes afeiememioned fan co gp>ont of Men. d) *Ti»ano«- idier part crf'^his Dei^ after a pretended departuie, to take
T a the
ti4 3(Xteat(fe0f ^ Partr.
the adyyntage x£ thea fittiriiy, to recarnwith gnster AtcxkgAi znd force : tkis Chrift particolarly notes, TShett i^S^ be fnm Sfirtti
xVet.uT^ f^fifbanbimfdfr&c Such (as Fcter tells its) being i^Mfcttm^/ei,
are totally atfereome^ and tbeif latttt md it faufi trirb them fbaH th» htginmni^ How many might I namc/tf it JvvcrecDntenienO that I have known and obferved exadly, aafwaing tfaisdefcnption of the Apoflle,that have for Ibme yeaas left off their wieked way s^ and engagied for a piofefiion of Religion > and yet at YoJXhaift rHftnfed likg the dog te bis imnvm^ ogam f The Devil, when he
Tirgd >^^ fights after the P^itibijii nuuner, i^ mofi to be feared ) when he
p!tr7k/.^ turns his back, he (hoots moft envenomed Arrows^ and whom he Co wounds, he commonly wounds them to the Death. .
The Fourth and Jaft Stratagem of Satan for the. keeping hi^ JMTeflion, isto^ the fFi^hto hmtaeMdow^ all Paflages, that there, may he no pdfibility.of eftape, orretnat: when he per^ <3eives that his» former tTayes^ of > BsU^^ «re not (iifficieaf, bat tltfU* his Slaves and Seirvastsaie fo iar inligbtned in'thcdifon^ of the dang^r^ that they are ready to turn back- fmm him r ttoi
Ho£ 2. ^. he b^fthrs hiinfelf to oppol^ their revolt/: and a» God ibmeiiities hedgetb Jir(> ti&e nrjy of Sinners with ^s^^j^ ^hat they Oioukl not AiUow their old Loveis^fodotlvSdtan >i ta whichtpn^iofe^ ' Fisft) Heendeavonis ta turn them^dC Kach'rdfoltttifaD^f Ipf threatioing to eo&ncthem with ^ftraig hdfjdc^bestheb^a^weA Munts of his Power, and Sinners weaknei^ » as Rtbfid^ did againfi Hezekf^^ IFbatU dhtt oanpdeacewberem them <m^'/ hifue T - w ' m Godi of Haoiath Md Arpad^ &q. 4^herid jfbeir JLand eta of ptybandf. Hamtbcfetha^haeigimebeftHym'bHnMttedt^^ fihtesfrom mef Have tbey.been Me ta.refikte ibemJHvtK^. I>id*Ijuf fifree tbofe that werefirongerthMnyoHf Vid I nof^fHBkgH^^vid'nfmi^ berthe FeopUf DUhnotwereetm.hhfmtbemgtterof. Uriah/ Did I not cmiifel Petei^^o deny hii Lerd^ notwitifianding bk ftdemn prafeffimi te the contraiy f Andean yeu thinly to break^amm^fimink fi eafify} By this means he would weaken their hearti^' aiid en&eble thefr - Refolutions, that they might (it down under their Bendage, as hopekfs everta reamer tbemfilves from his fnare'r but 'if ti]e(e affirightments hinder not, if notwithfianding thofe hiags. Sinners prepare them(elves to turn from Sm to God : then^^ .
Secondly, He imfroves aS he cut, tba^ diflsnce ppbttkSin Imtb nende betwixt Godandtbemk Smsof oedinary infirmity, and commott incur(ion do not (o break the peace of Gpd'sGhildren) aS: Siasof
aa
' ^
¥»*
^ higher* natms da: even in the Sanits thcmfthrts, we maybb- feve, after notorious tranlgreflioti^ (i) That the acquaintanee 9ad failuliarity 'twixt God and thetn,is immediately irS^n i what a (peedy -alteratibit iS: made ? Hcny i^^ddetjly are alt thiVgii'chan- jged ? God hides himfelf i the Sun thait Jbirod but ijow^'and did afibrd a very comfortable and cherifting heit, before we art aware, is now hid in a eUmd \ our warmth and refrefiunents are turned mto cold, and chilnefs. There is alio a change ^;f onr part^ and that fiiddenly » as in the Refurredion, we Uiall be changed in the itptiJ^iHg (f an eye: fo here in tf fnonant\ our joyesflag arid decay, our dcKghts grow dully out adivity is infjpaired, we are bound and frozen up, and 'tis altogether Winter with the Soul, f 2i} It may be noted, that this hgett an ^angement in us, and we (b cany it, as if we had refolved not to^ renew our League with €od^ for thou^ weare not altogethet (b dtfperate' as to liiakc fmml Jitfihnions of continuing ih Sin, of cafting off Gbi^," mi, bWAng an evcrfcrfSngfetcwcl tpour fi>rnl?rac^na(ifitance ; though We do not fey, ^t will now undoe 6ar felrcs ^uite, ihd harden our felres- in our Rebellion \ yet Sin hath If ft us hi fiich a maie, and tilled us with (b many damps and milghring thoughts^ that, We'id mt thinly of returning we sore at a ftattd, .and lil^\ a niigbiv man d^Bmfhed thit cahnttt ^pnd ikbanisi :we perdeive We have toil fo'inuVtii, antf have run mtiD^ foc^hgrfcatunkltidiieffes, tKafJikd broiien Merchants^ nothing i^ more itkfomr arid tedious, than tom«f»^otflr'ways,or look into akr dek-books \ infkadof this, we cndcavowrto 'divert our thoughts, to caftoff care^ as if wecon- cti^ that tftwe- would eat* ir out, atid that then of c«ir/} we aight felh it^ta'thc. old Aaniiet.of freedom arid comfort. • (3) When we retumat laft,oh ! with whatbafhfulnefsr and amaz- ednefsdowe appear at our next SuppHcationss what blufliing,, . whatdamps, what apology^ Nay fomctimesas thaMan without tlie Wedding Garment, we are Jpeechkfs h hoW Hghtly doth fuch - ^ a Man relemblerhe Tublican Confefling, and tfre Py^d^/gi/ fuppli- > eating, while confulting whattofaytbrhimfeifi he now begins ■ to feel, with wiiat fenfe and feeling the Prophets and holy Men , of old u^to exprefsthemfelvesintheitConfcffionsj fFebluJh'^. we ate t^hamed^ i^anijhed andtonfonnded.' This dfthince Sin makes - betwixt 5/r/«>/ and<JtMr fBrnctimes-^ butbetwixit God arid the iw-' a^nvMeiiiis far gtcafer r •now^wherferthtranlrncofi verted Sinnct^ CMriafadtfa^ Saint jmtshioalclf tbioofc- roQjd forRbcbnciliation, ,
then..
v%6 : as:mttfeof
then doth the Devil labour to improve this fcv their himliaiice.: Z-*ch.. J. I. ^j^^j heaccufeth us toGod, ispvidcnt by SMSansJtanding at JoflmaV
rjgbt hjuid 9 how he accufeth Goi tons we know. , Be tel]$us, '^ in vaiq ip fcek to make up our Peace after fo g|:eat Provoca^pnsi urginjg^that be is JijeakiUi God^ ^ft^ff^ 9^ * highly relenting, ti:^ aflfronts we have given him,.e^« Nay, he goes Co high this way^ that God is put to it in Scripture Cof purpofe to furnifh us mth an Anfwerto thefe Objedions) to procUim, that he is /civ t0 angefy not eafily fravci^gd : tliat if Men return from the evil of their ways, he will retKrn to tbem^ acctft^ aqd fUy then^ &Q*
Thirdly, If this divert them not, but that they ilill perfift m their rcfblves, then he follows after them with an high hand i ibmetimes, (as fbaraoh did with Ifrad ) he grows feiftre and iai* perious with th^,and redoubles die tale of their hrid^ t he force- eth them to highland more£:eguent imquities : fometim'es ( as ^he ilafiie Vbaraoh) iiemulkts up all his Chaciots aiul HarfeHQei| tofurj^ after them, and in the.hi^ftdiligpwcii|»gmafaie, he hnn^ ^rth his greatiefi power, be&tting them oa all fides with Temptations and Allurementt of Pleasures and Delight : Where be |)erceives his time to be j^ar^, and his Pb wer (haken, he comes down in re(blves to try his utmofi Strength. And be^eis it thatCosK Verts complain, that when they hgin in earned to look aftcat Qod^ they aremei^ ir<w&7e^wIthTen^tations. fie^es dus,whatevar he cafi do to make them drwe heavily ^ Oiall not be wantiiigft Sometimes hemakes.attempts upou.tbeir <iMftglr^xaad^;^iftir^ which are as their Chariot tpheelsh and if theiiecan bakj/Mi;gde0' any way, it retards them.. Sometimf^ heoifts jfaMifr/rag4<#% in their way y if any prejudice tnay divert then^ if Threacning^ or Penalties can hinder > if theficowning of Friends, or any thing el(e can put a ftop to their Proceedings, ne will have them xe^y. Sometimes he endeavours to retard them by foBiatatums of ac- quaintance, offers of former occafions and opportunities of fin- ningo or what ever d(e may be as a remora to their intentions* Fourthly, But if none of thefe ferve, then as his lad {hift, he
f' roclaims open Waragainji tbem^ purfues them as Enemies and Re- els ; now he begins to accnfi them, for that which they did by his Advice and Temptation. Now Sins that werecalled/iaZe are aggravated. Now that day of Kefentanee^ which he was wont to fay vifzslong^ he tells them 'tis ^uitej^Ai, that theSuaof their hope is fct > nothing now doth he fuggeft but Hell, Damnation^
and
and "wrath 5 he makes them fas it were) fee it,, hear it, add* fed it in every thing \ that interim their hearts which he diffen^ Hed beibre, now he fiands upon and affifrts^ and wifi not be beat 4>fr,de%tiing m all. thfs,either to make them maryof thefe nm )*rf /Ww/ l^ this iraofual dilquictment, and hoftility, or tofrmpitatt them lipon iome di^au undertaking, or at leaft to /mngthm^ lelfuponth^m, in veming his Malice and Rage againft them.v hat of this more afterward. '
.4^
GHAP. XVII.
SatdHS Deceits d^iunfi HeCgiow Services aad Duties, the GftMads efUs M^ledfure.agtmfi ^ligiem . DvfiiSi IIisfifft-(ieJi^m4g4$»fi Dittiest isUfrevetitfhem Hit fewrdfititiUiesf0rth4t€/ul, ly> exeriu/ hittelrdiueSf if imlifffijitie»ty hdify sni ffiritiul^ hj e^tmragements; .
; the wAjfs thereof y bj dipke * ihe^reumds there.^\ hy jit^ fhifticd Milidf^s* aisfutariwt^fUM therein
• . . . ; .
OOr fie« worit^is to- fake notice of the (pke and mcthbds of the $erpetit agaioA the ways of Wsffllrif and Semee^ that ^lefeare things againft which his heart catries an high fiiry, and for the oinerdiww of them impbys bo finall part of his Power < and Sttbtilty : needs iu> proof) le^g the experience of all the Chifciren of Gbd is an irrefiftible evidence in this matter.. I (bill * tberefc^etfirft only fct forth the grounds of his dilpleafure, and ^ eanieft undertakings againft t^em ( before I come to his parti* calar ways of Deceit ) which are thefir: - Fiffti, By this means ( if he prcvadl ) he deprives us of oOr 2 H^tap9nu This fs a ftratagem ot War which we find the Ffc/f- • Jten/^atfed againft Ifrad^ tb€y took away aH theh SmHbt^ /^ '^"^ ^^ '^' ibe B^cvfS Jhumtdmakifbim S$mds er S fears i hence was it that *** in the Battd there was hekher Sward nerSfearfmnd in thhand ^, aryafxht Pi^fU that mreivitlf Saul and lonathan. The* Word oC i <iod is ei^fely called the Sword tftbi Sfivit \ Prayer is as a Spear,. tr rather a*gene»t piece of Armout ^- it the De«il deprive us of « ^* theie.
iicS aiCteattfeof . ' Parti.
»
• the(c; he robs us ofotir AmnmnitiM v for by. reafon of thefc, the
Cant. 4. 4. Church is compared to ^ 7^«* bMt fw sn Jrmoty^ wherein hsng s
ib<mfand Bucklers ^ aH Sinddsofmghiy Menh and the Apoii]^ ex*
iCor. 10, 4. pxch\y calls them- We^gns tf owr W^^fM^ ofipurpofe given us>
fyx the fuJiing down of jMng Holds ^ and thjg: deriiohihing of ihofe Forts and Batteries of biff> Imagina$mi that Sataa rears lip \n the hearts of Men sigaicft their haj^inefs > if tbefe be taken away, our Locki are cut, C as Samffon^s were ) ,o\Xt Strength is departed, and we become weak as other Men, we are open to every in- rurffon i\r\A inroad that be pleaieth to make againft us> .
Secondly, If he hinders thefe, he intercepts our Food and cuts pfFour Provifions. The Word is called Mill^yfincere MiO^^ rftbt Word > *tis that by whicH we are born, nourilhed, and increaft \ \h our Cordial and Comfort v Chrift-indeed is tht Brfod of Lift^ . aiid*tbc fmntaitt of all our Confolations, but the AVord and Arayer shre the Condmt Vi^ that convey all to»us*^ if thefe be cut, iatjad^'si. 'i^Leaf yWC lax^ih^ we Coolume and waAe, we. become 9$. 2L,SI^ Bouiiin tbt Smod^ o§tr motfluri m the drought in^Hmmery . o\JiX Soulfkintethy ot/r Hurt faileth and we become .4f . thofe that go down to the Tit > (b that'if the Devil gain his defign in this,he.hath an 9 give him fl^i^, and give him the JT/i/^im alfo ^ thisistbemoft' mig^iu/i0ii!r*way bf ddngfais work, and tbat^wfaich' &ves him. a labour in his Temptations. The (Irongeft Holds_ ( that cannot otherwi(e be taken; are eafily fiibdued by Fafnine> smd, like Fig- trees with their ripe Figs ^hen they aie ibaken, even ffll into the Naburo 3. it. mouth of tht eater-: if oiir §pi|itual Food fail usfifouromn aeoord wc
yield up joar^felyesito any luft: that ^requires. our cpmplyaace*
' Thirdly^ Bc^des thefe thofe j|s no de%twh€rcby Satan<aji
ihew fttore malifK aiid ipite agmfi God. H^ doth>aU be cad to
]i!i4intain ^comp^itionvi\x\it\itk\p^^tyi his Titles, of the G^
of the Worldy we Prince ofthefo^im of the Air^ fliew what in the
pride of his heart he afpires to^as >veU a$.what byaxnmifl[K>n God
isplealed to grant him. Tbefe duci^s pf^ i\^{Qfihip. a^4 J^STvJce
are the homage pf ^od's Children, by whiab ;f hey.telUfy the ^f^tgm'
Udgments of his Veity i by wreftingrthele^pLuCofouriii^afi?,: BUM
. jobs God of that honour,and mal^. tb^.aUegi^tC^j^b^ ^v^nts
to ceafe > if he could do more againd God, doubtlefSNbe would :.
bi^t feeing he hath not an Am /'% God^ and fo cannot poll him out
of Heaven, by t/iis m€a|^ he ^ Mp;hi*fiftlf as^ ^he jGcid t^ the •
Wojld, aiKl.9nlvgeth.fcisT«ri«)rie5,.;|indftav^M<WS«bi€(^s -
. 'of
pi^p, 1 7. ^turn's Ktmptmons. 1 19
my be abundantly evidenced, by his way of management of chat V>ppDfitioti that he gives to tlie duties of Service and WorQiip.
^fl^f ehe.dotb it' i^i a bq&J in^plej^t -prefi^mpttious imtatm ofGod^'s 4f ^ointments \xi the ;ways . of his Service \ he enjoyiis Cdveh^nts, ^eali, Sacrifice;S) Prayers and Services to his miferable Slavesf, .as
piayap£eaj:bvyndou|)tedHiftories, ofwhiphmorein due place* ( 2^)..HerjQeTC«*4d^ tlietruth :Qf tiod's way$, butvyitji
^^?^f^^c^?¥^>*P^/4^8"^ to Jbjrjng^hQtn-iulde^ Cpnt^mjpt^ his tfo^e^jQns have to miich of deceit m theai tb^t CBrift^wouId liot accept tbe^p^ and therefore we jread tHit when the f)'eyil wa$ £)n:^time forward to^ive his te^mony to Cbrift, (as Miirj^ ' • .^ Sr
and cmmdndfdUn t^bp^k^^^e/y.^^j^^ fpjij
feiTed him, riot to honq^s Ju^^i^ but by fuch i par^KuIaB acknQw^ ledgment iofiirup ihf rf^and^ry of the- Pebpt'^gaiaft^hirxu To this end Satan, in JcUiS^/^.xn;^^ together puHIiddy owns Vaulzx^iiSiUf^ ihyti'ififji^^i^^
abou t by this means, axid th^t w^ tpffs^l^ > up pejieciation agamif Jhem^.acd. tp'giye^grpund to thataccui^^ they after^
Jv^d mct.ii^ithallj, vayi 21. T&/^ f&ev /i««g^^ cnjlams whigb wm
^cv
'I
* • «
2 •- ^
•••«,,
% :. I a
» %
« » « »
.tTil% ;%5t tHe Xkv\\ is iibt ' ?Qnf ent. to Jopt offfprid, fef vXqe^due to t^oavhut when he fcath ipne that^ tie deligf\ts to aUife thb(e places ' .where thp Name of CjoA was moft/celebr^tecL. with l^eaile^ pro-
re Clr^prai^a that religious Vqtllhip which
t
no 2l%veameoi: rani.
lueU tw 4e pwiAffle few of |B«, who ptt>|*aiied tiat f>bcc with theit mefeaBiieft and filthy adnkcries. Such was hi« carnage to iSbt Jrl^vMU it was captivated bf the FWjjKm. ^ Of fike m- tutc wete his anempts againft the Ttmfu it fclfc smnm in bi> fetter days was tempted to rive an afiontto it, he wrih an faigjb tbee M'CHm^, »e Jhm^atmtfMoA, huhbitthtk i^ [emfelein, in the vcty ii#»t and fece of the Temple i hot aftev- ,#iTdhe prevailed to defiletheTempkitfeK GOgd mASttb-tmrn we phces of fiich hi^ prophaoiation, that the fto^iet H(f.p,i j; tells them »« thth widkt^* '»^ *» ^^^ noneof their abofnl^ nations were fiketothofcj andinH?r.4'«5' they we dchoite* f> y ^'^ ^otn going to GUgd at Btdua/tm, and yet both theft pfacet had> fceen fetwSs for ReUgfoo bcfote. <S%4l wasthe pbce of the toieral tkttOiK^ of the tfhdiur ri»at were bom in the IVSder- iiefi, thete was their MiJfow »4(I5iw licpt •£«» their enti^ lutotheLand* IbM was a place where God C as it wete) kept thcSu tbthm^^GuL Hetej^ffthadhisvlfite). Batthemoit fttebasthcy had been lot duties ofWtaftip^ the Devi! ibught
iopatl^^aiAufistiponthei&v ibihit^ti^l became m ftiM^ and Bwi* bcciinc a Be*.«w, an howftcf Vtaity.
r^ntUy^taBis tfefcrmoieaninucid (oundertake a de%n agahift ^e ways of teH^iaus Scrrici^ bcomfe he filJtm or never t/pffttbi. at leaft ibmethbgof/Mi^ Thisattempt ^ Ifte JW and J<k SfMlwt^ Bow, that rdnMud m mftj. In other Tem^ioiit fi}mjBthnes Satan comes off baJSed altogether, bnt in this work liiJe jo^iA f as Vi^fiddoffcme!?ftitliwr3 ^ eMtmrnv^ a mute tt g» ik^ft. h-eoMyandfurmifi t heisfinre in one thtngorotherto tait the bettec Oifnsv> his advam^in this caje is iiotn o*r in^Mwfix» oar fovice. l/^t wtrdo hi the duties t^WpriUp teqcnres ai^/w ftame af^iiit>, our hearts fliould be «wed with Ac moft ftritm ifprttafiuu of divine Majeity* iiHed i»iA Kmmet^ anhaated inti lufot attd defigfat, ^ickned iy VaHhy dothed tiith Jhmility . '9tA JHfidbmmeK, and in all :^ ptocedure ofdutiejr there muft b^ a fieadf and ma t>tofecutiQn nndes^Ae itriSeft »atd>fybvft» Qf tMsnatnie is our work, - whidi at thefirft view wontd pot A Mcnto aftmSt and out of amazement feioe himto%, vi» k fiigMmfbr ikfia>iMgs f iphvanfimH^fiebgn holy ImlGoif
Bnt whni we come to an impatthd cMifidenttiott of our monHSdii iveaineSte and mfiiffidttrees in refetenceto -theft Servkes, what |MI we fi; ^ "Vftfindinch tmnm^ti Spiii^ ^"^'^S?!?^
fid^t^ J7#fl7) and mnem^iam^ uA our hearts generally to dttfhfi^ fgd dffiifmd^ Md^ tfait Hts «o( pofSbk tbu Satan IbouU al- t«^Qtbi?r khow in ntiit v utch nothing i this being thm t Out
ffixiy Mre toMfiuoft k to be.imikr a inoA nonftant prstdkc* ..^
F^Uy^ If bnK> p«»il$ $ffiixA\»th$t tk^ttvrkm afWoaShip "become grt^y ahuftH eg JHgM^ thtt doth be toK m atdcr the 0t0i^ h^mdi and 4iAflvaQaers. Nocbiog y^ f^mim z%d\x^ tiespfWQRflupMvi^^i fbrtbUtftoabofeGMitf iiiijSw/ fay ^ 4bi6s iNiCOBly ate h» Conumnds and Isjunfttons ilkhtifld as in
jfif^k^-^^* ToxxMie arMwi».anHmt^.otn^6.0n* Iddt iHmt jF^^, is if anjr tfaii^^if lefi ftom than to &y, TiiiRv JUh Mmift ^^fiff Betales» Mliathgi^enfuch fevete Cautkm$asdCei»» trails in tbefetnaicevsi aa will ascfily iignify the aggranwk^tff ^Qlf^BM^ Yaifiemwfiuoplyficidjfitaaha of tbo&tfaat caste <«>M99ift^Jlhc Loid» mtk.thejMi^^
<mkglPM Qffiring Saedlic^ i £mi^ i^* i^ was that great nf^ *
.^^^ ]9tfakh.God^ dfteanined to tite Ao&tai^ikaii .fl^ him. iQed^siwat^ IttiibobeaitanC^Mfr,
f4o (ill &^n (be hazard cf ^iich dfOfdiamtiQaSi But idswe ail, j^9H4wtfii^ whichvhoth Old and Ne0 tifiamtai Speak ci, the
MvM^ < initeMl ofi|hote.ct>idtaf iipiidhkt«.fiacllv wb^ he^ .^ifNWMM fiurifinUifb io tbeohediaQt; > ^reatbibMh^fiicbeiih ^^i!;i^mm^ wthdrnmy i whan 'tq t Has abufei and fvoH
i^liaiB^XfMt je hecooKS^^ is nDoft
^vfzMA. Ifio wonte ttfccn if ^ao be; very bofie ^^aipift tbefe :Mp fh^ngfli /ttAdn if iKi «atdb cus^ atiam advaniai^ df ebis aatme, ;it^nfiKadkiai4eadlydi^ At wliac caamove^eafe
^ifcofeKeaftaia iCiu^ Satan Jbarfaiaa ^^ tPoA agSiinfV itligjoua Sendees^ ^4^' jtfiaMo wfaken^ poait, or^ ovarthiow thqn is his great endeavour, HeK^f^ie^^^attymy w« caJcpeft
-.. .. : l/.' ; :V.a.. . . ir^/f
*3» - IKXtmitt (it . : Part I.
foul for tmftaiimi " '^ : ' ♦
What arc the Subtilties of Satanagainft the holy thing$'of God,
lam next to di(cover. Duties and Services are oppofed two
JDuties afpO'V^^ys. (t4)>Bj Freventhity ^hen : they are hindred* (2.) By
fedtn^n^^s.(CctnMim^vfhca He hath his Arts ahd Cutining,
whidi he eatcrcifcth in both theft regards* ^
1. Bj Pre- . Firft then, Of Satan's rTolicy for the pieventiiig of re%*biJS
vention^ and Services, he endeavous by various means to hinder tliem. As,
^bat Firft, By External hindrance/. In this he hath a very great
j«. By Ex^er- fotaiiglit, ;and accordingfy he forefe^ Ocoafbris arnd bppprtuni*^
nalHindran'^^tki zt^ difiun^fzud by 'a Jbitg-^rieach^ofTOntriiahce," he ftudies
ce/^ ^to }ay\B/0ibl^andiHin4ranceiin'tbe W^* Kfoch'jlie d^h-in Yite
\i//«ri^for^hisetjdi that we know not. As<5odhaTh/(^i//(7^fri/^
Job. 1 1, 6i -dam that .oTe^dbubUiQ that which U k^omtt^ fb-alfo hath Satan tnany
1 ways ami raAingi'thar^e 90c difcemed by ns4 hk contrivances of
Jmfin4p^:zndiitmatim^Aftt^^ byt^
va;s ^hqrtdgRj. fa'i whbte^^ie'l*|(^^^lDf tus ^diMtiiiomG^n4t'4^
lights and oftenwhere'he feyic>fj5)W: iij his* pfivenribns-^ wff 1«^
-readyiadfciB^k to«?«/wge«ettx, and thd apdidentar hits of aflairs
• when ipdocd ihe/Hand and* Ptf % of Satan is in it. PW that
. :was highlj^il^iec^iajid ^Iful id Satan's de vicei, c^if^y g hoV^
, fa's pWpGjfitsiof -caiiiEn^ ta tfit jftiiablMwA' #Bre,oftehbr<fee*ana
obfirufteds he kQcwcwheirtheiUambiay,:and cherefoi^ inAead
of laying the faukubon Sidipep^ or Imprifonmints^ Ot the oj^bod^
SataMiihdrodttf. • ;At tbclafajcirate, und^&mdinj^ th^.mMiJis o£
faithful Iv4e6, fcr the promoting the good of Mens fouls/ he of-
;ten ufeth means -to 4oP or faiader them* Som» have obfeved
C having a watchful and jealons eye over Satan, ) rfiat their Re*
^fcdves and £iB^avauib.of this 4iacurel»ve nfuatly li^en put to
•firnggk foref i» tbw hitth^ when the}r/«wfc(jfii- for tMidtyJffwrs
and Matter^ go jftwrf»i^ on. without eonfideiablcx>i3pofition. •
2. By Indi--' Secondiy,^ He makes ufcof 2iiirj^<?/ifw«r to hhider Service : and
^fitions. here he works fometimes upon ti>e Body^ fometimes upon the
^tfW, for ^th inay be indiipofcd# , • .'
SMy Indi^ Firft^ ^mecimtthe takds.thc/adwngeuof Bi>rfi7j/.£^^ ^options, Ifc doth all he can to cjrmei and frame thefe upon us^ and then
pleads
$I«i<is.<heihas:t#*fg«'to;<Jwty: IfiecaapirtthefiWyyito ftSt of;<|rDi^Befe ot diftcmpei, h&will' dd it : and* fiirely KecTO jfer. nfiorc.this way tkan evtry one wift believe, 'heiitiay ii^tatfc «nd ftir Ae humors. Hence fome have obfervcd more fireqtmd znd firanger fits of fleepinef3 and illnels to come upon them, oA the diiy/ and tkmr that require theii' attendance upon God> than '«t other daysy^vihtti they (hall be lively, . a^ve^ and freeof duh^R jipoa Conunon. occafions^ at Sports; S6ngs,* Interindcs,'wh^n ihey (hall not have the like comraand- of themfelvcs -in^'thc cxm^ cifes of Worlhip. . Surely it was more than/an ordinary drotiffinejt that befell the Apoftles, Mattk 26. ^u He had told them the Jerlotrfk^ of tht occaG9n> that be wjus.httpf^tdy that his foul wof
i9cm^9giiff^M ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ * ^^^ ^^^^ cmfideration^ that 'W^tim^ k<pt.their.Eyes frem-flMnaoer*' When they flecp, he awakens them with' a piercjing rebuke, Conld ye not n^atch mth m .one ho$tr } aiid'adds to this .an admonition of their own danger; ^pd.l^e- temptationthat wa^.iqjon them, and yet prefemly they ^j^^^i^j^^\^.%T^i^m\W 6glin:;:ftrangedxci\vfinc&? Bat liefiiv4S|*b epcWe^ftVi^hiein,; ^hictik itt^vteHsnM the cadfcjof itj the Sfit^H if ^iOif^ ') .CM^ hearts we^e tot altogether unconceined^ ifaweFl^y tl^t ds the Body that was «^ that is, fubjcift to be abufed>by Satrt^i wl^ brought them into a more than ordi* nairy in^fMilbiwj ^ isi rtoted vpf. .^^n ^mEyes mre heny. \
;. SecoiicUy/TJii^^
topw>yes*gai0ft*Wto.*ted5rit. Mi' '. - - ' . - ^ - : diMrtmi
Firft^ It i^^jteble of ^fphitud fluggiQme£ and dukie6,wiiere- in tlK fpiiJtu&l.Senfes are fo boupd up, that it confidtrs noi^ minds lipt, l^tlfiftO.ftf^iw^incImatiQrf Whataftui^ \
p^iiQliQUi9tto^,$pmtfcg^^^ -
4i^tod^m^:WXHaYe iWhat he li^ dtwje.'.In like iiiann«r.arft €omckt^ Lethargy, as the Prophet fpedks> they care mt to fi^ ^er God. Bernard teth a defcription of it, Contrabitttr anmm^ Btmsri, fiAlfl^tfrgraHa^ defervefiit navitius fervor^ iHgrapef<M fepor fifiih }fiofifii thg Soffit i^<9«rfraaed,.<?race withdrawn> Ferrour abatc^ Sluggiftmefi draws on, and then Duties are »egtoftf dv i - • rt . , S&xvOify The Spirit is indifpoftd by ^thrting ofjportdfy^i^^/^ Vnd th^feoft jufde out duty. Chrift tells us, they havethefame in^ ibiOT^euponMenthatGluttonyandDrunkeiinelshave, andrthelf
JHnlit'A4e0for;aaion, 2^«,Miff«thLii^.2i^34-J.*^JWiy^
*'- -.3
^14 Z%ttAtiUtt Rwet
cnroreihaigt the fouls of Men, lb as to makr them fitsic enoifos « lbnf!tb9^i/^ ^F^rwi^ m Omr,. and tfaercfeM l9mtwtMmd^ 7mk hf ^hts fiuans msf thqr {[rdw £i oogleftive) that die dmftfflm
Thirdly Soipednacs the &>tii is di^imftfid rifm^kPi^l^ ati4 Ifam His indifpofed, which oppostunity the DeWl ^fpfing, ht doToih mvidiit)' £>metiiBe h^ AfairjF ink A» that the liot lof angpr tnay put them upon a caactefnefi i Ibinerltnea he fkUt $bdr fr^^t fiamt^ as anunfitnefsiar Setvice, and (b upon a fxre**^ tesceof tcTtMnce to the Sfrviee^ and /c^vMg ^g^ ^ ^ <iKfMr tiU they be in a better haoBor^ maay times the gift m tmiffimd Ht all, I frt« 3« 7» The Apoltlc imm Husbands te nmmigtib^ mthprity ovex dieir Wives imh piudwce^ for the atoidiiig «f firawb aftd CDDtentims, 3& iMPjirir Am^ f9 JCitflv/oi^*! g«nfag&siMfla»ss <feJg^4r4fei»fjdk'J<igMs t4ief«tfi^ f)n of which advice he gives ia fhefe^VMMrds, mtt y$t^ fptyerw At art hminL Bnyots are hin^d pMly in theif /^m^ i^hcu^they premamt, paitly^t&eyvaM hkidied w4ien the di»ty of^BMyer ik jW i)F.aMd iidp6a4(d: and thb doiMefi ifte 4^M6 aknes a«^ CO tCAfth u$ that CMtendoos Quai^Hkig^ in a Fsmly Mnd«t the 9smdfi af the duty cf ^vayev, &ijha 2 iCkigs^ dltoiapo^ fed hjfsfelf JBvhiseaiiieA tiinMi<>f jAmm^ fmmi^pfM ^^
thee ? get tbei'^the Frafbrn of^m$^. ffJit^i m ^hs^ fmfHi
licjte^iSf UhoTaphae,! mnf*$^
.fiut wh^iieik hinifeif ta laaset^e ihe^fiMsaflSod^ ^fae^Ss«ie
Divine Mtt. ^hcK.fuppoft^ «ms this, tha^ herii^SNta «4ttihe &^ ^^<^ Mfcmimpnxeediid fin)m.Mal<» y«f b^4c(t^Maii^^al4ulijia^3^
^h^IikaiatemtyaaoCat^tvlto, 4e had dljlr^tmi^md difiimf^ hb%iiii^ fvhieh^iuKlohim-iin^ 4lfitm^^€eik M|ilk]rflieabeii)g;amm«:inaa^ ^afixse and ^sctifllie Miad^ ti^ifahe^riM oourill ^a^cate* aai
^«faicb4na]ioc< aegkAad by 4hei0B#ih : Saaw^i^fM^yeaija ^9iide4i6tha'S(Mik tf thewba^iikRa^lliar^
« dr Ftoi»«aitt*«N| of a& rfrir b^^ ^^
hk fike toaavaa , if Men aie not de«r orJmowing iirthe waw iM tt«<fide» of Duty aad Senrke, die DevQ can eafihr pttvul ^^to^bcaramTBCgfeft. /•9*^riftthup^)J@t|,o. «i«mi «f XXity^ anl oflbi JU^, which (it cfiuTSmot watfweiMr
IIM^ &eMi ca^cavoinsto fie?eiie Dntv by JUSaw^oRMt/ 5*-^' ''^^^
If lieoaii naU tbe ^ /M^ and tiK ittWr /(wtf lAviL^he wm '''^?^ fn^caiifcAai>ityandMotiQnt9€cale. The watw by which h* ^"*°"''8e-
Srtii H« 6ts bcfoM tiwp the««fcamlA*rf*«,i,nt)uty, jf , ,. Fw« /£« •J" fits his Face tow»d Hea^ja, thii»he cajIetvoHrs toCwk him ii»r^» rf"
hitnH 0$mUf jt tt^bmt Uii^^f Are net tm^ wau/mabk in- pmBiMi^ rrtftct^tkM^ ffM mtkmt mfiw i fmcb h fia/m and m0 rfSufinf Thw {vm/iSwa, tbojigh it be exprcflyototyary to (wonnwl, yetisteiogibfiutable to the idle and Aicg^ tenipets
of Men* they aie the naoie apt to take notice of it i and accor. dinojy they feek way$ and *ift»of aooowraodatingtbe cotiunand t» tfaeur .incKa«tk>ns. la .^niA/8.5. the tioyl of ^bbaths and tieffival Seiviocs (as they thought iO n»kes them wcsry of t^
4mfrWbm»d8$biN»^Mmieff9t,tbgtmti$t9ftScm} aUt iitBMntk^ tbttmmsffit/ortif Wiuti Tbde Men thoocbt fbeir Samu tedioHS and iatitndung i^pon their CUlinttaDd Ocpiptfionti »ALu»3*^fiidjteS«U,wig$,a vuria^ifkf hekmg iyQBi»<«aai»(ufeahkbiitthen» n^, they proceeded fk§tttf*fo /kaffsiit. Now when the Devil had ibiarpievailed »iththeiq> it was ealie to pot them upon negled > which Ca« the fbMdfei&eaks) piviently IbUowed upon it, tiiCfhtu^ the mm, «*d tkUmt, Md thtjUkjKt « Sacr^, Satan iirft prefer «bd dicft SinTioe»asaiMi^;^biiit5en,thrathey/^^ themi jiexttbey thought 019 Scrrkemd niMgh^ how man ^e% ijb^qgllfoaa open Vjriatifm of the Law ot Woiifaip : and iafthL Aom %f$htm of the TaUe of the JUnl, they proceeded to » l^at nnteif « y 4to)v **» <»*fey thtUniitfpSmedi and tbe fm» ji(na^Ai>a$mtM(at it wau^ti^e, vcr£x2. In the manaAemeat jifthiwiifcwiiyineni^hePgvil.batfaiapft fiiccei« upon thole that |wfe.«^ j^H/ui ^ fwce^c6«nd eaiioe^s of the wayes of th&
s^
'■ Service. ■ But when Mctuncfrji hginritngio 4pok; after <?o*»dtt
Duty, and are not yet filled, and fitisfiidrvHh-ibt fsttkfl o} M
hmtft ; this Temptation hath the greattr force HfHJh ' thc<n» and
iheyafe apt to be dircduraged thereby/ • .•" ],.. ' " . ■' ' '^ v'
2 Frm»r^«t- -Secondly, •He-eti^eatrourstodifcat^agej'ffieft.f^iJtM^SJ*^^
«f /«€«/>■. /««€/} in the Duties of , Worihip. When they have vi^aited'tedg
*^ '^ arid •fought the Lcvd, then he puts fhem ubpn|e(bK'Cs oPtfMin-
• ■ ' ine any Further Profccution •, as he did With Jdram at thf^Sege
kKin^ !« » bf 5<im«-«, J% iP^rt In^onih t<nrdanylmger> (faidhe)aftw*a
» King. e. 33. jjgj ^^ ^^gj dei}v„ar.cealons;rtm€With(Jutanyappea^Medf
■ ' helt). When Saul faw that God <i«r«*"-?«l hm-nef^athet by WaAnt^ %Sua,ii6,7,„gy. iyZfrim, nor byProfhtts^ the Devif eafilyTJetfv^Wed l«m to leave off the ordinary ways of attendance upon God,and to coB- fuU with the Witch of 'Endor. The prophane Perfonis tnentioned in' Mr/. «.i 4. that h^ caftoff all -t^garti to his Laws, aU refpeft td hi* Ordttiances, *(^e brbngK? t6tHis pStch^of -InJqWfy, by m fuggeftions of want of fucceft s they- faid; dtU^ain ■to fih^GU t •and what jmsfh tf% that ipehive kija his erdinaHces, dnd Aa* wehxve WalkfdmLrnfulh hefm ibe Itrd of Hofls-> It fecms th«y Wete like ^b^peopfe-fpokenof fn Ifli.^^.2, 3- Thtfl^dfaftedsnd prayed, ^XSdidtldyedto atiTwci'thim, \«hk\i tb^y leoked- vfpoait a d^l Uligement'iiWm dtft/f aifdthJrt which thkyttould pweto^siify »^«»-^.:j„.; ,.^ v.v«/i'n T!^Rl*>^i*ftt tUfK<ift th^ir Afcfele(^. - 1^^
few fot*- we)iMvy»y ~«i&g«, and -thm M' «K }>^tfi>rt*at»^*i '^liBetMiet foui;- andt^on tak^ ni'lipt^ied^? -mtikt doffi^tt*
'ArAhnceanyexcHfertom RfiTSerVfce i but W«<ftsa*fiWi kflwStslrtrt ^-upon the Children -of God, David was read'y to ^t<im- aU, a| •a- Man forfaken of God, FfdL i2. i, 2. mi^ hi^-tlmfarfiksft'iiti, iO'tnvGo'd, lerrin the day time;, hni ihm Mm^hot^ dndimOith^
*Dnt»o<is aeayoi auiwct^uc vv-<i3-»taaj-wvna^^«ftyi#i^tl^ \)ufnefs upon Gods carriage tbwafd him ir -foUh-that he addsy ^ SBe kept his' ground, and ^?d«,6tConfeAl t6ifC•«'t'«Wp«i*ftt^- ^lovv'h^g ,' BhT. fhou 'tOntMKf/f 'iMfy, f • dt^ iffl|»!y5?t|?l&IWeil%llaeidlfc «Dtvil wasbb'ieamk^ohih!; ^And c!fg«*eifi,'->lft.^»^«>«WJ«4 ^a ' haii tty^Und Wasidt anfwci^, fii'-l^Mi^dJbli^»W»J^akd*Jf
t. . .. •; ejfet
Chip. 1 7. &mn's Xmptations. -nt
• eye/ failed y nay, hisflejh and heart failld: his Spirit funki as a Man - alraoft vanquiflied and overcome with the Temptation. / ,
Thirdly, This our Adverfary nifeth up di(couragementstous3, Fkoih tU -from the unfiihabUnefs of our Hearts to our Services h herein hcunfkitablt^ endeavours to deaden our Hearts, to clog our Spirits, to hinder and nej} of the moleft us, aud then he impravei thefe indif^fitions and difcompofuresi&ftirt in Dh' I againft the duty in which he hath a double advantage : for ( ij He ty^ •: deprives us of that delight in duty which (hould r»het on our deiires , j
fo undertake it, fo that we come to the Lord's Table as old Bar* -zitaiy without a tafte or rcKfli of what we eat or drink. When wc a>me to hear, the Ear that tryeth w&rds^ as the Pallat tafteth meat, -ftdfds no favour in What h fpbken \ and this Satan can eafily do by the inward deadnefs or difqniet of the Heart : even as the an- guifh of Diieaies fakes away all Pleafures which the choiceft dain- ties afford. As j^i^^ obferves^ When a Man is chafined mthpain «/>- t u 4pn btf-hed^ his life abhors breads and his Soul dainty meat. And ^^'^^' .whetla Main is brought to loath his Duties, as having nothing nf • that Iwedtnefs arid fatisfedidn in them which is every where Aokeh'o^^'f' fifedJl Temptatibn may put him upon negk(il of
them* (2) He hath plauhble and colourable ^rgiir«e;7f/,by which ht formethan Opinion in the minds of Men, thzt in cafis of <Sluli^ti^ they may da better to forbear than to proceed. He tells ifyilx!f}^y 0i^rtofi Upojf or ffefent any Jervice t^hiUthey atefo in^ Mfofed^^tbaiWf''^^ JT acc^table where the Sfirit doth not enliven the ieart^ andrctqeihi affiSions \ that they do noi tahg bis nam id vain^ ami inereaje their Sin^ andthattheyjbould wait tiO the Spirit fill their fadf^ and t^ fay the truth) it is a great difficulty for a Child of i©<Jcf toiiold 'his feet infoch flipf ay ^places v how many have I feidvi^il^ ^mpfeining'of this, and perlwadingthemfelves verily, that irhcjriAi]^ do fer better to- leave off all Service, than to pcr- fornrtheiiithtis ? and fcarcely have I reftrained them from a-oom- plyanci with Satan, by telling them, that ihdifpofitions are no b^ ib ^uty > but that d#jy -is the way to get our indi(pofitions tMred. -That Duty "is abJUmfy required, and difiofttions to be e«- de^tubured i dnd that -tisa lefS(#«Jre to keep to duty ttnderihdi^ fitionSi thzn wholly upon that pretence to negka it. And indeed^ *vbWc thefe ifidifpofitions are i«»to^c^/ and (hri^en with>the(»- vkis'ai^ oft^etftnbre atXeptMeto God^thtni>\caRng to oter /elves i the rrihciple- is truly SpOitHMl and* ^cellent ') a foundation of Sa- j^ir/ ano *«rfc«^ S'^«^j, upon wJiiclii(if wc patiemly wait > he V. X ' . wiU
*in WW « F4«*« •^ Sihur \ fot^tUt ScaUieiitim^Sfkiml tl»f is bottom'4, «n4 caity'don Vy * «««/«w«wr iW ** * CMp^iii^ wJiCT th«e are no tmal Mptivu from fence anf comfort owfmrai^, than that wfiith hath jww 0/ J«/i|l»* to encouwgc it, while thefm' tr of. tbt eomnand is Uffjipaying and influential. ^ , ^
jRourthlv. Men are oft difcouraged ftoro tfimcf Mimrmmis
rrortbinefi tf^.
Ms
^to take the Name of God in their mouthe?, that tis an inUift- rable PrcfuirPtion. Hcncei fonje like the Wonaan with the bloody lff}xt. dare not come to Chrift to <«JA, < c««,- while yet thcy««- -i«/?/y Mreith andwQwW rather, if they could, privately ^«/ k, then sptnly hit it. The TiAlkm is prcfented to us in the P^oabk, «« one that could ftarce get ovar that objcdion i he is fet forth ifftfidilig ata A;^«H«ee, mdamgtv lifit^bif^stgHtamy fiaurofr attempting to fpcak, rather e:<pteffing hisunworthincfe to Pray, than fcttbg upon the Duty: his fmiting t^iis Ac^i tndfiqp. ipg, Codbe. tmcifid it m stfinWy argued, ithafc Ip^cfa,of ^hefc 4iwouragements lay upon him. Thelike Mjemay feein the f,r9r <fe*/, wlio it feeins had it long «» <<<#««, whether he ftouW §9 CO his Father, whofe kindneffes he had fo abufed \ and (0 loi^ 9$ he could make «i«y <»*iw JfeA he yielded to the Temptation; a? kahe ame to that tefeJve, In»!tmfcandff*9ii^fatbfry atd fin, I bavejmtd agaii^ **nw, Mditbte, a)i4 am m wttbyft if C4B«d thy Sen. Whidi fliew, that the fenfe of this l^ept hm of till neceffity fotcedhim over it. And thisis a difixwrageinent the more likely to prevail for ane^edofSetyicei became ,/4W pf itis««c?ff«y, as die beangingof thofcConvi«^s of ouy Folly? to have fuch l«t» tbwgfits of our (ekes, that vrc^cmt ««ottI^ to come mto his prefcnce,nor to look toward him, is very hteeimui hut to think, that we Ihould nn cam to him, becaufe our Confa- enceaccufethof mmrtbiii^Sy isa€onchtfionof'5<fi4n'siM<fA{'tt;,and ihch as.God never intended from the premi&s, but the dhe^ooa* trary « Gm), fiifh God^ tim^ miKwtkji, The jike coutfe dqth the Devil take to keep Men onfnxn the Lord's TaUe i Ob (iaith he) 'tis a vtryfikumOnUiKmef i be tb0t fartali^<f it ttmtribify^eigu^ anddriaf^b Vammtkn te butft^: bm dtr^ tb*tnmal(i fiieb bdd afftoi^ f While the Hearts, of Men are tendet, their Con&i- encesi^p^ck and aocufing, thc^atning beeec&« f«^ andthef
arc
17. »mn'i%tn^ULtionii: m
fdorthlf , Ssttt Mdesvours to hinder Diity, by bringing them Vu^r hht- -fatto a 0l&fsMd hmbhig of Doty* Thi$ h a coiirfe mod e&dual, dmi by dif- dMkc ^di^'faiingetfafoEtbAxrerraticti > add Withal; doth arong-/iJ^. JJjr.i&jt the Wfind ih porpofes 6f negleft and itfuf^; the Devil fhrttiiwh fhfe Hbottt msbiy W2(ys : as,
FttA, By Keprodebes and IgnonGiiniOtis TeiiD& tt was ah ol^ i From Re- ittick of the Widked-ohe, to raifeup Nid^name/ and ScoS 9gainft froadw. ibc wtiys ^God'^ Service, thereby to begetimoi/aMi ih ithetiearts viMea againft riieiti.- ThejfSir of the Jcifrnfkl h zCb^r that * ifimn had rented txp irom the 'jBegiiinilig. %^hi$arc ('when 109^ uMir kp0imi injuty^ and his *Nmtvpias great in li^el} ^eiie the UuabtnfkcptbS^oax layhig hold on tne Covenant of God. He lendred them, and the Ordinances of Worship ridieuloitf to the ftfatioiils: the^t^^fi^iidiidf CircUtHcifion^and their Miuf/^^M^/e Faith <«theHB«^wthon^tit)iipOn*ibi«^/ noffeen^ was a Proverb ioriYery Man's'tnottth > CHdat JnuUui a^tta — non ego. The Jem li^. cmt* Apu: SMre (kndeted with thejearly Saaifice of ^ Grecian. hndAjj^a on. laAtAfi, that AmoSm K^d fuchan one in a B^ in the Tem- ^ : «rfd that they WdrfbirN^ an Affes bead hi the temfU. jt^an joC cmt. Apl. ^fatt£Uh(ed-the jfoi^/ M^vhfT m thdr jprivy 1>arts every Seventh on. W. 6. u dvy : 4H!tiee He deirhres !^bbatn, of S^)itofu > which with the \jSllfHlimf Rffiifxs M Vfcer.
JLjfimtdim 'flandeted the jfew in JEgyp ^ ais Leprous ChurdhJ^^^ f^^ A|^^ Miiirr ^ ^nd thit their City was hence called Hierofola^ When "^ ''*• *' die Gmtikr were ta!l^ into the^enowfliip of thcGo^^ it was a^erftd wtthtfaelikefcofTsand flouts > it was frequently called a nS«ff,^&fi^//i!g wl ibrange and uncoudh Do^ine : befides, a great AA. iS. la: •faamvile^ «ttid ibrgerles that were hivented to make itfeem odious i A^-' 7.i«> xo; ttd oy • this n^ns it was evefy i^befefol^ againfi. Macbiavil^ that Cal»mm4re -p^oponiided tbePolk:y<of fidl and violent Calumniations to rei;-/«rr//fr Mu die on Advetfary odious C knowing, that how uhjuftJCbever tliey f*'^^*^'*'' were, yet tbiAt imprefllon of jealoufie aiid fulpition wquI^ ie« v^Jhadleatnedirdfthis old accufer, who had often, and bog c^qperienced it to be a ^prevalent courfe, to bring the l&nrvfces of XkA tinder diflike. vai^ fpeaking of what tefcl: himif If , in^ -this *ind i fJtd.'Sp.y^ 16,11^1^.. That his Zeal Jay iunder re- *
frodih'y his irci|^;^ and ^fting became a Troverb : and that in all • xhefe, he was ihcSohg of m Dfunk^d. HeexprclTethfuchap-
X 2 prehenfions
1
I
MP .: '^l^tmtiUot Parti.
prchcnfionsof the power of this Temptation- upon the weak^ that he doth earneRly beg, tKat Satan might not make it. a fiiarc
' to them. Virf 6. Let not them that wait on thee^ 0 Lord Gad of hcftr^ he afhatned for wyfaks > l^^^P^ *^ofi that feth^thee^ be cdnfoHndedfer ntyfakg. And further declares it, as a wonderful prefervation aud efcape of this danger i that notwithftanding tbcfc reproaches,
. hehad not declined his duty, Verf 13. But as for me^ myfrayet U unto thee Lord, Ptf«/ (eems to fpeak hi^s fenfe of this piece of
• Policy > his Imprifonment adminilhred matter of reproach to his Profeffion : though his caufe were good, yet he fuffered trouble
Tim 2 " as tf« evildoers this he knew the Devil would improve toafhamc
and difgrace unto the fervice of God , and therefore he chargeth
'7imdthy to be aware of that Temptation, 2 T^inuu 8. Be not
thou therefore ajhamed of the Tefiimony of our Lord^ nor of me hi$
Prifiner. And verf. 16. He takes notice of Cf^e/^jWay,. chat had
efcaped 'that fnare, and was not ajhamed of hit Chain. • And we^
- have the greater reafbn to fear the danger of this Art, when wp
find that theTempterraade ufeof it, to turn away the sJfeStioos
ofthcCaperiiaHmites(tomChnlihimCc]CyMat.i}.^y. VVhenh^ehad
preached in| their Synagogues, to the applaufe and aftoniflimcnt of
all his hearers > the Devi] fearing the prevalency of his Do<%rine
finds out this (hift,to bring them to a diflike of him,and his Pjreacli-
ing i' Is not this the Carpenters Son ? And they were offended in bimV
' Secondly, Duties are brought under diflike by the has^ards that
2 From Hi- attend them : the Devil leaves it "not .untold, what Men ftall
^if^ meet with from the World, if they run not with than into excefi
of vanity and negled: > if Bonds, Imprifonments, Baniihments,
HatrfedsL, Oppofitions, Spoylingof Goods, Sufferings of all kinds
'will divert them, he is fure to fet all thefe affrightments be-
• fore them : which though they do not move fome from their ftead- faftnefi » fuch as P^^j/W, whole conftancy in duty was not pierced by the fear of Lyons : and the three*Children^ who would not de-
'dihe the wayS of the Lord for the terrour of a fiery Furnace. Yet
thefe confiderations prevail with moft, as Chrift notes, in thofc
• that received Seed in ftony places,whofe joy in the Word was foon
blafled, and they offended at the ways of Duty, JFhentribula-
Matth.13.11. ^^'^ andPerfecutionbecaufe of the IFordarofe: Ghrift pronouncing
him Bleffed, that fhould «(?/ be offended in hinx, becauieof theda^
Mattb.n.6. gers of his Seryite, (hews, thSt the efcape of Tuch a Temptation
• is n9t a commoii mercy^ And if we (ball obferve FauPs pratfticc,
upon
upcm his firft yudqrtakiHg of the A4iniftry, wJhcn itfIeaJi4.Godt4l call him to preacbhis SonjChriA among the Heathen.^ we^fl>a]l fe? ** ^^* (i) 'fhatheVas avwaxe/of fuch objeialons as thefc* (2) That Jkfif ^nd hlood zxt apt to comply with them* and to take notice of thenk (s) And that the fjefl way to avoid them is, to ftopthe ' Ears againft them, and not to hearken, to thcp^ or conjklt with them. C4) And that he that muft do it to purpofe, muft with- out delay, immeJiately tcColve againftfqchhinderances i it being moft difficult for Men that will he inclining to fuch raotions, and healrkning to what the Devil offers, under pretence of Self-i>re-
fcrvation , to difingage themfelves after they, have fuffered their Souls to take the impreffion* ,
Thirdly, The mtannefs of Religious Appofqtments ( a$ to the 3 From the 'outward view) is alio made ufe'of, to beget* a loathing of them, outrpard In this the Devil hath this advantage, that however they are diimannefi cf glariom within^ and-^f- the cunains of Solomon > yet ar^ they as to Services. their outward appearance like thttents^ of Kedar^ without .any of that Pomp and Splendor which the Sons of M^n affed and admire. Chrift himfelf when he had vailed his glory by our Flefh, was of no exteriour/ir« or beauty. The Minillration of his Word, which is the Scepter of hi^ Kingdm^ktms contemptible, and a very foolifh- nefs to men h infomuch, that Paul was forced to make an Apolo- gy ^r it, , in that it yanted thofe outward braveries of excellency of 1 Cor. 1. 1, ^ fieecb and tfiifdopi^ by ftiewi.ng it was, glorious in its power^ and was ^*
. indeed an bidden wifdom ( though not liki^ that mfdom which the Trinces of Wifdom^ md Philofophy affededj) amongjiichas n>ereper^ feS. Th^ Sacraments A>oth of the old and new lefiament feemed very low and contemptible things to a common eyei neither need ,wc any other evidence to fliew, that Men are apt to difreliJh tHem, and to entertain firangethou^tsof them upon this very account, than this, that (bme raifc up Batteries againftthcfe Ordinances up- on this groundj'that becaufe they feem lon^ and mean to them, there- fore they think it improbable^ thzt God fliould have indeed ap* pointed them to be ufed in the Kteral lenfe, or that at beftthey are to be ufed as the firfi rudiments of Chrifiianity, and not en joyned upon the more groipn Chrifiians, Neither may I alto- gether pals over that remarkable humour^ that is in fome, to give [additional ornaments of outward Garb and Forni, for the greater honour and luflre of thefc injundions of Chrift i fo that while
., they endeavour to (hew thei^gfwfe/J re^cSx jo them, they betray
their
jmtiki^M KMBfx (oHsi^e etaif«d CMtj|lf«iM df tMrte^ heckvi&de AatftiHkefs s and ty tin Ufcttos ivliHil they endea- Vote t6fnit an lvi«ir 6pm Cliriib IilUtlifitaB, tkqr itaKjr^ddpJte jlkfAi, iUidl8ri:#thdrfcrpeastotfactttMM Buttfaat^e
ftri^f^ fthbtefitisfiea, tbit Sat^ iHM k$ fcy^Ofis Eng^ iet itt 6oMf&, that of tCw. i. ij. THc jfe* w(!ft /Jr %fer SoA HcSi¥«i, <6 give a Ordcfit :(ild Tcfflmony t6 AatDodtiti? tMfrieh flity k&jJd receive. T!ie <3r«ljr (who were then the orffy |Jfec^te kk Learning ) Wete for VlnUf^bkal Spectdatio^is , and I^ pnt» Now Cfeith the Apoftle) the Dodfineof theOofpel fwhirfi b the Preachfag of Ghrift crucified ) becaofeit canie not Within the compais of what both theft expcdcd, ^Hetcfere. the Deri! fo wiought up€fhthis ^dVahtag^, tbtt tx)di contemned it, It^u^to the JcSvs a jiunAlhtg^lod^y and to the Greeks fiol^neft. Ctfthfe aHb he'(jpeaks tiiore fafff, 2 Cor. i r . 3. Where heiheWs» diat the mi/aU of the OvtinMans t<rere ready to be corh^d with Errd^, againft riieplafa Impdrt'of the Gofee! > and thit which they todk ofl^ceat, wasits5W^*&iby; they Idok^d toon it as cbiitttnpd- ble, becaufe not cbhtatning Tuch gtr^a^ things as ttA^ {tat i fBOitlHg and Wantdn Taney, Nowhe rcfdlves aMthk mtoachdat c^ SMafr, taking ^ctMiniaikii of this, Qis he did upbn %{^e "bbtti the «erttngitKr6Mfidet^iidie6 df tH^ p^ibitldti bi eatih^ k lit- tle Prtift ) tepcff^ade tbdia^ ^h^t fe Arreafl i tljltig^is tlhe t3rf- fpelebttklnbt bcofGoa. 1/wr ffeithhe) J^% i^te«A Ut'tbeSimit miHkd CVe thmiU^hk fmtty, fb y(ntr iftihiVfidktd he ^mfikd'frm Wefm^mytha U inCW^.
4 from the Fourthly, The Sbis i^ "Pi^figVts^ tHrott^ tfte ctiftr of Sataa, Sins of fro- ^&^^ loathingof thefe hdy things If Gdd fr^ttAlfls bWh Ap- Murs pointrtienrs^ and Vjrfe«(^ btitrihm^ bcdiulfe bf -^thc W^oitliSdf thbfc ^ ^ ' . chkt oflb thetn i tib^^rbttder. If Men 'be teii^tfed to di(j^c*Ril
apprehenfiotts W them. When they obferVe Ibnie'tteirtorctehd ah htgheare^ and t&ip V^jfeff forthdtn, Ihfe fMaiefy. Tte Sitisdf Tit's Sohs Wro^fght f his fid Efeft upon^c Pedpfc, iktt Mtn t^ thihrfakes) abhorred ^offkrbigx if the Lhrd^ 1 Sito. !2. ry. thdfe Ihat'ftU off to^Ttor, and thence to abonifn^Me Prs^ices, eoHfS the tpoy of trkth to h evil ^d^n 6f^ 2 Pet. *.'2 . llie Ptiefts th« depatttd out 6f the wky, tn)iftd'tndnyto fUMblk^at the L/n»^ Mdl. a. «• Nay, fo high doth Satan jSdtfte this fiirtttiftaes, that it be-
5 Ffomapro' cofties an inltft to cfircft Athe^. '
fhant diM}' Plfthfy, Sfttanaafo^^)^ m^^ in the )^ktHt dij^faioHr of tion. • ^ Men
$m)C^ of ^i ajagmpu? wicked hfe nafurally leads to ft: tbofc that t0f 1^ Godt tiople at head, PfaJ. ,4.4. e4llrdmt0Pn Gttff Tlus eat5 put at laft the vciy exteriour and fcrmalobfcm- tipp pf Religious pqtie?, in this Satan bends his force akainft theo) : (i). By bpf^hmg the Spirits of Men to an iqfbkm de- fimxo{G(4M^contintudjovimty: Hedrawsoqt the pride and
"^ti^ of tteir Spirits, to a. bold contempt, mm k the lord thai \a , m ' memmjirvebim? If^e an Lrrdf, n>« wiH com np m^ ^ tbe« : wr toxpfu art mr mn.i 6fc, Thus they fet their movtbet agf^ Hea* tm, E/^t« teUs us this, as the ufual carriage of thpfe that livcidL "m pease and joJIJry » Job 91. x^. therefore Jm they mfo oJi, 2V fmfim Hfi fir m defire not the kffotvfei^e of thy tvayes i who it th Almighty thuf m fitotddferve him ? T 2 J By biding frpm them the wrtflJrief of DqtVt /<>* (bealungof the I5f««><, Job. 27. 10. de- faces him by thefe negfcds ofDuty, mUbe delight bimjeffia the Afm^y? JviV h ^Imvt eallt^n Godf Of this he gives the rear
. fcn, vtrff' He.if.tll call .^ff^etyvhep trouble eofifefuppn him. When difirefles ipakp Duties n^c(;ffary, tbenhe wijl ufe thenii in his
■ M&m be mUftekbim early ^ Hof. 5,15. As the I/raelitu did, Ppt 78.34. Whenjhfflepfthemy then tbyfo/uht him^ ami enquired ttih. afier God. But when he is not thus pinched Cand Satan will endcavpur'in this cafe, that lie be as fiur &6m the Rod pf Ood,as h^. can ipake bim ) he avfs over fceWng God, and loatbs iti nay, accounts it as ridicuioiis fb to do : tney mo^at bk cottnjil. and oon^tpin his advice Qf waiting upon hitp.
■ Sijsfhly, Satanpicks ^iwrels in Men, at thewftw/fw- ofperfor-g from tl niamlei/Bttty: When Duty cannot be fpoken againft; then he eny iianker of dflatovtts tP.d^ifby.t!iea^ar«,«/f«^^^ fownance ; a^ (y *f twfe that, aj^ TO.thenj difcovct any »>wj^^ - (as whp dothmo't, whenhej^ath done his beft?) this^fee en4eayoi;^ tpUemiOj thcp^ty witli?J. The bpdil//reye«« "pf f^fJ W^ oli- i?^ teaii^^ hra, as I^i| «»^/?fe, /and hisjjj^ «^we4i liut j^ie de%n of tlvi o6i]e«aipn lay hi|^er, Ae De^l tlj^eby en^ ~ '^' dcavouriqg to render theputief rf.bk t^inifiry 'as cbnttriiptlble,' -~.- % and not to he regarded. (2) If the Cimtmfi^nctt pleafe not, he *^''*
tcacheththemto tak^p«t with the 5«||^<ince, and like Children to teje^TaU, bccauf^ every thing is notfuita|?ie to their wills. Cs) it itte niMWgcd «iany vra? not gira^efid to their exi)^atlons v if tQ»rCiatin0 and fMn, then diey ti^ tj^' \fc ^ii^et! to £i^
v#44 . :^3Clceat(fepf " PartC
they hate it ^ as jfhah 6id Micaij> : if any way too high or dfirufelpy ' • theft likewtfe they fling off. On this Point the Devil pafw^ad^l many of Chrifts followers to defert him, Jo. 6.66. becaufe He had 'fpolccn of himfelf in comparifons, that they judged too high j ; when he faid. He was that Bread that came, down from Heaven *'t/ft'/l58. they'laid, That wAf a fayingnot to he bofi^ : 4ndbnthat occafion, th^ trent had^^ and walked no more vptth him» ' • - • ' 7 1^ ftvMg Seventhly , The Devil brings a riaufeating of the b^utie^^6f refrefintationWotfhip^ by ^vprong refrefeniation of them, in the carriage and ofthegeflurefgelbtres of thofe that engage in them. It feeros ftrange to (bme, of Worjhif^thztzxt but zsidle fieHatars^ toobferve the poftures of Saints; j^'''^. ierioufly lifting up their eyes to Hczvcn ly Or • humbly tnouming,
and fmitihg on their hreafts '^' thcCc the'DfSvil Would render ridi* culous, and as the fujpkiotis managements, of an Hifirionic^l or 'Hypocritical Devotion :^s Men at a diftance behblding the ftrange Varietyof adions andfjoSwrespf fuch asdance, being out of the Touijd fcif their.Mufick, . ftiali tnlnk them a cotiipany of mad Me% and fraintick t?copIe., ^ 'Such ferhei^fe pri^Si doth he* fbili^times 'affotd to thofe, that, copne father toobferve What others do,'thad ;to concern themirelv^s* in fuch duties i that, not feeinjgtheir^>'/z/^i&
puties tpGmrciVjes. V • • -, .- .,."'•-'
rhe fifth t^ay\ 'Fifthly, ^l(n .(jfriler t& %i ^T)iii3rin|'6^ prpklifitig-of ;Myj ^l to hinder J) H'tzXi uftth toirtipofe upon ly(en, hyfallacioui Aitguings: ^tA'hj i
nity ofGod's^^^^ Nai'ujre.^h^t, they art tnGbd and Chrjft yind'hk\^ co/^Mxtt*
(I'Jiof tfae «i<«ri/ jpri<& pt^eif hearts j'h'e'^afil thetii upVithf 1 Cor. 8. 7. ' cpa'ceits of'thecxcelkncy'ortheir.'cohditioftj'g'ttiihg Which ail Col. 1. 18. i^e^ ari' apt .t©; catch at'. wi^K.' kreetjiftcfs,- \xtAa' tte'lt^ imagH
^I^tilf ipr 'to beValtt'^
,
% ft^ed up by bhft^ly mni. The fame hazard atteii<3$ any con* ceited excellency, which a Man apprehends he hath reached unto. Thofe Monfttrs of Religion, mentioned by fner and Jnde^ that • made no other ufc of the ^acc of God but to tffrn it into t^anton* Jud. 4. y^crjl nefs ) yet were they (b tumitied with the apprehenfions of thdr Priviledgcs, that whilft they defigned no other thing, than plain liceniioujnefsj and a wantonnefs in the lufts of the Fleflii yet (it ieems^ they encouraged themfelves, and allured others, from a fup- po(ed liberty which their Priviledgcs gave them^ and to this pur* po(e had &equently in their moutnes, great JmUing i»(trds of va* «//y, 2 ?tt. 2. 1 8. even whilil thy tPdO^d sfter their omt It^isy ]ixdm verf^ 16. (2) To firengthen their proud conceits, the Devil improves what the Scriptures (peak, of the differences of God's Children 9 that ibme are j^miM/, (bme are carnal y (bme nv^, others ftrong > (bme ferfeS^ (bme lefr ferfiS y (bme littk Children^ j q^^ j^ j^ kthcyomg men^ fome Fathers, The end of all this, is to make them p. .. * J apprehend them(clvesChriftians of an fcigiSwrr^ll;, and order, which '•'^* .alio makes way con(equently for a further inference, (viz.) That < J^* %• it,i3« there muft needs be immumties and frtviUdges fuitable to thefe 4iei^ts and attainments. To this purpofe, (s) he produceth thole Scriptures that are defignM by God, to raSTe up the minds of Men, to look after the internal IFor^and FotPer of his Ordinanities, and not to center their minds and hopes in the bsac formal ufe of thi^m, ^thout applying their thoughts to God and Chrift; unto whom, they are ai^pointed to lead us. Such as theie Scriptures, Rom. 2.- ^ ~
-28. He is not a Jem^tpbid? is one OHhPordly'y neitber is that cirefm^ \ dffion wbicb'is ottttpard in the flsfit : Imt he isajem^ which is one in^ tpardly^ and circumcifion is that of the hearty in the j^rity and n&t 'in the letter. And Kim. tf.7. we ftiould ferve in ne»nefs of fpirity and n9t in the oldnefs of the later. 2 Cor, 5. itf. fFherefore henceforth kgow we no man^fier theftS^yea though tPehavekpiorPH Chriji after tbe'fl^yyet tteip henceforth kpotP m Iwn na mofe. EpheC 4, i^. He gave fome JlfofHes^ And fome Frcfbets^ Sec for the perfeSing of the Saints — till we aB come vi the unity of the f ait h, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a ferfeS man. By a pcrverfe Interpretation . of thefe, and (bme other Scriptures of like import , he would perfwadc thetti. That the great thing that Chrift defigned by his Ordinances, was, but to train «p the weJ^ Chr^ians by theje ru" diments (^s the ^, B, C, to Children) to a more ^tttal and im- mediate way of living upon God : ^nd that the(e become altoge^
y tbcr
. jAir i^^s^ whcuCbiftuDs hare jBp^^ up to any of thcfe im^ . gfnary dmw of a fappofed Per&ttioa. ^K)ugh of tbisoiay l>e fe^ain the writings of Saltmaifif^ JPm^fy^ and others^ in the- Jatc timeis* How ^eat a Trade Satan drove by fuch mifapprehenfi- P&5 not long iince) can^iot eaiity be forgotten > fo tlut God's Wor- Ihip did alosofi /yrfi'4/i> and in Hiany places, the wjy to Si$^. diamowtn*
2 Bvpleadingt Secondly, He will fomettnaes confcfs an e^ality of frmUdge an inioftali^ among the Children of God, and yet plead znineqtejlity (fdmy^ of Thay. ^^^^ ^^ ^ ^* ^^ ^^^ flroog to us, and that we have all an equal ^ advantage by Chrift , he will readily acknowledge^^ But then when Grecnham. we (hould propound the diligenci of the Saints in their Services. f^i* 35- for. our faiterit (as of VovhU Praying fiven times a Jay^ Daniels
ohte thnts^ AnM^sfirving God mth f^ngs m^/t^/ m^ grd' d^^ fiocO He tclU us, Ctoefe were mrmmary Services^ and fas k wae) works offiaererti^ioiioH^ more thi^ the Coounand of Gsd^ faddupon thoBO. So that we are not tyid to Jucb piSfnefs^y ai^ we bekig naturally apt to indulge our (elve$ in o^ owii eafe, . are too ready to ccmiply with fiich Delufions. And by degrees / Men ait thus brougnt to a confident belief, that they niay be go^ tm^^ and do ^r mmb ^ k ftqmwl^ though they JUd^ thetr< pace, and do not Fafi, Pfay, oiHear ib gftea,- as others have^ done.
3 • By bright^ Thirdly, Another Sopbifin of his, i^ ra b^m mt Vuiy^ to the mkig one Vk^^mno of amftkrl He fifiv^ to make an ik^im Wat among the ty abotfe d-&veral ports of the Services we owe to God^ aod fboich^ loe* tbirs. ^en^^ (Vie, tojratfe up an cntmy^wd^iidnwluiHgdifi^^
4$notberk Thus would he fever, as incei)fiften(, thc^ tiUngs that God hath joyned together. As any^ngfalfc Teachers, (goie fiy» , Lo bore is Cbrifi V and others, (j^bois fb&% So we find Satan dealing with Duties, he puts fbme upon fuch high re^keds ta Fre4dfing^ that (fay they) Chrift is to be found beoe^ nooft frequent* ly, ratJier than in Prjyo*, <x other Oidinaikres y others are made to have the like eiieem for Frayer : and they a:fiiraH in this is Chritt ^eciatly to be met withaK 6theK &y the like of Sacmnoms^ or Meditation. In all theft Satan labours to b«get a diflike and negled of other Services. Thus (in what relaties to the Coofiitu? tion of Churches ) he end&ivours to- let up fmty of Churches^ . to the De(farudbn of Vnisy\ or Vmtv t^ the r^e of furisy. A notable Esainpk hereof we have in dhe EuAykt^ ( a Se<S df fr^
Chapel 7. Mtan'K Xeinptatiottif^ Uf
i^ Beretid^^ wfiicfa atofe in the time of Valentinwt zni Valtnr)
who upon the pretence of the Commands of Chrijl and Vanl^ for H^fbta^
f^^V^ ^mtnmaBy^ or mtbatff ce^fing and faihthig^ owned no other
t)uty as neceflary \ vilifying RrcacUng artd Sadfait|^ts> as thingi^
fat bcft; ufelefs and unprofitable. The like attempts he makes
daily upon Men, where though he prevail not £0 fer, as to bring ^ut ^g^ ^^
ibme neceffary Duties of Service intoi^ir contimpt \ yet he car- iTbef. 15. 17/
nes them into tob much feerep ntgMt^ ^mA difregard.
Fourthly; He improves the^^e rf the GofMy to infer an wwf- 4 0y fwerif^ e^farimfs of Vnty 1 and this be doth, not only fiom the advan- the ^hAnf. v tage of zfn^MtezxA carelefi Sjpirit in fuch as frefwmnot^y c^-fiwi the ^ fe6t Heaven, though they mind not the tray that leads to it : f or . with fochit is u(ual fas oneobforvcs) for Satan to fiver the mean J ^J^^^^: from the end^ in things that ztegtod^ to make them bdicve, they''"^' JbaS have Feaee^ thntgh they ipoH^^ in the Tmaginatians of their Heart ; to noake them lean upon the Lord for Heaven, in the apparent negled of HoUnefi and Ptity. As in evil things^ he fevers the end from the meansj making them confident they lull efiape Heff and Condemnation, thoudi thcYw^in the path that leads thither. But befides this, he abufeth the undeiftandings and affedions of Men, by ftrange and tmc^kth inferences > as that God hath recehed a fiuufsOiofl^ mdChr^hath done ^9 Co that nothing if kfiforus todo^ The ApofrlePjirf was (bmuch aware of this kind of ar- guing, that when he was f 9 magn^e the Grace ofGod^ he always' took care to fence againft fuch perverfe reafbtiings \ feverely re- Ind^g and refelfing fuch ^eSions : as m K^yi; 5. 7, 8. Wneire fpeaking,that mtt umigbteoHfntfs did commend the righteoufhef} ofGod^ liefklls upon that reply, fn>y then ami jniged as afmntri Which he iharply refells, as an inference of flanderous imputation to the Gofpel, which hath nothing in it to give the lead countenance to that Cinclufion, Let m do euity that good may come. And adds, Thsit l^amnation thin jt^y overtake fuch as pradHfe accordingly. The like we have, Kom.6. i. ShaB we continue infin^ that grace may abound f which he rejeded with the greateft abhorrency, God forbid J ftom both which places we may phinly gather, that as uii^und as fuch arguings are, yet Meii (through Satans fiib-*' tilty } are too prone, upon fuch' pretences, to difpute themfclvcs to a careleis xiegleft of Duty, This mi^t be enlarged in many, other inihmces, as that of MaximurTyrim^ who difputM all Du- ties unncceilary upon this grourtd, Tiat rpbat God mOglve^ iannot
Y a bt
hhindfti h and vfha^ht rAB not givty cannot be ohtaineds - and thcr^-^ fore 'twcic needlc(s to feek attct any thing. Much to the Bane purpofe do many argue. If they be Frcdefiinated to Salvation tbcy fijtll befjved^ though they do never fa lUtle i if they he not Predejil^ nated^, thtyjhafl not he faved though they do never Jo much. In all which inferences the Devil proceeds upon a falfc Foundation, oi fevering the Means, and the End, which the Decree of God hath joyned together: but the main of the Deiign, is to hide the. necelTity df Duty fi-om them. j^ -« t Fifthly, By urging a neceffity or conveniency for fufending; o^ 5 *^V ^remitting Duties. In temptations to Sin, he doth from a little, "
*^#'*l^fc ^^ ^^ ^^^ Sinner to more » but in omiflions of Duty, be would nutting i/m^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^^ . ^^^ ^^^ j^^^^^^ to nothing. Very bufio
'''''• he is with us, to break, or interrupt our confiant courfe of Dutyn
Duties in orda, and Pradice, arc like fb many PearU upon one firing, if the thread be broken, it may hazard the fiattering of alU If wc be once put out of our way, we are in danger to roave (as., before we be fet in our rank a^tn. To eifedthisCi^ He wilt Be fure tofiraiten or hinder us in out ofportwtitiu if he can, and thea to plead neceffity for a Difpen&tion. HTis true indeed, nec^tier^ when unavoidable fas theiiTueof Pm«f£raoe, rather th4nourifeg« ligrnce) may excufi an omiffion of Duty i bccaufc in iiichcafes^ God accepting the will for the deed^ mil havemeney and notfacrifice* But necdiicy is, mod- what a pretence or cov^ to the flotfafiilndsi of ProfelTors > and the Devil will do all he can to gratiiie them in that humour, and to prepare Excufes for them, fto^n fuch^ hin^ derances or. interruptions, asbufinefs, or difiuri>ances can make ^ yet if thefe be n6t in readineis, he wilF (2) endeavour to takeoff our eameftnels, by fuggefling to us ova. former diligence^ that we at other times have been careful and adlive : OsX^) by, letting before B5 the fjreater negligence of thofe that are below us. The meaning oC Both which innnu^tions is to this one purpofe, that we may make hold withTome omiflions, without any great hazard of our Relfr gious intentions, ''or Crandal and oiFence to. others. Now, ifhd can by any of thefc wayes, bring us to zny, abatement >of out wonted careand exercife, he will then ifill /'re/r/w- mare, and from fervency of Spirit, to a cold moderation ifrom thence he will labour, to bring us down to feldhm ferformances : from thecfce, to nothing. The Spiritual Sluggard that will be overcome to fofne negleds
Pzov. x8. 9. ihall be foundacomrpi^iijA atla^ toa fFafler > and wi| be brought
, .to
M. r
to a total negled of aJI. The Church, of Epbefuf^ Rev. 2.4, y/ may fadjy give, proof of .this, they k/i tbdr firft hveh .and from : thence declined fo far, that at laft God was provoked to rmmft
Sixthly, Satan puts tricks upon Men, (in order to the hindring of Duty) by putting- us from a Service ^e/J«//f needful^ with the- frofpfal of another^ in which, ^t that time, we are not y5«»/2cer«e</, 111, (cveral Dutiesof Chriftianity, there is a great deal of skill rcr quired to majke a. right choice, for prefent or fitft performance > and to have a right judgment to difcover the times and feafons of them, is matter of neceflary ftudy* Our Adverfary obforving. our weaknciFcs in this, (when no other art will prevail,) endea-^ vours to put us upon an inconvenient choice^ when he eannbt make us negled all. As ( i) by engaging us in a lefs dtity^ that we may negled a greater i he is willing that wc (as the Pharifiei) (hould tithe Mint anJr'Annis^ upon c<)ndition that we negleS the gr$ater things of the Law. This was the fault oi Martha^ Luk. i o, ^u vnho BuGed her felf in making entertainment for Chrift's welcome, and in the mean time negleAed to hear his Preaching ; which^ as he notes, was the only necefTary Duty of that time i one thing : is necelTaiy. She is not blamed, for doing that which was y&9^^;. m/ in it ^f (fca the thing flie <fid. waSa Duty s ) tut for m>t , leaking sri^xboieeoi Duty v for that rebuke, Mary hathAojen the befter part^ honlf a con^arativedifiommendationh as jtt^in in-*** f erprets, Non tm tHolam^ fed ilia mdiorem^ the thing thou doeft iar not. evil, if it had not put thee upon a negled of-a greater goodt .* (2) He fimietimcs puts Men upon what is gW and Aeceffary 5 ^ ^ but fuch, ^tbtyeamtotxiam'atnvitbottt Sbn.' Thus Sacri/kiflg in * it felf was a neceflary duty t and fuch -was Sauls condition, that it. concerned him at thattin^e, to make his. peace with God ', an<t to enquire bis mind.. Yet when, the Devil upon that pretence^ put, him. upon offering aSaarifm, he put him uponno'fmalltranf- 1 Sam, 13.131:.;. greffion*. The like. game Satan fometimes plays with private Chriftians; who .ara perfwaded i(yond their Jiation and capacity in . . reference to fome Ordinances of God. C3) He fomctimcs puts Men xipcmdangefotisundertid^ngs in pm&nt of their fancy, of^in-^ ing an advantage for (bme fervice » and Co are they turned out of the way of prefent Obedience, in^grafping at opportunities* of JiaSf>oHS if their reach: Saul fiared the Sheep and Oxm'^of ^he^^j^jj j. ,„ ^ ^bnalekites £or .Sacrifice , when Obediena had beiil more - accept abk ^^ ' " ^ \
than..
K
^
PareC
ZXttaMtot
thaa Sacrifice, (4) Thcrcisa. further cheat in the chokt0f Duty* when Satan ctnpbys them t§ prauide fir Dmies t^ come^ to the ne^cA of Duties frtfemfy inoimker^ upon them > whereas we are more concerned in that^ which, 4n frefmt^ is neceflary > than in that, which may be fo for the /Mm v which is a miflake,- like that of caring fir fk mgrram^ while we ufc not what God imea in our hand^ to dsy.
m^mm^mm^mi^m
CHAP. xvni.
t
this. (X) Imtbe Mt 9r ft^orwuuie, iyd^»a^0ut^ wttMjs dBd imvMrdljf. Hts vArint toajs tberem^ by vi- tUtitigtbeDtayitfeif^ Hmbc dcfb/bAf. (2) Jfur ferformAtue y the tUMntur therepf,
%hs / Du^ have b?€n Botcdi what he comcs.W£ this dSm
^«««'- Iwn«t laboutsto makeup, by i^yi«and*«jr-w«tJmriS
this he doth endeavour ibm ways. '.
1 Inthemanm Firft, By putting us upon Services m fiith jnamter st QudlttO' ner of pit. der thennwuee^/e, and difplcafingjiritoGod, and oBprefitabfc tingm u^tovsi As (1) by a eartUfs and nffkmiutii^ «f ServKe We them, . are commanded to ti^ bud to our. febesAw we Aor, at pav; mA
to »^*fr over ourhearts, that thejibamailtpoftutcfaSecting with God. Becaufe the heart, is Service, is that which God moft looks at, and our fervices are meaTured accotdrogly i if then bv a • hecdiefi undertakuig, we adventure upon Aem, noi keepine«» M when m^o into the banfi of Gad, wcoffernodtherUthe Sacr^ceof fiol, i and give occafion to God ta complain that we dobut^r*» mrta him vritb am lift, wbik am bmu mtf^
Secondly, The like fpoil of Duty is made, when we adv^ntur* upon It, mom own^tn^b^ and not in the firength of Chrifk Satan fees the psidc of our heart, and how nmchSir^ ^
contribuc
Ecckf f. I.
i^r
ixmttibutc to k» find how prone we are to be confident of a right pciformMCC of what we have fo 9fien pradifcd before : and thoi- &rc. doth he more induftrioufly catch at that advantage, to make us fofgct, that cmfirengtbif m Gifdi knd that wecfenot cometo him acceptably, but. by his own power. Chriftians arc often abufed this way h when their llrength is to ftek. Duty is oft ?«•• mfiy fet befiwc them, rfiat they may ad as Samffin did, when his loclis were cut, who thought to>id^e hmTdf^ zndtogomm 0t 9iher timis^ and. fi> fell into the hands 'of the Vlnl^nts.
Thirdly, If Kfecan fubftituCe h^ttait and FrmipUs^ as m$tms to Duty, inftead of thefe that God bath twoinianded, he knows the Service will become ftinking and loatfafome to God Faftinc Braycrs, Alms, Preaching, or any other Ehity aiay be thus tainted' when they are performed upon no better groundis, than to he fern ^ 4 Mm, or M cfEmy^ or to iatisfie hamtmr, or when from a^om. rather than confiitm. How frequently did tht Prc^hi tax the Jw/ for thisi that tbsyfiifiidfo tbemfdm ? and hrtmffit fmb fhdt^ to $benjfilvu ? How fcvcreljr did Chrift condemn the fb^ees upoit the lame account? tdling them, that in hunting the ap- plaufcof Men, by thefo devotions, they had got all the reward ^ :they were like to have.
Fourthly, Whenvcdo Mr Services m^iafinaify^ not only the ^ce and biokty of them is fpoiled > but often anc they readred mxprsfitMt. Thttt are times to be oblerved^ ^uyt only for the sght managennen t cf common AdHons, but alfo for Duties* What is Ghriftian Reprpc^ if it be not rightly fiiited to fcafo% andop* pprtunky? Thefime maybe laid of other Services. .
Fifthly^ Services arefpcdled, wheQ.Nknlettipfxn diem3i'iift&««; nfHnimsi^ liowvgfbfir Sins. While they ooroe with their Uds in tbm bmt^ aad ibe ftamUif^^blm:^ tf thitimqmty befmtbm^^^ '^^•' fmty G<d 3PiB ntt bt engmnJ tf by them.. He reijuires of thofe that prefent thek Services to him, that (at leafi> they flieuld not . aflront him^- with SfeSpuffofes of coojtiijuingin their Rebellions againft him : nay^ he cxpcds fuomhis Servants, tJrat look for a Bleffing in their puties > that they come with their bemr^i^ US. to. lu fjann an evil amfaen^^arU tbeirbodks tpofbedmkb PttrerpaUr. If. ihcy come to hear the Word, they nwll/^tv^^^ff/fi^/ajf}^ fifi^hity rfnmghtinefs : if they pray, they tsmii lift Mp pm bamts. , Tim. z B It they cometo thcLocls Supper ^ they mufi eat that Feaft tpi$b
MnUamud^
»••
ccpt
-*
• cept the Prayers of thoie, ' that are fo far coovinced-of their Skis (though they be rot yet fan<5tiHec[ ) that they are mUing^ to lay down their Weapons, and are touched with a fence of Legd £e- ,^nta9ce: fot thus he heard i#&f^, and regarded the Humiliation of Nineveh.) Yet while Men cleaue to the Jove of their iniquity, and arc -not upon any termf of parting with their Sins,' God will not look to their^ervicGfs, 4iut abhor them* For thus he declares him- .felfi Ifa.l.ii. to what furfoft is tbemtdtitttde of your Sacrifices > Bring no more- vain oblations.--— ^I cannot away with thm^ it is iniattity^ - even- the fottmn.mfeting^ — tny fiitl batttk wenty tliy are a troiAle to ;. me^ I am v^eary to. hear them : when yon firead forth your hands^ I mil hide mine eyes from yon^ yea i^ben ym makg manyPrayers^ I mS not hear.. ;Thegroundof all this is, that their heart was no way rfevered from the purpofcs. of -Sinning, Toitr htnds are fidl of bloody ^ver£i5. Satan knowing this ^fi> well, he is willing that they en- gage in theServioes ot Godv if they will keep up their ^//egi- \anee to*.him,. and come with intentions to continue wicked liilh '.for {bwhfle he cannot prevent the adual performance of Duty, .(which yet notwithflanding he had rather do, becaule he knows (not but.God^may by that means (bmetime or other relcue theie Slaves of Satan out of his hand^ he makes thdr Services nothing 'Worth , and rfoders them abominable to > God.
. Sixthly, In the manner of undertaking. Duties are fpoikd, •when Men have not zfubmijihe ingenuity in them, by giving them* -ielves up to the direSion and dijpofal of the Almighty 9 but rather ^nfine 2nd limit God to their mils and defires. Sometimes Men by attempting of Services to God, think thereby to engage God to bummir them in their wills and ways. With fuch a mind did Mah confult the Prophets about his expeditk)n to Ramotb-Gilt^i -not fi) much leeking Gods mind and counfel for dired^ion, as think- ing thereby to engage God to conhrm dsiicompty with hU detenrnr . -nation. W ith the fame mind did Johanan and the reft of thepeo- ple confult the Lord, concerning their going dow^ to -^^ft^ Jef. 42. 5. Though they iblemnly protelled. Obedience to what God (hould (ay, whether it were good or evil ) yet when the return from God, fuited fiot with their defires-and refolutions, they de- nied it to be the Command of God \ and found an evafbn to free themfelvcs of their engagement, Jer. 43. a. Such dealings as theie beingithe evident imdertakings of an Hypocritkal heart, muft needs render all done upon th4t (core, to be prefumptuous temptii^
of
«fGodi no way <Ieforaig the name of>Sdrvice.
Secondly, Not only ate Setvkes thus fpoiled, in thofewrongs. Lttbet orouttds and ways df attempting, or foting about them, but in ^ pafof dbe vtnsS^ or pertbrmsmoe of them, whfle they are nfon the Whuly nuum, Cas a Fbtters VeflTd in the Ftophet) they are often numdi ahd this Satan doth two waysi ( O .ftr ij^«»*«g our thoughtSj_which two maytt, fiiMild be attentive and fixed upon the Service in hood, (a; By vitiata^ the Duty it fe1€
Firft, By d^oEtitig or diflurbing our thoujghts. Ilfis is an uTu- 1 . al Itolk^ of Satan. Thofc Fowls which came down upon Abra- a'u^ kam Sacrifice are fuppoftd (by Learned Expofitots) to fJgnifie q^^ , , tho& means and"ways by which the Devil doth difinder and '* double our though in Rel^knis Services. And Chrift him&lf conmates the Devil fleaHng our thou^ts from Duty, to the F«r^i^lfcil«r,thatgatherupthcSecdasfoonasitisTown. Thercj^j^jj are many teafims that may pcrfwade us, that this is one of his ' *•** Kbfier-mecesof Policy. As CO in that the bufinefii of Diftradi- dn b oft, t^ dmtt our thoughts do not nahtrMy dc%ht in Spt- titual things, becaufi of their depravement* neither can they 6afi- ty btook tobe^in, or confinedfoiiri^, as the nature of fitch imployments doth require > fi> that there is a lund of fntertuttiral fine upon our thOudtfs, when they are Religioufly imploycd ^ which asit is mitfahaborious: (like the ftoppmg of a Stream, or driving forikt back 4 ) fb upon thelAfl re/««wigof the Spring, Hat mvA had our thoughts Heaven-ward, they incUne to their natural bend and current. As aStone rolled up a Hill, hath a nnteHHa, a firing ag^unft the hand that fijrceth it, and when that . fbtce flackens, it gpes down-ward. How ealily then isit for Sa- tan to <et our thm^ts off our Work? If we flacken our Care never fo little they reecyle, and tend to their oUtym\ and how ca& is it forhim to take off ourhand ? when *tisfoniuch in his - ■ sower to «wfl Aw^t and motions into our Hearts \ or to fr^hit Cbkat to out Eyes, or Soundf to our Ears, whid\ by a aatta-al farce raueth up our ^)prehenfion to ad ; for in fuch cafes, nm ftffmm tm cMitm : we cannot reffarain thcaS of thinking, and not, wHh- Mt ms* bttdMnefi^ can we reffcuii the;«r(i«»or thofe thinkings and imaginations. (2) Satan can aMb do it infenfibly i wt di- flradionsorroveings of thoydrts creep and flea! upon usfdently, we no more know oft, when Acy begin, than when we begin to flecpi orwhen we begintowanderina joumcy,whctcottwcdonot
2 l3KC
114 %%tt^tiUtf Ruftct
takeout felvcs tefet i*«t crfftiM w«y,*t^^ii^ Vii ' : . - able tttrtittg* ())' Aad^vhGn ii*f*ev|i^slo dmde oii^vthqughts
fromdur Duty^ M always a:)ali€9great ^uhdhtagt r &}nha^bc bun - derstS^t Ibait> tberaqf^aodf^refit of OMUnanccs. Whilewe aic buGeA (Ot/«fi!;i;»^ minvlv^/Vn^u^htof the^Dfity g^k i^ mi wt ' *e>itt arthofM^iiifcVttlriijclq^
tend for their own advantage. Befides^ oaudi 4df . the fit^ii^ntfs^ ^
. i^inaacesai e abated by tbip v^ry ^rMvUe of our Atteodaooe. Wben
W^ are put to k (asi^Jr^iikM^ was^ to be AUl driving afvay tM^
Fowls that ooi|]if: downiuMa mt ^^ir^aitCheverj.toil.iiHU!^^
yrides Aiatterti) ^^ ag^iii^ti)^ (Mcqrj^of tht^v^i^t^^^ ^ od will aflurtd^fiad a.tiim, to-fet it bonne uma tbepor to-^Ha
* : |» fittther .gf(*a4v«»Cfig|fo5 a tflfflH^^W?^^^^ # wwf-l^fattsi
and. wUl npt cc^tft WflpiR^ fe:l» 4S^<^i9«;iJf^iW9^1i^wJ^^
US fadidiftradions a^wte/^ ^^ ^"^^W'f^N^. ?^lffl9'f«r^ tentions from the Servi€e,^hen^km0£a;i4cpl^ thougji^the oii^09diC}XQ}9i!^ eop^
and Saintrlikc. Wfa^jcould^^ajy^^fAa 5jpre,J^ thofc in Esp^. 33. 3 u wlw^^ame^audT^^^ BIw^'^^"
Divine Services (as to^aU outward ^KO\a^)t ^\^W K^Wtk^h y{5 .was all ipoilc4 vi^ich.thi% that tbieit 4^^-^^^ fpA nefs. ' ' \ ♦ " /
Now- thi^piaraftw Satan, caij wprk ^a »>^^ . , .^^ ^ i.OOv^ari f ^, % fitf^n^ardiX^iJlw^anceSf. |je ^an prefen^ ^^J^^"*^^ i^haneef. J&«ex, ^n .purpofetpeptice ourj^hqugh^.aftfctRe^^
Qt the Eyes in Piaycry is lued by fomc' of the Servants? Q^'6odt to prevent Satan's Temptations ,tliis way. And we jjn^, in the l!^ef^^^^ Story of Mr^KothiPil^ tha,t tlie peyij toot nptice .qf t^^^^^^ in. hifii, *'' . That.fe (ffti Ifki yfe^ fp ^4waid d^fSUtji^ wjiffll ingplies^
a Conceffion in the I^syil, tl^at by 5>uf,w^aj:d .Otie^Sts Ije ufttli jjo ^n- 4eay,our puy 'dittpu^ion- i^ .^er vices. . 't^V.lH^^^^ aotAj^yMiTfef and (bunds. JNeith^r ^an we fJilfGovcr ^pW mucH pf thefe.IJiftiir- bances, (by Coughing?;, ^fmmiiigs, Tpniplifi''^s, j^c^ which we te3ri9g^9atejrAacB^>fe^ ' '^ '^ ' ' ^"
4liri^.}^ gfiqy^iaBd^roUb: . ^ ^_ _ ^ ,
'^ith
gud call off xbdt xhougim: Ikdm ^^Servke^ trfiidi iche^ M^cre ajbout fiaiiodertake* fie^dos, {he com&iba ways of giving troable ig 1^ Servants of XSod in outward DiAprbances, he (bmetimd^ (^(bouAb^caxety) doth it in an cxirM>d|r/7tfry aianner : thus he eadea^ vgmS to .hiodei Mx. Rating ifosn flaying ior a PoflS^ilbd f^rfqptU by ragi^nd Jfli^bming. -The IJlce hinderance' we read,' his*' gave iilti«,.and. others : and truly f# JlriS in attendance^ in (J»e ^tf' (ife^ofput Minds,, fpirkual Sences, and Graces, is re^iriid id m9fXQi$ of Woiihip: and So vMk^ are our hearts in making ate^ fiftini:«;^w:b6alisg o^. thele afiaults, thafa very fma} cnatt^wHl
§CC»3»Jly, Hedifita&otditottb^ ti^alf^^^ by uwMl Wirling^.^JptmatddU 9i)d uifC^tKHis.of Motions, and^ «cpre&ntations of * tfaings^ to omf j}rii£ff0iv« ^^4$; and^thia.ishis nioAgeneial and^ ufual m^, (b dothhj^ iVjike Jift X(f :ciCRt0i:^i^iiecyio|f ta)iittiyaiice and^art 'iti it : AV.^' ' -. J^^ gyrthicimttrittfciiMb Inffetmm^kfi and' Vidkn^t>f ift^lA^ ' je^i^f ^' CDODCufpofl {ifiaBi thtdtf ^TAM^ \ t^blTodtidr do )^^pt&| by one Nfotioo, but another is in upon us : he hath^s^ Quivert&ff of tthei^ . Aii^i>wiS»;andoQr-hearts . (ubdeK afiy SeirVJce> fipdrmyAth i^e$iteijsce^attdyiinfcged< % tbQm,^ahd hav^ tib reit *:'A?
%ff'€0^t^^S^kA!omw^^ nitidieT'idldlfh tie feinti^
pr^is upon us:. but iadieie,''5akan:^iscontinucilfy1(;^ door^ ^nd c^Uiidg totis, ib.that it i^t great ha^ardv tbat^ibme or 9j^er.(pf jjiofe Ibjeftions mayv ^Hd^^uponour thoughts, ^nd lead
tA^C^,- tod feeteto'cn-' fiiare q% biy ip^roviiigMr ot^n^iritHul refiimion and hatred again(V him^eyon ^ cQurage i^betted on< and enraged ^ makes a Man^ ve/z/c^/oi^ beyond^, the: due homds ^f pxiidence, or &fety. To thfe ix\^^ beiba)e|imes-x^inro our thoughts^/ii^lnwl^ B/^^em^i^^ and. 4thot0;icaliuMi^Soi^^ only^MMe^ us;, but ofte'titimes
engage us to m^i agamft them > vvhich, at fpch time, is all he (eeks for: for, whereas in fuch cafes wefiiould fend away fuch thoughts^ with a ^qr^ ^fi^^^y 1^ ^^ kehind nu Satan \ We by taking up ihtlM^ STfordzg^iQ& thlem, are drawn off from tnindiit^ our prelcnt Duty. Z 2 Thirdly,
T{iiidI]r,Hedotfa(baietiiiicsfiektoalIi^^ totheObjed, bf tmsekntin^wbsLt is fteafattwi^t^dog, CO He will adroiture to fuggpft podtbijtp imurtmmh^ and va&9&>nat^ Uy>as when he puts us upcm Fkaybg^ whik we &^ or whilewc acnfaying,hc puts into our hearts, thmesriiaf »» heard in Ftcachine : theft thoies^ ( beciuft
lelveis) wearenotCb ajpt tofbrtle at^but give them a mote ^ck wekome.^ (2) Healtocam aUufc ois thoi:^bt% by the)Inn^€w// ©Fthe things fuggefled > ibraetimes we fliail have fatfrofftiMs which we ^mr iwi &c^ or ibroejiw and exceUentiM^Af,^ we can fcufcc forbear iiiraii^ ilfUr after the^ and
fetwhcnallisdone^cxceptwewhoilyncgledthcDutyfor them, they will k vanifh, that we can icarce remember them when tte Duty \s over. C3 > Sometimes he fiiits our de&es and inclinati- ons with the Ttmmbramu of things that are, at other times, mvA in our /mandaffedion x and with theft weare apt to comply; the jdeafuic of them making us forget our prdent Duty. Thoughts of Eaates, Honours, i^latk>o% Delight^ Reocacbnsi or^p^t* cverelfe we are ftt upon at odier times, wiil more eafOt picvail for audience now» ;
Fourthly, He hath a way to betny, and ciramnrent osj by height-' aing our mm jtMloMfiu zad fears againa him-, and hew he^ Jboetr min our mubm: and bya Jdnd of tfumAw^, makes us muhi our defired work* F(» whtjte he olxfevves us fe»fid.jtA watch- fiil againft wandnog, he doth «/««». us the inoie: (bthat Ci) in- fleadof looking to the fnfint part of Duty i wereiflctft^uBon what IS pafi^ and make enquiries, n4tether we fafmmdtbst miAtf or whether we did not wander ^«#^ btgiiuiag} Hmsour fiMHwi that we have mifcairied, king us into a mfegrriagt : by this kre we deceived,and put oflf&om minding whic we ate doing at prcftnt. OrCaJ an tagtt #«»« ^ our thoughts on our prefent Service* doth amaze, and artooifltus into zfttfid Mtffi/utty^ or into a feYinz! or doing, wekpopf mt, wbati. zs otdmzuif it happens to perfon? that o« of a great ftarfuh^ttt, affind va the prefencc of Tome great Pertonagesi, become- laiMe to do any tbingri^ j or to^>chave thcmfclves tollerably weDiw as an 0Mr-fi««/y and earacft fixine the Eye, iraa^the fight, and renders the obiedlefi trahi 6\P cemaUetous. '
Fifthly, Sometimes Ae tmrtifi of F«»ey aaingor workme ac-' cordmg to fome miftake which we have cntertaiaed i as to the man-
-nef
tiood or fiaim, when wefhould have looked after ihcfit^me^. I will Rive an inftance d[ this, in reference to Ftayer t which (I faave ^lenrecl; bathbeena&are and mifiake to fixne^and that is this 9 Becaufe in that Duty, the Scripture dureAs us to go to God^ andtoiet hmb^mmi therefore have they thoi^tit neceflfaiy cofiamean Ides of God in their thoughts, as of zjerjm frefiat to whdni tfaey fpeak» Hence thehr thoughts are bufied, to conceive fiichan^r^/ev^Mi and when the ffaadow of imagination zrMji^^i^^ their thoughts are agam hijkd to entire, whether their hearts are upon God ^' Thusby fbj^g with Fancy,they are really tifi atttntivt upon their Duty.
Sixthly, Satan can lay imff^ms of Diftradion upon Men, hi* fintbey tarn to Religipus Services, whidi (hall then WQrk,and fliew their powertoir^t, and divide our hearts s whichisbyaffarong ^i«p0|^ij^of the heaft, with any thing that we fear,or hope, or de^ fire, or doth any way trouble us: thele will (tick to us, and keep us €9mf4ny in our Duties, though we flrive to keep them back. And this was the ground of the Apoftles advice, to the unmarried per-> ibns, tocontinue in a fingle fife, (tones of PerfecutiOn andDiftreis nearly approaching, ) that they nught attend upon the Lwd mtbaui diflraiim : implying, that the tb&Hghfiiliieff^ and more than ordi- 1 Cor. 7, i^ nary carefhlnefe, Which would -ftiTC upon the minds of Peifons tttider flich ftrain • and hazard*, would unavoidably folfow them In their Duticisj and fo diftraA them;
SecfcniSly, The bther way, ( befides tins of difiradion) by which 2 / Piv^ie/ Sawn fpoilst)ur Duties in theaflr of performance, is, by vitiating^led in the Vmy it fdft Snd'tKis he comp[ionly doth three ways. ' fttfmnanct^
Firft, Whenhe puts Men upon grw/er care fat thcoutrpfrd garb hy vkiamg and dreft cff a Service, than for the im^ard workjof it > he endear >irJ>i«tjr. vours to maH^e fome Devotionaries deal with their Duties , as the urk^ 06 fbarifeei did with their Cups, tpafhing and adorning thfe ^^'-M, ?;, • . j^X while the infide is altogether negkded. Thus the P^j?//?/ generally JJ^''^ ^ ai© for. the outvpard pomp and beauty of i?eryices j being only carer •^*' fel, that all things (hould have their external bravery : as the 'tombs of the Prophets wcx^ painted and beautiHed, which yet were full of rottenneff. And the generality' of Chrifiians are morea^bkeh up , \
with-this, than with the Service of . the heart: Puw/'wasfofenr fible of this Snare, b the work of Preaching, C where ordinarily Men cared iotexcfMency of j^eeeb^ ar wifdom ) that he determines » Cor. ».i.:
another
1^ ^%i[t^umt ^m-
'\i
X Cor. t. u ^j^j^ ^^^^ t)uts% E^W*i Qf iOliiftfCiwfciiieid 'axJ^cmtpMii fldrmifs*, 'Tis not \f^c^ the p»twai;4 wft.wd iiponefe ^ Oiiii*
' /r^ '^ /^ ^Pl^^?f9 not tq ?Qy pyrpofc^ }Wh»C tins JKaut ioth
(>o Jp tile 4? wjpwi?iaf . Mcii, tbto «> plwfc .Gq4 < an mffiaaas^tt
theridlfdves rai;lier thantobiou Aud fberrforcjU it, tb»t,ii9i|ltt yerentiab conkffcd they did, (Ch^*6.2Q,): in jbuying lucente^ the fweet Cane, ffaiab (Cbap.43. ^40 items to deny, tk^H h4 bought me no ffe^ Cane jgrithjWVy > A^ut is^ .tbou^ f^hou 4)4ft ^ \ yet it was to thy jTe//, rather than torn: I accVpt^4 JttPW» ia»dfl was it ajl pflLC^SjflitjoH.ipdil xRflt 4jWe Jr.; . r. ♦ ;^ . /. ^ .c r. ' ' Secondly^, Duties, and Sct^viq^s sjtfipote .^ppargntjyvv&iatedjt^ humane addithns ; a thjng ^xprefly cffOitnuY {^ xhdjf^aW^P«ifm|fi^ we/i^; ai)d. yf;is,therea lliau^ ii^c^iji. W§ii jijis.way, 15^. fometim^s jireth jp/ucfc %t /Ji? ^^<l^ jHi4. .cfcar Cpfl*
ihapds oE Gqlwft^^^^ thje,j5?e^i6*wj>SC««fi(^ H^f
ty^ Oraer^ziaWfiliifiiy i, a^d ^nqthin^ dothBc^q.^t^ke ti^e^ny;tl^ What tkydevife.ai^d^^^ Satan ^pjRs te 4ife|«i6fig.ttul
is' to God, and fiow^^gi;eat an iQc{inatiQn there js^^ fbdfs^ la.bc
, forWardjpth^^^ fbatkc^
• eaGly;|)rcvail wtn the 4nc^'t}9}a. |/Thjf\fjsj))ejg§jiCjwfe§nia8i
bf the 7£i^/>,N^t^^^^ ?/<^?^'t^t-'aiid;pf;tlje ?^
jfJe/jWho though tliey declined. i;ne 14o|?tfie3 qf jthqir Fathers » yet
wctcCofond u^nthQix Hx^diiiottj^ toatt^ey ma4c their ff'a^^
.'' '. ^ •; I'^^Vas thrift tells jbcp^ ^^nd^thishumpuy alfojqP^Af;ti^
' * ' ''v.infiwtiatin^ ittelf inb tih^^ 'inan^ed J^j.^^ gre^t .^eal.of
■--'•••^^ - ; deceit. Cot. 2X\n^^
;;..-..-. he ^oth :earneftly Fore-warn them ol. ^There arp {n^(;e^ ^ f^vprf
• ' degrees of corrupting a Servicebr Ordinance by hurnane^44itiy
.^ , ons 5 according to which, "'tis niore or lei(s dehled: yet, tlj^ leaft
. ' . , prefumpcipn this way, is an offence and ProvQcatioHj^ . . • , : *
^.. •* ' Thirdly, Duties are vitiated in their exc?//. ^•fff«'^/.W9i:flup»
whicth confilh in Fear, Love, Faith, Hunaility,e^'c, canniever.betpp
much : but I///?//»/e^ Worfhip may. Men may Preach too^mucb,
and Pray too long, (a fault noted by Chrift in the Pharifeeiy they
made long Prayers) even in Duties b a Man may be righteous pvei;r
Inuch. Jimotby was (b, in his great .p^jns and om abftemjotts
life, to the wafting of his ftrength, which tbC'ApoflJlGtiikesnfiace
' ' '' ' • of;
•••
o€, and advifech a|;ainft it, Vrink^no longer water^ 8cc. The Corin^ ihians were fo, when out of a high deecftation of the mifcarriage of the Inceftuous Perfon, they were backward to forgive him, and to receive him into the Church again. F^ter is another inftance to us of excefsi Jo. 13. 8. Firft,ina modefi bHmlity^ he refufeth to let Chrift »4/& lis feet : but after, lifederftanding the meaning of it, then he runs to the other extream, and offers not only his feet^hut hb bands and bis head. When the Servants of God are confmus of de- - fefts in their ServiceSjCas if they would make an^nds for thefc,by the Impb and cocrtinuanceof their Services) ^ they are eafily drawn into ztk excefe,every way difadvantagiousto themfeives,and the Service*
Thirdly, When Satans Defigns do not take to fpbil the Duties^ 3. VHtier cither by the manner of the attempt^ or in the AH : he then feeks to ^yled after pky an after-gtf me^ and endeavours to fpoil them, by tome afhr^mip perfirmance^ carriage of ours^in reference to thefe Services. As
Firfr, .When he makes us ^«i of them : we can fcarce perform ' aiiy Service with ztoV^ablefrntabkneff^ but Satan is at hand to in- • iHll thoughts of i^/^/^>e, vain Glory, and Boafting \ and we readily begin ta think hi^ly of our felves, and performances > as if we were better than others, whom we are apt to cenfure, as low and weak in comparifon of out felves. Though this bean apparent de- ceit,yet ^is a wonder how much the minds, even of the. beft, are apt to be tainted- with it > even where there areconfideraWe indeavours for hmility^ and felf^denial, thefe thoughts are apt to get too much entertainment. Now, though we run well, and attain feme com- fortable ftrength, and watchfulnefi in the Services of God : yet, if they be afterward fly-blon>n with Prid^, or if we think to^ embalm ' them with Prai(es,or referve them as matter of Oft^ntation i though • they be Angels food^ yet (like the Manna-o( the IJraelites^ wljien kept too long) they mllputrifte^ and kreedfTormsy znd Co be good for no- • thing ,. after that we have been at the pains of gathering it.
Secondly, When well-performed Services are pervert^ to/ec/#- - rity^ then are theyalfo fpoiled > we are ready to fay of them, as the rich Man of Hs abundance, Soul tal^ thine, eaje^ thou haft much laidnp • far ma.y years. Satan is willing (for a further advantage) that we think our felves fecurefrom him > and as after a full Meal, we are apt to grow drowfie : foafter Services,weareapt to think ouffdves out of harms way. The Church after an High Feaft with Chrili^ Cant. 5. £. prefently falls afleep,and highly mifcarries in Sea^icy,and Negled : • by this means-do the bell of Saints fometimes lofe the things they have wrought, and throw down what they formerly builr up.
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S>JEM0KQL001jl^ SAC%;^A i
O R, A
TREATI
OF
The Second Part.
CONTAINING
The itianifblcl Subtilties and Stratagems of Satan, for the corrupting of the minds of Men with Errour • and for the dcftru^on of Ae Peace and Comfow dF the Children of God.
By 3^. 6p.'(|.«'- '^■^
mm
landmi^ Printed by J. P. for Kichari Kandel^ and FeterMaplifden^ Eookfcllers in Nen^afik upon Tz/ie, 1 6yy^
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PA R T U
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CHAP. I.
•f
That kiU SMMts^md Dtfigt to<9rmfttbe Midi tfMett mth Emttr, Tk Bpi^ces that it isfe, MtU^aJmsfhv BUuimritbatm^,, . .
jExt to Satan's Deceits in tenqftin^ fa' Sin anH - agairijl Vuty^ h\$AcV\^ot C9mipilngfh Aftff^/- (fMen hy trriur calls forour feardi » and indeed • fhis is one of his principal endeavours, tvHidi takes up a'xonfid^ble part ofhis Ym^ and d(- lige^ice. ' a^ IS not only called in Scripture ai . * * Vkckan ^Sfhit^ tut^Ifo a Lying Sjtirit^ and the#c are none eT tb.e(e curfed qualiHcations that lie idle in him : as by his tlnclean'nefe we may eafily cdnjedlure his attempts upoli the Will and AffciftioDS to dcfik theni hy Lull v fp by his tving we may concliide that he will certainly jirive tohlittd the Underrand- Ing^oy Errevr. But acfcardiicovcry.ofthis we may havcfiroiii.. thffc Gorifiderations.-
Eirft, from God's intercft in Trutb^ in refercnde to his great - dci^sof ftf<?^/«C? an.d Mtrey in the World. Truth is a Rays and Oeus cR pi £-• "Btam oThw who is the Father ^ifLi^ts. . AH retxJled Truths ma Veritas irf-^ arebut C^fW and TTanfcripts of that iffiHtiati, Archetypal Truth, [^'^^^•j ^?" Truth^isthelRoi^ of his ^fnngth, Hal. 1 1 0.2. the Sceffer afhk Klng^^^ ^Jf^^ ' /bm by which he dothfubdue the hearts of Men to his obedience nona^\s,UJc. and feryiise in tonverfion. . Truth is that Kocl^ upon whidi he oifit^ie^Tht^l. h^ihiuilthif Church, the fowud^ion? are the frgpht)! andApofiks, <^^P' '• lip^. 2:20. /t"hat is, the t&Srlht of th^^Trophcfs and ApoHltt, ■ ' A a 2. in
i^ 3(1Citattfeof PattU
in the Scriptures of the Old and Nm t^ammt. Truth is that t gitat itf^tum commictcd to the care of his Chur^h^ ^hich is
I Tittu J. ij. therefore callei ikt fitar rf Tmh : beoitifilYS JRrinccs or Sums
pot ^kr Prodatnarions on Filters ferthe better informttioa of
Job. 17. 17. their Subieds, To doth his Chuftfh hold out Truth to the Worl^.
Holiaers is maintained by Jlin^th, our ways 1^ dmOid by it^ and by it are we ftnrnKritd of Satan^sDcyices. ^ Now the Prina 0/ P^i/f carrying himfelf tna« full an oppoficion to the G$dof 7mb as be can in all his ways, God s intercft in Truth will fuffi- cicntly difcover the Devifs dcOgn to promote Ertour v for fiich is his hatred of God, that ( thgugb be iav»not deftroy Truth, no more than he can tear 4he Sun- out of th'e Firmament, yet 3 be will endeavour by camtfting the Co/y^ to difgrace the Origi9^l\
thou^ he caiinot ir^CbrlftVScie|iieex, yetibj^iaifii^ irtont ke jirquld hinder, tbe twitf/e of.his Subjeds/, though he Gumot remove iht Rock' upon Which the Church is built^ he will ^ea- vour to jMf it) ^1^ t)d iniem^ the Biiildiiig, a|id to* u^dmn God's Proclamation from the Pillar on which he hath (et it to be 'Te($dofM\ and if we can conceive what ^n hatred tbo tfmf\m\t t^ the Light, as it contradids and hinders his Defign^ we may imat gine there is nothing againft which the Devil will ufe greater contrivances than againft the light of Truth ; He neicher^ii; not will make ^ league with any, but ^upon the terms that, AWi^
X Sam. II. J, propounded to the Men of Jab^^Gitead!^ that :is, that be may fpa mt their right eye^ zxidfo lay it' far dreprdoch'^jmihe^ J^fitet^f God* 'Tis the work of the Holy Spirit to lead uf httoTrmb^ arrf by the'nile of contraries 'tis the Devirs \96xk.fo leadlhtb Irtbtn^^
Scfon^lyv -Though the jSaipture doih charge the *y*frand, dan- ger of pelufion and Errour i\t>6n thofc Men that pmdte it, to the dcfeption of thcmfelv€.< and others, yef doth it. chltfly* blame Satan for the great Contriver 6( it, and cxprefslj*iffii|ms hiin- tp be the grand Deceiver : InJlruments and Engenierr Ke muft make ufe pf to do him fervice in that work, hut iiill It, Js the T^adl that is a Lying Spirit in theit Mouths i. 'tis he thattb^cheth and
Aff5 ! 3. 10. prompts thein,and therefore may they be called fas JE/J^ was by
^ftftiro^ u P^ ) ^he Children of the Pevil, or ( ^$ CeriMuf of oW) the
S«7«rii lirft'born of Satan.
The Church of Cw?w^, among other diftcmpers, laboured , under dangerous Erroui*s, againit which when the ApojtU doth . induftriouilyfethimCaf^htf&A l/^Oftte
falfirfi^HbeffiVfho iu4 cutmin^Jy ; wyou^t them up lo^ i« apti**
falje^4fv*^f as halving no cpmrniiEoo tiorn Q^d, ^nd Sosb'^ Mni^Syt Cora u. ij, 15. thereby: uiiprming us who it i$ that (ends chenn out and implcys them upon this errand. 2« He efpedaDy accufeth Satan 9A the great Contriver pfj^ll this evji i ^^'•^SlAjrtih^lr. l^^^ dm ihlf for .the
prmcipal cauie,. that tbc Gfidafthf WarldiUndii tbfh
jiny Rumbled at the rni^plicity ofthe Gorpel, he preieiit(v blfrms the fiibtihy of tb9 old StrPtnt tot iu aOv. ii.j. WhenfaJftDo- . ^Ine was dire&Iy taugnt,^ and vamiihcd over with the glw'ws pretexts of) Truth, iUnJie c;harg^^h Satan, with it^ >^.f 4^ H^^ fn^mJ^ ffxr, Satan *^«!)^i ,|f^^ an dngflpf^i^^ \
wher«,h^ 4^th ^ot phly^gjvc, ircaibn oe the corruptiqg or the adulterating the W6r4 0^ Ciod by &Ue*Apoft)es, asTi^i^T do ; their >vines hy mixoirc^ C a Metaphor which he^inake^i vifc, of, n^ano^^H^ ' oa^p a- i7t ) that they learned it ot Satan, wbo^ ^^t no0, $4 tke
'. ^iptpt'^ataiii,! tp turpilh us .witfi a tn^e ^(jco'un^ of tjie^gfoupd oFthai cunning Craft^whkhjtheie deceit ujjb^ ^biic
;they» tn^amar^fii thcmfelv^ by an imtation of the way and 'Hianno", icaland diligence of the AfofilestofCbrift v tljcy weue Xaught bjf oneijvhft ha^,,ex^aiy l^ed ,the Art of I^wtarioft, and whocouId^^tQair^ a(J V>yjhpM ^c ^^f^t ,pfa»
'^ Angel ^ Up^iy^"^^ wo;?4eri d|3t
Xo many with, iqch' (ecjming earneftnels and zeal, (hould give ap themfclves to deceive by^ialj^-Do^Jne : iic; tells us that thisJ^tb bceij the Dcvil!s work, bom the AtA bmulingofty^^ verf 3, ud that as he then, made i^ pf z^SarfVft ^r his IpPmmenf, Co cvff (incein.atfage?%Vth> ^
as his Emiiraries,,that,it=lhpuid,n6w neither Teem ? 9»w^,mor ? ^ a jT'^^^t w^^^er to fcp the pcvil Tirtlus w^ by his Agents, \ » ij[**?!\^ -. , Thirdly^ Jliat this is Satan 5 great dcfign,^ niay be- further Vkared„6om tl\^ (vjnjjtanf omfi Qthis cndwypgrs* - Tjie I^bfe •• of tli^^tki^s, W^('^^ Jbatata;^ js:jisi«^* in.(bw^
iPg^T^e/, as the Malkr pf the Fi^d 4^15 fwviuft%^,4 ^cit by Tares, not. Errors m ihcmiraS^ but Me^ aire ^ bp^nqen§[oo4i , is, evident from the Parable it tc^\ bi^t.thar'vwhifi (nah^s JMoi to be Tir'w, ^ Siw^nd %rrottr : fq that m ^catnpiex iqfife^ Wp-^ne
itaught hpy^ ail^wt.^he^.f^vjJ, (:.:?f^,k«?ipi?^Xr]G§fW
. •, the
9<K/fe«rSy«
l^'
D9 H*ru>
tfeci "SJHttm^^Wjli ^. i' is Ita thtt imployiflttrt, muA of ftb time Aa«h befefc tiiktrf \ip tr»t <vay. 5W»«« /Jr^ fta^t C faiA ■i»-»#, a^EfllHi'. I.) jlna fhertjh^bt^fajt-Ttaeherty that is, d> •k Wa j (if bid, ati^ fo it ^IM "ht to tbtf edL *tYK fliDfteft abfbrad «fSltan^iiQ^ifithhfr»ttet, would be Idflg^tttt^otis, judge <df ith« teifl fey * fti* ittftalhcw.
- > 'in (he jfyafitit iiitHf^ how <ii^ti^}t»Athe £)evil koacfiici hitc -► «• ^^ ■•tWKJhffte'^ Ttirft h was /»«fjrfi5> ihhlfcnmM^ was-eariy taught,
mtA tfce EJduMr dl ihc World, f whioh ttrer^ me body of M»- •/Si»4<? Cereftionies J »c rtitfntioned as-daftgetoastnirufions i and •ih vbfT i8. thtittiUh^f^ of Anpir f b..rt fccttis Jf. Wis pleaderf.
IJtAiiW to thrChlhreh." • the i?e»w/ if *j&» lU-
•^»flf/W i$'fe*^efs(fj'-<W^tfd ^n rotncDftheerfif/«*i4/rC!hitt<Sh,
te ^lihed <6 Ha^ tretn tbe txJAHne t)f *5'W«*«^} PMe/ar; afid
•4^thtyss bar theft *:e cofnpatafhfelv fi^tl*, tb that gtofs feftbup •©fl%V«ig (a^r^v 3tJd.% if. '^-^^y^P ir «W C/^i/fj i joh.i.i^. kff^'fyiif CMjf •U-bmie hi'fieft^' i "Jok 4. 5; *whfdi »e btaflded ifet 'AiOhihijiUn Enbtrri, ihd wde boJrfly affirtef 'by iMatiy, &lfe Pwophatis thatytttthttiiiJwe** /»»<> M&« Watli\ and to (ijch a lie^bt came rfity at ftift, war ;hey tatrgjht tfe fewfulnef^ 0? (mm- MHtbt^r^iHiatUh^- dfii td rzt thifm' i^m{ td-fi^k i^ey. 'a'. 26.- flW'l theft 'fall^bo^tWJIl the biM0->i6 ^Mat; MdtS iU tfe »j»»ftlM'Wcft?ijerin thrfr eta^^tsr' Ahd'irS^jylHb'ctid^eWhat oftr^M'tdrts i« frtrttt t^xtthstAA |;«(?^/«^,riibrd Were no las •hwft- *w fows of fl<mrtj/i*w/ti?»i/W%'tlie'Apofil^jfffM days, Mie SimmtMt^ t&iiMfiManf, SittnmilfMt, ^c. This Was ati in-
iW^ibkihcrtlrteof'/aJltlJbfti'int'mfo^rra'Vijti^rafi^^ in tk . . ttitAesitfriSf^edAiifgs-ortheiijMyHtrrts^^^
WffhdrRt, 'f ^*^ ^o^'J<f 't^^n'^ J'-' «n5ght' K4ve Wad'c Sa'tafi /iff *c- ftre tbm M KghmiHg,' . What progtefsi' tftett iii this work -^of de-
.^^f, ai!*: jiaf/ tb.- 'jo. "Jh '-s)w«« j5>?!*fe*& -e^'tp^, that tA tu
im*er ^tm ptU jhM* 'J^ht'fhmi the 'F'aUi>, ifitti,^ i, and . Mmtt'Ki ThefT. i^. ^,y ttfojiidies of a,wWj/ ApDJ^g, ujton the HiVWfejgJiftfte* W»/f <^'5fer» •'afldWB' A^flj''4f Al^d/"/y, ahd^
that-
that tfaefeftrnd^i^'Adic /ff9^ 'Jf^^Uie^ciKirddfe;
jy^ii ineociMis tlkcomifig of the gMf^vdvfitiE^^^ as athkig geii^ taUy kocwA mibdkvitdx i ^^^awS. But bdoie aM chde, CiiriA •Uinbad fall^F fotcwauicd bis. ficncants oifsl^lm^^ tbc poiret oiMl ikaga of dictr iklndon, and of tht faul iiex^oit from tie Fakb wfakh AouM;bfciBefece hb (econflcQiAiT^ M#/lt. 24..jt4. Aiid as We have ivunf , ibhoTeivc/bn^aH^csfiiiGe the Apc^ks cut Witee6 tfaac Satim Bath anftnrrod the Brophccks chac vt^ecoo* ceminghim: vhat afitangeincreafeofEnoanhathbeen incbe IHoMSBO^Aatnmci.Irgnm smd %stUtSgn made Cataloguea ]oaiefin:e,.Bforthem !]^f)^Jtiiaf»r, ami E$fikiuf leckoncd . aix)dt a^9^rHercfieri Atfimja&a: diem imiig& die number too^^ Hfgfar^ Now^ though tfaeie be )uft exceptions againft the Urffmfi f£ their iQtfalogues, and that it is bditrad bjr many, that ehera ait ievieial faraiMed in their Rcdk fer Hctctkks, that mtoriyiidfo mm the acooont of thefar Kamt aAd Hatkn ( fcr Barkzrifik^ Sc^ mfai, Atfed^ttetnufieredmtfie'lTont ) andt^hcixaUb fiand tine, ior^Tdrf finait' matters C ^the ifudrtajdeeiwuni, &c. ) and tint ibmeoo^t altogether to be oodfed out of their Books « yet an k wifi appear that the nmnber of Eiroars isgreat, and that dl thoCe haronanies havethis general figniiiGation, that the Devfl bath madae a great fiir in the Worfd bjr Enour and 0paion: . After times niight alio bp fiunmoncd in to fpciJi their evidence; knd on own knowledg and experience m^ht without any other h^, fiiffictendy isftrad as C if k were needftd ) of the truth of this, that Emnir is one of Satan's .gteat deilgns. . .
Secondly, Let us next looksitd the Rcafons which do fi> ikongly engage Satan to thele endeavours of laifii^ up Erroius. If we KT fliefe before as, it will not only contirm us in oor be^ lie^ that dusisooeofhismamimployments, (fprifErrouryieU him €o many advantages for the rniae of Men, and .the diifaonour ofGod,^ there can be no doubt of histeauUneis to pramocie it. ) This alfi) may be of n(e to put dstn muid, who H '0 that k at imukbdind dk Cmtam^ when we fire fixh things a/fted ixpon the Stage, and a>nfequentiy may beget a caotioos fii^tion in um Minds aganift his pvoceedings » the Reafbesasefudi as thc(e».
Firft, Enour isjia^ fiitliat if Satan^fliould be bindied inhis endeavoufs foratiy fiardiermifchi!^ thim the cbmiptiifg ti\xuf particular PeiiM, yet he -wtU rarkon, that he hath not akogcdar loft Ibis labour. &)ine: Enonrs, afaoc cimttxin^fkniammslt o£
Faith,
i>s 9SEieait&oe : Pm*^
\y areas jiiM£E^j|]gfjE^ by thb
JlfqfUe^ 2 Pet. 2. !• Thdfe Here(iesare% Pjii/,:GaU 5. 20. re^ counted anoong tbc p^&rkf rf tbi fJefhj of which, he pofitiyely affirms, that they that d^ fiicb MMgs cmmm ndttrh tbe KingJbm $f Qtd.i Thofe thatase of a^lowtimature, that do ikK^b txiredmfy basted. thc.SouI, can only be capafa9e!of this Apblogjr, thit they wtcUfimth yet as they are oppditions to Ttuch ( jpiopCHinded in Saipture for our belief aiid dixe<ftion ) they ccale not to be Sins, though they may be greater or kb eidls, according to the imftfUmct of thofe Tfotfa^ which they deny, or the mftiftmntf tMt attend them \ and if we goyet a ftep lowes, to the axnfidle«« ration of thofe r^h and bold a/Tertions, about tbi ms not ^^h feuealed h though they may pollibly be true, yet the pofitivendb of avouchments and determinations in fuchcal^ whore ^e want iuffident reaibn to (upport what we affirm, Cas tnat-of the ffrnd^^ THanyfm for the Hierarday of AngdSy and fotne advenhtrtm afferw iions concerning God's.jfecrd Dmer, and many other things of like nature ) are by the Apoftk, CoLz.t% nibft jSenoe^ taxed for an unwarrantable and unjuft pre&mption, in lettnxg wttrfM upon GoJ^i right \ as if fuch Men would by violence thruft them- ^ felves into that which God hath teferMd for hhnfelf, C for lb il/tfrivi^' much the word intruding imipoU^ > the caufe of this he tells u% is the arroganty of cotfupt Reafon; the fi^ly Mindj ( iuitahle xo that exprefiion, Afjtri^. 16^ IJ^ Fk/h and Blood bath Mctrrveakd jr V ) tbe bottom of it is fride^- whidi fwells Men to this height % , and the Fruit C after all thefe fwelling attempts } is no other than ( as the Apples of Sodom) Duft and Vanity^ intntding into ^fi tinngiwbKh be hath notfieny Fainlyptift up by bUfi<^fy Mind : If then Satan do but gain this^ that by E^ous ( though not diftifed further than tbe breaft of the infeded Pasty ) Truth is ie«^ or that the heart hefi^ed into Pride and Arrogancy, or that he hath hope (b to preiftail, 'tis enough to encourage his attempts^ Secoiully, But Enour is a Sin of an encrtafmg x^ture, and ufually fiops not at one or two FaUhoods* but ii apd to ^alfpnin^ to many others, C ^s fome of the moft noxiom Creatures have the moft nmnuroMS Broods : ) for one Eiroup. harh . this mifchievous danger in it, that it taint f the Mind to an infiab^ity in every Truth » and the bondofjhdfafintfi being once farokon, a Mui hath no cer? tainty where he (halt lUy : as a wanton Horfc once, turned loo(ei Miay wander far. This hazard is made a fecious warning againft
Enoux^
\ ^
Chap; I. ^atatn'isticempfetfctijfif/ i^^
Errour, 2 Pet. 5* I7« Ben^are l^ ye being kd a»ay with tbee/^iur df 4be ffTck^d^ faifhmyotir (rnnfieadft^ntp. One Enrouif admitted, 'makes the heart unfteady i and befides this inconvenience, Enrour * ^
doth unavoidably hanch \t felf fMHtaUy into many more, as Infe* frencet and Cohdufions refulting from it, as Circks in Water ftiul- tiplj^ thcmfclves h grant bta me abfurdiiy ^md many ^^fiUptp^^j^^Q, ^n it^ (b that *trs a Miracle to find zftngle Erroun Thefe Lo* ij^timy t«X- a^T go forth by Bands^ as the experience of all ages doth teftify, A«4r«AA«'av/*-. and befides the immediate confequeqces of an Errour, which re^ Mm. ceWh Life and Bemg together with it felf, as tmns of the fime .Ji^'^^ST firth. W« may oBfarve ztmdaney in Enrottrs, to otherj that are tant univcrial xtiOtt remote^ and by the /d^r^jfrddbnof multiplyed inferences, thole ^^^ graelamt things are coupled together that are not very eonfiffaHs^ If thi-^'^^i *""- Lttfherans ( his * Dr. Prideatt^c his ohfervation ) aZmt Vfmmfal Siot 'ek-' XSrac^^ tfc Huberians ifOtodMce Vniverfal EleSion^ the Puccians \Ztfi- ftionem, Pmc^ $$eral Faith^ the Naturaliils txplode Cbrifi and Serif tures at l^ as ^^"^^(^em na- tinneceflary : this is then a fair mark for the Devil to aim at, if ^"^t^ "*" he prevails for one Errour, 'tis an hundred to one but he'jwevails piJdent c£ for more. ' flam & Scrips
Thirdly, Satan hath yet a further reach in promoting Errour, ^"«^» ^"* he toows 'tis a PAjgne that ufually infers all muid aSout^ and ^**' ^ P'*^ therefore doth he the rather labour in this work,becauie he hopes rhereby to corrupt others, and infe(fted Perfons are commonly the moft bufie Agents ( even to the cmp^mg of Sea and Land ) to gain Profilytif to their felfe Perfwafions. This Harp^ of Sa* tan^s labour, is often noted in Scripture, they JhaB deceive many^ Matth* 24. 24. Manyjhall foUow thur pernicious v0ays^ 2 Pet. 2. 3. «ow qukkly had this Leaven fpread it felf in the Church of Galatia^ even to P^mTs wonder ? Gal.t,6. I marvel^ that y(m af^ fi foon removUfram Hm.^ that called you into the grace ofChvifi^ into another GpJpeL IhAances of the fpreading of Enour are firequent. Pelagianifm rofe about the Year 41 5, but pref^tly fpreadit fetfin Palefiiney Africa^ Greece^ Italy ^ Sicily^ FraOce^ and Britain'. Ar^ rianifkt^ like fire in Straw, in^a little time brought its flame ovet the Ciirift ian World, and left her tpondring at herje^^ that ffie Was fo fuddenly become Arrian.' Sodnianifm had the like prevalcncy^ Latins privately had fowed the Seeds, and after his death Foifius Sorinus his Nephew did io beftir himfelf, that y9ithin ten years ( after his confident appearing ) whole Congregations in Sarma^ iM f«bmitted th^mfelvesto bis: Didatcs, as Calofims affirms, and ^«^^ rks^e.
B l> within ^'''•^^'^^MJ.
wkhi0^i^^yori&rfy YetfS|iM)i« hmdreds o( Chuxches
• in if anjUvania w(xc inkS^cd^ and within a /i»? le^r/ mote, the whole Synid was bsooght over to fubfcribe to Sodnianifm. We. luvq, alfo mftaxices nearer homie, after the Reformation, in the : laigtt of Edttffrd thcfipttb^ how jEboa did Pofeiy retuhi in its futt ' . - . ftiength when Qpcea Mary caoie to the Qo wn ^ which occafkn H c ttfw no- ^^ ^^^^ Martyr (when he faw young Students flockuig to Mz&) i^a oaiacm tQ^y^That tbetQVingofthiMevmttrned all bit Voarine at Oxfords meam doftri- Aiid of late wc hate had the fad experience of the power of Errour lum evmU. jp Jufed^no Errouf (a abfi»4rid"<^'ous,or bla(jphemous, but (once ! ; ^arfKd>itprcfcntlygwiiedcpnfid|srabkmimbeKto^
/ .;; ' } Fourthly, . Erfdur is alfo enMnently fcrviceablc to Satan for the bringi2^& in T^iy^ms^ Sdnfins^ Rents^ ttftredf^ Ikart'bmmngs^ 4nimfakSy Kmlings^ ContemumSy 'tmrnUs^ IT^/, andv^batfieuet^ MntrFrttks^ kmcbefljnie^ and the mal^hy 0/ Hatred can f^Uy ^ . ^ fpodnee. Enough eftbistnightbe i^en in the Church ofCkfrmifo^
^he. divifiona tlut were afnongft^henilclves werie occafioncd by itj and a ^^t nuipber of evils the Apoftle fufpe(fted to have been already produced from thence, as Vebatesy Emyings^ Wrsthr^ Strifes^ Baet^bitingf^ fmjferb^f^ SwSiag^^twmdts^ 2 Car. 12. no. _ He hioifelf eftaped ndt fiiom being evilly tntreated, by thofe aniong them that were turned fiona the fimplicicy of th&Gofpel : ^ The quanelibme exceptions that they had raifed againft hind^.. ' he takes notice of: They^hai^ed him with levity, in negkding. his promifc to come to them, 2 Or. 1. 17. They called him- ^atnd^ one that »w%i tfccdw&ig to tbt fi^h^ chap..io.2» they taunted him as acontemptible Fellow, vtr* lo^They undervalued . Iu5 MiaUhy, which occafioned ( not without great ApQk>gy ) a commendatimi fX liimfelf > nay, they feemed to call him a fal& Apoftle, and were (0 bolda& to challenge hiia fbra/mf 0/ Cbrid ^taking in bim^ 2 Car. 13. 3.
If the Devil had {o much ^acwantage from Errour that: was im in the b$td, and that in one Church only h what may we ima- gine hath he done by it, when it broke out to an open^lme'in: ,^ii^ii^ Cfaittches ? - 1/Vhat work do we fee in Famifies when an Errour creeps in among them ? tbe Father rifith u^ againft the Son^ the Son againfi- tbe -Father^ tin Mother againfi the "Daugbter the Dangljteragamfl tbe Mother : what (ad divided Congregations have we fcen F what Fiercenefs, Prejudices, Slanders, Evil-fur- mife% Cenfiuw^ and Divi&ns hath this brougbt forth? what
bandying
chapifi. Oman's Xmtpmions. '17s
landyingof Ptetics againft Parties.^ Ghwdtvag;^ Chui'tb, 'btfi keeo prwkiced by this £iigiae > How&H^haththwwjw Ifl»nd - bltthermattotiti the|>ittef ooattiHi «b«f 1iiii(re<bMt»ib#wi)#
aakee themlodk moredikcfaaioikCofflMattiMKj than Ghurthi " rfChrifiw^Tbepccfentdi&tttoccsbiK^^ ,
eonfocwifts.dfwctalwthatn, wbet«ijEht!y.««eliewcft :) th€y«te daily nroduce fuch dfeas,- as muft B«eds |>e ^rtsy eteafingiand giatcfolto theOevii, both Parties ttucaal^ ebk^ktir sSulkf an4 chacgii^ each other with>€irhM«iid^fbItyv Wlkt«»teatit»tfe* and tailings niay b*-hcat(ii^taial|;Cotni9ftiifc«?s jfetftheyha^beiJn at tfac-gKateft diftaoee» ia jtoim ot Owarine. Bbtwholbevet loiethi *o be:furc«h© DeritgaiBi by it tiaRA^ iStiife, Va^iJ, ance^ E83»fatKW,vl*iijgss Rallingj^ Sceiaaftd Coweittbt; nt , jdlas^iaft tlie>kao#nduor€f4AM««)^/j.%i«^ ifld aretiafotibtca |ii»voa«iDf|»tt^^ ^Pdcct: whA ^(i wfc
Jtocn thtttkli^chat an be & tiftfol to gatan as titour, when tbefe abovementiOQed evils are the ii^paiable ptodi^bf it> Tfaeaaaddteft Entoiiits that aifiiweie atnoog good Men ate tsi accom^ed with «wMth*ngiot*efc^atte»Riat«; 'Flic daRt aehccsabbotlMeat!! andlXrys <^>iW0it]asiag«d'With^« iteated
Strongs .hs fxophafle, ^weleft, Ismd bold Def[[^etsof diw« InftiJ. tutions,.fefombch^lie'Apoftleittjp]f(ies,.'K«»ii..i4,3, ijg^^ j^
B^ifMJgtkiHt flbif M|^. 'eatAoutd<W«'ticaM> £i¥our- tbdt^ feUe mmt4»f€h*ixtviSy iiaiivUlwkltidflth^jhir^i^ hkHidfttt^thA it hath 6c&3fibn«B v or eotifidet theWojifinA DefelMloiis tteit ft hath fawi^htiowh, '\i%fiught hetft^ inaf t««tfot Tears and Lamcoiataoasj 4«d Wake'yoa efcite toJwofedrttiMt Satan Aoiild Sxmxiikoaicitti hind^to pi<Oniotrf^'' ••'i^» '-■>■ ui. :
7; Rftfc^,l»W».gt<at«flyarid ineftlUtfoeiK&Jg'ttttage^ (6i tlifc hhiderit%af K^(*«»ift<w%fis4l«t6Prttfhig %ttni ^bii^ ef Efr^t^. EefonuatioB of Abttfes, !and cbmijftlonJiin Wotfliip<»Do<^e { we may well fuppofe ;'tl« Ocvit will: witbftarid with his ttt- moft no^t and PoUcjs becabfeifcndta^oitts to pull tiaf down which ooftlikii^inud) kbouc and'time to>^ upi/i kad fo^fletH iiisend. • They who a*fe caHedwitby Goft mm^t^Mirlivkt ih jrA, Uk biibjioMstftht-Fuldi-iiadeimeiiP hardttask* in -cftdcairouiw ^ *
,^ Bb 2 , ing
\' • ^ ?i \ * ^'
17*
ZXtmiUaf p^nv
iBg to check the power -of the Mighty, whofc mtereft it is ta . iitointain thofe delilemcnts, which their P«Bcy hath introducedi to fix them in the pcffeflBon of that g^dcur and command whichlb higjily gjratifies their Hiunours, and felf-fecking afpiring
-. ^ — Minds : But &iicw
.i# Wii Ai-«>fti hath raiftd them up to oppefc, with fpiritual refolution, th^ i^ 4OTrent of prevailing Iniquity, ufually provides himfelfwiA
refove, and comes upon tiwrbdd^mth a Ptfrty^of deluded erro- nlpus Men r^ifcd up ftom aooong thcmfeves, and hy this means he hopeseithcf to mfi$tiragf jh0 Undertakcwfor ReftMrmation, by the difficuity of thdr work C which tnuft needs driven heav%
Mnmks^ who not only* gather hmtt jkom thete dii?i(iQns< feeii^ . them Ibiair a piog^oftJKjL of thisirirulne, ) but alio imptOFC tbern^ 1^ retorting them as- an argument, that they .are all out of the way of Truth. C 3 . ) . The erroneous Party in the JImt of the Eefon^ers, do more gtfiB them with their AnQWs ( eveiibkter words of cutfed reviling, i atnd mote hazard them with theti Swotdsand Sp(»r$pfopppikiOm thw. their. Adyetftnes. ta thd Front^z&atiA wb<W they went forth^ |n Ae imean whiter thcf. that i^d up for Truth, are as Qom betwixt two MiJUtone^ opprefled with ^ double oonflift, befet b^re andbehind. '^ TJ>is4iath been Satan's method m all ag^. And indeedPoIicy it felf could ioot wntiive any thing that woKldnf^one certainly ob^ firuft HeformatioQ than this. When the Appftlest ( vAio in (heft ]aft days were £ii^ ft^t forth ) , vftxi imptoyod^ to tcSann the World, to throw down. the Ceremonies oith^ OidTi^laminfi and Heathen Wcirfiiip, Satan had prefently raijleid up Me« of car* n^ Minds to hinder.their Piogrefs , what work thefe made fix FoM/at Carintb^zxid with theGiitoi4^,the Epi^/ei fo tfao&C^huichcs do teftify. The bufin^ of thele Men wMtQdraw!S>i(aples after them from theiSm^lici^ofthe Gofpel, nay t0 dnfftbet Q^l \ and this they could not do butbyfetting upthcmfelves^ toafiingof the Spirit, can^mg themfclves of^be Af^tUs ^ Cbrifi^ and ccwi- tcmnujg tho(^ that were really fo, injGauating .theiseby into the affedtions of the ieduced, asif t^ey zidotify ^d^ Ihtra^ and that Fatd was but wc<i<L^^ cont&nftilbky nay their ydiy KHtmyfit tdUng tbem tht tmkt What unfpeakable hindrance ms& this be
to
« i
Ghap. I : ^mws Xmiptations. uy
to twilf what grief of hcaK ? . What fear and jeatoufie inuft this
pcoduce? heproteiTeth hewasaffirald left hQh^dbefi(wed upon them
hbsm invainy GaL4« ii^ And that he did no lefs than travel of . ,
ibem in bkib tfc ficond thne > verC ip« If one jflexander could do .
PmI fbmuch Evil, by withfiandingbisWordfythzi he complains of* Tim. 4, 24*
faun, and cautions iimothy againfi hini. Horn Viatrephes^ by prating
afi^ainft Jobn^ynthmalkiouf 1Fords^ftcvzikd\i;^ith
they rKwedna^himym'tbeBfithren} What hurt might a Multitude 3 Jo. vir/. k
^ Inch be^able: todo ^ .
In the Primitive, tinacs of the Church, after the Apoftles days ^
wh6i thofe Worthies were to conteft with the H<f^#i&eff World, the Serpent afimti efUs momb^watef^ afleod^ after the JFman : (which
piofi interpret to be a Deluge of HereGes : And fome particularly
muderAand it of the Arrian Herefie } that he might hinder the
pnpgrels of ^the.GoQ)eL Which deiign of hi$ did (b take, that ma*
ny complaiiits there were, of hindriDg the Converfion of the H^
ikff/, by the Eirouxs that were among. Chriftians* EpittHmimtelk
nSj Thai Pomis re&ied to conae near -the ChijUims^ ana would not-
(bipuch as hear them fpeak, being ai&igbted by the wicked pradi*
ces and wayes of^he Frifiilmifts. Atfiin complains to the fame ;
pucpc^e y Thatr lookt ^^ lafciyiou$ Hereticks adminiffared ip^ttet
of BWpheming jto the idolatrous Heathen/. ,
la afteiHtimes, when Religion grew fo corrupt by P^ery^ that God extraoidinanly xaifed upLinr^, Catvin^ and others in.thc: Ftfieemby and SixteentbCentmiei \ to difcover thofe ^^niinations^ g^^^ ^ ^^ and to fadngback his People from Babylon. The Devil gave them tb^r^ bcftia aI Bofinall tnywleby a grpwth4)f Exrouis, fo that they were forced pocalyptica ac to Fight ;againft the Papijit hefm^ and thofe Pbiliftines behind \ in-"*^" ^"g? Ibmucb, that Reformation attained not that height and univcrfali- ^^^ ^^ ty, wUch might rationally have been cxpe&cd from fuch blefTedtorumvenabiu undertaking^. This waS; the con jedure of many, particularly of iis^ttltimumfe- our Country-man, Dt^PrideoMx^ That if thefe Fanatick^Enthmfi^^^^^}^.^ !#/ Cwhich with (b great a fcandal to the Gofpehhen brake forthi eStsSri! badnot retarded and HndredtbofeglcruHUproceedinas > that Apocalyptical turn nifi fpiri. Sm^ of Bx>mCy bad been not only.tnakifed andufowidedy but iirtier/^tusiAiinau£i>i« mrtbrwnakdflain. In particular Qties, where any of the faithful '^^ aSrS*^" Stfvants of Chrift endeavoured to deted. the Errours of Papery^ jffent & rctar- thefe infirumei^cs of Satan were ready to joyn with the common dafffntfmpe.* Adverikry in reproaches and difturbances : How they oppofed Mnf^ 'jfl/r^'^^^' eMlufzXJbtff^'^ and with what iiercenefe they^ called himFiJ^.f^^^^''^'
'falje
f74 ZXnt^iitdt l^artlL
falfiTrdpbif, If^odl/ injheepj cloatbing^ -&c you. may fie in thofe
that write his Life. How thefe Men hindred the Gofpel at JLiw*
i;»rg, againft Junmv At Zmch^ againft ZiMn^//iflr > At Attthtrg^
Melch. Aclam, againft Vrbanus R^iui \ you may alfo fee in their Lives*^ la all
/»nfM.TlicoL which, and others of like nature, you will ftillfiad, (j) That
there was ti^vtr a Reformation begun, but there were emntmu Per-» ^fons to fcW^ and diftrac* the Reformers, (a) ThatthefeNfenex- '" prcfled M gnat hatnd againft the Rff(Vimr/, andoftentinaesmore^ than againft the Pd^i^/ : and were as (pitefully hitter in Lies, 51aft* ders^ and Scorns againft them, as the F^f^s themfelves. • Sixthly, Satan can alfotnakedfe of Eriour, dcfaato'){xMea in their prefent miftaken wayes, add car(i^siXMJai{ci or as a 'temp- tation to Atbnfm \ Varieties (rf^Opinioiis and Do^tiiies^do amule, and amaie Men > while one cryes, Li ken k Cbrifi^ And another^ L0 bekibm. Men are fi> confounded, that th^donot knam what to ibafi. * 'Tis one of the greateft'dificukksi'Qd fif^ out Truth, from a ctm^ of fpecvxis .confident pretences; e^^cchllf, feeing Troth is mrd^, and oftentimes &9a^notfid by ^rfiMMtaf bold Erroiit : yea,femetim€S ^in- vyei by thtfraef^ni of ^Spnit^ and Sit* veladoh, in an Anti(criptural faMhood. At what aPloG is'an-un^ skilful Trai^ellour, where fo many wayes meet ^^ while one party cries up this, another that^ mutualty cfabrging joq^ anofbb^ wi^ Eriour. /they, whofe hearts are any thing Jaofimd from a fence and reverence or Religion, are eafiiy tempted to dirbelinfe all*' Thus Errour leads to Atbtifme^ and layes the Foundation for ail thofi iknderous exceptions againft Saipture,. by which Godkfs Men nfually juftifie themfelves in their Religion* No Withoi;^ all wick* ed Men are not brought to this, becauf^ theCon&iences of (omt; db lb ftrongly retain the fentimentsof a Deity, thataUSataas Ari can not obliterate thofe Charafters \ yet, the confideracba of. titt multitfidi of Errours doth rivet them in the perfwafion of tha ' Truth, and goodnefsof that way of Religion, wherein they had been Educated. Pii/^/^/are hardned by tliisi andthoufih they have no reafbn to boaft of thehr JwiiV^^ng themfelVcSs as thef havi Difcourfc of been often told i and now ot late; by Ot.StilUfigfUiti (who hath the I.dola^ry manifefted, that their. Divifions among themfelves,^ are as greafi ^rV ^^"'^^ Md managed with as great Aniraofity, as any amonglt- lis i ) yet are ot A#«f. ^^^^ ^^^ g^ ^^^^^ ^.^j^ theObjeaion of SfiftS and Scbifms elfc*
where^ that they are generally confirmed to ftay where they are, Befidesj this is a fiumbling-blocR which theDevil thax)Ws in' the
way
way of poor Tgmanf People \ it they arc urged to a firious /Irid-. ncfi in Religion, they are t^gbttd from it, by the conWeration of ^yefi/ and panics, and the woful mifcarriagei of Come eironious Perftlns, thatat firft pretended to firidnefs i imagining, that ftrid- ncfe in Religion^ is an unnieceflary dangerous thing i and that the (ober godly Chriftians, are but a oompany of giddy, unfetlcd, con- ceited, prccifePerrons, who will in a little tiaje run themfclves in- to madncfi and diftratStion 7 or into defpair. And thus out of JW ofSchifmottsxpvx, thtj dzxc not he Religim in gpodeamefii but - content themfclves with drm^ingnur to Godi^hkiheir mmbes.mA i amfeffinjg inm wHb^biir Ih/^ tpbilfi thehhemisanf^JhmJ^md m their tvork^ the^ deny mm.
There is fuch a propenfity in the hearts of Men, to be ftaggered ^ by the multitude and boldnefi of Errours, that the Apofih P^l • expiefleth a fence of it, and feems tenderly care&t to avoid that Upw,, (which h^kn^ Satan would readitygive through tkt cbn^. ^deration) by the ^^^.that he makes for God, in his holy, wife, providential Permilfion of them, i Car.i 1. 1^. Tfcre mi^ ^ UHeftfief among you. His intent, is not barely to put them off^ with this > ^bat Hmfies are unavoMkUh hM to fatisfie them, that there is a nec^ of them : and t\!M they arc ttfifid, as God's Fkr^ nace and fan., to jpurific and to cleaaftjthat tbfy wlrieb are afprvved^ \ may be made mamfifi. The like csore he hath, in fi fim.^. 15?, 26^ . upon the mention i)f the Errour of Hymeneofy and Pbiletm^ where he obviateth the oflence. that might arife, by reafbn of thefa* 4^ fiaey : partly by removing the fears -of tfae^ Upright, in affirming^ thehr fafety, whatever became-of other Men, (ceing the Foundation / of God fiandethfure: and partly, by declaring it, no more fuita- - bfcor difhonourablefor.God to permit the rife of Esroursin his > Qiurch, tham for great Men to have in their houfes, not oniy V^ets • of Gold and Silver^ but Idfo of Wood and of 'Earth v fome to honour andjmt to dijhonour. By theft very Apologies, it djipears, That -^ Satanby this device- of Enour, Jefigns to ftake Mens faith, and 'i to drive them from their Religion.
thly^ Neither can this, tbat'€om^'J>t9nms- bring forth '
tomtpt Fraatca^ beot any lets w..^.. ...... k,«*«m, ^* jvj© cubage-
ing, for the purfuit of thisDefign, than any of the fore-meiitioned
reafims.
Corrupt^ Dodrines are imbraced as the very truth of God by the v Deluded \ and one way orother, dirtQlyy ^^nfyunttidfy they lead
on i-i
-1
176 MXttmitai Partn.
jon PraSicif and that with the hi^ll (ecudty, and confidence.** as if they were rcfj Truths indeed.
The Devil then hath this great advantage by.Exrour-> That if Jie can but conmpt the minds of Men > efpecially in the more weighty and Fundamental Points of Religion : then by a great eafe, and without any more labour, he hath g^ned them to the fraSUe of 3vhat(beyer thefe emoted Principles will lead unt6. No courfe 4:301 be taken, that with greater expedition and prevalency, can in- troduce profane Debaucheries than this. Thus he conquers Parties ^zxidMdtit$tdef^ as a vidorious General takes Cities, and whole .Countries by Surrender : whereas hisparticular Temptations to Sin, are but inconfiderable, lefs (uccefsful, ftapteertngs in coroparifbn.: and when he hath once conupted the widerflandings of Men, he h^h by that means, a oommand over their Confaeneesj and doth not now -urge to Evil, in the notion of a Vetnly or tempter > but , jas an Angel of Ligbty or rather as an Vfitrper of Divine Authority: be requires, he commands the(e wicked Praftices,* as neeeffofy Jh^ InperTeoitione^'V/ *» or at lead, gives a liberty therein, as being harmlefs allow- cogic homines ances. This difierence was of old ob(erved in Satans management ncgarc Cbri- of Perfecution, and Eao^xt % thajt in the former, he did amel Men
That the Lives and Ptadices of Men, arelb concern^ by cor* nft VoSrineSy may appear to any, that are bat indiiferently ac- quainted with Saripture, or Hiftory. We are told by the Apo- X Tim. I. ip. -^^^ Paul^ThAt Faith ^Cti^fiience ftand Co related to each other,
that they live and d^ together > and that when the one is Sbh^ ufracks^ the other is 'Drowr^d for company. In Phil. 3. 2. he ieems ieverely harih againft tho(e of the Condfion^ he caUs them .Dogs, Bemare of Dogs > be»art of evil Wor^s. The rea(bn of which expreflion, (\ apprehend ) lyes not (b much in thefe re- ,(embjance$, That Dogs j^y the Flock, by deoowing h or that they ^re/^n^i^i^j Creatures: or that they ^xtindnjlriom in profecution of theii^ . Prey •:[ (though in all thefe particulars, falfc Teachers ipay be compared to Dogs \ for they Ipare not the FIoclc, they com- pafs&a.andl^Qd, to gain Difciples, and they intice them with fair fpcechesO but. rather, he intends the funilitude, to exprefe thcprophane Ljr/e, and carriage of thefe Seducers > for Dogs zxt filthy creatures, to a Proverb, Ihz Dog to bis vomit. And common Pro- •ilitute$, for their uncleannefs, were called Vogs^ in the old Tefia** ment. . So &o;ke CXpQund) Dptt.z^.i^. Ththire of a fPT)ore^ or the
price
-friei of a Dog. And we have full and dear defcriptions oPSedu^ \
cers, from their wfcked and abominable Pra(fKccs. 2.?eu2.i6. \
menth Vrefumftntms' an they^ ftlf^mVtd^ they art not afraid to ^^eal{^
'^il of J>iffiititf. VerC if. Hoping eyes fidl of Jdultery^ and that
€ tnnot ctajejrom Sin : an heart exercyei mth covet ohs Fra&ices > ettrfed
Children. Verf. iS. they allure through the Ipfts oftbeflejh^ through
^noich tpantonnejf. — Jude verf* 4. TWe art certain Men crept in m^
a^ares^ who tptrt before of oldy ordained to this condemnation \ ungod"
ty l4en^ tttm^ng the Grace of God into LafimoMfhefi. Verf, 1 5. Theft
art Mkrtbtrtrjfiomptainerr^walking afier their omn Lt^sficQ. 2 JT'ttn. 3*
'▼€1(12,5,4, 5, Men fhall be toverf of their ovpn /elver h ConeteoHs^
Bo^fiers^ Proud^ Blafihtnterr^ difobedient to Parentf^ Vn^ankfitl^Vn^
holy^ . wHhoHt naturid AfftSion^ trtice^brtakers^ falft Accufers^ Inconti^
-Htnt^ Ff0M^ de^ifert of iboft that art Good^ Traitor f^ Hftdy^ higb^
mtjuledy lovers of fleafttres^ mart than lovers of God: of this fort art
ibeywbith creep into Houfes.- — All H^ich, do fet forth Heretical
Perfens as the mb(V(candalous wicked Wretches that we (hall meet
-with: grofly filthy in themftlyes, corrupted inaH the Duties of
their Relations^ natural, and civil > deiiled in all the ways of their
Gonverfewith Men.
Nciilier aire thefewicked pradicesiiraingfrotn grofsErrours, to -be looked upon as rare, accidental, or extr^ar^it^eflfeds thereof ^ but as the natural and common fmts of them : for Chrifl makes this to be the very JjkciW property and note, whereby falfe Prophets may be difcovered. MMky.ii. Tt fhall kfforvthem by their Fruits : Vo Men gather Crapes of Thomes^ or Pigs of 'tholes f &c. Thcfc Fruits, were not their Dofiriner, but their Livesx (for to know falft Fr^btts by falfi VoQrines is no more , . than to know' falft DokriHt by falft DoSrint.) If anvobjed, That many falfe Teachers ap- * .peared in the fh^ipcoffeenung Holinefs^ and ftridincfs of Life » they may be anfwercd, firom Chrilt's^wn words : for there he tells us, (to avoid miftakes ) That their firfi appearancty (and it may be the fvbolt Livts of fome of the ^ Seedf-men of any Errour) is under • thd form of SanQity: They come to you in ShtepS'-chathing > In an ' outward appearance of Innocency, and plaulible pretences : but then he adds, that their Fi*uits afterward wijl dilcover them. A . Tree at its firft Planting , is not difcovcrcd what it is v but give it time to grow to its proper fruitfulnefs, and then you may know of what kind rt 16 : fo that we need not affirm, That damnable
C C Do<ih:incs
Dedbtoesivodoet wicked Limes UmI tiiat ovcmui tlian 9ttkt my jhfi 9 His tnoqgh for difcovoy, if thae bea mOMral^ €006910- tialtendmqr to liialiDodriiies, to ftaSmtJmfitiki^ ttt iktf^^/^^ (hey pioducc than, though jsoc in aU> yet injuafliy. Afii tliat thtt ntttt<r hato been always fouad to be ib,aU Hifi^
Sdothconiinn. Sudi there were in the ApoiUes dayes, as is ari» mt, by their complaints. Such there were in the Churdi oif P€i«- j^sms^Ktv. z. 14. Thm Ikfi fbem thathld tbt DoOrim of JBahamv 9ph tat^h Ba]ak U eafi sfittmUi^-bUd^ kfm tbt CbiUbnucfl&iAh u inf thh^ facr^iced wiiB IdolSf and to mmmt Fonkatioiu Thac were alio, the NicoUitaai^ of whom Chrift ^ieckies ius abhoi- fcncy. VirPi^. In theChiirch of TZy^ftirjiy there was the mmmm JmoAily nbo tinght md fidnud mm^sf ^ ^ Church, tothcJiJi^ abominable Dodbrincs and Pradices. Vnf. 30« Beiides tbelc, die iiMf/e John was troubled with the abominahk Gn^fiidff. TJie . fikhy Carueratians^ whotaught^ TliatMenaw^ iE«,and dothit -will of all theDevik, or elie they tmdd m$ wde P)riMi|^]itiQ» and Powers 9 who would m tf^knn/e be pIcaiecitafuAarthfiai ip- efcape to the 5«^majir Heavens. Ofthei(eMQn,aad thdrUcciK cious Dodrine doth he (peak,, i Jobau $• 6^ &c. that lAey th^ mt tarn Iff G&d indeed, muft not, dare not^cMnai giw tbffl^ ielves up to a liberty in fiich .Aboromarions>
Tiie iamc Fruits of corrupt X)odhane appeared a^^ theAno* 'files dayes* What was hbaUMm hut an unporje wretch? WH^ were his two oooq^anion Prophcteflcs, Trifim^ andifltewigy^biy . infamous Adidtes^es ? The prifiXiamJis^ the Mankbw^ andabunr ^ance mor^ left the fiinkof their Pmphancnieis behind them y by vealbn of wh(»n, (aocordiog to Peter/ Frophefie, 2Fer.2.2.>.i4e «M^ of 7mb was tviij^n if.
Later times have alfb g^ven in fiill evidence of this Truth. How (hamcful and abominable were the Lives of JfjfbnGfLeyJm^ and the reft of tboCc GermoM Evtbafi^s f Who reads the Aory of Badfffy and Coffingft^ without deteftation of theur wicked Pia^* CCS .^ What bettet have the Familifisy and Libertinesof Nbr and • Old Ena/iandlKcn ? feme were turned off to higheft ZUa/o^ in , See tire Story ^^ Prophanendis of Swcanng,Drinkin£, Adultery, and thedej^i^g \ of Mr.o^. of a godly Life: and this, under the Wireafaaable boaft ^ Spirit and Perfedion. The Heavens may bluQi, and the Earth be ia({Q- niihedat theie tfaiqgs ! But in the mean time, Satan huggshin^. lelf in his £acccls > »d oicoiaagetb himfelf to fimJbes atcempcs
in
in (nopaigalibg &MMa; ftdtig Jtbiki^ in fe ffcitm 6u^dt
'£igbdily^ ht AtoDcCttH^ ftlft^>AHM^ Satan buctfet jdtt>& gtthor outn if bfecaiMOC mxs defile fhdr Lives, yet 'tfe a tteDitfitfiif to aae^ kit he ^ftmStt tkehKSr^dtr by it. What greater hlode- taMcecan thape be to^Coiivtffiofi^thaii Eitonrt The word of Trdth' isthe meatis by which God^ throuj^ his Spitf t, do^ beget Us i 'tt»pavt of chat Inoage of God fSktt i$ implaoted ions : 'tvsQoA^i Voice to the Soul, to awaken ih It cantiot then be idragimd thai' God will give thebonodif of that w^ifto any EmMt : nfcither CM Truth take pbce,<>i hffve i<^ fiflfeA t^na Si^ftrf^^lei with arconooty^ ftl&ood; JF riliood in poAeffion^ uMIl keep TniflT •r rficidooi; Ktaithtr is Cetaverfbta tmiy 4iindted, i^ fueh fitiMtt^ m iin&tf ooMnMiift «tivMfi% Titifhs > btit aKb l^ CdtmfS rnhfiaidtmrnhJ E/fm^^ A^ they fiH the Mfaxkof^ Men witl^ M^ jpdiir^ssUiiAthofe fhftt pitrfe&anothef own fadbved finoitts^fifke^ Mett will dot entertaiti a warnings of omridkm&oit^thofeihBtdiCbit&dint they fsBt
^KtfMnktfaemSiMrifefyiiid^fhentliey^^^ tir
DoibQall matter in Satans way, to havelbeh ati dbftrdAfemistf hacMJl, in the mxid concern of Gonveriion. Yettiiis is furthet farviceable to nim, to hinder, or weaken the Graces of the Goto-* ▼ertoi already: if hecaniet God's Chfldren a aMUug upon £r« rour, or make them fond of Nmbierv hewillby this means^« hufi the vigour and flrength of their Hearts \ (b that the fiA^an^ tisls of Religion will be negleded. For as hurtful Plants 0i« grofi an the moiflure and fatneis of the Earth where they ftand , and impovaifli it into an inability, for the nouriflimenc of tbofe that are of greater worth : So doth Errour poflids it £elf of -the flhfigtb of the Spirit *) and in the mean time, negleStd Graces dwindle into emptinefs, and fade at a taaf. The irioft curious §^ions W Opinions that are, contribute nothing to the Ejlablijh^ mtnt of the Heart 9 'tis only Grace that doth that. Heb. 13. p. ^ heart ts ^aUi/hed wHb Grace^znd not with difputes about Mejts : nayy they do Grace a prejudice, in that they make it fick^ and lan« guiiii^: for tothat fence is the Original^ in i Tim. 6. 4. Voting So^Sr m^i ahout ^iufiionfy cn growing difeaJTed, becaufe of the eameil: profe- Cn^nnf. cution of Opinions.
Ninthly, Errour hath yet another mifchief in it, which makes it not a littk defirable to Satan 9 and that is the jnignient^ or pu-
Cc a nifhment
I,
nilhment that it briii^ So that it every tray, aofyrerd the Devils ha** - (red againft both Soul and Body. The bleflings of Proj^W/y and Fejc# do attend the Triumphal Chariot of Tf^iE^. Pial«85. ij^ia. Irutb - Jhall^ng (M of the Earthy and Rigbteomjhepjhatl lodkjdo^n fmm Heaven. And then it Tollows, That the LordJhM give tbm wkch ii good^ and our Land Jball yield her inereaft. But on the contrary^ Errour doth more p'ovokf God than Men are aware. How • ofte» • did God defblate the Ifijeliter^ (et a iire in their Cities, and gave them into the hands of their Enenues , becauleof their chwgti^ the Truth of God into a lye » and worfliipping and ferving the Creahnt more than the Creator f God left not the ChurcK of ^etg^* mos^ ^nd T}yatira without fevere Threatnings for the Errour of the Nicidaitans. Rev. 2. i5. BjfM^ ot tlfi J mil com mmo tb$$ quid^y* VerC 22. J will cad than into gjreat tfikulatim^ txetft ih^ repent of fbeiir Veeds^ and I mil kill her d>ilJnn with death* And accordingly, God fulfilled his threatning upon thqm, by bdoging- in the Saracen/ to delblate them^ and to pofleis their Land; as he* aUb brought the Goths upon the Emfirt, for the Arrian Herefie,* How is Satan pleafed to labour in a Deiign that will kiiidie.€l» Wrath of the Almighty?
« « •
■ ■ ^ u\
•**wai
€ H A P
»{^«
mtm'si Kmptmms. a
■4*ii>*«M^*irtaaM*Mi^«^i«iM^Mi*ai^irtMi*i
C.H.A F, n.
Of the JdvMUges rphich SAtdM'hatht ami uJeiS\^ fur the ' lnir0dmH0m0f Errcitr. Js^ (i .) Frpm his etpn Pmer ef Sfiriiu^* Fsferndtimv that there irfuch u Forvtrj ftwedfttm ^crifture, anJl frem the EfftUs of it: (4;) FromoUrimpeffeUionofKninvleJ^ the firtictdATS thereof, exfUined; ( 3 . ) trofn the bjafs of the Wnd. VfhA^ tUttgs do hjM it $ And the pevper of them ta ' fvpdftbi^Underftandiiig. {^^^FromCurioJky^ {^..)trom • Athe^ied IhifMOoher/ of Cottftience^ . '
T Hat Satan may the-better Ci^ed in his defign, ' hecal^efuiljjc^ takes notice o^and diligently improves all adyiantages.. Indeed all his Stratagems are advantages taken againA us, ( for fytht Apoftle in Ws caution io^c Corintbiatts calls his devices, . left Satan (hbuld get an advantage o£uSj 2 Cor. 2. 1 1.) but here, I ' only underftand thofe thSit ire more generat^which are- the grounds and encouragements to his particular Machinations againtt Men, and 'wliidi,^ dared htm in his j^oc^dure* The& are
Jixlti Satan's own power of ^firit^utFafdnatkn^ by which ho? iifiitaa;ee9 the mndsi ^Men^ ?im^^dt^thmL^zs^^ ixternah finfes are deceived byJnchantmeB^or Jf^itebctafi^r
That ^atan 18 a cunning Sophiuer, andean put Fallacies upon * the Underdoing 9 that by fubtile objedions or ai^umems he^ can obtfude a felfiiood upon^e beUeCof the unskiltul atiduk^-'i: waryi that he canbetray the judgment by the affedlons, aife tbinf^£ffcDtfimonpra^c/\Vithhim. But that which I am no w to ^tdk ef^ is of an higher natuse, and though it may (probably >n take in muchofhis coounon metlK>d of ordinary dekifion, yet iiv tiM it difiers, C at lead ) that 'ti» mcHre. ^aciom and prjevalent> for as his power over the- children of difobedience is lb great, thStt he can Itad fhkfA eaftivcat bkmlf^ ( ex<»pt wlncn he is coiln- - termanded by the AUnighty, ) fi) hathlie (by fpecial commiffion;
» •
a power to lead tliofe to Errour ^ptSttuJfy^ ( without ttuflmg his fpd ) that have prepared themfdves^^Mr that fparitiial judgment by a (pecial provocation % aiitf for ought we know, as he hath an exiraorJiiisry Pifmr which be excrtf at ftdi times, Co may he have an txtraarJiMafry imihoi Which he is not^pcrmttted to pradife daily, nor upon all*
That fiich a power asAis the Devil hathyis believed by thofe,
whofe learoiftg and experience have made their judgmetits' of
gicat v^Iwe v^ feriotts Men s aDfUliits4bair doddcnbe It, ^k
Gal J.I. adeh^onwHb0ki^d<ffASapcalhd>antmMi% Ec^CahdmraSMMi'
QaL J. I. eal 4fferatioH vt^kenby thtfinferrfMen wn idtiM\ thus teH^ : who
after be had aiTerted that Satan can conupt the Fantafy or Ima«
ginatton, he compares this Spiritual Witchcraft mfiiAdifi^
of Melandboty, th$t make Men befiei^ that t^ are, of do,
what they aretiot cmt do ao^ ( as in tiic difeafe calfed Lfumin*
pia:) and to the inchaMnUMOf J^hm aed Jai^rtMj09bl^di:^€A
FaTciiutio eft the (enfesof PWtftfib. Others nx>re fully call k^ a morevdkmem
Spiritus Impo- operation af the gnat Infofhr^ wberdy be ekmiesj^menoxhm Errottr
flcris^Awcn. ;^ tfc*tt«', smlfeimuUs wkhjkek efatty^ tk» i» irditeic«r
tOT^indoginate vd praxi ( Doariiwc tor cootraiittSi, (sd S^riuftids pE^Us dquftum) fm vcritatemcaicislioininibusoliMendKf iirqueWficadtcr pcrruadit, ut Erroreineumconfid«itcr ampJcaantur, ftrqw* ddcwlaiit. It zeb^non fioowlumDeiim propagatic, Mtft$H Tberofm. Sacra. l^.^.C3f*7*
A particulac account of the W2^ asd mannte by wlkkh tbrOff^ ^r doicii this, i» a tad( beyond (bber enqofiy 9 it im|! fiifiot us to know that fiicb power be hadi^ and this iAaAcHfirai fioai Scrifhtrt, and from ^ efiHf of liiokddufiocf^
Firft, Theve are leMral Saawm^ which aAatt a Tbwer in Satan U}bemtcb the mtndsof Men into Ertour, 6om whith I (hall dfiAv fuch notes as may codfttn, aiad in port cxpbutfais' Truth in hand, .
^ And KbaHbcg^n widl^thaff^Oft. ^. u a fM^(Q:sbamf^
itfbo bath bfimubedyim, Aatytm/tMOdnnebey th trmh^ &drrl%e
-j^jj^'^^ word which the Afoftle here afetb for bewilching^ (xQnsm-
Grammacicis martons and Cpitid^ note) is borrowed Sfem the ptafflfce of
didum cflb i ..."
placet quafi ^aoMoiv^^ id 4jft, rfif ^mmdmm qoopc^iact aW.^^4r/^ Neftio qxi$,faf!p. roh&c. W'A£?sJcii$4rijxl0C. smiil.Hiif'(''rft^Sac. ^ ' ' *,
Wiuhu
i
fPSMk/ dtoi Stinerer^, who uft ty kact powers to bind-ttie Seofii^ tml to cfltdl Mifchiefs. Tis true he fpeaks of f«l|e Apolllcs, Iwrt he mtends Satan as the chief Wofkman 9 and tJ^is lie tmisftfs to fignify Satan's Power upon the Mind, in blinding «lie Uoderrtaiiding for the entertainment of Erroiir.* Neither can any thing be obje^ed why this^pl^ce (bould not prove a ^afci- sating power in Satan f inch as we have been (peaking of^ but this, t4i9f it smy iie foppofed to intend no more than an wilinary powerfal ^w^iifBwi by Jrptmentf: Yet this onay be anfwet^^, Nteque tantum not only from the ^trthrBy of learned Interpreters, whp ^pprc- j^^fe^^pi bend the Apaftleand his expreflion to intend more, bpt al(b from SSf aiwirW fooae eaikMfhMt psrtrcnhm in the Text. He qtlls them fooldb quadam rdati GalMkmf^ as we tranflate it, but the Origin^al goe$ a little higher, o^^iea incan* to fignify fl madmft h and withall, he fcems to be furprped with J?JJ^ Jj^JJ^ wmiet^ at the Power of Satan upon them^ whidi had ppt only ^i^iimi mote p«cv«led tgainft die Snv^ifr, but againftfuch exrfi/e^^ m?ni^/iati-aliciuti-..e^ MB of it OS ttey had, when they were ib plainly, fi;IIy and effi- "^""^ 1^"" ^oouily kifoiKfted -, %yi'btfm timr tys Jejm Chrifi i^bm w- TJ^'^fZ^^^^ 4MhfHf9rth: %vhich ejcpreffions and carriage canijQt ratit^vj^ >ftultiiiar,ai^. be theugnt to belit a wmw^ oniipary c^. ' v ens. xstttm^.
Next to this, let u$ a fittje cpnfider that f^inpqs i^lpt^re^ ip^ -a-Tl^l^t^^^io,! I. Jlfhficmbigk stfier tbeti^eH^f^tfSajg^^^tk ^' ^p^nrcr — r— mdfit itk egmfiy Oddfisfi find iim fbrottg 4<U^n^^.
Am ib^f^mM httim m lye * I Audi firom this ptac^ of>^^.
alew^ings^ which if put together) will clrar the truth we (JTC^k- 4^: As-fiiA, fethtsdefofidnnete mentioned) the Apo/lb <{ot|i < not only letdown petraardinafy imtward qieans^ (zsSigfu^ on^: IrfMjr VrendnnO but alfeluits tbeie cxtraordbary inean$ with 9 wafak concomitant impofd^fmer s for, iyTmperl do not undeiv- tfhmdCa^foliic) a power onhewing Signs, and doing V/ovdcrs^P/fcdf^fr Bti
le had faid, if ^oc/AJtt ofifjutitav i^ ^iim^ mtl ScUt$r.
\
Apoftli 4iifimn ofSipii mid JFandirx^ for the words will not well bear ttuit without fom^ unnatural firaining : but I underffand by it, ft Power 4^M0 &om the Signis and Wonders by which he moves ^ their heaits to believe, by an inn^^rd wifrkrng upon their minds^ jlr«|^4g iB with the ofttwrnd means ^ of Lying Miracles propounded \ to th«r fen^ And we may the better fatisfy our felves in this • jw„j^ intofretation, if we compare it with Km. 15.jp/ where not fjj^^ H^^^ mkf the power of doing Wonders is expreffed by. aphiafe,^ c^vtolST 'fioper. and iifttm fitxm this of the Text in hand, tbrettgbffu mJfuk^
mighty'^ ^^^
j€4 ZXttatiitM .'?i^%
mighySignf ^nd JV^nderfyOxin the povi;^ of Si^sandrWondm, but it is alfo clearly difinguijhed from the Power of the Spirik of God in working upon the hearts to make thde* Wondors effica- . cious and perfwafive i fo that, as in the Spirit of God we , ob- (erve a Vowcxto do W^qiiders^ znd a Power, to nfort^upon the Hem ; by thefe Woniiers, we may conclude that this wickea Spirit bach
1 \mw^ "^^^ ^*" ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ Delufion) this twofoUVowcx. But fe- TO <«X*. condly, I note further, , tha t this Power is called zjpedal energy of
pculiar force and eiScacy in its working, thefirange inexprcili-
ble ftrength of it feems to ftand in need of many words for expla-
li^TdffhAivd'tiztion : He calls it all Tower ( which as well notes the^jgreeand
fee/. height, as the variety of its operations,) and then the energy^ the
virtue, operativenefs and ftrength of Power. Thirdly, 'Tisalfo to be obferved that Satan's fuccefe and exercise of this Power of . Delufion depends upon the conmiffidn of God^ and that therefore ' 'tis extraordinaryy and not permitted to him but upon fpeqal " • occafions and provocation, for tbU caufe God Jhatt findy j&co
Fourthly, The fm:cefi of this Power when exerci(ed, is urtaifu They are not only ftrong delufions. in regard of the Power ftotn whence they come, but alio in regard of the events thofe upon ScUtcr in he. whom they come cannot but believe. Infatuation and PertinsmnJ^ * :nefi are«the certain firuits of. in Fifth^, The jProqf of all is inanh feft in the qitality of the Errours entertained, iTqr they are pal* pable groCs (ye/, and yet bdieyed as the very trmbs of God^ and they are in (uch weighty pointsi as do evidently determine the Spultoruine, ties to be damned^ which two things are fufficient .^oofs of Spiritual fafcination. It being unimaginable that rational Men C and elpecially fuchas were inftru^cd to a belief x>f a contrary truth ) (houldfb. far degenerate firom ^he light of Keafon, as to be deluded by grofs znd apparent Lyes, andof fiich high importance^ except their minds had been blinded in (bme ex* .traordinary way. Some further coniirmation may be added to < this truth from I King. 22.21. And there came forth a Spirit and flood before tlx Lord^ and faid^ IwiU perfwade him -^ — I wiUg$ forth ^' and I will be a lying Spirit in the momlx of all bis^ Prophets^ ^and be/aid^ tboujhalt perfwade lyim^ and prevail alfo. I migbc hac take notice o( Szuvi^s readinefi in this work, as wanting neither skill nor will, if he were but always furnilhed with a CommUr fion i as alfo the powerful efficacy of Spiritual ^Vitchaaft, wher^ it pleaieth the Lord to permit to Satan the excrcife of his
Power,
chAp.2. &mn'g Xmipmionjs. tik
ly to fix Upon their Intaiuiary Facultv th^ .C*^,- r^i^l ^^'f^^.^^^S^n**
2j?^r'"\" rH^"?«^^ '^^'^-"^^^^^^^
make them apprehend, what he/i^ft/to their minds i ButalfoV^^r ""*« make them Wiroe, that it was a D«w« In&hatutL and confM. Jnl^*?* '*''**-
vfrhat they knew to be aifc,but what they confidently apwehende^ «nd«, atq, tobctnie-, as appears by the wholeftory. CaJ HecSM/mWe,t«?«"»«-^ wd mflame their deGrcsto/«J/«(& thefe their Pcrfwafions to thcK'j^SSf
tether power of perfwaduig AbA; that his Prophets ^«% Pf»"«anda.
tf ifY'-~^u*r»Z^^°r.'«=^"°* *'*^"c broughtK^offfiir^
^IW T*'^' ^w' f«?^o°*- A Reprobate S, ^^-Z^- P.V7. a Mind «ipW i a Mmd that hath loft its Power of diW ^i/:^ .. mg. yj& plain then, that he can fo ^/«# and blind hcmb^'2®"*^' that it flull not be ftartled at things o/greateft -*>%! Tl^ convenienicy.
M" any yet further enquire, how he can do thefe things > Wc inuft anfwer. That his particulv ways and methods, inSiis cafe, we know not i only it may be added. That Ephtf, 4. 17. Ftid JeUs us, Hrcanimke their df«f/ WW, and da^n thd unJet^ fiMdtngt. By Mind, the feat of ?ri«cjpr/e, is commonly under- .
cT: .By "wJ«^«n& the RM/5»«ifc or diCmfive Faculty, !f'*/- which IS the Scat of Conclulions : fo that bis Power feems to *^ extend to the •bUte^dtingof frine^Us \ and canalfo diTabU them to taikc right uferaiets: iafomuch, that he wants nothinfc that w^ be neceflary to the begetting of ftrpng perfwafionsof any ?rf^* ^* ^^ fuggefls i according to. what is intimatei Gal.'S.^.ThsTtffwaftottcmetb not of him that called ymi that IS, not of God, but of the Devil. j™» iu«
From all thefe &ifipture^ then it appears. That this Spiritual' Fafanation, u a Fomr in Satan »bich be exertt, h&ecial Cm:- mijiton, upon thoft that rtcnve n«t the tnttb in the Im of ity by tvHcb
D d y.
$%$ acteaiifeof Part it
h^canfifirongfy infrha fal/hood^i^n their Mindt^ that iky hecoam nnabh i(f mjfcern hempixt Trtab^ and a Lye » and fi by doHiffi^ their Vndefftanding , th^ are effeSttaUy ferfipoded to Mlieve an Er*
Secondly^ There is ycr another {voof of this Spiritual Witch- craft , from the confideraiioa of the EffiSs of it upon tht Deluded : and the uncouth, flrange unnatural way of its pro- ceeding. Let all particulars of this kind be put together, and it will not be found poffible to give any other rational accooipt o£ fcme ErrCurS) than that of extraordinary Delufk>n*
Firft, Let us take notice of the w/wc/r and odioufiiefi of (bmft Errours that have prevailed upon Men v (oroe have been plainlj^ fittijhj ib evidently footifb, that it cannot be imag^dy that Mai that entertained them, had at that time the u&of j^fen, 0£ any dompetent Underfhnding* This very conCderadcm, the Pro- phet 1faiabh£S\supon largely^ Cba^, 44. from verfi p. \overf%i. HVhere he taxeth them fmartly, for the fencelefi doltifhnefs c^ thehr Errour, in Worfhiping Idols : he tells them> the matter<^ it is the Work of Nature > a Cedar^ Oak^ or 4(&, that they them-' f^hresfpoflibly ) had planted, and the Rain did iiouriih it. Verf. 1 4^' He tells them alfb,^ That xhtfrnn ofit^was from the Art of the Workman, the Smithy or Carfenter. Ferp i 2 , 15. The Smitb mtk ' the Tongs^ both tporketh iit the Cods^ and f^^Uonetb it mtb Ham^
mns^ a9id worksth it with the firength of his Armr. TCbe Carpen*
ter firetcheth attt hU Kule^ he mav^hip ^,, with a Line^ hefiitih it
mth ?lanep:^ and hemoH^h it out nf^ha Ofmfafi. He fur^
ther'minds^ them^ that without any reverence, they makeiileof the reBdue of the Matieriak v out of which, they formed theic Idol to common fervices of dreflbg their meat, and warming i thepifelves v He htrmth part thereof in the Fire^ mth part themf \ . .he eateth' Flefh^ he roajleth roifi^ and if fatisped\yeay warmeth him*- fetf^ and faith J Jbd^y I am r»arm^ I havefien the fire^ VerC 1 6. Then hc^accufeth them of Sottifhnefs ? in that, the reJidMe thereof he makitha God^ evenhU graven linage^ hefalleth down to it^ andnw^ .. fiipethity andprayeA unto ity andfattb^ Deliver mt^ for thou art my Gody vcrH 1 7. And i&6m all this lie concludes. That feeing this* is fb diredlly contrary to common reafbn and underfl^nding,^ C which in tne ordinary exercife of it, would eafily have fin^ them firom (iich a dotage: for if they had but kppwltdge or un^ dorftanding tofay^ I havebmnt fan of it in the firev I have, bak^d
bread
-could DOt'h^ve^een fefoolifli,} it mcdHhen, of necdlity/be a ^ititnal infatuation. ^Ihir fys wtrtjhut that they cannot fie^ anil 4MrtbsHt^ tbattbey canntn wnderfland^^ytrC rS, A decoped bean
hak tmmed bim afiae ^VerL 20. Other Enours there are, that
4ead tohaftfy^ and unnatural ViUanies h fiich as dire(^ly crol^ a(U die/Mw 'Principles of Man-kind,the naturdt Principles of Modefty, -dx moApnerA and undoubted Principles of Rdigion,and'Holinels. As when Adulteries, Swearing, Ranting, going Nstked, CrueUies; Mcordiers, outragiousCoii^ficais, and Madn^Is, are cloathed with fraemxs of Spirit, Revelation,/rettibiff in the ufe of the Qreature, ^emm/e of Love , arid having ^Jl tbingi common^ <kc. C Of which^ fid iifAamces have been giventnore than t>ncc.3 Let any fiAer , Man coniider, -how it could come to pafi, Thlt^Men that have Km/Sa tmui^ todefend them againft fuch Furies^ and the hpoip^ 'kdgt rf 6$rqnt0»^ which every-where (with the grcateft happinefe imaginable, and highef^^ameftnefs) Aothfromrit (wih Fradice^ as moil Abominable, and doth dirtS to a Sober, Juft^ Modef^, fiiHsbk, inbffenfive Life, fiiouldentertam notwitmknding^, fuch Bnouffs, as mnsform Men intoBcafls, Monfters, at rather tje* j^^**^^' ^ils i ind ReligiOD, into the gjoflcft Impieties : and all this, a$ A^JH^fnl^ the UrfeUion and top of Refii^ous Attainment, commanded in Sfuritu c^uo- the wbid of ^God, or by his Spirit » and wcH-pleafing to ftioft dam maLgito holyandpure Divine Majefty? Let it (Ifiy) be left to the con^ jjjj?^; Jj^^^ ;fida»tion of Wen, how ft feouH be, without fomje fuch' extra- &^tis infa- xndara^Cwfe as hath been mentioned? ^ nia exagita-
Secondly, Let it be obfcrved alfo, That fome Errours irin J ^ h:icchm t with theoi fame extfwn^tufy^ Jh^ ^^^^^>}Smax^at^
axud fut Men into fuch odd garbs ^ poftures, and behaviours, that garrirts/ed pe- it i54sdfe»to^f€e, they areaded ly a Ibrce, or.powcr,' not fmmdnt. fcgnnas qidf. iSotoc havebecii Carried to do thtngs/beyond whatfoevcrrriv^hit j^'^^"- Jmve been 'cstp^cd firotti the age and xapa<;ities of the Parties^ phetarc-NW as£xcaiies, Trances, and quakings of little Childreti \ their Frq- nulli iJium
^r whona *B«yeW/»r wifneffcth: TTiat fometime^ he' wb^d be nio agitatum -fei^^d 4ipon, by a kind of malignant Sj^hit^ atid ^Vdflld tuddcnly -^inmpAMt break forth Mdlold Sfeedfef^
mucb^ that
. ' Dd z T5ml:
J)eviL Othos have been as ma matt fiber fiiritMal K^uni an
inftance whereof I fiiall give you firom Mr. Baxur ioithdewordss
J bav€ kardfr(rm an anci§ni godly Mm^ that kjf^w Arthiogton, and
Coppinger>9 that they wen p^ejfed mtb the Sfmt of the Giundkto^
Tiians* Jbefame Man affirmed^ That' bexpent bm once among ibem
himjetfy and after frtyer^ they breathed on him^ as giving bim^ hot-
fefflottof Fadch tj Gb<fi^ and be toas fo fii\an^ely tran^orted for^hru days^ that be
/^/* ^* ^° ^ ^^^ '^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^ ^'^ Family wondred -tpbat toas tbemat^
Margin. >er p^itb bim : he bad na ConfeJJion of Sin^ but an elevated firaim
in Trayer^ of if be bad been^ in ftrange Raftwru • and after three daye be wa$ asbefore^ and eameno more at them. . Some have been car- ried into dfitdifhyZud ridiculous A&ions > fuch was the behavi* Sec his flory our of Jp^Gilftny in his Delufion at Kendal in ff^efhmrland » asbis ^hltri^akem SP^^^ to thf Fidlers Houfe^ playing upon a Ba(e VioV in token iiji^frp ^ of SpirituaTMelody V his areepjng un the Streets upon hands and
knees>. Jn token ot bearing his Crou V his. making Marks on the ground^ and beating it, as his Mortification of Sin: and a great many more things of like natui:&
Such things as thefe, are as fi)iritual Marks and CbaraSers %n^ graven upon Errours, by which a diabolical Power, moving and adingfuch deluded Creatures, (like Co many Puppits) is evident*' ly di^ovei'ed.
Thirdly, When we Ox Jiot-only Idiots, and thofe mho&deEsA of Underfianding, might pi^t them under the power of anosdina^ ry Cheat, thusimpoied iiDonv but Men,, otberwife intdligpn^ rational, and (erious, blinded with Eollie% taken with apparent Dotages, admiring Trifles, and carried away with things, which , common, reafbn would teach them to abhor : 'tis more tbtnlUrpii* cious, that 'tis not any Probability of Truths or exoelUney in the Errous, that prevails with them : but, a Sfrritual Togper that doth Bewitch them. When. we confider, that (uch a Learned Man as TaF^iiZ/i^ begins to admire fiich a wretch as Aloiittfffiir 9 orfiichan one as Atthinffon^ led away with Hatkft zndCoppinger :9 or fucba Mm as Kheperdfillin^ feduced by John ^ Leyden ) and eQ>ecialIy, fiich* numbers of wi£e> andieemingly fibep and KeUgiom perfbns going down the fhream, zitctirrational zndvhinly irrel^iom Bsr rours*) what elfe caabe apprehended to be the caufe, butapow^ erfid Satanical Deluiion?
Fourthly, Add we to thefe,the confideration of tbe^ykfi^ sf/J of the prevalency of fuch Exrours, againft plain and evident
• Truths,
>
&i^ 1. Satan's ^mpmione^ rSp
Troths, (whkh is ^ circumftance taken Doefcc of *by thd Apo/llc.
Gtf/. I. 6. I marvel tbafye an fo pm nnwvtdfrm bim that eaC Udym into the (ktacecf Cbrijt^ unto amber Goj^, ) In which cafe wc may oWerve, it ufually falls out, Thzt Mens Jffeaiofis pxo^ vwt tbeij? Vifcaveries^' at the firft view they are taken, before they underfiandt what the Errour is > and they are ferfipad^ btfm ibey kgnPm
Fifthly ^ndLaftly, That the earnefinefs of the piofecution, by whichtheynaain tain, and propagate theErrdur, isakindof i«««* naiMralfiny^ which hurries Men with violcnceinto an unyielding - ftifncfs, to the ftifling of all kind of Charity, and Confideiation. Thefe things put together, CI.fay> naak€&the.naatter in hwd^vi* dent 1 when Men, otherwife rational^ ^tzt^fit^timcb^bigj^lj in* anx)ured> with^ and violent in ihe purfuit of Enroui^ that are fiu^ iifh^ot dmllifh i we can reiolve it into nothing lc(s, thaninto that of th^Apoftle, IVbo both bewHcbed yen f The improvement of this iirft> and gi eat advantagefor the introduction oif Enrours, is more than jcan be well exprejITed > but he hath beiides, other' ad- vantages which^e- . no way negle<f^s : among whjch>
Secondly^ Ovrin^erfeOion in Kmvledge^ is none of the kafl» .
if>our Knowledge had been perfca, it would have been a task too hard for the Devil, to noake us Erroneous > Bx Men Jo not err^- but fo .fir as they are iffwrant : to imppfewppn Meaagamft clear , and certain Knowledg IS impoffible; Mf^ cannot ie//«e that to betr^ which they kffp^^o be falfi. it. would be as iGlly for Sa- tan to make, foch attempts, as for a Jugler to endeavour thede-^ \ ception of thofc,. that know and fee the ways of his Conveian- - ccs 41^ well as himf^If That our Knowledg is imp^rfed,! fliall ^ ]HDve and explain Inithe fbllpwkg particulars!.-
Firfl, The Saipture plainly-'aflerts itr the greateft number of McnCwhich arein an unr^enerate Eftate^areexprefly calloJ,^/^, • blindy ignorant> Men that areinDarknefs, Men that do not know^ nor a>nfider, that, pcrifli through iMorancc. Others, that ( in . compartfon to thefe; are called C^i/^eiz oftbe Light v andiuch as fee mtb a^face^ are not withftanding (when compared to a ftate of Perfediion; .reprefented to be m. the Ni/i^rfgepf their Kno^/Iilcdg, . unripe, impenefti the Apoftledoth fo exprefs it, iCor. ij^o. , ITx t^inP in fart^ m prefl^ie in part. In the Explanation ofthw^ . hc-comparesour attainments in this Worlds to the unde^Miding^ . ^Aajigfox,andjfe<dgV»gjof Children,. i/,. 11^. concl^^ 12. That
all ;
^^ Z Xtmtik of PmH.
Secondly, Men twat hal^ had the ctear^ beads^ and have been ^t the great«ftf^^ to their cn^kies to find out Thiths, have Flura nejclo ()f ought back tne clear conviBmof their own Ignorance. Anffm f^^p'^'^^^cotMh^'VhAX in the Scriptures, < which he made hischitf Jlu'h.^Adam&vidy:) the things which htkifmnot^ werenurt than the thingr be in vitiu tmd^iMk C%rhirff^,inlH(mUe'M My
^$M^ k^kil^ (faith be) U^ol^m^ that I lyrw nothing: and it will brackariisffionftratioaof that Mans ignorance, that bostfts- of hisRDOWkdg) Wsewn mouth wiU piove againft him, that ^imfi4^tmbiHg4fh^&ii^toi^». ' ■ •
Thtolly, Thtcorifidmtbn ttf the N4kffreo£ the things, which
are the Objefts upon whidh we employ ^ur (earch , will Caffr-
eiently coni«hcc us, that we do comprchendbiit v«ry little. For
"thoughthe^ipturehatli ekprefled the mam cofimns ^i eternd
' LktfoftUy, th«^fliey weaw/e^ ^t^^i and neednoiueh^ftretch
iSf^tht%hiay'^yi^^t^ 4iiay ascettafnlyun<>
derliand thei»C as^hey widciftood any thing of ix«nmdh%ufitiefr',
as, 'tbatOkt^^M Sinnerf vihat mtboKi FaHb it k imfd^bk
L^j fa pMe God\ ^at vrilhom Ihlyntftm Mm Jkall feebiffade^ Sec*
e^bndm^^^^ (asPeto-fpcaks, 2¥tt.^.t6.) ^Aeft ^ many Mngr that an
bardtobeundiifioodh thefeareDifScu!tied,Dejptfe5^.Myfte«es.
«t)ifae things C wherebf^we hayc tfut dark ,toHd^;m Scrlptuiei
though enbugh to let us know, that feh thingsf tbere^irti and
to humble us for our ignorance) are,ln their o«^« iMi«re, fublime,
bounded on all fides with Rocks, and Pwccipices, where our neat
and bold apptoacfaes are prohibited : fuchweriidfe things, that
concern the Decrees of God, ^he 1frinity,*c . Oiher things arc
yjafk and uxic^into us,fronithehrTei!y'^rwc^
arcpleaftd to fancy theteafon » ) inch are the nature, faculties,
and workings of our own Souls withm us: which we cannot A-
reSlykei fas the Eye fees not it fclf) and dobtitas^t were^uefi
by dark refkHimf. Some things in Scripture are mxidtntstty ob-
icure to ut^ihsitwttt plain tothofethat htod theqi/?J5/t, I'd whonfi
' Ihey wo-e ipbken, and written r for ^ow, to'thc undMbiding
6f a gteatwany Images, there is neccffary the kif&mkJg pftbe
"Tonguef.in which they were diftatcd, of ifeH(^<?riei' of thofc times
to which they feverallytelatcd » asalfo, of the particular Ct^oms
.of the 7eii^ Nation, whfch gave a fnotd and formto agreatma*
ny
ny SctipMtt AtCkf^hs : aH wMchareeaiCfe, and* fainOh^ to tfc)fe that kseW the exa(J propriety of fuch Lainf^uag^^, ip^erc^cquahx* ted throughly wiiltftchHMbrits,Cu(tom5iUiagcs,atidit^ -
ofSpeakmgs : and befidesall theft, thtapfticaHm'of general ItuleT^ tofartkMhr Cafts, (where a little ciicumfhmcc may make a great akcratiDn, > is ftiB of pwzle and intricacy. Inlbmuc^ thatfome D*£i»4«»#tH>: - have thought, that there ^ttfevtfai cafts of Confcience, that are jwlaf toour$^ not ytt/nlfy deteraiined, and that are Kfce fo to remain. $• »• €k4fki%^
Fourthly, ^hiKt is the nature tf KnMet^ k Q^^ without an • Aigument to pfOve,tbe hifiifflcicncy of our Knbwledg i to Know, k properly to underfland things by th^ Ca^ifef i or at kaft, by their EfeSi: and to make a right refldt of Barticul^ ftpm a general Maxim* Such* a kmd of Knowledg, is necp^ry in JRe* ligion^ for fetting a{ide, (bme parriothrs of m^fhr/^A^ fufl^^ (about which, God h«h (h bounds left Men in pre&rtptuduJ boldneis fliould adventure to hed^tbrm^ untoiheLcrdtB gaze.)^ And (bme things which are the Prhtdfles tf Nconre^ or their next vefidts^ (which are upon diat&ore, beyond aH need of cnqujry, ) in all which, 'tis enou^ to bclifcve, that what the Scripture fifth, is true, without asking ^ further' afcicount 2 yet ijn t)tirer tfiffigi, tbeScriprurfe gives us xhcGr^mdf^ Kenfons^ and Ttoofs orwhatit declares, or afTcrtsi as may appear by iiifinite^s^amplcs: fo that to know Chriji i\ei^ or that wt are p^fied By Faifb^ or that Chrijt ffall eeme fo JnJ^nem v without a knowledge of t^t^oxnis^ and regions -of thefe things, is indeed but grofr igncranoe. The like • may be feid, * of th? Knowledg of general Preempts, without the Kijowfedg of their neccffary AppHttttion- •
But how few arc there that do thw know ^ the gfeateft part ef Men (atisfie themfehes with the bare affinnatipn!?of Scripture, and they refdve all into this. That the Word of Ood faith Jo i or' T^baiit k the JFill of God itjhotild'be fo^ Tvitboiit further en--.' fuiry.
And as for others^ tfiotsgh they may Iniowthe Rcafens ofr many things, yet are there a vaft number of Particulars, whofe •
reafbns vfckgov^ noty though the Scripture may contain them :. and as forConfequences, and the appUcatio^xyfgcncrz} Rules, their )uft Untitaiien^ tni the Enmneration of the Cafes wherein they are frue^ or falfii- it isthat (hat ke^ps tte Wits of Men upon the rad(^ perpetually.
Fifthly, The mfmitableneff of our Capacities, to thofe OljeBr
of
i<9i Z SCteattfe of ^wt ©
of Knon^edg, may be particularly, xxinfidered as a Bgctbfit con- firmation of our Ignorance* The incapacity of the Vulgar^ is ^ generally obferved 9 (bave we 6nd fi> grofly ignorant, that they are uncapable to comprehend the eaOeft matter s » and this makes their PerfwaGon to fomie plain Ti*uths Co very difficult, that when they are (as it were) hrayed in a Mortir by a Multitude qf unreafbnable Arguments 1 yet their ignorance difart/ M&t from .sbem: but they will flubboraly hold theooncluGon of thekown fancy, whatever become of the Premifes. Thofe that are of an higher form, and feem to tinderfhind a great m»iy.;particuiats in Religion, are (ordinarily) unable to oonjoyn all Truths iM one inthre frcfmionahk Body > they heap up (everal Notions that they hear here and ^here, but know not their eonfifienc^ *, infi)* . ihuch, that they either are like Children, who know all the let- ^ tf^rs of the Alphabet, without the skill to frame Words or Sen- tences out of them, being unable to give an account how their j ^ Notions are related^ire toanoibery OKtotber^Uj orif theyat-
tempt fiich a thing, they hang ineonfiHeni things on the fame tbreit \ and do but htmano cafiti^ eervicem jungere ^ipdnam. If thefe in- fiances (and a great many .more of like kind) were not atiund,. yet the very eona^feentwns of our great Fkopbet thf Lord Jefus and.of .his Difciples in their wayes of Teacmng, do evince > tfatf 1 the capacities of Men are low : that they are dull of Hearing children in Underflanding* The courfe theyjtQok,wasxo infiniS them id a plain familiar way, by Tarablu^ %ndiiExamfla : Thus j were they fed as habes in Chifi (according to tlie Apoftles Siini* I Cor. 3* It litude,) with MSfiX^ and not mtkfirong Meat^ iwaufi they tptre n^
able to bear it. And yet Chrifl fbmetimes complained. That this would not do* For fb he (jpeaks, Jobn 3. i a. If I have told yon Earthly things (that is Divine Truth, in earthly and common Si- militudes) andye believe not^ ( i. e^ c^ot apprehend them) W Jhdltye believe^ iflteS you of Heavenly livings ? How unable then would you be, tounderOand thefe Trutl^, if I.Oiould (peak in Language, and Expreilion properly fuited to their Natures i a great diecktoour flowneis of apj^ehenfion.
But poflibly, fbme may exped higher matters, from thofe that are exalted above . the common ranl^ of Men, by the repute th^ have of Learning. And indeed it. cannot be denied ., but fiich have very great advantages for the wideningof their Capacities : \a are thev not fuch as wholly take away the Diftemper, but .
m
ffill fonwch inx^pacity may be fcen in them , as will (uilSdeiitly ttifUfie the charge of in^rfedfcn in Knawlcdg againft the moft Learned. Let tis bring in feme mft^nccs, and it will be evt- fknt,
Fifft, Trhe gnatefi Errours that, have moft dlfturbed the Church in zH Ages^ have had their rife from Learned Men > the names of thdr Ambtrrs arc marked upon their Farebeais. Ilieft known Er* fours arefo many^ that they fill whole Volumes. The icfult of which cdnCdcration, will be this. That Lesurned Tvlen hare often ^ been very dangeroufly miftaken. (2) The frtftm Qmtmhm and Diipmes of Men, manag^ on all hands with fi> much earncff* aeil, wherein ofteparty Tridn^phs over another, and ^ff (in their own apprebendons^ art VtUorioHs % inAead c^ C^nq^fify by Ar^ gumeBts and Anfwets, wh forty is but more eo^jfrme^f in its ow« ^parehenicpns, and yet the one half is certsinly vptong^ and per^ baps in many things both Psurties are miftaken. This (Iiay)uiffi« ctcsitly fliews the incapacities of the Learned i for if every cutMchy were truly enrre^mJUm to Trwfi&, theic would be no more Diiputes nor di Attnces. Tj) The moft Learned, find the bdmefi of theix mn fofwafiinwA fidsfiu%on in many Truths Tin whochcom^ •fiotin. PeofXe have ho (cniple nor doubt ) very dijfktdt^ becauie ^tiej fee more Ob|edbns to be anfirered, and more of cbe weak"- defs of AxgotncDts than ofhccs do^ but obis fliews thdr Capa«* citk^ arenottfohi^ as&me would think. C4) Let usonce 6x al), doidEder tbat which ieetns to be the. higf^tfl Eniieaee ftr J&p6wle Jgc and llndcgftmdiing iaithe Lcacncd y and we ftudl^Bd %}pcm |iiftexamitia!tidjn, ^noindrethan an argument of tfaek Ig^ mmwM I ^lot isdierewhesein they feem more a£utc,and Eagle- cy'd, than in Khm'DifiinQifms^^ by which they woald gfoe ns the aaofi inifrme diffifmcitt£ tlangs^ and appear^ fi> exaft,4s if they would divide an Atom^zud give every thing its jirjf vm^andnm^ fiiti. fintlet'nsCDofidB^, thatCdbou^ all Difiinftions are not onf toiitable) their nudtitude is beoomeopporeflive and troubkfbm, ^A mare tisie mujll be fpent in learning terms and words of Act, dian ibiim \ and tbek ^Acety^aaA fnbtiity (b great, that they lYichidr dmi^ fn^ and give ooCaikm to bold Spirits, . to under- tri[e the defence of any Paradox. Nay,if we could fever thefe deitfy ^KXn thektbo&s, yet, feeing tis certain there are more dJAindions of termr than thiuff > they will evince , That our Knowkdge is mxtverbal thanre^/, and that often fora i9<»m-
E € tarn
«)
•». .
tpi :a %ttamt ot Fart u,
^ t^/a of Words, we have but a Ifeo/e-W// of fubftantial Matter. Nay,
feeing we make buf a Coity ftiift, at beft, by thefe Artifices to come to fome rude concefrionf of things, which otherwife we cannot in any tolerable manner comprehend i it is as great a froof of our imperfedion in Knowledge as the neceflary ufc of fiavts and crutches is an evidence of lamentfs. If I (hould pais from this, to the confideration of the Multitude Cbeyond all num- ber) of Book^ that are written, we (hall find them but fo many Froclantations ol our Ignorance > for if we could believe them all to contain fomany wholfome Precepts ofneceffary Truth (which yet we cannot rationally imagin ) this would imply. That the great^ part n^j^teis/thefe^ informations » and that common Igno- rance is not only a general diftpnper^ but alio aDiftemper hard to be cured, that (lands in need of fuch Multitudes of Inftrudors, and fuchvjrie^iex of helps. But if we believe, that amon^ this infinite number of Volumes there are thoufands of Ly^^ millions of unproved C(?«je£firre/^ millions of millions of idle unprofita* ble Fanciest then do we in expre(s terms pronounce them guilty of Ignorance, and of Ignorance (b much the more dangerow^ by how much the mort bold it is, to avouch it fclf in the Light, and /to obtrude it felf upon the belief of others, who inftead of being better informed by it, (hall but enaeafe their own biindneis : vi^ere there nothing to be (aid but this, That there are foch a vaflr multitude (^ Commentators upon the Bible, which do all pretend- to expound and explain it, it would of neceffity admit of thefe Condufions. (i) That the Bible hath in it things fo darl^ or at kaA, our capacities are €o dult^ that there is need of great endea* vours to explain the one, or ailift the other. (2) That the Know- ledg of Men is m^^eS : for if all, or moft Men covXA ccrtaisdy interpret the Scripture, there needed not (b many Volumes, but that one^ or two might have fignified as much, as now whole Li* hraries can do.
The imperfedion of our Knowledg, being thus laid t>pen, hh eaiie to fee, what advantages the Devil may make out of it, fbr the promoting of Errour ) for it muft now become our wonda^ not that any Man errs^ but that ^^ not. We find it eaiie toim- po(e any thing upon Children, 'tis an eafie matter for a trifle to cheat them out of all they have. Surely then Satan may do as much by Men, who are but Children in underftanding, Tk Apo- tdc^ Eplf^.^.i^ puts us in mind of this hazard, under that ve^
ry fimilitude. That m bmtfortb be no tmrt Children tqffid to and fio^ and carried about mtb every vrind of VoStine. How litly doth he rcfcmblc urto Children? Their weakncflcs are, ('-) Wine of difcerning^ they fee northe true worth of things. (%} CreJ dulity^ they believe all fair fpeechesf, and fpecious Promlfes % and the hazard of botFi theft is in this, That it makes thtrA^im- torfiant^ uncertain^ znd fickle i and fuch are we made by our Igno- rance : fo littk do we truly difcem, Co apt are we to telieo^i^ ry pretence {iot the fimfU believes every word, Prov. 14. 15O ThatKAw^w^S^rw as the Apoftle's Metaphors do tell us; we are cafily tojfed from one conceit or Opinion to another, as a Sbifis by the Waves, or j|^*^W<»f^»'w feather in the Wind.
Thirdly, A third advantage which the Devil takes againft us in his defign of Errour, is theiy^r/rof the Mind i were our Un- derftandings purely free, in a juft and even ballance toward all things iprbpounded to it* deliberation and afTent, f though it were im- pcrfeftin its Light} the danger weire^he lefei but, now in tfgard of the bent and fway it is under v 'tis commonly ;>^rr/W, and inclined to x>ne fide more than to another, and yet the Mat- ter were the lefe, if only one or two noted things had the poweif of fetting up afalfe-Light before the Mind h but there are many thingsthat are apt to do us this mi(chiei^ which have the fame Elfea upon us , that bribes have upon perfons interefted in Judg- " metit^ which not only tempts them to do wrong, but fo blindes thdr eyes, that they know not they do fo, -or at leaflf, not in fo "great a meafore. The Mind is byafled.
TixPi^attsrally to Errotfr^ rather than Trathr> the corruption oif our Nature isgeneral,and doth not only difpofe the tmll and ^£f/- 9ns to froQical iniquities, but doth alfo incUnie the VnderfianJint to Errottr and mifapprehenfion. And that fcems to be the ground of Chrifts aflertion againft the ^ewsh Jo. 5.43. lifm corn in my Fathers Name, and ye receive me not i if another Jhall come in his own name, him ye wiV receive. Which implies. That Men are Na-» turalty more prone to believt an Impofter^ than one that fpeaks the mbft certain and profitable Verities : and befides this gene- ral inclination to vanities and lyes, there are (iffome think right) fomeErrours that are/^^rflf^/Af engraven in the natnre of fain Manh D'£)^4r^# p©: as that -Opinion, 7o be fovea by fTort^^ For not only do all Men pu^ar Errours. (tksLt have any apprehenfions of a foture Eternal State) refolve 5* *• ^*^^4•. that queftion of obtaining Salvation i^o Works, as the propel
E e 2 Caufe,
r.
,^5^ Z%uatiUtt fetW
Cau(e^ Ond indeed no other could have been imgined, if thf Scripture had opt revealed the Redemption by tJx Blood of Jefu&j But the Jen^T m Jo. 6. z%. ( Wben they piopoimd that Queftion^ ' Wia^pM PH doy that wt might wot\ the wwk^ (f G^f J tak^ it for granted^ That Works (of focne kbd or other) are the caiK les tf Happine(s» Poflibly £xne impreffionof that Notion (whll^^ k was a Truth) as intbe ftate of Innocency it was,) may yet re* Uttm npoa ourNatures, though by the Fall) the Cafe is altered wJihus. .
Secondly, The Mind isbyafled hyhtuUlyteaqftr^MicmfleSimat ' inclination \ the varieties of Complei^ions, introduce varieties of Humours, and Difpofitions i and the UnderAaudiog (being n^ ceffitatedjto look thiough thele, asfoxnany coiojm^^/i^,) Is apt to juage,Cthat is to au{^jiidge)accocdiQg to the xnUnrepreiea* ttOon of Objcds,. .
Thirdly^ Sometimes JMtual ac^mwmnt/ liave tb6 fiiae in* fiuence upon the Uodo^fiaading, that Natural humours hve^ The. Arts and Sciences we fiudy, our ways of Education and Tmpioyment, are but ib many .^iiiictftefr^^jjiwr^ fe-
aetly taint the Mind.
Fourthly? There aie alio seddeual in^limfimf^ which {tbcugii 0Ot,cufiomary) have the £iice of a ftcood Nature^ becaufe chck working is violent and impetuous, and thefe which aic fiKua t i^oimdea CenfHittee^ or exc^i oSMdaadfofy^ have, a bya& oioie than ordinary \ they lay violent Hands i^pon^ the Undeifianding, and with a mighty Torrent run it down* So that if an Enouf te offered, that is (uicabk. to iuch.ieaxs^ or mitepveheofioA^ it canfcarce o^ of £icce(s. Theexinordiaary/tmwta)^ other Pafiionsv «s An^er, Love, 6x. hav^ the like E/fed.
Fifthly, Vtiiom Habits do & mudi bya& th€ Mnd^. that the Underflandipg muft need^. be^ defile^ by theou Nothing cao okvc prepare the Mmd to a iridij^ Evrmr^ than a wwikgi L^ An Enour of Indttlgmu (beiixg^rfo gfrateifid to C6nup(Jon)aBayr«9K> dily find favour with the underliandings of .tho& that i^f^m mt to do gpad^ becaufe iby bavt iuct^^med tbtmfdves f Jk mU
Sixthly, There zt^ External <i»^^ thathavcnolefepowcrcm the Underfianding, than any of the £fe-goiQg i and diefe art Gi* fionty Educatian^vA Intzr^ > tfae& fiick (q f]^ and work ib fiib* tily, that thocigjb there are few that are not Cin di^tahle cafe) i^l/Ztfiace^'by theov y^t mq^ V^ «ibk) or wiUing to cake iiotice»
Jbr. wd fay ffM #^ they do engage them to pais SMin<sc 9gauift Truth* And indeed,. that Man nmft have a ftignlv laea&ite of (uf{Hcious Watcbfulneis, and clear Integrity^ that is . not deceived by them. And thcbeftway to keep clear of the * mifiihief that tbefe nvay do us , is ta befmre in our fit^itionf^ on that fide to uJfich Cnfiom and Inttre^ have their tendmcief.
Seventhly, I nwgh^Note, that there is fixnething co^ifidera-r Uc to this piarpoCe^ in the nature of Sprits. Sonie Spirits aii. - unfaed^ and volaxik % and theie are (bon altered by their owo wur ft^ulineff. Others are tenadm and unflexible > and if ilich be firft fet w^Ag^'tisnot an eafie thing that will reduce thena to Truth* Others are fifi W di$3ile^ perfwaded hygood vwds as (bon as Strong mffomntf. And again, iome are otiach a loug^, ibwre, twtradiSadm tmfvr^ that they will iboner chufe to run wrong) than comply with the perfwafions of thofe that offer Truth, even fcf that reaibn, btcaufi they areferfivaded toit h fo that the Truth which (if none had oxtndea them^ they ofthemfetves would have embraced, they will now vefule when 'tis prefled upon them, out of a aols and thwarting .humotir> because they hate nothing ^PQOre thou todt ^ dfey are hidden^
To cosK a tittle nearer^ Letuscoi^derhowthefe things (hew tfaeir Power iipoii the Mind, to fway and incline it. 'Tis indeed tme^ That in thU^ chat are dearly and ^ngly propounded to the Underdanding, it cannot but )udg accor<^^ to the evidence of Truth \ and cannot be guided by the Will, to judg coQlrary : my, the >yiil (thouj^in things purely j^a;i«/ii^if^, it may retain ki averfenefi h as afiS>' in things ftaSifal^ while they are confix deced only, as what aMy be done, before the Undesftanding hath come up toksfml^efidve^ deternuoiBg, that iiicfa things mfij or ought to be done) cao90t but (blk>v the ligfn and information of the Itaderftanding, and that according to the Tmfartim of its xantum quif- Convi«ftk>n % fo^ that though infome Caies, a Man would have que vult,auan- dunes otherwife than he beUcv<es them to be : yet, he cannot wm intcUigit 1)clk« t^hathe wiS, neither can he Ttfufito wiU what istertam^^^''^^^'^^* ly i^preientedto be £ood and neceflary. Notwithflanding all this, the fore-inentioned Particulars may fo bya& the Mind, that it flaU not z& truly and Headily > as w^may fee in theie thret
Paxtip*Uri5. ^
Firft, In things ele^ly demonfhrated to the Underfianding « •d0U|^ the WiU caoaot dinSly oppofe^nor prevailto have them
judged
496 ;^ SCteattfe of Part n.
judged falfc, yet it can indireSly hinder Ae procedure 'of the IntcUcaus fc-underftanding^and divert it from fixing its cofifuUration upon the ^lim qw)ad' Truth i or from working it felf into fofitive determirtationr^ for cxCTciiium , bringing it into Pradice. Thus, many jthat cannot but believe non quoad fpc. there is z God, and that his Law is true i being byaiTed by cificaiioncm. jjj^j, LuAs, the power of PJeafures, or Intereft, &c. do prevail upon their underftandings,to take up other ObjeSi of confideratibn s ib that they are (aid to forget God, and to caft his Command- fnents behind their backs: as alfo,not to remember their latter-end, 'though they cannot but believe, that they fcall dye. Truth may be imprifoned^ and fettered, where it cannot be flain. We read of holding the truth in Unrighteoufnefs^ Rom, 1. 18. Which was this, That thofe Heathens (of whom the Apoftle (peafe) by rea- fbn of their vitious Inclinations and Pra(2ices ) though they coul4 not obliterate thofe notices of Equity and Religion that werfc imprinted on their Minds s yet, they kept them at under, ( as Captives in a Dungeon^ and (iuffered them not to rift up in a juft pradical improvement* Now the wrong that is done to Truth this way, is not only, by rendrbg it Hnfruisfkl and ufeldTs at pr?fent,but hereby the Devil hath his advantage in the^j/«iig €f time^ to gather together i»we Forces againft that Truth > and by frequent onfcts of contrary Arguings i (efpedally upon the advantage of the Minds indrffereney^ and remiflheis, begot by Jong and often Diveirfions,) to (et another face upon it , and by degrees to over-turn former Perf^vafions. This was the very Cate of the Heathens^ in the place laft cited i who being firft ffpayed by their Impieties, became unwilling to give way to thofc Diftatcs of Light and Juilice which they ha<| , and having thus gratified their Lufts, the Devil further prevailing with them, to iind evafwns from the power of thofc Truths, they began to make tenfiatabk Inferences from thefe Premifes, which they could not deny, and fo bccmiefittijh and vain in their reafonings, ebanging the glory of the nncem^iUe God^ into an Image made lil^ nnta corrt^ible Man. And by fuch pradices againft Truth they at laft changed the Truth into a Lye^ verC 2 5. and at long- r run obliterated the knowledg of God out of theur Minds. TJus is Satan's old Method of over- turning Truth at laft, by divert- ing the Mind from receiving the prefcnt powerfol Impreflfons , of thofe Principles.
Secondly, But in things doubt&l , whac there is not a clear
certainty^
certaktyv^hat is Truth? but ccmtrary Opinions flrive with fuch iqual cor^Jence^ that 'tis difficult tp determine which hath the Conqneflh there tJieMind may be To fwayed byitsbyafs, that it may give affrobatmioYjnom : ngy, where upon ,a fair and ifidiffi^ rent tryal^ Truth hath xh^greattr appearance of firength i and Er- rour nothing elie, than Iktk Jhadoms or appearances of Reaibn to (helter it feli under » . yet, that way may the mind be inclined by theafbrefaid things. We have a more eafie and facile belief for what wtrfonldlklve^ than for what we would not. Though there is nothing more noted by common experience than this^ that Men are ufually drawn aiide by Humours, Inclinations, In- tereAs, and Education, &c. to )udg well of that which an un« prejudiced peribn would eafily (ee to be weak, unjuft, ridiculous^ or unreafonable : yet, how thefe confideiations and tempers do exert their force updn the Underftanding to draw it into a com* pliance > or by v^hzt fecret Art they oinheighten Probabilities, and tiffin Objedions > or by what infenfible proffefs they move, that Men thus carried do' not perceive that they are under fuch a force^ is not fb very difcemible. How . often may we obferve> Men (that are rational enough, todilcover the pitiful ibifts, and poor allegations of others, ) with fuch gr^/y and confidence (where their own Interefls are concemed> to offer fuch low reafb- ningiS) and extravagant^ Impertinences, that all that hear them, are ready to laugh at their tolly > and yet they themfelves enter- tain no le(s than p^rfwafionsofthe invindblenefi o( their Argu- ings ? they Co eagerly defire what they would eftabliOi, that they think any thing is enough to juftifie iVr and are apt to imagine that / their (hifts and excufes appear of firong to. others^ as to them*- (elves. I have known (bme, that by the fway of InteNfiy have ; dianged their Opinions in Religious Matters, and have really, become otherwife perfwaded, than they bad been formerly, (znd not as (bme, whofor advantage will l^omntly take up what thqr cannot believe to be true,) and have not been able to (ay. That they have met with new Arguments, or new Anfwersto Objedi* ens ) but, I know not how, Arguments, which they had content ^ ned^ and laid by for weak, began to look higupon them : the Ar* guments by. 'which their former Perfwaiion was upheld, *grew in(en(ibly/aWe in their hands h the one rnvz/e^, gathered fJrengtb, . after they had a little cheriihed them, by thinking there might j^ fi)methin2 in them, thoi^gh be&re they ksi»p all the Fwicur^*
lart.
lart, ittd could not infiance in any thing vrhidi they had Mt for- ineriy notified fiin4 anfvrcrcd i atxl the other fott of Atguments grew tP€^ and weaker, till at laft they parted with all good conceit of them h fo that fuch a change was but a$ the tmrning of the tablej : that which aded behind the Curtain^ and wrought this change of the F^cy, could be no other than Ibme of the fpretaentioned things that byaffed their Mind > for where the Argument f^ fro and tan were tht fami^ the alttratm of Opinion Cwhere Men are not fo wicked as to go direftly againft their own Li^t, ) muft of neccflity be imputed to the difftrm fcfitions <slt externd things, and the diffbrent humours and inclinations begot by them : Even as the diffiSreHtfiMthni of Men in the prolpoft of . fomc Piiftures, reprefent them varumjffy^ one way they gitre the fcape of a beautiful face y another Way, they exprefe the ugly deformity of a Devil vot^di^^rm r^idns of the Sun^beJins upon the fame Objed,cloath it with /wwrflcrfwiw. The Strip- tttre doth alfo give us notice of this advantage whidi the C^vil takes from the inclinations of Men, to lead them into miftakes. That of Mk. a. I !• {Jfa man talking in the Sfltit offalflfifod^ do lye , faying^ I mil ftopb^ whto tbn of IFine^ and rf fhrong^^ drink^^ ho p^all tvtnhtbe Frofhet of thit Ttopk) hath this for its Foundation^ that kt the Enour be nevet fo grols and palpa* ble V (as if a Man ftiould prophefie a liberty for Drunkcnn^^ if it be fttitable to the Jn-ay effeofk/ hmrmurr^ it wiH read!- ly ^aou^ be ^h^ced, I&jMl be a rmh» ft tyn Pfe>pfet that 1S5 fudi a Prophet will eafily prevail with fiich a Ptq|)>le, their vteiouiindinarions fit rhem for any irtiptcflfon of aiuirable Exr^nttr. The Apoftle foul alfo found thfe too true in the Herefies of his own timfe : for he tells us , That Seducers had learned that cuntttog firom the Devil, to di^w Men toEtrour, by the fWay of their Ii(^/ s 2 Iwh 3. 6. 4lE*y tttef imo hotiffh^ am lead Cdi^ivt fify iFmeH ladeH ivkh SiHt^ and lea at^ay tPitb divtr^ Ltil^'s. As . alfo^ B Tim.4.^, He prophefies of the futtirt oft of this Stti^ tagem s ^» their tfvm Lf^Jhall they het^ to tbeffij^viu Teatberj^, So that twe ufoal prevakney of Emjur, was, and is, from the un- der-ground-worklng of Lufts, HumourSjHabits^ and IncKnations s whidi rtiake Men willing tt) entertahi an Opinion, which cslq but gratifie them with a (uitablenefs, or fitnefe,
Ttodly, Where the fore-mentioned Particufais of Indinati- M».fiaiural, or acquired Humour^ Ctdftom^ Education, &c. do
neither
uHtflicr divert .the ttnddrnandiiig; *n6r cngkge it (d clbfc ^vjth Er*- ttSiir ; .ycr, 6ftcn do rhey ffifcover, How ^wctfuilfthey d^& byar' rHb, Mindi in thaj theft' prevail with McT\,'to mid^ and AdW v^ T^fiiib accifrding U the bent^ or form of their inclinations. As a BowP
. whith is skilmlly aimed at a MjH(,, goes nt-verthelefs by a' ComJ^ faff which It^ byas forceth it unto^ according to the rifipgs or fallhti^ of the groupd it rneets-whhin^the wayiMen miy-arrivd at teal Truth in the njaii)^ aJid y ct miy Jhape it atfcording^td their,
• htnktirs. For inftance^ let mcoriffder thetliiier^Qt' iw^yqf (dxin^* In which tlic fame 'Truth is rfcprdfenttd^under the Vorkiiigs of dlffmntttntpG^s. & Melancholy VitCon conceived -of all things Under fuch refleSlont^^s T&aac antf Sadnefs do ufually give i if he cohfidcr God he looks upon hittii^ Hit rtotibn of gtear^ ^flverhy 7m jtfiite :"if upoii thjeways af 2V>,-Ke colto^sjhcA all m Madt; atnlcanTdyrCe accoimtiaiiy Aing 1^
with fidnefr and mourning > if hii calls his Soul' to V rfeckoning; Kscbncfiilioris concerning himfclf are /i^dplcfufj'br at beft/«^* cwif* i^Op jhe cphttary,. znhiltvrom che^rftd tcmpei*» denforcs all
\
thar ire npbn thii irtwi?/f *ri/il^X)f tibertjr: 'tb<9ftichr,dthctJ?ofS. more timrofu dif^Htion darp not affnadsy for f^ of o^mii^ This^.putst^n higher excellency dpori Ae dft'tirt^ of fVaifi} a? y^x^ct\x6ottVfiilhg^TiiiAmnln^- -Thofe Meii- t^t^ifonj/e ^afrid^everev tJtty arc-apt to thiiifc; thkr Oddts^in'ineafiSketi^^ fejves : and though they ^acknowledg there is fuch a. grace ai t3ia?rity, yet under a pretence' ofj^ffw^^ they dannot belicVe-fhey stffc^bQUnd to e:^are:it tbwardfean j tiiit are und» ?i>ry/^^
•df ii^(*lthey ji^^^^lreniftlyc^^t6\^b^ fitk jiincj th&*jjgfofh
iAit in:e*jfaally : V&y ii/|fcj«ft; to 'an;dife$>hereini36fideftett^ 'cAi 'isto beufcdi tWeyate harrf t^'htftcoritAM.^xiddtc^ 'Carriage of ^ny perfbn^arc not eafily fatiffied of thtii^Repentauce : and incafd^of^igflSewffiromthefa: \?^aridprs^<ftice/p^ Relijgion^ 'the^lvc tiyitatiqnlyieiifMdM^^ conclude the woilf; ^eyagaih ^1.. .._^^. T.t,„.„«..j_^i;.^.j^j^j^ pretence (^F Gtey aiwl
in ifteir Carmge^*foWards ^i/(«r'«;iT^ t^eyWo^/'thefar acktibwk3|;cd' Duty -imo^he-'form* of dicir wrn ctij^^ofition, 'and
fi> tiunk tfac)! $mfi-jk,*iidytt jnt ftrctrut* zni ioftead. <if cciBa. ifig the ufim^Hf* of aBiotber, they have a. h^nt-U to^c^ft oVrCv 4voy tr^v&rt^Wf At th^ iCiine rate alfo cto they &9iBe their copr options w Gpd^ a$ if he was Comercifuly than be would Icarcr xeckon. zny Ahonunatiop to be above the height of aa ardaun u^mnn : the^ are a|^ to think, that the mtmtf of God (ib nuaio ' "ed in Saiplure) iig^tlje Uttlf-lfp than ap.iffcfw/gwwuin Tnofi jon, fjt^ axKviK whait Prm^^tffv are apt to. iqtagioe : .^ 'ikaf eiit/!« tp oiiuanfiapyeaeft firoro God (br any ofllep^, aS; it in ta fky^lU La/'dte^mereifidiotm aSinnit, Tho&tlW accuiiooii themffltfis tp HffdtlkbtsaftkeffiUit^ areapttobeiwl ;bciwgf of their.MigioQ to.th^:WMin' v, apd tbii^that ootiwig can befi* l^m in Wot^p,. tba;i; if ac>ti let Q«t with tff»^>i»gf. that nw]^ dcafe tjip Ey^ qr E;^t Nay» '»v ohfifv^hki cnPHSpi. That Re- ligion bonow$.ipo»9' ^4(«f or >i^ fitom th« yaiJoiK^ J^P^and ^^iw^^ Mea'».i9i9ine,(a^ii^imnyof the?tf«kr/) wenu» ice |^ioq4ip( in f /*«Aiff{|f«^ tsf( ftt^t^ttifMit, $omp. ii>tiDAa«^ t^i^fin9<0Rx 31)4 /#»(<««ff4 qC ^mlf^PW V othOd^CQUtpel «])'
Sq[^pt«^ to fn^t, to tb^|.;nrs of ihno; %«m(4m(^ Ttnw^ *
ac(»fdi^.t0)»^ Tari9w /MMMif^thiKMat took tMQt^ «i«
']pin9i^^|9piqwf^»md4c<fliedMff if) ftv^ih«ic&: 'pioifir in^TP t^tJ^ioOapc;!:; tp iinajpaip, th?^ Satan, qipilhavc a>|aeac
«4iw)t9fif 9^ff# MS iA point Qftouir,£^th&byas «Cth^ IWi wM^ftf HK»«ks. liWs ajfwh nartly fwn^a.4^
wdrfiWtibf iN« r w» ajpd hwh th?i? iQ9J(f, way fi* Iw ■
\ '
BiviBum eft 4 4<<^. a^ ^uowWfcii|,lAit)wJ,^4 withaJ ^ -^r,-^., *^^ i< »Q«e4w :/•*»»« «*», f>»,M}« w«i(Wi«;»cl5?> «*««J ilA(»Ar-
j^/^)p.4^d^>7(9A>>h9>#hf>b«fopCfiv wif
fiomci, ^ the very 4«Kgbt oTlg^iKMriog, 4Qth<nga([e M^ t9
4r(<M(. ibwj im*it t^ppeh with 9)uch IMvHur and hamwc^ sot baiehr. in. telling New^^ but in inw^a^er tm.'Hiimm
Wt4 Pi^jmTeti^s : an4. tbi« madetj^q^ wil^r^ to hear*^4v^ »
Wb^ t||i^ d^ #qi:. ^lWW]«(i& ift, aniffliafed with, We,
as)
J ^
When 'Meiianr upcm » tw^» tt> iccfti MgHet tlun otl^s/^ \tpiffi»^ to tec more, ttutt wbe'^'Mentetf, i6 beadtnia^. «p 0M*tift th w bfci|9b(i<Ku<^ Qpw fiiir^ctb thqr tyc oj^ to aitjr colkcek that ma/ Ictfo the
Hut Sitanliiboitts toimprovc tfiis^uirfotity^ 2s withoui doul^^ jbc cafcfiillyaf&rds (mIco ^i^'burmng, an<i diligent&Viov^ ft ttp into a flame. The firtt^Afiptation had that tngrecuent id k ^ 'itpiiHt U m Ooii^ laming gooi and evil. And we fee jt was « 0reat enticemeiijt tg tv% Ithatnfhici v^^^Umm m^ m]/^Was tBeiefgi^ deiu0ble« The blam^ of J(/r jf i!r jM Uolatyy^ feems Ca 6^ laid at thi$ <foor, t>M. a 2 r 17, . Tj^ey jW^<^ — fa G?»J5r 9r6^)/i^ 1^0^110^3^ fa iien^Gf^as tkiH came nemh 9^: uhplyin^ TW tbev were drawn afide firoifi theur qM eftahfi^ed v^y ^ ^ox&upyby a curlofity, to tp^ tUnetPw^fs dT tbtf i£^&9/* And KXjpeat an hand hath thi% generally; m £ttours \ that frnt^^ 2 iuml.\^ makes this itch ^er Novelty the gmtSKxaAA of that dete^iop ^A "Hpth, which he formw was comings Ith^VmXxpM aurU fmtfbe^ t0 themfihes "tmberr^ having ihBifigeiru tliis Hc^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ OeSat.k tSii ufual fore-runner ci[ sl Soa^ in tht CftW^, tecauft ^^^^^^^ it 4qA diQ)o£s Men to receive an^ kpid d Teacher, dod in* deed doth fometimes take the advanig^eof our ndimrd aai^ fat cm good: by this means many of ^a/ Itearers, who went out into the Wildemeis to.him, as to zfirangefi^ Casthofe words imply, WhatvpeiAyeomuaodftWUiermfs to fee}) were Converted By this meansi the Go^l afterwuds made a la»c Progrefs, as we fee commonly nem feadffts a^fed moft at fm^ ibt when Men gtow acquainted with their Gifts, their admira- - tiuii decays, and the foccefr or tfaeir Labours isuui vj gfcac mav ny times. The Devil alio obibrving, the prevalency of Curiolity \ and that Men are more plealed with ne» Notions^ than with oU Tnabs ( 1^ eikleavours alfi) to How with this Heifer, and oft makes a great Harveft by it. There is ^et another advantage more that he fometimes uieth: atad that is,
:FiithI)|^iAM^/ VAamAery^ when Men by long cuAomein iSiimhig)' hai^ arrived to habitual Gnelefneis and Prerumption, then they bea»ne FraOical Atbafs \ their Vitums Habits work upon thdr Undorftandings , to Mhnau ai Trindfles : when Men aregone fofiir, they arefitEngmeers for Satan s for while
FfjT they
m
u^ *
MiU4t:
wfe in the^pr6ragaring it >^ though ii thefteant&it,; th^'^ tretly laugi at; the aedulity of the Vulgar; ' ' • •^- .
Thcfe Men f e* out thmfetves^ and all their parts to the Devi^ and he knows how to make ufeoftnem, tabling oft thd.^ti luiion, and . deception of others. Many Ages ^ave giveii £^« yiipVe^'c^focht thofe Se^cfers 'tne^htiW^ were (fome of them) of this tan\^y and therefore called Jecdtfla ff^arkprf. Such as Were not realty under thofe PeHwaiions, whidi they thought to fixupbn others ) but upon d^t^ tranrformed themfdvet into the AfofiUs of Cbrift.\ fiuh asfirvea not ottt Lord Jifof Cbrlfiy ^ their omt Mies\ and yet hygood vmis andfiut ^fieed/tfj deceived the hearts of the fmfle , Roiti. l6. i8. Who,. jhrotfgb CoVetoufhefij mtb feigned words ^ made Merchandize of Men, 2 Pet. 2. 3. Balaam was fuch, and the JFoman Jezdbd tints flailed herfelf a Trofbttefs^ Rev. 2. ao. Such was xht Arth^b^hof of Sfdato^ who for advantage could at pleafiire take up^ and lay
nfinuaSii the Faith (f the fimple, uncautious Admirers ! by ( ments Satanlvprks, where he hath opportunity..
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CfSgfdm^s in^cvtMg tbefi AifV4nt4ignf$r Brrmr. X . j^ slelmliMg the ttnderfidniing dire&fy : rphich he dcth (!•) ty ceuntenMnci/ig Erreur fr<m Scrifture. Of ,bis cfmBing therem. (ly By fpeeiow fretences of My-
, fteriesi And vfhdt thefe are. Of ferfonat fidttirks^ (3O By Reefed Exfreffions. Keafon of thw pr^s- Uncy. (4) By boU Jjferthns. The Reafons of thst Eoiiey. (5) By the exceSemy of the Perfons affegr- ivfir it^ either for Gifts or Hplinefs. His method if.mM4gi^g thdt defigfi. (6.) By pretended J'^J^ira^
ytionJ (7) By prettnaed Miracles. His cufifiii^gj^e^^^^ i>p# . (S) By peace and profperity in ways ef £frroi^\
- (9) By fyes againft truths and the Pirofeffor^ ifit^ j ^
• » « •
TT THat arC'^he^^Wtf/ Advantagzs whicfh Sitan hath'^tofbri -y y ward , his- deCgn of Enoiir we have feen. It-now rcr jmaiiis^' that we take an account of 'the VarioQs ways, by which he impxoves thoic Advantages, andthofemay^jbe refe;:r red to ^^ Heads. C^) They are (uch Stratagems, asniore dt^ ft^jf work upon the UnderfiaQdipg.toyeWejahd.bIin^^^ O^ {2} they arc fuch as iadirttlly by tnd' power oJ* the thu and
;4^/>*rda;/j^bi«^it.,/ \. V \ ;v- .^ ;'^ ;
' Tirft, Thofe, Siaratageros, thaf . more ihimediatly concern the JlndedlandiBg, are the ufc of fuch Argumni's^ which carry in 'thepa jpr^^^ft^^.toconfirni an Erfour). though indeed they are iut FMaa^ Tdrahafmi 6F,*rttcH the 4f^?/e ipeak^
•01: iX ki/i any heguik yoH^-^ tkit W,(<ift'<Hey ittipdfe ufpii jou, by falfeRaafoningf. li!U:x^^ in this
cafe IS,. , Firft, When be hath to do with Men that aire brought up with
profefliou
-■ «
yj
1
pfoftflSon a^ beUef of Scripcnre ^ he is then citd^ to siTc aa £nour Come countenance or pretence fioofi Seriftmt : it is not his tourfetoAory the Scriptures with (uch Men, faiitto)S^jflthcfl Truth and Authority, as the rooft pkufiblc way to his Defign i 'for bf this loeans he^ofthnoc only frwmt a gtOLt many ftait- iingobjc^ons^whichwouIcrotherwilerileupaftainfthiiQ^ (fee- ine Men hrou^t up with Scripture, cannot eafily be brought to
l^mflmuziA'viOifk bis Enoor: for nothing caagive more lioldnels <^ cQalideBce to a oiiihkc, thea a belief that it is biKiced with Scripture.
Thiatthis is one of his grand Stratagems, may be fiiQdehtiy ttinc«d ftom the infinite number of Enrours that pretend to J^are mttroMi. ThoTe that ai£ abbw, or beyond Scri|>ture, <Mhid| admowie^ no dcocodaiioe upMit) are' but few,, and Awc { .and i^eed* among Cmfiism^ iippivt canaot wett th^ves without a petenceof Scriptuxet Men wcmld have cnoudi to dp to i^fwade thmfiUftf to fiich KripurSi but it woul^ belm-
-poiliHetomakeaFiirfyorperfwadeothers'i Au:h Crrours would prcfttaHy be hif!ed out ot the World. Upon this account is it, that A^fif^JhAf Md conceals it fetf, (except where geoeiaBy tolerttippl Itophnenefr ghrcs it moie than ccdtmry encourage- ment,) whidi is not to be afoibed to zny fia$m^faeed modify , that ^#^^ can befuppoftd to nourilb i but to thcgfioral^^ of others,, who (q Sick to the Authority of the lUji/e, mar thdM]^ jed all dlre^ contiradi^ns to it with great abhortency. Heitce
^ aUp it i^ that £^. Igneous perfoqsare fbrced tocmt$di9mt 14 theli^^l^ag^bft their profciRd; f^ It impo|Bbl9 tft prpp^gat^ th^ir Exit)ur& without fi)me jire^ tenccQC ptbw ^ S^iptifire,They that Would undernnlnt thpie^^ cred Records, are ^ced to make dfe of tticrr Authority for ]pr0pf of what they would layv The P^/ bive a ^M^Aatihem^and envy them the title of P^r/%Stoi and firjfipdtj^ upon defign to IntMU^Q Tna^ipnry ajid to ftt up the f&peijtimc^ Authority m mattei:; of fajth v aad when they haw fiid aD they cao, to fitbf )c^ ^ SbiPf iwes to the P^xDetermlnatiim^ th^are foicedat taft to be bdiotdcii to theSWim/, to ^vcthohfttVemKi- natian: they would prove the Sirbtms by the Cbkrd^ > and diea ^Cbm^l^^SinijU^ which is a Cmfe they have been often . tcU <£ and of which, fome of the wiftrJbrt among themfilves
»©J
ffliamecL Others alfo, that will notaDow tlie Scriftmt^ to. be tfenerat fiandwRMley arc yet forced to inakeit Cm foroccai- fes) z'RutetQtbemfthts^ and eagerly pkacj it to beia toi^^jv- "** that pretei]<I ta be ifimw Otdinancet^ znddcay onnM^d^ 7 as unncceffary, or hiittful; yet, they teach mtt^ardhy they fee they arc not aMc to enlarge the Van^re of Eirota, witboot fudv teaching. Thofe very Errours that inake it their diicf. bnfmeO^ to render the SaripHreimx better tbaoi^ 9ldAU mamii\ they yet feck to Scripiwz to countenance their Blafphc* moos Arfertions { and if they get any icrap or fliread of it^ tbit may by their mi^ujitarhffe be wiefted to fpeak any &ch thmg, » Pet! 3. i^.
ot any thing toward Jt, they think all their follies arc thewsby ^j* imiim » add commonly, fiichMen cither 6x upon fiidi placftsas dive warning of the neceflary conemutantu of the Spiiit, uA iWn^^^ theoutwardi^gr of lervice> (and ftom hence^iqsttf* wting what Gbd hath joyncd togctW* they fcr ttp SpHmsi ' Sabba^ S^iritHol Baptifin, ^^irifHal Woxibip, to cry. dowir^ and easier the exttrtml ASts, of fuch Ordinances: ) or they {^^tend 1(g$dra 10 Scriftmt^ as Fop^cfying^ or foretelling thole aflrAdr r cnitiifirationi whkh they sn atm tafat^ Let HLNkhihf be aninftanceof this, who thoi^ he decryed the. Service of the £j9 under God the Father, and the Service of, the BeUtf-mitt * Oirkt \ and in the room of Hbth thefc^.would ftc iu> aAOtber • Adnutiui{nLtio&9 under the Spirit > yet, (that he migbtM*the bflt<^ tcr befievod) he. applyed (evcral Smftuns to his^pMnofi^ as.Pr^ - |£cf^^.foreteUiQgK Nicholas^ and his Icrvicesi and wouldhave Men ilnagine, that he was that Angji fyU^U tb$ miJ^ of Uu^ vm with lie KvfrtMag Ge§fl^ Rcv*I;4a 6. And that trifbdintr y fAred, (^ hik^ Jms^ Joh. 1^2 u Ati thm-dM SrMrt » and Ofgi^mmoriiind^U Ji^ihi JFaild} :^^^ 17. >K* Afifl that Ac times of hisDi0)Cn(atioQ, were the timesof Peife^bn, mi QlbryiipMbd^ of b 1 C^. ij. Sf miHeb. d.i. Xhe likejuo- * tmces for new. AdtalniAratignS' bad SatmoFfity mdieveiAl ^ othersi
SisKtsnvftnng hi$ Foot upon thisPeCign^ and taking advaata^ ' i)fM^tgiK)|ance,Curiofity»andFrid£,d«. itisimpo^&bktotdl. ^ wlutthe may do.; be hath introduced, many Herefics^ ak^ady, ftnd none knows, what may be behind^ many parages of Spfsp- • tnrc are «f^> to the m^ cf Mea: a great manysmore a«e:£> 19 ^ cQimm &xi of OyrifiiaMt A great many wlifirafc im- -
plQyed '
i6« ■ m.^mmti'' .Va'tti^ 1
ployed by him, is AdventHtefJ tor new t)ifcover\es i ^d a (raalf pre^ repce is ground enough for a bold tlpdertaker to ere(9i,a nc^ Notion upon •, and anew Notion in JReligion, is Hke a new Fa*' ftion in Apparel, which hewitcheth the uriftcaidy. with an itch, to bcmir, before they well linderlland what it is : So that '^tis alike impoffible iofiint the juft nwnher of Errours, as to ^djufi the vati^ j dus pretences fronn Scripture upon which t\ky may be countenan- ' . ced. Leaving therefore this task to thdfe that can undertalic ill I
I Qiall only Eote.a paitieukr Or two of Satans cunning iaaffixing an Errour upon Scripture. a
Firft, In any grand de%i of EirrOf , he endeavours to lay thq Foundation of it as near to frttthzs he can h but yet fp; that in the • tendency of it, it mzy go offarfiom his may be. A| lome Rivers Whofe Inx&FmtainfzxcconiigHOUs; hav6 not With'flaiiding ^'diycdf contrary courfc iti their Srfeams. For inftknce.ih f hofe Enors tKat tend to overthrow the doarinc of the Gofi)el, concerning Chri^ And Ordinances Cand thefe are things which thc^pevil hatKagrcat fpit^at) he begins hfs work with plaufiblejjfete^ccs qf Xw^ ^J^trationofChrifizridGtaee', he prSe^d/ frqmtSwr^'-*^"''
«rsand Preaching, as #*«*fe«^/*, and rpe'akout-thewr^^i&Qf.Ooi agamU Ink3mty,.and thefe are prefently called Ugti:Preachi^^a^ thedaantjcof DutyaXfgtf/Cwwjfl/ \ havihgthem once ailfik ftoiat, they eafify tome to immdiate Aftftahcts;' alid ffeaai'Gtf^ . which they jwefcnd to have above others i. being iKus jet lip iw •aw for free- 'Gra«i arid the ctijb^meatbTXiohnstfri^'S -tbence-they <»nie to Ehrifiian Liperij, arid by xlegr'ees I^titt are ^ietffary, thbceisw Chnjihxlt»itiin.ihem, and fcm&a/iroin
^tfCaftJKKh, ti^denofo ithbughriow and'tfidiJiemaySiwiii fomeqrcomflances, and b^forc^^bliop before Ke alS tot£ 'mim>ftofhiiJovrfney; Vcyrimayx,lkveU tobd^^gS
seithe Bcokf^* oHim^^lland, ift thcFmitifif oCGerma'ny, 'anJiii thoTc cMUdWo^^itrOiOU^EngUnds jn all which at the long-run Men are led as &r
SccV^"5^!? £r "•'"' ^^fc^^^g'S^rt^' Light. ,-NoWthisisnolcn-
NS!En&:^*° bcften«na/>«^i^ei»^//0c^V,^ofErr6rsL but often il,
-wepercafethefaraefubtilty of Satan inXJi«dl^.Efrar, aswhS
-he.takes up pm oFa Truth whfch ftouti ftan^ in c.«j*;^S,^S
-Itall hav«.*e siMfrand prctentffe^tp* *>, iijt the thing ^te J^
firytd. God requires Serviees of Men, and preCndbes to thm life, nrayer, Hearing, Sacramfflts, but becaufe in tbefe God is dKho- notured ^hen Men only draw near with their Lips,he further tells us, ibaihe k not a Jop wbitk k one tmufwatily^ neiwer k tbatChrcmm cifian wUchkrftieFt^y Sec This part are.fbme Men £> fixed up- 6a, that they thinJc the^ are difdisurged of the aiher^ and in jm- dice go quite fiom tlrfe imus^ and yet fiill they profefs they are fifOrJin^ioesmAibt Wmfkif tf God h wfi ibarefome Men for CkHfiy hat then 'tis but the amk, not the thing ^ they ownChrift they &i^ bat then 'tis Chr^ in fbm^ and Cbrift oome in their Fji^^ but not tiut Chrid thai died at Jemfakm^ as a Saaiiice for the ftnsofMen.
Secondly, Satan takes great care that an Enour be Cin all the ways of its propagation) etoatbedwitb Scriftwre thrafes \ andiic t^ the Enour c^ pretend to any plaufible ground of Scripture,(hc more doth he endeavour to adorn it with Scripture I^^Mjgw^g^ (I underfiand this chiefly of fixJi Errors, as are deiigned for the Mtil^ titmde) fbtfaat though Saipture be not ufed to frove the Enrour, yetareDecdverstaiigbttoe9^pre^theirc9/ieep^i0ff/byit, andto^ic*- comodatt the Words and Sentences of it to their purpofes ) for be- tides pride and confidence, SeriftterslEloqntenee is a neceiTary in- gredient to make ^fowerfidpeluder. Obfuve the TJt^4eaders of EiK>rs, and^ou (ballad that ordinarily, iiichhave at firft been jhediom of the Saipturesv ax^d though never able to dig^ theory et when they tumedtbdr Ears from Trtahy they have canied their Sariftmre Loi/gmtge (which they had before Isoiigbt themfelves onto -by long cufiona) awaywito them, and 4iiU retain it, and exprd& their Colons by it> ,^
Nowthisis a great advantage to Satan. For Firft, By this , * means the igfmant Multitude are often caught without any more ^ ado > if they hear Scripture Exprefiions they are apt to think that ^kT'rMtb whidi is (poken hydem % and they the rather believe . it, becaufe they will imagine fuch Teachers to be iPtU verfU in ScripturQ^ and confequeptly either fb . hon^^ or fb knowing that they neither CiHf, nor mff delude them. Secondly, There is a Af^^^in Saipture which (in ibme fence) doth j{id( to the very exfrejponi o£ iVrMcn may perceive that generally Hearers are more affeiiedwith Scriftttre Eloquence^ than with Pl^Book^ Larfffeagej it hath (as it were) a ch^nn in the words, which makes the Ear attentive,, more than a quaint difcourfe, (tarched up in the drefs
Gg cf
^o^. ^ Z XttaUU df Parti IR
»■
of comflion Rbctorick : One gires us anOUenration to thatpur^ Savonarola pofe of his^Wfl Preaching, and fo may many othSers. WfeHe then trium^.Cru- ^fcn heat fuch language, they have a reverence to it. AndtsFhy^^ CIS. w. i.#.».^j3n5 cover their PHkwhh Gold that tfce Patient might more liKlBngly take t6em> fo do Mfn often-fi^ltow dpwnErrour with* - out due confideratk)n, becauft conveyed . to, tfccm in a Languajgtf.^ which they refpe^.
Secondly, Satams Ceeondcaxe for the advancement of Errour^ Cafter Jie hath given it aH the countenance he can fiorn ^iptnrejl is to gild it over with j^wi^HifffetwCTtf, he fits it 6fF y^itfe ^ftrfit . feravery hecan,aiKrthen urgeththat as an Argucaeftt ofitsTkrth; . Men are apt to judg that what doth better their Sphritual Coriditi- oh cannot be zLyeot delufion > and the.Arguoient were the more . confideraHe, ifdieadvantagcswere/i«*ashe^rete«if.themtobe: : but the very i?«/eand boaft of ad vantages jp&i^fe the unwary^ with- ^ out a due enquiry into their reality. The Apofile in Row*, i fi.t 8; redtrceth all this Policy ofthe Deceiver to two heads : (i.) Good ? »w^, yjM^hSijkcu^ vfotds thict €et out the profit zni advantim of . thethin^. fa.) And/iiri]^^iuXaj/fac^ Speech^ thati^^^ . ter the O»<&wrof the party. His Art^as to the^ ofthefci is to . t^H them that the Notions oflfered.to t hem arc fieehtl Vifioverkfj ruft M^erks^ which heave been hiddeit from othcrfs andttenoeiif-^^ fJars, that it midftofneceificy conduce much to their baffim^ and Sphritual ferftShn to ktiow and embrace them. Thofcthat tiou- . bled the Church in Tauls days with falie Dodhrines, ufed this fUghrx)f boafling^ as appears by that exprdlionih iTYUf.tf.aou. Offefi^mif of Science \ it feems they called their bplnioiis .(tiidugh'. they were but frofbant^ and vain^tabliigs) by the name ofSckner or Kn^leigi^ miplying that all others, even the. Apoflles them- ^ {SAytsv^trtinthtDaf^^ and came (h<Mt of their iSbrnf^m. Thc\ like we have in Kev.^ 2 . 2 4. of that abominable Prophetcis Jeze* > ie/, who recommended her b]afphem€»}s£lthyDodrines, under,, the name of Pep*^/, Profundities, or hidden Kmowledg, though the Spirit of God told that CHuich they were not (uch s but i^ Depths^ they were ^bt cf Sstaft^ (zs^tis added there by way p£ Gorredlion> iind not of the Spirit of God. We may trace thefe . footftePs ot Satan in all coitjkhrably prevailing Errors : for, what hath been more common than to hear Men fpeak of the deligQS they have been carrying oto, under the fpecious Titles OfCbriJPt imingiofeinf ^Kf^msKii^dm CbtatbefcomingomofBiAy*
hny
49n^gful0tftrffbefFitdihi€fiv tte damning of the dayoftbtVfriv M>t ' dfy 0f Kififrmathn^ ihetime of the K^mhn of all things j With a- bundanceof Brags of the (ame kind. I fhall ^dd no/particulir infiwce of this nature » bar a few flirafns oiWKu^hH^ with •^homfuch high ptoiniflngyatwts were brdinaiy. His Service 6£ tovc, he compares tatheiwJ^Hl^/yi (whereas /(?]&«/ Dodrinc of ^RcpentaiKe was buta preparation to the Holy\ and the Stmct of* . i^brifi he allowed to be no more than as the Holy of the TempJe^ this his Service he caHs^ theferfeSion of Ufe^ the cmfktkn of Tro^ fbems^ ibt ftrf^condttfton fftbefFirrk/ ofGod^ tbelhr'one ofChrifi^ tbetnteR^ of the Ckfen ofGod^tBe laft Day^ tbefurf ff^ord ofTtopht- ^ tbelftn^JerHfalmy and what not? ^^
If we make fbrther enquiry into the natttn of thdfe fair piomi* fing Myfleries, we (hall find that Satan mod frequently pitcheth upon thefe^ibre:. Firft, He befools Men into a belief^ that the Scriptures dp imder thfc Vaii of thefar Words and Sentences, con- tain {ooichidden Notions^ that are ofpurpofe Co difguifed, that they Qiay be M^tif&om the generality of Men, at leaft fiom learml and wifeMon \ and thatthele Rarities cannot be difcerned firoin the ^Jkaifign^eations of the Words and Fhrafes. (as y(c underftaiid ^AerBook^oftfaefaQieLangaage) but tKeylancy tliefe Sacred WxlllDgs to be tike the Wx itihgs of the M^tiansy^ by whfch they ^^^ jy, ^ f^a: 4ifcfoon&d theirKfyt^^^^^ efpecially like that kind of Writing, rabeo acdpi- whcreby undcrwords of ca««w/il5jia»«ye«ce^ they intended things tris pulchritu-
mUchihtJf^ordfthemfehefcoHU and that wWch occa* "^Jj^.Y^^^Sfr
4ioas this* itnaj^natioh is this, tbat we read frequently oiMjfi^crks ^^^ ^fisJfitd in .Seniles, and ^iiidAmWifiom^ and the JfecialRevelatidnpftbeMogm y^r^ thcmtoGod^s Children, which arc very great Truths, but yet ''^ j'i'/'^ ^not to be Ibunderfiood, as this Delufion fuppofeth : for thefecx- f^sli?'^ pteffibds in Scripture intend no more than this, that the d^n of QfAtofaue Mm hy Chifi is in it felf a Myflery^ which never would have^beenj^^ otti without z^cial Revelation *» and that though ^tIiislM^e«y ismnr rmakdhy the Go{|>el, yet asto the apflieatiott 4oi it to Ac H€9xt$(X Mm in Comm'fion^ by the Operarion of the •^Spirit, it is^ a Myjleiy. But none of thefe intend any fiicfa fuggc- ^ticm, ^atriiereare private Notions ofTrtttb or VoSrine th^t are^ Jyin^inffidbr gtottnd ( asit yv^ae) in Scripture, words, which tl^e ^cifdsiil the c^moon t^angjioge wiSlnot icqHmt us withal \ nay,thc «cnitrary i$ expreily affirmed, whqd wear^ told ti^^^ all is^loMy i^t^W^iroj^ {q th^'fiom thcSaip'tures they may V-* ^ Gg a as
•'
5i6 Zt:tmitiOt Partes.
as well underfiancl thtfitndanuntal principles of R^Iigioq* a&tliCT may underftand aty ttber thing which their language doth exprefr' to them.
However in this Satan takes advantage (^Mens Pride and Cm- vpjh to make them forward in the aeeeftationoi fuch offers, e&e- ciauy when fudi things are repre(ented, istiieenlyfaving difittt- ^ riei which a Man cannot be ignorant of but with hazard of Dam- nation..
Secondly, InthisboaftofMyftery, Satan Cbmctiraes takes ano- ther courfe fomcwhat di/Tetingfiroro the former, and tha* is tj> put Men upon ABegmcal refkOions and ijlufions, h^ which the H^aw- «(«/ Paflages of Scripture are made (befides the import of the Hi- Roty) r«/e«*/<w«^ of (piritual Truths* which fuppofcth the L«»- - ter of Scripture to be tiwe,(but ftillas no better than the fiifi-RuJi- «!e«l/tp^trainupBe^nnerswitbaU yet withal, that the j^ir^ia; atea^iagof it faifffh the skilful to a higher Form in Chrift's School At this rate all are turned into Allegories. If they fall upon theM tfGeH0^ they think they then truly.underftand it,whcn they ap- ply the iy^**andP!«r^^and God*sy^«'<»i«g.of them, withfudi other .Paflages, to ther^«ier;i<w«of the.&uL, The like work make thejr with the St^mngf of Chrift. Byt then -the cafiy Ad- vfiCuy at lift entic^th jbemon to A» go tbe'HfllprMSi'iElt WQK.n«- thingi>utafrfr<i^/ir, not rwHy aded, but only fitted to T«w/«tt Notioustauj. if%tftte/wcreaTr4rp whidh theDcvO hadtwthe JaPtt andwhjv^in they wonderfully pleafed themfelves. How much QHgen abufed himfclf and the Scriptures I^ this humoHr is ypown to many » and how the Dc?il Jbatbiprevailed g^eaik by If upon^ddy people in later timcs,I.nfed not tell you. , The pretence, that Satan^.hath for this dealing is raifedfiom fomepaflagcs of the Mm t^ament^ wherein niany thiofis of the OldT^amntjucSax^ to have had iMjftJeal figniiicAtiMofthiDgs exprcfled or .tranfjiftcd then, and fonje things are exprdly called Mgifria. HencePrff/jVdetetmine the Scripture to have, bcfides ^eCramrnatitafSeacCy (which all of us do own; andbefidcsthc iTopologieal fence Cwhichis nOt divers or diftin^ ftom the Gram, naatical", as wbcnfiomfimories, we deduce inftru<aions ofhbk «nd fober carriage) znAtlfgmealzniAnatppcal fenfc i jn wiu£ dealing Men confKler not, t^tthe 5;p«ra ofGod his intapraimt ^ffig^ofwo^t&mcm, willnever juftify any Mans hUndi. frefumjijg todd die like to aHy flftBer/^^^eof Scriptwc j WW
fide^ when any hath tryed his skill that way, another may with fgMlfri^ability cany the (ame Scrrptuxeto a different interpret athfty * *
- and by this means, the Scripture fliall not only become o^^re, but altbgetbemmcerftfJA and doubtful, andunaUeto prove any thing; ibthatthis doth extreamlydi(honour Scripture, by making it lit- tle kis than ridiculous, 'fi^rfhy^^ and Julian made themfelves ^ ^portwithit) upon the ocoafion of Ow^e/ij allegorizing, and nowhtttMkeritr. wonder, feeing that humour Cas one calls it) is no better than a lit. fententb ' karmdf^okfy. Notwithftanding this, Men are ibmetime tranf- J^^* D"*^*^"** ported ^ith aftiange delight in turning all into • Allegories, and ^^^i^*^ ^^ f^<HH Myfteriesoutof (bme by-paffages and circumftances of Saip- auadam in- tore, where one would lealf exped them : which I can afcribe to »nia difcre.
• no ferond caufe more, than to the working and power of Rwcy, P^^» which as it can frame Ideof and Images of things, out of that that
' lAbrds no real likenefs or proportion, Cas Men that aeate to them- ftlves Similitudes and Piifnures in the Clouds or in the Fire ) (o dorh it pleafe it felf ill its (m^Ain^^, andwithakiild of natural a/fe* mini itdoth kHs and hngits-tfim SiK. tthath been my wonder. femetimes to (ee how fond Men have been of their own Fancies, and how extreamly they have detid upon a very bauble. I migb: note you examplesi)f this, even to naufeoufnefs, in all Studies, as
- weD as in this of Religion. Thofc that affed the fkbiiinities of ^^CStmnfiry^ do ufiialiy by a flrarige boldnefe ftretch all the faaed
^tyfteri^s of Scripture (as' of the Triwfy^ of Regeneration^ &c^) to ' reprefent th^ieir Secrets and froeeffes^ as may be teen fufBciently. in their Writings : One of them I cannot-foAare to name, and that Vi<L Lumen * is-Glauber^ who doth fo pleafe himfelfwithfomeidle wi>//«/ about ^i^yjnjcum. -. Sal and Sil, -that at laft.-he hlh'inmthBernardimuGomefius^ Cbmic.^'^' ' (whom he cites arid approves) who in this one word icAs (which prc&tione. (ignifies vfiift} finds the •jfr/ir/tj', thtGeneration oi thcSony th^trpo Ohnberde^ natures of ChxiRy thccalling of^the Jws znd' GmiliS^ the' fr^wre/i ^80«"^^ ^^"^, /fo«df the Spirit, and thee(>w»w«i>^iM/of the Spirit in the L«>^*^^^^** •and Ge§ety and 'allltbw he^gathers from th^fhdpeis^ Jhroak/ and ^ •^/W/bfthefethiee Letters J ^^ rGxy^UWe invtatioh ! Not un-
* like tb this, iveit' Aift6 ot tHe detigesof t he JetPifh'Cabals^ which thty^gathfired from tht J^&ent mituig of (bme Letters in the Oi- cred Text, from the ff^j^(?/j^g of them,, and from their Mjfiicd ' ^gMtbttktU^^^ K. E/i^' from the let t'er ^/Ij^i^,. mentioned fix times ' hiXSeh.'f\ r. coUcftcd bis Motion of thf Worlds conrinuance for
^OQO years, 4iccau(etha^lett€r^^(tands^for ^#lw^^ -
itt :S Cteatife of 'PartU
Iu<L CAppcUi brew computatiom AnQthes E:MlAi (mcstiosect by LidL Ciff^ Spec, b Eph. /^^ hatha ptofound fpeculatkxicoQceniiog tbtfirfi tmtr rfGetfe-^ ^''^' Ji/, whkh (a&bfilauh; cloth thae&ie.b^ with &tir, and qdc
with if /^, tolhcw thC'iw«aM^'piwt& ww^r gf GdrfV IIFW^ ra- cafflftwmchnoM(mtbcan)urily(^aitrcl£^ and this he^lttis nom the manner of the pronimdatioaof that letter a^wHchispto- fcHiDed by the ciofure of thelrips. It were not pofl^Ie t^ inn- . . gine, that wife Men flionld be thus carried away with iAifd^ Fol- lies, iftherewerenotibmekindof Mc&iMtifi&i^ in F,aqqr^ which makes the bis of a Concdt^ (though never fo fillyj intoxi^tc them into an affrther^n of a ran JHJomry. And doubtlefs thf^ is the Tery thing that doth (b tran(port the AUegoraers and Inventersof MyAerics, that they are ravifhed either with the difcofvery of a Nap^notbingpx with the rare inventioiiof aa^^gmiticii/ Interpre*
tation. .». .
Thirdly, The Devil hath yet another way qfeei^ MyAepft, and that is a pretence of ^^mm full difcovery cE Notions and Wa|^ which (^ he tells thofe that are willing to believe him,} are but glanad at in the Saipture>and this doth not^cHily contain his booA ofunfoUingfrofbesi^^ and thedaagerousapplicsitionsof theinta Times and Places that are no way iconcerned,, Cwhich hath mofc than once put Menupcm dangaous unjdeftakings), but alio i^r large p'omiji rf teaching the Woff of tbt Lord mrt fafeSly^ and of leading Men into a fidl c^mfreba^n qf .thofe trememhm Mjfierier^ whaein the Scripture hathiir itidtiftmtiffy concealed the 'Rtapmt^ Way^ and Manner (ftbeir Beit^ as it bath fally ^erfei ^t tfaqr are, (fiich are the T)emes of God^ the 'irinity^ Sec.) as allbofiu^- folding and teaching^^ larfftbok thingi^thatthe.Scr^nrfi (eems only tx)hiiif at. In all which points we haveinfiances enough at hand,which will (hew us how the Devil hath played his Game^ . ei- th^hyi^dkingMcnb0ldinthin^natreve£ed^ oriiydra^^ingMen tQ dffli^ filid Truths, and by; pufl^ theia up-w^Ji nptio^ till jit laft dbey vpere prepared fi^r die iinpreflipntx ibpie grand I>ek»- fion. All this while I have only explaiaed thtfirft ketd of Satan^s
xmtXf>U/a /pedous pretences, which confiftsinthe ptovoik of DifcoveriQg
good word,. andMyfteries.
Wx4)>4W, fair The next head of pretences, are; tfaofethatrelate to die ftufifv Spcecbet. inamoured with thefe fuppofed h^fieries. With thdEe hefijooto
their head$, andqau&ththemto bug.tbeiiirelves ill aDicuiv.of an imaginary happinel^ Forif they have the knowkdgof MyAe*
. rie«
ries' whidi are locked up ' ftom other Men, they csuoiot avoid tWs Condafion, 3l>»* *A»y«»* tbumly-FMVutrhes of Htavenytbat tktf enfy have the Spirit, areenfy ttutgbtof God, Sec. ■ Such fwelling Twrds of- vJunty have ever accotcffioied Delufion. And indeed, weiteH- find the confidence of filidiMcn mmfinag, and their flWb crtibtaeements mmraftUfMt^ than oriHwri/jr the ways of thrth do aflbrd, upon this account » that in fucb cafes, .F«r cjr is'<fcro«^ «nd the delights of iirtifid FoH^ztc txeefivei and. ,- Di«h^S(^«/< . *Tis a kUid of Spiritual Fm«y, which extends: aflf'theFSWfttits toaftextiBeidliiaryAftivitys the Devil doing* dl He^ptoftrtlictitv'by hfefltmoftCoDtributioas. Joy, delight,. Bopeiteve,ait<dl raifed to make an MM in the heart > where- as-on the contrary, tritth it md^ibmbkffih', and a£R>rds a mm- film JTO, though more. e«» and /»^g. .
Here might I fet Errour before you in itsraat , tBd give you a tafte of the Ugbfimm Aramu <^ it. Manttai^J^is vile a« he. was) had the confidence to call himfelf the C«»>rt«r, Nmam.
and his Brother virould be no le&than Mcfu and^jrwi .The GinfHdu called themfelves the IllmmmtU The SmMtiidiaiu. affumed the title bf the Cwf^x ^OtGltnofCk^. The FamOyof Lm had their \Bw»J«ttw)a Kmi, tte Go&cl of the HtDf&iD. The Fr«lf»«*/tf,diWnguifhedtheBQiav<8 from others bv the term Spiriu$d, MMzer aifeted, That aUof his . Opt» nion, wmGpdsEM: and that aU the qiUdrcn of their U^ligiM were to be caUed ihtChiUntufGtd'y and that all others were mmdh and defigned to Vamnatm, H. NidMht afErms, That f h^ was t» kffo^f^ •/ <^Hf "Of Striftun, M in bit Famify, ■.. ^ To this purpofe moft of them fpeak, that forlake t;he Waycs of . Tttithv and though thefe fwellings are but wwi and »^<»»r, yet fhofc fefeto/ are very /erwwfrfe to the Devils purpofcs : who by . this means confirm thofe whom he hathalready Ctnqiured, and -■ then fits them out with the greater confidence to aUureotbcre^ ,. and Nfcn are apt enough to be drawa by tau (hews,, and conh« - dejit boafting?. But I proceed. . „ • ,
The third Stratagem of Satan for ptomotrag Enour,vM to »
S dd device of Satan to coyn an mMfftffhUjibbm^ asjhe ^ vehuhdE ftrange E«fe*M^ Doarine^and thtthc.artifi-. S^fuks to his pctcnded Myftcr«s j without this his rare. t^sdes would *ft too flat and . duJlto-giin upon any Mm .
N
1*4 z %tmitt of TAtt. n:
of competent undetftanding. For if thde Votam woe doadied
in f/^ ir0r^/,they would either ^pear to be dmEtwmhfmcu
or ridiadmnfMy. It concerns him whoi he hath any fiats of
Ddufion in hand, to fet themoff witha catningf^mby as jo^
kfsnfe their haid words, of Ailif^ Cafyl^Zszi, Pr4^i£Ul0^, &G.
topnt their ignorant Admirers into a belidf of fine unknown
power by which they do their Wonders. And this is in Ibme
iort neceflaryi extraordinary matters are above expteffion^ and
fuch mid exfriffions put Men into an expedation <x things /k^
lime. This h^ad^ Satan hath confiantly ufed. Momstm had his
firabg^ Speeches. And all along downward toour times, we may
obferre. That Errour hath had this gaudy dreis^thc Fsmil^
efpeciaUy abound with it, you may read whole Books fuU of
fuch a kind of fpeaking, as the Book called tbeologis GermstiH
C4y or German "Vhuiityy the Books of Jacok BdmuMy "the hri^
MfTHU^Stary &c. Neither are the P4^}f/ free; one of late hath
taken the paines to (hew them this, and other follies : am(»g
them you may lind fiidi talk as this, of being beclofid in i£c
Or. Scilling* md'bud rf God, and in his meel^bead j of bang fiA^tiJlyMni»
fleer iM^tn f^ fo God^ rf being ^iti U Qkl\ malfe rfibe ^ifiraSeJMtfs ef
2f RoSr Life,cff4nf€!Vnimjrfibi Deifirm/mdrftbe 5«rfi pfa^aH
^ ef inemerfion : ef a Smfefj^ettfial UJty a ftau ef nethingnefs^iau
]ufi like theraveings of IL Nicbolae^ David Geergt^ and others who confidently difiourfe of being godded mtbGody of being eonfubfiantiated wieb the Deityy and of Gods bang manned mtb iucmm ^
I have oft confidered, what reaibn might be ^ven foe the tjffm ingnefi of iiich expr€ifions> and have been foKcd to fatisiie my felf with theie : Firft, Many miftake the knowledg of mordsy for the knowledg of fbings. And well may poor ignorant Men believe, they have attained, no man knows vi^hat, by this device » when among Learned Men, the Knowledg of nwas is efieemed £) great a pitch of Learning, and they nourilh a great many Om* tioverfies that are only vaiaL Secondly, Some are pleaied to be accounted Z^i^iei:^^!^^/ by others, and reft in (bdi high words, zsz badge of Knowledge. Thirdly, Some are deUghted with fiich an hard Language upon an hope, That it will kad them to the kmowledg of the things at lafl : they think jfr^ffge exprefli- eas, are a fign of deep Myikries. I knew one , that iet him-- ieif to the reading ot Jacob Bebmenr BookSy (though at prdent
he
he ccmfefTed, he was icai^ able to make cpnomon ienfe of three tines together, ).upona fcqcct ccticeiDent that he had from the Language, to come to Cov^vi excellent diicovery, by much pains ^ reading. Fourthly v Some that, have their Faqdes be0eJ^f>^c2^eoimerz have by this means broken conjkjed tmfnfjSons of ftrange things *^""*'**^ '^"*- m their in^gination^ and conceive therofelves to know things midferm^c* ^ beyond what common Language can expre(s: as if with PatU^ fpreto, exoti- lapt up into the thiidHeaven) tbey bear^ and fee fFonders $m^^^ ?^f^>o mterabU. But what reafon foeyer prevails with Men to take up ^bi^fii**^^**^ I
fach a way of fpeaking, Satan makes them believe, that it con- vifi funffuos |sy«ies a rich Mine or Treafiay , not of common Tatuths, but of <Jif«pwlos fi»- ^tis^dinary Trofknditier. , P*** codum ra-
Fourthly^In (lead of Argument to confirm an Errour, {bmetimes we have only Md Affenkns^ that it it Tmth^ and a confident con-
deoaning the contrary as anErrouT) urgmg the danger of Mens
rejediag it>: backgd with tbre^tmug ef Hell and Damnation : and
all this in the word^ of $gripcuie. To be fure they are right,
atad all other Men are wrong* This kind of confidence and x
fiercenels hath-been ftiU the complexion of any remarkable way
of Ddu(i(m » for that commonly confines their Charity to their
own Pariy^ (which is t great token of an Errour ) not only
tpay youobftrve in fuch es^traordimry PnTc/^m^it/aiix ofJFraib
zgutiA thofe that will not believe them : Ca practice u(ed by the
Mad Fanatickf of Mwtfterj who, (as our ^nakpt were wont t^
^) go up and down the ffareets^ ^iogi '^^s ^o \ Repent^ repent >
conte oftt ef Babylon > thebeaty Wiatb of God\ the Axe is laid to
the, root (ff the Zw.>:Brtt in t^ir more fetled Teaching, they pirq-
r^iyunce ^WtOrh^AnHcfm^-i^^ that<bop«
pofe them* . TaHe ftv this H. Nicholas his word$, aU Knou^kdg
(hefideshis} is but rpitcbery and blindnefs^ and all other Teachers^
and Limner t^, are a fylfi Cbriftianity^and the Devils Synagopte%
4i^Wft (fi Vipil^ 4n4 wickfd Spirits i a falfe Beings the Anticbrijk^
tbe Kingdom ofJieS, the/Majefy of the Peifil,8cc. . This piece of
Art, not only our ^^^% (to whom nothing is more familiar,
than to fay to any oppofer, thou art Pamn% than art in the
Gall of bifternefs ^ the. taks ff fi^e and brinfione is prepared fat
tbee^ dec 3 but alio the tapifts commonly pradife, who fimt all
wkpf Hem^ th^t are not of their Ch$roh » and when they wou^
affright my fi»n»:Pi;oieft«ijfm, they make not nice to teU him,
• H h That
2i6 :» CteatiCe of VmhAu
That there is tiopt^Uty of, Sahaii$H\ but in their way.
The Reafons ofthis Policy..are thefe, CO The Heart is apr to be ftatilid with threatnings, and moved by commands h efpe^ ciaIly,tbofe.that are of a more tender and frightful Spirit: and though they know nothing by themfelves, yet thefe beget fears, which tasyficrefly betray Reafon, and nuke Men leave the right way bccaufe of aflSrightment. (2) The eonfid&ice of the AiTer- tors of fuch things, hath alio itsfrevalmy : for Men are apt tt think that they would not fpeak (b, if they were not vay eer^ tuin^ and had not Teal experience of what they QAd : and thus are Men thre^^ out of their own Perfwafions. (s) The n^aiv^' Mcq^y of Saipture, in a bufinefs of Co great hazard^ adds aa unexpreflible force to (uch threatnings: and though' (being iki/^ dfflyed) they are no more Scripture Tbreatningf \ yet, becaufe God hath fpoken his difpleafure in tbafi words^ Men are apt to revere them : as Men cannot avoid to fear a Serpent or Toad, Cthough they know the Sting and Foyfon Were taken out ) bcca^Na-- ture did furnifli them tvith a Stifig ot Venom.
Fifthly, ^is ah lifual trick of Satan to derive a credit and^ honour to Enrbur, fiomthe exce}lenctes<fuppofed,orreaI) of the Ferfons that more eminently appear for it. So that it fetcheth to fmall firehgth from the qualities of thofe that proptr^C' if.. . The Vulgar (that do not ufually dhre deep imo-thc Natures dP Things} content themfclves^ With the iM)& Siipf^fkiai Ax^mosM^' ai^d are fboner won to a good conceit of any Opimdn, by the nefpeds^ they carry to the Author, thaa by the ^tjngifi Demen^ firation.
The excellencies that ufually move them,- arc ckHer thdr> fffts or their hotmefs. If the Seedfmen of an'Edoui^ tie Leam^d^ * or Klo^ent and AjfiSionate in his fpeakingsMm afe apt to fidh^- fcrihe to any thing he (hall fay , from a Mkid devotional ^Imi^ ' ration of the Parts wherewith he is endowed* And often, where there is no Learning, or where Learning is decryed, ( as fa-^ vouring too much of Man ) if there be Natural Jbtmi^^f fpecch^ with a fufficient meaiiure of confidence^ it raifeth them Ho muih the higher in the efteem of the common (btt^ who therefdre judge him to be immediately taught of God, and ^/v/Vr^/y furnifhed with gifts. At this point began the Divi(ions of the Churdi of Corinth^ they had fevaral Officers fevcrally gifted* feme wei© • taken ^f^th One Mans gift, others with anotbo: Mans > feme are
for
1
for PomI^ as Eyeing frofawd, andseFVOusin his Difcourfes » others for Jpolh, as Ehqttent > a third lort were forCf^iE^^f/^asCfuppofe) |
an AffeQionate Preacher : thus upon ferfinal re^Ss were they di- ]
vided into Parties* And if thefc fevcral Teachers were of diifc- i
rent Opinions, their adherents imbraced them upon an affeUio' nafe concdt of their Excellencies* And generally Satan hath wrought much by fuch conHderations as theie. This he urgeth againft Chrift him(elf, when he (et up the wiOom and learning of the Rulers and Phariiees, as an argument of • Truth in their way of rejeding fuch a M^/ i fob. 7. 48. Have any of the Rm^ leriy or of the Fbarifies belimd on iim f^ There is no infinuation more frequent th?in this \ thefe are learned^ excellent^ able Men^ - aqd therdbre what they (ay, or teach, is not to be disbelieved > and though this be but AfpimentHmftuIutm^z£oo]i(h Argument, yet (bme that would be accounted wife, do make very great u(e of it. The Q^ck of Learned Viofiors among the Papids, is one Ttppi(i^ of pgfwaGon to Papery, andib to other Errours, as af^ears byjthis, That all Eriours abound with large declamations of the p-Mfes ot thm ^pmnders and Teachers: and the rooft illiterate Errours ufually. magniiie the excellent infiirementi^ and gifts of utterance of their Leaders.
But the othejr ^xcelleijcy ofHolinefs^in the Teachers of Errour, is inoipe gen^^rally and more advantagioufly improved by Satap^ to pi^fwade Men, that all istnieDoArine which fuch Men pto^ fctil Of this Delufion Chrift forewarned us, T%ey Jhall come in Sheeps cloatbing^ that is, under the mask of feeming holinei$> fat leaft at iirli h ) no twithftanding, beware of them^ Math. 7. 1 5. Thofc qomplained of by ?«/, 2 Cor. 1 1. 1 5. though they were Sitans Minifters^ yet that they and their Dodrine might be more plaiifibly entertained, they were transformed as the Minifiers of Kigbteoufhefi : this^ cunning we may efpic in Hereticks of all ages. The Scribes and Pharifea ufcd a pretence of SanUity a$ a main piece of Arj, tojdraw others to their way > their Amis, Partings, long Prayers^ flri<i Qbfervations, &c. were all defigned as a Net to catch tbf M^ikitude withal. The lying Dod^rines of jlntichrifl were foretold by PW, to have their fuccefi from this fixatagem v all that Idolatry and Heathenifm which he is to in- . ^ ticoduce, m\Ji& be, (and hath been) through the hyfocrlfiecf a pain- » Tim. 4; 1. tedbolineff ) and where he intends qncft to play the 'Oragon^ he Re^. 13. 11/ ; there moll artitipi^Uy . counter&its the innocmy and fimpliciiy of '
H h 2 the
I
^^8 :$ Cteatite (rf Pdtt:iP.
the Lamh. Arch-heretid^ have been Arch-fmenJers to Sanftity; And fuch pretences have great influence upon Men : for Holinefe and Truth are fo near of kin, that they will not readily believe that it can be a falfeI>o(irine. vfhich zn holy Afo«T<acheth > they , think that God that hath given a Teacher Holinefiy vnW not de- ny him 'Truth : Nay, this is an cafie and plaufiblc nmafiirc^ WhicFi they have for Truth and Errour. To enquire into the intrica- cies and depths of a Di(putation, is too burden fome knd diffi- cult for ordinary Men, and therefore they latisfie themfcl ves with this cpnfideration, (which hath littk toy! in it, and as little certainty ) Ihat Jmely God tpill not leave holy Men to a delnfioH. It would be endlefs to- give all thcinftapces that -are at hand in this Matter v 1 (halloiily add a few things' of Satans method in managing this Argument, as ' - -•
Eirft, When he hath a Defign of common^ or prevailing Delu- Con, he mamly endeavours to comtft (omc perfon of a more fixiS^ ferious, and religious carriage, to be the Cif/jfir and Ring-' leader > fuch Men were Pelagim^ Arrius^ Sodnw^ Sec. 'fte mainly / endeavours to have fit inftrunacnts. If fac be upon that'defigif ^ of blemijhing Religion, and to bring Truth into' a diteftccm i .^ g^j^^ then (as one obferves) he perfwades fuch into the Miniftry, as he t^SdX^iix&^XC'kcs are likely to be idU^ chrelefr^ frofhane^ zudfcindalm V- x^«8.Eag*4o6 or dbth.endeavour to Promote fiichMiniftevsinto mdtc dnfficmitf ©*«ifc f laces, and provokes^hem to niifcarriage, that fo thdr Exatnpll^
may be an Obje<^ioa againft Truths wiute in the 'mean tlme^^ he is willing, that the Oppoftrsof Truth (houW continuctheit finooth carriage 9 and then he puts a *two^,edged Swordlntofht j^ j hands of the unliable : can that beTrurii where there is fo mucft * *• WickedneG? and can this be Enour, where there is fomuch. Holinefs ?
Secondly, in Profecution of . this Defign, he ufually puts Men iipon fome more than ordinary firiHrafs^ that the pretence of ho- finefi noay be ^themore augmented ^ in this cafe a courfe of or-, dinary Sandlity is.not enougli, they mult be above the common Pradicev fome Angular Additions o{ kvctlty and exadnefs above what is written, are commonly affeded to /pake them the more remarkabk. Chrill notes this in. the Pharifees , concerning all their Devotions, and the way es of expreffing them i their i'ibj- 'itrcmj'ih^pk^^^^ fyoken of, Mat.i^.ty. (zs fome think) were not in- ljr4. &c "tended by that Text of J>eut^6. 8.. but only that they flioutd
remember
\
reoaesnber thed^avf', and.end^vour not to forget it i as they do thattye^thre4.Qi:; fuch Jike thing about their Finger for a KemenDbraocei: ^ according to PrM/^^.j* Bind them about tbynecl^^ tmfe them upon the Ttabk of thiner heart. However, if they were literally enjoyned, they would have them CasChrift tells them J ^tf^^than othefS) as an. evidence pf their greater care. The Catbari bpafted of SanAity and gpoi Works, and rejefted iccond Marriages > the 4p(^^4i^i .were fp called, from a pretended ftri<fler imitation, of the lingular holinefs of the Apofiles. The Va^ kfians made themftlves Ewiuches (according to the Letter) for the Kingdom of God. The Vonatijis accounted that no true *Atq5 hac rati* ChiMTch, where ajpy. fpqt or infirmity was found. - The Meffali- oncfednaaeft, 4«/ (Mf Enchyts wexq foi: fonftant praying. * The J^Hd^dakflc^.^^^^^^^^^" going barthfciot, &e, ,, The P^/^i/f^urgea^Qnical yours,; Whip-, n^^^^ pings, PennaiK:es,Pi}grimages,voluntary Poverty, abftihence from do, quae ut vi- Meats, and Marriage in their Priefts and Votaries. Ina word, f °™ ^"* ^"^^- all noted Seds have fomething of fpecial /wgirf^r/os thereby yj^^V^^^ they. would difference themfelves from pthers, as a peculiar ci6u>* >eft, qulTinfHnl raSer qf jth^ir. gireat<a? firi<^ne(s i <and for > want of oetter fiufF, ftu Satanxper they fom^times- take up affedied gcftures, devotional looks, and !!*"™**l^?^*.*^ outwardgtrbs.i all which, have this note. That what they. moftS"*j|^^^^ Dand upon, God hath leaft, or' not at all required at their hands 'K{vaLm\idJt Sa- • tiiiQix-vohMaiy tttm^ify, or wgteSing of thi Body^ being -but m//- ^^ ^^am fuam ifK?r/6/>,'and afelf-Klevifedpieceof Reli^^ . ^^dudt"^''"
: Thirdify,. When dfjce Men are fet ipthe way of jexietclGng fe- duci, e6^q^
firmed m theie u&ges, aed )the opinu^s, that are conconutant dam araam& with' them 1 but others ^c the^Bjbm ^f^ljly drawn tp like and Ariaam qux-- tfi^efi the iame^thing& Atiyfirious tei^nper under any Profeflion ^^^ ' ^"* of Rehgion,. eafily icomes xop^devou^^-^ifd readily cpmplks with/^ multh, callf- c^portunities of .eyindngks Devotion bjL^itridnelf;.^ And there- do confilio • Jbre we ihallfindt among He^hens^ a grea£.deycfti9nal.feverity,'vCfFecir,utpra - aud fuch as.fer .e^eeds sill of ^?hat kind, which the ^**M^^ d<> » Jf e^rl^'***' ufually brag; pf > the M^i attained fr9n^Wiii5>eat,not thd fle(h ca^ql^^ui- : of .living Creatures, and profeffed Virginity. Tfij^ IndiJin Brach- demcfifet ft:r*i fuans did the like, and befides ufed themfelves to incredible hard- ^** v^<^ vitx flap 5 chey feid upon skins, fuftained the violence of the Sun, and ^fcul^^^' Storms, .and- ^x^fCifed. themfelves. therewitli > fome;(pendinftaf.,,.-7, ,? ... , ' Thirty,
aao ^ %UMl€ Of l^art^ K
Thirty feven years in thiscdmrfe, others more* Wc reacTftrange tijings of this nature concerning thc:iE^Wj» Pricfts^and othe«l The Mahumetans are not without their Religious Orcfcrs, whicH s pretend a more holy and auftere Life than others > and though of fome fas of the Iwlachs and J^enfizes) feveral private ViHa- nies arc reported , yet of others, (as of the Order of Calender j wc are aflured from Hiftory, That they profels Virginity, and expofe therofehrestp Hard(hip,and a* ftrider Devotion in^ their ft^ay \ and generally 'tis faid,* of all of them. That they go mean- ly clad, or half naked > ibme abftinent in Eating, and Drinking, prbfeiling Poverty, renouncing the World : 'fome can endure cutting^ and flafhing) as if they were infenfikfev 'feme profe& perpetual Silence, though urged with Injuries, ifciid Tortures i othas have Chains about their Necks and Arms, to ibcw, that tbey are bound up from the World, &e. If fuch things may. be found among Heathen/^ no wonder that Eixour boafts of them, fer in both there is the fame reafon of Mens pUafing tbem^ JHves m fuch hardfliips Cwhich is from a Natural Devotion^ affified by Satans cunning,) and the fameDeGgn driveo. on by it> for the Devil doth conHrm Heatb^i and MLMtm^oAf in their faUe Worihip, by the reverence znd refped they carty to fitch pra^*'
CCS.
Fourthly, Becaufe Religious Hollnels; hath V beauty in it, and is
very lovely > he doth all he can to affed Men-Xvlth the higheft
reverence for thefe ^efewex of ReMgious flridne(s:'4b tfiat they
that will not be at pains to pra6('ife them, can beftqw an exceflive*
refpeft and admiraihn upon thoCc that are grown famom in the
ufe of fiich things s and by that means, being ^mo(l adored, they
are without doubt perfwaded, that alUhey tfcach or -do is right,
and in a doting fendnefs they multiply &iper(iit!ous Errour^.
Idelatrj is fuppofed to have a great part of its rife from this :
While Men endeavoured to exprefs their thankfei and admiring
remmbrances of fome excellent Perlbns, by fetting up their
Purekat Pikr- ^^^*^^'> ^^^^ Poftcrity' began to worfliip them as Cods : Pil-
L$(f. f . capbic! gramages were firft fet on foot by the -refpeds that Men
inttof Etffihi-gvft to f laces that Were made /<fW(?w by Perfons and Adions
^* of more than ordinary Holine{s: and becaufe the Devil found
Men fo very apt tb pleafe themfelves in paying fuch Devotional
Ktveremes^it wrought upon their SujperAitious humour to fnultiply
to themfdves the ifcctftons thereof, and by fabubus Traditions
fent
ferit them to places Ii6 otherwife fnade mmsrable than by E)reatns and Tmptfikrtf. Much of this you might ftc if you would accom* psinyz Caravan from Cairo to Mecca znd Medina^ where you woiild fee the lealous Pilgrims with a great many Qriibns and Prayers ^''<i* ^^''^W eomfc^ngAbrabamt houie^ k^ng aStone,whichCtheyare toldXell^^^S'^'^^^^J* firom Heaven, bleffingthemfelveswithare/i^oftheold Vefture of Abrahams Houfe > n^a/hing themfelves in the Pond, which (z$ their Tradition goes) the Angel (hewed to Ha^ > falming the Mountain of Pardons y throwing Stones in defiance of the Devil,a^ (their Legend tells them) IJmael did s thdr Prayers on the Mbm* tain of Health h thehviftttothcFropbet^TmbsitMedinaj&cc. The Irkcini^htyouobferveamongthePjpC/t/, in theif Pilgrtnxlges to Jemfalem and the Sefulcbre^ to the X^fy ofLorettos Chaf^l and other places. By fuch devices as the(e the unobiervant people are franffxrfted with zfkrfute, infiirtudi that they not only perfwade themfclvcs they are very devout in t hele Reverences, but th^ alfo becoMe Mnxfhtriahlyfioted i6 thtft Er^tours that do dqpport thefe ^^ihr^/Pra<%ces, oras-confe^uencesdo jbTue li^ ' Sf^hly, A li^ore plauiibk' Argument for Errdnr ( t^an' the Learning and Hoiihefs of the Perfetis that fttofefs ic > is thsit of In^ation^ in which^he DeVil'{&a¥^ a loft, and pretends the hi^beft. • dmim wanraht foif his ftlfiibod^ :- fsitGodi$ Ijfinh^MA^m^ kff^nf ih^. mfyelroftie^f^. I^Wto rtaheMeis believe. ihattSod by hid^ Holy Spirit doth ri^ ahy m&iifr Mak fikd^h Of^inionSiOV t^t^inlf retfcal fuch things for Truths : i^ one of the higb^ Artifices that lie can preteiid to, atnd (uch a coDfirination muii it be ( to thoC^ fhat are fb petfwadedU di^t^kli^tes aifd>dovrfiting$ sliUft necef^ firHy^bcffeticed; *:.^ *"^ ' --. •; - - That the ja<i^il ciH-msmHs/om bim^im&an AHgettf Ligk^ y^zxtzffiix^dftbm^Sitipl^^ Which hath pAf ticalarty cantloned us againft this cheat. The Apoftacy of the lat4r times, i Tim.^ r» . the Apoftlc foretelfe (hould be catried on bjvtbeprevalency of this ^^ ptetcncCy^ Stfhtt'/hnU deff^oi^ f^ theFaiibygifing heed tofedtteing ^ Sfiriiu That by SftriUs there, VoSrines af^ intended rat help than \ DoQors^ isMK'ftferfe/iriterpretatbn : but it wift^cmie all to one if Apoftacyrf . we confider th^t the wordiS/>f>f^ carryes ntore in it, than eitherMieJattcr tjin«.-» ^Qrine otl^oSor 5 for to cal}eitber theono^Mr the other a Spfitf^^" ^^' would bcantoHerably harfti, if it were notforthis, tliat that Po*- Sw ishereby^fuppofed to jMretend zxiinfJMnlity{xQicM\ASpri$^ of &ody OS .(which is all one) that he received his Z>(^i/ie by^ ibme
Wl Z%UMitt( Pajrt.ll.
hnmediate B^evelatidn of the Spirit v (bthaat by fiducingSfiritf muR.
be, Aie0 ^. "D^rina thaffeduce ^bers t6 biliq^ them^ \y^ the pret&ice
6ftbt Sfhit^ or In^ration : and that text of i Job. 4» i. doth thus
explain it, believe not every Spirit^ but try the Spirits whether they
are of God > which is as much as if be had^Hiid, helievc not every
Man or VoQrine that (hall pretend he is fint of God^ and hath hit
Spirit 9 and the reaibn there given naakes it y c( more plain, becaufe
many falfe Prophots are gone om into the World : So that thefe Spirits
zxcfalfe FropbitSy Men that pretend infpiration. And the warning,
believe not every Sptrit^tcUs us, that Satan doth wit|;i fuch a dexterity
eoitnterfeit the Spirits Inrpitations^ that holy and good Men are in
^ no finall hazard to be deceived theieby. Mod full to this, purpoTe
is that of 2 Theflf. 2#2, Thaiye benotfoon Jhai^ in Mhia^ or be
troubled^ HatberbySpirity norbyJFord^ nor by iJtter Of fhm us^ of
that the day of Cbrift is at band > Where the feveral means of fedu-
prididox dion areparticylarly reckon^, fisdifiindt&pm.the VoBrine and
O^t. X. ic DoQ^s^ an4 byoSpiri't can b^ vuefnt no otber. than a pretence of In-"
^P^ ^"^^ fpiration or Rwdation. >- ,. .
ntHis, ,yj^ evident then that Satan by this Artifice, ufeth.to^puta
fiampofdivinc Wannnt upon fais^ adulterate C^oynv and u we ' ' look into his craAice, wefli^U in all .ages An^ him at this work.
Among Heawens he fiequqady gaine4 a repute to his fuperfiitious Idokurous werfliip by tlus device: : Thfi h/kn of great eft note a- , mong them feigned z^tnalpxtfomme with the Gods. Empedoclei endeavoured to make the people believe that there was a kind of Divinity in him, and affeaing to bexfteemed more than a^ Man, cafl>himfelf into the bi^mings oiMangebd^ that they might £iip*-J pofe him to have been tabsn up to the Gods. Tythagoras \^ Fi Aion of a Journey ^Hell was upon th^ iame accpufit. PBticfiratm and Cedrenus report no leis of Apollonim^ than that he ha4)^i7i^ con-^ i^/e/ with their fuppofed Dieties : and the like did tliey believe of their Magi and PrieAs > inibmuch that ibme cunning miVicia/tr Cph(erving how (he julgar were uxuler a deep rev^^e to {ych pretencesj gave it out.that they had received their l^s by dhint h^irations. Nmna tompilim feigned he received (lis- )[nfiit^tiQns from the Nymph JE^eria ; Lycurgm from Apoh : Minos tne Law- giver of Candyy baoiled that Jupiter was his Familiar* Mabomoo alib fpeaksa&bigh this way as any, his Alcoran muft be qolefs than a Lam received ^m God, aijd to that e^id,. he pretends a
ftiange
Grange Journey to Heaven, and firequent converfc with the An- gel Gabrid.
If we trace Satan in the Enours which he hath raiftd up under ' ^ the profeflion of the Scriptures, wetnayobfervethe fame method, ' the Vahntinian/y Gncftitki^ Montamfix talked as confidently of the Spirit, as Mofef or the Prophets could do,and a great deal more t for Ibmcof them blalphcmoufly called thcmfclves the Para^Ute^ox Comforter. jVmong the Monfters which later Ages produced, we ftill find the fame flrainv oneiaithheis£«ad&, another ftileshim- felf the great Prcfbet^ another hath rapture$, and all immediately infpired. The Papifis have as much of this cheat among them a(s any other, and fome of their learned Defenders avouch their L«- men Prvphttkum^ and Miraadmm Glma^ Prophefies and Miraclts^ to be the twoeyes^ or the Sun and Moon of their Church \ nay by a Ihrangc tranfportment of Folly, (to the forfeiture of the repu^ ration of Learning and Reaibnj they have (b tmdtiflud Rcvelad* ons, that we have whole Fb/irw/?/ of them, as the Revelations of their Saint Srigit and othcrsiand by wonderful credulity they have not only advanced apparent dreams and dotages to the honour of Infiirations ox ViRohSy but upon this y^^V foftndation they have built a great many of their P(?fiW«e/, zspttrgatory^ Trahfidft^tio' tion^ am-icHlarConf^on, Sec. By fuch warrants have they inftitu* tedF^ivalSy zndfimndedkvcxsiOxdcxsh the particulars of thefc things you may fee more at large in Vr. StHlingfket and others. And that there might be nothing wanting that might make them fliamelefly impudent, they are not content to e^/ their Fooleries with the Saiptures of God, as that the rnle of their St. Francis (for I (ball only infiance in him,omitting others for brevity fake) was Tiotcompokdiy the JTifdom of iian^ but by Godhimfelfy, and in^ind hy the Holy Ghofi\ but they advance their Prophets ^icve the Ap(files^ and aboveCfo7)thimfclf. Their 5^B€«ftfid^ (if you will believe themy was rapt up to the third Heavens, where he faw God Face to Face^ and heard thechoireof Angels > and their St. Francis was znone-Judf for Miracles and Revelations. Neither may we wonder that Satan (hould be forward in urging this cheat, when we copfider, •
Firit, what a reiferenceMcn natttrallyc^ to Revelations, and how apt they are to be (urprifed with an bJfiy credulity. An old Fr^lvcy,pretended to be found in a Wall^ or taken out of an ^^ Mannjcrift (of I loiovvnot what uncertain Author,) is ufually
N
li ' more
ii4 3t ICteatife dC Part.*
HMM JbMt^^ thtn the plain zmi tnfarllible ndutnf Scripture : this we may obferve daily, andForteinersdomuch blame the En^ifi^ fop a fedile belief of fuoh things, but it is a gencSr^ feuk of manr kirjtJ, and we Und even wife Men (brwaid in their perfWafions upon tneaner grounds, than thofe that gain credit to old Ptophc- eies- For their tfiftijiittry and ^^wgene/TofdilcpTery, ej^eciallyit (hch times whtve in thepreftnt pofture of Aflfairs feem to fatmrnf^ fiich predidions with ^frohaiility oi fach events, are more like- ly to get ci^edit, than thefe tfrti^w/ inyrt^ifiW of the Ways and Garbs of the old PrpfAets, and the canning tegtrdemain of tfiofe that' pretend to fafpirattonsjby fitmng E?cftf/fe/,Raptures, ancfcon-^ iwJent Declarafions, &c. neverthdefe arrant Cheatsvhavc fcnr theft lib. a* cap.45./^ay^ deceived no mean Men. Afvarm apknowlcdgeth that he p. 87. honoured aWomanas^a Saint, 'th;fit had Vifions^ and Raptures, as
if rcaHy inipired (and the feme, apprehenfions had the B^!»pand: Fryofr) who was^erwarddifeovcrerf to be ^nati»hty ^ofmn:who ihall then think, it ftiange- that the unobfcrvant Multitude i^ould: be deluded by fech znP^^
Secondly^ EfpeciaHy if we confidtr that Godrhimftif tookfi&*r
jy/rtj ii^hJin- ^*^^ ^^ figriiiy ^^ ^^^ ^ **^ '^' ^^ PiOlplKts were i^inefy injfi^ (Hg^ ntti and*theScriptureswerenQt ofiiwy^mtf^e iirfe?^ the
JwrWIfthar the Pen Men of Scriptures wrote, wepe not the ifffo^e. UtioHs of fheirown frhattthottghtt'^ f&rtbr fnt^beey-canumf in otd time by the rriUof Man^ bitthely HmcfGodJpaf^ as they jper^mnfed' iy the Holy Gbofi^ ^¥ehi.26^2u. Now though the Piophecies of Scripture zxtfiaUds^ and r|o more is- tQ be addedtoth^rxx upon any petence-whatfocver s yet feeing the»earePromi5fes left us, of the ffvingaj^theSpMf^ fS bekgtaHgbt and l^by the Spirit h it is an Ca-^ Vf matter for Satan ta beguile Men into an expcoatiori c^ptopfae*^ tick inf^athnsiy and a belief of what is pretended & to be : for. . all Men do not, or will not underhand, that theft promifts of the ^irit, havenointendmentof wcfl^ zniextrwrdinary^ immediate hevfditHanr^ bufonly of the efieadfiUi aMHeathnr of what is abtaAn rwealei in Scripture. This j^iw^^ef Revelation we acknpwiedg and teach, which is fer ftiough from E/2«Mfi/wi^ Cthatis^apretendqi'
A^'h'^s ^ Rw'rf^^wii oinetxf Truths ) and we have reafon to aflfe^t, that in^- ^na StapFJ- *^^ /vr/iw/ira/ mthottt^the oftmial ivord, are try be Inaiieias' »a>^ lum, U. u *^n^s c&zenofet. But for all this,, when^^ Mens minds are fet a Mo^ f. 1 11, gadding, i^ t hey. meet withiuch as magnify thejt own Theattu^
topun,
an* caH Aeir Fancies, W^,^ Ae fwtaSkncfrof this to their, hu-
iDQur^
I •
tn&^y miLkcs'thtthtotc}t^o\xijnfer^tatiQns of thefc Promises M ftlfe, and tb peiiW^e f hemfel ves that thcv are to be underftoKl tMf fiicfa htfyitztlons Of ihe TropbeU of old bad > and tKcn they pie« . feitfjr cOiidude ttiey itre to MUvz them^ kft oifaerwife tliey (hoaid r^ ihtfhlyQhffl.
Thftdfy, But the advantd^t which the Devil hath to work i)e£f- ihk tkpmhTih\s ptet^nce, is aii high motive to him to.pca<^(e' •upon it. r6r Itiljjlratidris; Vifions^ Voices, imjwilfes, Dreanif, and Revelations atfe things wherein wicbtod tmfHfiors may faf ^na- riy i*^ay$atid artifices play the counterfiits undilcoveredi *tis eajy to fVOpliely ^?/1 VreaHi^^ ahd to Jay^ tlm faith the Lard^ when yet §b4^ d^ bnt fye^ind the Lard tKverfint thern^ ntfltcommandidthmymfi J^* ^^ ^^^ ^ ea^bjr fr&^^ild itlnjidnsy to put that honour ami credit MpCfi tfaeir dtfigns^ Wtiidi they could not by theif bare t^enUm\ backed iK4th an tbcit art of (kerning (erioufneQ : the inmntUns of Men <t1lMhave been formerly fuccefsful in this deceit^ ^ bdng npw Uid 'ifek to oiar knovvlddg, may niake us more wairy Aiourtru0. Mttaemg iht He4thms you may Hnd aotable wajfs of deqeit^pf )thi^ iiaicta^* T\itSiatfoiTianm ztiitfafpho is commoaty kiipwa, fksy tMfied Birds, and learned them to ipeak, Hanno and Pfifpk^ 4siRr^M//^ and then fet them at liberty,^ thatKJ[«n heariog fuc^
jlrjifl^W^inthe'Woodsfronil^ds, mig^ thajt (hefe
Mdhweredechved (jodJ^ bylpecisrf di&oveiry. M^dmidfd^ji^ cfkdMngz V&vt t6 come frequently to his&ur^ Cwbkh he did^ fay tiraiiikig het \xpt6 anufeofplckineCornouf of itj (crvedhia M M evidence C^nidhj^tht vulgar beholders, who knew not the Wft ^aufe of It) of his immediate tnfpiration by tlie Angel Gdhrid^ wtio" ^as he tdd thttii) whifpered in his ear in the Jhaft of a Vam ThtWHiStMtrf. hdpradifed fo^ the conikmationof the fmih of bid Ak^ran^ by inaiking a EuII (tauglu before tocome at a call Of figil> (6cometohim, with a Chapiter upon his l^asb He2f#r B^iwrtft^Ibtis (rf"a like RratagepipU King of 5c^/i, who C.to*- alfifttttebis fainting Subje<5(s a,^inft the tiSs tisac l»d:beat«n riieWi^ ejinfcd a Wan clotheji! ip tl;)^ Piimg shim ?^,:f ift«/| and Wkii rotten Wood * (which as a Glo w- war m in ihe Night) repre^ isikti afaint Ll^r) to cotne atxiojjg thelm m tl^ dark^ and through a X€^ or hdlbw Trunk (that the Voice migl^t jiot appear to bo humane) tcr incite them to<i vigorous onfet; tlus tfa^y)topkitDJbe an M^^ bthiging them this commatid. oom H^yep^y ja^ioocoh* dii*g!yft»i^eandpt^vailtd; Crafty &Wia,<who was afterward
li a foft
I
tepe under thename of Btfui/^c tb^ dgkb) made fimple Cel^ine the fifth give over the" Toptdom^ by conveying to him a Voice through a Reed to this purpofc : Cet^ine, Cel^ine^ renounce tie Papacy^ pveiioiftr^ ifthoHWouh^btfavedy the burthen k beyond thy - Strmgtb^ &c. The filly Man taking this for a Revelation fiom Heayen, quitted his Chair and left it for that crafty Fox Benediff. •Not very many years fince, the feme trick was played in this^ Paul Hchba^ Country to aMan of Revelationsy who called himfelTD^i^i/i Spi^ -
rit^ when he had wearied his Entertains with a long ftay, he quitted himfelf of his Conoipany, Cas I was credibly inft)rmed J hj ' a Policy which he perceived would wiell fuit with the Man's coix- ceitednefs 9 for through a Reed in the night time he tells him, that fcc muft go into lir<i/c/, or (bme fuch G>untry) and there preach the Gofpel > the next Morning the Man avouches a Keuelation fivm God^ togoeifewhere, and ib departs. Thele inflances fhew you how cunningly a cheating knave may carry on a pretence of Reve* lationorVifion. And yet this is not aU the advantage which the Devil hath in diis matter, though it is an advantage which he ibmetime makes ufe of when he is fitted with fui^ble Inffaumentat But he works moft dan^erouffy when he fo ads upon Men, that they ibemfelves believe they have Viiions, Raptures and Revelations, ^ for fome are reoMy perfwaded that it is fi> with them. Neith^ is it fhrahge, that Men (hould.be deluded into an appreh^n£^ that they hear and fee what they do not > in Feauers^ Frenzi^^ and Madmfi^ we clearly fee it to be (b: and who can convince (uch Per* ions of their miUd^y when with as high a confidence as may be, they contend that they are not deceived /Shall we think it fixange
that Satan hath ways of conveying falfe apprehcnCons upon Mm$ . minds ^ nofurely, dowenotfeethat the5e«/er maybech^ted, and that the Fancies o€ Men may be corrupted ? isit not cafy fw him to convey Piice/ to the Ear, oxjhapes and repr^ntations to the Eye ? and in fuch cafes, what can ordinarOy hinder a belief that they hear or fee fuch things ? but he needs not always wi^k upon the Fancy by the Senfes. If he hath the advantage ofa ^i»- zy diftempmiF am (as commonly he hath in Melancmy Perfonr) he can Cofironglyfix hisfuggfeftions upon them, and fo ^eauaSyfet the Fancy on work to embrace them, that without any appe^ance of Madnels, they will pcrfwade themfelyes that they have difcove^ ries fiom God, Inlfulfes by his Spirit, Scriptures ki upon tk^ Hearts^and what not ? and faecaufe they ji^/ the workings qf thefc
* . things
^ Hatm'kXmxptations.
things within them, it is impoilible to make them fb much affitf- jpeStnat they are deceived. Do but conCder the power of any y an(y in z Melaficbolitl{J?€xCon^ and you may eafily apprehend how Satan works in fuch delufions. Melancholy doth mrangely per-- vert the imagination, and will beget in Men , wonderful raifappre- heniions, and that (bmetimes doth bewitc]^ them into peremp- tory Jiwc(7«/rw/ai/e belief of their Fancy \ 'tis a vehement, conri- dent humour, what wjiy Ibever it tak^s, the imagination thus corruptedhath an enormous /bv/7gtJ&, (b that if it fix upon things never Co abfurd or irrational/tis not reducible by the ftrongeft rea-* Ions. If fuch a Man conceits himCclf dead^ or that he is transfot-' taedtozWolfox Cat, or that he ismadeof G/^j? Casmanyin this piftemper havedonei) there is no perfwafion to the cbntrary,that can take place with him. Now if this humoOr be taken up with J>mnemattefs ^asufuallyitdoth, for it hatha natural inclination to religious things} it RUIzStsmthffiercenePznd confidence^ and there ^ are many things often concomitant to fuch adings, tha^ifit mif- conceit Inlpiration or Prophecy, the Parties themfelves are not ^nly bound up under that perfwafion, bul even unwary SpeSators are deluded. For Ibmetime a Melancholy imaginati$n is not iphoBy corrupt, but only inrefpedof ibme oneoiiwo particu]ars,whilftin other things it afts regularly^ and then neither they nor others (that are unacquainted with fuch caies) are Co apt to fufpe<fl that they are mifiaksn in thefe things, while they ad rationoDy and /o- herly in other matters. Sometime they have vehement fiss ofjkr^ ^y^/ Cfor the humour hath its ebbings and flowings) and this gives them occalion to apf)rehend that fometing dothfi^naturaSy ad or raife them, and then when the things they ip^ak, are for the matter of thcm^ oC religious concern^ and odd mtioni (for the humour flies high, and bounds not it felf with ordinary things,) and withal uttered in Scripture RbetoricJ^^zhd vdth fervency and ur- gency of Spirit, when thefe things ctf^ioir, there is fuch an appeaxf- ance of Inj^iration^ that the Parties themfelves and others reft fully perfwaded that it is &
Seventhly, l^etended and counterfeit Miracles the- Devil make^ much ufeo^ to countenance Enour, and this is alfooneof his firong*holds> for he fuggefts that God himfelf&c^xm^/re/bytheie Sign5,\Vonders^and Miracles to fuch erroneous DoiSxine^ as feems to be concerned by them*
That
• «• • '
ft -
Mlraculumro- That tbc De?il cannot work a frtn Mfarade hath bccndlfcenupfed CO, quicquid bcforc, but that he<:2n pcrforai wxnyfirange things^ and fuch as arduumaut ,^^7 beget ffcdmiration, nonedenies> andthat by fudi unwonted pVaT<Si"aut «^^ heufuallyendeavoinrsto>!/Ji5^felfeD6(armes, andtofet facultatem mi- them off with the appearance of divine approbation, we are fut raniis apparer. ^cicmly forewarned m the Saiptures. Jtmnes and Jan^es rcfi- ^af'nj'c^ fiedJtf^/ftf by falfeMiracks. In Dent. 13. u God /peaks of the fraMTmuh!' SigMs and^««fcf/of falfc Prophets, who would by that means «p, 16. feek to feduce the People to follow after other Gods. Chrift alio
m hUttk i4.a4, foreteHs thzt fatftChrijts and falfifrofbets (hatt mift^ 4PidJh€w great Signs and^ondersiy infhmueb that ( ^ it were foffibk) tbeyJhalldeeeiveibeveiytiiR^zndpvttSZ^ tson upon HiBehohl^ I have told yotf before. And to the fame purpofe is that of Font corxcttimgAnkSrifi^ 2 Ihef. a.^. where he telb us (^powerful iJigw/ and W^o;t/iler/ by tht working ofSatan\ who doth all the wink only lye atid cheat, that be may draw Men to &rour.
If wc make enquiry how Satan Tiafhtnanaged this Engine, we (hall obfcfvc not only his diligence in ufing it, on aUoccaJions t0 countenance all land of Erroursboth in Paganijm and Chriftiani' ty^ hM!t9iG>h^{\xhi^ dexterity by cheating Mdn With Forgeries andfalftood. '•
i*^iEv«^ ZifoAifiy.amOTgotfaer faelpsfot its: adtraflcetticnt,wan* ted xiot this, the Oradet and refponfts (which' were common I^- forethc coming of Chnft) were cfttcmed as iitiitrcalous cocfirrtia- * tk)n8crf*the-trutfh of the Dieties which they Worfhippedi' thei»w«- ing* and ffe^ngf of their Statua*s were afgumenfs that the ope* jratire prel«iceof ibme ccfcftialNiiw^ wais affiited' to ftich an t mage. In Cotrtc places the filemn Sacrificesi are ticv^ performed without a /ffww^ Miracle. Asm Nova Zmbta where the Pricfts Johnfons rclat. fy^^^^^ his running a Smrd into his BeHy, his. malting his Head Tc^^u and ShouWer/d?q(fhirbodyioxaa it^Jffe of hot Water by the*
dijawing of « Lme, and then his r««tf<;ig- again^ pdrfe^ without maime or hurt, areall ftrangc aftonlBliflg^ things to die ' befeoMers. But bcfidesfuch things as theft whlcli ^fc ftauding. cdmftaist Wonders,- we read of tortie that have had as it were a (3*y> of Miradcs, that they might be eminently ihlhrUmental to pvoroote and honour Paganifme. Atl Hiftories agree that Simon Magus did fo many ftrange things atJlfme C^s the caofingan Image to walk, turning Stones into Bread, transforming himlelf into
(everal
* «<-«
fevcral Sftapes^ Hying, in the Air, flee.) that he was efteened .a God*. Tbil^^MUs and 'Cedtemm teport great \ hings of Apollomw^ as that he could deliver Qties from Seotpionr^ Serpents^ Earth' (p^f/, &c. and that many Miracles were wrought by him > this Man Satan raifed Hp in an extraordinary manner to revive the Ho^ nmtr offaganifme^ that it might at fcaft vk with Chriftianity^ And though few ever attained to that height which Apdtionim and Si- mon Mapu reached unto, yet have we feveral inifanccs of great things dbne now and then, by (bme lingular Perfbns upon zjpeci^ d occadSon, which Satan improved to his advantage. Vtjpajum Cowiti, Tacift. Cured a Lame and Blind Man. Adrianm cured a blind Woman, Hiftor/ Uh!^ and which isipore, after he was dead by the touch of his Body, a Wm of PannoMta who was horn Blind received his Sight. Vahriui iE^ius fpatia.- Maximm telTs of many Hrange things, and particularly of a Vcfi^i^^^ in vie. Virgin that drew Water into a Sieve. As Lnjy tells of another "^'^'''*'' (ClmdiA by namej who with her Girdle drew the Ship to the Dc feumJo . Shore which carryed the Mother of their Gods, when neithet^^^ Pimico*, ffarength of Men nor Oxen couM do it.
• EnOjurs under profefiion of C&ri^&wgr have been fupportedand propagated by the boaft of Miracles.. A dear inOance tor this wo. nave in t^op^y that Reli^on being a perpetual hoi;^ of Wonders. Tokt pa&tn^eir'gre/tMiradeof 5^tf«^i^fciyif/^'(i;i Cwhich as one-Mr. Baxter- hath lately deroonf {fated, isa bundle ofMiracles^ CfcconfradiSionsfiflland tafy. , rather) becaufe it appears not to the Sznfes of any Man, and QOTi^f^^^f^i^t*^- ftquently is not cafabk of being an Argument to prove any of their ^^^' ^^ opinbns. We.have abundance of ftrange things related by them, as^<?Jf/,offomeD<j5ri««/of-theiisin particular, as Purgatory, In* vocation of Saints^ Tranfub(lantiation, &c. and of their profef- fionin the general, Tkvils cafl out^ Blind and hamt cured; Dead-^ r4^dj and what notv it would be endleG to recite particulars ) it would take a longtime to teft what their St. Francis hath dbne^ . how he fetched Water out of a Rock, how he was homaged hfi ffowlsand Fifhesj how he made a Fountain in Marcbiaxun Wine, zod bow for he exceededOixiSt h imfelf in wonderfid feats> Chifi JidsMfcdt - mtbingwbidf St^ Frdncii did not do^ nay he did many more things than ChriHus quodi Cbrifidid : Chrift turned Water intoWinehut onceJfuiSt. Francis didf^^^f9^ noa^ it thrice : Chri^ uhK once transfigured^ but St. Fronds twenty times : ^^ f«^' JTu^^. he and his Brethren laifed above a thoufand toLife, caft out more Chriftus. SafL. than a tlK)ufa»d Devils, &c». Their P<?wtfAww raifed three dead ^^»'.<JeDifis Mw tpUfei. Their^Zewrinr whUehe was aUvcdid. many. Mira- ^^^^JV^
ajo Z%ttMit0i Part. It
dtSy and after he was dead, his Body lay fifteen Months (weetly fmeOing, without any taint of corruption. Tisirlclome to repeat their Stories i abundance of fuch ftuff might be added out of their own Writings: thedefignofall which is to prove,' Ct<>thofethat are fb Prodigal of their Faith as to believe them) that they ontyzxc the true Churchy and that by this note (among others) they may be known to be (b.
But let us turn' alide a little to obl^rve Satans cunnine in this
pretence of Miracles i .let things be fbberly weighed, and v^e may
Vel figmtnta fee enough of the cheat. This great boaft is Cas Atfftin hath iO re*
bomioum men- (bl ved into one of thefe ftr^, either the figments of lying Maty or
^wn»j !^ thecraft oi deceitful Sjiriti.
oSiritu- As to the firft of thcfe, 'tisevident, that a great many things, uok -that have been taken by the vulgar for mighty Wondas, were no-
thing but the kpaveriei oflntfofbrs^ who in this matter have uleda threefold cunning.
Ffrft, By mectjuglrng and Forgery in confederacies and private contrivances they have let upon the Stage Perfont (before i^hu8ed to z& their parts) ot things aforehandpreparedjto pretend to be what ihey were not, that others might (ecm to do what they did not, and all to amaze thofe that know not the bottom of the matt^er. Of this nature was Mabomets Dove and Bull, who were privately trained up to thzt obedience^ and familiarity which they, ufed to him. • The Tagan Priefts were not altogether to feek in this peice of art. Lucian tells ys of ont Alexander^ whonouriftied and ta- med a Serpent, and made the People o£Pontus believe that it was the God Mfwlafiusy and doubtlefe the Idol Priefts improved their private artificial contrivances. As of^he movings of their Images ^rift. Id. I, (zs that o( Venus made by T)£datus^ which by the means of ^Wct- lie anmia. fiiy^ inclofed, could ftir it felf) their eating and drinking ( as hi
the Story of Bel in the Apochryphal ad je<ftions to the Book QtVanid) their rejponfes^ zndfevcrzl other appearance! (zs oF the Papa' Had oi AdonU or OfvrU) which C as L»c/^« reports) comes fwimming down the River every year from Mgypt to Byblos^ &c. thefe and fuch like they improved as evidences of the Power, Knowledge and reality of their Gods. And though in theprevalency of Idola- try, where there was no confiderable party to mofe^ their cheat* were not always difcovcred, yet we have no realon to imagine that the Priefts of thofe days were (b honefi^ that they were only deceiv- ed by the Devils craft, and didnot in a vittanous defign pujqpolely
K' lndea#
1. j^awrffltentpfafiottjfif. %^x /
iodeavour tht delufion ci others. If we had no other, grounds « for a juft Jkjfithn in theft caies, the lanoous inftaoGes of the abufe of Paulina at the Temple oUp in Rome^ in the Reign of the En^ ma^ JCyberiuf ^hy the f^ocuxementofMottdm^y^ho oormptcd the Prieft oiAnubi4 to flgnify to her the love of their God, and un* der that coverture gratified the Luft of Mondm^ mentioned by Jo^ Antiqultat.'^ feAm. And that oiTytannm Prieft of Sahtrnt in Alexandria^ who J"***^* ''^- ' '• by the Kkc pretence of the love of Satwm^ adulterated moft of the Bcd/c*Hlit fairdi Dames of the City, mentiooed by Ka^bm. . Thefe would iH; u,f.%s^ fiifficiemly witnefi that the Priefis of thofe times were apt e« nqugb to abufe the people at the rate we have been fpeaking of. InF^j^nothinghath been more ordinary^ who knows not the Story of thcibly Maid of Km^ ^ndtheBoyofBilfinf How com- mop is it with them to play tricks with Women troubled with* Hj^iricd^ DUlempers ^ and to pretend the cafting out of Devils, when they have only to deal with a natural Dileafe ? Not very ip^yyeai s fince they padiftd upon a poor young Woman at Ihabam^ and maulc great boa As of their Exird/kf, Reli^uf^ and Jhly-watm' againlt the Devil (wkh whom they would have all be- lievelhewaspc^eired) when the event dtfeoveted, that her Fits were only the Fits of die M^tber. I my (elf Cand feme others in this phice) have fcen fhofeFits allayed bv <he Fume of Tobiccp J)lown into her Mouth, to the (bame and apparent detedion of . that Artiiice. I might mention the Legerjemain of Antonim of Ptf^,who made his Ihrfi adore the thfi^ for the converfion of an Herctick » the Jindingof the Images of St. foul and 5^. Dominii^ in a Church at Venice with this Imcription for Patd^ By this Man ymmayctmtoCbrift'y and this for Pmiilf<^, Bmt by tbUManym may do fteafilier: and the Honour put upon Garnet^ by his Image anStra$p^09md^thisEsi€ca6ony (in all probability) by him that md^ if and threw it ^own, oxbyidsConfederaie: but thefe are cjiougB to (hew the homefty- of thefe kind of Men.
Secondly, They have alft) a, cunning of afcribing effkas to' wrong W^j' andlw thaj means they make thofe things Wonders thatje none, Aliibw»rt called his Fits of Famng-Sid^^y Exta^ fm or Trances. Aufiin tells us the Heathens were notable at this: tjieTjumingLamp in the Temi^ of Vtnm, tliough only the work De civitat^Dd; oT Art, ^ interpreted to be a conftant Miracle of that Deity. W, ii. c 6. -fl^Image which (in another T^ple)Jxu»^ byignor
lant GiLttS was accounted a Wpnder, when indeed the Loa^om ' . Kk in
, 231 »xte«ueof patttt.
in the Roof and Psvement Cthougb unfeen) ni^as the oaufe of \U Purcbas Pilg. xhe Sydmians were confirmed in their conflant asnua} Lamenra* Afia. W. I. jj^g oiAiws^ by a-nwcl;, ikljriic& of the rednels ©i the River Ai^ ^^*' ^' w, at one time of the year eonftaiitly,they take it to be BW,wbcti
Heylin Cof- jf J5 nothing eHc but the celomuig of the Water by the duft of wrf "yX^- EarfboiMinmm, which the Winds conftantlyat that time of the^
year from Mount Libanm do drive into the Water. Ndther ase the Pa^ifif out in this point 9 I will only inftancd in that obferva*
^
Doiftrine
tUmu$ip, ^^^g . ^jjgy ^j^j^ ^j^ advanragc«f Sovereign Ba^bszui Waters^ ^ ' ** and where they c(py any Fountain ^ood againft the Stone, or o^
ther Diieafes, preiently there is the StMue or Image of ibme Saioe or other erected by it, by whofc Vem^tht Cure and Kferack mufr feem tobedone > or ibmeCiha^isered^dto thbor that Sm^ to whom Prayers before, and thanks after wafhingi mtift be of^ fered* I
Thirdly, Where the two former fell. Men that devote them- felves to this kuod of Service, imitate their Father the Devil, and fall to plain Awig, zni devifed Fables. Ji^tory was mainly under- propped bjfahulout Stori^i and no wonder,when they efteemed it apiousfiaud, to nourifli Piety towards theGods, in which cafe Hift.W.1^. CasPrfii/7«f faith) though their Writers (peak A«f;?^x, and write
childifli, abford, and impoffible things, yet are they to be pardo-- ned fortbdn goodinum. Amcmg the Ptf/v]^/ what left can beex- peded^. when the fame principle is entertained among them > loc.Lii.c.6.<^^f^'> Md Lndmmvhes mentioned by him, CasaHb feme few
others) do exceedingly blame that bind Piety ofcw«iwLw/ for ReUgion, and feigning Hiflories for the credit of their opinionr, but while they with great freedom and'ingenuity da tax the Fa- bles of their own Party, they do plainly acknowledg that thev are too much g«% of feigning, infomuch that not only the Au- thor of the G(?/^/iLege«e/ is branded with the Chara<aers of a VrazenFace, and a Leaden Heari^ but alfo Gregarkr ViatostHer Vid. Chamier and Berfe/Hiftory are blamed by himi as containing Narrations of' pulh^./i>«>.5.Mu:acles taken iq|^<»«^r«^ from the reports of the f^^tf^ And in * Uh, 1. c4p. 1 5. deed the Wonders they talk of, are kfirange, fo ^idv fyJs
cHloHs.zxiA abjurd£ome oithem^t^^^^ ofl^'violenc^
tohis Rttfon,^ and wil&lly (hut his Eyes againft thecJcaf eviden! ^^^S^ittimMc^nnottl^^^^
and Fables, no better then u^/r you may meet withfcvcrar
Cata-
M5
Catalogues ofthcmin Ptotcftuit Writers. As their St. St^ithins 1 ..u«u* «r«u making whote a Basket of broketa E^s by the tign of the Crofi. ^^ *"Poft- fatfitim his making the ftoln Sheep to Meet in the Thiefs BelW ?^*"^'- aftcthehtid eaten It. Their- 5f. Brigets Bacon which in great Sjl/^^"^* Charity (he gave to an hungry t)og,was found again in her Kettlei Mr. Baxters PwwyJ5«r after he Was beheaded carryed his Head in his Hand three /V<^ Relief ». French Miles. St. Thtnftan took the Devil by the Nofe with his ^' ^^^' Tongues till he made him roar. Daminicus made him hold the Candk till he burnt his Fingers. St. Lupus imprifoned the De- vil in a Pot all Night. . A Chappel of the Virgin Mary was tran- ilatcd from Fakfm to Lffrmo. A confeaated Hoft Cbelng put In- to zHhe of Bees to cure thfem of the Murren) was fo devoutly en- tertained, that the Bees built a ChaPpel in the Hive, with Dood; Windows, Steepk and Bells, ereaed an Altaf , and laid the Hbft tiponit, fung their canonical Houres, and kept their Watches by Night as Monkesufed to do in their Cldift'ers^&c.Who w6uld ever imagiric that Men of any yer&«/»e^ could fatisfy themftlves with fudi chifd^ Ffffperies > thefe are tfie ufual ways by which Men of defign have raued the noife of Miracles.
. The other part of Satans cunning relates to himfelf and his Portenta Talla-' ^tpn aOioni: whert his Agents can go no further in the Trade of «am fpiritu- Miracle-making, hi as^ Spirit, doth often make ufe of his Power, "^* Knowledg, and Agility, by which he can indeed do things in- credible,and fo be wondrcd at. *Tis nothing for him by his know- ledg of aJf&irs at a diftance, ot the private endeavours, orexpreC- fed re(b]vcsof Ptinc^ to jprognofticate future events : by his power over the Wie/ of Men, he can with the help of inclinationf and advantages do much to bring a Man into a trance^ or' take the op- portunity of a Fit of an Amlexy^ and then like a cunning Jugler, pretend (by 1 know not what, nor whom ) to raife a Man from death* He knows the fecret Powers and Venues of things, and ^hi irWaie applieations of them mzy eafily fupply Spirits, remove obfirudibns, and lb aire Lamenefs, Blindnefe, and many other Diftempcrs, and then give the honour of the Cure to what Perfon or OccaGon may beft fit his defigni fo that either by the officious Lyes of his Vaffakor the exerting of his'hwn Power on fuitablc Objc^s at fit times, he hath made a great noife of Signs and Wonders in the World. And thisftratagem of his,' hath ever been at hand to gain a repute to falfc do^ine. And the rather doth he infill upon this, •
Kk 2 Firft,
x}4 :xx«atifeDf Pattit
Firft, Becaufc true Miracles area VMntt^imnyta Truth* As Nicbodmuszxgatd Joh. 3. 2. Na Mia could do tbeji Miracles that 'ihffH doejl^ except God be with bim. And there viextjolemn occafioos wherein they were nee4fary\ as when God gave publick difcoveries of his mind before the Scriptures were written y and alio when he ilfcerfitheOeconomyoftheOWTij/ftfmeii^, and fetled that of the New. In thefe cafes it was necefiary chat God ibould confirm his Word by Miracles. But no w, though thefe ends of MiracFes are ceafed, thougjh God hath {b fetled znd fixed the rule of our Obe- dience and Worihip,that no other Gojfel or Rule is to beexpeded, andconfeauentlyno^ee^ofnewMiracIeS) where the certain ac- count of the Old Miracles are (ufEcient att^atiohtof old and unal- terable Truths^ nay thoughGod have exprefly told us, Daa.ij, 1. that no Miiacle (though it ibould ^(wie ^<i j>j^ and. could not Be difeovered to be a Lye) Ibould prevail with usto fiidaketbe ellablifhed truths and waysof Scupture, or to entertain any thing contrary to it ) yet doth Satan exercife herein a /ivim/ imitation of the Suf)ream Majefly, ^nd withal doth b dazk the nund& of the weaker (brt of Men, (who ate more apt taconiider the Won- * der, than to lufpe^ the Defign) that (without due heed given to the cautions which God hath laid before us in that particular ) they are ready to interpret them to be Gods witneis to this or that Dodrine to which they feem to be appendant.
Secondly, Becaufe Satan hath a more than ordinaryad vantage to feign Miracles he doth more induflrioufly fet himfelf to pretend them, andt^ urge them, for the accomplUhment of his tnA^ ^Tisan^afy Tfork to prevail with Men that are wholly devoted to their own In eerefi under the Mask of Religion, to fay and do any thing that may farther their defigh > and" the bufinefi of Mi- racles is foimitable by Art^ through thcigfioranet znd heedkjhef} of Men, that with a {mall labour Satan can do it at pleafure. The fecret Powers of Nature (fuchas that of the Loadjicne) by a dex- terous application brought into ad^, in a fitly contrived SubjeA, will feem Miraculous to thofe that fee not the fecret firings of thofe * anions* There have been ^rfjj^ci^/ contrivances of Motions,
which had they been difguifed under a religious forniflxiA dire^d
to fiidi an end, might have paffed for greater Miracles * tlian ma-^
Hevr Cof ^y which We have mentioned. Such was the T>ovt oT Architas
flJo^rTphy. " which did fly in the Air, as if it had been a living Creature. Such
fjl 29S was the F/ie of Regiomcntanus^ and the Ea^le prefented to the
Empe-
0af^^: &mWMt:tmpmione. 235
^mpaouxMaximilan^ whfdi iathe compafs oF their lietkBodk^ contained Co many Springs and Wheelsas were fufficient to give them Motion, and to aired their courfts as if they had been anin^^ ted. Albmm M^^nm his Arti^ial Man, and the Silver GaVy^ and TriMUTBaAt by a Goldfinithat Fani^ were rare peices of Art,their Motions fp certain and Aeady, that they feenaed to have Life and Undetflaoduig* IfAptcandoall this, how much more may we fiuppoie can Satan do .^ 'how eaiily can he make Appariticms, pre-* lent (bange Sghts tp tfie Eye, and Voices to the Ear ? and by put-i* tihgdut I&Poweidoa thouial^d things aftonifliing tod wOnder-* ful?
Eightly, Sometime Satan pleads* for Errour, £rom the esfe^ feactj orjOtheriu^Mffrjger'wfaichMen pretend they have received, fince they engaged in fuch a way, or received fuch a pqfwafion. Tius is an Argument firom the ^ftO^ and frequently ufed to con- firm the Minds of Men in their OpinionsJHence they (adsfy thmn* icWcs With tbefe«ea(bnings : J wm befm altp^s under fiars and tmeafaintief^ I nafOMvOi at peace €r rfi in my Mindj itryd feueral emrfef^ follifmdfamal tartitSp^ htt I never bad fatUfaBim or eon^m tit wnp^ Md by lUf Hf(n9 that 1 am in ari^ way.. Others ar- gue after the ume manner from their abundance and outward profperity: Imetmtb nethinghe^crt^ and l(^ befinty httnom God batbUeffedme vritb aninereafi of Sidfiance^ frejfmd my Trade and Vndeotid^ngSy Sec Theie, though apparently weak and de« ceitful Grounds, are reputed Orong and conclufive, to thofe that zx^fiffl refohed upon an Erfour. For Men are fo willing to jn^ify themfelves in what they have undertaken, that they greedfly catdf at any thing that hath the leaft appearance of probability to an* fwct their ends. . This plea of iatis&dk)n is conlmonly&om one of tthefe two
things*
Firf>, ftoT^inroatd Peaee^ and contentment of Mindi Satan know$ that Peace is the thing to which a Man faaiHceth all his hb(Kirs and travel y this he fedis, (though often in a wrong way, and fay wrong means 0 he knowsalib that true Peace is only the Daughter of Truth, (tbe ways whereof (m pleajaatn^ and the Patbs wii^^oC are Peace h) neither is he ignorant of the delights which a Man hath, by enjoying himfelf in the fweet repofe of a contented Mind, that he may charmthcHeartsof the erroneous intoa confidenceand afliuance that they Jiave taken a right couife,
he
^^ he dotti ^ifhe lean to/urthcr a £dic peaoe ift them, ^d to iius pur«
pofe he comoMniiy iiieth this mediM I
Firft, He doch all he can to $mfettU them fiom the Fonndatiob
6f Truth ufX)n which they were hottomed \ he labouts to rendot
tl^n^frfpiMm^ doubtful or uncertain : this fomeJiave noted hom
Sclatcr in loc. ^ 'fi,ef.cbap,^.ver,2. where Satans ftrft attempts arc to fidf their
^ wfor>FiPf*i». ^^^^ ^^^ ^^,yi difquict, Cof which we are next to fpeak)
but by Mtara$hn ot-their judgment, (for Mind is fometimes taken for Scntencfj Ofinm^ Judgment^ as i Car. 2. 16^ wtiaoeibeMuid rf Chi^j and 1 Cor* i. lO. in tbt fame Mnd^andw tbefam Judg^ nunt.
Secondly, His fecond approadi is to raifia fioimof «file(s dif-
«tkt upon that uncertainty \ and in order to his intended defiga e ufually fills them with the utmoft anxiety oi Mind, and makes their Thoughts (Iikeatempe0uous8ea) dafli one againft ano- m^^ ther. Thispeiceof his Art is noted.in the foredted pla^ tbatyi ^^f%9SvA. iinotfid^infmnddrtroHUedy the v^otdGgniticsz great pafkxity.
And thb isan ufiial method whichthe&Ue Teachers aooong the
Galariant pradifed, they firft troubled them, and then endea*
Gal 17 & J. ^0"*^^ by the advantage of that trouble to pervert the Gofpel of
,^' . *Chrift. To cfftd both thefe, he doth amufe them with all dtc
objedions that can be raifed. If he can fay any thing of the Anr tiquity of the Enour^the Number, Wifilom, Learning or Autho* rity of tho(e^hat embrace it, they are (lire to hear of thefe things to the full ) thedangerof continuing as they. were, and the happi* nefsof the new Dodrine, are reprefent ed with all aggravating cir* cumdances ) and thefe Co often, that their thoughts have no refi i and if this refUefnefs does woun4 or weaken them, he purfues with an high hand. Thefe ways of difturbing the unfettled mind,altf hinted to us in the afore^d place, Sfirity Ward^ Letter^ any ^ thing that carries a feeming Authority to unfettle, or powerto a^ maieanddifhrefs* And we may here further DotCp* that where the mihdsof Men aredifcompofed* with ^tl^ fears ordifquiets,Sa* tan is ready to improve thenot to this ufe, fb that commonly when the Word oRjod begins to workatiirft upon the confciences of Men, to awaken .them to the confideration of their Sin and Dan- ger, the Adverfary is then very bufy with them to inveagle them into fbme Errour or other*
Thirdly,Bfavmg throughly prepared the nrfnd with reAIefs fears^
he then advanceth forward with the frcfers of peace and comfort in
* . the
3- ^Mufs 3Zmxptations. iir
theway of Erf our which, he propofcrhuiid in this cafe £ wour Wll Boaft much,C9»*e to me.^andyejhajlfind ujt far your fmh. How-gmte- fid aa4 wdoooic the confiAait proifeirs of cafe and fatisfaifHon arc to a toffed and difquieted mini any Man will eafily itnagme > 'Tisufually thiis^ Mbn that are tiiecl out, wiU eafily cmbtacc anyv thingibr eafe. A Man in this cafe may be wrought upon like Wax to receive any Impreffiom he will felien on any thmg true orfelfe^ that doth but promife comfort.
Fourthly, The conapfcatmcnt of his method b to pleafe the • Maninthi&/rid^iwfofthepeaccpiomifed: and this he labouis to db, not only to fix the Manin his deliifion^ but to make that Mail' krag of cafe to be a fiiare to others. And 'tis eafy for the Devil to do this: fcr, Firft, The nffveky of a new Opinion dotli naturally^ pleafe, efpecially if in give any ieeming cftmrnendation for diii- very or fingiilarity. We fee Men are fond of their own Inventions,' aad'delighted to be lifted up aboveothors. Secondly, ^atair tan eafily aSay the ftorm which he himfelf rMfid : he gives over to mo- Icft with anxious thoughts, on the contrary he fuggefts thoughts offitisfadion. Thirdly, And whatever he can do in a natural t^ay to Kjifc up our paffions of joy and delight, he will before to do it DOW, to raviflnmnt and excels if he can i and then he not only makes thefe Men fure, (for what fitrgument.can ftahd before filch a confidence }) but hath an adive inftrument for the alhire- ment of fuch as cannot difcover thefe methods.
Secondly, Outti^ardfrofferity is the othcs common plea for Er-' four. Though fiKrelfes^fdenty and abubdaiice of worldly comfer^^^ surgueofthfemfelveshcitbtr lore nor hatred, truth nor feHhood, becanfethewifePtovidenceof God, for holy ends and reaibns Coften nndi&erned by us) permits often the fabemaehi of Rok^ hers to ffojfer^ and permits thofe that diat treofhrnufy with the 'nrultis wGod, ta beflanttd^touiks rooty to grom^ yea^ to hing forth Trtth'j tieverthele&iifjiiawayof&ix^ur they meet with outwai4 Bleffings, they arrapt to afcrib&ail to thefr Errours, and to fay as SfFaelj Hoi.^.5. I vpiS go afiir my L^tfers that governs tttyBreai and' miy fPater^ my Wool andftty Blaoc^ minoXfyl and my 1)rm1{^^ wrth« out any ferioiis confideration of God's common Bounty, whidi tqpop brother accounts, gmstUmGdrn^ andJf^ine^ anaOyl^ anJ^ mmltiflitsthmSilva Oftd^Gold^^ for Baal, vm 8,
I (ha}hiot need to add any thing fortfeer fcfr the proof and ex-' |)IanatiiQ& of tfais^ than what we havt in Jeri 44« 17. where the
"^Jew^
jjS Xltteanfeof Part ft
Jews expreflyadvaneetheix Idolatrous Worfliip as the right Way, and contirm thenifelves even to ifbfiina(y in the^purfuit of k^ upon this reafon') tfe n^iS certainly do wbatfiever thinggoetb cm of our amm Mouthy to burn Incenfi to she ^wi*of Heaven — — for then bad tPt plenty of VtBuals^ andu^erewuf^ and/am noeuil : bntfince v^kfteff to burn Incenfeto the ^ueen of Heaven^ andto four out our drini^^offer* ings unto her y ipe have wanted aUtbingty and aam been amfiueedly the Svpord^ and by the Famine.
Ninthly, Inlkad of better arguments^Satan uiua lly naakes Lyet his refuge: andtbeferefped either the T^ruth which he wouM cry down, or the Erraur which he would iet up.
Thofe Lyes that are managed againil Truth, are of two%rt$s txufiakes and mifiepreientations of its Voarinei^ or Calun^ nies ag^nft the Terfons and AQi^ns of thofe that take part with it.
Thofe Lyes that are proper tobefpattera truth withal, arefuch as tend to rende* it unlovely.jmeonvenient^ or dmgtrtm. Satan hath mver been a wanting to raife up mifis and fogs to eclipfe the fliin- ing beauty of Truth. Sometime he perfwades Men that it is a ntmeliy^zvA contrary to the tradition of the Fatberr: and then if an Errour had l^en onf e upon the Aage^ before, and had agam been hilfcd.out of the World, when it peeps out again into the Woild, its former impudency is made an argument for its antiquity, and Truth is decryed as nQveL Qr,if it be bur an Errour of yefterday, and hath only obtained.an Age or two, then the Gbqfis otour fore* fathers are conjured up as witneiTes, and the plea runs currant, ti^at i$ becomeofyour Fathers? or^^you mfer than your Fathers >art
^aWamnedf Thefewereinfiftedonby theH^en/aheGods of^heCmi^, and the Worfhip of their Fathers^ they thought (hould not be forfaken £br Cbrifiianity, which they judged was but a novelty in compariibn o[ Paganifiie. Of the &me ^Ktn/St is that oldfong of the Papids^ . Where tPOf your Relijpon hfare Luther 9 And tp this purpofe they talk of the fuccefficm of their B^fiefs and Ppfes. Aiid other Errours grow a litde fat and confident, if theycanbutfiDda^^eTAoriampk for themfelves among the old Heroes. Sometime he endeavours to bring Truth into fufpiti* . ^ on^ by rendering it a dangerous enavacbment imm the rigi^s and • privJIedges of Men,- as ifit would turn all upiidedoWii, and in- troduce Fadionsand^Cdnfufioiis. This clamour was raUed a- gainfi the^Gofpel, jch^t it yftHMfibva* (he Dodcine. oiMofes and C ^ the
the Lanf. Sometimes he doaths the opftrioD^ of Truth with An n^y drefi^ and mi(repre(entsit to the Worldi as guHtf of fitange infe* ' rences and abfitrdUies^ ^vhich only arile irom a wrong fiaUng of the queAions: and where it doth r^ffy di0et firom Encwr, heendea* vours toirr^/ithediirerence^tosii] io(Cpn5renient dffiance, ibthat if it go a MUe from Enpur, Satan will hav^it.to go'tig^o^ i if Troth tc^chJtfiificatienby^Faith^ (>mur ieprefentsitas<i(MJI^ all care oiHmnefs and goodfFart^ » if Truth (ay, bare moral Vmuu are not fuffident mtbont Cra^e^ Errour prei^ntly accufeth it, as de- nying any nectary ufi of Morality^ or affirming that tmtal Venues, are obfiruSions and hindrances to Salvation. It w6re eafie. to note abundanceof fuch Infiances.,
As for calumnies againfl the TtrfonsmznA Aftions of thofe that are Abators of Truth, 'tis well known for an old thread-bare - defign, by which Satan hath gained not a little. Macbiatril bor«j rowed the policy from him, and formed it into a Maxime, forhe^ found by experience that where flrong Slanders had fet in theii- Teeth, though never fo unjuftly, the Wounds were never dnrougbly btakd : for fome that heard the report of the Slamkr^ never heard the Vindka^m^ and thofe that did, were not al-^ ways lb wifr^ttdieed as to free themfelves firom aifi^^Uon^ but: flill (bmething remained ufiiaUy upon their Spirits. fer^ver^er > - and that, like a leaet venome, poyfops all that couU be iaid or. done by the Perfons, that ( wron^ully ) fell under their preju- - dice, and <lid not a little derogate nom the authority and power of the Truths which they delivered. .
The Friends of Truth have always to tbdr coft.fbUnd it fo» Chrifl himlHf efcaped not the lyes and oenfures of Men when he did thegreateft Miracles 9 theyraiied this calumny againft him,- Ibat be c j^ 09U Devils by Beelzebub the Prince ofDevihi when he Joh. 8. 4I. (hewed the moft compaflionate condeicentions, they call&l hiih ^. Man gluttonom^ a Wtm-hiihtr^ afiiend of Ptiblkans and Simursi' and at laft upon a milinterpretation of his fpeecbes, C I wHl de^ firoytby Temple^ and in three days ImUbnild itt^^ Mat. 26»6i.) riiey arraigned and condemned him for ^laf^bemy : and his Ser-. vants have ( according to what he foretold ) drunk c^the fame Cup •> the more eminent in feryice, the greater drau^t. Faul^ a chofen veiTe^met with much of this nm)uli dealing h he was a^cuftd AS.zuzi. as fpeaking againfl the People^ the Lawi and the temple i and, Cfc^. 24. 5. called a^peHilent FeBoWy a mover ofSedir.
L I iion^
\
»»%• ^frif^nkr tfibt, taifh., Meitlwar -can we wonder at this . that the greateft Innocency, or bigheH degree of Horincfs, U no Arinoiur of. proof againft the (harp Arrows of a lying Tongue • "When, we read this as one of Satah*s great Chara<fters, that he is «k JtatferrfthtBmhrm, and that his Agents are fo perfc<aiv ioAiuifted in this Art, that they are alfo branded with the fimc mazk o£falfe Jeeufert, Jade lo. 'Tis well known how the Rimitive Chriftians were ufed, they were accounted the filth and tf-feoiirittg ofatt things v there coald be nothing that could render them odioasor tidiciikMS but they were afperfcd with it as that Aty fiurifieed. Ufinas, vmjKfped tht Snn, zaA njid p^omihuom Viuleamtfs \ nay, what ever P/dgwe or difafter beftl their Neich- tours, they were fore to carrythe blmu. And wetnight trace Sis Stratagem down to out ow» days, Lktbtr m his time was the OMBinoBftittfcr aU the poyfoned Arrows of the Papifts calumnvi which ib.exceedfldall bounds of Sobriety and Prudence that they deKifcd aR«i«jto of «« Death, how he was choaked of the Bc»il i tbafrbdorc he died, he defired his Gorps might be carried wto the Ch|irch,aB4 adored with divine Worfljjp j and that afta his Death the exccffive ftenchof his Qrcafe fon;ed all his Friends taftrftke hm. Alt' this and more tO" this jwrpoft they puWahed vMt.U^^^d^^h^'mxiiasCMionhj only o/ Wh^ hM«fi«ed by hft l>wn t»en. Taefikefuryfherexprdfedaaainft Gslam, byrfieit Bolfkus, whom theyfet on work tniill aRx* witbimpud^nftJyes againft him: Neither did Vtzi, JmittT^ any other of note efcape withotrt fome flandcr or other. How unjufl^the Aifi^Mu of'dld accufed^t*«w^:of andcannML Timd. Hifi. ^d of bewaving Arfenim of his AHnj is fnffidcntly known fa hh. c;^. 3D. Hinory. j »»" ui
Bat the De^k malice doth not always run in the dirty chan- nel of ^loiK Calumnies, he hath fometimes a more cleanly «». ttp^fer his Lyes againft holy Men. In profecution of the fam^ ddign, ^tis afinrcdoiur for Errour, if he can abafe the name and credit of renowned Championsof Truth, hy fathering an Erro^ «pon them ^hi^h^hcy never owned. By this means he doth nw onlygr^ceafelfcDoarinc withthe -""[fen^y of an eminent Perfca wbofe cftimation might be a fiiare to fome weli-meanine PerW' but weakens^shc Truth, by bringing a feith&l Affertor of it into fcfpition of Mflg C at leaft in fome points ) dangeroi Od£ mons» by whiehmanyatcaflrighted iiom entertaining any th£g
that
Chap. 3. ^>atan*if Centirtatfpns. i^^
that they write or preadi : Ft*, though thej-nny lie cen^edly
Ibundin themoft wcj^ty Dofttines, yctifft'bcottCt t^ifd.
abroad -that they art m anythlh^tjnCm'nd; Wi 'deii Fly ftoilj
all the ptecious Ointltietit ; and tire tnartet ^erc yet the lefs, if
there wereafly juftcsufe for fiidi t prejudice » but fuch is Satans .
Art, that ifa Man explains the fame Truth hutin diffirtat tpordt
and fcMms of fpeech, than thoft that others have been ufed uatoi
orifhccafisitirito n mon anvaiaa MoMld, that ( by bying aGde
doubtful or flexible expreffions; it may be more ufcly guarded
bom the exceptions of the AdvcrOtries, cfpecially if he carefuUy
diufe his path betwixt the extnams on cither hand > this is enou^
for Satan to catch at,and prcfently he beftows upon him the naines
ofthcBoyEmwrT whrchrenwftAfcnuouftyeWJ/e/fr i nay, fome-
tintes if he mention any thing above ther&ic&or acquaintaiice of
thoft that hear hini,'tis weH ifhe efiapes the charge of fIercGe,an(i
that be meets not with the lot o(Virffiim^^bo^oi Saltzbmy^nho vid. a^ryai
was judged no leG than heretical, for venting his opinion coit- pm/*/. in
cenling the Antifoekt. Iknow Men do fudi things in theif zcalj ^8" 9!'^'^
but While thtV do fov thcfarc concerned to. CbnfiSer how Sawn L^p^^'
doth ibaft thcir^oodtneanrng tothc diJfiTari'J^.of Truth, , . ^'
As Satan's dcfign in befpatterinc the Anions aiid Do&ines of »ood-Kfcn, is to bring the Troth the^ ^ofeft into afiifpjtioriof feMhoed, and to adnnCe the contsary Ertours'to Replace aiwi cttdft bFTtuth ) fd^Iothheuft a/i^fj prtportionable to his' deT fign. And thoughhebcfow^wifoft thai; h? Will 'not Wiiih « j^fi ooftt«»incc^f the moft grofs andWialicibus'iye, yft WithaUhe is K cunning^ thatheftudioufly endeavours fome probable rife fof.hxs fenders, and cofflmonly hetates this ooutft : - Firft; He doth all he can to am^ the Prrfeltprs ojfTriith % if^iches ptHoooarsvpi!lte^mptihflntb'be¥roud, High-minJcJ, Gontftit^ons, or Exttavagant,'hepiyeStfieai with tht;(c Weapons > , tfttiepleiffires of the Flefliand iS-prldbc more likely to twfot therfi, or to nfiafte them fcnilial, eatthlyorloofe, ho inctiTjiicly lays thoKBaits before thcrai if Pcars'andPtifccution'icaimfrri-.'.'ii; thcii out ofHuty^if Injuriis Snd';l*r'iyca!ionb [ii.iy rr.j,, ^i; theifi'intoaftbwaraafwayti^afd^^tnprivhe wiilc.iunly ui^.; tbein by fuchocc^fions, and Wheri'he'hachprcviiled^p^ltpy ij^*; fwe^ he isTurc to aggravate, every drcumfta^e' 'iJ^l^Xts ^^i^f^ ' htiSit' and upon tha,t adva(ft%'t^O make atWujp^ ifltet<Mnp*<ljb(iaWhatth£^attffiiWaccM6r'Tliiy^ .,.-.u L 1 3 device
>4i »%trameot Partu
device P^> iuR4^2.24. takes ^locice of cancerfiing the Jen^i^ wboie breach of t^i^Law (b dUhonouied God^that t[re NamerfGod vpm hlafibemei among the Gentiles tbrongb thaiu The Jms lived .wickedly') and'theix wicked lives was a currant arguneat azoong the Gentites to confirm them in Paganijm > for they judged the Law of God could not approve, it felf to be better thaa. their own, when the Profcfforsof it were ib naught. To prevent this » Tim 6. 1 i^^^^^^^i we are.ferioufly warned to be carcfijlly Ihrid in ajl our Tir. a* j. flations, tbifPthtUamofC<id.and bU VoQrinebe not blafihemedm
Secondly/ Whatever mifcaniagcs anyFrofeJfor of Truth is guilty of,Satan takes care that it be prefently charged upon aJl the Phfifi fm. If any ont offend, it is matter oipubluMh)dxoG. \ much moi!C If any Company or Party (hall rua into extravagancies, or do zStir^ . bn^ firange and unjiUftifyable, thofe that agiee with fiiem in the general name of their Ptofeifion (though they differ as far fi^om their wild Opinions and Pradices as their eneinies do ) (hall fiijl be upbraided with ^fe«r lollies* We fee this pradifed daiiy by aifftring Parties, according to what was forc;^ld, in aFe^a^a, . , : . P'aife^ Trp^befffiiyJiQC a §reat 'numbet ptChrif^ia^is to i^llow . their, pir?iieiQUi, >b^/*^ahd by reelon pf theur.' wii4.^JngoJly behavipmy
: Thirdly, The leaftflip or infirmity of the Children of T;ruth the Devil is ready to bnng upon the Stage \ and they thu will not charge tbemfilves as offenders for very gW^ cyDs^ willyee ob-j |e^ to the difparagement of Truth the fmaueft ipiilakesof <tf^/^ ^matt in the eyp of the lovers of Truth, (hall be efpyec^ \»henib beam m the eye of falflxx>d (hall pais fbr nothings '
Fourthly, Slanderous A(per(ions are fcmetfroes raifed from ir fimple.mi/f^of Adions^ and their ^om^/ or i»«uKn of perform
ganee,' drid'Xbmetimes fik>m a malicious Mifreprefintatipn^ The* evil ftBom a^s from a Cmple mifiake,. but j^q wili.cithcn fiibomthe.paflionate Oppofersto ^ vnlfkl fervenin^ of the tru^ ipanagement of things^ or will by tifdfe aecmat of things take, tire advantage of their prejudice, to make Meii believii thaCvfucht things b^Ve been fiid or don^ whic^ indeed iiever-wetfi^^ 'njct iChriftfatis Jn the Primitive times were jqx>rted*.to vbe- hloodv Mft*, and t!fiat.thfcy did-kiriMen-m Sacrifice, iiidilia eat* tClr^ Fte(h and drink their BIbod ) «nd thiswas only occaConed hj their l>o3rin€ zndt^e of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Chri/l*. llKey were accuied fotfrmijffupm nndeawms with' one uochtfr.
-..;..> c IJ and
^ *
chap^ 3 . s>nun-ii temptation jf. m;
and this only becauie they taught that there was no diflinAion of
MaltafdFimdt in refpe^of JulHcgfiof^y and that they were all
Brethren and Sifierr in Chrift- This account Tertullian gives o( the ^^oU^. cap.7>
Calumnies of thole timeS) and others have note^ the like occa* 9»9,3^'
fions of other abufes of them. They werereported to worlbip the
Sun, becaufe they in times of perfecution were forced to meet
early in the Fields, and were often feett utidifperfed at Sun^
riling* They were reported to worihip BacAm and Ceret:^ be-
cauie of the Llements of Bread and fFm in the Lords Stipp^n
If t|)ey met in frha$t places^ and in the nigh^ it was enough to
occalion funnife of Confpiracy and Rebellion : (b ready is Satan
to take occafion- where none is given.
Tiftbly, Butifnoaeofthcle are at hand, then ziMnri^ Lye mud do the tvirn, according to that of Tinr. iS. i8. Come and let . ML dmfe'devkes agoHtft Jeremiah ; and when once the lye is coyaed, &tan hath officious InAraments to fjpread it ) jFtfT. 20.io« Report j ^ fify tbey^ and we mB report it^
• Theft were the Lyes raifcd againfl "truth i but befidds this en- deairour,» he uleth the feme Art of lying to InhaAce the credit of ' Errour^ Lying In^ations^ Lying Sijgns, and Wonders we have fpoken of, I mall only mention another Ibrt of Lying, which is that of Forgery^ an Art which Errour liath comroc«ily made uft . of. Sometimes Bool^ and Writings erroneous have been made to caiyy thfe names of Hicn that never kpm at fiw them. The Apoftles • tbeii^&lve^^fiapedinot-thefe abufes 9 yon read of the counterieit Gofielf of Tbamoi and Baf^hmm^ the Ads of Ttter and AndrexPy the if/e/^o/ictf/ Conftitutions, and a ^eat.maiiymore. Later ^ Writers have by the like hard ufigeb^en forced to fether the-. . - Brats of other Mens Brians, I migbtbc large in thefe,' but thcV ^^ that pleaft may fee more of this in Authors, that have of purpoie Or. Jdmer^t dllcovered the fbuds ^Iptriam^ jupf^tieus Books » the deUgn Js corrupt. Scrip. obvious i Errour would ^ this means adorn it fdf with the excel- >^"^i|^' ^ fent napies of Mctiof renown^ that lb it might pafi for good Dodrine with the unwary. giMphls^
•« \'
. *'
CtfAPi .
*44 AlLXmmot Parttt
C H A P. IV.
^'h^'rh^i upon the U,nicr$,ndi»g indt^my hythe
tdi^hng the Jffedtons mththe exter»d94rh 4hrrtur A gorgeous drefs, ^r affeih'dfl^UHmefs. (f) Br fju^
p0mit. VartoMitn^Mcesberef.i^,) Bydrivin^n^
br dtrtSij blind the
. .^r-Dartodsfor Light
rqnsuns that fome accountbeeSra
of the/«o,*/ way of preraiUn/uZ?h. n ?"? "^""f be given
mentofthe whole, he thinks it^ii^* -r""**^'-!"*^*'- fedions, by offering itin W/ '^SK.f^"''^ ^'° *be AT- ^nd furprifal, ClelM^Sd SSe aSdTf '^ ''°°**^°^ doth by degrees /««/ur«e them toXt whS° J?):*^ ""*^ have been rejeded with abhorrent We^'l.^^r*? » ^/^ ^°»W Tares, thatthecnviousManSfoI^^'°?\^^^^ took his opportunity f^b^M^ZT^ru"^ ^''^ ^ S«««^ aark . inTuch th^ the ^ ^^Z:!:':2'Z^^
hit at their cming up. In purfuance of this poHcy,. wc find the prinapal Inftrumcnts of Satan have followed the footfteps of their Maftw i they cnef in wta^ares, Jude 4- thcyfrivify bring in f^ n.-^f^ 2 Pet. 2. r. and as if they were guilty of foma modca fhameteftnefs, they creep into houfef, 2Tiiu.3*tf, The ftcps by which the Devil creeps into the bofoms of Men to plant Errour m the Heart, are thefe :
Fuft, He endeavours to gain the Heart by the ingenionf fwect and deli^tful ficiety of thofc that are corrupted already. Errour feith a peculiar Art to u^ thegaod-mH before it difclofe it fcJf i it Ikllfteals the Ear and Afftaions to the Per/on, and thence infen- fibly derives it to the (^inioit. Truth is Mafculine, and perfwadcs ky teadmgj but Errour doth often teaA by ferjhaiing. 'Tis very difficult to aflcft the Pcrfbn, and not tobeftow upon the Errour better thoughts than it deferves. . Thofe therefore that are cun- ning in the ArfofSedudfon, make extraordinary pretences of 4iSionate kffiinefs^ and C as the Apoftle noted concerning the Seducers of his time, Gal.^ij.) they zealoH/ly afeQ (thoCc Whom they would delude J but not mil : Their Art doth alio ttach them not to beooer^bajfy in fropowtdfng their Opinions, nor fo much as- to toudi upon them tiB they perceive they have gained a firm pcrfwafion of their aimity, and of the reality of thofe Wndneffea whichthey have made (hew of: but when they have once gained tkis point of advantage, they take opportunity more freely to piopound and pre& then: Dodrincs. Thus are Men at lait be- guiled i»iib entidngK^ords.
Tis alfo part of the fime Defign, that Satan fometimes makes iii£b of STofwoi Sidueerr :, For, (r.) They are more apt to be de- luded themfelves j JHly Women are foon led captive. . (2.) Being deceived, they are moft earneflly forward in the heat of zeal to propagate their Opinions. QO And by the advantage of their Natitte they ate moft engaging, their aflTedlionate Perfwafions - ufually have apeculiar frevatency. The daughters of Moab (through Balaam's counfel ) were made choice of, as the titteft Inftruments to feduce Ifrael to Idolatry. Solomon^ though a wife Man, was prevailed with by the importunity of his Wives, againlt his former pradice and knowledg, to favour falfc Worfliip. The Woman Jtzabel^ Rev. 1. 20: was Saran\<; under-Agcnt, to • teach and fidiiee God's Servants to commit Fornication, and to eat thitigs Jacrificed to Idoli^. (4,; Befldes, they have a greater influ-
ence
i4<^ ZXttmUaf iPmlL
cnce upon their ChiWren, to leaven them with their 6wn . Opi*.
•^
nionSf
Secondly, Satan alfo obferves z.gradital motion m fixing any particular trrour. If he attempt it immdiatdy withoutan extci^ nal Agent, he firft puts Men upon the reading or confidetation of fon»c dar^PafazetthaLt fecm to Jook favourably upon his deRsn > thenhcfimt tie Notion or Objedioni then begets z fi^Kblf ox qucfnontng : Having once proceeded thus far, he foUows his Defign mth fvobabh Keafons, till he have formed it into an Cfpi^ mott : W hen 'tis come to this, a little more begets iperfwafiui thai perfwafion he ripens into a refiltaenefi and obftinacy and' then at laft fires it with zeal for the deluding of others. Svinir thus laid the foundation by m Errour, he next endeavours to imtttfljf It, and then brings in the Ltferencei that unavoidably
FaHhood, another will eafily force it fel^ and fiom two or thi«e who knowshow many ? And though th^ confequences are ufual-' ly «w«.4i*/i»irf than the principles, yet arc they with a finaU la- bour broueht into favour, where the principles are firft coiMentfy believed i'fothatthofe Errours, whi(^ be^feof their ugktook Satan durft not at firft propound,leilheihould fcare Men^ff from thew reception, he can now with an undaunted boldnefe recom- mend. It cannot be imagined that ever Men wouW at M hire entertained Opinions of eonte^ of Ordinances and lAtrtiniOiu !Ili*i!!^?" ^^ may obfave they ufuaUy come in the rwr of <abn Opnnons, whichby a long trad of Art prepare their way.
Yet may we note, that though Satan ofually is forced to \>ait the leafitreoirome Mens timeroufiiefs and baflifiilnefs, and there-
tTr ^T "15 ^r *°, "? ''""y ^^^ « J^^ ^e&es, C hence £5: V °"*' ^^ °^"". ^""'^ "° '°°'^ fo' ''is "me, but only Aw It, ontmavbe makes only the r«^</r«r£feof it, and ami thit w«x and a<forns it : for fo it was betwixt Uliu, mdF^ Soanm betwixt Vavid George znd his Succcftbrs : ) And thoukh ^'flm^'l°''"u'^ tothe)fc(?^«c»/„of Errour, whidS ffij nftilled that he cannot at-preftntenlarge them l^yondihS o2n juft confequences , yet there are foi£ choice principlS^f^ which if he an but faften upon the Mind, they wefent^ InO^ ^^o a 1 kind of Errours imaginable i they aVeMj/S^I Train of Gunpowder, which in a Moment blows up the whok Fabnck of Truth: fucharethc delufions of £«*<&«/?«>, i,;J^^j!
ens
ctiap^4- Satan's Xmtj^tationsi. 147
cos and FmbHid^KaftuTtr ', let thcfe be once fixed, and then there is nothing fo Inhumane, Irreligious, Mad, or Ridiculous but Satan can with eafc perfwade Men to it, and alfo under the . highert pretences o£ Religion and Certainty ^ the -experience of all Ages, hath made any further proo'f of this altogether needlcfk
This is his way when he aSs alone. But if he ufe Inftrwnenu though he is alfo gradual in his procedure, yet 'tis in a different method: for there he ibmetinaes proceeds frona the abufe of (bme- thing innocent and lawful C by the help of a long traS of time ) to introduce the grojfell Faljhood. Thus may we conceive be brought Idolatry to its height: firft Men admired the wifdom or famous ^s of their Progenitors, or Benefadors \ .next, they mUed FiOars^ or Images of fuch Perfons, to perpetuate the Names, Honour and Memory of them and their Adions, Another Age being at a greater difianceftom the things done, and confequently greater Strangers to the true ends and reafbns qf fuch practices, which being C as it ufually falls out in fuch cafes ; abiifed by falfe re* ports or mifreprefcntations of things, (for Time covers things of this nature with (b thick a Mift, that 'tis difficult to di(covcr the .true Metal of an original Conjiitmion ) they in a devout ignorance gave the Images zgreater re/peS than wasat ftrft intended i then did they Aide into a conceit they were not of the ordinary ranl^^of Mortals, or at leaft they were exalted to a condition which ordi-^ nary Mortals were not capable of i thus they fuppofcd them Veities, and gave them »wj&^of Prayers and Sacrihces : hence they went further, and mHltiflted Gods^ and that of feveral (brtS| according to the natures of things that were good or hurtftl to them i and then at latt confulting bow mean their oiferings were and how unlikely to pleafe their Godjhifs^ they concluded ft*- mane facri^ces moft futable, cQjecially to expiate greater prpvoca- tions, and in times of great calamity.
Theburthenfom heap of ceremonious Superftitions in Topery was the work of feveral Agesy they were not brought in all at ODCf. One in a devotional heat fancied fuch a Ceremony as a fit teftimony of Zeal, or a proper incitement of his Affedions » Ano- ther devifeth a fecond, and lb all along i as t*he minds of Men were he^f leafed with their own inventions^ and had fo much credit or authority to recommend them to others, they cnaeafcd th^ fum by new additions^ till at laft they are become a burthen not to be born i and ftiU as they receded from the primitive purity^
.Mm and /
i4& Z%tmtiU0t Part 11;
and became more carclcfs and corrupt in their lives, ( for from
Mdtfh. Prtife^ good Bijhops they declined to but totersbk Areh-Bifhopf^ till at laft
auxJnirod\x&. they are become incurable Babylonians^ ) fo they departed gradual-
o Hiftory. • jy g^^^ ^j^^ fimpKcity of the Qo^l, and abonnded in contrivances
of Ceremonies.
Thir3lyjn corrupting eftMijhed 7ruihf. Satan's proceedings are not hy fudden and obfervable leaps, but by lingring and Jlotp mo- tions h as Flowers and Plants grow infenfibly, and as Men gra- . dually wax old 'and feeble. Violent and hafy alterations he knows \vould beget Obfervation^ Diflike, and Oppofition > neither will he make fucb anmpti^ but where he is fure of a firong prevalent Party, which by force and power is able to carry all before it : In this cafe he is willing to enforce Errour by Fire and Sward. Thus* he propagated Mahumtttfm at firft, and ftill continueth to do fo by the conquering Arms of the turk^ i but where he hath not this advantage, he betakes himfelf to another courfe, and fludieth to do his work fo that he may not be obftrved. The fojl .fibilityol'Gjidi a change, with the wi^;/ffer of effedHng it, we may obferve in many Ghurches, that have declined from the Do<^rine which they at firft received, but moft of all in the Church at ' * Kome^ which at firft was a ptre Churchy as the ApoftJe teftifieth
but how fo changed firom the Truths upon which they were bottomed in their firft Confiitution^ as if (he had not been the (ame Church. They boaft indeed'that as they were at firft, fo they are now h but nothing is more evident than the (Contrary : and the polFibility of their injhtfibk corruption is as demoftftrable as the alteration of Do&Tinc in any other Ciiurch* The manifold ways that Satan takes in this matter in the abufe of Scripture, by raiting ^eyT'cr/5 Interpretations, and mnatufal Inferences, and the advan^ tagesoizlongjncce^ton in Authority i of the negligence and ignorance of the common People \ jaC the crafty fuhtilty of the Teachers stnaaffemsa-^^ccizWy when Religion began to beabufed tofecular Intereft^ tana. Tib. 4. is defaibed by Acontiw and others. If we fhould fingle out, any of their noted Errours, and follow up the Hiftory of it to its firjl original^ we (hall find, that whatever ftrong current it hath now gotten, it was very fmall and inconCderable in ;he Fountain. The Invocation of Saints, though it be now an eftabliftied Article among them, yet its fitfi rlfewzs from the mivary Projopopixa's of of the Ancients, and the liberty of their Oratorical declamitary ^ fiile i thefe gave occafion to £omei private Opinions^ thefe Opinions.
-- to
to (ptnc private dcvotiomlliberfy ifi Pra(5J:ice, and from private Opinions and PradJice% at lalt it obtained fb ftrongaParty, that it" procured zpuhlickJnmnSion. 'The like method was ufed for the
- Dodrine of TS^anfubfiantidtiony whofe beginning was. from the abiifeof fucli Sentences as this in ancient W'riters,> Tljai after Con^ fecration it wM no rpore Bread and fVine^ but the Body and Blood of
' Chrifih by which expreffion the Aothors intended no more than this, that the Bread and Wine in the Sacrament were relatively altered^ and were more than ordinary Bread and fFine^ becaufe they wcic replrefentatives of the Body and Blood of Chrift : however, this gave them courage to interpret literally and ftridly thefe words of Chrift, This uf my 3ody: and thus by degrees from the Opiniono^zfewithcczmcxhejHdgmentofrnany^ ana from the to- ' . leration of a private Opinion of fome Dolors and unimpofed^ it ofa- tainedat laft a Canon to make it Authentick, TublickJDoHrine.
Fourthly, This infenfible proceeding is in nothing more evi- dent thian in the power of Cti^om znd Education j Cufrom doth by degrees take off the ftartling of Confcience : and thofe Opinions or Pradices which at firft look .affright it, are by a little tamilia- lity made more fmooth and tollerable. The diflents of Men by^ frequent feeing and hearing, become ^jwm and gentle V but the, force of Education is incomparably great, for this makes an Errour to become as it were natural , they fuck it in with their Milk, and draw it in with their Air. This general advantage the Devil hath over all the Children of erroneous Parents, efpecially where Countreys or Nations are of the fame Perfwafion > infomuch that Turk^ have as gr^at belief of their Alcoran as we of the Bible^. and think as reverently of Mahomet as Chriiiians do of Chrift. The Children of Idolatrous Tagans have as great a confidence of ^ the truth of their way oi Heathenijh Worjhip^ as we have oi Cod's Ordinances and Inftitutions. j^
Fifthly, We may feefbmethingofthis Stratagem of filent in- ,tanglement in Satan's Surprifalsh for fometimes he inveagles Men at unarvaresj^nd engageth them in Ejrrour while they know not what they are doing. Weak heads cannot fee the tar end of a finootli-fac'd Dodrine i knd they ufually embrace it by vphoU-fale^ for/5»«e/iir/ic«/jr that ftrikes upon thdr iancy, or gratifies their humour. If they read a Bqok that hath feme gppd things in it,, or is afFe<ftionate,' for the lake of tbeje they fwalloiv aH the reft (though never fb dangerous Dodrine; whithout further exami-
Mm 2 nation
150 ZXttUtitznt Part IE
nation. The like advantage he hath from Adions that are bad or tollerable, according to the various refpcc^s which they have to the ends or confequences that ly before them, for he frequent- ly doth iritercft Men in an erroneous confequence, by concerning; them in adions that lead that way > and having thus beguiled' them into an evil mifiake, inftead of drawing their Foot out of the Snare, he pulheth them forward to maintain their ground^: and to juftify their proceedings. This was the cafe of (bme of the Corinthians^ when the Heathens had offered a Sacrifice to an Idol, parf ofthe Saaihce was referved, and either fold at the Shambles^ or ufed in a Feafl-^ to which the Heathens fometimes invited'their Chrifiian Acquaintance or Relations. Thofc that went, (l^orping^ that an Idol toon nothing ) eat what was fet before them, withotU- any regard to the Idol, and imking no queJUan for Confciencefd^:, by their example, others that bad not that kffotpkdg^ i Cor. S. 7. . rvere emboldnea^ not only to eat ag^inft their (cruples and doubts of Confcience, ( which is all that many .Interpreters think to be Intended in that place ) but alio ( as the words make probable^ with fome pofithfe regard to the Idol i fo that by the examples of thofe that (ate in the Idols Temple, eating what was fet before them as common Meat^ others mifinterfreting their Adions^ pro- ceeded to eat with a Confcience of the Idol^ as if the Idol had been . fome thing indeed, anddeferving zconfcientious regard. Not ^un- like to this was that Art of Julian^ mentioned by Sozomen^ Soz^omem/Eccl whereby he endeavoured to tjvili foroething of Taganifm with* Hifi. L y.r. 16. Adions and things that wer^ lawful or neceffary : He caufod the . Images of Mars and Mercury to b& placed by his own^ fo that the . refpedls that were payed to the Emperours TtQwre^ ftemed to carry a concomitancy of reverence to thofe Idols : He alfo ( in pro- ftcution ofthe fame policy ) caufed their Meats and Drinks to be fprinkled or mixed with the luftral H^ater^ that to every onCL that ufed them, might.be ^^sd to give fome regard to his Idols > and that fome, at leaft, might be cngz^cd to. zJMfiification of that: and fuch other praAice^. 1
All thefe axe but Inftances of Satans filent infinuation, by which he feaetly fteals the Aifcdions,. and through thefe, taints' the Judgment. Next follows,
A fecond Plot upon the Affedions, which is an endeavour to, entangle them by the ex»eriij/£<if& of Errour.. lathis be works
^
Chap. 4. Nairn's Xemptatiottjfif. 251
by mo contrary exireamf^ that he may the better prevail with Mens different difpofkions.
Firft) He fometimes deaths a falfe Dodrine with the moft fimftm, fprgmr^ delighfM Attire, that hke SolmH<ms Harlot it may entice thofe chat are pleafed with the htgheft gratiHcations of the feoleSi Tham ded^d my Bid mfh dmerings of lafefhy^ mth fim Linnm of Egypt, &ii» Moft Men that are given up to an Animal life^ cannot be pleafed with any Religion but fuch as may n^Rfleafe thefi/tfes « they fo difrelilh the fimfticity of the Gofpe) (■which is> notwithftanding, its particular inland hnorn^ 2 Cor. n,3*J that they cannot pcrfwade themfelves they da . any thing in. religious Worihip, except they abound in cojify ceremonious obftrvahcif. Thus do feme interpret that frar of the Heathens, which iirll put them upon Images and outward repre* Primus in orbe fentations of their Gods > they were affiraid they Qiould not haveI>cos timotfc- any K^\\g\on to thtxi otpn fatisfaQlon^ except they proceeded in-^*^^ fuch a court as might make their fenfes fure that they were doings fcmething : the Devil knowing well the force k£ external beautiet in Religion, prepared the way to Idolatry by it. They had their cofily Temples^ fomeofthem admirable for Antiquity and Magni-* ficence, enriched with Gifts and Offerings^ excellent for Matter and Workmanthip, adorned with Ima^s, l^amps, Beds, and*. Tables of Gold, beautiiie^ by Art, and natural pleafantnefi of*. Scituation > they had alfo their Groves in the moft pleafant anA delightful Places, as that of the D^i&/ie befides Anthohia^ which* was invironed with tall Cyprefe Trees, ten Miles about, and- witbiu adorned with the fumptuous Temples o£ Apollo and DianaV Sanduary v in thefe places they had their Mufick. and folemn . Fdiivals, which were fometimes extraordinary, for coft and con- tinuance. Aniiochmzt Daphne continued anincredible folemnity,- with^ vaft train and colHy preparatictt^ thirty days together > . and that nothing might Be wantii^rthcy had their Annual-. Feafts, Sacrifices, Rites, the Adornnjtts of their Priefts, their, white Garments,their Xiats of divers Colour^their Miters^d^er. in* a.word, nothing was lacking that hiight j^eafe the Eye or Ear. . And doubtlefi the Devil found this courle very fuccefsful to win . the A/ftdions of Mento Centilifnt. And if it. were not for this. confideration, it might be admired that the Jca^s ( who were ' ioftruded in the true Worfliipof God ; Ihould, hocwithftanding, h^ib prone to Idolatry, and lb hardly dx^via from it ; but, furelf '
** • . - their*
n"^
^^ xreame oi rax w
their flrong inclinations that way proceeded from a natural de- light that Men have in zjenfual Religion, which by a powcrfiil Witchcraft doth inchant them to an exafs of love. The fame method the Devil takes in Voperyy the chief inticem'&nt lieg in its glorious external aPpearames all their religious places are drefTed up in the higlieft bravery, they are beautified with Images and Figures, with Lights and. coilly Aaornmcius i they abound in Rites, Caembflies^ Geflures, and Ohfcrvanccs, and all this is but to dazle the Eyes, and to win a reverence in Men to their Worlhip > and accordingly, they pra<5:ife in thefe exteriour things . on purpofe to ravifli Mens Affections v their Children are brought up to a conHrmcd delight and refblution for Popery, by pleating them with Shews, PiAures, Reprefentations, Procefltons, and grateful Obfervances* If a Stranger of another. Religion come among them, then as their firft effay, they fhew them all their Play-things, that their Affedions may be tickled with the out- ward pompandornamentof their way, for they know by cxpe* rience, that a glittering out-ftde^ and a great deal ado of bodily la- bour,is the All of moll Mens Religion > if it have but Body enough, they never enquire whether it have Sfirit or Life within : a dead Carcafiin Kobes^' that may put them to the exercife of their P<^• fiures^ and ecremoiuous«Gomplements, doth make up a moregrate^ ful Religion for a carnal M^, than a /n/iu^, fiiritHal Service, that neceffarily will put them upon inward care and watchfulnefe in the conftant exercife of holy Spiritual Graces, without affording any confiderablegrift(^w/w« to the Senfes : Hence is it truly more ' difficult, ( and yet inwardly more beautiful and glorious ) to fray in Faith and Humility^ even in fliort breathings after God, than to fay a thoufand Ave Maria^f^ or to perform a task of ordi- nary Penance. But as thofe that have no Children of their own, delight thcmielves in p]^ng with a Monkey or Baboon^ fb thoie that know not how to ^fciip God in Spirit and Truth^ feek to fttisHe themfelves in the pjformance of external G^ture and Cere- mony.
Secondly, On the other hand h he fometimes is willing that an Errour Ihould affe<9: an excefs ofplainnefi and fimplicity. In this he takes advantage of thofe expreffions in Scripture, wherein the 'Gofpel is commended for its fimplicity^ and the inventions of Men under the pretences of JTi/Xwi, timility^ and negltSingof the Body are condemned* Upon this ground^ he runs Men upon
fuch
chap. 4. ^aean'jsf SCf iiiptatiottif* .155
fuch an excefs of dotage, that they never think the things of dod arc dghtly managed but when they are brought down to a conttmftihle fJlinefi, By this means he arms concerted ignorant Men with exceptions againrt Ltofning^ and the neceffary decencies of languaguC' in Pleaching > and with them they are the only Preachers, ^and moft likely to be irtfiired that ufe leafl' ftudy and preparation for their work. 'Tis indeed very true that rheaffedted ' fboUries oizhomb^ Stile, otftartch Vifioftrfi^ andnecdlef? citations of Sentences for oftentation, without any true advantage to the matter in hand^atc things very pedantick^znd exceedingly uniuitable to the gravity of the Work of the Miniliry, and renders it vc/y ungrateful to a pious Mind : but this contrary folly n\akcs the ibiemn Ordinances of God fo nattfiam and contemptible, that it often rnakes way ( by Satan's cunning improvement of the Temptation ) to an Atheiftical rejedion of all Worihip. In the mean time 'tis wonderful to obferve,* how fbme Perfons plcafe thcmfclves with this conceit, that their way of Worihip is plain, and that they fpeak what immedistely comes into their Mind \ and though it be N(?;i-/e;?/eorContradi(ftions ( which fu.^fici^ntly evidenceth that 'tis nothing of hin to the Sfhntr Infiirau v: ) which they utter, yet 'tis argument enough to them, Aat their opinbnsand ways are right, becauft they proceed in :i deCigncd uegledofallneceflary order, and under pretctrce of the fimpli- city of the Golpel, they reduce all .they do to chijdifli fillinefs. Neither is this all the mifchief which the Devil raifeth out of , this conceit, for the contempt and difufe of the Sacraments, may in great part be aforibed to it. Thofc erroneous ^ays of »Wor(hip that are moft noted for deayrng thofe Inftitutions of Chrift, have this for their Plea., that the Worihip which God is beft pleafed with, is f^hitual^ and that all bodily fervices and ex^ ttrnal obfervations are things that Gi^||^nds not upon, fuch as fn^ little^ and were no further in iJjjjpbut to recommend an in- ternal fpiritual communion with God *, fo that the more they ffjeS thefc thingsr, thty perfwade thcmfelves they have a more irmtmierftanding of the defign of God in Religion. Either of - thefe ways Satan makes ufe of for the befooling of Men into an humour of pleafingthemfelves with Errour. But,
Thirdly, He hath of old endeavoured to cloud and enervate the Dtocftrine of the Bible by traditionary Fables. We meet with many paffages to this purpofc : fometimes he ftts xji^unwritten
Tradition^
154 :^,%rtameof Partp.
Traditions, not only o( equal authority to the written Word, but as cofnpletions and peffcdions of it. This he pradifed among the jFen?/ with fuch fucctis, thit the 7'raditions of the Klderr wcr^bf greater force with them than the Commands of God, as Chritt himfelf noted of then*, Matth. 15. 13, Of thefc unwritten Tra- ditions ( vihkhthty caAled the Law by the v^ord of Mostth^ teignccl by them to be given to Mofes when he was in the Mounr, and fo delivered from hand tahand ) the Apoiiles gave many warn- ings, and figniiied the hazards that Truth ftood in by them, through the cunning of Satan, asCr»/.3.8. Betpan l^i any man f^oil yoH tbroHgb the Traditions of Men. 1 Tim. 1. 4. Neither
five heed to Fables^ and endUfs Genealogies. Tit. 1. 14. Not givifn eed to Jewijh Fables^ and Commandments of Men. — 2 Tim. 4. 4. And theyJhaU turn away their Ears from the Trstth^ anijhaU be turned unto Fables.
The Papifis at this day give the fame entertainment to this device that the Jews did of old, they boaft as high of their Tw ditions^ and are every whit 2^ fabulous and foolifb in them as they were. Satan in his attempts upon the Gentiles to conrirm them in their falfe Worfliip, though be kept up xhtfu^ianceoi this de- fign^ yet he was neceflitated to alter the fcene, a little, that he might more handfbmly accommodate it to their condition \ and therefore he (et up amongft them fabulous imitations of the Truths and Ordinances of the Scripture, infomuch that there is fcarce any grand Myfiery, or remarkable Hiftory, or Ordinance men« tioned in the Saipture, but we may iind fometbing among the Heatliens in Tradition or Pradice that doth allude to it. What traditionary imitations had they of the Creation recorded in the Book olGeneJts ? That of Ovid concernhig the Chaos and rtrft be^ ginning of things,is known to every School-Boy. The Fbcenicians rnrcha* P$l£. in their Theology give ai^d account of it, from their Taautus^ 1. 1 . c. 1 7. j^ J jj jj pujpofe. That th^/m b^innings tf all thiugs were a doH^ difordered Cbaos^ and the ffmt of the d^ Air i hence froeeeied Moth that is Mire^ from thence iffmd the Seeds and Generatiott of all Cres* turesfn Earth and Heaven^ Sec* The wickednefs of Men befbre the Flood, ( mentioned Gen. 6. i, 2. ; is fabulouily related in an Vid. Scjliftri ancient Book, C fallly afcribcd to Enoch ) wherein the Watcbumi
K"if3i. ^ "^^^^^^ "^^^ ^^^^^ '^ ^"^ ^*^ ^"'^ ^/^** ^^^hters of Men, ' '^ ' and that from thence was the race of Giants. For the dtlcription of
Paradife, the Heathens had the Fo^ical FiSiaa of the Efyzian
Fields,
fieldf^ as they had the Stoty^of PatcalwL, infiead ofN^s^ Adc and the Deluge. The Story oC Lhs fFife was aba(ed by the Pinion oiprthtm his Wife, fuddenly fnatched itom him for look- iQg baclu The Hiiiory of Sanffin was turned into their Story of UeratteTznd his ten labours. From the Siin ftandins fiill ja ^ofhita and Hezd^jbf tinae, came that Fiiftion of yA^iVer/ doubling the night) that he might enjoy Alcmens^ In fome of thcfe dif- guifes of &Ared Story, they ^o fo near in name and circumftances that ^is pall doubt they imitated the true HiHory, which thiey corrupted: for inflance, Hmdotm xelates, that Sethon King of tOvs. «Mt#W EwwandPrieftoff^jir/ctf«, washfclped by his KkAfrm tSmm^ifjf' h agaUft 5eiwc6eri*/which plainly relates to He«d^ji King of >i^J|^^^^ and the wonders that God did for hinu So in imitation of c/i, Vri^s Letters to Joab for his own deifarw^on, we have in Hmer and others the 5tory of Tr£fm^ fending Letters to JobatM by EdlemfboHy wherein his death was commanded > the near affinity • of the names Joab and Joba^Jf^ (hews with what Heifer the Devil plowed. ThtJXi&oPj oi AbrahawCs offering up Ifaac^ is by P^« > - * fbiiy applied to Saturn^ who faith, he was by the Pb^nkianf^ called fjf^j he had by Anabntb one only Son, dlled Jtmd ( an. evident allufion ( (aith Gf^in^ Antiq. lib. 4. eaf. 3. J to Gitim . 22. 2.' Vihaeljaac is in tlbe Hebrew called JtAid^ that is an only b^iotten > his^ he offered up on an Altar purpolely prepared 9 bere not only the nuatety but the nanus do clearly (hew, that ^ Abrahmtfs Stofy is imitated in this. The like imitation I might fiiew to have been aOH>ng the Heatlien, ofJodtrinal Truths^ as of ^e fiacd My&ry of thc^ !fo'w^ In Pern they worfhip the PggrchM pH^, Fatbify Soiiy and £mi&er^ as aUb their Ttang^a$igay which they America. I9J fiy was one in #i«e,and three in one. But their imitation of OrJi' ^ ' «• . nances is every where remarkable, Co that I need &y nothing of thcur Temples, JfViefls,. Saaiiices, w^ other Religbus Rites i only the pevil's iinitation of the ^^aments of the Nexr Tefta-^ ment deleiyps particular obfervation : inftances of an Api(h imi* tatlon of t^tfjmi [ae every where obvious, and that of the Lords iiffpo'ot Cnriftian^ Communion was freiiuently rpfemblcd in the d^dPjrmnan Feafts, where they carnal JkiJl Loams of Bread in purebst ibii great Platters of Gold, of which all pre(ent received, and eat. nttle /j«e/,and this.as zfm ofhonour and profeflibn of obedience, (o their! Oods^ and the Ingm^ Not unlike to this were tho(<; morfels of PaAe, which the lexicons ufed in their Religious ^ * ' Nn ^ Feafts,
ftaffe, W^ich they Uki it thcit idok Feet, canfectating^theml)y Singing and other' Cetemoniies, and then Hieyetijcd them «&r* F/^ and Bantx of their God ViizilipiMi^ C aHuding dire^Iy to that of our Saviour, tins Wtn^Bo^^ &c.* infomuch that Atofta Pffreha^ 18. thought the Devil tnockcd thdt JrMfiAjiantiatiQn by {t; ) this c ij., was diftriboted among aH, and wa$ eaten with- a great deal ot
reference, fear, and devotioiii^
"We may fee by thofe inftanccs, that in theft fabulous imagi- nations of Truth, the Devil hath induftrioufly rnded, and that ^hich ht aitncd at in this defign thay eifily.be conjeduted to be, ,' I. The ekfnfnland difcrednhrg ot T>titti* % he renders ir , J : ( by this means ) jk^ithuf of tome Forgery, as if jthe Sdapture
' were no better thah an uncertain Tradition, as if (at the h^ft) it were doubtful, whether ^Scripture or theft ttadinobaty FaUes^- had better authority. ■ s *
Iti Diabolus 2. He: fttttheir intends the vtfangkmdf o€ the Affedlons to !k)ccgit utdi- Ertouf ^ this Device > for he doth, as it were, take thcj^ilr TihiiBi mirico-^-f . ^jj^ jfahernaek to adorn his P^£(Wf withal, and \txthout doubt JSku^v^dbT the HeatbeHs VfW very much barbed in (?eirti/i/w by thefe tra*- ret, fidcm &" tteuAry Siorics y hence, one pbferves, the Devil imitated the aDthorhatcm ffifttiSr of tfe Mftatclc dope in fitvout 6f fizd^ah^ ^thit the Scrip- amittcret,. & ^^^^ might lofe thek tredH and authorit jr, aid th« the vluty SSiaTiur. cf fuch a wonder ihight be tianrfcrred to thek XM v and^thc .piiSiiu idola oonfequence of both thefe, is
Todircu 30* j, xb deprive iJit Trath ofitsofmnncirtgfkii^tipoti iTSfe con- ^A«^<r. laentes of Meiv The brindjplcs cf Sttiptutt ttto^^
evidence of their Truth : UthacTtuth be m^pW'b^ thcftA)ftitu-
tion of another Comfdhirrj it prtitntiy lofeth hs ftrce, inS tfe commands theieqf are difiegarded, upoii a fiippbfition of its ji»^ '
certmfy. ^, .' .
4, Another of his wa«^o betray the underftandiijg by the Alfedion% is by puttmg lim upon, an adcmmdatiin of Troth, <ba ctfi^/y^ec withl^tiesdifftring ftom ib AiidthiiHath beeb fc.much,the moa fucc^fsftil, becaufe *haA-b^Uqi afid been carried on upon the moft Jpedio» i*etencesi Tht ' dvciding t£ Offences v^ the fmmbing (itM Wayof^Retigion, for fhe gaining rfthe contrary minded y ih& ftefermuon of Peaqp ^nd Unity, are Pleas very plaufible v and really upon the accpuit bf ti^flfe ttog^ Ac Scripture ( hbth by its ftcf jfpts an^ j^ittmplcs^j teich re* commended toils c(?tfifi^ee/eri()ffx and Brotherly jf^^ The
Jtmr < whoymQ difydstkd at tim ineft fmblicatidn of tlie 1h - DCity fiom tfe'TJdkc cfMcfmcal Easmotdes^ puKhaled for us b^r • Chrift) wci«i^Rr%aii^thetJeof<^ci4dckicM, an^ otthcdUramQS<ifM»aoforad(»n0t|it^^ till cbey might be the tetfiet fitisHed ki tXe^iudi; Thdf piretenct9 (he DeVii makes ^ life 'of to uikknaioe Troth. And pkafitig Iti^ Agents with the honour of ^ flm.d^tffh («tid itmay Ee at Hrft really fo HittwUd by them ) he pteraik with tfaeiti, fx>t only fer a'/pff- /enr €o/tdefiem<m to Men ot contrary pradice, but to caft the prin-> d|4ds ofTrodi info (uch a fioeed AfmA/ that thev may carry t fttiOfte m^rffrnkUfrnt totfaoTe Opinioos wfakh iSney do ihoft d!j<* r«i9i^oi^(e. The afftm^ana d[ Bt&xj^fpn^^AX^^ and ftic^els&lnefs in fuch an iindeviakh», doth exceedmgty ani^ RMtte the tpd'VKMtf^ de%iet8; whkii &tan, in the mean time, ^xattks fliem beyono* all toonds, and & dabgetoufly fixeth aA , wmMUtka i9prefuttatioa of Truth, char it lofeth its own fplendo/, andifettles at laft upon jm/St^ notions. * Thus by the €oKtinmnet ;Bf *jfudx a dom^yoHct, Erroor begins to ncrwH its Forces, and is as 4ikeiyto i^mp mr Truth wbdly to its fide, ( by the argument of nfmblanct, and the conieouencies following thereupon ) as Ttfuth U wholly^ to exti^ate and con^fUer Enoiir v and if it do not thatj fiiceeeding ^is ( that minded not tbefirftdefign) fad- ing tfrinfts fe oootinued to them in deep nmeim to their Predt- teflojrs, rohn dfedr frudemial cpneUfitHtioMs iiM>feraerfi cfimous.
If v^ fefeiw riie'iriifl of Time firom^tiie firft preadung of tfe <3ofprl, wtmay^nd Satan's/b#i%r/ all along. In the Apoftles tiiii^^; WhM the believing ;]f€»ir were ^*^^^ timrand experience mig^t iully con vines them > \i% their dhfh^ v^tion of the Caw of Afo/erv C whkh was certainly given ofG^^ and fo tfti^t very eafily oce^on an opinion of the continuancb cf it, M^ ^^•i'ih*) though the AwfHes did not at aU aecctmm^ -diOe ^'ftMiklg>pKCcpts of the«N^ Tefiament to cany a feip^ ^H^f^lfb^lMmiatthitQpitM neither did they jf iff c6untenafl<!c •that piaftiee, tf^ Jiid fia^abfy and fjJly declare againft it, ex« ^horting Chtiftians tofiand in the libefty tpbettmib Chr^ bath mMe il^jm^ Gal. 5;^ I5 2> ycc Sitan was bulic to take advantage of the pr^dt ferbearances, which the Holy Ghoft had dircded /them Onto <! iilfomuchthat inilead9fiaMi(9Mfi»4f^ diflen^ers
Vby th^ /«tt>j\ fi)ftic difientcrs wawcdW/^i top^fwade the Chri- Hians^ ViuAiimr ^J«£: Cut 9ftfr.tl9ir day s-t be Devil purloed *. : N n 2 . this
\
i5« Z%tmiittf Pmm
' thisdtefigli witK grtoieK £bope v fbrinfiance, in Ofl^f^^iMrej tkne,
when the (jesfi/er flocked into the Chmcli with diny Fccf, aiut
in tbeit old tLags^ thsy vnttc tolkntcd in fbme old m^&ms oIT
'« GentiiifiD, aiidupon adeftgntowin theii)> they made bold to
bend the i)^MfU €»£ the Gofpel toward their f&mtet nfagu a thef
thou^t indeed it was beft to wink at things^ and not to bear
. too hacd upon th^m at Hxil, bat that tollerating a l^fir evil, they
miglK avoid 9iffuttr inconvenience > and withall they deeined.
they had ^one great iervice to the Church and Cbnltian Relir
^on^ if they ccMuId any Way divert the. Heathen fioin Wosfl|ip«r
fdng their IdoU : And to dk(k this the eaiUiei) they .(eemed (^
chenfli ti&eri*cuftdins and ittes of Woiihifs as coiifv»aaBt in the
general^to the Principles of Chriftianity^only tbey-exceptcd agauift
the Obi^Q of thdf Worfliip as unlawful, fi> that upon thcni^ter
;they aid no naofsc than change tbi nsme^ Th« manifold iikyHir
venienccs that followed thi» hiadof dealings they did not diftovc^
at ^rli i. i>ut befides the infiSmg the Hmplidcy c^ Cbrifiian Reli-
:^on with, the dittzmA dregs oiP^anifm^ ( which they.mig^
;^^n]y have feen ) Time hath iince dilcoveredv that here the
I^il (ecredy laid the chief &undations ofPopety.
. Whofoever. (hall impartially compare the Rites^ . Cuftom^^
.U&ges and Q^s of P^yi with thofe of Pag^amfhi^ wilt^ to his
^dmiratiQni) find fMch an exad agrHment and coQ^}napcy, that bf
naiift neceifarily conclude that either Pagmfm imitated Po^y^ or
Pi;^ imit2(ted P^anifi$ > but the latter is true, and that thefe
corruptions in Rej^ioo by Pufery came in by ^ dijf^f^am rf" cm^
J^miM^ Chrijiianiiof to. Heatbenifh^f ( though ;ir n^^iy be upon fiom
' intc;nt|on$ at hrftO is ik> difficult thing to evince ^ for C befid^
that tiie Rites of Paganifin vfCttmoKeancientj and io couU not he
borrowed from Popery which came hug afUr) the^Sonpturedid
foretel a great ^^i0A fironaJruth, wQch fhouU.be in, the lafi :
dsjfij^ and this mder a frofeffm of Religion v and the things f^iHf^-
tkadanzid^. atiC lud), as fliew that the defeAion (hoakl carry an
imitaiion of Faganifin v for no lc(s (eems to befigniiied by i Tit9u .
. j^^i.Th SfirH jfed^b exfnfilyy thai in the latter timer fimefiaU
t depart from the Faiths ff^ng keed .to fedmn^Sfirkr^ and DoCbdau
^^^ rf tf/ZVni/^ y .that.iSft .as.Mr. U^ ( wbofcJnt^rpsetatloti Mbllowi)^
Afo tatt^ doth piolp^, I>o(^nes^cMCfiwii^DevilsorP4CJ9Mi/ ( ^^infld^^^K^'
timet. ygf^ ij^^g ^ij^ phrafcof JXiflrwier of B^ifmsy whichvmuft nec^
%ufy Va^^m €omn^ Baf^mi) the. Geni^ 72wJ^ jo^
'Demons is <ht tMog which Taml propheSe^ diouM be iotlocfucc4 into Chiifttanitf.' How clearly this relates to Vopery maybe evi^ dent toanythiat doth not wilfully blind hrmfelf by prejudice. Their Dodtrine of Demons was this: they furooled moprts of Gods; Jkfrtam and inferht/r ^ the fupreim tney iiippofed did dwell in the Heavenly Ligbis^ Sun, Moon, and Scars, withu pat d^^gf of place > the(e they judged wettlbfubtimezt^ ptm, that they might not Be propbaned with th^ approach of eait% things, and that immeJiete approachestothem were dngoiwy fo tfienr SoV^aignty. The inferiour order of €Ms they imaging ^trc of z ffmdltfiri'y betwixt the fi^rum fieingsaiid Men, ts - pairticipating of ^ : theft they called MeJias^rs and Agents,- and fuppofed thehr bnfinefii was to tony ^ M^/ PrMyer^ to Ood^ and tb iring Jmm Bt^jings &om God upon Men -^ thefe wine hi Scrip* jy» ^;^/^. 2>^;, lure called RmI^' and fay the 'G#6cks DiMmrf ; to^this purpofeli ci^ oC- qlb'jvtnd others fpcaki ^ . .: * , n
Now tlicfe ZXnfitw/, thty Ibppoftd; were the fids <f dad Men that teid been more than ordinarily ^mous in their genera*' * ** ^ • ^ tion. Thus-NiVmr ^ made an Iihage to h» Father BM af^ lie ^ wasdead,^ and cauted him to^M worftfpped; Barmes conftfieth that JEJhilapim GrdniMather io ^pA^m^ ; and Mtmy}M own vid. bi^ puf. Giand-father,- were ^or&ipped as Godi of tint pfdef.^ Abilin'^)G^^:9K«nie- daiicc ^f fnftances Imlghr prodiice to this purpofc \ bdt to' go 2^ SL?!^'" en^ thefc i>^imnr, becaufe to them was committed th* care of JJ^^Jf*^* Tcm/Titii/^ff^irs^ (as Ce//ir argues againft O^re^^ } and ht'- OrhoH cit cattle of the belf and advantage thi^ Men might receive fiom Ceiflh^t^ them, they fuppoftd it groHMe aftd duty to worfi^ thena, and "^ ^^^^ thisworfliipthey performed af their JiM^ Pi^^^^l^ ^
To this^pole P/ii^tfivi^ tells tts of Tl^A*' bis Booe^ and P&r^ vita Tkifii & of the ewtaf or Shrines of their Di^>»a«A- Dtmetmi
How erident is it that the P^pi/lr i|Kbeir Dtx^rine and 'P^-
ftce about the Invocatioi^ (rf' Saints and Angels, hare writ'
after this Copy< and that they are the Men that have introduced I
this VeSfineo^iysimnf^ the thing it fetf declares without further . , ;
evidence ? flad the thatbem their dead Hm's for Agents 'twixt
l^t^fitfream Gods^zrtA Afetf f fo'have the Fapifls their dead Saintr
to oiSer np thehr Rrayersb Did the H«rt*e«expe(ft more ^ji^/cir&r
aids ftomfome^f theft J)Jtmons in ftveral cafts than from
otheis ^ fedo the Fapifts : inftead of 1>tana for Women in labour,
MdJEfaitafm for the difeaftd^ they have theit St^Margttret and
St* Maty-*
Ob^edioos of the Heathens aamft Chiiftiamty, fitijHeody deed the Opinions or Semeoces of 4iie iPhilofophers, and sewmmjghi them to their purpofe, that lb they augbc beget in their AdverSH* rks mot^ firiendly Pafwafiops towards the Chriiiian Religion, bf evidencbg, that the Myfieries thereof w.erenotabrurd, nor dilTo* . nam from Eeaibn, ieeing they might be iuiiiiicd by the Sayings. Hioc primi of their mpn FbiUfabcrs. And bm tPM UuJL^ in ibis 2>^ji Mdin ixali labes, Projecmtiony (ani furdy it fkaftd its Vndm^Jkpt mt a Utile J the <}u«ncadkilia f^,i4aihn cfihat EvU vMcb Kdigkn hatbfitiu maned wulery tbat . Sa ObriT Men made bold with tbe tt^mendsmMyfipw ^fOmfiUni^y saneafm- Aiananim (a-^fWhif^e tbem$tnwmlytotbeNmens rffbeGentiks. And this the A* aaGenciHimipofileP^foreraw in that Caution he gave C0/. Z»S. Bmare U^. ^^'^^^ ^lony Man f^il ym tbrm^ fkiUfifhy^ anduain Deon^ afief tbe Tivi- X'lt^m^^'^^^VA^ after the RMdimentirf the ITifrld, and net after Cbrifi. tan vcdtwiik. Certainly the Snare is neither unufual, nor weak, where the Gfm- amen pMr. (ton IS iu (aiou& 'Xis a thip^ naturally pleafing, to be the In» f^S^;. Ventejrbf anynew things or to qake new T>ifciamu in ReligjoQ) .to raiie new Hy pothefe^ or to adventure in ttnbeaten Paths, for a Rf^iiici/moii of Religion to any Notion, or Pradice, famous & its^^ii^iftfiOK, or pretence to Bmktjp and 2)^^ Menhugtbem* ielve^ w^ they quunake fkrml thing; to hiun|^and an exaA iiuting of Parallels is infkad of Dcmonifaration. By this fooliih delist the D^vil makes Men bold to make.Eflays-i j^d ifyhat- doth anfwer their humour, pafleth o^iant for undoubted Truth.
5^ He doth l(^tif^Blin4t}KMAderii^ by w^tkmg 1^ the AiOfediions to ^^^iusarn^ (fppfi^m^ tq fome &|or, ' that ia ^aJ&iwWhaftc5;bqrcaatfae\K^ aie«^i»*4^£>r^«4nM(i:(b^]ltc
toroughan baHy violent avoidance pfpncfjaet^ they are iOaft upoa a contr^, and (it may bej ^ dang^p^is »ft tfcat fbfey fly ftOfxu And ihis the Devil doth with\gjEea£eal^, ^having the. plaiiGble
Eretence of 2Wi and C^to TJ^^th, whpi^^jthe.A^^iofts be- ig highly ingagpd, the Mind ift^q^^elcfe .(gw^^^^Qth eaffly : #i^^<i theTruih, (.jj(hichcpjpm,Ofl^ li?S;in th? m4^) aiKt- ihioks it dothi well encuigh, if it gives thpr ffj^^ Contf^diffhn t0t the £nx>r now to be abominated^ M^n in this Cafi:, hating i their eyes oqly iixed.upon what they would ofoid^ cpi|fidi^ not fo much whither they are goingjo^/roiv wbai they ga i^ that feeking Cas Men in a^bi^t j to aVpId xhe Pit jci)at|s t^m ihrn^ they rua . . backwardlnto another ieW^iit^them*.,.!
Thi»
^ This b ^^ a ncrted Stntagem. of Satin, that all Men take iM^tieeof it in the general,, thoi^ali: Men jo not itnnrove the Diiboveryfof their own particular Caution* The mf^x>ttAsxL are oiten fo befooled by their violent re&Unce of an Vntfutb^ that they readily overihoot them(elve$ and mifs the Mark. The Fj- tier/in theheat ofdifpute (aid many things (b inconveniently, that tbpie who come after, do fee ana lament thefe b4iy Overfigbtt > and baveno other way to fatve their Credit, but by Riving thk Ohfirvmidn in excufe for them. And it may be obterved that ibitoe Errors which have rifen from this Root at fitfi^ have fb fltongly fixed themfelves, that they have grown up to the great annbyanccoi the Trutl^ > while the contrary Ehchts that did oc« caCon theni are fergotteii) and their memories are perifhed. I flballbutinilance m oDe inikad of many, and that (ball be Arria^ mjm \ how Oully prevalent that hath been in its time, all Men )^ow that know any thing of Church Hiilory*) the Chriflian Woild onoegroaned^mde^ it* . * But that which gave the firfi occa» £on ta ^ocr^liaihim&lf it; that Error, was the X)o(^ine of ^«M«^' who- di^ourfing of the Vnity in the ^Tririity too nice- ly^ feenoedto julUfytheErrqrof^^^eiffiifir, who had taught Cas .i0fi> Nonut before) that there, was but ant Terfin in the Trinity, called by Aivci»^nies of^Eafbo'^ Son^ ni SjMt^ according to
Jjffij^r^^ ^^^'^ h ^'^^^'^^ (acccttding f o h|^^ Cki^he) being not of I^er/anx," ^t of Kma andf'unwons. 'Whire Arrim : wasdifiatisiied with this account of the Trinity, he ran to a ton-- ttmy Extrtme s and that lie might ^vt the highefl proof of a Tri- nity of Fer^/,. he affirnaed that Jefus Chrifl nad zbeginMtngy and swr.EcclcC, th^t there w?s'a tiip^ when.he was not,' €&-c^ Thus Socraies fpeaks Hfflor. lib. !• nf theRifeofthatft^efy. ; - \^ap-3.
Wemight further; follow the footfieps of this Device, and trace irinmpfi Opinion^) inhere we nQightJ|ind the huinour of funning to a contrary' Extreme, bath flill either* let up a contrary Error, or at ieaft leavened the Truth with harfh zni unjt^ifiablt Ex- Mtlpfions and Explanations. The. Difputes betwixt faith ^nd ^0^ have been thus occafioned and aggravated. Some fpeak fo of F0itby ^iSt)xvjJligbtcdWoA(^s others. fo urge a nm^ty of H^&tkfy as if they intended to make Faitb ufeUfs. Some talk of Crac^ to an utter Cfintmft of Morality > others on the contrary magnify Morality^ to- Ae annihilating of Gract. Some in their - pradice acquiefce in tliiei oninford Performance of Ordinances : if
Co they
I
>
*
thejrareat ^icc^ fcppoGng ^(btf havedone aHthatis tequirefll. othttrstAtetvhig ^he Miftake, arid ktiowing that 06d looks more., to the pcrformanceof the Soul and Sphrit, dian to the Aft of the. Body, upotiapretenceofworihippingGod in Spirit, tfm>w off^ the (Afcrvationcif his Otdmaticcs altogether. Ndtheris diere ^y thing that doth more generally in^ apparently undioe ns m theprefentDjflentions, C as many luve complained ) than Mens violent Over^Ming^ and running to contrary Extremes.
6. Sacan makes ii(e ofR^pordij^otfttn^hment^ on the one hand tohibey or on the pther to force the AiFo^ions, and they be- iilg ftrongly poffeffed^ eafily prevail wifh '^ Underlhnding to. . gi?e Sentence accbrdi«^y. Men Sure (bon pet(^adcd to take tfiat for Ttuth which they fee will he advanttmoof to them. Some Men indeed take uj? with k Profcfflon of Truth, which yet thei^ tteatts ^pprovt nc(t i >at the Advantages they have by their Proj- fefiSt^fl, do filence their diffitfisfadions-j thefearefaidtoirfe'the^ ft(^eifiott'(tf',Tluth ofaChJkjJl'Cinktt^^^ ^tJe/Ta. 5.. fiatv others gb Further, Sa^nd arc tdafly broughfto an i^^Ajiw/i of that ^^o^inc or Way^jit makes moft for their Prrfjft^ thcjr Minds be- iti^te^hf corrupted by a fclf*fteking' Principle •>' they perfwadt thctnfehres, .( wnere there is any Contefl aboutDodrines ) th^ tfaat,1>3^inc is true v^hkh is gainfid^ and wili^ccordii dili)ute ferit; . UetMjc.jhat fepreifionin 1 5Witf /?. fiip^j JbatGainUGadtinifu ' To this o»y be added, that Ae AHeiftions arc duicHy fciaSbfe ioftheE^^, zxAfinfkal Bmifimhns of any Do<aiine, and thefc. 'at^ ufually thrown Intb . the feme ^Scafe to make more .w«teht. Mephavcnaturallv agoodikingto thatJOoarine that prom^rfi ^ for Eafe,. Liberty, Gain, and Honour v -and this hath tliadc it an ufualpiectof Satanfe birfraefs in all Ages to gild anu.Ettor < •with outward Advantages, and to cotippt the Mind ^y (edrct "ftomifes of Advancement,
On the .other fide, he labours' as tnuch^to *prcjudice Tiuth, By reprcfenting it as baawrim 2a\AimAitJom to the !Pfofedbrs of it. . And -this not onlyaflKghrs fome from an oil>en ConfeflSon of the Truth they b^fievci but alfo by the help of the Ai&^ons doth perfwadefomc to^lbelieve that to bean Errar,which una void- .ably brbigs Petfecution with it ; ]By this Engine are the Minds 'otMcQtwnedatwut to think ti^ell or 21 of a tioiarine prdcnted
to
tQ.tltaxu ' t%& Is. ^ weQ koonrn, that rflaR fixrbear arfiirtber Afo&cutioii of this Hnd, aodgato tbe next Gourfir tliat Siten takes tf^ comipt the Judgtaeot by the AtfeOiofis^ Which ho
7. By ftboing up fame fmtimUr t^fghw^ whkb in Opbiom dD uToidfy aieic influence the Vndttfiiiding. JVnd here 1 fiutll ooly kiCift flpon ijheie two, ffidi^ zod Angtr\ with the pe^ culiaroteaos that Sittm hath to eagige them in hid Serried.
Tint Pladean4 Anger aie the twoufaal Firdnmis of Gon« tCMion, and Foimlains of Enm, all Ages have acb)ow}e4ged andbewailedL Theft tmoCmifMumuimlml do (b dafken the KfiiKl, that the miJesaUp Captive, in whoai they domineer, i» caoyed hiifidfobi he know^ not whithei^ nor how. Ptide ufiutUf bq^ns, and Anger foilows^ wichatt its forces to )tifl^ what Friife batKufidertak^i. Htncc the Apoftle in i Tim 6, 4. rakes op att the ccNic(»Rttant Filth of finvxr^ as Xm^ Strift^ Rmlmgf^ 0rit Smfft^A ^Afirtrnfe XHfiuib^s 0^ Mi% and lays thcmat thr
Vwdiekigagbig of theft two Thieves, that i«0^eBndarftaa» dingc^ksl^t, Satan hath many Jn^fbu i»readin€& Srid^ (-w&Aii. ftfward enou^of itfe{f> isiboo^CMlted^by fei)4i^ befeieteMOfipeytiinJbywaAei^^ orof «]^^an^
d^tte Gh^9fKfimhijg(t above the (mnmon Pkeh, of befa% jhi andadmixed*«»flti>r0'eK^llsnt than others^ #^ Cferopoa^ fbck nawoMbf <kounds^ have ftiM dteed to adrentim upo» iBmiKe Metltiis^ ) yet f her^ is nochiiig that do(baK»re iirnily^ uH gagelt^ thu€ontend(m<)r Z>tJi^«»s; mtho^ the proper end off>il^tatic^^ be^^the/^jw oitf of Irutb i' yet fi^ch isMans Mde^ aiMl &tafis^ AdfanCHgit by 11, that kftldom dttaiiii its trueend m . j ihtf^fkat ar^hfftg^ * fiy-Aftnders, that keep thehr Minds ca^lm, and uabyalRsd^ may reoeivse more fittisftiAloa tiian theCont^nders themfelves \ and there needs no other evidence of this, than the cbrambki Expimeiwe ^hfdi Men iiave of onr frequent Contenti- .^104 wbete we hstwConfotatio&s^ Adiwcrsi and Iteplies, and jet^^f^iescontiifuein their Opiidotis without Convi^iom Sojchat th«y that would unfeiftnedly feek Truth, ( in my Mind ; take not ^ M Coiurfe ia thM Pujrfiiit, that prefently engage Ae*M^» ^^9 pAtMI^IH^fim \ for the v£ial Heats that are be-» Mt in a Contrition ^knate thcfr Miilida fiom a juft ImstrUalijtyy and thddiA 4^raiftbUnds theit Eyes, thkt ^: diicecn not
. :. Oo 2 truly*
i66 Z%ttatittM PattlL
truly. UtuslooftiM)thUAttiikebreiig9gtngM^ tation, and by it the :]udgtlleo^ Fir(l. wc tindi^. that when an humov of contending tsraifed, o^^rift Truths are neglcded^ as to their improvement and Ptaftice > For ib much of the^ Strength of - ^ the Soul is laid out upon difpasBk^iulUMf^ that little is left for ' more tpeigbtynumers. Secondly, In. Difputes Mens Credit is & concerned, that 'tis a moi^ difficult thing to pnktvczfaitbfid regard.to Verity, efpccially where they arc managed with Afftdms. and Contumdies. They that by cdm handling augjht be mduced . to acknowledged Miftake, . will fcarce catm mar tlut Poinf of Inge? nuity, when they muft be called F^/, Knavt^ or 4fi for their labour. Hence ordinarily, (though they profeSotherwifep iVfcn feek rather Vidorv than Truth. Thirdly, in Difputes Pride and Faffion are ufually tieightned, and the fironger the Pallibns are, the meJ^ is tHe Judgment. E^er Altercations bring a Cohfufim,' both upon the mattet of which.: they difpute, and upon theJUiK derftanding that (hould iudge.r v Fourthly, in the heat efDilpup tation, when the Mind isinfiamed. Men ufually behave themfelves like thofe in a Fr^^ where they.fnatch and throw anything that corner to hand, ud never tnind where . it hits « they: will affirm or deny any thing that may feeni anyway to bring them offi Fifthly^ thefe Aifertions btmg pn€ti^himdym\j& be maifau^ and fi> Errors and.Contentions ii)crei(e without end. Difputes £ai« a Man itihisPerfwafion, anddoas it were tyebim tothe Stake, fi> tbAt right or wrong he will go dirough with it. Sixthly,Some dif^ pute in jell ag^ditft their prefent }udg9ient,and yet at laft di(pute Omtentioni- themfclves into a btlkfi^ what they ipantonly at iirft affirmed » as
w«"&muT fo«^«^cll Lies fo long,that at length they believe then? to be true.
xl eo adigun- Seventhly, A Cidder. Mifcbief oft^^feltows adifputingHumor,.
tuTf ttt poftea which is an bayard df the lols of ^ Truth Men difpute fb long till
nihil conftituifhcy fukcdidU things, andafter a tongTradeofiJcrtrtriftt, tuirn
oerluadeant jlMfKftijf/9
ata^ ita leliji- After the fame mannft dpth the Devil engftgt Anger in all Dif- onis omnc ftu- putes and Controveriies^ fat it keeps company . with PMde; aitttn abjicU wherever there is a Ptovocatbn. And befides this, Anger ftirriqg ^^^^^f^^^^^vplnjmtssaid Wrongs, hath often engaged Men (as it were Sacanz, llb.i. in revenge) to change their Opinion, and to take up another Way p* A3- or Dodrine. Nay ofteii that fimpk Mixture ofPride and Anger
which we call Enrnlation^ b^th ^ivately tainted thf Integrity of Mind^ and prepared it (6i( the next fair, qppprtimity of Error*
This
mmr
ckp.4. ^MAn'S Tmputioiis. ^^t
Thists'potcJof ArriiK, by 7!^#<iwitf,* ^tVhcn i««f*»ier li^l^^^^ g^^,^^^ chofen Biftop of i^/ex*Aifr/«, he envied him the pwfeieucy, and'Hift. i. ,. t »; from- thence fought occafions of Cbntcntiorii which after a' little while the Devil brought to hishatjd, as we have heard.
So great is the power of thefe two PaflSons oyer the Under- /landing, that we .have caufe to wonder at their fcccefi : fcldom cir neva'can it b^ thown that any King-l<ader in Erroorwas not vifibly tainted with Pride, or not apparently >rn«rf with Efifcon-
tents and Emulation. • . . „ .. t t . /^
8 Tothcfeways t)f blinding the nnderflanding by the Affe-
aioiis, t ftall add bntonc mbW, which is this : Satan endea- vours maiiily to «&r» antftour mhTrMAtelotbmi he takes its Omainents and jewels to drcfi up a felfe Do<fbine, that it inay look more lovely and dutiful > I m«n, that he dcfigns ( where Etrours are capable of fuch an imitation ) to put them into the m<«v mthod, iarb and flMHwrwhich Truth doth naturally
tag^uswaysof «ri«.|A.|ic felf ErtotA^ moj flraight. wj.™^^^^^^^ itln aU thefe things i^id th6ughhe:that fooks near,may eafily dif^ cetn that 'tis not the natural comfUxim of Etrour, but an artijiaal vamHh and fuch as doth no more become it than aCourt-drefe aoth^mcarourfeidownHhG<)i«.t2.P«fon^Cjwypumayat
fiS liSufuallY difcover the i»7»//«naer«fcK?/Vfo*A«g, and un- , .
JS yet arc theSedulous ufuajf a^ed #ith thefe appea- «nc«i if thev iind a profefled ftridnefe, afeenungfeverity, an.
commonly feek no forther, fc«^ H£f»«f ♦<> he Ti* A Jjhich dbtKlhinathat troth doth i acJd tf Etrouf cari bimMbmly Sd te coimJtition with Truth, upon a pr««cc of bcmg a$ , SSl in%i r^ofki, and doing th»^ of the«felw» te«^, - SgW 4^,itdoth muchgain ^^J^^^'f^^^^^ whofe rorifidmtion leads them net fnuch lurtha than Uir ap* iattnS? Iftall only exempUfy this ly ^ ^%^Vf^ ^b%fan uRi to fet up P^anifm,^ and to ruine Cfa«ftiaAty, 7andt&e who have obfeJved the ways which he rook to gam iiSltwUl -dHr acknowl^dg hejps as wea s^^^
Twth as anywhofijewr,
Swl^y ^ St Sle6gftl« Mem i«cMi«k«..)= he.ob- fSta^hat Wiftian ReUgion had fome particular th»«^^
pradice
i68 XXttHtittet Tatttl,
pcadicc and way^ whick made it*s face to flune^ as tjbat k hi4 Vcrbris Cjkxonly f€t i^art by Ordin^im of the Go(peU and for managing the publick Wotuiip of <3od > that thefe Perfons were -to be grave in their carriage, and emm* flary in a ftrid: holy converiation > that the Conftitutions of Re- ligion afHXHnted certain neceflary aud ei&ftual ways oTP^/c^j^im^ fbrPoniUiment, and-refioring of Oilenders^ and bcinging theai to Repentance ; that it took care oFtheconofbrtable maintenance of thofe that had given up t hemfelves to the Miniflzy of the Word and Prayer \ that it alio en}oyAed arelief of thePoor andStian- gers, &C. Takiqg notice (I %) of thdcExceUeDcies in Chrifiia* nity, and how fovely they were in itheeyes of their enemies 9 He appointed the liki Confiimions for Paganifin, and ordained that the Uol Ten^les ftiould fae (luted in conveniency and comli* n^ to Chriftian Churches v Thatthere £hould be Seats and Thskf tot the di^JyolUrs zvA Readers. dGtatilifmy who at iet*time$ were to oAm the People^and fr^ with tfaeox j and that CMIfft and MaiufierUs flioukl be eiofted for them, and for there/f^ of die Poor and Sferangors i he commanded Difcblim and fetumea for the chafiilem^nt of Offenders > he required that their Fdcfi^ fiiouldibioully^miiptheinfelvesto the Woilhipof Gcd, asaJfi their Fa$mtkt i that they (houid sot frequent Sb^s an4 tWh^ S0tj9m. Eccl. QQs pnfiUk any iJi^^iMm» Trade and Art^^ Thu^ Snimmu reports HiU.U'Cis. jjji^ andg^vesusaCqpyofhis Letter ;o Atfacmhi^Viim.^
Cdaiia to this pftrpofe ; and all this he did to bdng fSmiUjm if^o credit with the Vuig^u;^ whom he badobfervdii ta be afedbed to C;hriiii9mty for jlcs Or^er, Stridne^ a^ld Qovesoin^.
, Yft is nprthi$ the. ooly kpftan^ that tn»be ^venm iHh Im^i fol obfot^ but aiiy: j^i^ tb^tbr ^<^^ lets up for it ie^* in a d^infifa^ and you fl^n fee th^ though lY dep^ns Gton the "infik of the ChuKhy smd from its Comimtma^ yet ftiU C ^ the l[ffadkes, did wkh the Eg^uw ) it cai^rics away with it thf^fe Jewels of thf Cbiurcb, and keeps to fom^ oonfideablc part i^tfae Cbm^Ks mzfi (:ikm^ medi§e4fi^ to Its owu
beol ) tkAtit m\^ biifK^a luibe w^b^ it, to^imke^if taking with others^ .
Theft iijgft^ pmiculars are the tn^^ remarkable ways of Sataif) .^Jbeteby .the AfSf^om mee guin^ t<> a: gofiid ^li^ting tf lExxoux^ <abd by tj^emrth^jiidgmmt/Sif^^
<"' - • I CHAP*
cha|>.5- »Mm'sXmpmions, t6^
hHiiitii mn
CHAP. V.
$iifMh:Mt€mftt iounfithe Fedte tfGois CkiUreth evi*
ienetdy (T.)Bjf hit Maiice; (x.) Vrm the ton-
ttrmneftt ^f ft ace tt QftPs Chiidrem. WHtdt thefe Com.
urns 4re, exfUifud. (j,) Frtm the Jdvatttagts ivhieb
^ ^4fi i^sii^ them by d^Metipg their Mituk,
XT. Cttfiifiht^^ Miidn a. tb^efs far Duty tM$ihw*
3. Bjejehmif D»^. '4. J fiumMttg-bUek t« ethers,
.5. BrefarMthniftbe Mind teetttertMit venemeua iru-
jreJUUMSi ini wha they are, 6* Bidify Wedlcae^.
\ T^^wJStferies'SatM'jxemeiitWKnt, ** • ^ ^ - - ifttfirryM tfi
I haw ^?kwed the ways ofSattii by which he tempts tt> ^ Sm^ by which he mthdraws Men £rocn 'Duty and Scr- by which he oorrupts theMmd through £rywr i it only . Yomlns that fbmething be fpoken df his atteiapts againft the Pom tod Comfort of the Children of God.
That^is alfb one erf* Satans chief deiigns to cheat us of our- Spintoal Peace, may be ftdly evinced by a conlideration of i&k JMMJcr, tU ffu» xtmerm of inwatd Oomfbrt to us, and the mcatif^ jUvMntagft whidi he 'Imth >agamft us by the di^aiet of our Mfiids*
picA^ HVhofbeim fliall ferioully xonfider the Devil's imfiaeakk : fdstice^ will eafily bdieve, that he (b tmnts our Happinefs that he wiU induifanoufly rKe up againll all mr Cmfortr. 'Ti^his ixi" ward fret and indigAation that Man hath any iiitereftih that ^ HappinefS'&om which he iirecoverably iell^'^^and ttertthe Spirit of God (houldv. produce in the hearts of his People any ipiricual joy or ktvsh^ioa in the belief and expedation of that Fdrcity^ and therefore muftlt be expc^ed that bis Malice C heij^tned by. tbe torment of his own guilt, which Casfemctbint J #ethofe . Ofains ofdark^eft in which he is relcrvcd at prcfenf, to the jm(^* ^-mmp of the^vu^day ) ^m not, c«nnot leave this part of our
Happ)ne&
Happinefs unatt^mpted.Hc endeavours to fupplant us of our Birth- right, of our BleflTing, of our Salvatiorij^and thecpmfertableJhojPiffS ' thereof From his common imploymcnt in this matter,the Scripture hath ^ven him names^, importing.an oppoiicion to ChriA and his Spirit, in the ways they take For^our Cortlfort and Satis&dion. Chrift is our Advocate that pleads for us, Satan is Arap)0\(^, d Q4tfnmaW^ The Spirit tHPvxeii {ot va, Saun is. JUtSfjM^I^ Rev. 14. 10. tSv dc3^A(p£v, tbt Jccufer rf tte Bretbl^en^ lih accufttb them kefare
God night and day. The Spirit is our Onrforter^ Satan is Our
Ditturber, a Beelzebub who is ever raking iif our Wounds, as
Flycs upon Sores. The Apoflle F^i^ had hlu ' Ey^ xipon this,
' .when lie was advifing tht Corinthians to receive agiftn the fweni-
tent incei\uousTerfon, hiscautio&wasmodftitoas, aOr^2^ii.
/^ Satan get advantage ofus^ le/l he deceive and clrcuQivent us,
TiKt^fwrn- ( for his expjreflioh relates to Men, cunningly deceitful w Tkft^
S^fCftF. that do over-reach an(| 'defraud the unskitfulj \. and.the realbn
of this catitlbn' was, the kriowh and comnionTy ex{A;riented fub-
>^ • tihy of Satan, fori^iattiftif'lgmihintofhisd^^^ thjt
• *'^- > ^»^V he -wilb, amd frequently doth ly at catch to take all advantages
. againtt us* , Some indeed refirain thefe advantages to V^ ip.
nfcdtor \n\oc.zs if PWonly meant, that Satan wa^ defining tp.^x the ^^
rinthians ppon an Opinion, that ^acklliders. i|)iQi4grfat Sins
were not io.he received ^^n^ or th^ hflaid miY^M^.t^. f^i& a
Cdlrin in loc. ' Scbifm iri tli« Church upon tl)e_ account q( ihis; ^^ifithi^fti.
Others retrain tliis advantage which he waited for,.. to Verf. 7.
where the Apoftle expreffcth his f(f ar, . Ipft the ; e^coot^muait^
Perfon fhoilld be ftvaUomd u^ of too naujkfyfirofp i >ut the (SUAiDO
hi^inghot exprefsly lx>un^ up tq any piieiofrh^ie^: l^ea^ to p^'tic
at them all, and to tell us that Satan drives on many de(igns at
once, and that in this Mans cafe Satan v«^u)d eifde&vour to put
the Corintbians upon 2i Pbarifucal xigp]jff^ or Co retid the Chutcb
.l>y.a divifion abput him, and to ofprefs the Penitent by bereaving
him of his due comfort i fo that- it appears iiill, that it is qne of
'. his dcj]£ns tohindct the Comibrt^ and moleit the Hearcs of €iod^5
L Chilaren*
Secondly, Ofjucb concern is wa^jrrfipiritual Peace to us,tfaat *tis but an eafie con jediire to* conclude from^ thence, that £0 great an . Advcrfary will make it hisdcfigij tproljus of fuch a Jewel : For* \ r. Sp^ritu^l Comfort is thp /»;«/, Fr^^^ by which
God adcfras and beautifies the ways of Religious Service, to ren- der
Chap- 5- Mtm'S%tnxptation&. . 171
d€f them amiaUe and pkaiant to the Undertakers^ Her majr MfitP^ of fUafiuantfSy and aS her path an ftaei^ Prov.j. 17. md this is the pxdknt rtfi and r^t^mM of God's £uthful Scf * yaots u^der all their toil^ that when they have trihtLaiMfitm tU tf(4rldj yet they have peaain bim, Job. i^.JJ* ^^ **^ Wng j^^id iy Fghhy they. have peace with Coi^ and fomctimcs joy tM^ fe^^e imdfMll of glory ^ z Pet, i. 8. and thi$ they may the more oontidcntiyexpcd, bccAufc the frmts of the Spirit are Love^ Joy^
teae^'icc. GaU 5* 22. ^^ ,
t a. Spiritual Comfort is not only our firisfadion, but our w- t^^d Streaph^ and Aftivity, for all holy Services doth depend upon it. By this doth God flrengthen our Heart, and gird up our Loyns to iwn tht ways (f bis Commandment t •, it doth alio flrengthen the foul to undcrgp AffiiHionsy to glory in Tribulations, to triumph in Perftcutions > the. outward Man is alfo corroborated by the inward peicfcof the Mind i. A memy Heart diftb good llkga hkdime^ hnt a broken Spirit drieth the Boner ^ Pror. ij. 22. all which are intended by ttot exprelfion, Nefe. 8, ro. tbejoy of the Lord ieyottrjirenpb > 'tis firength to the .Bo^V, to the Mind^ and that both for /wia andjiglf^rteg i the reafon whereof the Apoflle doth hint to.us, jPW. 4* 7. the peace of Gid j»Bcb paffitk all under-- fianding^ fiall keepytmr Hearts and Minds i that is^ Peace doth (b guardusaswithviCjifii/aii, C for fo much the word im ports ).thatPf«ffe«i. our Aflfedions C our Hearts ) being- entertained with divine faiis^ faSimTy are not cztiiy enticed by bafer ptoflers.of worldly delights^ and ourReafonings (our Minds) bcingkieptjIeii/iyuponfo/iaWe ^litfteff, are not fii edfily perverted to a treacherous recommenda^
tiottof vanities, -' * /'r^ /
2. Joy and Peace are propounded to our careful endeavours,- for Attainment and Prefervation, as a necdTary duty of great fm- poitapcetous. Re joycings .are not only ieemmmded zsfeemly for ibeVfrii^t^ hut ujoinid :^s Service, and that in the confi'ane Tf^^^K^ycteinmDreylnevm i Their.5.16,18.
ij^ceijiM^mtidways and. again I fay, r^oyce, Phil. 4.4. In U^OldJTeftament God commanded the oblervation of feveral Fcafts to the. jfeir/, thefe though they had their feveral refpediyc aroandsfiom^God's appointment, .yet the general defign of all feems to'havc been this, fb^ithey might r^oyce b^(^e the Lord their Gki. Ae»i J3 33i4fi. as if Gocf did hereby teU. them that it was the ^(^/i»/y'C(«»iac»?«r.Q£EeKgiorf,^:.M^ whichwas very acceptable "'^ Pp to
^
^
^
to fakn&lf; that U$ Childsa m^ ^Jm^n ftn» iito in tfmffi^ rttfs of lUarfy feeing &ch Mvc mw f^e tO[ xqfifGC t^^U ^ Wedd befidfis. They ar^Lthen mu«h m^^o, tw ihiiiilt fUMnK fill Eyef aod ^Sk^ i&iri/ he the great^ft Ornmm^ pt' ReUgioa^ or that none are firious in the Profc0iaa of it> that hakVA ^Atar^ /k/ Countenance and a r^jcin^fbnae of Spa^ 'Tiserue, thaeiB is a Joy thatis dndliflx^ and a Mirth whi^h is madif^y to w|yd| Chiift hath denounced a Wo^ Woh ta wm tkrt Imgknm^ fm ' they JhaH mourn andn^eep h but this is a Joy of ai^Ktfhcjr ntftqee, a carnal delight in Vamy and Sh^ by yA^ hkuf0iifn. their hearts to mine > and whacfoever is(aid againft-thi^, can be ^ prejudtoa to Spiritual, holy Joy in GUy fajs Faiumr aodiFS^r^ . .
4. Spiritual Comfort is aUb ^hadg of our. Heaven^ Fadier^s kinidnels. As JpJ^b ( the Sonof hja Fadieis afib^ions ) t»d a fpecial teftiinony thereof in his paiky*fiDkwsed Co^t y (b. have Gods Favourites a fecoHar. token of hi& gpod Vdilko^thetn, when he gives, them tbeGmmnUofPraiJifwibeSfmiafBu^^ j£ Spif itualConfifost be.fi> adyantagipus to. us^ it wiU he noiwonder to lee Satan £0 nuach sage againft it i it would he a £att$fiidiQa to him to teat thefe BjAu.cS us^ to impede la ne^iiU a I>my^ to rob us of Co madi StnOfgA^ and to. bereave us of the fveee • j&iubLr of ourXabours»
Thirdly, It fiirther appears that Sato's defign is againfttbi Comforts of God's Childcen, by. the maoy^ adtfontag^ ht hatb ^gainft them, from the trpuble and dUqutet of theur Hearts ; I fiiall reckon up the du'^'^P^them > As,
I. Fxom.theTi]oiibleofthe%ifit) ^ttsu£tib wi^ijmiUi oMd Jim fraSiotts oUAiai : For, i, 'Tisas natural to TrodblCj to^iaifi! up a (warm of iiwddfy T!hofi^ts^ as to ^ tfauUei Sea t^mji t^ Mm aad.T>irt: and hence is that compariibn, Ifa.!$j. 20^ adiouiaad £barful SuunifeS) evil Cogitations, Refoives^ and Coun&ls^ im* mcdiatly offer them&Ives, This diibidar x£ Thoughts Chrift toohnotice of in his Difciples wben^tfaey wereindi^ngpr^ Wfin da thoughts atife inyoftr btarts i Luk. 24. 38. And 2>^^^con6de^ red it as matter o£ great anxiety, which caltedfbr fpeedy Aelft P/2f/. p4. ip. U the nudtitudjL ofity thughn ^wklm me^ tky. eam^ forts delight, my fiul^ Sometimes one fe^ {^ fuggeflicd^ then pie;* fently another: i .now this doubt perpkxeth, . then aoothof «ju^ lUon is begot by the former i they think to^ajce this.jdovtie^ then by and by they areCff that,.W jre^lve* dpon anotheri and
a$-
u ^i<^ cRafe|e agatt b a'ttfrcf, aicl To onward, one thought ftccCddiiag indthcjf, iiVWovxs from a boyling Pot. .a. Such Thoughts are t^xatiaOt and diftrading^ the very Thoughts theni? tS^ts ( being the (Joyfonous /e^aw/ of th'eii; irunniM Sbres ) arc ftlHy affliaivc^and not Unfitly ci\ledCogitathnes,cnerofS^ burdenfbm Thbtights; But as'thcy wtap up a Man ih Clouds' and Darknefsjas they pu2zle him in his Refolves, non-pluf him in his Underta- kidgt, dlffrSd him in his Counfels, difiurb and hinder liim in his Endeayoursi <Hr. (5 d6 they bring the Mini into a labyrinth oiF obrtfiifiori. IfVharadvairtage the Devil hath againft a Child of" Gdd when his heaxtis thus divided and brofcen into Shivers, *tfe eaiife to iiMginc. And 1)ai>id fecms to be very fenfible of i^, whMhe p^tvtp th'atteqtttft, Ffal.t6.iu Vmu ny heart to fiar
r ». «y dif^hift of Hfeart die ttvilHnfitf Mbn fir 7)uty or Ser'- ▼kt.- 'Fltrids fbir DiftV. ti^ ih the orderly termer of Body ani MffUf) Ibi^klii^ tl Man k^i% tp undertake, aiid Me to finifK Jiis tvtok mth tmfoftAtk facisHdlion > if eitW the Bo(^ or Mind be '<iiftei!bpered^ a Kfirtr is fitifit f^ fucH ah uhddrtaking, botH nmn bfc iii a fekaBle fettn^ ^C h1<c, a mV-turtH Injhiimit ) die ' tiMKf Will bfe^ci itofdoiy : Hence, iiiheririJjv/^ preparecf himfelf fy^^ramini WdaUtJ, fa^ tells us^Jiis flidri ^d} re'^y an'fl fixed^ ^dtlf^-^Ttmj^ xir^iyeSdyz\toy:/fe was.his Hand with PikU^^ t^ *ridH*'t^ afl tfieflr i^ere' ^ii^^ei.mtb a fuitabk pofture, f T V ' * ^ HiW a M*n is or hitKbeeri in a Af order for Service, njay be ' ** - cotidudej Item, - %. V5!^ Atacrhy to uiideftaKe aDuty. .2. llis iMMfy iflrtfte pfoiecotibhr 3. tlis SdthfaSm siftefwar^, fight Gromnds and Priircip/e/ in thefe thin^ beinjg ftifl)^e/Xrfjpa/ei. ,' This bcik% Ukt as aibondatibn, t)ve fbaS eafily p^ceive now the tirou* bk*df the SjfJffftaotiiifitilsf for Duty : For. ^ / . _ ! ! X* T^efe-flo tike away all Alacrity ind roxw^dnctk q[ the Mhrd, psWly by diveirttn^ H from Duty. Sorrbws when they piet^ili do <b t?:fc tht Mui* upon tbe prefetit Trouble, that it OBfl tffiftkHjfiibthSiig but toEurfheti,.'they ctf^i^^e the Thpqght^ W rtfe #ir/V irid ^irt '"* ihd ItftaKe a Man /Sfge^' all other things x
aft .ptt^il in lits tfouSje /Jr^eit to £at hk tread \ and iick Per^ns wilttU^ difcotirfe only 6f their Difeafes, partly htf uidifpcftn^ Byt a^onV Joy mi Hope are a3ive Principles^ \^ut Sorrow i^fiSlen, and JIuggiftr AhHeMind Cin.troutie^ is tVhqlly imployedia iMani^athti of li^Mffh^^ rather tlian m finding ottt a way to
Pp 2 avoid
J
ff^
TLXmUUtX .P41t.ll.
it. To if it be at lelfuit ataay time to eatertaia thoudbtt of tifing means' for recoTer;, yet 'titJo tired out with its Bmrda, io ^iOieartned by its own Fetrs, fo diicouaged with Oppofitioo and Difajppointment, tnat it bath no /(/f to undertake any thing i by this means the Devi] btings the Jbul into a ipiiitual CaoSn fo congtaling the Spirits, that it is made (Uff and dqnxved of motion. ^
2. Diiquiets of Heart unfit us f(» Duty, by hindering onr lahnty in profccution of Duty. The vfboU Hearty Soul, and Strength ihould be engaged in all religious Services^ but thefe Troubles are as Ctogs and Weights to hinder motion. Joy is ^ dilatation of the Soul, and widens it for any thii^ which it un- dertakes •, but Grief M»ft-tfS/ the Heart, and narrows all the 6- wlties : hence doth paVid beg an enlaaipd heart, as the pdndde of A(^ivity« FfaL tip,}!. I wiU nm the wm rf Oy Ctmrnm UtemJr, tfkn tbrnfiah atarge my Hear* : ^wtetfcanelfe be«3t«
Sealed, when the Mind is Co difinufted with Fear and $0091^ ut that it flipuld be uneven, tottering, weak, and confuted >^ fo that if it do fet it felf to any thing, it ads tnmbkfimfy, drives on heavily, and doth very HttU with a freat dt4ada\ and yet w^e the unfitnefi the lefs, if that link whfeh it can do, w»fe tpdl done, but the Mind is fo interrupted in its gideayours, tfotf foihetimcsin Prayer th^ M^ begins, ahdthenispr^entlyjit a' ^ ftand, and dare not proceed,, his words are >«Pii//«Wi^, btitfi treuhUd that be eaimot&eal^ t&ljy. 4, Sometimes the Mind is kept fo impteyed and fixed.on Trouble thatit cannot attend in Hearing or Praying, butprgfently the Thoughts are caUed off. and bec^c wandring. ,
J. Troubles Wnder our /i^i//«ffw«in,Duty, and by that means^ unht us to inrefm Duties, and indilbofc us to>tt«re iScrvices of! of that kmd. Our iatisfa<aion in Duty arifeth, t. Sometimes bomtttmnhftre and fweetnefs, the convidlion we have of its fkaJaHtneffaxid the fpiritual advantages tobe had thaelw i thefc render it alluring and attraSive, and by fuch confidcrations are we myited to their performance, as Ifa, 2. 3. Cem ye h* uf e»
up to the Uematn of the Lord, and he wUl iiad> vofhU wJt
andn>emllv^,alKinbii paths. HoC 6. j . Com, and Id sts rZ'^ unto the Lord: for be bath torn, jmd bemUhealut: he hathrmtteu andbemllbtndutupi buttrouble of Spirit draws a black Cur! «ain over the excellencies of Duty, and prelents us with ftightfoi
thou^ts
thoughts about it, fo-tlfeit we judgof it accoi'ding to our feats, -_ '■ and malKit frigfitftiTlo cfcif fclves, asif it W(wld beto uopu^ej lathcta irafchicfthananadtantage; 2. Sometime oar fitisfe* ^on Jlriftth fiom fomejJSwj/ t<^n o/Favtmr which o«r induce Fathef lets fall opon us, while we are in his wnrk. As when he gives Us inore^hati oidiiiaiy spftanie, or puts Joy and Cvtufm^ ia<i to our Hearts. And thi^ ht often doth to make us come again,' and to iengage *^«/& in the fimc, or other fervices, as having b" jhdanijitn Aat tht Lmtk grmaHty and that there is a bl^fednefi in waiting for Wm, As in oorBodies he fo orders it, that the eon- MdedMeu become zjkee^^FertHeia to thofethat (ucceedfionr ©urdailyMeat^mdDrwik: So fixwn Duties perfonned, doth he beget and continue Spiritual i#«wi*e to «w> undertakings. > Bat- Obbwfadlyis all this hindered by the difmiiet of the Deart?.' The Graces, ofFaith and Love, are ufually (Aftmaed, if nOtin' dieir Exercijk yet in their delightful FnwV/, and if God ofler a: fcindbefe, inward fdrrow hinders the ftnmitn ': As when Mffif . told the'/^aefirt/oftheirdeliveratice; tb^beaj^m fwbariiwh.^ dm.- Ifaintfflage'of Peace prefenPitfelf in a Ptomife, orfomo oonfideration of GodsmJrciful difpo€rion, yet uCiaJly this is oott creclited. Joh confeffeth fomuch of himfelf. Job i5>.itfi If I hsieJki attdbe had anfitxredtnt^ yetwoidd InotMiau, that bebad\ i^tHmedmtamyVoicei - D^OTiallo db«h the hkc, Bfil.7^.2,^.: Itfy SoiA njujhb ttbe eomfumd: IrmemkrGtt^andtvJftrtiibttd^: Mattaof gteateftcomfiwtisoftenfoferfiom^vingeafe, -that it aogmentstbe (TouWe. HowcvertheHeartisfohunried with its. fears, and difcompofed with grief, that it cannot hearken to nor : o&nfider,' nor believe any kind oflftr made to it.. ',.'
- By a»thefew«iys doth the Devil, throitththcdil^Met of Mind,- • unfit the Ixtd** People for. Duty V and what a fad advantage this < i*againft us cannot cafily be told. By this means he may jwA«. the dWance betwixf God andwj keep our Wounds i^pes, make us . ar««w<*toReligion: And what not? But
: /. By thefc di%iiets he pufheA us witOwjeff dB dMttet, Fot ^ • ^ wkn he hath tyred us Out bv wearifpin endieavours, under fo great indifpofitions and unfitnefe,hefiaA a todvantige to tempt mtolayairdicre. OurptefentpofturcdothfMmiflihimwitKar- gumenti, heforgethhis>«K««u|K)nour -^, ^A„f2i/^' ^mmonlyjhefeifcrwv" J. Thatdutiesarc rf#«fr. And this is . eafily ^ro*edfr0BJOur-<«rii experience, while.we are wo«^
%7i axtraWe Of ?ait tr, ]
txmed down whhTccfowi : we markc laaaf attests lor doiy^ and are(^c beat off with lofs: our g^eatefitoi/ helps us bat to very iHeonfidef^k performances^hence he infos, ""ikfool^n^to stumft that whkb is above $ur firtnffby hater fit fiiUtbiu till far mthwQ^ 2. That they are mjmhfiU^ and this i$ over, own cot^plaint, fer troubled %irits have commonly fftat atpiSMiont firotn dotks ici firfi^^ and they run to them C^ the impotent and Cck people, to v . the Pool ofBetbefda) with thoughts (i immediate ^aie as mem as they (hall ftep into them y but when they have txyedy and wait*" cd a while, firetching themTeives Uj^n du^ ( as Elijba's Servant, kid the StaiflFupoh the Face of the Shm<ahiiir Son) and yet thera is nAvoia nor hedf tng,- no ai>fifrer from God, no peace, thenaref theyprefently difatistied, rfcfleding on thePkomifes of God^ and the Q)unfehii3fgdod Men, with this, Whrek all the fleafantwfr yv^S^uk^i t^ataehant^e U if tbiat t^thave ihui run^ Md lahomd^ t»lbf ttfrbatmgrtrnothijig / and then 'tis eafy for the Devil to add, M^bydoymwitttinibtlArd any longer f 3« His laft. and ooA daogerous arguorent \^ that they zxtfinfnU Upfitneis for pu^^ produceth maby difiradions, much deadoef^wandering thoughts^, g^eat iritemiptiofas,ax)d pittifbl performances. H^cethe troubled Sdul comes offiromrdaty, t^trnded ^ta^ bUti)^^ m<p»re djih^ei^; when iir hath doncl» thanlwIteaneVegA: \}|if$n (^fe^olifidMK. titos, tfaatalThis Jkryioe Wa^>f;^>li9#i;$d/ Go^ dV^hp% bifMme mvim, tizy zrcrf Ud^bemem itffremtd a divine- Ma}efty« 4)f^ir this tlte Devil Aarts the ttsdftioli to his H^rt, t^betber it U netbet^ tertafatbtar iS IHttjy oMiod^notlApigf ThusdodiSatamimprovd^ the trouble of the mind^ and often with the dffig^d ^CU^cefs^ . F^.. a dejbfted Spnrii doth nbt only lifetd the itud^ls:dtfj^t Win* pons whickthe Detii ftstmebagainft di, hue isirqi^. prqpa^ t^ • fasefcv them into itsr own Bowels. Tiiei^^ni^ ofthefe ^ it gr^Mi/anid the infertttes areco0lmnoAly^^i»/^ie/tO) fix. thatokdi^ narily duty is negleded, * ei^hev^ : i # TturcAgh Jott^n^ of Heait,'j or 2. Thlbu^ f^tfid feara^: 'Or j. JM^^^^d^^^^i bringiicq^a Mantotfo veryjpntfictpice^iof dhat ^^i^cal^tu^i^^ tiOTi, I havtcieofftd tny b^x^iiidtulu. . i.: ' ;. 7 »
4. Satan ihftkes ufe of the t!rouble$<>fGod$ChUdveqo5a,ffimNh. hHvg'bted^ tr/nbers^ 'Tisno finall admUta^ fb^iim, tilat he hath hereby an occafioato render the waiy3 oi God uidnitly to thoileo that ate bcginnii^afcok HcaHCn-i!rar4v.*i^fcf*Wp»e |h€m,the<^ Sighsy 43ioans, Complaints, and reftle^ Out-cries of the wound- ed
aiyi wbii^>fi;$.thiii to them > JFtS y^n cbHfi a Life cf Bifternepanei im^m^i (;my^f^e^' 4^^ for Bnidy W nungfe wm' Vriisi^rpith T^si i, nmjm^ €xdwi& the comforit 4nd contrnts^f tife^fir a men l4$cboify Pk^y dni 0 dff^Sed cdwiiejimce i hm tike you to go Mokrn^ y^aOth^jd^ andaiumgbt to be feared mtb Dreams and terri^ed mfbVifivuF fpiIi}/(mcmifi\Lif(itbatifrP(frfi tban Jkatb? and a effiduioft wbicbmill mak^yon. a tmow: to yourfelvesy and a hnrtben to affwJ:^\ c^jm;bein lovt mtb aabeari haden tpitb griefs andperpetW' (flfe^f'^^^fitPidifiraShn^f tpbilewu fet^tbers in the mean time ex^ - jfytkemfilv^Jfi i^conten$£^ Tnu3 he follows youi^ begin*
ne];^wichhii{ii^e:ftions^ making them beJieve that they can-* ^pt be re^qvs in Religiop, but at bft they will be brought to thi^ m4 ^lut 't^ a v«iy dangerous thing to be religious overmuchjan4 tb|? 5iigh^]iv« *(j4ift)aii: ;. Sq that if thejr muft have a Religjbn, be R^ly 4iM^st hem tO'uieoaniore of it) tban niay conipliwith ,tli^ pkafiia^e^ of Sin^and the World), and to makeaneafy fauHheis of it, not to let Sin lye over-near their Heart, lefl it difquiet thena, xm over-much to concern thcmfelves with Study, Reading, Pray- CKyOr h^^tfing of threatning awakening Sennons, left it make them Mad^, vmio afied^ the {qUimities ofCommunion with God, ex- ercifes of Faith, and Divine Love, left it difcompofe them, and daft . ' their worklly Jollities ota of Comtenance. A Counfel that is 4readf- ly enou^ embraced by thole that are almoft perfwaded to be, Chiiftian^ > aiyd the mose to conBxm them in it, he fticks not ibmctip^ to a(pei^e the poor troubled Soul with VijJihtHlation * Cwh^tfyx, accufetion is proper, for the Devil cares not hfow in- fionfiftent he be to Wmfelf; fpxhat he may but gain his end ) af- firming ^^ bis feriouihe^ to be nothing but tpbiningHypocrij}. $9^ <h^t whether they jiidg thefe trouble^ to be real orTeigned,his concj^iop is,the feipc, andhepeifwadesMen thereby to hold off ftomaJkS'gi^^^i^^^^ holy diligence, and careful watchful-
wt, i^'tb^ff^^e thettearts oEMen thereby,to give entertainment • td his venomomint^4^^^» Diftrcfi of Heart ufually opens the, DportOi^tan, apd)aysaMannaked^ without Armour or De- i^^t:p^^ fair^?i?k for allhispoyfoned Arrows^ and**tis a hun-- drfd tponf l^i^tfonjeofthemdahit, 1 fliall chufe outfome of
the »«ft'xe«ft^S^,^ ■ .^ ' \c.
I. After
i
2jt% i TilLttaiiitot •Partite
tticm dokndi j^ jj^^^j^ ^^^ cuftojiae doth aHevLne higher grie6» and Mcnta&f ' >c JUS, ^^ MkindrfJdigbt in tbem^ *tislbine plcafurcta complain, andt
Men fettle themklves in fuch a courfe, their Finger is ever Dp^ on their Soar, and they go about telling their Sorrows to all they converfe with, though to (bme this is aneceifity, (for real Sor- rows if they be not too gnat for. vent, will confirain them to (peak,} yet in (bnae that have&en formerly acquainted with grief^ it de- generates at laft into a formaiity of complaining '9 and becauii^ t hey formerly had caufe lb to do,they think they mnft always do tb. But bciides this, Satan doth endeavour to chain >4en to their CoHios Cor. mourning upon tv^o higher Accounts, r. By a ddt^ cmentment Hal Part i. jn (btro w, as if our tears faii fome part of mt iAt to KsoA^ voA /•M4* made Jiff e/7^£r for the b juries done to hinu 2. By znolfiinauJStl^
Unmfs and defperate re(blvedne&, they harden thmfihes in/arrmv^ and0y as Job 7. 1 1. ItPjH not refrain my AUtttby ImUfie^intbe angttijh efmySvirit^ I mil complain in the hittemefi ef my Seed. Am 11a Sea^orafFikile^tbattboufetteflaJFatSovfrmf
2. AnothcfimpreflionthatMensHeartsarcapt totake, isun^^ thjuk/HtneJi^ (ot the fzvoms formerly bcftovi*cd trpon them > their prtjeta troubles blot oat the. memory of. otd kindnelTes > they
/ conclude they have nothing at all, beeaufe they have not peace ',
thou^ God heretofore hath fentdown from on high, and taken tl.c'rn out of the great Waters, or out of tfce Mire and Clay where they were ready to fink > though iithatl^fent tl^emmany token's ofilbye, cpnferfcjdopthem many^Blefimgs ^ yet all tbefe are no tnore f o'them. To long as their -forrox^^ cdntiriue,- 'than' Hkman^t Wealth and Honour was tphim, (b'longas Mdrdecai the Jew fitc at the Kings Gate. Thus the Devil oft prevails with God's Chil- dren, to deal with God, as fonie uijthanKful ]Perfons deal wiA their Benefaftdr^i who if theybenothumoui*d in every rcqueft, deny thercality of their Love, and dilpift with great ingratitude all that was done for them. befpre. , ..... • -
3. By inward griefs, the Heart of the aiBldltd are fJtep^ed to entciuinthcrporji interpretation that the Devtl cdn pitt^^trpon-thc Providences o( God. The various f^j/zce/ of Scripture, iand the
^ gracious Promifei made.to thofe that nfalk in T>arkinff arid fie no
^" Lights do abundantly 'foi'C warn Menfrpm* itiaking had coriclufi-
ons 6fGodVdcaIirtgs,aiiddofcflusTjfatGo^in defigh^ for our
fc. * iryjly 4nd for our profit d6:h oftcahidt his^Facey&ri^ ^oment^yvh^
yet
Chap. 5' ^Htm'^XtmpmiottS, %7^
yet his purpofe is to bind muf trith ever lining compaffions. Now the Devil labours to improve the (brrows of the Mind to give a quite contrary conftrudtion : if they are afflided,inftea<l of faying, SorrammayMdnreforaNigh^ ht^Joymlleofmintbe Mornb^^ or that for a little tvhik God Bath hidden himfelf^ he puts them to fky, this Varklfefijhall never pafi away, it the grief be little, he drives them on to a fearful cxpedhtion of worlc > as he did with Heze-^ i^fe, £p. 3^.13. I red^ned tdl Mornings that as atyon^ fbwitlht bre^ all my IBoner^ from Pay even to Night wilt thou maks ^« ^^ of me. If God purpofe to teach us by inward .Sorrows, bar Pride' of Heart, carclefsnefs, negled of dependance upon him, thebit- ternefs of Sin, or thelike:- the Devil will make us believe Cand we are too ready to fubfcribe to him ) that God proclaims open War againft us, and refblves never to own us more. So did Job^ chaf. If* 6, Know now that God hath overthrown we, and com* fajgid me twith hU Net ': how often complained he, thou bafi made me as thy mati^^ thou haji broken me afunder^ thoH hafl iakin me by my Neckband Jhaken me to feices ? So alfb Heman^ Tfai. 8 8. 1 4, Why cafiefl thou off my Soul ? why hidefl thou thy Face from mitf
' 4* U pon this occafion the De vE is ready to envenome the Soul , with fmjul wijhes and execrations againft it fclf Eminent Saints have been tempted in their trouble to (ay too much this way. Job' fclemiily curfed his Day i Job^.^. Let the Vayperijh wherein I wof borrty and tt?e Night in which it was faid^ there is a ^anchild conceit ved^ &C. So zlfo Jeremiaby chap. 20. 14. Curfed be theT> ay where- in IwasBornj let not the Day wherein ti^ Mother bare me^ beSleffedy Curfed he the, Man who brought tydings 40 my father^ faying a Man-- child is 'Born unto thee '^ and let that Man be as the Cities which God overthrew^ and relented not. Strange raflinefs ! what had the Day defcrved? or wherein was the Meffenger to be blam- - ed ? Violent, Paflions hunied him beyond all bounds of* reafon and moderation. ' When troubles within are violent, a fmall puji fets Men forward ; and when once they begin, they are carried headlong be)^ond what they firji intend-
cd.
5., On this advantage the Devil fometimes imboldens^them to
auarrel GoA h\mk]£ direSly. When Job and Jeremiah cirftd their
day, it ws^^.a contumely againft God indireHlyy^but they durft not
make bold With God at fo high a rate as to quarrel him to his Face*
' Q^q Yet
igo Z%tttititttt . Paft.iL
Yet cvcfl ttiis arc Men brought to pftcn, Vfhcn their fl^trows are fc//»^wg and rfaj>. The Devil faggc^^^ nmr heP ftomif^f^r hdp > can h he nnfcifHl whtn be tmrnr may bit eirs fom the ay ofibewiferabk f tph^re U bkPlty rphm b^ fnultiplUs by ipomds witboHt caufe f Though at Hrfl thefe cuxfed intimations do 2X\xx\t^attle Men, yet when by frequent im^cating they grow more familiar to the Heart, the diftrcfTed breakout in tbeirrage^ lyiththofe exclamations, fTbere is fh faitbfulnefii^f Gad ? ntbert are bk Promifei f bath he notfargoittn to begraciom ? an not bk A&r- cies clean gone I And at laft it may be Satan leads th!?n;i a ftcp higher,
that is, - -
6. To^def^aringdeflfcfatenep. For when all Pallages Of relief are ^opt vjp,and the burthen becomes great, Men are apt to be drawn intorageandfifiry^ when they think their burthen is ^rwt«r than ibeycan bear^ and fee no bcfe of eafi^ in a kind of revenge they cx-
g'ds their anger againft the hand that wounded them. The evil is officioufly ready with his advice of Cwr/i God and die, and they being fill of ofiguifby ate quickly made to comply with it.
7. When 'tis at this height^ the Devil hath but one Stage ^ more, and that is the {SaggcfiingodrregMtar fHeans for eafe. Rage
againft God doth not .quench the inward burning*>Blafphemies a« gainft Heaven eafeth not the Pain, the Soar runs Aill and cea&t^ not, the trouble continues, the Mancannot endure it jonger, alt Patience and Hope is gone,what (hall he do in this cafe ? The De- vil bflers his Service, he will be the Fb^fician^ and commonly he preferibes one of thefe upo things : i. That *tisbeft to endcavout tjo breakthrough all this trouble into zrefilvedfrtfhanenefs > not to ftand in awe of Laws, nor to believe that there is a God that go- verns in the Earth, but that this is only the bitter fruit of melan* cboly^ and unneceiTary ferioufhefs, and therefore 'tis beft 9 toeaf^ drink^and be merry. If a Man can thus efeape out of his troubk^the Devil needs no more i but oft lie cannot, the wounds of Confci- cnce will not be thus healed. Then, 2. He hath anothei^ remedy which will not fail,ashe tells them, that is, to defiroy ibemfitves^to end their troubles with their lives. How open are the Breafts of troubled Creatures to all t hefe Darts f and were it not that God fecretly fteps in, and holds ^ the afflided with bk right handy 'tis fcarce imaginable but thatVounded Confeienc^j^ mould bf Sa- tan V
,Chap. 5 . Nairn's Xtmptamns, 1 81
xan'sfubtilelmpcpV^enfoffoCatraaacltraiitagei be bidught fo
. 8. <^atan /CaA aflkft the iody, fay fk Mndi Tor tHeffi two are Ibcidfely txMiod tt)gcthrff, chat thdl* good and bad^ftafe ia Aat6d jbetwixt them* Ifthe Heart be merry, the Counttnaiiet 15 cheat* i^y the Strength is renewed, the Bdn^^do flcmrifh like ah Herb. Ifcf^Heartbetroubkdi the Health k impaired, theStmigth Is Jrycd opi^: ttm Matfovrof the Boties^ waft^^ &c. Grief M tKe .Heart^^i$likeaAfiu^mthiOai«^^ it infeiifibly cohibmeth the >ody, anddifenkr^i^ '. THiaadi^tag^ef weaket^ih^iKefio dy falls into Satans hands by neceilary confequence, as riie Prd* pnets ripe Figs, that fell into the Mouth of the £ater« And iurcly he is well pleafed with it, as he is an Enemy both to Body and Soul ; But 'tis a greater fatisfadion to him, in that as he can make the Sorrows of the Mind, produce the Weaknefs and Sick* ne(softheBody: Socan he make the Pj/faicpcr of the Body (by a naprocalrttpiital) to augment the fron^/e of tixeMind, How lit* tie can a (ickly Bodydo ? it di(ables a Man for all Services, he cannot oft Pray, nor Read, nor Hear. Sickneis takes a^ay the Sweetnels and Comfort of Religious Exerdfes^ this gives occa** fion for them to think the woiie of themfelves 9 they think the S(ml is wtary of the ways of God, when the Body cannot hold out« All dilutes whidi JvctfXMM// asd fetntncfi pioducc,- are aftrib- e(rprefentiytotheW£j^i7(//i0ff oftheMind, and this is like Oyl caft upon the Flame. Thus the Devil makes a double gain out of Spiritual trouble. - -
9. Let it be alfo reckoned among the advantages which Satan bath againft Men from trouble of Spirit, that 'tis a contentment to him to fee them in their Miferies > 'tis zfiort to him to fee them Cas /<?& fpeaks^ take their Flefb in tbeur TeetK, and cry out in the bittemefs of their Souls y their groanings are hUMufick : when they wallow in Aflies, drown themfelves in Tears, roar till their Th^a^fs^^, ipread out their Hands for help, then he gluts hia ifeart in lookmg upon their woes. When they fall upon God with theur unjufl: Surmifes, evil Interpretations of Providence, qiieftioning his Favour, denying his Grace, wifliing they had n^'« ver been Born, then he clifs his Hands and (bouts a ViQory. The pleafanbft fight to him, is to fee God biding himfelf firom his Child, and that Child brckpi wit)i fears, torn in prices with griefe, made a fira«kr^2?rvg0«f^ a CmifanhH to Omlr, under r^HeTf
aSa
Z Xtmitt 0(
Part. II.
Strength jdtyed like a Potiheard, their tbr§at dry, their tonffm cleaving to their Jaws, their Bomis hyliHg, their Bm/hatnt with Heat, their Skin Uad^upon theih, their fl^ confumed,their Bonef flicking out, d^^ened with jf nwig pain upon their Bed* This is one of Satan's delightful Spedades, and for theft ends doth he all he can, to bereave them of their Comftsrt, whidi we may the noore certainly perfwade oiar fdves to be true, when we confider the grounds forementfoned,. his maUcim nafmt^ the advantages o(Sp\xit\idl Peace, and the difadvanfagef of S|Mritual troublet
. • '. t
CHAP.
^
Chap. 6. Satan's Xemptatloiusf* 183
c H A P. VL
\
» ■ .
OfthevMri0m Wdjfsty rphkh he himdirs Ff4€e. i . W^ by difcmfofrres ^f Sfirit. - thefe Difccmpofures ex- fUinedy byjbei^ing^ l.What sdvanUge he tdkes from Mr MtMrdl temper s and vphdt tempers give him this sdvdntdge. %. By vphdt occd^ons hen^crks upon cur BdtHrdl Temper J . 3,. Withwhdtfuccefs. (1.) thefe Occdjhns fuited U ndturd Inclindtions^ rdife gredt di- ^pufhdnce. • (2.) X^ey .hkve d tendency tp Spititudl trouble, the thitrg proved^ ind the mdnner hm\ difcevered. .($.) JhefeDi^urhdncesmuchin hisFcWf- er. G<nerdl dndPdrticuUr Ccnfiderdtipus db^l thdt tcjper.
HAving evidenced that one of Satan*s ptincipa! defigns is a- gainft the Peace and Gonifort of God's Children i IflialP next endeavour a difcovery of thet^^ifftfr tpays by which he doth nndennine them herein. All inward troubles are not of the fame kind in themfelves^ neither doth Satan always produce the fame ;
^(fH7/ out of all. Somfc being in their own nature efi/^rjr, that. do not Co direOfyy and immediately overthrow the Peace and Joy of believing, and the Comforts of affiirance of Divine Favour, 9 s others <i(K Tet feeing that by all, he hath no final! 'advantage a^nft us, as toSinzm Tr^icMe, and that any of them at the hng^ nm^ may lead us toquefliM our intereft in Grace, and the Love of God, and may accordingly afflid us, Khali fpeak of them all >' which that I may do the more diftin^ly^ I flull rank thefe trou*- ^
hk$ into (tvcxdibeads^ und^ifecHHarnams^ Cit.may be not alfo- gether 0> proper, but ihsLt the curious may find matter of except!- . onto thepi ) tliat by them and their explanation, the- difTefen- cesmay the better aroear. 1 diftinguim therefore ofzfiurfold' troubie, that the Ucvil dpth, endeavour to work up^ upon the ^ \t
-* Hearts, j
z%4 31 Steatite of Part- H.
Hearts of Men. They ar^, i. Vifcompofures, 2. Affiightmtnts. ^. DtjtSwnfcfSadneff. 4. P//^re^/ of HiHrrour. Of attwhkb I (hall Ipeak in their order# And
I. 0( VifcomPoJures of Soul. Theft are Mol^mons and Di-
fturbances by wnich the Mind isputom of ard& and made un*
quiet > the cahn ( in which k fliould enjoy it felfi and by whkh
it (hould be oompoied to aregukr and fieady a&kig;Ji bcbg -<li*
(htfbed by a Siotm of Commotion^ and in which t^e CmfHtaceot
Dickscn The- .;hc pwcc (i it IS Hot p^ftnily conccrncd. This dUlindion of the
r^p.sacy. 1. 1- ^^^ouple oiSoftl froiti the trouble ofConfiience is not new, others
^'tcr ^f wful.'^^^^ ^^^^'^^^ it before, and do thus explain it, Troubk of Soul
an^niK s^ra; & ts larger than trouble of Confcience h every tr(mbkd Confmnttis a
c:i(uscovik\Qx\r tronbled 8$hI^ but every troubled Soul is not a trouUed Conici^
x\x argia?, tgc. cnce : for the Soul may be troubled from Caufes Na$9ft4l^ Civile
wd SftritH^i^ according to variety of Occasions and Ptovoca- tiong, when yet a Man's innwd feact with Ck)d is firm* i and* in fonie Qs^fes C as in I nfants and in Men diftraded with Feavers^c^r. ) there may be paflibns and diilurbances of Soul, when the Con£j« ence is not capable of excrciGng its officer nay the Sottl ofChr^ was troubled ( Job. 2 2. 27, Now is my Soul troubled) whea it wasjiot poHible that Sin or 'Dejj>air fliould have the leafr footing in him,
. , Forthex)penin6of thefedifeompjaruresof Soqlj IftiaJl,.ii.Siie^ upop what ad v^i\taM of Natural Temer ih^. pevil k encour^^ to moleft Men,, 2^ py tvhat occaftonih^ doth work upon oqr IVai- ttttal Imlinations. 3. And with what/»c«jpofdifturpance'toth$
Souh " . ■ ■ '\/\
!♦ As to our JTatHral Vijft^tioniy 5^^ri' C as , hath formerjj^ h^en nojted ) take^ hi$.ufual ;/i^c4tiW of wprking.fr thence i thefe guide nim, in Kis eucerpriies \ his Temptations Being fiiited to Meps Tempers, prOjCee^ more fmootnly and foccefefulTy. Spmc axe of fa fcrene and calnci a. difpQfitipna xh.z,t be doth liot n(juch dfCgp tl^ir difc<)mpo{i^e j' bu^totfii^KS there ajre^ whc^ Eaffions axe iqo^ ftinjipg^ •( fit)i«iS££r foi :huii' to wQjrli ^upon : } ajad tlicfc are, •
. !♦ The tf;i^> DijTpoutioG. How great an advactake'this gives tp Satan to diHuxb tlxe Heart, may beeafily conceived, by coofi- dering the various workings of it in feveral Mex^ according to t^xii: differc^t Huinprs *, /tis, a Pafficp thfX-^&inot alJHe in ^It, apd /or the .differences C fo far asi W£ need to Be ircinccrhed^ J * t lliflJl qp't tfouble the Schools of PHilolbphefs, but content my
fdf
fclFwith wht! we have in i^. 4. jf . where the Apoftk ex- pre0ech it by three words, C not that they diffe* effeutially ) de* titfing thercf^ the various ways of Angers working > the iir^ is nrnfi^, which we tranflate KttefHtefj\ Thisisadifpleafurojfc^f^^^/^in] r«rf.- for fome when they are angry cover it, and give it no vent^ partly for that they are fometimes aftiamed to mention (lie ground as tririal or unjuft, partly from fuliennels of difpodcion, and oft horn ft ifatund reiervednefs : while the flame is thus kept down^ it hxans inwardly, and Men relblve in their Minds many trouUe^ ioRie vexatious thoughts. The (econd word is e\i^%^ Wrath: this is a herce impetuous anger. Some are (bon moved, but £0 violeqt) that they are prefently tranfported into Rage and Frenzy, or arelb pecviflily wafpifli that they cannot be ipoken to. The third is' og^, tranfi^ed here Angpr^ but Hgnifies fuch a diQ^Iear fere as is deep, entertaining thoughts of Kwengt and Purfiaie, fetiitTgitfelfatlaftinto hatred. Anyof the(e is enough to be- reave the heart of its reft, and to alarm it with difturbances.
a. Others have an tnviom Nature, always maligning and re* I»niiig at other Mens felicity '9 an evil Eye, that cannot look on anothers better condition without vexation. This turns a Maa into a Devil, tis the Devifs proper (in, and the fury that doth imqoicthim, and he the better knows of what avail it would '
be to help on our trouble.
5» Some are oi frond Tempers, always overvaluing themfelves with the fix>rp ana contempt of others. This humor is trouble-- fern to all abcxtt them, but all this trpuble doth at laft redounds to tbemfdves v thefe think all others fhould obferve them, and take notice ci^ their fiippoied: excellencies, which if Men do not,. then it pines them, or ftirs np their Chder to Indignatbn* Sola^^ moHy Prov. 30. 21m mentioning thoie things that are greatly dif- fuietiflg in the Earth, inftanceth in a Smfara wbeM he reignetb^. and the Hand^wdi thdt if Bur to her Mtfirk^ intending thereby the proud imperious infolency of thofe that are uncxpe(ftedly ra^dfiomalow eftate to Wealth or Honour: He that is of d fmid Htarr fHtrhb4i^ Strife^ Prov. 28.25. and as he is trouble* fome to others, fddoth he aeate trouble to himfelf > for he not only molefts himfctf by the working of his difdainful thoughts,. while he exercifeth his fcpm towards others, C ^^o^* ai . 24, 2Jc haughty Siomo" deals in frond wrath ) but this occaGons the a&
6Dont^
y
lU Z%ttatiU0f Part.n^
fionts and cd^teoipc of othors again, which beget new ^efs to his relUefs Mind. " i
. 4. Some have a Natural exorbitancy ofDejirej an evil coveting % they are paflSonately canicd forth toward what they have not and have no contentraent or fatisfadion in what they do enjoyw Such Humors^are feldom at eafe, their d^Citcs^c Painfully violent, and when they obtain what they longed for,they loon grow weary of it, and then another objed takes up their wiflies, fo that thefc Vaughterj of the Horfleech are ever crying^ Give^givty Prov. 30. 1 5,
5. Others have ^foft effeminate Temper, aweakneft of Soul that makes them unfit to bear any burthen, or endure any hard- nefs. Thefeif tliey meet with Pains or Trouble^ (and who can challenge an exemption from them ? ) they afeprefently im- patient, vexing themfelves by a v^n reluQancy to what they can-
. not avoid i not but that extraordinary Burthens will make the IboDgeft Spirit to ftoop, but thefe cry but for the finalleft matters, which a flout Mind would bear with fome competent chearfUI- nefs.
6. And there are other Prfpofitions that are /f«^^, to an ex- cefs of Sympathy^ fo that they immodcratly affed^idafflid them- felves wi th other Mens forrows. Though th is ^c a t)?mper m*orc commendable than any of the former, yet Satan can take advanr rage of this, asalfooftheforenamed Difpofiaons, todilcompofe U5, fefpecially by fuiting them with fit occafions which readily
^^ ' work upon thefe Tempers : And this was
' 2. The.fecond thinjgto be^xpJaincd, which (hall be performed
by a brief enumeration ot them, the chief whereof are theft,.
I. Conternptot Difeflimation. When a Msm'sPerfon, Parts^
. . or Opinion are flighted, his Anger, Envy, Pride and Impatience
are awakened, and thefe make him fwell and rcftlefi within.
tven good Men have been fadly diflurbed tbis way. /(?*, as
holy a Man as he was, and who had enou^ of greater matters
to trouble his Mind, yet among other griefs, complains of this
more th^p once, Jobj2.^. I am as Qm mocl^d of hU Neighbonr :
^il>e)HJi upright Man is laughed to fccrn. Jobrp. 15. they that dwet
in mine tiot^e^ and my Maids count me for a Stranger. J caVed
my Servant^ and he gcrue me no anfwer \ - — - Tta^ymng Children de- fiifed me, I rofe up and theyfiakg againjl me. Thus he bemoans himfelf, and ( which is more } Ipeaks of it again with fome /iifjir/y,fy> of indignation, Job^o.u Now they that are yomgr
than
tbanl^ baveminJerifioh, i»b<fe Fathers J t^auldhave difdained i§ bavefet ip'ub the Vdgs pfmy Fl0ckj)atnd alfo who had a ftout heart under trouble^ complains that he could not bear reproaches PfaL 6p. Reproach hath brokgn mine Heart, lam full ofheavin^s. What thefe reproaches were, and how he was ftaggered with them, he tells us, Verf.to. I chafined my foul with fajting, that iPOf to my repack. I madeSacksfotb tny Garment, and I became a f reverb to tbem» Thy that fit in theGate^Jpeak^againfime i and ItPtH At Song of the 'Drunkgrdt. With thefe he was Co ftounded, that iC hp had not catchM hold on God by Prily er, Cas he fpealcs, ver. 13.) iie had fitlii > B«rf as far me, fny Prayer is unto the, 0 Lord, &c. and he afterward fpeaks ot his fupport tunder Reproaches, as a won- deir of Divine alfidance, Pfal. 1 ip. ^i. The Proud bave^had me in d&ifion, yet have I not declined from thy Law»
2, Itqmy is another occafion by which the Devil works upon otit Tempers to difijuiet us. Wrongs of Injuftice and OppreiHon are'hard tobear, this is a common ground of trouble, good Men caimoc always acquit themfelves in this cafe as they ought. Jere- mob when Imit'ien by Pajbitr, arid put in the Stocks, /«•. 20.2,7, fells into a fad paflion, lam a denfion dail^^ every one mocksth me,
I cried mt^ I cried violence and fioil^ imitatirig the paffionate af- *
frightments of thofc that cry, Murther, Murther, &c. No wonder feeing Solomon gives it as an i^iom built upon nianiifold experi- ence, Ect/. 7. 7. OffHffion doth not only make a Man unquiet, but Mad in his unquietne(s j and not only thofe that are fooliih and haHy, but the moft coniiderate and (edate Perfonsi Of^ fT^nmJk^saiPifeManmad.
3. Another occalion of Mens* d£(compo{ure, is the. pm^eritw of the fFickgd : ' their abundance, their advancements to Honours and Dignity hath always been a grudge to thofe fvhofc condition is below them, and yet fuppofe themfelves to have better grounds to exped preferment than they^ This aftoni(hed Job even td trembling, Job 21.7. Jf^en I remember, J am afraid, and trembling tak$tb bold on myjt^, and the matter was but thiis \ Wherefore do . /fee Wickgdiive^ become old, yea, and mighty in power ? &c. The trou- ^ ble that feiieth ton Mens hearts on this occafion, \% called fretting,
a vexation that wears out the ftrength of the Soul, as two bard. Bodies wafte by mutual attrition or rubbing. And it takes its ad- vantage from oufenvy chiefly, though other dillempers come in to hcJp it foUtfaacd^iP:/^. 37- ^ • ^^^ ^^ tbyfelfbecaufe of evil Doers,
\. ' Rr neither
igrg :» f5teatife of nn h-
neither he tbdu emnom againjt the vrnkg^s rf Inifdty. David con&f-. fcth, that he was apt to faH into this trouUe* PJiL 73* 3- ^ 9W envhtis at the Fool^y vAen ifar» the fro^ity ofibt Wichfd^ Agatoil this difquiet we have frequent cautions, Trw. 2/^ i^ ip. and Pfdt./\.p, i6. Be not afraid when one if madericb^ when tbe^lfryrf bU hoHpe is increafed. All which (hew our pronenefe to this aifeafe. 4. Crflfle/ and AffluSions give Satan an opportunity to work upon our Paffions. As difappointnocnts of Expedations» jtofi of Friends, ofEftate^ Perfecutions and Suflfering$ for Confi^cnoe^ ■ fake, &€. none of thcfe in their own nature are joyom^ but gmmm i and what ufe they have been qf to the Devil 10 difcompofc thg . minds of the Sufferers, is evidenced by common experieiice* The Tears, £id Countenances, and doleful Lamentations of Mfen ut true WitnelTes of the di^uiet of their hearts i every oae being preffcd with the ferfc of hi§ own fm»t^ is ready to cry out^ Is there any forrm likf m fomw i , i am fm^ and eomfml^^ my, tflver/ and my FrimJs bavtferfakffi me^ and there k none to hdf. Sohie ^prow faint under ti^ir Burthoi^ while their Eyes &il ia looking &r redrefs, efpecially when new unexpe^ed trouble overwhelm their l^opes^ When-Iloci^ for good^ then evil cawtt \ and when I W4ited for Ud?^ then came darkg^ Job 30. 2^* fFfy hafi thoufmittenm^ and there U no healing form ? Kf^ehbl^forpeace^ and there is no good ^ and for the time of healings and hAold troMe^ }er. 14. ip« ai\d here they fink^ concluding thfre is no hope# • . Others that bear \xp better in a ble^ed exped^atipn of fpjritual profit, having that of P^^in their Eye, Blejfedisthe Mantphom thou offHQefiy andteachefi in thy Law : yet they cannot forbear their complaints even to God, Pfah2^.iy, 7h troubles of mine heart orAnlarged^ 0 bring thou me out of my difireffes^ lo^t^oftnuine c^tiHi* on and my fain. MUiy tho{e that have had the higheft advantages of heavenly fupport, whofc hearts have been kept in peace, counting it all joy that they haveiallen into theft trials, C and (kA doth more this way, for thofe that fuffet for the Gofp^ls fake, than ordinarily for others ) yet have not theft been under a Stoical finjMnefloi their trouble > though they were not difir^ed^ they were trouSied on every ftde^ though not in dej^air^ yet they were ferjflexed^ 2Ctfr«4.8, thoughtheirAffliftions were /iijl*. yet were th(^y jlffliSions mi
5. To theft may be added the/^jw or anguifli of iJ^ireT/, and bodily Diflemper^ Though there ^re various degrees of pain,and
tbsit
that fome SicknelTcs ire UVs afflidivc than others, yet hone of therti forbear to pierce the Mind. * The whole Man is diicotnpo* ftd i he that is cx^xcircdmlhfiroHgtainsupm hU Bedf, cryes out in the bittcrnefsofhis Soul, and he that by injfenfible degrees lan- goHheth) grows ordmarily ^i}&, and his mind bleeds by an m- ward wound, ib thztht fiends bis d^finfigbhgy and his years in taourning. , And others there are, who being before acquainted with bodily pains, grow very impatient in Sicknefs, and are able to beamothmg : and befides the prefent fence of pain, the ex- peiftatbn of Death puts fome into great commotion, the fears of it, (for it is naturally dreadful ) fills them with dilquiet thou^ts? and thofe that approach to the Grave, by flow fteps, under Con-? fiimprion or languifhing SickndTes, they -are habituated tofad- ticfs, .and can think m nothing chearfitHly^ Cexcept they have great affiirance of Salvation, and have well learned to dye ) be- caufc the Coffin, Grave, and Windinfi-flieet are (till prefentcd to them : thefe though they be very fiiitablc Objeds for Meditation, and C well improved ) of great advantage for preparation to Death, yet doth Satan thereby C when it is tor his purpole ) en- deavour to keep Men under grie^ and to bereave them of their
Peace.
' 6^ Satan takes an advantage of trbuble^'frorn the. Wfhriei of others. Sympatliy is a Chrinian Graced and to bear one anothers Burthens, to mourn withthofe that mourn, fcews us to be fil'- Inp-feeling Members ofthejame B^, for if one Member fi^er^ all the Memkrsjt^mth iK Tet are fome Men liaturallyoffo tendet 4 Coiiftitutlon, tliat Satan pverdrives them herdiu every common occalion will wound them : the ufual effeifts of God^s ordinary Providence on the Poor, Lame, or Sick, are deeply laid to Heart bythemv and inftead of bdng not »«ye«j!J/e of other Mens Kfifcri- es, they are «(>^/e;j/iiMe of any thing clTe^ neither do they enjoy their own Mercies. And here^ as Satan can ^ery moment, pe* fent tTieih withbbjefts of pitty, ordinary or extraordinary: fo upon a religious pretence of merciful confideration, they arc made crucltothemlelves, refilling their tw^^ww, becaufc (^iS^er Men arc
not at e^J^* .3. The third particular, promifed to be explained for the di(l
covery pf thefc difcompofures of Soul, was tms h That by a w«^ aarattce oftheUe and fuch like occafions^ to {xxdktemperSy the Heart? of Men arc difturbcd, and their inward peace broken. This I fhal I
Rr 2 evi-
.^o JX Xtmiit of PaitIL
^ €vi<Jcnc€ by thefe three things : i. That thcfc iccafiQnj meeting
with fucK^iJfe/5^w«/, do naturally raife great difiurbaneei in their prefent working. 2. That they have a tendency to further trouble. 3. That Satan doth ^e)7g«, and hath it ordinarily in his power to difcomPcfe the Hearts of Men hereby.
i; Tnat thefe occaGons, tneetingwith fuch difpoGtions, do naturally raife great difturbances. This is evident from what hath been faid already : fox (i.) Allthefe difpofitions carry as much Fire in their own Bofomes, as is fufficient to burn up the ftand- ing Com of any Man*s peace. What is anger^ but an inward burnings a reftlcfs confufion of the Spirits, fometime a Phrenly, a Diftradtion, a troubled Sea full of Rage, a wild Beaft let loofc ? Envy, that is a^^^//»/ peeviflinefi, a vexatious repining, needing no other Tontientors but its own furies^ recoiling upon him that bred it,becaufe it cannot wreak itsfpite upon itsObjeds. An ^ envious Vckonls zSelf-tnurtbererhytiitvadiEtoiEli^haZy Job 5. 2. Wrath hjlktb the fooliJhMan^ ana envy Jtaytth the foolijh one. This is not barely to beunderftood o( its provek^ng the Judge of all the Earth to fold down its deferved deifarud'ion, but al(b ( if not chiefly) of its own c(WTw///ig temper, which by long continuance wafts the Strength, and confumes the Body. Pride is zferfetual vexation^ creating its troubles from its own Fancy : irregular co- verings, keep a Man ftill upon the Rack, they ma^e a Man like theTtf/iM/nif of the Poets, they give a Man a caninm Afj^itk^ a ihrong Appetite with exceffive greedinefs, and refUe(spur(uit,and conftant diJJatisfaSionSy he is ^vet gaping and never erjoying. In>. patience is a wearUbme conflift with a burthen which it can nei« ther beaTy nor yet Jbakg cffi where all Ae Fruit of the vain la* bour amounts to no berter account than this, that the Impatient makes his burthen the^^ter, the bands thattye it on the j^/r* ger^ and th^Strength^at (hould bear it the »^f^. Laftly,an ex- ec^ of Pity, multiplies t^oundt without caufi^ ithindersaMan to be bafpy^ (blone as there are any that are mfirable: he is always (in retoence to his quiet) at the Mercy of other Men, the afflifted can torment him at a diftance > and, by a kind of Magid^^ make him feel the torments that are inflided upon his Image. Who • can deny, but that Men that are ridden by (uch vexatious difpo- iitions, muft lead an unquiet Life, and always be toiled with in- ward Tempefts. ^ Efpecially {2) when weconfider, bow fit the forementioned occasions aife^ to draw out thefe bunumrs to their tu- multuary
multuary extravagancies : a Hghted Match and tiun-Powder, are not more exadly iuited to raiie a /baking Blaft, than thofe occa^ Sons and tempers are to breed an inward annoyance. Soitie of thefe humours are ((/troublcibme, that rather than they will want work, they will iight with their orpn Sbadatpi^ and by a per- YCtihc&affrgMJkated Faney^ will create their dwn troubles, and the beft of them, which feemibmetiine to take truce, and com- poie themfelves to reft, while occaiions are out of the way : yet they are fKid^^m^W, like flceping Dogs that ire roufed with the leaft noife ) what work then may we expedl they will make when they are (ummoned togivetheir appearance upon a iblemn occafion ? But (}) if we ihould deal by inftances, and l>ring upon the*Stage the elieds that have been brought forth by thde concurring caufes, it will appear that they make difmrban- cesitt good easneft : let useither view the fmiouifiu^ that have been like fuddenFlaihes, feoneft gone> or their 'more lafiing im* fr^ni^ and we fhall find it true. As to violent Fits, raiied by iiidi occaiions and difpofiiions, examples are infinite. What ra- ges, outrages, Madnc/Tes, and extravagances have Men run in- to? Some upcm provocations, have furioufly ^adcd pi^^ge owe/- fMy and for finall matters have been carried to the moft defperate revenges. Others h^e been brought to fuch violent xomtmtms within them&lvcs, that the firame of nature hath been thereby tPuikgnUy and overthrown. As SdXh^ who in a ftrong pailion, ' vomited Choler till he dyed. Some in their fiiry, have aded that which hath been matter of firrm to them all their dayes. But (omitting the examples of Heathens and wicked Men > let us . confider thewonderftil ^4^;^/of holy Men. Ma/i/a Man emi- nent, beyond companion) in Meekneis ) was fo afionilhed with a fiidden furprize of trouble, at the Sight of the Golden Cali^that he threw down the Tables of the Law, and brake them. Some indeed obierve firom thence, zfifft^camyof Ifiaeh breaking the Law, and forfeiting God's Protedion, as his peculiar People, but ' ' tUi is more to be aicribed to the difignmm of Diuuu Trovidcnee^ that fo ordered it, than to the intenJmm c£Mofery who no doubt,, didnotthisfioma/eiii^eandcalmie/i^er^»^/i, as purpoiing by tUniBt to tell Ifiad & much \ but washunied by his grief (as not confideringwellwhathedid; to break them. 4/iagoodMan, when he was reproved by the Prophet, (inftead of thankful ac- ceptance of the ipeproof; grows angry, fells into ajage, and - throws.
-^pt Z %xmitt of p4it n.
throws the Prophet into Pri(bn. £//«, cUfcoi^pofei with . j^ Kthelt Perfecution, ddires that God would takg tanty bis JJA, lonaby in his anger, falls out with God, and fi^ifiu it when he hath done: ilurely fiich Fits as theft proceeded nrom great ii>> ward combuflion. Would Wi(e, Sober, holy Men have laid or done fuch thmgs, if they had not been tnn&orted tatHd theoofelves ^ and though in fuch caiea, the iits are (oca ovee, yet we obftrve that fome are apt to fall into fuch Fits ^^ sad axe ib of^initated, that Clikethe<pf^Mjl;.Per(oap(^&£^dbytfaeDe» - vH ) upon evesy occafion, they are by him, ca^mta the Fmariii. to the fTater, and by the ftfunt rttrnn of their Dtflsmpet jrc tmm at reft.
As to others, whofe tempers are vooxt apt to ntMu a tK»hfe> (bme Impreffion, !tisveryQbvjoiisthatthdr di&o&pofoieshsve asmuchiniecgtitaad irui^, as the other had in ia^£». Yoa may view Hmnan. tormented under his (eaet diicoatentt which his Pride and Envy |brmed in hhn, for the want of Aibv&jn^ Ofaeyfance: the Kings Favour, agreatEftate, h^Hoi»ur,and what cUe a Man could wifli tamake him content, are all fwal-
Jowed up in this CiMlph, and become nothu^ to him. You fie i^woMj vexed and fick, for his Sfler 7anm, waxii^ leaa fivnn day today. You fee Ahab Cthough.a King, who had enough to fatisiie his Mind ) in the fame condiiJoa.for-MiAtrtfc's Vineyirf. Jf you fay jthefe were wicked Moi, who rid their>Lufts withoo^c Bridle, andu&dthe Sipac: bok then upon better Men,.andyoa will fee too much. Kathd ib grieves and mooras for want cf Children, that ihe profeffeth her Life inconfifentwith her dHap. pointment, GmmeCbiUrett^tfeldu, Haouiupatttbs iameoo- cafion weeps and eats not, and prays in the.bitanieis:Df her SonL
and theabiHidaiceofhercomplaintand.gMBf. /««?»»& chciiw prcfled with difcoaragcmentsfiom the ooiitradidionof evil Meal calls)wt£e]£aManofjbr^Mulmttatmtdtbtt^ %rC
15. It), hisibttows thence anfing, hadib inbittend bis'llkd; that hcputs* »« upon -his l^th^JF«km^ Matbtr^ tbattbambi hrn ma ManofStrifk, ftO. had a noble courage tmder aa^
foldaffli<aions, he could glory in the Crofe, and iBjoieeioDep.
fecuttons: nevetthelefe, the greatnefi of his work, tfaefi^w^d iCor.ii.x. paverfne6 and unftcadinefe of Ptofeflbr«,.Cwhichputijimna- Gal. 4. 19. <ler fears, jealoufies, and new travel ) the Mtferies of CbtiffiaBS;
and the csfire he had for the conccitns pf the Gp^ Cwhieh wim
con-
cOTflant load upon his Mind, his Heart dike old E/fs) trembfirig
ftillfi>r the Arfcof God) made him complain as one worn out
by the troubks of his Heart h 2 Cor. 11.27. In rpearintfi, and pain-
fijMifs^ intvatMiigfiffttn, in hfinffer and tbkft, in f^ingt often, in
cold and nakfdnefs. tUfides thofe things that are without^ that which ^
comab t^n m daify^tht care <f all the Ghnrci^s.. Who is mak.and Jam
. mm^f &C, For the /eir/ he had great hcavinefi and continu-^p al fcwow io.his Heartvand for the Gtntilts he had perpetual fean. ^ ^
' Now though he had a great fliai e of divine Comforts intermixed* and a more than ordinary affiftancc of the Spirit, to keep him from finfal difcoropoiurc of %)irit (at kaft to fiich an height, as it ordinarily prevails upon others) yet was he very fenfible of his burthcn,aiid d«Nibtkfs the Devil labouredjto improve thefe occafi- ODs to v»cary out bis ftrength; For by theft, and fuch like things^ he frequently vexeth the righteous Souls of thefaithfal Minifters of thfi Gofpel from day to day : lb that their hearts have no reft, and thehr hands £row often feeble, and they cry out, O the bur- then ! O the care J being ready to fey as Jeremiah, chap. 20. 7; (> Lord^hm b^ deeieuedm, and I r»as decieved \ lama derifion daily^ every one mod^fib me. Thus (ay they, Did we ever think to meet
with fuch^ difappoititments fuch Griefs, fhnn the Wilftlnels,Pride, Weaknefe, Ignorance, Pettiflmefs, Inconftancy, Negligence, and Scandals of Friends? and fuch Hatred, Contradidions, Scorns, Wd In juries from Enemies ? Were we free, what Calling would we not rather chnft ? what place would we not rather go to, where we mig^ fpcnd the remainder of our daycs in (bme reft and
/Cafc? Were it not better to work with oiHP hands for R Morftl of Bread, forfonaightourSleepbclweettous at Night, and we &m]d not fee thefe (brrows ? At this rate are good Men fome- time difturbed, and the anguUh of their Spirit makes their Life a burthen.
2. Yet is not this all the difturbance that the Devil works upon our hearts by theft things, C though thefe are bad enough ) but . they have a tendency tefkrtber troi&k. Diftompofures of Spfri t, if they continue long^ turn at laft into trmAlesof Confdence. Though there is no affinity betwixt fimple diftompofure of Soul, and tfouUes of Confciencc in their own nature 5 the objcds of the for- mer being things exttrnal^no way relating to the Souls Intereft in God and &lvatk)n, which are the objeds of the latter : yet the eflfeds produced by the prevaleney of thefe difturbances/ are a fit '
. Stock
^
104 Z,%ttatiU%t Pattlir
^ Stock for the ingrafting of doubts and gucftionin^ about t)ur Spt« ritual condition^ As ^^'s Father firu troubled himfelf for the lofs of his Afles, 'and lent his Son to feek them i but when he Ray- ed long, he forgat his trouble, and took up a new grief for his Son, whom he feared he had loft in purfuit of the AflTes. So is itfometimewithMen, wlio after they have k>ng vexed them- fclves for injuries or afflidions, &c. upon a feriou^ conCderati- on of the working, and power of thcfe Paflions, leave their for- . mer purfuit,and begin to bethink themfelvesinwhata condition their Souls are, that abound with fo much Murmuring, Rage Pride, or Impatience, and then the Scene is altered, and they begin to fear they have loft their Souls, and are now perplexed about their Spiritual eftate. To make thisplain I will give fomc infiancts^ and then add fomere^/^*/ which will evidence tba$ it is fo^ and alfo bom it comes to be fo.
For Inftances, though I n^ight pioducc a fufficient number to thispurpofe, from thofe that^have written of Me/^iWifo/ji, yet I ftiall only infift upon two or three from Scripture.
Hcz^kjah when God fmote him with Sicknefe, at fifft was dif- compofed upon the apprehenlion of Death, that hefeould fo fobn be deprived of the refidue of hisyears^ and hhld Man no more mth ' the inhabitants of the Worlds as he himfclf expreffeth it, E%y ^%. lo. afterward hi? trouble grew greater. He chattered of a Crane orSipaJloti\ and mourned Of a Dove^hcvvas in great Htterneff^ veKij. and fadly^;^/vfj(Jc^ therewith, ver.ix^ That which thus diftreffcd him was not fimpJy the fear of Death, we cannot imagine fo pious - . a Perfon would fo very much difquiet.himfelf upon thatfinele ac- count i but by the expreffions which he let fall in his complain- jngs, wemayunderftand, that fomc fuch thoughts as thefe did ^ _ Ihakehim, that he apprehended God was angry with him that
K' c ^ *^^ P^^^^"^ ^^""^^ figniiied fo much to him, .all circumftances can^ \^n,sH^^^^^^^^ Cforhewasyetinhisftrength, and 7«*A/«i, in great di- HauiLin Joe. Krels, being at that tmie ^befieged by 5e/»i?tfc*m^^ fo,
him to be doomed to death by a fndden meffage, atfiteh a time, leemed tocarry much in it ; and that furely there was great /^r«iS cation on his part i and it feemwpon fearch, he charged Kimfelf ^ fo deeply with his finfubefs, that his apprehenfions were no Jefs
than that if God fliould refiorehim, yet in the fence of his vile- 1 nefs he ihould never be abk to look up i IJhall ao foftlv aB mv
;. yeariin,thebitternefsofmySoHl,ver.i^. C which exprcfffon im-
• ' plies
plies a&FfoGtbnofhisRecovery) and a deep (en(e of Iniquity) and acoDidingly when he was recovered, he takes notice chiefly of Gods loye to Ui Siml^ and tht fatdan of his fin, C which evi- dently di£x>ver whefe the trouble pinched him ) Thou h^ in Im U mfikl ddhendiifhm the ?H rfCamftiony firtbm b^ ^ jff mj^finsbAindtfyhad^ ver£ 17*
jFo^s Troubles were very great, and his cafe extraordinary : Satan had malicioufly ftript him of all outward Comforts, this he bcm with admirable Patience, Job i.2i. N^dcame liMrfmy hbdfiff momb^ and n^Jball Irentm tbMer : tbe Lordgave^ and tbt herd ba$b ta^gn an^ay^ bl^edrbt tb$ Name if tbe Lord, The Devil feeing now himfelf defeated, obtains a new Comnaifiion, wfaaein Job is wholly put into his hand, C life only excepted, Aaf.i.9.)ht fets upon him agaui,and in his new encounter labours loInringuponhimipiritualdifliefleS) and accordingly improves his k^es and fuffering^ to that end, as appears by his endeavours and the (ucceG 9 forashetemptedhim Vyi&jf KP^toadefperate difiegard ci God^ that had fb alBifted hkn, Cmfe God and die^ fi> he tempted him alio by bk Friendt^ to qi^n the fiate of his Soul, and Wlntegrity, and all fiom the coniideration of his out- ward nuferies. To that purpofe are all their difeourfes. Elbbaz C&^. 4* 5, 6, 7. from his fufieriogs and lus carriage under them, takes occaGon to jear his foraierKety,Cas being no other than
fficA) If kern
^dence^ tby bo^
thy Reii^on
ckM, Wl>oetftrfirilbedbeinginno€in$/anatpberetpentlHri
ancff BOdad, Cb(^. 8. tf, 13. charg^h him with Hypocrifie upon the fiune gtound, and while he makes his defence, Zaihaf plainly gives him the lye, Cbaf. 1 1. 3. and at this rate they go. their raund > and all this while Satan ( whde delign it was to afflid his Confcicnce with the fcnfe of divine Wrath ) feemly firikes in with thefe Accufations, in£»nuch, that thou^ Job Aoutly defended his Integrity^ yet he was wounded with inward jy^tr^es^ and concluded, tW thefe dealingsof God agamft him were no lefs than God's fevere 6bfervaqce of his Iniquity s as is plain fiomhis bemoaning himfelf in Cbaf. lo. 2% I mil fay wtto God^ Do not condemn mey Jhe» me wberefire tboH contendefi ipitbme, Verf. 1S9 17. 'thorn htntefl me at a fierce Lian^ abm renew^ tby Irtt-^
M^Tet agmf^ me^ &c«
^ T Sf Vavid
ioi . . ^ t:tmttttt Hit, It.
Va^ ^as a Kle»i that was often exercifd! with Slckneis anct TiouWesfxom Eaemks^ aqd in all thcjnftances aflmoJDl tkat we reeet wftbin tte rjUmr^ $>f tbefe his Affliauons^ we may obTervc the wfv^aid iK^albnsef Trouble hrou^t him undet the futoi- tion of Gods Wrath, and Tiis Iniqinty r. fo that he was laSom fidfc,- .^ pcifecuted.r but this called on thedifquiet of Gaii|qeridt, and brought his fin to' iemembiahce i asPA/. 6^^ ( which ^as made w the oc^p<mof fei« S.icknel^ as appears trom verjl $• ) therein he ejtj)teffe{b the vesuaion of his jya«Z under the appehcn* fioVi of Go<3ls J^^r ^ ^JLhU othct wicfe runniog uito this Chan- nel, C as little Brooks lofing thenjfejvcs in a;great River) xhange their nair.e^nd nature S hc.tha!t was at ftrft only cdncerwed ioc his.Skknefi, is now wh0lfy. confiern/sd with fonrow and irnait under iht tear todbaz^d of his Souk condition >..the like w^ m^ fee in Pp!/. 3 8, and miny places more.. ..
HaVh% made $0od the aflertion, That dircompoHires of Soul ^n buttv^ bccaiioniby lonjgtontinuatice.and Sa^nsmana^e^ ment^ do ofte^ rutl up to i^mA diih^is of Cx>nfi:ience : I (hall ne^t for fitftber confiroiation and iUullration (hew how it comes
tQ \yt tb»
U DifwPipofoies of Spirit do. <#>^\and ^t hO-eatfi/^gio^ ibe inwbrd tomfarts o{tht Soul : :fo that if we. fuppqte the dif- ^dipi^edPetfonat fir A C b^fese he be thusoi&sdered ) pd have, bad ft good tneafiire of ipiritual joy in Gods Favour, ^nd delight ijithisways'v ybttbedi&ttbftncess. h J>iyen hi> thoughts frqm fe&UfIg upon thefc Corfaferts, or fiom tht ef^^yf^nt of -bimjetf ii> thiewf The Soul Winiiot naturally "be bigHy intent upon two different things at onte, but whatfoever doth ftrongly engage the Thoughts and Affeftiops, that tarrjes the whole Stream with . it, he it , good 6r bad, and other things give way at prefenu. When the heart is vebimentlymiiv^d on m^^^fd Coniiderations> it lays by the thoughts of Its fweetnefs - which It )iath had in the enjoyment ofGbd > they are fo contrary and iflconfiftent> that dther our Comforts will chafe.otit of our Thoughts our.D&omr |>oftiresJ or our Diicompofures will chafe away our Comforts.. - i believe the Comforts df E/iiif C when he lay dowu under hi? gnef, aiid'defired to die ) » ind o( 'Jeremiah <" \Vhea he cried/out ^Violence ) run ^ary low in thofe fits of Dilcorifent, and their Spirits were fat from an adual rejoycing in God y but this is not die Worft, we may not fo cftflly imagine that upon the going
away
away of the fit, the wopjcd Coaifort3 rettmi ^o Xh^t fcjpier CfmtCc: tct^ i. i:h,^HmdT^yi^.di^^^ is
•Wacnw Wh^rff the J3teart;]^^(};,i^ing Cnother&l and (ufoended ip . iteexcdrdfdV-fs^not fc.ij^cSly -revived, anci thethou^ts which 'irerc I>dfiei3 tvlth diRuibaace C Hke tlie diHempered huiiK)|s ^f 'the Body) are not w«cei ruddgdnly to that eycnneis ofcompo- -fire.as may nalke f hem fit for their i^Wimploymenf. And ^. ^f God ftioula 4^er the Infl.u^qccs of joyfial i{ippQrt,- a difcomppfed . %fiit is not ii;l a capadfy to recen/etheir^ po.more tljan it c^n ffr ^^drtf^ if^cfe.cQtlnftls that by apy careful Hand are interpofed for its -viSei and iettlementu Comforts ^re not heard in the midA qf ^tobUe and damoiir > the fiofmneji o£tltc Souls Acuities ^e praefup-. ftCdA as.^neceflary qualtficaiipn towaids itsncmhn of a pierage irf^eace. 'fA/«e^ms Wifelbeing wercomeof;^^^ Arte
€aj)tivity and'hei?:Husbands-4eatn, ^ouldijotbe^aflfe^d withthp je^ul'news of a Son. But .4. Sinful diftompofi^res binder ih^c gradousand qDtnfortable ^w, if wecould.poifibly ( which wc c«iniet ofdio4MlyJ receiye tliem, ^et we cannot expe^ that GodiViB give Aem. Hie Spirit^ of ConfoJ^tion Joves,fo tMfep U|>^fli5 loSjit^'ui a me^andgftiet SfixU^ and nobbing cnocegfiey^ hkn thariBitternefs; Wrilth, Anger, Clamour, and Malice, which ntedethe Apoflle, l^fh. 4. jOa^i, fub jbyn his dirc^ajon ofjf^«/^ %befe awcpyhom US, With his advice of not grieving th^ Spirit fy 9^bieb m are fialed unto the day ofRedefnptian. And then. 5. Thje fimerjbd^QtComfottiy which Perfons diftenapercd with difcom- podxitts mightbe fuf^pofed to have, will foon be »^ei/, for our ,
Gtorfbrts are not like the Oil in the Crufe, or Meal in the Barrel, whkh had ( as it were ) their Spring in themfelves > we are . 09mforted and fupported by daily communication of Divine Aid, fo that if l!he Spring head be flopped, the- Stream will quickly igix>wdiy. 'Tis evident then, thaf inward Confolations in Gorf IvHl not r^en under thefe Sbadot^Sy nor grim under thefe conti- nual drappings^tttxn^ a difcompofed Spirit is not capable to receive *H>re, nor able to %ep what comfort it had at firlt i wemay ea- fily fee how it comes to pafs that thefe difturbances may in time bring on fpiritual troubles : for if our Conaforts be once loft. Trouble of Confcience eafily follows. Where there is nothing to fettify the Heart, the poyfon of malicious fuggpfiions will un-
nvoidibiy prevail. .- '
Sf 2 ' y^ . 2. Dif-
I
i^* ZXtmitt of Paitn.
1. IMfi»mpofiiKs of Soul aflbid the Devil fit mmer to wor& upon. They fumifh him with ftroDg objedUons ag»i«ft Jjmrht tfHtlineffy by which the peace of Cbnfcience being ifaongly a^ •laulted, \s at laft overthrown. The ufiial Weapons by which &. tan fifjits againil the aiTurance of Gods Children, are the gnlt of fins committed, and the mgleQ of Duty,< and the di/fairb^ SotA affijrds enough of both thefe to make a Charge againft it felf • Ibr, ■ - ' ^
1. Where thereis mudi T>ife(m^fitrethete ismuch Sin. If in the multitude oftporJt there wants not Iniquity, thenmuchmow in the multitude of mruly thought. A difturbed Spirit is like troubted Water, all the Mud that lay at the bottom is laifed ud
•and mixetb it felf with the Thoughts : If any injury or lofi do trouble the Mind, all th6 Thoughts are tindurcd with Aneer Ride, Impatience, or whatfoever root of bittemeis was in the Heart before » we view them not fingly as the iflTues of wife
Prwfcforce, but ordinarily we confider them as done by fudi Mm- ««»»/, and againft our .Aftw as malicious, fpitefid, caufleis. in-
grateful wrongs, and then we give too ^eat a liberty to out Ives to rage, to meditate revenge, to threaten, to reproach, and what not ? and if our Difpofition hjve not fa flrongVnatu- lal inchnation to thefe Diftempers, yet the Thoughts by difcom- pofiffc arc quickly leavened C it is the comparifon ufcd by the Apoftle, I Cor. 5.8. to expreis the power of Malice, fwhKhis an ufual attendant in this fervice ; to infed all the Imaginations J with a Qiarpncfs, which makes them fwcD into cxorbiSncv and «cefs i hcna proceed ReviUngs, Qyanelings, <^*. When the Tongue is thvsfermmJ, it is a Fin, a fTorld cf Luatity, ( ^ ducing more fins than can be reckoned ; it defUab tbeMsZ ( engaging all the faculties in heady purfuit, ) Jm. 3. 6. ^'\
2 . Difcompofures obftru<a Vmitt. This is the inconvenience which the AppftleCi P«.3.7.)tdk us doth arifcfromdifturbanS amcmg Relations 5 if the Wife or Husband do not carrv^w? fo that difcontcnts or diiforences arife, tlmr Praytrs ^ Ldml Duties then are obftruded, 1. In the AQ. whw the H^Kk *>a. f frame, Vrzycx is mrffeafin, and there is an averfiiefi^tt
•'^ J it ***T. . * ,V^ prevails, which eats out aU defire and delight to fprntiwl things : and partly becaufe tL^ «p/comemto GcfUfrefmei conitiencc^of their own S ^
awe
I awe of God hlndiiiig fiich approcdies. s. They obAruA die ' fwfe MMMer of Perfonnance, ftraitning the Heart, and conttading the %>frit, Aat if any thing be attempted, 'tis poorly and weaklv pafomed. 3. And alfo the fiiee^ of Duty is obftrufted by diP- , compc^ure. God witt not aeeept (uch Services, and therefore Cbrift advifeth to leave the Gift kfm. the Altar^ ( though ready fijr offering ) where the Spirit is overcharged with Offences, or angry Thoughts, zadfarfitogo andbereeonciled to out Brother^ ind then to com and offer tH G^, it being loft labouir to do it before. ^ From thefe fins of Omiffion and ConuniffiQn, Satan can ( and often doth.) frame a dreadful charge againft thofe that are thus concanM, endeavouring to prove by theft evidences, that they are yet ( notwithftanding pretence of Convcrfion ) in the gall (^Bittemeis, and bond of Iniquity, whereby the peace of Con- Icience is roudi (haken i and the more, beeaufe alfo
3. Thefe difconipofures of Soul give Satan zfitfiapm for the management of his Accufitten : Strong Accu&tions do ofjjn cfl- foBt nothing, when the ftafon is unfutable. Many a tune he hath as modi tofiiy agaihltthe Comforts of Men, when yet they (hake all off C as ?«»/ did the Viper off" his hand ) and f«el no harm. But that which prepares the Conifcienccto reeehfe the Indiftment, is a particular tUj^pion which it m wrought into, hyftt^uiotit crer . iulity and fearfulneis: Thefe make theHeartCas Wax to the Seal ) «eady to take any imprdfion that Satan wUl |amp upon it : Now , by long difturbances he works the Heart inff this Mould very o£- tou' awl upon a donbU iccoanthc gains himfelf afit opportunity • to Aaxge home his exceptions, i. In that he fets upon the Confcience with his Accu&tions, after .the Heart hath been long mMtd and confofed with its other Troubles i for then the Heart isweakned mdmnabk to make r^anee as at other times. An Ai&ultwithafrcQiParty after a long conflia,di(btdcB its Forces, and puts aU to flight. 2. In that long and great difcoi^pofurcs SKtind, bring on a diftemper o^mancboly i for 'tw notonoufly known by common experience, that thofe «»i Hwiwr/ C pro- ducing this diftemper) which have their, rife from the Blood," SSoccafemedV AcirviolentPaifions^of Mmd, theAnuM^^ iSits becoming uiordinate ( by long difa>mpofures of &d-- «^ Envv, Tewar, and fretful Cares ) aid the motwnof the Btoi being retarded, it by degrees departs from its tempera- ^ andisiafeaedwithanacidky, fothat Petfoasnoti^
^1
cfincd tiatuxaHjr to Melanchdy n»y yet bccsoaielfej f>y flie di^pilets ^ of theii troubled Mind.
Both thefe ways, but chiefly Melancholy, the Devil hzA Us advantage for difturbing the Confdence; Metanchofyftncfi naturally) ibdincs Men to bcfo&itcrasibrtheR^Soifls'^iwafir^^ but withall diQ)ofeth them fo ftrongly to Tuipeftthe worft, C^tJr •ti$ a credulous f uQ)itk)Us humour in things hurtful ) and dffiSb fo heavily v^^ith fadncfs for what it doth rcfpedt, tfatt vAicn Sa- tan lays before Men of that humour their M^carriages under their dilcontents^theirlmpatiencejUnthapkfulnefsjAnger^rafliHioughts and Speeches againft God or Men, &c. withall fuggefting that fuch an Heart cannot be right with God, after ferious thoughts upon Satan's frequently reptatti Charge, they cry out, GnUty^ guilty^ and then begins a new trouble for their «BTegenciate Eftate, and their fuppbfcd loft Souls.
4. In this cafe ufually Satan hath grciter Jikrty^d ^feemft^ tsmd by hJS Accufations to moleft the Conlcience, intKatMen-cfififP' compofed Spirits by th^ manifold evils arifing thence :ffw«(% Grf to defert them, and to leave them m Satans hand to 'be-brtrnght into an A^iir of Temptation, Satan's Ct^mmiffion is occafionel by our Provocations, and the Temptations ari&ig fiotti 4tich -a Commiflion, are ufually dreadful > they ztcfilemn Temptatfonj, and called fo after a Angular manner > for of thefe. I take thofe Scriptures to be meant, JFarcb andpay^thatyt tnternot initfttn^ iatiarty Mat, 2^.41. And lead ns not into Temptatim, Mtt.6, rj. Such Temptations are not common Tcinptations, anfl^arc oftm^ known force and hazard to the Soul, which way foevcr they arc defigned, either for Sin of Terror. For feveral things do amovr in a folemn Temptation : As, r . Satan doth in a foedal maimfr challenge a Man to the Combate, or rather he tlmenges God tfy ijve him fuch a Man to fight with hirt, as he did concerning job. This Chrift tells us of, L^.22.3r. Simon, Satan b^ •EigiMT?/^/. ^fired to have you > the word ffgniftes a challenging or daring, and it feems the Devil is oft dating God to give us into his hand, *hen we little know of it. 2 . There is aHb a fpecial fittabkn^ of'O^cdfiony and Snare, to the temper and ftate of Men. ThuS be took Peter at an advantage in the High Pricfts Hall, and 16 the cafe wje now {peak of he takes advantage of Mens Provocai tions and.lMelancholy. 3. Th^e is dlw^z violent fr^eetetim^ whiit^ our Saviour cxpreffoh utider the companion xkffHHj^^
which
%
Cfap. 6. ^^tm'& %m\i^mions\ jot;
Which is a.re/tleft agitation of the Corn, btinging. that which was at the bottom to the top,and (htrrting the fop to' the bctt6m fo that theCharffoir birt is always appermo/?, 4. And toall this (here is ^//w>e)»erwi]|^<);r,. Satan let loofe tad w6 left to our ordi-* rtary ftren^th > as is irnplicd in that expreffion, He hath defmd h baveyou^ that he might pftitm. Now then if the Detil have fuch
rund to give God a challenge concerning fuch Men^ and if God f as he Juflly may ) leave fudi Men C^hofe bittetneft of Spijrithath been as djmak^inhiiNoftrilfaUfheday) inSatansh^nd Be will fi> (hake them, that their Conlcieitces fcall have no reft! And this he can yet the fnore eafily effed, bccauft
J. IJjfcctapofures of Spirit have k particular tendency to incline Gur thoughts to fioerily and harflmefe, fo that thofe who have had loni and great dilhirbances upon any outward occafions, of Loi$5 Afflictions or t)ifappoiritfhent, eJ^e. do naturally think Cafter. a felemn review of fuch troubles^ harflily ofGad^znd afthemfilves > they are r^ady to conclude that God is furely angry with them, in that he dothaflflid therp, or that they have unfandified hearts,' in that their thoughts arefb fretful and unruly upon every incon-^ fiderable petty occafion. 'Tis fo ordinary for Men under the weight of their Trouble, or under the fenfe of their Sin, to be fidly ap-. prehenfive of Gods M^rath, and their Souls hazard, that it were needlels to offer Inftances i let Vavids cafe be inftead of all. That his tipi&les begot fuch imaginations frequently, may be (een throughout the Book of the Pjalms h we never read his complaints jagainfl: pejrlecuting E/iemici, or 'for other Afflidions, but ftill his . ^eart is af&aid th^t God is calling Sin to remembrance 9 in Pfa. 3 S* He is under ^eat diftrefe, and tells how low his Thoughts were > .. he was troubled^ greatly bdwed dopon^ he ipent mmrningmll the day loni,^ i h?. exprefleth his thoughts to have been, that God hadfor^ Jal^ '^my vei;. 2 1 . and his hopes (Vhpugh they afterward revived) 3R^e airaofi gone » . be cryek out of his (iris, as having gone iwer bis Heady and become a burthen too heaty for him^ Ver. 4, and . thereforc'fets hiriifelf to confcfs them, ver. 1 8. He trembles at Gods Anger^ and feels the Jrrgtps of God fiickingfafi in him, ver. 2. , •J^t^whatoccaiipned all" this ? the Pfalm informs us, God had vi- . Uted.him with Sickijefi^ ver. 7. bcfides that ( for one trouble fel- . dorp .comes "alone ) his Friendr were perHdious, ver. 11, hfe.. Enemies alfo were bufie, laying iJw^re/ for his life, ver. «. Now, 15s thou^ts were to this purpofe, that furely he had fome wafy .
lot % Xreatife of Paa. IT;
OK Other greatly piovoked God by his Sins, and tfaerefiire he feart vptath in every rebtikS', and dtjpleajkn in every cb^Jhhent^ nr^ i# . The like you may fee in Pfal. io2* where the Prophet upon the occaCon of 5id^/r, ver. 3 . and 23* and the r^frosd^ of Enemies^ vtr.^.Ss under great trouble, and ready to fail except ipeedy relief prevent, ver. 2: thereafonwhereof was this, that be con- cluded thefe troubles wore evident tokens of God^s indignation and wrath, becaufi of thine indignation and thy tpratb^ Mr. ID. Fiool thefe five particidars we may ht fatisfied that it cannot be othex- wife, and aUb how it comes to be (b, that fometime trouble of Ccn(cience is broug|ht on, by other difcompofing troubles of the ' Mind. For if thefe taks ^^^y ^^^ Comforts, wliich fiipported the Soul, and affird alfo argumentslo the Devi) to piovea wicked Heart, and withal a fsftafin to urge them to a deep imprefljon, God in the mean time ilinding at a d^hnce^ and the thoughts at- ^ turally inclined to conclude Gods Wrath fiom thefe troubles ; how impoflible is it that Satan fiiould mifs of dUguieting the Con« fcience. by his firong vehement fuggeltions of wickednefs and. dcfcrtipn?
In our enquiries after Satan's (ucceis in working thefe difeoHi- ' pofurcs of mind, we have difeovered, i . That the diHurbances thence ariiingare great \ 2. That they have a tendency to trou- ble of Confeience. There is but one particular more to be fpo* ken of relating to his fucceisin this defign, and that is,
3; Thefe dUturbahces ait mMd& i> ^^^if/fV To»m Ordinanlj he can do u at pleaiure, except when God refbaimhiflgt from ap» plying fit occafions, or when (notwithfianding thefe occafions) he extraordinarily fufpends the e/Ted, which he frequently doth when Mtm are enraged under fuifering, upon the account of tbt Gojpel and Confcience\ for then though they be bound upiwrfer Af^ flibion and Iron^ yet the Iron Met s not into the S^P-^ though they are troubled^ they are not dijtrtjfed. Thefe l^xtraordinariet excep* ted, he can as ea%^6ycoi»po/e the Spirits of Men, as he can by Temptation, draw them into other Sins,which may be evidenced by thefe confiderations:
I. Wemayobferve, that thofe,whofe^4;i^/>;iiite tempers do ir* ^fitally tranlport them into greater vehemencics, are never out of trpiihle. Their fits firequcntly return, they arc never out of the Fire, and this is, bccaufe Satan is (till provided of ooafions iiiit« able totheir inclinations^
V 2« Tboiigb
Ghap. 6. 5)ataft'flf Xeiiiptatioitjflf. j o j
^. Thou|^ God, out of his conamon bounty to mtnkind^hath allowed him a comfortable being in the World, yet we find that
fqierallythc^SopspfMcn under their various Occupations and tudies, are wearied out with w«<i^w«/^5/w*Ai this SoUmohi% Eedefufies diCcovcts at large in various imployments of Men, not «cn)ptingthepurfuitof»7/i<w«iandKnowledg, (ebaf. t.iS.Ik wmd^JTifdomii miteh griefs and hetbsi inereafitb KnamleJg inenafkb firrm) nor Pleafurcs, nor Riches, for by all thefe he &cws that aManisobnoxibvistodifqulets: lb that the general account oi^ Man's Life is but this, Ecc/qfT 2. 2^. JS bif days are firrowf^ and bij fTifvetgriefy yea bis beart takftb hat r^ in tbe nigbt. That it is(b, is teftiiied by common experience paftdenyah but how it comes to befo, is the enquiry : *tis either from God^ or from So* ian^ working by occafions uppn our tempers. That 'tis not fronj God is evident : for though fbrrpw be a part of that Curfty which Man was juftly doomed unto, yet hath he appointed ways and means by which it might be (o mifi^i^c^ that it might be tolle- rabic,' without i£ryc(Wif/»yirre of Spirit 5 and therefore .JDfoifwrt, dc- -ii^ing, in his EeclefiMes^ .to fet forth the chief good, (hews that felicity cpniifis not in the commonabufe of outward things^ (be* caufe that brings only venation) but in tiicfear of Gad leading to fiiture happinefs, and in the mean time, iii a thankful^ camfarta* Ifle nft of things jprcfent without anxiety of Mind. Hence doth liefixhisconclufion Cas the refult of his experience) and often repeats it \ There is natbing better far aMan^ tbantbat befiauldEaf andpritJ^y MdtbatbefiMldmal^bisSotde^aygaadinMs La^ £cc/e/r 2.24. & 3. 12,13. & 5*^^)'^* Not that 5(?/(^im?i7 plays the Epiettrey giving advice ta eat and drink^^ for tomorrow we dit \ nor thathefpeaks dmdingly to thofe that (eek their felicity in this life, as if he (hould fay. If ye do terminate yimr defires upon a terrene feticky^ tbere is nothing better then to eat and drink^ &c. But hfe gives iIerro\is7>#ft^ advice, of enjoying the things of this 1i& with ci&fr^/0^x,which he affirms proceeds from the fole bounty of feod,as Jlisllngular gift s h U tbe gift ofGod^ Ecclef.3. 13: U\s our
fartiony, 5tiitis,ouraIlowance,Ecclef.5.ipO for thefetwoexpret fions \j^ JBortion^zvA Gad's gift] they are of the lame fignificati- on with SohmahhcTC ) and when a Man hath power to enjoy this ^llowance'ra conifbrt, *tis God that anfiperitb him in tbe joy of bif %art^ ver;io. 'Tis plain then, that God fows good Seed in bU *F/eKfi the K^ringing up therefore of thefe Tares of vexation,which * Tt fo
3^4 ZXttMtttf Wtit
fe£McnlIyafii^dieSoDSofMen> moftbeafbribed to this; th,
J. *t1salfi^acoxifi<Ictal)le ground of fofpltion that&tancui^ .A^ttiiichin difcbmj^oditcs of Spirit, in that /bmetinici theft ttthbi^ tempers ate )«<»/fW and w/«i, and whofe lingular J^t^ iMct Upon, and communion with God, muft needs morc,^^fe^ ^hemagainftthcfepafiionate vexations, arenotwithftandrpg prc^ ^pltat^d Into violent commotions. iHij/i/ was naturally meek|^ above the <iommoftdifp6fitioh of Men, and his very bufintis war toflverfe With God, whofe ^rfcftnee kept his Heart under a blcffed awe V yet upon the Pdoplesmurmuring^Jbe was fo tran(jx)rtfd^ WiAfiillennefeandunbeKefatihewatcflof Mtribab^ Numbw 20. 10. 12. that rt t^entittwithbim: which David thus expreC* Teth, PiSil. r c5. 35. ^beyfrovoksd bis Sjdrit, fi tb^ befiakg uHodtA^ $^piibbuVips. Wfab caniuppofe fers In this matter, thaa that Satan, having him at adxrantage,hunied him to this railineCs ? I^ectally feeing (uchvebemendes were not ufual with Aft/e/, and that his natural temper led him to the contrary. This hath foix^ tifinitywith the next confideration, Which is^
4« That When Men tndtk forget the occafions of their Uoiil^ and do moft/l/m the trouble that might thence aril^ and nu>ft pmty d4^ to keep iheir.hearts quiet, yet are they oft forced fa* gainH all care and relblution) upon extravagant heats. VauidtG^ f Solved, and Arenuoufty endeavoured,' to poifeis his Soul in Sere-^ nity and l^atience, /For what could be more, than'fbjemB en* •gagemerit ? fjal.kp. u Ifaii IwiJI hok^to pry »^/, jind what rndeavours could ne naore fevere, than to keep himferf '4[r j*7>^ Bit MPid trictle f what care could be more hopeful to fucceed, than fio ^ \i€(EhimbtPltbfileace?) yet for all this, heeotJdnotktephisHcarr calm, nor retrain his Tongue, ver.^. My Heart waxed b0t mhbm Itt; mifiklt^asmufingi tbeFirebttrned^ tbenfial^ Jwrtkw^ T^vimti^ Who fufjieas not the hatid^f Satahjn this ? ^*^
5. 'Tisalitb remarkable, that when we have Z«<^Tttr^ to give Way to difcbmpofure, when we have mofi catefi to avoid all provQp- latitttis, jet'then W^: have "m^ft oecafidns fet before us, Vhen we wonld mott r^lfe from the noife of the World for privaiedcvoti- 'on^ When we would moft carefully prepare oyrielvcs ffv a folema Ordioance, ifwe be not vtry Watchful, we^fhaflbe //«wjr*ft/byJbajr £ndl, difinrbed with noifcs, or fome fpecial oecafion of vcxacion ihall imTporttjne us ro dtlqniet put felves .* when yet we fhall ^b-
ftrvc
not fee attribute to i^dqr ^^^^c^of^txaiioBS, nor y£t ^' out UmffT/ fokly i i9r wly cjiwlhwildiic. roi4<^ todveus tfouhle, wlien they in inofl engaged to calmneis^ cannot well be account- ^ for > '<i^^Wentlytben ^tan, that,inaUpoufly jikcSksthftc ooca(ipa$ <^i»r they hav^ pot ^ malicious uigeniouinefs to prepare ihaoSdvics^ without iome ^her chief po^er) at fiich tiio^s 9$ he Ubo^^ wouJkl>be i^iod to omr prejudice, .
Th^e gqicrai confideiia^f)s aipp^ to more than ^ iTu&itipn that It J3 oiuchinJSat^^n'spowef to ^v^diibrbancesto theMtndi iSlAaXf ye^^tbe^jp^per ^nijEdUtiOA i>f die matter J ihall (bpm^ that he can do much to •bring about oceans of ^ comppfure, wdaUb to ^^ip the P^iwpns of Men upon thejCc
t'fc •K.»f§'
;ire muchin hi$ b^nd, 1 ^lall eafily demonir fta^te. |vcir 4* Tb$re laopg JU *^.oaafion$ of ve^tjoi^'tp a wcakpcai^ Mind^ <we 19^9 wqU iin^\^ii4^ that one dr other is (liu QCcwcing, tand wihile they thus otfer theaaCcJyes Satan needs not be idle for w^nt ^ofan/oppprtunity. a. Put if conunqn^Qcqifions d^ sot ip exadiy i^t his fkfiffip be ojxfr^m occai^o^s > Sax fuc;^ is i^f^lfigf^ ^^^ cwtriv^^nfrc^ tbat hecasy;^ fi^ne kden Cwlfib* 91^ tj^ .pffiv4ty^j(q his inte^tipni, or an^ evil de%Q lof thieir ' pwiij)a4poo fi3ch4Sji«^'as,may ^dwwagb thei^e^ iiuiintei;pretatioD)Cff^vilindinatiGai)M ^
in like jaoanaei;,. c^iji <j^ oStnce^
i am ready to think, there Was a contrivance of Satan (if we i^cU CQtJiieit's^iin^^ IP bring P#za^^ t^eObjei^ pf bis
l^uft^ctfmier > ^HcS^^ibah was pathii^ he mi^ uie'hi^ ^Ultig private ippti(Qiu# ^o^etP^Rtfi^u^ tibule.
£Mt9»re eipepally^can theDeyilprepaie pocafions that do d&- fffi^i^ntht^vBi^^ tb^fe.ac^ Servants u^derhis
KQP^I^ hf^Ciiifyt$<m,Q0j,,anihi^piUh mi^to^amber^Com^i ^ i^<mm^. If ^ntqqnptp or iqpji» afficonts or&orns, &c te iiwdTw^^^^-fe^^i^^^ ^^'^s^^?^ whom he Mpdertakss
HQiWlurf^ Jp caaceafily;|>\« Iw Vaflab typpn that ip^rt of tbc Ser- wee > aq4 i^be have highor ioopbyment tor theiSQ, he evet £na6 5feei»,fc*W»d. A^idhentfe v^as it that wheif Smm defcned to jkipdv jfcfe .b^wMld gu^yjpfffixtm it, tecaufe be had tly
. " 1*1 a lail
xoi ia Cteatife of Pmtt!
fail hitn, he can eafily Awaken in us, the momny of pIeI' otcafibns that hate been hetetofbte a troubte to us : thefe being raffed out of their Graves, will renew old difturbaoces, working a&dh the ,(kme dif^ietS) which the things themlelves gave us at firft. ' . ', : ,-^ • • ■"''■* ^: ' ••■^ "
IfSitmN power were bouhded here,' and that he could do ^no more tfia'n fet before Men occafions of vexation, yet we niight )uf}ly, on that (ingle account, call him the tn^nj'/er of the Spttits of Men > confidering, that naturally the thoughts ofMen are reft- lefi, and their imaginations ever rowling. If Men (equeftcr thetnfehresfrom all bufineis, if they (hut themfehres up (rom com- merce with Men s tutttEremitet^ fas Jenm dtd> on purpofe^ to avoid di(quiet, yet thehr thoughts would iSwry- them from place \o place, (bmetimes to the Cmn, (bmetimes to the Markgt^ (bme- times tpSbpps and PalUmes, (bmetimes to ^iiMm//M£/,fi)met]mei IheyifJeiii^Fietds* Bmldihgsand Cbuntribi feihetimes thcy\^»9f Dtlgnitieis, Promotions and Honours, they are eter workii^ up« on oneQbjdft or other, real or fnppof^d^ and according to the objd^,fuch will the affedions be,high or Iow,joyful or (birowfiil : ibthatjftheutmoftofwhat Satan could do, werenomore than to provide occa(ions, diicompofiores would fdlow naturally. The evil diQ)o(itionsiof Men would thereby be fet a working, though Satan ftood by as an Idle SfeSat&r. ThcSHfett'Cm oar . Btcz&SyZs Solomon telbusEcekp ip. ii.) would bifem^otti m^ (obanimtnt^ thstt is, except it were charmed. But Satan can do biore than ttOipti^j^Stiuefyy whenhehath provided the Fewelhecan al^ fbbringFire: For,
' 2. Be can al(b fet our paflion$9itn^<n^, and incen(e^^m tbgreat** er fta^ than 6therwi(e they would arrive at* We fee perlbns that »ediftempeitd With paflSOn, may be whetted up to an hidlier pitch of rage, by any officious F/^imitr, that will iM&w^e the hu- mor, and aggravate the Provocation. Much niore then can &^ tan do it by tpbifitring (uch thingsto our Mmds as he knows wiH inareafe the Flame > and theretore is it, that where the Scr^)|Qic dothcautfonusagahift tf^jgcr, fas theproper produft of our pwd conuption, calling it ^aw n^raHf^ Eph. 4.26,270 There affi>k warns us againftll^JDm/, 2s th^ ifkendiary^ that endeavours tO heighten it. And where it tells us of the dividers of the tongae (which,thou^ a IHtk MtnAtr^j£{t ftlf do gnatmif^^ f^ S*^.) there it alfo tells us^tlot die Pmf brings it ^n^Mkmal
Fire
f^
*irefit)ih'l6ffS Itirfei in fheofm. ' Ahd/tlibid' ait fet^aal ,ways by "which Satan tan irritate the PaflBons. As, -
1. By preftnting tjie' occafions wcrfi than thfey «r^ or were cyo intended,un jnfty '^£^ptf^/>^ ^1 circuinAances. By this means fie, makes the objeft of the pailions the more dlQ)kaCng, and iiattfol i' this muft bf neecffiiy provoke *o to • hightt^ d^
2.* He cari in a natural way move fas it wcre^ *he WbuU^znA fet the paflioiis a going, if they were of thenofclves more dull and iluggifti: for he hath, a maw amfi to out Paflipns than eveij one is aware of. I will mafce it evident thus : our PaflioDS,in their woikin^s; *)depend upon the fluduations, cxcutfions and rc-^.^ ^jm^j^ curfions of the Blood, and animal Spirits, as Naturalijfs do de-anima Brut. tennine : Now that Satan can make his approaches to the Bloody cjtf. 8. cy p. Spirit J and Utmarsy and can make alteratians upon theni, cannot he dtoicd, by thofc that confidcrwhat the Scripture fpeaks ia fobx cafe, atad iii the cafes of thofe, that were by pojfeflion of the Dc^ made Pmh^ l>€af6r^Epl^ick^: for if he could ^iSt Ja^mth griewm Brii/, 'tis plain hediibrdered and vitiated hisJ^^*^* Blood and Humors, whidi made them apt to produce fuch Boils or Ulcerst and if he could produce an EpUeffyy 'tis evident that he couU infed the Lynfba with fuch a (harpnefs, as by vellicating the Nerves, might caufc a Convulfion : and thefe were much more than the difc^derly Motions of Blood, Spirits or Humors which raife the pdfionsof Mem If any afcjefl to this. That then Ccon- fidering Satan's malicious diligence; we muft exped the Paffi- ^ ons of Men would never be. at reft, 'Tis anfi^ered^ that this 4K>w€r4)f Satan ifi^aoc ntdinttttd, but oft God frobMts him fuch Tppioaches, (and without his leave he can do nothing) i andalfo pica in God's ChiMrcn, working caltnn^ fubmiflSon and pati- ence, doth biOaace Satan's contrary endeavour. For as hurtfia and vexatious occafions, being reprefented by the Sence to the imaginations are apt to move the Blood and Spirits : fo on the craMiry, the BoB^ of Patienceand other Graces, doth fo ftttk theMind. thatthe Blood and Spirits arc kept ftcady in their ufu-
2. whcnthcPaffions^i^,Satancanbyhisfuggcftionsmake than mmhtady and violent. Hecan fuggeft to the Mmd Mativts an^ Arguments to forward it, and can ftir up our nattiral cor-
® ruptioa
lot 'Z%tmtiU4it fm,U,
tB|»«iwiJKi*|tf flpwo? {D flake w with ^he '^f porfuoitjw Thus he not onljr kiodla the Fire, but blows the rlatnC;.
4« ^ndhccatffurtharjfx the Mind upon thefi thoughts, an<i fctcpthenflill uppn the Hearts of Men. And then they cat in tfae deeper^ ^niiik^Jfoyfony4'if^cthw^ thefurpif^
W^ftcthM Mepy,whp,:a/^;atjii^.t{ut in an wfia^ fet,. if their continue to wf^i^4*« upon their Provocation, they incrdale thm VexaOoo, and if theygivethemfelvesto f^ecz^ their Paflions by their Tongues^ though ^^y begin in ibme moderation, yet as motion ctufcth heat, ib (;heir own words whet their rage, according to fecfei^ lO. 1 3f ^'theb^inmng cftbe vmis ofbk Mouth U foolifUnefi^ U$ iUlati^^d ffhis ulk^is mifihiewus maintfu The hmt ad- arant^chath Satj^n ;ag^Lnfl Men by ivi^/zg dmn their thoughts to thefe occafions (Jf difcompofurc.
^ Ifoccafionfi be fo ixmch in SatanV power, and he have al& (b great an hvsA over Mq;is Faflipi^ '.cis too evident that he cain dp vfery much tftdiKx>a^fe the Sj>iri^^^ nitunffy
ijbdoxiiMwiQ m«fc trpublo^ , e«oept God(i^flwi\(|im, arid^So^e ^pofc hfen. ' Thus havi I 4>oken uw thoughts, ot the ' JftcRfiat of troubles^ by which Satan4bth ui^dermine the,j>eace of Mem • neart'S* ^ -
■ • - < .
» » 1
• • *
4 •*.,.. >
1 • ^ . ...
1 /' f:*-l J - .
*
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cattp.>. ^atm'g Xtmpmmg, 3 1^
CHA^i va
' T
* t
V<^ IK^
Cy tktt foturd MM/ /* hin^r tern. Jffrightmtmtf , tit gtmrM J^xtwe dml Bttrtkiitof them, im ftverst Farti- rttltrf, Whdt sre thi tr*j^t fywhck be Ap^hfs, i.M
' thtifiicd Tftjeifio/ts, 0yfef>v4tiefts ^hts mceed/nf itt fim. %* hlt^beoHu* Ihot^hts. 3, JffrightfHl%itg' ^fiwis <^ U^efrtbMipm, Ohfervstifm if hit fmefiingt
: im jhidt etmfe^ 4. BrigJrtfMlMttmuu.^,m. ^.St^mg imit&df^e Imfreffivns tf F€4f* €, Jffr/gM/ firiffft. iffitjofConfeienee,
^TT^ next Kmk of troijblcs, by which the Devil doth endeavour JL to inoleft «s, 1 call Jffiifhtmefiff. It is u(ual for thofe that %eak of Temptations, to aiJifiiguift Aem thus ; Sorae arc (fey they) Entieement/fome'^t Afiigbttmnis y but then they ex- VAxm^n tnacltheie Afirightments further than I intend, comprehending Teniculanen* under them, ^nfhofeTemptatiOTsqf&dncfsandter^ I am nextto ipeafc^ but hy jijfrigktmmti^ I irjean only ^fifet- jie^ii9 ef'Sfhit k^ Pfhkh SaUn '^a^i' Mm^ by nfveradUng their fearf^ ir^^km^mgtbeirmtndriy by ifqtdHngnni^l and horrid fboKghtt ^ gaifift their confentr. Some there arc that have thought thofe Temptations, of vrtiidi tte Apoftle complains a Cor. 12. 7, (iberttPOf gtven im a iham in the Flefh^ the Mefftnger of Satan to bt^ fmmi) were of this kind, that is, horrid inj^ions frequently lepwted, dS'Men deal Aek Wows in fighting. GerfSj^fpcakingof xn calce nm\^ fkefe, tclfe w they fefmetift^conae from 'the^/efu^^ Talis
tM, tttAWingtihefency^ and faying, denyGod^ CterfeGad^ ai?d ^^^nw^"^ ^^"* then aidki fmbwof ebe tbora in the Fl^ given to the AfqfHeJ'''^^^'^^ ButMi^thtr^thkwastbe trouble (^ the ApotUe, or (bme other thi9% <^leveiil4fhings ajf^'<3onje<£hired, and nothbgcan be po- fitively proved) we ate fore (66m th€ &d experience of nrrany) . ihdc iiidi troobles he<dotll(7ften ^^^ > which I fhilfitft exp]aii;i
in
J lo Z Xreatlfe of -iPart IL
in the general^ and then gtre a faniadar of theft frightful in jc-
dions. .'. — -^.^ »
I . To explain the nature and burthen of this kind of trouble^ I (hall prefcnt you with a few $h^asu^t^ about thenk As,
, 1. Thcfe aftonifliing thougbt^^ are porely injeSimi^ fiuJi as
"1 Satan ufis into th^ Mind, and not what the Mind of it fclf doth
fndncf^ as one expreiTeth it, they are more darting than rtfieSin^
Not but that our natural corruption could cf it ftlf beget Bla^>
phemous or Athciftical Thoughts, but when they have their rife
r/ yM fCs troni aur'felves folcly, they do notfiftartle us, having (bme iharc
fat leaft) of onr confint going along with them, they appear not Co f (range. But in this cafe in hand, Satan is the ^^f ,and Men are the Si^lfmr/, their Underdandings and Souls being bufied all the while to repel them, with the utmolt.of theirtehidbiices. Andtothofetfaatdothi^ftrive againft them, inking rdjuftance with aU their ftfength. With Tears and Prayers,they are only their
-_ — -.^ AffliQions^ but not their Sins^ For the Thoughts are not polluted
by ihtftmph apprebenfion of a finful Objed, no more than theEye isdehledby^eib/ii/iAgloathlbmeand hlthy things : for then fliotdd^ the Mind of C^ri}f have b^en detiled^ when Satan piroppiuided himfclf, blaQ>hemoufly, 8^ the OljeU of his Wordiip, ]his.Mi|id as .. .' tnily apprehended the meaning pt that ^ying. [Jallihi^m ofutmth- p9ip mej as ours can do, when he cafts fuch a thiqg imme^ately - into our Thoughts. Whichisa coniid^ra^ionto beohfetved^i* Jigcnty, by thofethat meet \^itb iuch (ad e^frdfe \ if tbeyc^ truly appreh^d that they^r^.i^utiHeiX'lUff^iQgs^ and thatiGod ^^iIJ not cfaiarge the Sinupc^i tly^^ ^ they will mpree^ltly beurand overcome the.trouble#
Thefe injG<ition5 are commonly iii|pefimKr txkifitdden^ frequent** Ty compared to Lightning : and this isQfually made a note of di- lUndion, betwixt wicked blarphem<>us thoughts rifiqg from ««f natural carruptim^ and darted in by Satan >' the former being n:ore leafjirtly^ ordtrly^ and moderate according to theufiial cotQ&
.^^ _^^^ ^ .^ of the procedure of fcir»M«f«thoughts, the latter uiually accompa- nied with an ^^j^ wWw^e, /i^#//y, atrd inahmntly (hooting in^ to our Underftandings, as Lightning jnto an Hou(e* So that ^11 the Strength we have, can ijeithejrjj^e/i^ ^^(n Tm^d ttciDi nor (o much as nii^igate the viokftqe ofjtbem. , 5* THey ai:£aUq for the moH prt m^ant^ and coqftant TioUf Lkis, winTC they once begin. Though Satan hath rm^ry, in
regard
r^aid of the matter of theft amazing injaaions, Cfor fometinies he affrights one Man with bkfphenious Thoughts, another with Athcitticai Thoughts, a third with grievous unufual Temptations to Sin, as Murthcr, See) yet, ufually, he fxetb his Foot upon what he fhfi undertakes. And as cunning Huntsmen, do not change theirGame that they faftroufe, that they may iboner fpeed in catching the Prey i fo what frightful thought Satan be* gins the troubk with, that he perfifts in, and is withal fo vehe- ment in hispuriuit, that he gives little intermiffion. He makes thefe unwekom thoughts haunt them like Gholis, whitherfoever they go, whatfoevextheydp> he will give folemn onfetsitmay be tTrenty kx forty times in a day : and at this ra tc he continues, it • may be for fome CQnfiderable time, Co that they are not ouit of thettoubkfor ieveral Months^ or it may be Tears.
^ The mattey of thefe Affirightments, arc things moft eontraty to the Ji»/Tq(/?(wr/ of Nature, or Grace, and therefore mtft odiom and tioublefome. When be is upon this deiign, things that are ^ ^ moft contrary to the belief and inclination of Men are beft for his purpofe. As Men that intend toaffirightothdrs,chufeth^ moft uglyvifirs^ thcjha^^garifs^ndfqlhmf^ andinake the moft un* cbuth inhtmam noifes h and the more monftxous they appeas, the better theyifuoceedin their purpofes. Yet Satan doth not always chdfe^he very »«#, for then moft of the troubles of this kind would be about the fame tbing,^ but he confiders the ftrength of • ouxperfivafions^ om ^abli/hmnt in Tmthsy the trobability or im- probability of an t^vt%wm with us > and accordingly fometimes iLefufeth to trouble us with injedions,, contrary to what we are. w# ^rm/y rooted in, qhuling rather that which (though contra- ly to our thoughts and rcfolves) we have not been fixed in, without apeiU deal of tabottr^ and which ( if there be occafion ) plight molt fitly be cbargtdupon us as our own, fo that (where- as other Suggeltions would be flighted, as apparent Malice, and Scarecrows ) thefe are moft i#'<S/flg, (as being anaffault againft fuchaFort which cifis m much to rear, and which we arc mdft afraid to tofe, ) and moft lyablc to iis accufaiion after a Jong continuance, as being the ilTue of our own unfetlednefs, . 5. The fi rft and moft obvwusefteds of thefe Injedions, are thcmmjiabborreneyoftbeMind^ (which prefently iUrdes at the ^ppe^rance of fuch odious things,;) and the trembling of the Body, fometimes to an agony an<ifainting« The invalton of one jingle
Uu inje.'.
iriio«io», Kith pat fenae into fiich an I»art<.brttfciiit aftigfto* irient tl»< theyhaYenoc wcowwd themfilves to * wMednt tarn. This *re»»W»g ofAc Bod^ ^ridagmiy of the Mfa*, atethc 4ifee1cofift«uencdfr of any thins that is >«*Pr^, ftaag^ sta* feaiftrf : awl therrfbi* is trcmbRng of thc*©^ ma*, fcy Dfrines^ zmavkto iSkotfer- that theft hi««)ui bkfi*«ii0a»thowgb«$ arc' rr ealt-iiXy Satao, and have not their rife from <m wm hearts j &7S- foi^Ae bortotofthcmtnd is«feaHyfe8'eat» when k is feofcea. mum, ur tan- to in thij langoage, that it cannot bear «pwid« ttsaftetiiAmene turn non pe- ^^i trouMe. Yea thofe very Men that a»eo*h«fWtfe>M;*i«ie,and . aas ipfum ex- ^^ ^j^j^ boldnefe commit gjfeat iniipMes- v cannet luriMB^and rn?/-adinwa»%«mcieye-anun%akaMe hatred ae theft awnflrtwfe^-
<^rum geftieoft v_ ^._ -. --
pnefentiam g Thefe Aflrigfkjments are more €»mm»H wan Men ate analff .
Siftk. bat tfiis-tttfftW^ «rifetb«rQm- ^J'*^^''^ of thefe fcmd ^ ArrwffMth TrouHfes, thofif that arc thus- a«J^j are often ^fiMm^vyfpak Tr4a;S4cr.\. ^fj.Qi^gfsyrh2eti!tK^fn>^ittthatcmtfheiatsi bat if a» would be *.cap.7.5.<f' foi^enaouy astfr<Mare©penlf-what fcarfttl hnagiiaationsaro.
obtrirfietfuponthems it wouM'appsat, t&K Sittti very fccqwaitlf e«ideaTbu«'tb/tr(>ttMeMeathi*>^'. •---,*
7. Tiie^iKtttfffriom^Bitramfititid Rafd' to-be -Bofn tipoir manfaccoonts. fi.;y VTlwcan Wdfeypteft theitawi* «or»rr- and mefcltetiott oPthe Mitids when it is ^t«ed againft iirs own mhiratBiitfzoi hidfnatfcn, to hai^otdr iach hfenflets withieit fiff? how'tyoii*natttrt tefad^r^Kjmfnate thedrinttng,* (jfBoi»i»epttdjWW«cn^oHh«*fVira!teM?tng of Toads and Set*- p«ot9 P C antt^ct was•it•tha^ Peiftcotoiy in thcflr dieviK(h cbn- tiivances ittTeiiteifoefr kind'66Toitrotes^>and! what.fcfi Vfotb: tbeDerildo, wfien he-forcethBWIJhenjiesupon *he»Thooght$ > ap<> commits a rtpe bfz niaflfciou? ■wjoteacc upon their Imagwa- «Jo»s > ^avkl bndeiritfie^ Teroptatibiw, Pf«/; 73'. **• OTS oat, ^b^ it^ btarn^<ii^ grkvtd^ Omilwaeftkktdinfityreinn anditcjnr not be-ofhefwifei for the rtaferf i^lieady mentioned. Natureafi^ llfifs to be forced to i^rhae is tnoft- contrary to it fclf, and fo dorit Grace, Now the tbinw by which- Satan worfts theft Affiri^- raents a«- contrary- to- NhitHie or Grace^ fcr both- together s and 3s tfKfy wiH-fktve to theutmoft of therr ttbtlityto caft out what is fe oppofifc to tftem^ foiftufi the Derfl to the-utujoftof lts.aViR^J <^ifhe#otiWeanfy'hisdefign; Ihxngfhen hinnfilf in
" ' his
fHieiedtogcfetar ; ttUbh tindft croiilildbffie cooiid i and lo^ i^oed If there irert a cmf/Mwe t>f our conient^ tbhre wobM be ^ :^lff^i)mmm$% :&ekhercaii diis kiad of Tenoptatidn be maaaMd^ ^Mtfpt there be the uHmft^m of the Mina. Jf my thii^^erc jsoa^t ^fmmd for thefe Tem^tioniy bdcaiife;feteeof the ipaificulanby ivUicb lie isfaid to aftighc Men are li^Mij^itf to us^ vi^ (forJiiAaiice) i^^Ipo^^^c^ Thoughts C which ate by ftme called tbeM^-«ct>of oi]roi%ud<x»rruptiofH and by others^ fiiid to be in thdieart of timy Mm BMuniUy J and then bosfeqacggt^ lyftotibtioubldtoeaststiiiagiiied, &c. lanfvmc, Thatwhea Si^kM^M thefe) oar fafa^^xtnous Thought^ natural, they do «K m€M ddit they ate Haiwnd i0lpr^ns engtavm $h m iyCnmhk X for tbry ftflett the contiaiy } that 'tis a n^Mtal anduMmtfyi^i^ Perkins c^/t/ «Me iitipitftMttpM€Tety NfafithatAE^fn^kiiGtw;, &c. and uibdtiy f^H^^'^J* ^vctethislbt ptt)of,rfurt thcfflwtcft^fe^^ in/w and exttemi- ^'"*P''^-5 *• ty w91 ftittiifefta)!tM Mi^c^ a t)city, by calling oat,(7 God^Sco. or by feme other ^i^fm^ <isC;«%Ad# by hiding hi»(eif when it thimdevcd ) but ttey toMm onlyi that our ntmrml cormfthhmm mikm^^^lSbmdto^ asdtfatt they are the natuiatii&iestheteoti ttklthacforel^win Mfwertoa^eflioAofthisiiatiiie^ «^ ;,
«, that thefe <w Thouglw [ ttarf i^ # Grf ] and itim m mlZt!£^^ ^#^3 ttff^ be, miare if^ id the /ciAe heatt^ Now as this will cap. 3. . 'gite lis the fti^ iNthjr &ttan doth nniile cfojst of thefe Thoughts fy ttonUe wwithaH, whidi nettiy ^ rtfe fiomour felves, ( which Ihsve Mttied before, and flodl |arefeotly ag^ toudi upon :) (bit Mts usftffl, diit whether thefe Thc^ghts itrife fiom our own O)miptiom orftom Satu^ wxtMmaliili^fefim are foong againft fhefti^ fttfl wkhlli that they cann6t be > affirightfid but when ^g$M doth fHatiige tfaem, &ikd When the coiittary impieiitcmsor 9fetureafeftinkeoedtOgiyej}y»^rpf^jiice, amdthen that flrug- ^g nmft be asthe tewag of our Bowels, and ftiU the worfe in that we. ate incefiantly purfu»l : Satan ftill cafting back (with unwearied hbour } the feme Thoug^its as they are repuUed and it)e<9edv a$ ^Idkrs that befiege Citiesufe to cifi over the Walls their fir'd GtWftwfo'A (a.) Thefe are.alfi> grievous, as they fet the Mind upon the 2^^ and ftretch it under laborious and dmhff^ enqmtks a(ter the grounds or camfefcfthis kind of trouble, ibr the Heart afioniihed with iuch curfed Ouefis againft his Will, ' prefeiitly refi6d« upon God anji it fel^ mm bavt Idonf i std
Uu 2 vpheti-^
^14 ^ XtUtiit of P^
L&rdfiffer Solan to breal^^afen my Hearty and fill me mth fudffear^ fml Thoughts f but when Mens enquiries are not fo high, but der tained in a confideiation of the na^^t of the trouble and mann^t of its working, without- looking up to the Providence; of God| then are their troubles iffemi/»/. C3O Asthefe lajeAions necei^ fitate Men in thdr own defence, to of/fofz^ and eveiy way to refift, 'tis an inaeafe of the Burthen : M hat Pleadings aire thejr put to^ what Defiances? what endeavours to call off the thoughts? «ncl all to Uttle purpofe \ while the trouble continues^ they are Ibrced to ly intheir Arnoout, and to be oonftantl^in thein Warck i^) And yet are they further troubl^d^ io the ^ Satan plays by thefeThoughtSt'Tis not all of his defign taaifiri^ Men, but he ufually hath another Temptation to come in the nor of this, and that is to turn thefe ^frigbtments into Aeoujati* on/y and by uiging them ht^ upon the hearts of Men, to make them believe that they are their opm Thoughts, the iflues of their owff natural Corruption, and after Men are by continual Aflauks weakhed, their Senfes and Memory dulled, their Undecfianding confounded, &c. they eafily conclude againft themfelves v The Tempter imputes all the horrid Blafpemy to them, bokUy caUs " them guilty of all > and becaufe their Thoughts bavc dwelt long
^py /V. upon (uch a SnbjeS^ and withali. knowing that comipt Na-
ture of i>/e// will lead Men to fuch horrid Blafphemies at Vil- lanies C which makes it frobMe thoit it might be their own faulty and for this rea/en Satan makes choice of fuch Injedirions as may Vsd. DickTon ^n the Accu&tion feem moft /i%/y to be true ) being ffaongly Therap. Sacra, charged as guilty,they jf e/</j and then begins another troubleinore Id. i^cdf. atf.fcarfol than the former : Ohl what fad thoughts havMhey then ' ^' of themfelves ? as the moft vile blafphemous Wretches ! ibme-
times they tHnk^tbat His impoffihU that other hitns Hearts JhoMtn^ eert am fitch intoSerabk things mthin them as theirs y and that none tpof ever fo bad aethey : lometimes they think, that if Men l^gap tpbat vile imaginations and monfhcim tbings.artin their Minds^ they would inveryZealtoGodandRel^on jionetbem^ or at le^ exclude them from aV commerce with Menh fometimestkey tlnekjtb^ Sin to be the ^ in againft the Holy GhoAj fometimes they thifAjGod U engaged in point ^Honour tejhew upon themfome remarl^le Judgmnt^and they verily — '— ^ UokJ'orf(mufea9fulftr9kstocor^o9mdthem^amlru^
ful expeSati^u Thtife and many more to this {7urpore are their .. : : J thought^
Chap. r. ^atatt'js Xtmptatione* ^ly
thoughts, fo that thcfe Temptations are every way troublelbme bothin their firft and (ecoird efFeds.
Thusl have in the genctalcxpreflredthcwtf^«r«ortheie a/&ight« mentS) what the particular injedions are by which hefludies to aflSight Men, I fliall next declare. They arc principally fix :
t. A^imftiedltbougUs^ By injeding theft into the Mind, he doth exceedingly affright Men, and frequently for that end doth he fuggeft, that there is no God, and that the Scriptures are but delufive contrivances, &c. Concerning thcfe I Qaa\\ note a few thirgs; As,
I. Thongh there bean obfervabk difference betwixt Athe^i* cdi9^ions^ and ^temptations to Atheijhu^ not only in the d^n^ (Satan chiefly intending yidbfiioii in the latter, and stffirightment by tfaefbrmer) but alfb in the manner of proceeding : (for when he deGgnsthi^to tempt to Atheifm, he firft prepares his way hyde* haMcbiag the Confcience with vitious or negligent living. Accord- ing to ffal. 14. I. that which makes Men fay in their Hearts there ^ iinoGodi^ is this, that^^^re eormpt^ and have done abominable works y and in thi^ method was famous Jnnim tempted to Athe* ifin. But when he Aiefiy intends to aflnght, he fets upon Men, that by a tPaPehfkl and ilrid converfation cut off from him that advantage) yethedoth/oiM;i4^ehimfelf, that he can turn his oourfe either way^ as he finds probabiUty of fuccefs after tryal h for he preflethon upon Men mofl^^ where he finds them m(fi to yeildy €> tnat thofe who were butat Arft affrighted, may at laft be fblemn* ly perfwaded and urged to believe the fuggeltion to be true^ if uiey give hiin any incouragement for fucha procedure.
2. Contemplative Heads and great Searchers are ufually* mofl tfOuUed in this^ fnanner^ partly becaufc they fee more dipcHltiof than other Men, and are motefenfible of Humane inability to refolvc them, and partly becaufe CSod ( who will not foffer his Children to ht tempted ^Acrue^p^hat they are able ) doth not permk Satan to moleA the weakpr fort c^Chriftiws with fuch dangerous
aflaults.
3. Perfonsof eminent and fingular HoUneflmarf be C and often are ) tioubied with Atheifiical thoughts, and have fad confli<dfs about them, Satan labouring C where he cannot prevail for a po- sitive entcrtaimnent of Atheifm ) at leaft to difqmet their Minds I^ haunting them with his Inje^ions, if not to tpedksn their aflent .
to
^t6 Z%natiU^t -IPfttll.
io thefeJFuacUovoUl Tspths, ia wUchfo ibi&ctiinci foftcvaik, that good Men have publickly pfolefled, that thef have CamAit an bMdtt nuitta to bdieye that thete i$ a God, than moR do
4« Satan Ijks at the catch in thisdefign^ and ufiially Calces Mca
^ at the advantage, fitddady (etting upon them, eithei in the hadt^
of their. Meditations and Enquiries into Fundaineocai Truths;, ( for when they ibar aloft, and puzzle theaifelveaiwith*a difficulty^ then is he at hand to advife them to cut the knot which, chey cannot unloofe ) or in the d^b t>f their Troubles, ( for whm Men cannot reconcile the daily Afflidions and Sy&ring|& which xhey undergo, with the love and care of God toward iqs Chil- dren, then 'tis Satans feaibin to tell them that that is no fiapceam Diijpofer of things ) » in both thefe cafes the Devil leaps upon them uDawares (like a Robber out of a Thicket; who if he do net wound them by the Dart of Athetftical Injedion, at leafi^ie is fureto afiooifli them, and to confiiuod them with ^"T'l^Bymti Foe,
5« Sometimes he puriues with wonderful vifhtm^ and will in fiau with admirable fubtilty, urging the tnapudhj of Providofie, the /eeMiitgeMirairfifioftr of Scripture, the Mnfuiuhl^ of (^tedi- nances to an inhnite WifiJom and Goodne&i, with -fpaoy' sMie !Arg^ments of like kind> and this with fiich vneicpededacutenefi, and feemii)g demonflration, ..that the mofi hdy Heartland witeft Heads ihall not readily know what to anfwer, but fhatt be fiMrced to betake themfelves to their Knees, and to h^ of God that he would rebuke Satm, and uphold them tliat their Faith fail not: Nay, he doth not only difpute, but by urgii^ and ( with uo- IpeakaUe earnefinefi J ihm^iag the CoQdu(k» upon Men, doth alimftfMte them to a Pejrfwafion, (o that they ase almoft canned off their Feet whether chey wiH or no. Which was jhe very oCb €^ David (when the Devil pnrfued him withtAtheiftica} tboodits on the occaiion of the pro^^eaity of wicked Mei^ and his «% TrouUes, ) FfaL 73* a. Mj Fc^ were alm^ g§my my Stefs had wdl'-nigbjlipt.
6. Yet toe all this, he femetimes kvsafide hisSophifikal Sub-
- tilty, and betakes himfelf to an h^tedcm Imfmnfuhy i for Qm^
times he iniiils only on ene Argument, not cbangmg that which
he firit took up, nor ilrengthcning his Suggeftioa wiJi variety of
Arguments, but by frequent repetition of the &mt Rea&n, per-
Q6s
^
fiOf^to iMge I« u|<H%Bi Achdfa. This git« noiWcovcry or ' ' aay^^mcft tfhe defigneilto pcrfwade, C fe ^caxce^ntmozt tt ma^jM^ tfaalt femus Men, who by many Aw ^t$ ait iftiHv pecfwa4ed thcxe b a God, fliouia wadily lofe ri>v \jpott the appearanceofoneObjedion,; but it (hews iJJT \pofeth-
otOj^to i»ak& Amt 6as appcat»inoK evidaySrT^ri »S con- MIK5 bifB{(]f wtth wtaJt aad/nou/ Argwnents^which theaffHdci •
Party can attfwef fuHy, and yet cannot for all tftjt qtrft them- •
S)ire%<£ the trodalr : fcc inAaocr. 'Tis mm v^ro >r»««\^.. £
^
-i^**
atoott^awlpioi»Perfcncai^ and complained, rfiarhe
cmU aot be at »dt for AAdfticafl rhoughes that pcrpcttnlhr haantedJuar> and opon a partjcafcu? enquiry kw Ac caofranrf nraaeiQfh&sTsQttbk, he loM me the ^ rife of it was from UftObimatiM;, thatlhrfimcrprrteifoiiic Scrfpturcyotherwife .th» ^ had hcacil fiome others to have done, but withall; he added^ linr lie kaew the rcafen of his perplexity was but filftr aol f bftl whfch be oootd cafdy arrfwer : This being no juR charge a^ft ffac ScriptiHC, ( vAoik &nkmi truth might for all that Ucme^ aod nsifimnto i«fdf> bur only an raipUcation of Hu- iiiaocwcbJaie6apficaringinthcdilfo€Rtai^it^ ftofsi yet nomitbftanding, be aiicmed be conld notftake oiFthe tmiUc, wd tEsit bis thougito were ever ntgcd with the fame tbjaglbr a feog time togeriicr v nay, fueh is his impudency in thk kindef trouUev that tbofe who know *ti^ thebeft way ncf toJifimfm^mcBSahwi^ but witb abhorrcncy to re-
jeaWm ^ after the exaaiple of ChrjH > with zGettkrhbindme^. SaWky and accordingly do wfcb their utmoft ftrcngth rejedr them, yet they imd than bedoch not read^ defift.
How^fedis this Troubte ? borate pious Pcrfbns^ aflKghted to . fet. the lace df tbck Tfaongbts made abommafily ngly and de- fotfowdhy' tbtft idolent and unavoidoMelnieaions ? 'tis not only memfim H> thofe thar know it to be folely Satans malke^ but it oitc»pt!»veltD he anajkfi^ir^furjHri/ja: lifcethat of a Traveller,, wbo whBe be pafleth oahfs way without forcfight or thought of danger, i&foddenly biowgbt to the top of a great PJrecipicey. where whtfo hctooks^ctewn td^tlte valt'decpbeloV^his Head fwims,^ ha Hear* p»t% WsKrieestiensbfc.aiK^the vcry^arofthefudde^^^ dmg^ fo coddbmida him that he- is f through exceffive drdad' 7 ready tOffaH intA that which he wottld avoid: fo atethcfeamaied' aiii^grftat hazards before them. Satan could not l>y all his Art.
pre-
HL-r/^
.|,5 Z%mtittOt iPartH.
prevail with than to abandon the ])oIy ways of God in exchange for the pleafures of Sin, and now they feem to be in danger to lofe all at once, and yet 'tis more afftightful by far to thofe that charge C through Satans cunning ) all this Atfaeiiin ifon tbem^ filifes.
2. Another af&ightful Inje&ion, is that of bli^bepumthongbtf^
as that God is not juli:, not compaflionate, that Scriptures an4
Ordinances are but low and forry things, &c^
. That Satan doth delight to force fuch Thoughts upon Men, h
evident, (i.) ItotuhisNatwre. He is a Wdrj^^etwowf Spirit, and
>«^\.^^^v^^ withal foi»^/icw«f, that whatfoeverisinhiscurfedMind, he will
be ready to vent upon all occafions. (2.) From hi5 Ptaihci ^ for
where he can obtain the rule over Mens Imaginations, ( as in
fome difiraded , Perfons, and thofe that are diltetnpered with
Feavers, ) heufualiy njakes them ^^omit fcarth Oaths, CdrCngs, •
and Blafphemies, and this he doth to fomei that ( white they have
had the ufe of their Reafon ) have not been obierved to give their
Tongue the liber ty of fwearing, ^r curfed fpeakine. fjO From
' his frrfeffed Defign in the cafe of jFoA, concerning whom he boaAed
to God himfelf, that he would make him curie him to his ike
and accordingly tempted him by his Wife to curfc God and die!
C4O From the fad alienee of thoic that We fuftred under this
fad AfBidion > for many have complained of bla^hemous
Thoughts, and thoic whom he cannot conquer, he will thus
trouble. Neither ne^ we think itHrange tfcat theDevil can im-
prefs Blaiphemies upon the Imaginations of Men agai^ tbdtmh^
when we coniider that he could make Saul C in his iiti J to be^
have himfelf like an inj^hred Ftrfin^ andcauic him touttcr things
beyond^ and unfutable to his difpoikk», ( *cr the rate and
manner of thofe raptures which Idolatrous Prieiis ufed to be tran-
Ba chaturVa- fported withal 0 this in i Sam. 18. XQ. is caDed Sauls prffphtfY-
IS', y^rg. ^„^^ ^j^^jj ^1^^ ^^^ Sfiritfrm the Lard vefcedhim i and is the iamc
with that which is fpoken concerning Biw/'s ftriefts, j King.rS.2p.
They fropkfied until the time of the ^tting 4if the Evening Sacr^ j
that is, they were exercifed with Trances and raptiaous Fiffies.
in which they uttered iirange Sounds and Speeches. How eafily
^ then may Satan poflfefs the FancicspCMen with Bla^emies > io
that the unmVtngmzy be troubled with them, and tfaoie that aw deprived ofthebenetit of Reafoiv may C from the power of the
imprdf>
imprdEon upon their imaginarioir ; vent them with a'kinA of imwillignefi. . . ' .
^lancboly Terfins do very frequently meet with this kind of Trouble, Satan havtng a great Jpower upon their Imaginatian and great advantages trom thedarknels of that Humor, to make the fear arifing from fuch thoughts the more afionijhing^ and to ddude them into an apprehenfion that they are guilty of all that paffeth through, their thoughts, and alfoto work this perplexity to more difmal effeHs. In thefe kind of Men he doth play the Tyrant with fuch In jafti^nsj abuCng them to fucK an height, as if they were his Vaflals and Slaves, whofe Thoughts and Tongues were injiis (and not their own; keepings and fb ftrongly doth he poflefs them ^th thi^ perplexity fometimes, that all thecounfcis, reaibnings, or advice of others, cannot in the leaft (atishe or relieve them i yet notwithftanding I have known feveral under this Affliiftion, who ( when by Phyficl^^ the ftateof thtir Bodies hath been altered ) have found thenifelves at eafe immediately the Trouble gradually and infenfibly ceafing (^ it felt ♦ *
Others there are that have great vexation from theft Thoughts «id thefe are commonly fuch as by fome hng and grievous^in' Sicknefi or other Croifes, have their Spixksfi^ed and imbittered I then is Satan ready to fugged, that God is auel, or regardlefi of his People > and thefe Thoughts arc the more dreadful, be- caufe fretting and murmuring Spirits have a natural tendency to to think harlbly of God ) (b that Satan in this cafe doth with the more Mdnefi obtrude thefe Suggeftions upon them, finding Co ^ gp«at a forwardneis toward fuch Imaginations, and alio with . greater /nwify hedoth ii5/&fif upwi them, as being in fome likeli* nood compliant and contenting.
when other Perfbns (not fo concerned as thefc^ two ibrts of Men aboiKB mentioned) are affaulted with UafphemousthoughtSi the fits are /^^mfftfffciff, and Cbecaufe they eafily difcauer the de- %i, and Author of them ) not highly aifiri^tful, though ftill trbobleicxne.
The burthen oftbefeinjedions are much like the former, ve- ry ladly affliding. for who can ea% bear the ntdfe of Satan while he (houts continually mto their Ears * odious fiahimnies, and Bhfphemous Indignities againlt God ? Dayidcould not hear wick- ed Men blalpheme God,* but it was at a 'Sv^crdin his Boner^ ex- ceeding painful :* the imprcffions of Nature^ (that teach us to re-
Xx verb
\xf> / zxtttitiittf >ait.n.
vttt arid honour God)' the power of EHucdtion f'that con*- ^rms.tbefe JmpreffionsJl the perftvafion of Faith ( that aflTures us of the reality and iniitiit^ Excellency of a Godhead ) and the force bf Love* (that nialtes us more fenlibly apprehenlive of any In^ feiY^ bt DHhohoar dbne to film whom we love .iboveal] Ji aO • mfiAo fuffex "^ thefe violent Incuriions of Satan, and che Sid^ ferer finds himfclf to be pained and tortured in thcii noble farpSm How grievcus muft it "be to a Child of God, to have his Ear cbai^ id to thefe intolkrable ingratcful Reproaches ^Efp^yialJy when w£ confider that the Devil will in this cafe, utter the mo/i dreidfyl Blafphemies he can dcvifl\ which will (till add co the Atf ultioa^ (for even thofe Men ihat tlirough habit, can welfbear ordinary petty Oaths, Jsvill yet Uartle at outragtous prodigious Swearing^ and therefore what ever C^ert and conflquential BlaTphcQiieg imay be tQ fomd Men, .ihcii-'mpitdmi hideous abufes of the Holy ind JufVGod, muft needs fadly' trouble thofe that are &)rced to hear xhxm. htiA the more' jcgnflaatthc greateir trouble. Whp would not be M^eary of their Lives, that mull be tbrcol to un- dergo thi^ Vexation ftiTl without interniiflSon ? Ahd.yet^ the De- vil can advance xhe trouble .a liwle higher by the App.tratus^ qs ftrtiHcial Dread,, which he puts upon the Ten.ptation in cfae moj^^ >Tff of th^Mnjed^lpn." A4 tlie Kodring of thejLion incteaieth terroi^ in^hc Beafts of the Field, who without that, would tremUe at his prefence v and as the Thnndermg sind Lighxning. at the givio^ of the Law, increaftd the fear of Jfidelr So when Satan is up^ bh this defi^iij hejhd^es ;^s it were the Houle, ^nd makes a noii^ tHat' the fright may be incredfei^A . » • : '3. Snfpiciouf ftars of hcw^ excluded cut of Gods eternal JDe^' 0'eeof Eleifionj is another of his'aflfrightmenCs, Thi^ is, wheii Satati boldly takes upon him to determine God's iecrpt Couafef concerning any Ma^ ? peremptorily afHrrtin^ that he k none ^ Co4^^ie£t.' In which ^afe^ often doth only i^nicA the fHJpiwm confidently,; Without tj^^r of Prbbfi br1f lie ufe Arguments, theK- ncver amount to a proof of^ig Affertion, ( neither is it poflible fhey {hould, for thefe arc among Go^s f^cretSy and out of Saran$ reach X though ^oflibly tliey may prove the Pcrfbn to be no^ Cpn^ iertU ar prefent, . So that t&is'kmd of trouWe differs exceeding* fy, frbfn ■ thoie difquiets of Temptation,, whiph iircquently Mea fuf&r ftti)ut their Jf^re, of Kegeneration. And indeed^ the^- Jtkn^6hi6;n(:it\)tconfou^ it being of great . concern to Men,
•* when
Ghap. jr. ^aeitn'jei Xtmptxtions. j i ?
when their Peace is^aflauU^ to be able to. ofcferve the diiFerencc betwixt theie two Aifertioiis, Tbon art not. Eleaed : Ahd^ thm art tHA yei Regenerated. Seeing the latter being gratoted^ there ycf remains a hope of the Trokability^i Poffibility of that Mans Con- verfion afterwards : C the (bfpitions of Non-converfion are more cbinmon^ and not fo d^crou$ ) i Nay, in Unregencrate Per* (bns, the fears of their being yet in that conditioti (oeingpyned with diligence and caie to ayoid the danger ) are neceflTaryi and ldva]!itagious ) but) the foroaer being granted, aUbamave^ to* gethef with that coxiccSonylaid.fiff^ ^ which riiuft tieeds*make the ^ftightmcnt intoHerabk* , Iq this we may obferve,
I. That Satan foe the better management of this Defigrr, dbrh not only injed thefe f^ipitions in the moft dreadful Lan^ g^i^^ ( a$ Ihou. art a^ loji ^nd damned. Wretdi^ hc^iejly mfiri^bk ti aH Eternity: God bath 4101 T^leS^dtbte to ISfey bui^ prepared fit f bee (us a.V^tl of iiprath } tbe'Lakg- of fireand Brmft^e fin ever^ &c. } But alfo he doth affert thc^l with the higheft I^enfUmnefs ima- ginable, as if he Had JhiUfority frOm God: to proooiince a Sentence" of Condemnation ^iixR^ Mao : > This muft need^ amarze the ftf^ ffifted unfpeakaUy. .'.''..'•...'•'. / • - ' '^ ' ■ , ?• -^ • iv jfn this he alfoai/mv/ bi^ 4dvaHtsgisz iiot Aer6 are forte* Men ibfadly fufted to . thi£ ; Peiigu, that Satan ccmc^ better to'
thaler^; '( Youth hath a natu^saj tendcrJieartddncft 5 Wefind thenj* coupfcd to^ihaxi^ Riboboaif§^$ Chacaderv 2Cb^o^l ^3« 7* ^W Rehoboam if af youngs and, tender^bearted )l and they are apt to receive ftrongimprciripps. When ihofe who vrerc formerly mindlcls of qiefr Spiritij^il concdn,. bdgiii to-be •fcrioas, thej;' can'Ti'o fbonet fall upon a .dptfijetalionirof thofe weighty. Do-* * ^mes:' That there are , S^k^ and G^rarx, Ibtne Saved^ arid {bm?r 'ffanmed > that ib^ B|cflcd arC'.^., inr coimparifon of the tnany that take the Broad^way to dglUpdioxi, . and that thefe were from Eternity ordained unto iJk^idistdftb^axly, Sea* No fooner CI iky ) begin they to .pondt?: thefe XbihgSy but ' Satan is ready ivith tfijs fiifpition, ^nd ^^ba't d^JtM^l^^'^but ibou^ ^i one of i^Ji^ exdudeaJfretdljes ?\ If ffftt fptt mf^td^f 4:ibokfan4'i^'one ihbk i^ri^ tmeofjhem f forr^by jbofiid Cod i(wi(.UpoH4ih^'mmihaft another /'
l^iefc archis BxH Aflays withjQiiiig-Ms% 1>eglrfmng to be^ fe-'^
X X 2 rious.
* li
M .*
_ _^, •_
_!Liri
Ill mxteatiteof Partii:
' rioto^ in whwA afterward he proceeds with greater boldncfs, as
he fecthoccaiionf 2. He alfo doth this to Pcrfons that are Jfime tpay (ptkks^i to a devotional fear of God, arid care of t licir Soujj, but withal are ignorant^ and not able difUnSly to apprehend, and * orderly to raflge the Dodrines of the Scriptures into a due confix fierny with one another. Their cartful fears make them en- quire ntf o what Gtod hath laid concerning the everlafting ftate of Men V and before they can be able .to dig^ the Principles of Re- ligion, &itan fets fome Truths edg-iaifayt againft th6m, which put thstn inta.great affightment, while C through their ignorance ) other Truths C appointed and declared for the fatisfadion of the tnindsof thofe that hunger and thiril after Righteoufhels; can- not come in to their relief. How ftartUng muft the truths of Gods Elcdion be, when they ftand forth ahne^ and are not ac- companied wkh the ItoHations of the Gofpel, that promiie VarJ^n and AccMarice to all that will come in and fubmit to Chrift ? Satan ufually holds fuch kind of Men, to the conCdera- tion of thofc Truths, that have the moft difmalAj^ea^ and whik they are (lopt there, they can dtaw forth no other condu&uis than theife, Tfhat they are in hazard^ and for (mght they hjitnp^ ttu urfy kfi. 3. Satan hath alfe this Plot againft thofe that by feme
Sievoms iniquity, or tmg cMtumanet in fin, have highly provo- ^d the Lord. Here be ufeth Arguments firom the heinou(he{s of thdr Iniquity s thou art a Kefrohate^ becaufe thou haft cotfr mittedthc&gre^ Misy thefe arc i»4»^ orDamnation, &c. Which Arguments, though they be of a^' valae^ and no way pipving that for which they:arc iirongHt, yet ^tan injeSing fuffitionsy and their own Confciehces in the mea^ time juftly accufing, they (b fink under their fear, that th^ ikfler Sbitan to make rpbat e/mclufionhe will, and then thof Jkb/crihe to it. 4. Above all, Mdanchaly PerCbns give the Jpevil the greaf^ advantage to raile affrightments. That Diftempcr naturally fills Men with (ad ^oughts, and is credulous of the w<^ft evil that can beobjeded againft him that hajh it. .Of it felfi it can create the blackeft Conceits, and faddeft Surmifes, tind then believes its own fency. Fineumque, ^ j^^^j ^^^^^ ftrikes in with this Humour, they are the more cpi^ crcduntquc f^^^^j^i^ their Sufpitions, and the Fright is the jgteater, becaije
they arc as Z«€yti«/fl«/ of what ^ good ( if it be told them J> as Dtm uiiujU tfecy are apt to h^i^^ what is ^vil, arid to believe it; becaufe they crcd.t« fiar it » though &o other reafim Vi^e ofiered; But niuch more
when
Chap. 7. iS>afan*tf Eemptatiotts* i^j
ivhen Satan in a Tropbetid^ manner foretck their roiftty^ aixl.al^ fures them they muft never he happy. * .
3. The fufpitions which the Devil hath by thefe advantages raijidupy he doth endeavour to increafiy apato root them ^^ fy in tne minds of them, upon whom he hath thus begun i And indeed , by irequent inculcating the fame thing with his continued feren^torinefi of. aflerting 'the certainty of .their, Non-eledtion , ne at laft brings op very many to a /^ff»/vr- fipafipfi that it is fo > and beiides other Arts that he may haye, or cxercife in this particular, he commonly praftifeth upon Men, hy penferting the tmc Intendment and ufe of the Dodrine of £Ie* iftion* That there is fuch a thing as E/c5w«, and that of a Je-. iitminati number, arc Truths undeniable > and the end of their difcovevy in the Gofpel, is the comfort and confirmation of the Con-. ' veirted*. Here they may fee Gods «»cA«;?ge^& te^e to tHem, ho\%. much they ftand engftgtd for the freenefs of .Grace, and that the Foundation of God UJure^ &c. For to this purpofc doth our Savi- our imptovc thelf Dodrincs, Tdfci 1 7. tf, 7, p, 1 2, 1 5, r6. But oothing erf* this is fpoken to dycourage any Man from his endea^- vaurt^ neither can any Man, frove that &e, or any otber^ is excluded^ ma rf tbcjheree of EleHion^ (except in cafe of the finagainft the. Holy Ghoft ) i neither is it poflible for the Pe»//to prove any fuch thing againft wy Man» neither ought any to fitppofi himfelf not. EkO I But on the <i)ntifary, if he is mBingto forfa^ fin^ and d^ fffvm to he recotuiled to God; he ought to apprehend a probabUity^^ that he is Eleded, becaufc the proffer of Chrift is made to ^ that • mB ftdeve him. . And therefore (hould Men Jt^ thei^^ears ajgamft . fiidi SuggidMons, and *ot difpute that with Satan, but tather. hutrkpt to the Commands, Exhortations, and Promifes of^ Scripture, it being moft certain that thclefe0'et things belong to . Gody Deut.2i?. ajju and are no Mans rule to walk by, feeing re- vtakd things only belong to us. AH this the Devil perverts, for h* cndeayouTS to make Elcdiion^ the immediate Obj^ of our Faith,. apd our Rfde t6 w4lk by v as if it were neceffary that every Man feiev Gods eternal purpofe amcetmng him, before he begin his en-- ScsCT^uts. And as he argues feme Men into a paverfe canslefsnefs ' vmoothc ground of Election, .making them to conclude, that If- iST^ ardm^ t9 Liffy tbeyflfall befaved, though tbry livtzpicksdlyy , iftbtf benof^ tf>sy JhaU be damned^ though they endeavour never foi i^$o the contrary. So he alio argues Ibme, tr^m this Doarinc,,.
mto
3 1^^ - ^ Tttatilt of. ^m, n.
into terrible ftars (^ T>4mnauon^ becaufe they cannot be aflured aforehand^ that their names are written in Heaven* And theft dreadful fufpitions he doth labour to ftrengthen, by foroc \fcns OTw^^iry- handling of the Igodrine of Non-cledion > "when fixot Preachers unskilfully urge *he dangerous figns of Repiobatioi^ or {ipQ2k feverely oi God's Decrees, wkhout due camion and framiji of Mercy to all penitent Sinners. Or when ibme, unskilful in the methods of comforting the dilhreiled in Confcicnce^ becaufe tiicy are not able to (hew the Afflided thcit Condition, or to {peak a n>9rd in feafon. to quiet their Mind^ and to direil them what courfe to take, do ufually refer them- to God's Decree, and tell them, If God have decreed them to Salvation, tbey jMT h^ faued. Satan doth induflrioufly hoW them there, bythismean^ ^ ' he leads them fixxn thePromifes and their Duty, and keeps them* wtuftng^LtiAfmngivpcm Ek^on,' till they are bmildfed^'zud can- not find the way out. Thus have fcverat continued under their Aifrightments for many Years.
■ 4. We may obicrve. That i#hen Satan hath brou^ thim into this (nare, he doth tyrannically domineer over tfeem. He doth*' iieri^ them under their trouble, andfwcl^ at thenvw^nrtti^ytt*^ comes upon them. And becaufcnowthe very thou ght^orti^aringp' ofEkdian is as a Da^gar to the Iicart, iand a dreadful fomU ik fbrir Ears J he delights to r^pwif it to them i for the very i»amii)gef the word, becomes as dreadful, as the fen fence of C^mkmnathn to a.Malefa^rj being always accompanied with this Rdk«%idb> . Oh hoTHf^niiferdble am /, that have- no part norfortion ink i B^fides, he doth fcarfie their mihds^ with irnaginafyr€p'$fintaihnst£}^ - and fets before them as in a Schemt^ the day of Judgment, the' tarrours of the Damned, the fentcnce againA tfie <joat5^ oa the Lrft-hand^ the intollerablc pain^ of everlafting Burfnsg^ arjdi Cjhat which is the miftry of all thefe Mif^ries >.rhe Efirjnty^^ am: Thus- he forceth their MeditaiioD$, btct AiJi With Af^ca^: ti0i> to ^hemfelvesy neither doth be fufier them-toire^ in thc> Ni^ ht, but they are terrified with GidVreamSy and the Vifms fif /Af ATrg/^^ do dif^uiet them. *, ^
;^5. How ffitvms this Aftightment \^ I ibould mxt^biefwi^ bift that is partly -expreffed in the. afef egoing Particulars, and niatf yjer^ frfore fully lap^ear.by a cbrifideration of thefe'j thmj^fc- ip\That a Man hlndj noting d^& to hm than his Soul : Ala^'. tbi« caahot be- coilnterballariQcd by the gaining of^the whole* ^* •' . World,
Chap. 7. Satan's Cetiiptationjsf^ fH
World, and to have no haft or cxpcdanqr of its SSvation,. muft heeds be terribly affrij!,htful. 2. Thefe fufpirions of Non-eledi- gnpreyaiUog, ail fromifes and Cgmforts are urged in vain, and . . they commonly return chem back again to thofe that offered thera, with this reply : ^hey are true^ and ufefitlto thafe who tphom they. a^erfain^ hut they belong not unto me. Nay, all means are rejected asufelefs. If fuch beadvifedto Pray, or Read, they will in their fit of Affrlghtment re/if/e alh upon this reaibn, that they are not EleSed. And then to what piirpofe r' fay they; is Prayer^ oranj endeavours? For n?bo can alter his Decree.^ And indeed, if their • Aflrightments continued at an height without intcrrolflion, they would never do any thing \ but this is their help, that fbme fe- aet under-ground hofes which they efpy not, do revive at leaft Ibmetimes, and put them upon endeavours, which C through Gods blefling ) become meatis of better information. 3. Though . Satans injedHons of Non-eledion be altogether nnproveablCj toil withal fo tenifying, that it might be fuppofed Men flioCild not be forward in their belief of fo great an unhappinefs: Yet can he prevail fo far, that the Perfons above named '(efpecially the Melancholy ) are made to believe him, and this chiefly by poff^tfing their imaginations, with his frequent confident Affirma- tions. 'Wee fee it is a common pradiccto teach Birds Mofical Notes and Sounds, which is only by conllant repetition, till a fir6BgIrapreffion is made upon their Fancy: And thus may one Man impofeppon the imagination of another with his Songs, or Sayings: forwhat we hear often. We cannot forbear to repeat in. Our ^hought?,^ being ftjongly hxed.upon dur Fancy. No wonder . then, if Satan by often repeating, Ihou art not Elecied^ thou art pamned, ^c, doform fofirongan Impreflion upon the imagina- tion, that poor amazed Treatures lear^ to fay after hlni^ and then tate tlie Eccfocx'of their Tancy^ to be the voice 6f Confdence condemn nin^them. Now then, if the mhjppinefs rfufpefted) be the y^tejl beyond all comparifon, if thefe Aifpitions entertamed 'cut off^llfuccourf of Comfort that may arife from thePromifes of God and the endeavours of Man, if Satan can prevail svith Meft tQ eoteitain .^henj vyith any jper>4(5^« (as wefte he can J how 3readfuUy wUl thefe perfwafians will ■ bis thoughts run, I am />erj
noi'Eleaed, then Comforts and Prayi , , ^, ^ ,
in v^in. tkre is no pjftbility of Salvation, nor, the leajthofeof a tpbo.
I^x, vr a pe^advmureh and if thai ^ '0b mffed^ly^ ft^trakki Under thefe aflonifhing thoughts doth Satan exerdfe their hea^ by fufpitions of Non-elcdion. But
4* Sometimes he takes another Courfi to affiright Men, and that is by injecting Motions of fbme ahon&nabk Sin^ or evil j^to their minds, to the commiflion whereof he feems firongly tofbt- Hcite s yet not with any /id/ intention, or exptSation of preva- lency, but with a purpofe to mol^ and difquiet. And for that ' end, he commonly chufeth fuch fins as are moft vile in their own Nature, and tnefi tfpofite to the Difpofitions of Men : Thus he tnje&s thoughts' ot Uncleanncfs to < chaft Perfon» thoughts dT. injuftke and wrong to a Juft Man 9 thoughts of revenge and cru- elty to a Week Man « thoughts of rejoycing in the Io(s and miiery of others to the Merciful Man. Or elfe he injeds motions to fuch fins, wherein formerly Men have befn wertakgn^ but have been made bitter by deep repentance i the very thoughts whereof are now become moil loath jome. And Ibmetimes he purfiies Men with thoughts of Self-Marther^cvcn while there is n^dmgof diP- content or trouble in their Minds, to (econd fiich a Temptation. By this manner of proceeding, he creates great A&ightments to the Hearts of men* For
1. Thefe are itrange Surprijals h dnd Palbns under this kind of Trouble, cannot but be amaied to tind fuoh thoughts within them, which are moft contrary to their Difpofitions, or their moft firiout Kefolves. The chaft perfon tempted to Uncleannefs^ or the juft man to Reyen^e j the humble Perfon urged to the fame Sin that cofi him (b dear, &c^ They p^onder at their own Hearts^ and while they miftakg thele Temptations, by judging them to be the ijfuer of their own Inclination^ with alionifliment they cry out, Ob I had thought that I had mortified tbejfe Lt(fif^ hn mba$ m firangt Btanhave I f I feefinis as flronginmeasever? And I have
Aufetofearmyfilfy 8cq»
2. And this is yet a greater trouble, becau(e ufually Satan takes them at fame advantage of an offered occafion,-or opportu- nity, then be gives •therp a fudden pufli, and with importtmlty urgeth them to tak$ the time v this often a&ights them into Tretn- bling, and their Fears do fo wea^n thek purpolb, that their ha- 7ards are the greater, in that they are aftoniOied into an InaQwiry. So that ia this cafe, the Men of Might do not teadily find their Hands, V^ ^
3. Neither
Chap. 7. ^$ltm'f^%tmpmimsi. ^ly
. . 3« Neither are thele motions fkdden and tranfient ghnces, which peri(h as foDn as Aey are born, C though it be a very fit- quent thing with Satan to caft in motions into the Heart for trial uke, without further profeciition ) but he Cin this cafe) pur- Cues with frequent Re^efithnty following hard after them, to the increaie of the Affirightment^ So that for a long time together Men may be afflifted with thefe MefTengers of Satan to bu^t them \ and though they may Prav eameftly againft them that they may be removed, yet they find the motions continue upon them. Which muftneeds be an hateful annoyance to an upright Heart, that doth kptnv it to be only Satans defigh to affiright, much more muft it afflid thofe. that do not fereme the Contriver and end of (uch motions, but judg them to be the natural workings cf their own evil Heart.
4* Satan can alio ai&ight Men by immediate im^ejponr of Fear upon their minds. He can do mudi with the imagination, eipe« ciaUy when Perlbns are diftempered with Melancnolyi for foch are naturally fearful, and any imprejfions upon them have the deepeft, moft piercing operation. They are always framing to tfaemfelves difinal things, and abound with black andiJafS Cbnf* ceits V furmifing (till the worft, and always Inaedulous of what is good, tience iris that fometimes Men are feized upon by Fear* fulndK and Trembling, when yet they cannot give any toVerable aceomtofz caufe, or reafbn, why it fhould be fb with them* And others are exceffively aftoniflied with the fliadows of their* own thou^ts, upon the mdanefl pretences imaginable. '^
That this is the work of Satan, doth appear by unqueftiona* ble evkience. This was that evil Sfirit wmch God fent between Aiimelecb^ and the Men of Secbem^ Jndg.$.2^. God permitted Satan C^tbePunifliment of them roth) to raife Fears and Jea- bufies in the Heart of Abimehdf^ againft the Men of Sed9m, and in the Hearts of the Men of Sed^em againft Abbmlecb. They were mutually afraid of one another, and thele Fears wrouj^ fi far^ that they were ( for the prevention of a fuppofed danger) engaged in T^readxrowConAiraeitf^ to the real Ruineof them both.^ The evil Spirit tha vexed Saul^ i Sam. 1^.14. was nothing, clfe but fuddenand vehement fits of Herrotir^ and inward fear which the Devil ralied by the working up of his Melancholy. For we nky G^erve thefe Fits were allayed by Mufid^s arid alfb we might ice by yis dUpoitioa oxtf of his fits^ and by his caniage in tbm^
Yy that
\i% Z%tt$LtittM Part. IK
t^ inward fsarf were his tormoMts ; fojr i &am» i8^« ^tisDOted^ ^M SmI eyd Vavid^ that is^his jealous fears began to workcoo- Ceroingl''^^ ofwhom'tis faiaexprefly^ ver. I2. fhst betp^ ^fkud pec^§ the Lord ipm tpkb him and when the evil Spirit cunt qponbim, his heart was exeicifed with tbefe fears, and accor- dingly he behaved binolelf when he cad the Javelin at pavid with a pnrpoi^ to (lay hiqi. Upon any occadon, of trouble efpedally^ the Devil was at hand to neightra his afirightment, infbmuch that when the fuppofed Samuel told him of his Death, x Sam. zZ^ ^o. he was afraid to fuch an height, thatik feB fhai^htn^of afor hng on the Zarth^and there tp^ no fireofth hhimM . Neither muff we Cippolethat Satan in this kind of workiug, isconHned only to wiaced Men : for there is nothing in this mannorof afliightme nC|. wbtckisinoeniiftent with the oondition of a Child of God, ef^ ^dally when God gives hiai ua to tryal^ or corredion* Nkx>> IMX^ oCGods Servants Giilqr unaer Satans hand in this very n^an- nec LetusconCdei the tioublesof Johy and we (hall find that tbou^^ Satan endeavoured to deliroy nis peace by dr(compo(iu:e Qf ^rit, by queflioning hisbteg^ky^ by firi^buul injedions of hla<pbecDQu$ upugbts, yet aU thci^ he van^i0icd withan un- daunted courage^ th^ Btai^«my he rejeded with ahhonency^ his integntyhe reeved he would not denj^ (a longas he livec^ his^ loilbshe dtg^O^ ea(Uy with 4 fobefcon^poied mind, H^S^d. God that^iveswd takes at pleafute, and yet he complains ofhisfears^ and his fre^Mnt (iirj^jduU thooeby^ infiunudi that his faends take notice thai; ixjoil of biSrt;s6uble,ata^&(^ Job aa« lowwf
fyddenfeitr tT(mUaktbi&f andhe^hmifelfcQnfefled^s^nu^ ^4, let natbkfMr ttni^me^-^—kuiit it Mfovith i«^Sq that itap* pears that J[i?Ps id ward diilrelsp. was madly fiom (facong imprdr^ i^ns of ai&ightingfoaxft^
Tbele (ears. imcreHed upon the Mind, mufl needs be an unex*- preffible trouble,fWe is nothing, that dothmore looie^
andJoynts^ofdbeSouJ,. tothe weakening and utter enfeebEng
of it in allita endeavours,, than fears '>^ it (caiters the ftrength in a. moment* AodbeCdes the preiient burtben>which will bow dow&; tbe backs of the llxong^n, . theie fears have a fpccial kind of em^ (m magnantmhy ux tlKth :. /£qx i« they, come by £ts, and have timesotmoreh^ceand cTNK/^fl^^ yet in their intervals they ka v.e the Beart in a tmnhlrngfaiioing poiluce, (fca:. the Devil gives- aOtQ^etthe prefent iit, tillnehaxbn/f^ them lore, and left them
(as-
Chap* 7. ;S>aea[tt'jtf %mpt^ti(mg, .^i^
(as he did the Kfans Son k MaH^. z 6.) m one J$sd): So tbitt ^tis HO more to ht reckoned oompaffion, and fientlenefi ui Satan to* \rard the ^taSttA that their fits are not cot^ant^ than it can be ac- counted tendemels or kindnefs in a Tyrant^ who when he hath tacked or tormented a Man as much as lirength will bear withcMt Icilllflg out dfhand, givesover ix>t a tknci that ch6 patty n^j^t be rdTerved for new tcmunts. a . iThefe fits ufually ittum ttJiA times as the Party afflided feems to promife hitnfelffome IHHt fsr/e, being defigned to give the greater diiappointment, inintcf- ceptinghis exp^ed comforts^ Slt^ and hbat are the two great renreHiments of the dUhrelTed, thefe times Satan watdieth for his new oniets. %h found it (b in both cafes^ his Meal-^times wele times of trouble ^ ]o^ |* ^4* My fi^tigcmiteth (that is the fits of fighingretum) htfon I ejr, andmy raarbigf are f<mred om likg the Wa$tti\ andhisSkepingtimeswerenobmer, Job7»i^, Wbml fipmy ^tip9alic9fn(brt me^ tf^ C^ueb fifjUeafi my tm^uiiz tbm wmftarifi me mtb PriafnSy and terrifi^ me tbhmgb Vifieni^ fi thgt my Soul cbufefbi^an^hu^ MulPeatby ratber then L/}l«— ^-^|. Thefe ^ars do tnake them ^eltbc wei^t, not only i^ted pfeknt e?^ btrr of all others which the inuguiMtien can rmrefeoi to them. So that the fight or hearing of any fad things amiAs ihetn with £ff- mH^^ ihit this will be theu caie. Hence are they foU of int^^ ving thoughts > fotnetimcs they fear that tfa^ (ball at laft ftll off Item Cod, into Come icandalous Sin^ to the diflionour of God and Religion, as that they (hall be ApofiateS) and turn openly prophetic i lome times tKey fear they Aall meet with feme fignai - Vfcvouritig Tu4gmenr, by which they (hall onedny peiifli \ we D#- t^i Add m the Qke cafe, ' tfiat ope Ly fefi/hl^ fbeband ef SmI: thtr$ are they crucified betwixt their ^ient byrthcoy and fiicure €xpedattons of evil.
6. Thelaft C^nd indeed the meaneft) Engine for the working ofaffirightment, is fcrufnlofity ef Canjcience. Satan vexeth the Confcience and diQradeth the K^nd>by railing up aeedkfi^eunel' 7ejnears concerning a Mans Pradice. Where the<g/i(wjweof Men^ . or their timerous difpoiitionsdo encourage Satan to this enterprise, there he multiplies icruples upon them, io that though^they af- (ent to the doing of any thing as good or lawfiil,''* yet are they ffonftandy a^ghted from it, by a fufpitions fear that it may be •cthfefWifer
This kind of trouble takes in almoft all kind jof a(%ons, it
y y a • «-
,yo ;a ICteatife of Partii.
extends to the wayofaMansCaZf/ffg;, the way of his management of it)Che rates he talies, and the prices he gives for his Commodi- ties v oar every A^tfurW aftions of Sleeping, Eating, Drinking, Company, Recreation, are not unooncerned. In all which the Devil affrights the timerousConfcience that (it maybe) he hath ofiendal: if he buys or fells, he is difquieted with [a may he} V that he hath fold too dear ,or bought too cheap; if he eats or ffeeps, he fears he hath been exoffive, a Sluggard or a Glutton : thus are fdme Men molefted in every thing they do.
Neither is this kind of afirightment to be defpifed : (or though often 'tis a groundlefs fear, and Co appears to be to difcemine CbriAians h yet thofe that are under this moleflation think h bad enough'Though it be not asa ll^d^tfaat afBids with violent pains^ ret 'cis as thofe kinds ofpmipnmitf which at firfi are nothtng,but >y continuance do tire Men out with IMe-eafiy and ib at laft be- come intollerable. Befidesthisisamir/ii^(yyA| trouble ) fi>r one fcruple begets another^ and by continMnee of templing, the Con- fciescegrowsp n'M^and unfleady, thato^ thing is foupled, . and tiie Man btidu^ht to a continual affiightment of dobg wrong in every adion. Neither can all Men make ufe of the rmedy that isprefcribed for the cure of this Diflemper, which is, That when fuch fcruples cannot be removed by Reafin^ then either Men (bottid forbear the H^uJ^ng upon fuch things fiom whence Cxor pies are apt to arife, or they fhould hnj{^ them down by violencei and go over the BeMy of their fcruple to the performance of their >- a9 f ^#fadion. I deny not but that fomething may be done and endea- ^v9<ft ^ ' voured this way > But any may fee that 'tis not eafy for every one
to do either of thef^: fo that this is alio a troublefome evil, fiom which 'tis not eafy to be difcharged.
I
mm
CHAP.
r
ch»p. <• ^atan'0 Scmptatiotuc. )}i
tmm^mt^
CHAP. VIII.
Of Sdtdms third wdy to binder Fegce by Sfiritml SMdmrp. Wherein^ i. Of the Degrees of SfirituJ Sadnefs. a. Of the frequency pf this trmble^ evidenced fever dl V0itjs. Of the difference ^twixt God d»d Ifatan in woanding the Confcience. 3 . Of the folemn Occafions rf this trouble. 4. the Engines by p^ich Sdtdn * ipeerks ffiritusl fddnefs. i . ais Sofhiftry. His To- ficks enunserdted und explained, i • ocriptures Per' verted. %. Fdlfe Notion/. 3. Mifretrefentations of God. 4. Sins $ how he aggravates them. 5^ Lef- fining their Graces : Sow he doth that. 2« His feeond htogine^ Fear i hm he fprwards his design that
BEfides the troubles already mentioned under the heads of difr eompofiins of Spint J znd offfrighments^ there is a third kind of trouble which Satan gives to the Children of God, and this ma? for diftinftion fake, be ailed Spiritual Sadntfs. Thefe Spiritual Sadnefles orelTiinKUer raiftd in tb^ Mind^ nlating to the Cdnfcienee^ aad Sfhkual State or.QmdiHon of* Men^ They differ exceedmgly fiom the two former forts of trouble : for, i. Thefe troubles wholly Gonecm the G)nicience in point ofR^nerationy and Men's fmtablmtfs thereunto > whereas limple difconapofores of Spiril Mly relate to mnriiri things* 2. In thefe the Confcience is immediatefy concerned, but in other troubles, the Confcience it dther wholly M^i'ircifi^ (^ wounded only /mA^^m/y, by conti- nuance and ^grels of the difoompofore of the Spirit, j. 1^ thefe txottbks, Cbnfoience is the great infirumettt hyMfhich the .Devil works, whereas in the troublir of af^ghtments the Devil j^SttAahniy d)e Heart being in the mean time, uncomplpnt and ttfi(img. Forthe opening of this trouble, I dull explain,
!• The
* The feveral Agra/ thereof. 'Tis a trouble of Confcience unduly ^aa^v«t«cl:by&^ ^heseia he conges himlelf to thcjoferjfth ons of Confcience. But then, as he fuggeftsthe troubles of Men by the voitx of Confcieii^ fo he doOi all he «n to make it m-epc- lor m its admgs, and exc^jrw ift that hrregulawty. So that in this cafe, the Confcience is evil^ and imploys it (elf in that roiftake, to tocfkt into Mens Regjencracy or Holine^, always bekigerther a Hauet^ or an Aivtrfary^ aad the Devil helps this forward all he
The Apoftlem Hefc. 10.22. makes mention of an emlConjiience^ and that chiefly as it doth occalion fear, hindering our comfort- able acccfs to God. This the Confcience doth when k docfa not execute its office aright, cither in not. tKcufing when it otight, or in acatfiag when it Ihould noth and thefe^alfe accufetions Cau(e di^ ifitntlbrts of troubles according to the variety crf*th^ matter for which.it doth condemn. 3cnc(^i5 it'ihat there are tbrK depets of trouble^ofConfcietice, Bdow the trouble of difpaii:; ' ; /^
f. The /Hr^degrci* H when a tcgttltraxe mfoitdoril mtfo- Ifrf/w/; determine the cafe of his Souli whether hfc ht I^egftttarate. or not, but is only kept in fwi^nice betwixt Hope that be is, and Fear that he is not, the Confcience in the mean time forbearing to witnefe for him, though it have juft caufe to excufe him : This wc may call a donbting or queftioning Confcifuce > and though it comes far UtiaiX of thefe diftrdfts in whkh fijmc Meii ate pfongfll upon the a<fcount of their Souls, yet is k a trouble, for their Pea«c is hereby hfedred, and jheiSrcfefires of fefls^Aiotr frufttttf*, which ia matters (if fc great,c;onccw < « ate thefe rflfttlriHtt^- U% and Everlaftihg Wifery ;). maft be.v^ diltimetjtto ; Wfifeh fhe Affeaions are eirntfli *( hehr fetisfii^ (
without trouble v Tor th^defeite'df^f fht H&Dt Jldt, ftov.i^.li* fcot only doth ft faint under its doubts, but is b^ that tneattrt fc mai^m its Purpcfes that it is eafify drawn to adittif of greatjjtln*" «nvcniencie$, "which may hy ihefemrfi^tion of tort;e J^
&fli]rfaances. '' r '/" \/' • '•*
That the Confcience may be in ftcftf aDHrempei^ ihit k wffl j^m^s c^ft hot witnefe/ar a Mcul, when yet ir canriot wlttrcis %*Si^ bbtk, 1$ Ur.fcSx\>xc,9 the obfervanon ofthofefhat have treated of the txattffttiif C<Jrf-
fcience : Sometimes \t will not xtakt mltcatim of ObfFi fto-
ihifcs, tfao.ufh^will lielieve, that he thit Ibtfikcs Sift fe i^
ncrate, that he that triiry itp^tXs Uall br pstrdonedi yce fc WU
'* not
Chap. «. ^atAfVa XeniptatfonjSf* y^^
not ifj^rw fox ^ Man, thatliefbr&kesSinorrcpeneSy thNMgh^ie really do (b 5 or if it cannor deny that, yet it will fimeriafies r«-' fufe to make'ttiat conclufioit which oncyrwM think wouU fbl-* low oHt felF, by natural conftqacncc^ and- fo refiifeth to judge the Perfon regenerate or pardoned, though it caftiaot deny but that he forfikcs Sin and repents. The ptaMefi ot the Blciling^ ^ti£ remainders of UuhcWcf^ the deep /CTjScrf'Unworthinefe, with other confiderationsj do keep off the Heart from naking fas I may fiy ) ^5 bold with the Promifcs i but all this while the Devif isdomg his utmoQ to aggravate thefe confideradons, dfrightrng the G)nfcience from that juft abibhition which it ought ta give. - 2. Another degree of Trouble arifing fipom an evil Confcience, i$when the condition of a Regenerate Pcribn is determined bf Gbnfcicnce ( but falfly ) to be very bad. I muft here ( as firnie jyj^^f^ ethers have done) for want of better terms diftinguifti betwixf Therap.Sacra. ^fiaii efRegenefacy, dnd i Mans condition inthat ftatr, though^^- 3. ^« i» ^e words IftaU and condition^ are ufed promifiruottfly the one wt another. A Man may be in a Regenerate ft ate^dxtd yet his condition in thMfiatc may be very bad and blame-worthy, as not walking worthy of fb holy a Callings asaPerfbti maybetMan, andyett H^healthy orlangMiAing. Thus many of the ^Jutn Churches weie iwe Churches^iand yet in a had condition 9 feme bd^gmnm » fomc bad" a. name to livcy and yet were comparativelf dead^ becaufe tlm DPorl^ were not full OtferfeS before God > and others had t^ ^M^ftrft love. To this purpofe is that of the Apoftle, 2 Cor. 13.5.. Knotpye not ytmr wnfdves^ bb» that Jefm Chrift is in you^ euc^h^ ii^i: j^h Vjspnabatis f where the word Itefrobateis not toK-taken istX'f*^^ i^« the RrySt tevcK {en(e 6>x one riot eleSed^ but for one whofe con* n^erfation is not fi found and approved as it (hould be : for lhi» relates not to their being in Gbrift^ but to their affkranee of bctng ill f hat ftate> which the Apofile affirms they might know, CKcepr ^ fault lay ki their negligent carelefs converfetion.
This kind of Ttoublc then is df this nature-i the Gonfcience 4otb not acciife a Man to btVhregenerate^ yet it condemms him fcMT^ carriage unfidsMe to the Gofpel 5 and this fbmetimes when his Aftions are not abfolutely evil, but partly good, partly bad t: \yhoa the ConCience condemns the Aftions as ahogether finfbl^ becaufc of (bme mi»tHre of rrifirfftities, iti' wfatA cafe we ftould. imitate the ApoQIe, in- Ko/n. 'fJ wh6 when by reafon of the re- *
nauMfcrsofSininhim, ht.coutdiiot\^oi\it good bei^outd^ that J
is
334 7i%ttatitt(^t Part-IL
is .in fiiA a manmr and degree as he defired, rxor avoid the evil which he would fo dearly and fully as he wi&cd, fbnieiniper- , fcdions in his beft endeavours Itill cleaving to him: yet his Con- kience took a right courfe, he was humbled for his imperfections, but iVithal acquits himfelf in point of integrity, his Confcience tclHfied, ver. 1 6. that he confented to the La«f as good^ and ver. 22. th^ithc delighted in the LaiP of God after the inward Man. But in 'this cafe of Spiritual trouble^the Confcience takes all in the worft fence, it only iixeth upon the imferfeSions^ and makes them to fove for proofs againit the Sincerity. Thus if a Man m prayidg be troubled with wandering thoughts, then a diftempered Confci- ence condemns that Prayer as a finful prophanation of the name of God: ifthe great concern of G<>^/C;/(wy run along in fuch a way, as is alfo advantagious to the Verfon in outward things, then will fuch a Confcience condemn the Man for ftlf-fed^^ though his tnain deftgn were truly the honour of God. In all adions where • there is»Jr»i«y appearing with the moft fmdus endeavours, or wlkreGoif/GAn^ and Mi»iVG(W are twifted together, the diibr- dered Con (cience will be apt to take part with Satan, accuGng and condemning theadion. Yea very often when the ^£dons are very goody no way juiUy reprovable, the ConCuence (hall condemn : if be have had peace,he flull be judged for (ecurity \ tf hehaveFaithinGod'spromifes, it will call it prefumption i ifhe have a zeal for God, it will be miiinterpreted for carnal rigour* if be have joy$ itfhs^U be misjudged to be natural chearfulnels, or dclufion ) in a word,all his Graces (hall be efleemed no better than $H9raL Vertues. At this rate are the Children of Gbd put to great trouble, hfing (aslibzy iky) the things they baue inmgfct, &diy ben;iqaning their hardneis oi heart, or want of Faith and Love, when in their carriage and complamuigs, they give very high prm>fs of alL In this alfo Satan is bufy to nouriih the Confeiencein its Jealoulles, and dothfuggeli many objedionsto coniinn it in its Di^emper. The Confcience is not always of a peevifh or perveric humour > for (bmetimes it will fmite a Man for a mifcarriage fas it did to P^i^when he cut off the lap ofSauPs Garment) and yet not break his peace : which is a fufficient evidence that it is put (in this cafe) far out of order 9 which advantage Satan ivorks upon to difquiet the heart, to make Men unthankfiil for the Mercies they have rcccivcd^and to incapacitate themformore. This for diftindion fake, we may call the trouble (^ a grieved or
dfjeStd
I
I I - \
4^ed CoaSiaicCy accocdingto that of Plal.42« 5,11. Ifjymt ibmcMJidcmLf OnyiSanl i cmi why an thou difpuaed mtbin mef lboiighruch.Menaic.4uul6rGod^s Favour, yet they misdeeai j^ . ani think God is ang^ with than, their Heast pant$, their Sbul thirfis, their Tdarsate their Meat, they are ready tody unto Gody Myfvd^ wbyb^ tbmfarftkin me i^ And though they have fbme hopes fer thefuture, that C^wXie&mmanA Us laving kpidntfi^ and that thej (kaB yeffraifi him j yet their prefent apprehenfion of their. S|:wti]a) wants and weaknefle^ and of the dHpIeafure of God^ which. they fiippofe they are under, makes themgo naonm--* ; ingalUhepay«
3. The tnird degree of tiouble of Confcience is when the Con* fiience peremptorily denies tbcfiate of R^auration. Hereby a Man that i& reallv regtnerate,is concluded to be yet in the GJirf bkur* mfi^andbond of Iniquity h his former hopes are taxed fidr/e^^-^A^A^ fb andJhiSjPKeftntltate take aftateof Nature* This trouble is far greater than tfai? two bimexy bteauf^ the Partf is judged to be m greater hascsrdy and by many degree more remote frim htfe. - 'lis the frequent and iad thought of fiidi. That if Death ihould fo that eAate cut off their days, Oh I then they were for ever mi* foable. The Cearsand diiouiets of the Heart on this account, ^ceverygrievous^'btttyettheyadfloit'ofdE^gpitec, according to the J^ffor^fiMeof the Party, thePi}fe«^cftheConiaence,thei?irefltg^ c^ the Objections, orScimfy of the Ptofecution, in regard the< ^on&ience is now fadly out of order* We may call this degree of ^ief (for diftindion) a mmded Sfia$^ %, which how hard it is' tp he born Solon^n tells us, Frai^. i8. .14, By oomparicg it with, all other Idnd of .troubles, which the Spirii of a Man can make feme ihiftto^e^, making this heavier than all^ and above (»di*. nary (farength.
Some make fi^^Vy what may be thediflerence betwixt a wound- ed Spirit^n the RegeneraU and the K^hau i To whidi it may be snjkwdy I. That in the Parties ap||Eehenfion there is no diffe- rence at all : both of theib may be compaiTed about with the Sor* MPS of Deaths and (uppofe themfelves to be in the BeSy of Beff» 2. Neither is there any difference in the degree of the trouble, a « Child of God tnay be handled with as much feeming Severity^ as iiewhom God intends for a future to^. 3. Neither is there any iixch remarkable difference in the t^orkjng of tht Spirits of the* fmeand other, that^% themfelve^ at preifflt, moims that axe .
2 2 by^
fa Gcace beins in thcJSesst b^tkc one, wyOiaibiii^AnyMiiMg^ . Pr^ di&QYCT i^Li6e. iovirthwgh^ foitktttQQs iLads. fab^ <» cdnfiifexBiil, i;ha(t.<3i(v(i^ omiH^nff^iihh yft;pfi;eB Ui&fe that a»: tP^Unced^ obfirvm iieUldi^Qfter £^ leal fiKsafaiiik&afier God^ apd.tiiHif loathit^ofSiti) axvd other t^a<^ of f ait& and . lov«^' that aie not ib ditcemit^ to the Paities. thcraiiivdi.. 4» £at ji^ Qod'si/i^n the difference is veryjgijea^ .; the wicked lyeuiiderhs^ LaQxas Mkl^allatSy buttheregcaetate&uKasfiBtfentsjvn&pXia^ Of Children^ ttfidrZH^'?'* > Ai^dcoto4cpglr the K&edocfc) determine, that Gods incentioain wounding their Spitits no^ noc alike' to h6th i theoncatTaft, 'domihg oQto£ tfaeTtunoceas Gpld^ the other AiUxea^miilg as refnobae SUpen^ or beii}gconF. fuoiedas diKofi* Xhus-hayeyefeeii xhemnme^aad dc|tttfc-ofcSaN>* ri%llSa4H?fa^ :. .-.: --fc-" /■'. ••. " ^ .^ ;:^.^ .• \ •. ^^ -•: • " . ; ra>' FortheifarthetTespknocbaiiitoraof tb^ tiits iia4 i^j^ truahfi
WliklH i« Isnight evidence fipoacv^riijf^x^ have fidTeredtnuch lihdj^it I as D^id^ wJibfeconipl^hus in th« ca&iaoDer vcxy fre^fufnii) iomd Hktiunf yka^Mit ^^nonorial of hi» gde& in P/iiUS Skytuunki alfiilfauthoE, Bel^of <fae«%Vl»Ie) had^ariharA itt bf )k» whenbe pon^^d that bf JM^a^ Mfi ^ ^Gtds S^^h^ivA hisriSM^ysfoM^itlikiltit^ laeitfaetdidJfaaj^at^
together efeapeU) far^boughhis ^di%uet h^an upon anec^er groi,iipd,itrun bin\intoSpiritiaItsouble at laA- fiun befides-tbd^ iafuiifaeniU&Uflbncfs oosin^' ^d^Hfcaice ^oaverfeiwiib anf Sbeimy of€hi)ftiafiS9^&ut^(haH meet with fomey^ wbo w«ih£id' . Gohi^plaincs (hafl betnpati the bnithea o^^
Uiis.of their Xjoniciencew ' . '
2, The prmfions which God hath made in his Wofdfor fu^^ f isanevidence that fbch Diflbmpeis zt^fitqnim. He that m a Ci»
i^at^«u oM&^ the iShops ofthe Apochecattiies, ana loens rake, no*- t4ceof.tbergtoai;iyaribty o£i<>4ediancs, /Pots and roikfles Ml'^f Miitt lues,. Cbnibdnkm and Goi^ials^ msy . from tbetic^ ratioaaBf conclude, that 'tisaiie^aent thing for Kkp^tofceSiak^ tboaghbo » QxojLiId not convsrfc with any Skk Perfop for^bis int^wnationi. Tbi^ may: we beiotisiied iaom the Dedaratkms, . Dindlion^. an4 Ccmlofaitiinifeof Saqptui'e, that'fiisa. CDinfm»i iafei^fortheO^a dutn^otGodioiteidiniiead of jS^icwI Phyfiiiaus, atod-S^m- twf B^e#»to;hplpi)hf«p^wbentfa0faie]wi>u^
the Stirit is fomctlmes wtoonde'd. the ?tophctS (firicdiion, h that itaHJin da^efi and fief M ti^hi^ let hhk^tlft in the Lord^ cleariy finpfidi that fomc there are ;(hatwa!kindarknds. God's creating the fiSf (fihep^t^teMe^j^ \ his ptoMfx df reftorin^ Comfort f i* Mouriitrf i '. fcts i^taitAtiii to others to eonif<»t t^tn \ do ad iijforrti us, tliat^ri's i Comtniiii tWngfiiJ- hiSCJhIMK'cii to be under fuch SadnclTei ol" Spirit tftW all this is nedeJIfarirjfor, their re-
^ ^, There^Wbfthfe trouble, do alfo affure us q^'ttic frc<5iuenc^ of if: fijirbfthemwemayfay (asChfiftfptakSof the ppor) we bave'ihm atvaysmtb lH'i ft) thatthc i^rckmdi ofSpiritaal ISiadnefs confidered, *tis nO Wondef 16 find nhany Men cOin^laining under thisDifteinper. ThereafoAsaife,
J. ^h^M»ficeofSzurL' whotufh hO greater revenge ggainft* CKld of Cod, when t/atiflalt'ed fioitf the Povver of Darknefs to the ririedoui 6rChri(i,thail tOhibdAr him of the ^eace ind Coirifoff cjf that condition. . .... ' ., | •
'2. The inahy<»ifc'<»«^<^wwhi<!fi Satin hatTiijgaTnft us. For the cfj^j^gofttus, 'yfidhOot imagitiethatonetptBairciousasheis, wiU fvfferhis.WaBce te fleep,x^fi!?h|c) many^ir.6)pjpojtunitics of
F^KfcnJftef fdr fetH#te Wer^f f e $dj^^ ar^f ry i?? SSfc ana oftfen of gJtater -diffii^Mlty. tfiln..Dpdrt^^ verfies. How h^d i^ 1^' to o(in<3ude, what is the Mhiimmwod
kuilt P^wikP?M?Rd.0rw>er^t.*l>e '<«^*.,^ an.Hypoarite, ^
famfeySife ^< the .j&^to:di<ficultJ'^ Jtn. ^^Mions.
io be able to fliew tovT the SbW d^th n»nage ^ts /refpett »o Goi, 3»vhcn tKe'iSiian>at)i ^ifo a reQ)ca to hhnfdf^ fij^,ecially,whenif
4ihait tdooe actotKer. (as our loving <56d above the World^ or bur Selves,' our fearing Ood abbVe Men, ^.7 'tis not every, onf thatia^nfiilveafeti^fe^Qwdetwmpjgipn' »• As the mtnaacies of
i£S»t1ie ^vditageReipnecrdtccedingly hy Ac great mj«*- "^'^ 22 a cioMjksff,
•a?
ei9tifkefi^ tod UQski)&liie(s.< ^ the matcft pot of Chriftiaa& Thefe Qyeflions are in their m^j<?« difficult, oiore difficult in their gfflication to particular Pcrfons^ ( where the ableft Chriftian may eafily be non-plufli) but moft difficult to tbefl^Chrii{ians;The{e Satan can baffle with every poor. QJ^j^diop,. and impofe what he win ]up6n them. .3. Efpecially having the^ advantage of the working. ^^ qT Contcience, [whifh he can readily ftir up, to prefent to a Mans rememkrance all his failings and mifcarriai^es^ o£ what nation C)ever. And when Gfuilt rageth in an unskBfiil Heart, it muft needs create great dKquiet* 4. But moll of all when our natural fears an ajv^/ied : As wh^n a Man hath been under any great Convidion, though Jxe be cured of his Trouble^ yet it ufually leaves a weakness in the part, ( as Bruifes and Maims do in a^y Member of the Body ), which at the change of Wea* thcTy or other accidental hurt, will, renew their old Troubles and then, when fireQi Guilt begins toprefs hard u|x>u the Coti^f^ cnce, not only do the broken Bones*ake, by the r^n/M^ of foiw mer fears : But tht iinpreifions of his old iliipitions, bad conceit of himfelf , and jealoulies of the deceitfulnels of his Heart, which had then fished themfelyes by a deep rooting, do now make him 'fwfi fearful of entertaining any g^ed , though of himielf^ So that if <my confideration tending to his fuppc^ be offered, he darb^qot^x^e near it, iuCpkiring his greate(l danger to lie ofi, that bani^ Th^e advantages confioeredf, we (hould not think it iirange that any Child of GDd is driven to Spiritual Sad« nefs (2ls fbme do; but may. rather wonder that this is. npt the common cpnditit>|i olf all Chriitians. -/ 7ko -f/Q 3. Anothejr realbn that mull be affigned for thefe Trouble^ j#
'T>iviae 7>i^f(abni"pxt\i arehis:ChiIdren, fi>me foCarelefs, others Pr6ud, others^Mublibrn, many Prefumptuous, that God is forced to corted them by this piece of Vijhiplu^ and to cute them by caftfng them into a Feaven Others of hii Children he thus Ex- ercifeth for ^/V e;}^/, (bmetimes to take oc^cafiqn thdre-from, q£ making1arger<///c^eri>/ of his Love > ibi^ictinies. thereby /m«ffN ing them from lalling under ibme grievous Mi^arriage, or fie the tryal and exercifesof their Graces. We may obferve accord- ingfy, that thereare three forts oJF Men that ufually have Exexafcs of this kind. • . . ' '
!• Thofe who at their Copverfioii, are either Ignaram^ M^a$^ ^Jjti or were fftfy Scandalm^ 4re tiMy broi^c thro^ with
great
great fear md ia<Ineis» And this is (b obforvaUe, that ( bytfie miftake of Men ) it is noade a geoeral Rule, that none are Coiv* vested, but they are under great and frightful apprehendhi. ^ ; Wnth, anddifmal Terrors. This indeed is trueoffbmvV - -J
thcfe ordinarily are the Scandalous, Melancholy, and Tgnora^' ..^
foit, ( though (bmetimes God may deal fb with otheis, for who ^ ,
can limit him? J Yet are there many^ whofe Education hath V-^/ ^c P ^ ^>^ been good, and their InRrudion aforehand great, whole Con* veiifibn is Co gradual and infenfible, that they are Grangers to theft --' "" trouble^ of 0)n(cience v and profdfs that if theie bei^^ oi^fear be neceflary to Converfion) they muft be at a kfi^ neither can tfaey give an account of the time of their Convexfion as others may,
2. Thofe whbfe Converlion was eaffe, /when after their Con- vedbn they mijiarry by any great Iniquity, they meet with as great a meafure of Terrour and Fear (and ibme think far great* er ) as thofe whofe new Birth was more difficult. David's great** eft troubles of Soul came upon him after he began to appear more publick in the World > for then he met with many 7emfta^ tioKS^ a^d great Occafionf for God's exercifing his Dtfcipline over ' him. I believe, when he kept his Fathers Sheep^ his Songs had imre of Plraiies, and /e|? of Complainings than afterward. It is the.Opinionof feme,' that God's dealing in this kind of Difpen* fiition, even when mifcarriage is not the caufe^ is mote fl»rp lifiiaUy to thofi, whole ConverGon hath been moll eafic
3. There is another fort of Men, to whom God vouchfifes^ but fildam and Jb.frt fits of Spiritual Joy^ as breatbing^tinus^ be* twixt a«t> Hts of Soul-trouble, for neceflary refrefliment and tcGO very of ffarength > but the cof^ant courft which God liolds with thetn, is to nnrafe them under'fears while he hides his Face from them, and fufiers Satan to vex them, by urging his Objedtions againft their holinels and integiity.^ tkmanyrzs one of this Rank, and lAitgnM Inftance whidi God hath given in his Word^ for the fi^port of others that may be. in the fame cafe. For he teftifies J7^/*88« thathefufferedthe!£mwir/of God almoft to d^aUi^ M, and this ftom bii%ttitb uf. : 'Tis not Ht for us too narrowly to queltion, wliy God doth thus to his Children, feeing his J^* $mras an unftwrJoaUt^ and his ways pafi finding <w» ^ but we may be fiif e, that Gpd fees thisdealing to be piqii tit for thofe that ar6 cxerafcd therewith > it may be, to keep Pridp from tb^m^ or to ^ srf^nt.them firan falling. into, fome ffsam inwniceiiiencfi or :
^40 Z%xmiUnf -Pojra.
fin: ITnto It^ioii, httate^notipe tif a n)SRtbtk^tmaPfft9mu nejfki thdr >^pa(itJoii^ or fbr the l>eiiefit of ocbns who mUf theseb^take notice, mh^ an evil and bitter $hu^ k is to fin agabjft God^ and what a tnalicious Adveriary thsy have to deal Wit6« Whoib {hail consider thefe reaibns^ Spiriti^l Sadoefe, tmft meeds confe&, that ( ieeiog the adufoaltages wfakh Mm ghre 4ok ;tziaIicious Devil to vex their Conlcknces ace Co diaiiy m4 gieat) and the weaksefs df Gods Children ib hasai dous. fi)r tbe prevent dckn whereof, a wife careful Father mU- i»eo«ariJy be-cttgaged loexeidfefais Dirciplifie} it cannQt^M ^cpedted, bbt i^t^^ titualTrQabiea;aiot^:he very freqiidat (iiMkig the Sem^tkt^ of God. 1 ' :
-. « Here it isrequifite that I give fetisfadion to this ^may. &e-
'^^"^ ing that Ged doth (bmetime immi the Gonlciences of hk Cfcft- dren, and that &fr<«t 9^»mnd4 them, what are the i^^fiiMM i>et wixt Qo^and Satain, in infit^ng thefe Woundr.^
Jnfvi^^ tot the right ufidcrftanding of this Que(ii<te) I flfa8 •propound may things;
I. That it is a truth, that God doth fomctimes iMMitiie£M^ iciences of his Ghikhren^ and this, r. Befm Con^etGm t hue jn «r^to it, as preparatory to tha t change, Mrnar^^dieni id thefc iins, walking in the vanity of their mindswTo«f»J»ijKtM;th«m frM this cftate, he awaktas the Ooricieoce, &cm^itmi dmk Ibiqi^ ties, and the danger of them, chat at prefenf they at« mmi^ Bloody Cbildlftm^ of vffstbi as mB oi <ftlm^^ ami that without Chrift they are i»iferaUe'> the ^kA of thii^muft M$d^htjhim C:Qnfideiation,.^eep thoughts 4>f Heiirtf wfth JbiM ifMl^,-<iiH^ as t©,thc«i^eand degfcethtt« is greatti<^««w ; ^^ in the particular application of theft rhlftg^ to tte Gtidfefencc^ tf 4 4ip huiAlf exataiy to the famci««wt«r arid' m^^ of ^iioeeedAiiSL though he keep ftill to his gwimi/AfeA^rf, tim^kit, thztfdM ( in regard of Gods gentle^ leafit^y deaHng', and^ Ae -fltettbiit tn^fiiHOi InoottrtgementsJ are Oii fc6mpa*fed-^ith th^ di^ of others)) feid fp be* iOimd^ artd^ dr0tht with^ajmlf^^ iW^z Buf others'havea ifemtrkabk mwfure ^f 'ttibtlhMi ftiirp '/its'^F Fear and AngrfOi V and thofe nioft cowttioniy arti ftehT wfcafe Cottverfion is rnore 9*1^,, and the Change vifible fitihi bttew- #r£^.to^<»rfe<r, f as P«/, whett Convent* iri<ehbniidftb# Ms Ber&c^ting rage) or thofe whefe%«^Aii^ <t^i MOMihoty' HUkfis
trouhks
tpubks Q(>4 ^a?^ ^ ibt the Wock isf bis Spkit : the fame Spnfair
\ihi^ is a 5ptri^ of Adoftmio the Converted, is a Spimt^fBin^
1^ tptthdie^ Rom^ & i6. And aa^^emdingly wc iind, it wa& fy ■ .
ta tbeCoBVOrt^ m^^^z. Who being: /iiric%d(:/ii. tbdrbtsm bjr:
jioTi^'s SexoQOA) ovW 4M*^ Men Mtd B^eiiir$f^ what fi^^- tPB do ^ *
Xhc like did the J^^^* And the Prumifc whkh-God makes oi^ .
caHing^the ^etps^ ^(^•.ia..io. doth exprefi God's - purpofe of^ r
deatiog witb them in this vicry Method > 3i^r jhailod^ upM kirn? i
mhom thy^h^fie^^^^ anijhjXi tmmrn for him m cm tiuu motiraot^^
fif hi^i>Mly^ So^ and' (haU fo in hi$imnfs forbim^ -^— - in'tbat dayfMt^
h^4k ffeat mo^n^ 2« God alio ibmetiims' wonndsthe Goiffcaence- .
o£« his Children ^fut Conveffion^ and this he ckds to convince afld^
bii^We them for ftwne Mift»iaaagc> wKcbtbey become guilty -, ,'
oj; As.ufhcntJi€y^Wi^/?w«i cafnaUy amtidentoftheoM^ -
la^i^eof thej^l^afie^ v«^^hey arc:ca»e^^^ y ^ ^
abd the eiwflcifc^ of tbeir Graces, when. they fall into gmfs aml>
f^j^^i^fiaS) or wklfuily^ defm the ways of Truths and in-
Hpny mor<P cafts.of like kind. When his Children make them*
fd?e$ ^fif obnoxious to Divine Di^leaiure, then Odd hides hi$ '
FwJp ftPiB tb^ takes away his Spirit^ figqWeshis Anger to theif-
(jMfciei^^r thccatewr tbem wiihthcidamgcr^of that Condition r'
ftMpif^be^ce foitows gfief and fear in the Hearts of bi$ Peojrfe.-
Ia this Biaaner G^ expreflfed his Difpleafeite to Vavid^ as hl»
Gpmfbin{s4aFM5i> do^teiiifc: Mdg metobwr joy and gi^
jJL tka$ th$ Ban^jpbkh ihoubajk krokgn mayf^yah hide thy Fact
Sjiw^v-^ CM^mm.amayijhm'thy M^not, andiakg not thy
boly.^^^jrm mk »«/I»np tMofiti the jay of thy Salivations
a. N«w<th6«MUne«tt th«s there is a grti^ d^nct betwat God and Satai> in dws matter, which makily appears in «w Stegfr !• <3o«i <Joth limit himfetf in all the TrouWe whkA he? ffllSSs CbiWr«n» ta his great en<f of domg them Good,-«fld «ttJin«tbeiTW and confeqaeotly .fiints himldt in the; ww/wre and MM^^f hi* Woik'to'foch ipri^on, .as his Wifilom feijs witt ^dklyfoit with his Etad. So that his Anger waotlikd the i««»/iiff^offn^k)i».PCTfons thatknovrOTi*««i;vh«will n6\ai-
iMM eM« vhja ndbates arem meafiite^nd tVh,l^ibeSpmtmttii A«5^r/*»i^^M7»I ^"Sa that wheabc wqaods thcCoj^fcwn* CS Conve«fiohv-'tB but to brkifi thcro to CbrHf,and to pte^
yj^i ^ SCteatlfe of p^t it
thefiitake aptfadrflandflioRorhiin. S6 much of Mbunrinir and Feat as is lequifite for thettuc dfefting of this, lie appoints for tlicai> and no more. When he wounds after Conveifioa. *ds hot to kt thena.feel that it is an evil and Wtter thii^ to fin agamft him, that theif Godly firrm may work Ktfainmet fuicable to the Ofience i and that they may be fuffidently cautioned for the time to come, to fin tunure^ [^ * f^t thing hefal H>m, He diat alBids not willingly, will put na more Grief upon them, than is neoeffary to bring them to this. But Satan when heis admitted C and God doth ofter permit him in fubfervience to his deCm ) to wound the Conioence, he proceeds accoHing t6 the Aw«tt«# fiayothis maHcc, and plainly manifells that his defire IS to a^hvy^ and to tread them down, that they may never rife again: This though he cannot e/fea, (for God wiU not fnfler him to proceed further, than the bringfaig about his holy and «ra- aous Purpofe; yet it hmdas not, but that ftiH his envious thoughts boil up m his Breaft, and he ads accordmg to his «»•' belinatum. For it is with Satan, as 'tis with Wicked Meni if Godimptoy them for theChaftifcmentof his ChiWren, tfaeycin- S5 °°^T^ ^"l^^^^on work, nor what Afc«/m/ ptibAir <5od would have themobfenrc i bat they pmpofe to th^dv« «wre*wj«han ever God cut out for them. As Jffyri^ whm myloyed agamft jferufal^Ifi,, ^o. 7. had deii«.s"tS?e W - and cruel than was m Gods Cpmmilfion. God harffinted himin bis holy Purpofti yet the jMyriaamemtiutfi, niHhtrdid b^bwt thinks Jo, ha ^vwm bit Km to d^ and em of NmiMr not a far. So that when Go^ -is * iittie dMuOd fas tmrt^^i^
Afflwaion. Thus doth the Devil endeavour to make M^il^ worfe to God's ChiUren, than ever God S^STIlae^S different betwm God and Satan, in the woonding^tSJ^
. God doth m this Work, is /till ocmdiMg to tmb. f « ifS figniiie to the Unconverted that they w in a ftate of Nal^ hable to the Damnation of HeU, unlefi they accept of cSS Salvation 4:pon his Termsi this is no moii than what S^ God doth mtmfr^fint their Cafe to them at^^t^' "a^ if he exprefi his difpJea&rc to any of ^Colvt^'r^^ Jhat have grieved his Spirit by tliir ^^1^1^^ .them the Threatnings of his Wo«l, or ,i^ ^«^ ^
Wrath i
lfynthvN<JQjHJM*w*b*«2 tiewtha^ he is -angry: wkb thcini. »d that dejwe^ accordmg to the Rigour of the Law, and the 4p9imt d[ thw ^^ «, he might jul\ly caft them off: But he. ^jjth.not /^<?J?riwiy^ that de eventu^ it (hall infallibly be (b with thjBfxi. Bpt Satan in both thefe cafej, goes a great way fifrtber. He plainly affirms to thofe that are in the way to Converfion, that Godtipiflwi^. pardon their Iniquities, that there is no hope for them, that Chrift mil not accept them i that he never intended the benefit of his Sufferings for them. And when the Converted do provoke God, he Iticksnot to fay, the Breach w;i«(>t be heal- ed, and that they jw not yet Converted. All which are moR falfe affertions. And though God can msks ^fi of Satans malice^ when )i€ abufcth his Children with his faljhoodt to their ^eat fear, to
• carry on his own ends by it, and to give a greater imprdTion to whathe My witneffethagainft them: Yet is not God the fropet 4iirWof Satans lying, for he doth it of his w/t wicked indina- riiSn. The qf^fif of thefe defperate falfe Condufiqns C which is ihe putting his Children into a fear, in order to his end ) nuy beafaibed to God i but the falfhood of thefe Conclufions are/«^ mally Satan's work, and not God's. For heinakesufeof forouch of Satan's n^atb as may be to his Pvaife, and the remMider of his
• I have dUcover^d t^ natten and degrees of itheie Spiritual Troubles, and that 'tis a common thing fwc the Children of Goi to fall under them. Fpr the fiirther opening of them, I fliall
ncxtdifcover. j . j v • •. c .
2 .The ufual fokm oee4«nt^ that do as it were mvite Satan,
to give his. onfet againift God's Children, and they are principaUy
thele Sixt
J. The time of Cotwafim: He delights to fet on them what dievarein the ftraits of a new Birth, for then the Coirfcience is gt^eJL, the danger of Sin*»w/)»reprerented,/Mf and;5nw (in ibme degree ) necelCury and unavoidable. At this time he can eafily ««r«fr«« them. Where the Conviftions are *^and Paif^ readv to weigh thcmdown , a/e» Graias more caft mto the Scale, wiU make the Trouble (as Job fpeaks) heamr than the Sandy atod where they are more eafie, or gentle, yet the Soul being mCaUd , the thoughts in cominotion, they are difpofed to re- cSve a /fwitf imFcffio"* and to be turned (^f««*<! *f*^«*0 SoamouUof Hi^«/fand Defperatiwu That thisisoAcof
A a a is»i*iia
•-»•
144 XCte^tiC^tif
*-«
Ues <>f their Heart ( which at that tiMt iHitt eaftraotdiji*^
At. troul
rily LvAix^iy i& »rrf;if/F, that they aie allatiki^ ^lA^efj^eMM
fear$, thatchtb fins were im/wJb!^j|{ip, and (ad <^
stnit mpeSlatiifk of fairour ffom the Lord f hdfr (3od. Tliej^
thoughts we are fiire, the Sphtt oi'^Gf)dirtl»wl^rwit«eft tio^
to bet^tffe /rf/e,. and tfrcreforewe muft Jejate riioi^ a« Sirfatfi.
doot^.
2r At!otfttrttcta'fion whith Satatt mil<ie^ tfft^^ i^ttietJMBedr fiHemh Kepmmit for foine gft:tf fin committed tffi^CaiimS^ Sdmctifrrcs Obd^s Chfldten faH, to the i)i!e^kiiig cff tbettBone& %hat^eat IjiiqiiWcs they rray cocnmtt through Ae feitc of 'Eemjptaticffr, 1 need nm tnwrion. The Adaftdty aini^iMiit^ ffctfc'd! !%«*?> the fnceft 6if Ae Ccfmthtcm fPetw^eni^ <rf CM, *r'ithr'6thct fad Infl'aiites, in tfte Reconfs of the StrfpAues, do l^stktmbti^.of ttett.. tbefriittisfxotifidtritig their h»hiod[l zi^&, tlie feudal dfRe'fi^ion, tfiffi di&Ok)i7ur<5f Qi)dj thegrievtag d£i^SpS«lt, thecDDdrtida of the Party cfflfendmg agairtf Lorn' RttoMedg ^d the varioos Helps WhieKlSba affords thcfrr td' the contrary, with other aggravating Circumftances*) being very ffl!^leaitti|; to Gbd, their Ccinfciences at feaft,- Ctrih^^empiM ^ %txtttttiitian ly &(d hmmdiai^y otmdia^ly bv fo^re gre^ Jffl^h/f^ tst^vOmmify a^Jraketihig to a foious cdnfidcrarfmj of what hath been done, by the working ofits^o^A l^iffH^ aflRted fhetednto by qtrickmitg XSrace, i <}mt. i 1.3 1, 32. ) cafl therti to ^ ftrid actptmt s thetrce foHoW Pwn, Shamt^ Self-Imlignttion^ biuer.fFeepui^^ duf HHtmliations then coraes Satan^ herakes eheir< iJroutidfe^atfdby m Aggravations maltes themfmart thetn^e-i-Hc pears m C(;«v/fcemftcad of CM, and afl to makerhcm b<flievc^A« AeA* 'Sp4ritwt th Sf0TofGdds'Chiliim\^ that their Batfk-ffiding* caimt be healed. Anoccafioti it is, as (WtaHe to his'Mali^ ^ lie cotiM wiib h fdr ordmarily ' Cod doth /ft^frn^ teftMie hfe ^ge^. fOthcttt, ^ddoth'fiotwj?^ admit them again to ihQ^jtmditAi^ Favour.. At which tlme^ the 'Adv^rfaty is very -bufie to work t»- Aeir Hearts^ to aft e^t^//. of f ear and Sorrows, t^iis was ^ coatfe. which he took with the lt)Cttt\x(ms<:winibidrt^ taking dt^ vantage of hiVareat Tr^rifgteftipni, to tmipbim Mm^^am
»AbSmWy i:C6r.i^7,ru * , '•
3-Sataa
: \^ S^w Wkt^]0h ty» iifimf4i»^ ^^^^ Splrils of Ood^ ^ldi€i% un<kc fiKM £p(ifiVQus Cn)|ior ^^gUSimu Tkis oocafioft 1^9 ^ £( for hisi <k%i of wouodiog the Goaftience \ whea ^e Haja4 of (^ Loid is ^^^ «f ag^nft chem^ and their thou^Cf Jif<fr49nd by the llipiui, fuggetitng at that tinae God's if«(er to this^i ^nd chek^/ 1 h€ can cafily firame an Ar^ment fisbtn theft iCkouod^t That they are not cscoficiled to God^ wnA that they m dealt wttbal z% £aemk& David (Hdooi met with out^ ^id tpwUe, but he at the faooe tkne had a ConAt^ with Satan aboiH h^ fpfritiial condition) or Aate, as his frequent deprecations i^ Divine Wiath^ a* fuch tines do tefiitie > LvrcL^ rcM^ me not in ikt JFr^ihy (See Thoce is indeed but a ft» betwixt di(compofiu£ </ Spint^ ami Spkicual Troubles h as nath been proved be^ iore- / •
4» \/Vl^ SatAtt hath frtfimd^ Hearts of God's Children by j4thitHe^j PC Blui^bewmm xfaoughPS> he takes that occafion to de/ty tbeif Gm^e and inrereft in Cl^ift. And the Af gutnent 4^ tb^ tm^ ieeois ynanfwetabie^ Can Chrili lodg in an Heart fo futl of JbMcid fijaiphemies agaioft blmf Is it poffible it fkotaAd be W^lflb^ and &oAiiied) whea it pcoduceth (tich rilthy curlfed tboMgbt^f AUthetfouUss of Aftigiitment ( of which be£^rc ^ l» iwpi«lJeAlcto this|>ittpoftw
f^ ADOgther fpiritital ooodioftfer Spiritual Trouble^ is Mdan* 4^jh few ^er&BS diAemperMi therewith, do efespe Satans
i^iih «t one time or other, he eafts his Net over them, and
iitk$'UK^ i^bcoi with his Weapon. MelMcbetf indeed affords _^ ^. ^^
fi> ««4i5if ndvantages tohim^ and thofe ib fmfnfefjfNe to his dcfign, . '^-
that itlsno wcmdetifhe make much of k. For, t. Mehncho-wiUisatatiiU* lyaile^sbpthiiudaiidHetfrt, it aA)ids both Fear and Sidn^jt^mt Brvt. and de/mmd , m^wfen , i/fibVMir Wgiiiatfons to Ivork upon \ i*^'J\^^^^ than wbieb, nothing -can be mote for his putpofe. for wher,e ^"*'^* tbe.Hestrt ttembUtj imt the Head h Jarfye^^ there eVcry Obje^ |SfiQi^epi^(eoted \ tSbcIdta^ of the Brain are monjirm appear a nce^, ce^^c4 (TiH!n ^j%and da\Si^mtB^ fo that $atan hatli no more to dO) but ipiiiggeil the newmatter of Fear, t or that. Qiiclhon^ U^tber 4bi Man he CanverML, fce« being once ihttcd^ to a iiiii^^ J^
altqady dj^enipered with Fear, ll^lft of it fdf ( ir beinjg a bulincis i(£ £0 b^li Mzuxcl wkbo^'Satafl's^iirthcrpurJiiit, (uO-iniOn che iOmoiifxm^fsgoi' faxintfs anditiifiepfehetiiionj to raife a Storim 4» ,6$^4t^ iHcimfn^s of Mielatidioly are always ftrong^ it ts
.] Aaa 2 lirong
^4^
:^ %nmu of . ^att.lnr:
ftrongin ks fearr^ ( or clfc Men would nwcr be tempted to A- jfr^ theiQ{elves}*» it is ftroiig in its mfiakgr (or elfe they could .never pcriCwade themfelves of the truth offoolijh^ ahfurtL^ and impoffible Fancies )» as that of NdfutbadntsuM'^ who by aderu- ] five apprehenfiori, believing himfelf to be <i Be^, foriook the company of Men, and betook to the Fields to eat Grafs with Oxen* The imaginations of the MefanchoUck are never idUy and yet ftrai^htned^ or confined to a few things h aifd then the Brain being weakned as to a true, and r^ar apprehenCon, it frames nothing but Bugbears^ and yet with the higheft oonfi* dence of certainty. 3 • Thefe imprcffions are ufualiy lofting^ not vanifhing as an early Ve^y but they continue for Months and Years. . 4* And yet they have only Jo nuidf underflanding lefi them, as ferves to nouriQi their fears. If their underftanding had been ^i>e gone, their fears would vani(h' with theni; As the fxl Plateri Flange is extinguiOied for want of Air ; but they have only kpoiv^ prox. med. ledg to Ict them fie their mifery, and fence to make them ii^e- ^^' .3' 4^ fcf»^ of their paui. And therefore will they pay with floods of j»tts ancna.^^^^^ unexpreflTible Groaniiigs, deepefl Sighing^ md trembling
]oynts,to be delivered ftom their fears. 5. They are alio apt after eaie of their troubles, to have fiequent returns : '"What difpofition ( all thefe things being coniidered ) can be more exaAly fhaped to ferve Satans turn? If he would Save Men to believe Aewnft of themfelves, he hath fuch imaginaticHis to woritiipon, as are already misfliapen into a deformity of evil furmifing. Would he terrifie by Fears^ dtfhefiby Sadnefs ^ be hdth that akeadyvand ^tis hut altering the OijeQ (which oftentimes needs not, for naturally the ferious Melancholick imploys all his Grief s upon hisfiippofed tnifcrable edate of Soul) and then he hath Spiritual diflrefsi Would he continue them long under their fbrrows, or take them J .. upoaall occafions at his pleafttn^ or ad them to a greater b^k than ordmary? Still the Melancholick tetaipec fiiit^ him. This is fufficient fpr caution, that we take fp^dalcare of our Bodies for the preventing, or abating of that Hunoour, by all lawful
means^ if we would not have the Devil to abufc us at his will*
rjp.y ^L^JL ^' ^^^^fi^ or Veatb-Bed^ is another folemn occafion, which ^^^l^ * — ^^ the Devil fcjdom miffcth with his will. Death is a ferious things
it reprefents t^e Soul and Eternity to the Life. Whik they ar6 at adiftance, Men look flightly upcm thefe, but whm they ap- proach near to them. Men ufualiy have fuch a fight of then), as
\, , .' they
« t
thev^cver had before. We may truly call Sicknefe. and Death- Beef, an bofftr of temptation^ which Satan will make oft of ivitfi the more mifchievous iodufhry, becaufe he hath but a Jhon time .fork. That's the laftConfliift, and if he mift that, we are be- yond his reach for evdr. So that in this Cafe Satan incourageth hinifelf to the Battel, with a honf or never. And hence we find, that it is lifual for the dying Servants of God, to undergo moft JbarP Encounters >* then to tell them C when the Soul is about to loofe from the Body ) that they are yet in their Blood, without Godp and Hope, is enough to affright them into the extreamefi Agoiiks >' for they fee no time before them anfwerable to fo great a work^y if it be yet to do. And withal, they are under vaft dijcouragmentf from the wearinefs and 'pains of Sicknefs, their under/landings and faculties being alfo duH,and Aupified i 'fb that if at this hR plunge,God fliould not extraordinarily appear to re- buke Satan, and to pluck them out oiFthefc^re^f* fFaters Cashe often doth, by the fuller interpofition of the Light of his Face, and the larger Teftimony of his Spirit ) after their Jong and com- fortable profeffion of their Faith, and holy Walking, their Light would htpHt out in Varkfiefs^ and they would lie dmn in Sorrow. Yet this I m\j& note, That as defirous as Satan is to improve this occafion^ he is olEten remarkably difapfointedy and that wherein Ke (it inaybe) and we would Icaft exped, I mean in regard of thofe, who through a timerous DifpoGtion, or Melancholy^ or nppn other Accounts, are (aslmayiofay) aV their life^timefiA*' jeS to Bondage h thole Men who are ufually exercifed mthjirequent fits of Spiritual Trouble, when they come^to Sicknefe, Death- Bed, and fome other jpufftlar occafiont of trouble , though we itaight fufpcift their fears* would thn be working, if ever •, Yec God out of gracious Indulgence to them, (confideririg thdr pbtdd and Fajhion^ or becaufe he would prevent their extream i&faKing, &€.) doth meet them with /rfr^w Teftimonies of his Favour, i'igi^ Joys, more confident fatisfadions in his Love^ than ever they received at any thne before h and this to their wondof, their high admiration, making the times which they were wont to fear moft^ to be times of grcateft Confolation. TWs ObfervationI have grounded, not upon one or twf Ihftances, but could produce a doud of WitneiTes for iu Enough it is to check our fori»ard fears oiz. figure evil day, and to heal us of a fighing XiiiQ^xA^i^ while we afflid our felves widi fuch thoughts as
Z Xtmtitt of *^. H.
tbe&t IfliaotfQ fnany fears in Healthy botP JbMlhe jiHstdjf SbroHgjbihe valley of the ^adotP of Death/
4*1 have one thing more to add, for thtCe di£x>very of thde Sbir ritual Troubles, and that is to ibew you the Engines by whidi Sar tan works them, and they are tbefe^nst^, ^^hiftry^ zndFears.
I. As tohis Sophijiry^ by which he argues the CbildreaofGol into a wrong apprehenlion of thenoie] ves, it is very great. Hp hath a wonderful dexterity in framing Arguments againft their I^eace, he hath variety of flurewd Objections and fubtije An(wer% to the ufual Rcpl es, by which they ftek to beat him offi There is aota FalUty by which a4:unniajg 5tffy&(^€r lyCuld feek tb eutan* ;gle his Adytdary.int)ilputation9 but Satao Would makeuiei^ it > as I-might particularly &ew you, if it were proper fur a com* mon Auditory. Though he hath fo much impudence, as not to bl«(h at thenaoft JtUy contemptible Reafbn that can be oflferedi npt^ WJthftanding he hath al& fo much wit as to urge ( though never trite^ y^t} always ^raftj^/^ Arguments. How much hecan/ve- vati upon the behets of Men^ in cafes relating to their SomU^ may be Conjedured by the fuccefs he bath upon the nndaiiandinf^s ^ Men, when he argues them into Erronr^ and makes them ielieui ' a lye^ We ufualJy fay ( and that truly ; that Satan cannot,^ in any cafe, force usprpperly xo. confent j yet confidering the advaa- ^es which ib^ tai^ and. the waj(she hath. to j>r^r€ the H^fe ^M*« for his jojpreflions, and then his very great fttbtitty ja <liiputmg, we may fay that he can fo order the matter^ tha,t hft Vill feldom mifs of his aim* It would l>e an endJefs worlt to gather up all the Arguments that Satac hath^ made ufc of, ttf
Srove^theCowdition^ or State of <3od's Children to be bad; Bu( iat I may not altogether difapppint y^ur expectations in that Vung, I fliall prefen^ xo your view Satan*s ufual %fi^^ the (iommn-flaces^ or Heads unto which zM his Asgumcjats may be reduced*. And they are,
, u ScrifUtre ^^/e^^^aiwlperverted* ' H"^ way ifii^t<)nj[y to^W- /-SkV/ i"" m^^ or unda:ari evfl ftame of Heart.
v^aih to do with them, that profefs a belief xrff Scriptures^ as the Oracles of God, he will fetch his poofe &oui thence v teiang Hiemi that he will evidence what he faith frm Scriffm. ThS$ ^im^>j#^^^
^mm^ Child of Cod: for % that arejo^are tnli^neS.'trai^i
from
pm^M^ffj M^ »t Ik '^{^^ high} bi0 tbmwtjhi^
$mfS6m^ iie Isbwts. toxpndudc the like, ft^m'i)^ If^wnhiefi qf Gdd^ Gfaildreay abufing to this .purp(>ifei cjb^e ^ ^i Jfb/^ j. a« Jir iba^ i$ horn ^fGod^ doth not xommtfin.. Arfid, He ta^no^fia^ hcatifibe k font tafCod* Tbos be ni^th it, C«i m^ i/&/^ iie WhP ^Aiiffly snd/Uly ^f^mdl is m thir Soriftsffe? Ca^fi $hm i^fhi^t Then l(e piwfoa^ iB»t thjH:M'^etlpfm:^ tba$it thim dm Ufttfiaint offif^ thjTeIfy tiy Cmfch^ce alfQ hmig'mit9^f t0 fkmakfff ti!» JttckfMMi ihrnfme thfu c^ h m Child o/G^ Sometimes hcfUys afx>n mntds that are uibd is divers foa&Sy ( a h Eagtne for t^ ^D^il to inork by > fmi what i^ tri)^ ki erne fenfe, WtH be falfe- in ^cnaJdiGv y ami his axgiaifigi$ ^orti tbaft wJtkh ^ i$irW) to that which is^ talFe. I vcmaxAcx Que thdt was long licked ^hli thaitcif i6«w.2i^^i T}>t fttrfid: *nd;0fnUUmng^ fta- fuJi'lHtvt ihur pmin tbi^ LtJ^ ntbicb Imrns vritb Pm and Btk/fi^n/f^ FfOfil "V^hesce the f^rty thus wgaed : . The prof)ofion is trm^ h^ W£t Hl$ Saipntfe, mi I xawinot ieiiy isbe Mbmp^ioo* Fmrfid Iwff^ beeaufo I am danhfid if Sahatiog^h and mk^iaing I am, fir I eamM Miw^'tbaM I omKigumney. m in afi^.^f Gttfte^ 49d ^imfmlcanwjt avoid dn Qm^wu To the (aline putjpofe he di^ putcs againft fome> firoin i Jobn^ iS. ll!htre is m ftar in Uwe^ but' fe^ lane c^h oat fear y but, shm artfnV tfftofs^ therefore thm ' ki^m Ged. SotnetimeS'he makes ufe of thole Scriptures^ that; make tht prevailing degree oi our love and lefped^ to God, above the Worio^nd the tJiing$<yf this Life,tD be the Characters of true/ Giaccv es^tcrf'Jirtw, ifanyMan.hve.tbe WirU^ the hne of the Vaiberkmttnhm: And th«rf Chwft, Jf a Man lave any. thing mmtbanVk, beie^n^timtbyef Mt: brtbat.farfakff not a for W, unnat be my V^ifle^ Sijc Then heargeth upon them their Itme ^ the Worlds and mtnilUngn^ to fan with their Efti^ees i ^aod • fellings the Conduikm vpontheiru Infijanccsniigbtbeitriiaite,. tetiy theft you may judg of the relt Let xxbhow caft our^Eye upon ImfiAtitty^ m noanagfeg bis Argaiuents againft mem i. He. grounds his Argumefl» en Sxriptare^ bccaufe that hath annhoriig^. With it, and the very troobfed Confidence hath a reikreneexo itf . »i !fc.tfWays</fci^* his Swptn«s^ which he thusxitcsj to li»i i>fjeVeinthc^Cdnfciencels^*»i^*««^«^-if i*€«ibc j^^ tiifag that Wfetrdsttifftttt fi\iiftSi^i w fear^ )he«dH:bc fureitOfchufe fiwh
tht.
'?
j,5o Z%ttntiittif Patt;n:
ike'Matl^ ^.Though m the citation of Scripture/ he always. : vrgeth a (me whkh tht Holy Ghoft never intended; Yet thic Witt be always fixiiething in thofe Saiptoreswhich he make$. u&' fi^ which ih tmi$ at k&, ieem to favour his ConcIuGon y as Apr^ pears in the Infianees now given. For when he would conclude, a Man sot to be a Child of God becaufe of his Ignorance, (bme- thing of his Argument is true > it may be the Man is (enfible tbtt. his loiowledg is but link^ compared with the mea&res wh^ feme others have ) or that he is at a lofs^ or ^onfufid in many bodrinal points df Religion 9 or hath but UttU experience in many Fra(^icai cafes, &c. This, as it is true, fb is it his trouble 9 and whilft he is poring upon his defed, Satan claps an Arrefi upon him, of a far greater I>ebt than God ^hargeth upon him,, and 6om Scriptures that ipeak c^ a total ignorance of the Fundament, ta& of Religion, ( as that there is % Gw,. thait Chrift Jefu5 is God and Man, the Redeemer of Mankind by a &tis&<^ioti tQ Divine Juflice, ^e, ) Or of a mlfid ignorance of the worth of the pr<^ fo of the Golpel, or its reality ( which is dtlcovered in the refuJU of the terms thereoO lie concludes him to be iaa ilate of Dark>* tiefs : whdreas the Ignonmce wiuch the Man c(implainxo^knot the Ignorance which thoie Scriptures intend:: .So^n tbq n^t InAance, the fins whkh a Child of God; complains, of^ are thofe of dailj Incurfion^ which he labours and ftrives againft-9 but that commit'^ ting fin mentioned in the Text, hath refpcc^ to the Gnofiid^^ jcvho^taugfat a lihoHy in finning, and fancied, a Rigbteoufhefs con* iiiiant with tthc^avon^ ^fraSioe of Iniquity : Hence doth Jabn^ 1* |ohiiP3« 7. direUly^ fice their . Opinion, in thefe tierms^ LittU Chtldren^kt no Man deceive yon^ be that doth Bdghtfimfiieff is rigbteomm , And, Hi that k bom of God neither, dothy nor can, avouch a Iiber« ty of finning^ it being contrary to the Principles of the New Na* :ture.' So that the mfianiages of Infirmity which the Child of ,God laments in himkl^ are not the/^iMe )Vith that of the Text^ upon which Satan grounds the^AccuiatiG^. Jbe like may be ..^d of the third Inlhmce, £tom Rev. ai. i8. The threaming there is againft fuch a fear to lofc the comforts of the Worlds that they Mre not believe the Gofpel tO' be true, and accept it ac- rcordingly: which, is nothing to thofe fears and doubtmgs that may be in ^ Child of God, in refctence to his Happinefsl Thus an all the rtfi, the Fallacy lies in mifafflying \th^ Saipbire (to iuit themtothat wherein tfae^Conicioice is ten4er; under a fenfe
. which
which was never intended by them h yet in another fenfe, the tl^g charged upon die Con&ience is true. 4. Yet is Satan, fi> jfcbtUe^ that when he difputes by fuch Fallacious Arguments, he chiefly endeavours to draw off the 'Dffindamt Eye and confide- ration, from thztMrt of the Argument wherein its weakff^ lies (which in this cak, is always in the abufe of the Scripture to a wrong fenfe ) > this he doth, partly £rom the advantage which he hath &om the revmnct that they carry to Scripture, they be- lieve it to be true, and are not willing to /ij^fl the finfih and many are (oweak, that if they (hould, Satan is Co cunning that he can ealily baffe them in any diftinc^ion that they can make. And partly from iKtfenfi they have of that whereof they are ac- cufed, they feel thcmfclves fo fort in that place> (and for that very end doth Satan diredhis Scripture to hit it ) that they rea- dily t^ H fvr qranXid^ that the hingt of the G>ntrqverlie turns upon it, and that the whole Difputc rcfts upon it'. Now Sa- tan having thefe fair advantages, by a further improvement of them, hides the weakneCs of bis Argument. For, r. He- takes that fenfq of the Scripture ( in which he milapplies it ) foif grants id^ and that with great confidem, making as if there were no doubt there. 2. He t$trniiiwzys that part of the Argument to thMy which they can M anfwer, prelfing them eagerly vyith the mater of chsrp (which they are as ready to confeis, as he is to accufe them of) and i^grauating it verv bufily. And becaufe -^ the unskilful have.no other direaion for the finding the Knot of the Controverfie, than Satan's faj/fe, ( though he, Jike the L^ ^ingi makes the greateft noife when he is fortheft from his Neft,on purpofe to draw them into a greater miftake ) they look^ no fkr-^ tbtfy and then not being able td anfwer, they are iooncaft, and firiking in with the concklion againft themfelves, they multi- ply their Sorrows, and cry out of themfelves as miferable.
2. Another piece of his SojAiftry, is the improving certain fdfe Nations (which Chriftians of the weaker fort have recei- ved) as froofr of their Unregeneracy , or -bad Condition. As there 4re Vulgar Erw/ concerning Natural things, fo there arc FopilarErrm concerning Spiritual things. Thefe naiftakes, in a great part, have thefar Original from the Fancies, or Mifippre- hcnfions of nnik^fid Men. Some in4eed have (it may be) been preached and taught as Truths, others te^ rifen ( without a Teacher ) from mecr Ignorance, being the conclufions and fur-
B b b tnifes
3 J* Z XttMtt of Part IL
mfes w^ch w^k Heads luve fiamed to tliem(elves» fi^mi the dyings, or Pradices of Men, wbkb have not been eitber»& deand fiomche danger of miftake, or not £> diddMaiy^ppDAtend^ ci as was iieceflary. Thele hifk Infefencts once fet on foot, ait mMtoiozrifi^ handed down to others, and in time they gain (among the (knple^ the opinion of undoabted Truths. Now where ever Sitan finds any of thefe that are ht Jbr his porpofe C^ to be fure whatever mtftake we entertain, he will at one time or other caft it in our way ) he will make it the foondatioa of an Aigu- ment ag^unft him that hath received it, and that with wry gi«at advantage. ' For a falfliood in the Frwufet^ will uiually produce a feUbood in the C^Nclt^n. And tbeie faUhoods being taken for giranted, the Devil is not put to the tiouble to prove them, if then be can but exadly fk them to fixnething in the party whkft. he cannot deny, he forthwith cvnes the caufe, and condrnm^ him hyhis^fpn-^tm^t^ms^dsomtoi his awnmoaalK
*Tis(carce poffibieto number the faUe Notions which are al» leady entertained ammig Chrillons, relating to Grace and Cooi- vei^n, much le(9 thofe that may afterward ari&* But I fliaJl. mention feme that Satan frequently makes uie o^ as ^Bounds of €>bje^ien#
jr U ^k a oommoAi apfMrehenfion among the weaker fert, that
^>/Vk ly^ Conver(ion is slmiyf accompanied with ffnsi figr and unmtn
'■"~~~'~'"*"'"'^ This f^tfue in feme Cas bath been (aid; > and though noneof the
Br^achers of the €ofpel have aflerted the univeiulity <^ th^ gre^ir meafiires of T^ubk, yet the People taking notice, that many (peak of theii^ deep buimliatiens in Convedbn »s and that feverat JHibars have (et forth the greatnefe of Difiids that fim h^ve.been caft into on thatoccafion, C tbough without any inte»*^ i3on Affixing this intoa gmenUKide) haveinom thence fiippo- fed, that all theC^onverted are broughtto their Comforts HmmA ibt flames of HeBs. Upon this miftake, the Devil difquiets dio(e that have not felt thefe tx^eam Agmin of Sonow in then^I ves s and tells them that it is ajkre fign that they are not yet Conver- ted. Though 'tis eafie for a Man that fees the fallhood of tl^ Notion, to angiver the Argument , yet he that idiwu itto^e trm^ cannc^t teUwbattofiy, becaufehe Hndshe never, was under fiich TrouU^ais, and'nowhe begins to be troubled becaufe he was not troubled ^^m^ or (ashefuppofeth; non troubled cum^.
^ ^ Another
Chap. !• ^mn's SCtm^tAtions, j y t
2. Another feMc Notion IS, Tfiat a Convert can gfre an ac- - <ount of the time and manner of hfs Converfion* This is truc^
in ftme^ as hi Fanl^ and Ibme others, whofe Change hath been ihdden and renoarkable, though iii many tins is far otherwife » ^o can better give account that they are Convelreed , than by what Stefs^ Degree/^ and Methods^ they were brought to it. But tf -any of thefc receive the Notion, they will prefcntly find that Satan will turn the edge of it againft thera^and will tell them that dicy arc nae C^nverted^ becaufe they cannot noihinate the time when^ nor the manner how (uch a Change was wrought.
3. Some take it for granted, that Converfion is accompanied with a renwkfUe meafiire of Gifts £ot Prayer and Exhortation* and th«i the Devil objedis it to them, That they aife not Converted, txxaufe they cannot Pf^ as others, or -Spftii^of the dungs of God foreadtiy, fluently, and aflfe^ionately,as fome others can. Thu^ the poor weak Chriftian jsibsffikdlbr want ofAbilitkr to exprei^ hknfelf to God and Mei^
4. Falfe Notions atbotit the »tf«wieo/Ftfifi, are a fid ftumbling- Block to(bme. Many fuppoie that Saving Faith is a certain he^ Uif that oHT Sins are Fardoned, and tbas nnfiaU be Sandh making Faitb and Affiaance aU one. -This miftafce is the deeper rooted" in fhe Minds of Men, h&:9kA fome hanre diredly taught fo, and thofc, Nfen of Eftlmatibn s whofe words arc entertained with grtat Reverence by well-meaning Chi^ans; For whom not- withftanding, this may be pleaded in excule^ that they have ra«* thet defied Faith in ks height, than in its Am/I meajkres. How* ever it be, thofe that have no oth^ underftanding of the nature ofFaifh, can nevet anfwefSatail's Argument, if he cakes them^ at any time at the advanta^ of fear ^ or dambting: For then he will difputc thus, Fairif is a belief Aat fins are Fardaned^ but tbtm difi not believe this i therefore thou hafi no Faith. Oh, what numV bwsofpoorddubtingChftteans^^hatebecnr diftrelKd with this
Alrgumend
5. Somfc take it for a truth, that gromh of Grace is always liifttfe, and the progrefi remarkable. And* then becaufe they can make no fuck difcovery of themfelves, the* Devil concludes their Grace to be counterfeit and hypocritical.
5. Of like nature are fome mjiakin figns of true Grace, asthat' true Grac^ fears God only for his Geodnejs. And then if there be^ any apprehenficm of Divine Di^eafure impreffed upon the Heart,
B b b 3 though
p^ ^^^Vv
J54 ;» SCteatiCeof /Btoflf- 1
' though upon ^e neceflary occafion of mi&aniage, they through the Devils infiigation^ conclude, that they are mJer s Jfirit] tf to9idag€^ and their fuppofed Grace not tme^ or not genttm at leaft > according to that ^^opihn which the Nen^tifiament will ^brnifh a Man withal, 'Tis alfo another miftaken fign of Grace : That it doth dired a Man to love God fingly for himfeif^ with- out the U^ r^ard to his an^n Salvation > for that, they thbk, is but Self-love* Now when a Child of God doth not ^e his love toGoAiod^uiS^ but that his wnfalvatUn is twitted with it; Satan^(s advantage of him, and forceth him to caft away his/ love as adulterate and fdfifl9. Like to this miftake ( but of an higher ftrain ) is that of Tome, That where Grace is true, 'tis fi> carried forth to honour God, that the Man that hath it, can de- fire God may be hnourtd^ tbingb hejhould he damned. God dodi not put us to (iich Queftions as theie, but upon fuppolition that this is true s the grace of moft Men will be (haken by the Obje* dion that Satan will make firom thence \ he can and will prefently put the mittaken to it, Canfi thm fay thm an mUing to go to £Uf, that God may be gloried? If noty Habere is tby Grace i FrcMtniuch miftakes as thefe, he difputes againfi the boline(s of the dnUdren of God 9 and 'tis impoffible but that he Oioukl carry the Caofe} againtt thofe who grant thefe things to be true. Satan can unde* niabjy (hew them, that their Hearts will not anfwer fudi a de- scription of a Convert, or gracious Heart, as thefe falie Notions will make. So long then as they hold thefe Notions, they have no relief againft Satan's ConclufionS) no comfort can be adrnj* niflred, till they be convinced that they have embraced Mittakes for Truths. And how difficult that* will be in this caie C where the confidence of the Notion is great, and the fufpition ttiong> that thedefedisonly in the Heart ^ hath been determined by for ( quent experience already.
3. The third piece of Satan's Sophiftry, from whence heiai* (eth fa]{e Condufions, is hisixTf/f^pi^/ft^fM/i tf/G(^ In this he dirediy aofleth the deiign of the Scriptures, where God in his Nature, and Dealings is ib (et forth, that the Weakeft, the moft Afflicted and TofTed, may receive incouragement di Acceptance, and of his Fatherly Care over them in their faddeft Tryals. Yet withal, left Men fliould turn his Grace into Wantonnefs, and embolden themfelves in fin becaufe of his Clemency, the Saip- tuxes ibmecimes ^ive us lively deicriptions of his Anger againfl
thole
the^e that 'Wickedly pniume upon his Goodnefi) and amtinoc fo to-do. B9ththtC6DeCaaptions of God (bould be taken ftfe« ffcr^ asafibidbg the only true Repre(ent«tion of htm. He is fi> gentle to the humbled fibifibk Sinner, that He vriU not breakjbar kHiftd Rm^ ^ qKtmh- thenr fimitiiig ^^^' ^^ ^ careful of ' Health, that ( for theirkeco^ery ) ie will not Umte them */*«^«- litrmfHiiyhuli nor fu0er them to.tuine themfelvts by a Surfeit upon worldly Comforts V yet n>hh thefivward he mil ^bmfdf fimM^V^\,\%a6. kxd^Atf»fkA4itm%i^nMatbwir(k}^ »W, tbeUrd fiM had them forth mth the woi^grt of Imqmty^ Pfil. 1 25. 5. He will m Mt the Candle of the md^^ for he fets Aem 'taibmry flaeet r So thst they ar» aifi; dmn into D^mSmy Mdbnndft intoVefilatim or inamompitt'they are conftmted tpith ftrmrf. Now Satan will fometimes argue againll the Children of God, and endeavour to break their hopes, bftvanit^thatpart of die Defixiption of God againft themi which is intauUdfot the difinonnting of the confidence <rf" the Wicked, and the bring- ing down of high kwks. By this means he wrefts the Defcrip- tioo of God to a contrary end, and mifreprcfcnts God- to a trem- Uing affiled Soul. This he doth,
I. % nd^prefendiwiw Hatwex Here he readsa Crfetnn Le-> ■dare«?tbe Halin^smAjklkite of God,but always with refle<ak>n mon ^e vt<oKf> and unworthbeiis of the Perfbn againft whom he int«ds his Datt. And thus he Argues : Uft up thine eyes to the Heaamf^ heboid the hn^mufs cf Go£t Glory : Conjider hit wijpotted BUnefs. btsU^te fi^iee. the Heaven/ are not clean in hufighiy hi» tMtiA mm ahminaUe. and filthy then art thonl Hit Eyu are tnrty he tamm -arnkj^mr m(^ ^ *he let^fin: Ho» emfi thou ifeff imaffiu ( exee^ thorn he intolerably imfttdoit ) that he hath ta- ]mfudt animdtanwra A into bis favour f ik it a jealom God^ and iriihyno means acquit thegiilty i Ca/fi thorn then with anyfiw (jf mfm. eonebidt tby felf to he bis Chiid f Heheholds the nftekgd afar dffi be jbuts out their Fr^^H he laitghs at their Calamity i he moeki trixa Oeir Faar iMHes i dnd there/tn thou h^ no CMtfe tothink^that be mat heartby ei% tbtu^ thtitjhotdd^ makg many Prayers, It can- not heCmofli that he mtt inelint bu Ear. Tis his etqrefsDeter- minatioi that tf any Man regard iniquity in bis Hearty the Lord MU
net hear Ins Fraytt, This, and a great deal more will he fay. And while Satan ^ks but at this ra,te wc may caU him modelt, becadehis AUegatkms ia.t. m themfclves traci if they were ap- plied
^ 5 «r . ^ Xnmtt of . ^miL^
Ihidnghttg,: 5i>q\<tim6s he will gofutther, sad. plainly JwA» God, fpeaking ioaedible &l(hoods of him: bu( becsni^ thde properly, appertain to an highor Catt of Ttoubles, of wbicbl«ft Bcxt tofpeak, I (hall not h^r mention th<tn. Hewercrt tf Jbe
• Hops beret he faith enough agahUi asy $eiwant of .God^ ^ ^ ties an bi^feiji of his unwtsrthineO. Foi being thus bcougfae to the view of tbefe ajionilhii^ Attributes, he Is d^ed mt<£ Countenance, andean think do other, but that 'tis very unUke^ ly, that fi mnwrtby a Sihoer flK>uld.have any ajtcteft in fi Hify a God. Thus the Devil ai&ighcs him ofl^ turmog the mvw^ yfiJk of theDeicripcioQ of God tahimi oad in the mean tii»e JIwAm that patt of ic that fpeaJis G«d?s wondeifid QadefaBfion^^^ finite Compaffions, unrpeakable readinefi m accept the iuunbk broken-hearted. Weary, heavy-laden Sinner, that is ptolbateot bis Foot-ftool for Pardon. All which aie on purpofe decbsed to. the Defoaption of God's Nature, to obviate this Temptatbny and toenoQurikgetheWedk. ,
2. H« mifreprtients God.iahis Pmidme. If God diaftife his Children bgrany Affli^ion, Satan per verfly wrefts it: to a bati;
. ConttruifHon , efpecially if the Affli<aioa befoa^ ot feeai to ic 4hw thck fkertgtl^ or fieqmiti and moft of aU if it ftem to a-o^f their Hiope& and Prayers >. for. then hc.;ai^ii«s„7iqf# «»;« the clk^finmtt o/Sm : Gt4 iittUtd milk vifit tbtii^_ X'lii^^Mt mth' Ko4ts but kit iedingitpitb Hm it ^atidy of mtakv amwc, fif ^ hre9kehthnwi*hlM%eii)f4t,AMvihuatibt«orrtasbit^^ him vkmafitrtytlm *rt hmed imn ttith thy tnuMtto di^Q MdM- pair: bathe mU lay Mmmi^hit Stat liiMtbnme-^kUttbtdir, U pntlnotal'vajf chidtbitSemutH i hmtthmattS^ mn Mmmn Jndbtfid^ if rim mrt pme attdfiptigh, /«^ m»he vuU mS T c' 1'i**f^ *^ habitatimiftby -Ri^vufhegfuf^gnm : ftr t$ hu Sons btfaak, Colt upon mtintbed^ ^muhU, ImiltdtHverOmi- mdtbat>Jhalt ghrifym. PfaJ.50.15. HcBcecomeatheamjpkOBt*. of nwny, that thcyafenotregenrntedj. becaufe thsy fihihls God deals r»ot wtth them.a$ with others. Obif^yi tbvi nt bfm dU cb^ifttb <7<«y ScB wbombt naihltb: batukx^mi werym»4igav^ ^mshetrt mr trot^kf anPlagms, uctRodf.i omayumbewLm F>^'er^ difmndedy our fhtngfb ftilttkm^ ontHmtsfmMmA «b ^>rd^ fo thatnttaulytbinatKtandqKalityofottrAfj^ons^ hit. tbt. Iffm ..of/mbtMtwideKtbnit, iitmtadmiiigtbthmbtit ( which h tbeffoM GhataSiarq/ithetbt^atuiiti^Smf, Eeb.,i3i.7^J pd^mh " ' i evincetb
t
. i»HM««ft tlM VH MTt uxdit G9JU hatred^ and art not bit Children. Jihis Objedion, though it might feem eafy to be anfwered by ibafe that ate not at prefeiit coDcerned, yet it wiH pix>ve a diffi- cult bttfiaefi to thofe that ate under the fmarrof AfflidHons. How awcha hdy and w% Man may be giavell d by it, you may fee in ffik 73. where the PiofJiet is put to a ^yous plunge upon this 9aryob)edton^ ver. 14. MtbedaykngbavtlheenflagHed^sndehd^
And yet in ail timSamii doth but play the SophWtar^vrorkif\g fUjfcm the advantages, which the ii<ifjm of the affiidion, and the aMjpcr of Mens Hearts do aifi^dhim* For i* A%i(3ions are a gie&t^ptb^ OttCJc£thcficr€Uo( God, fo that 'tis hard to know what Godintends bf them. 2. ThttndoCihe Lord, is not dif- wr^Kd ^t^fiffij Imtat feme ^iiAance, When the Fruits thereof be- lin. loappear. 3. The mind of the afflidred cannot always pro- mdv^iUffyin Inaldng a judgment of God's defign upon them : cfpedalhr at firft when ^tisfimnded by the aflault, and all things kcMf^^ff, Faith is to (eek. Patience fwanting, and Love flag-. gofaig h after it hath recoUeAed it &lfy and attained any cabnn^y lo&itfhrrmwirofthewaysofGod, and of the Heart, it is better enaUed to fix (bitie grounds of Hope. Lam. 3. ip, 20, 2 1, , TiMmalhd ni^ XBnd^ threfan bavi I Hope. 4, AAidiohshave. 4 L^ and a Pjri;,fide, and their appearances are accoxding to . mxrfifimt in which we view them : as (bme PidJures,which if we . look upon them one way, they appear to be Angek, if another way, they (eeaa Devik
5» Some Men in Aflldie»i4o mfy bmjy thennffelves in looking apon the dark fide of AffiK^on. Their diipofition Ceither through HShiral tifffermfnefi^ or ftrongiwtprefion fo£Tcmptmon) is only to. meditate terroHrs^ and to (urmiie evils. Thefe Men out of the Gro6, can draw nothing boi; the Wormwood and the Gat^ while Dihers, that have another Prcfpeft of them, oblbve mioctmtf of Mercy and Gentknefi, anddo iicift^into (ubmiifioh and thank*- £ih2c& Theft Coonfidered together) are a great ad vantage to Sa-^ tan indifputing againft the peace of Godsafflid^ed Children, and < it often faUsout, that as hedothptifi^fent God's defign, fi> do they (vxgj^d by Temptation) apon ms^ account misjHdge th^m*-
ji^^ves* 3* He attb>imtepvcre»ts<aodifi die t^m^ t^bu SfhfH s tf Q6d
tnchdrawius oQuntcnftoee, or by his Spirit figaifies hisdifpltf^*--
«'
15^
fure to {he Con(aencesof aery, ifbe-peitaik Satan tcmoleftthdlii with Spiritual Temptations, prcfoitly Satan takes occafion'to^put his (dik and malignant in^erpr^tatioii upofuall ; ;ihe« tdb them that Gods bidinghisFzccMhisc^f^.^^ > thsLtthcfindnugf fignified to their Confcience, axcphmd^olar^iufisthzt their piv- fent ftateis Wrath and Darknefs. That Sitsasm^^ms by ^ Temptations, (hew them to be yet under bkpmr \ that the fom* z;i^ of their former Peace, Joy, and fenCble delight wliich they had in the ways of God» is beypnd :cobti3eidj^iOA» an: evidence that God hath ntf^i^I^ in them, nor tb^y in himv that their Fsdtfai^ but that of TdKjwiirie/, their Joy but tlnttof i^O^ocrr^fjc, wi^his only for a moment. How ^ten have I heard. Chriftians com- . plaining thus ? JTe cannot be in afistt ef Grace^ wt Confcknets lyt . under tbefenfe afGodsMfiUafttre^ tbijf give. te(l:kmny agaitfi av, 4md . sre kp9ti^, tba t^imony is tr^e^ fertile fid iu "^H.tnit, time wm tdkn . nethdt^hnfe bads adigh in Hearings Tf^^ng^itUaMng^ buenm aUitahtrtbentomj wecanrelifif nothings tpecanfj»fitjmbing^ we can . rmmiher nothing: time warwbenKi^e thought ive bad ajfwran^ and am Hearts rqoycedin m\ fometims tve have though our .Hearts kada^ much pf Peace and Qmf(nt,ai they cpfddbold^ no^Mif ^M^bedund tOe art ^der fad fears; if GmI bad had a favour to m^ ^OfddbeJmeJeakthis mth us ? Thus are they cheated into a belief Chat they never bad any Grace > they take all for granted that i$ urged againft them : . they cannot confider Gods ^^4 in hiding, his £aee, nor yet -can they (ee how Grace aSs in them under th^fe compbdnings ; bow ' they exprefs their Lcve to God in thdr ^^/. and pantings after . htm, iatheir*ww7wg of his abfence, m Mwmg and condemn- ing themfelves, &c. bvit tbeir p^^t feeliiig, (and an Ap- gumcnt from fence is very fliong; bears down all befoit it.
,. Thus doth Satan frame his Arguments from ' mifireprefentati- onsof God, which CtbQugbarightyiewofGod^wouldcafilyan- .fwerthep, yet; how difficult it is for al Pttfbn m an hour of Temptation to difpcl, by a right apprchenfioh of the ways of the Holy God, doth abundantly a j^ar from Pfat.77. where the cafe qf^/kpb (or whoever elfe he wto) doth inform «$ I. , That 'tisjafuaJ for Satan, for thetli%itc(tiing"of the Hearts of Gods Children, to offer a falfe TroJpeS o£ God* 2. That ti^ wni*c/f</ their Hean^ with grief, 4ifr. 3,^ ?. HMtthcmorclbey perfia ii^.theprofccutton of this method, under the MifisifFrt^ ' r*1 , judiCi^
pfdiee^ they fee the kSs^ being apt to mi{conftruc every tWiig in Qod to their difadvantage, ver^ 3. Iwemembred Goi^ and v^ trm^ Ued. 4. Thereaibn of all that trouble lies in this^ that they can ^, conclude wrath and detertion from God's carriage toward them. 5'. Yhat till'theyJook upon pod in another method^ and la^up better thoughts of him and his Providences, even while they carry the appearance of Severity, they can expcift no eafe to tteir complainings. For before the Prophet quitted himfelf of this trouble, h« was forced to acknowledg/^ifwwjfijj^ (ver. 10.) in tlie mifconftrudion he made of his dealings, and to betake liim- felf to a refolve of entertaining better thoughts of God^m 7. His ..Interrogation, WiU the Lord eafi off fsr mr^ &c> (hews indeed what he did once think, being mifled by Satan, but withal that he would never do lb again, WiUtbe herd cafl^ for ever ? Is not iere th^ Voice of a defpairing Man ? but of one that throujgh bet- ter information hath refifi^e/his Judgment, and now is refolved .firongly to hold the contrary to what he thought before, as if he ihouUfay, 'T»i notfoffibUtbatHJhouldbefo^ be mil notcafi f^ for «cr, Md Iwill never entertain fiteb ferverfe though/ of God any^ mm. 6. But before they can come to this, it will coft them fome pains and ferious thoughts » 'tis not ea{y to break thefe Fetters, to anfvvfr this Argument > but tbiey that will do fo^ muft afpeal ftom tbcir prefentTcnce^ toa coniideratibna/^i&e 5(/ie/of ihefe dealings upon other Perjons^ or upon themfelves atd^ier ti$Hes: for the Rro- ^ct, vcr. 5.' cohfidered the days ofold^ and theyears of ancient times ^ and ver. 6, he alfo made u(e of his own experience, calling to re- memhrance^ that after fiich dealings as thife, God by his return of f^aLVoyja^^vtlnsnSongt in the Night.
4, Another commbn head from whence this great Difputant doth fetch his Arguments againfi the good condition and ftate of God's Servants, is their ^ and mifiarriagef. Here I (hall obferve twoorthreexhings in the general concerning this, before I (hew how he dravi^ his falfe Conclufion^ from thence; As,
!• That with akiiid of /ei/i«e^ ingenuity^ he will grant a diffe- rence betwixt Sin and Sin^ betwixt Sins reigning, and not reign- ing > Sins mortified, and not mortified ; betwixt the Sins of the Converted, and the Unconverted ; and upon this fuppbfition he nfually proceeds. He doth not always ( except in cafe of great Sins) axguewantpf Regeneration from one Sin for that Argu^
, , . . v-cc mcnti
xio Zt^nMittf Part.!!:
ixient *> 7^ U (t Sin^ therefore thou art not a Corrverty would be ca- fily infwertd,^ by one that knoWs the Saints have their impcjrft- ^ions but he thus deals with Men : Theft Sins rpher^f ihm art guiltyj are reigning Sins^ fuch a$ are infconfiftent WiA a conrcitttJ eftate, and therefore thou art yet unregenerated.
2. Heproducethufually for the backing of Ws Arguments, fiich " Scriptures as dp trpily reprefent the flate of Men unfanSified i but then his labour is to make the Parties to Sippczr jHttable to the dc- (cription of the Unregenerate. And to that purj>ofe he aggravstet • all their failings to them : he makes fevere enquiries after all theit Sins, ahd if hs ^s^n charge" them with any »(;rarf^«f crime, he lays load upon that, ftill concluding that a Regenerate Pcrlbn doth not fin at fuch a rate a$ they do.
3» This is always a very dij^cult cafe y 'tis not ea(y to anfwer theobjedions thaf he will urge from hence : for r. if there be the reaTguilt of any gr/ez;0«f oi[ iemarkable fcandal which he ob* jc^^ the accufed Party Cthough never fo knowing,' or Cfermcr* ly) nc veir fo holy) wiDbehardlyjputtoittodetermineany thing in favour of his eftatc. r. The F^ cannot be denycd. 2. The Scripture nominates particularly fuch ofTences, as render a Kbn 'unfit for the Kingd|Om of God. 3. Whether in fuch cafes, Grace be not TphoUj loft,1s a queJUon in which all aire not agreed. 4* How- eret it will be. very doubtful whether fuch had ever any Ora^cCi The ^cripturehath given no note of difference, to diftit)gui(h betwixt a Regenerate and Unregenerate Perfon, In the aSs 6f Murther, A*- dultery, Fomication,d^c. \t doth not fay the Rcgenerute commits an a($ of' grols Iniquity in thU mnnety the Unregenerate ittrfttf, and that thece is a vi(ihle diftindion betwixt the one and the o« thar, delating to thefe very AQs. ^ And whafever^may be (uppo- fed to hcihcintpord workings pf Gracchi the Sou^, while 'tis re- duced to fo narrow a cdmpafs, as a fpatk of Pirc raked upin Aihes, yet the weight of prefent guilt upon the Soul (when Ms charged hpnae^ will always ^oi/e it' toward the »>ar/t apprehen(?t>ns that can be made concerning its ftate. former ads'of Holinefs will be difbwhed under the notion of Hypocrify 5 orlfyet owned" to be true, they wijlte apt to think that true Grace may be tttterly bfiw Trejent adis of Grace they can fee none, (b that only the after^aSs rf Repentance'can di&over ttiat there is yet a being and H^ of Grace In them, ind tiU then they can never anj^eir Satans Arguctfient &om'great Sms. But^a. lii the hJhoI itiprmtiet of God's Childien
the
the caft is not fi eafy. For the Scripture^^ive itdh^ces of ibme^ who{e G)QV€r&cions CQoid not iae taxed with any nbtorious e^ vih ) whp thpugti^they wff€.ir^^.)^dfi» tbt Kingaom tfOoi^ yet were not of the KingdmfVfG^di; ^ firetfdoti!! thca GomffeatSinfi, IS not pleadable^ asan ftndat^teJ^ . ivmH^ of Graoe» And if othen th^t^tcnot eomeriea^ piayhaye no greater infirinkies than &mK that arty the difference betwixt the one and the. other muft d<s )>end upon the j^«» Powers <^ Grace, ^ving chekk to thefe faifir* mities, and fbriving to mqroiy them : And this wilt be mimri^ tdte quefticn. The ApoiUe, kom 7. 1 5. notes itidedd^AM diffe- rences betwixt the Regeneiate and llnr^enerate^ !n this^afe of Sins of Infirmity, i. i£i#feiof thcSin hfire the ^cottimiftion of It > What Ibattfhatdo h 2. KetnOaney intbe AQ : what Imnldy that iq I not. 3^ "Dipdhfponte af^ the A£U that vpbidhJ do^ t g/hm not. Yet {eeing natural Light will aflbrd fense afjfear$nees of dilP allowance, and reludaacyy it will . ftiU admit or &tth^ debate; tVhether the Trindfhs^ l^ipe/y Pegreer and Sttec^ of tfaisfe fbth^ vings, be fuch as may difwvcx the Being gad PoW(^ Cff real Grace.
While Satan doth iiifift upon Aigumcnty.from the Sbis of Be^ ilevers, for the proo£QrattU0Con verted eftate, be only afkliid t6 make good this TpQit^Th^ttbekim^ Stn^ , and eoAft^
quentlythattheycaonocbek^ffbgoodacondhidiiasthe^ Wit* ling to thinks . And to make their Sins to carry that appearsMce, his cooAant coorfe is to agff^avaie them ^Ihe can: thi^ is hh de<» fign, and the means by which he would effeSt it. His great jirt in ^hi$ QaTe^ is to heighten- the Sins of tho Regenetati? v this he doth ^ many ways. A^, . .. , ''
I. From the nature of the Sin committed) aifM$ the fkanhet of itsix>mmiifion ; and thishe chiefly labours,becau(e his Arguments fiomhence ar^ more probable^ eipeciaQy confidering What he fix' eth iU)on uiually^s that Which, may moA favour bis Gonclufibn. A It iTanyhaye ^InitUQa^ff^'S'iityWhichaChildof God doth but rarely commit^ th^ he aigues againft him^ thus: Ttbey that are in Ch^j do mortify the Fle/hwitb the Jff^ion^ and LjiJ?/, they ct^ a^ tpay the woii^ of Varkeifi: and theft iporks of the Flefi afentamfeft'^ Gala 5» ip* Adid$efyy Fornkationy Vnckann^ Lafcwiotejhefl^ Idola^ try^ IVitdKr^^ Hatr^d^. Variance; Emmlations^ &c. Beeaufe of theje things (^mab^lV^r^ of Goduf^n^theC^ Ben^thirforefartakp'f^fM
Ccc 2 fiil
l6t ZXtmittpf PxstMl
ful wtiksfBatiqi^, Eph. 5. <J, 1 1. Ri* tboM bafi m tHtthtfe awav mrjmtnjuuIH^ ^tbyfrfmSind^ufiify, tberefL tbm m^^ C*/W«/ Crjjrfi 2. If any do more than once ortwice reto/e^ into »^«^^<?'Pf»g»««>c not fii highly fcandalousas fhe fer- meir>,tlKftfa^pleads;from theace, that they are back-mdert in He^ that they have W« tbtirComant with God, thYr they aw tHbont^etoSiu. Hereheurgcth, itmaybe, that of 2 P«. /.i^ 20. OftPb<m a Man ,4 ajmrnHe^ftbefimii be brvugk in bondage-— 7heJ>pg ,s raurnedtobi, Vomit. 3. O^ifknyhave byanVoffrace mpreremarJiaWy fpntagi^nfi their K>u,u,kdg, otmlated that C^. fcien^e, then he teDs them, thavtb^fa, ^itfiOy, thai they rejeS tL Comfel. of theM, that tbey aretbe Servants if Sin i foriLsLm, ye arfi to. wbmyeobey, Roin,«J.i<y. And tbattvbere there it GrZ though tb^mayfaB, yet it kfiitlagai^ their triUf.Scc. 4.IfheW ^'^<^^&'>^'^'^m^ o( the former charges agS them, thet. heargues ta the/ra^cy of their variot^mSl &S. HerehefctstfacirSiiis»«(»r^beforethcm, rakesZm^^ gcther, th« he itiaiopprefs them by a multitud^, when heTannS prevaU byan accufation from one or' two ads : and h7s plS tereis, Tho^ art nothing htt Sht, thy *hoMgbts sre JlZinSft
^^r!l7*^**'~^'f^ ^h'^i^fMihand^i^d Z& tn aBtJ^ mfkymenu, tn aB relation,, at at timet. Whatd^Tthl
*ha*i*,«o*/%^edordelUedf td,a:Sintbatisnotr^^t^
Thefe.areaUofthemte)ngobje<ftions,and fiequently madeufe of by Satan « the complaints of the Serrants 3 God^do^J^' whoaremade*usto except againiftthemfehresi IfoJs^ylt but theufHalfathngsofthecommed, ^ might mfoio^fJZ^ tbey aregreat tbey ^e baddHdingt, they J ^ ^£^^ ^ • ^many,r.batcanm^e, but that ^ bJArto Sd^ felvet, aadtbattbemrk,ofcomrfionityet to do f ThelS^- that arcfrom^-.^ Sins, orfrom.«X««, J JSfS&°^ Confcience Jo ufually prevaU £ot fimetime, again™ the ffrf,?; are chargable with them i they cannot detcnniS tW?ht? " verted (though they ought be fo,J fo lonW^h^SnnS T matter of FaS upoiwhfch the acc^rio^ TsSe3 ?&*'
wthedarkandcaimotanfwcrihcArgumcnt. Jonabbehg^
prUbned
Chap, %. ^atm'fi SDemptationi?. 5 6^
prifonedin the Wbalcs Belly, for his ftubborji rebellion, at yfry? concluded himfelf a dft-away: Jon. 2*4* Ihen Ifudlameafiomof Ay Sight:. Neither could he think better of himfelf, till upon his Sjfentanee^ he recovered his Faith and Hope of Pardon, Tet vpill t lo^again tmard thy Holy T*empk. Yea thofe objections that are rai- fed from the mHltitudizn^frequeniy ot lefTer failings^ though they maybe anfvyered by a Child of God, while his Heart is notOTrer* fiadmed with the Mills and Clouds of Temptation, yet when he is confufed with violent commotions Within, his Heart will fait him,, and till he can bring himfelf to fome compofkre of Spirit, he hath not the hddmp to affert his integrity. Vavid was gravelled with this Objedion, Pfal. 40. 12. Innwnerable evils have eomfaffed m about ^ mine iniquities have takgn bold ufon «ie, fo that I am not able to lool^ tip i they are more than the Hairs on my Head^therefire my Hearf fdleth me. 2. He aggravates the finfulnefe of our condition, from the/Fe-
Eicy and violence ofhii own Temptations. 'Tis an ufual thing for to give a young Qoviv^ts^nc^ant onjets of Temptation to Sinr inoftcommonly he works upon their /2j^«rtf/tftf«ifi/»tfw/i, he blowy the Coals that are not yet quite extinguilhed, and that have grea- ter forwardnels from their own inclination to kindle again » as- Luft and Paifion^ TheJ?rJt motions of the onc^ (though it go no fcrther, than thofe offers and rifingsupin the Heart, and is there ian^ and kept down by the oppofingprindple of Grace ) and^ ihcoccafioffal ottt-breakings of the other, (which he provokes by a diligent preparation ofw4^» from without, and violent inc/ir^i*^ •wfifomwithm} fumifli him with fufficient matter for his inten- ded accufations » andfometimes (being as it were wholly neg- ligent of the advantages which our tempers give him, or not be- bg able to find any fuch forwardnefs tothefc evils in our Confti- twtion, as may more eminently ferve his ends) he fatisfies himfelf to moleft us with eameft motions to any Sins indifferently \ and all' this to make us believe, that Sin is not aucified in us. Which, feme are more apt to believe, becaufe they obferve their Tempta- tions to thefe Sins, to importune them mw, and with greater ve^ bemency, than they were wont to dobfefore : and this doth yet the moreaftonilhthem,bccau(e they had high expeSationr thtkt after dieir converfion, Satan would/^// *e/(?re ^^ and their Tempta- tions abate \ that their natures fliould be altered, and their natural bciinatigns to th^fe Sins tpbolly ceaft :. but now finding the. con-
ttarj
; 364 ^ xtmitt of p^. iL
' trary^ they are ready to cry out, CefpeciaHy when Satan violently buffers them with this oh jedHon) ff^e are yet in mtr Sins, and un^n the dominion thereof '^ neither can it he that wv are converted; becaufe Hk find Sin more aUm andftirring than formerly 5 'tis not thenfimfy mor- tified in uSy hit lively and firong. Though in this cafe it be very plain that TCemptations are only llrong, and Sin weak, and that
' Grace is/tfi>i&/%//yading its part ag^ft the Flelh, arguing, not that Grace isfo very n^e^i^, out that Satan is moxch^ than ordi- nary V the Sins are not more than formerly, but the Light that dit covers them rnore is greater, and the C(;/i!/cie«c8 that refcnts the Temptation is more tender. Yet all this doth not at firft give eafc to the fears that are now raifed up in the Mind h they find Sm u^^rtwginthem, their e^yefif^riawx of attaining a greater conqueft on zfndden, and with greater eaje^zrt difaffointed, (and the deCre of having much, makes a Man think himfelf poor) i and withal they commonly labour under fo much 7g/if»rjwcc, or perverfe cre- dulity, that they conclude they confent to every thing which they are tempted to, infomuch that 'tis long before thefe Clouds do va- nifli, and the affliiSed brought to a right underftanding of thcm-
felves,
3. Vtotn Momtremark^hk appearances oiGoi^^ doth Satan aggnr vateotir finfol condition. If God (hew any notable ad of Poiwerj he makes th^ Beams of that ad r^eSupoa our uhtvor^mefr witJf a dailing Light. When teter law the Power of Chrift in fending^ a great multitude of Filhes into his Net, (having laboured a>I Might before and caught nothing J itgave fo deep an itiDprcffion' to the convidion of his vilenefs, that he was ready to put Chriff from him as being altogether unfit for his BleiFed Society, ^eparr (faith he J from me, fir I am ajinfnl Man* If God difcover the Glorious Splendor of his Hi;/wf/>, 'tis enough to make theholieft Saints (Cuch zs Job andlfaiah) to cryouttheyarciwr^&ffe, being Job 42. 6. -M^fi of unclean Lips, and to abhor themfehes in vnji andJ^hes. The ifa. 6. 5. . like may be faid of any difcovery of thereft ofthe Glorious Attri^ butcs'ofGod. Of all which Satan makes this advantage, that the Parties tempted (hould have fo deep a confideracion of thdr unworrhkefs, as might induce them to believe, (as if it were by a Voice from HeaveiiJ that Godprohibits them any approaches to him, and that they have nothing to do to take,Gdds Name with- in their Mouths* And though thefe remarkable dilcoveries of God (either by his ads of Power and Providence, or by immp-
diatc
diateimpreflfons upon the Soiul, in the height of contemplation) fiaveotdinarlly^ii^ej^ff/ upon the Hearts of his Children, but not of Ion jg continuance : yet where they ftrike in with 9tber Ar- guments by which they were already daggered as to their Inteidl In God, they mightily ftrengthen them, and arc taken for m U(s than Gods own determination of the quefiion againft ^ them.
But this is not all the ufe that Satan makes of them y for from ' bence he fometimes hath the opportunity to rai& mw aecHfatms againflthem, and to tax them with /jr/i«»/^ crimes, which in a particular W4;i;jerfeem to prove them Unregenerate. For what would feem to be a dearer Charader of a Man dead in TrefpaiTe^ and Sins, than a hard Hearty that can neither be feifible of Judg- ments nor Mercies ? This he fometimes chargeth upon the Chil- dren of God, from the great difiroparthn that they find in them- felves, betwixt the little fence that they feem to have ( and that winch is di^oportionable^ they reckon to be /r^^foVig, ) and the v<^ . greatnefi o( Gods McTcy or Holinefs. I have obfcrvedibme to complain of utterimi<i»i^»e/>, and infenfibknefsofUc^tt (from thence concluding confidently againfl themfelves ) becau^,when God hath remarkably appeared for them, in deliverances from dangers, or in unexpeded kindnefTes, they could not render a thankfiilnefs that carried any proportion to the Mercy. While they were in the higheft admirathn of the kindneG^ ^ying, ff^aP Jhall I reader to the Lord ? they were quite out of the fight of their own fence and feeling, and thought they returned nothinizt alV becaufe they returned nothing equivalent to what they had receiv- ed. Others T have known, who from the eonfufion and amaze- ment of their Spirit,when they have been overwhelmed with tiou- bles, have pofitively determined themfelves to be fenfkf}^ ftupid, paft feeling, hardened to definition : when in both cafes any .miaht havefeen the tpoi^jng oftheir Hearts to be an apparent cmk traaiSion to what Satan charged them withaL For they weie not unapprebenfive. either of Mercies or Judgments r but on- the contrary,, hacl only a greater Jince of them than they wer^ able to ma:- nage.
4« To make full meafure, Satan doth fometimes aggravate
theinifcarriages of thofe whomhe intends to accufe, by comfa^
ping tt^eir lives and adions with the holy Li&efo£ ibme eminent
•&ivants of Ciod',^ efj^dally fiich asthey ikve oiHjf heard of, and.
not
j
i6ii ^%tt&tiit of Part.lL
oot known peribnally. For fo they have only their' Fertnes rt« prefented, without their faitings. Here Sataci takes a liberty of declaming againftthem: and chou^ he could never fpare a Saint a good word out of refpcd > yet, that others mijgbt i>e put out of heart and hope, h? will commend the holinels, ftridfcael^ care^' cotiiizDOf i£ dead Saints to the Skies* Andthm he Qjierfes, Att ihoHjkcb an onef CanH thou fay thou art any thing tike them Jar a bea^ Venly Heart :^ a holy Lifi^a contempt of the World^a ^saealfw Gedjargifoi ff^<^kf^ for patient Sttffering ? &c. C All this while not a word of their Weakneffes}. Thefe (faith he) t^ere the ^Servants of the Moft High : their Examples thouJhoHldft follow^ if thou exPe3^ their CroiPn. Had they any more HoUnefs than they netdedf AnaifthcHbi^i not fi mttch^thoH art nothing. What can Humility, Modefty, and fenfc trf* Guilt, fpeak in fuch a cafe ? They go away mourning, their Fears inaeafe upon thechi and what God hath fct . before fhem (in the Examples of his Servant5J) for the increafi of'thgr diligence they take to be as a JTitnefs againft them, to prove tfiem Uncon- verted. . , *
5. The lad part of Satan's Sophiftry, is to kffkn their Graces, that fo he may altogether deny them. In this he proceeds upon fuch Scriptures, as do aflert the Fruits of the Spirit ; and urgeth • for his foundation, that none arc the Children of God, but fuch zsareledby the Spirit > and that he that hath not the Spirit of Chrifi is none of bk. The neceffity of Faith, Love, Patience, Humi- Jity, with the Fruits of thefe and other Gracesi htpf^getbi but IHU in order to a Demonftration C as he pretends ) that fuch arc ^ot to be found in thofe, whofe Gracious ftate he calls into que- stion, and confequently that they are not the Children of 4jod.
The Rule by which he manageth himfelf in this Difputc, is this : l,be more Graces are heightnedin the Notions^ thatmufi give an account of their Nature and Beingsy the more digicult it wiB be to find out their ReaUty in the PraOice of them. His dcfign then hath theft tn^o parts. 1 . He heightens Grace in the Notion, or Abf trad ^11 Jiecan. 2. He lejfens it in the Concrete, qr PraSice^ as much as IS poflible, that it may appear a very Nullity, a (hadow and not a fubftance, I (hall fpeak a little of both.
I, As;to the firji part of his DeCgn, he hath many ways by which he aggraiMtfes Grace in the Islotion. We may be fure if rt Jie in his wj^K^ 1« will not iiick to give falfe definitions of Giicc ;
ana
Chap. 8. ^utm's SCemptatlottjjP. , 67
and to tell Mte that it is^what indeed it is vau He is aLyar^md in any cafe whatlbevcr he will lie for his aduantagt^ if he hare hope his Lye may pais for cuneiit » but he cannot always ufe a ^dpahU Cheat in this ftiatter^ where the nature of any Grace is pofitively detennined in Scripture, exceot it be with the Ignc^ TMy or where the nature of Grace is made a bufineft of Comnn veffu among Mem I will not make Conjedures what Satan mgy poffibly fay, m belying the nature of Grace, to make itfeem to b? quite another thing than it is i but (hall rather flbew you the more ufual plaufible ways of Deceit which herem he exerci- Teths and they are thefe that follow.
i« As the Gime Graces have different Vegree^ in (everal Per- ipns, and thefe different Degrees have Operations iiiitable > fbme A^ being ibonger, fbme weaker, fbme more perf^ed and ri- pened, otners more imperfeft, and immature: S6 when Satan comes to defcribe Grace, he fets it forth in its bigh^ BxceSeneier^ and m6il ^orious Attainments. Tou fliall never obfbve him to fpeak of Graces at their lan^fbeb^ C cjccept where he is car- rying on a defign FotFrefitmftioa^ and then he tells Men that any Wifib^y or fTatdding is Grace i and every formal [Lord fir^e me] is true Repentance) ; but on the contrary he ol^s the high* efi reach of it, that any Saint on Earth ever arrived at, as ^/i- tiaVy neceffary to coniHtuteits Beii^ h and tells them if they have not tbaty they have nathif^. Let us fee it in the Particulars. I. Grace fbmetimes hath its EMraordinarits \ fas I may call them. ) We have both Precept and Example of that nature fn Scripture, which are propounded not as the common Stmdari by which the Bemg and Reality of Grace is to be meafured, but as Ptfffer;!/ for imitation, to provoke us to Emulation > andtoquic* ken us in prefling forward. Of this nature 1 1 reckon to be the Example of Mofh^ defirmg to be blotted o$a rf GoJ^s Bodl^ ( whatever he meant by it ) in hb love, to the People > and the Hke of the Apofllc Taidy wiflung himlelf to be accnrfed from Cbrifi forbU Bmbrens fakg. Of this nature alio we have many Precepts \ as rqoyco evermori^ of waiting and longing for the Appearance of Chrift, of rqovcing when we faB into divers Temptations > and ma- ny more to this purpolc, All which are heights of Grace that do rarely appear among the Servants of God , at any time. a. Grace hath fbtnetimes its j^i^il AJpfiancesj this-is when the Qcc^&on is extraordinaty^ but the Grace befittbg that bccafionjEs
Ddd promif^
4
\\%
prcjtnifed in orHnafp and ordinarily recicvcd. l«rhen God calk any to fueb QCcafions, though compared with that meafitrt if Grm, ^i^h ufually is aded hv the Children of God upon otdi^ ^ary ocjiafibn? \ U is a'fpecial affillance of the Spirit. Of this na^ lutCj/i^.that Ba/ipe/j which the Servants of Chrifl receive, to cd/i/^ Chria befori Men in times of Perfecution, and to D« for the Truth, with Conftancy,* Courage, and Joy. 3. There arc alfo fifigular Eminencies of Grace, which fome diligent, careful ^d choke Servants of God attain unto, far above what the ordi^ nm firf anive at. Enoch had his Converfation fo niuch in Hear ven, that he was faid to tpalk^mth Cod. David's Soul was often fnllof <^c/igfc* in God. Some in the height of Affurance, rejoyce in God, yivitl\ joy unie(^ble^ and fkU of Glory. Mofa was emi- nent in Meekffep } fob in Tatience , the Apoitle Foul m Zeaty tot promoting the Gblpcl, &c.^ Now Satan, when Ke comes to que- ftion the Graces of Me«, he prefenfs them with thefe Meafures i and if they fall fliort, Cas ordinarily they do ; he concludes them altogether Gracelefs.
2. Satan alfo can do much to heighten the ordnu^ wor^^ aad ufual ftuits of every Grace. His Art herein, lies iri^ two thin^ I. He gives us a dcfaiption of Grace as it Is iniifelf^ ab/hr^ed Irom the Weaknefs, Dulnels, Diftradion, and Infirmities that are Concomitant with it, as it comes forth to Kadtice; He brings to our view Grace in its Glory^ and without the Spots by which our Weaknefe:, ahd Satan's Temptation, do much disjigtire it. 2« He prefents us with Grace in its whole Body^ compleated with ^ all its Memibers, Faith, Love, Hope, Patience, MeekneJB, Oen- tlenefs, &c. From both thefe^ he fets before thofe whom be intends to difoourage, a compleatCt?^ of an w^flholyChriffian^ As if every true Chriftian were to be found in the conjisnt Praftioc of ai tbele Grocer at^ alt timeSy^pti all occafions^ arid that withoiit .lyeaknefi or Infirmity.* , Whereas indeed^ a true Chrifiian may jbe found fometimes evidently pradifinga;i< Gracq,,ahd>^aL or •at prefent defi3ive in another^ An3 fometimes the bell of his
tjraces is Co interrnpted with Temptation/o c/(?ggei with Infirmity, that its worJiings are (carce ^//cerwtfife.
3 ^ He ^i'th a Policy in height nirig thofe Attainments aijd work- ings of SouJ, in things relating to God and Rcfigion , which are tbW/oundin7e«^^ which bccaufe they fometiaies
Appear in the Unconverted, as weU as in the Converted, f though
an
^
/ sdl \iacoiiv1eited Men have Xhim no« ) . are ffaerefet^ caUled Csm>-^
nfonGi^cQS, . Thk he dcdi that bt tmy^iircwihcoce takb oarafbo^ to difiralfe the Jlctf/ Graces of the Servants of God > of whom i«t« tttMigri^aad 4fhigs thai^ciftifumy Sal^Utiou (tint is f^ial faving Ggaicttj) are tabc expeded, HA. <5. p. His way ^herefaiis^' r. To« ftHritbejafiiTOfi:irji«i3fJof thdTeCominon QiaceS) kown^Meft vaxf imt^ . how far they may go, and yet at laft come to nothiag*. For Gifts they may have powerful Eloquence^ Prophecy^ underftand- jflg ofM^eri^y faith of Miracles. For good IForl^si they may gfce thiir Ejiafftr t^ reliat the Poor ; In Moral t^wtmTy the^ may be Exccllcat, thtir lUmminstim inay be great ,h they may t^€ th^ ffgd Wwi of Gaij snd tk: taaurs. tf th JForld to. ciffK^ Uth^ 6. 4^ Their Cbhtetfirtion may be jriTiawf offinoe , and their Cbnfci^e' fliw#, as PomPs was before* ids Cofiverftm* a. With tliefe beigbts\o£ oonii&on Grace,, he ccwipares the ^ft«N* ^deffu of Sjpeci^l Gracr. > And becaufe the Pmcifk/^ Mhth^r;- and Etdf, ; wMd^coofiitotetfae difibence betwixt thefe two, are (as it were) miJtr^^mnd^ more remote from Seiife andOblet^^ vatiofi, and oftenttmes dariaied by Temi>tation : Be takes the boldiidsto<kny the Truth of Grace, upon the account of the fiutt incotifidenible iffia^Mide that ie malces^ conMe»dy '^ttnr ifig, that Speqal Grace muftwdf necoflky liiaice a far gi^ater ifut-^ jpatd fietp than thefe Common Grases. in what manner, and to wlnt end, Satan doth ba^m Grace hi the /thpaH we have (ceo ^ Roremains that we diicover, a. How he dotfo kffin Grace > in the Concnto > this is the center
dhasHd^sk He would Jiotextol Grace fomudi^ but that he hopes theseV ^ ^cnJimn sh Gederatim ofjbe j^, and to make kiappear, that diere zit^fe^ cdjume, that are truly Gtack)us; When he comes to apjply adl this to the condition of any Child of God^ he deaUtriKtcfacroufly v and his cunning confifts of three Pafts^ . ' . - > . >. . . .
' rv .Hecdmt>westh^^^«t^jie of any one,' with whom he deais,'^ tatius %^h^ attainments and excellencies of Grace *> al<*
' iowiog no jhifig to be Grace, but what will anfwcr thefe Defcarip- fjbnshe had arr^dy giveri. Here the Tempter doth apparently make ufe^of a falfe BaBana^ and ^ Bag cf dtceitfklll^eighu For thm^hepGts them to it i ihsfe^fyefi mu baft Graee^ htt fbou doft ahegtiber deiem fiyfi^^ fi^ inilM^th^^ i>i^ tmk at aV. Compart ibyi f^ wHh «ri^.inr > that tgere^ 'in Sdftifmre noted ,* at nndoHbteily ) Ddd a ' GradoWj
J70 7L%tt$tittOf ?mn:
Vdnity. Abeaham M Fahb^ ha be beUevii jmt b^pe. Moies aud Paul bad kve, but ib^ mamfefiedMJfy fnferring their Bmhrent haffin^f brf(fre their 9wh. David was a Saiaty but be bad a Heart tao^^m^bGod. ibeMar^s Jfck$n of in Heb. 1 1. i% could do
. V^mdrn \ thy p^ere above fears of Meii, above th kve of At World % tbey laved oat tbeir Lives to thDeatb: How joyfuByitool^tbey tbe fp^l^ tag rf thirGoods i How coteragumjly did theyfiiffertbe JkarP^ lor* mentsf Befides (faith he) aU th Cb'ddren of Godaredefcribed as Sati^ Oified throHgh$t^./AoMnding witb allfimts of Righeouftiefii tbdr Faitb is Warblng > tbm LauefiiB Laboriom > tbeir Hope Prodttoetb eoffiant Pa^ tience : What art tbou to thefi f Ibat in the whcb thorn cj£^ Faidk^ or Love^ &r Patience^ &c. ^tkmtfitto h named with thfe: Tbyfeart may tell the^ that tboU bafi no Faitby and fo ms^ thy frorl^\ eh nmmmrings under God's Hand is evidemeftifficient^ tbatthtfb^na Patience. , thliitle ib^ thorn d/fi far God^ or effecially womld^ do^ if it wen flat for tbyonnt advantage^ mayconvinee the that thou bsfi. no love to bintj tby wearinefi of Services and Duties, thy conf^fed wfrafitahlenefs under all^ do proclaim thou baft no ddi^inGosL, nor in bis Ways. He further adds» fos the coniirmatioxi of aU this: Confider bow far temporaries maygo^ that fiaU never go to Ehaven. Hbou art farfitort (fthm\ thy Clfts^ thy Waifi^ % Vertms^ tby Illumination^ thy Commfation^ tby Ckifiientioufhtfi are nothng Wig theirs: Howkitfojpblethentbatjuebanoneas tbm (apittifid con^ temptihle Creature) Jhouldft have any thing of true Grace in ihef Thus he makes the Application of all chre Difcoveiy of Giace, which he prefented to them. Though he needs not oirge all thefe things to every one, any one of ihefe particulstrs frequently icrvcf the turn. When a trembling Heart compares it ftlf with thefe Inftances, it turns its Back, yields the Argument, and is afhamed of its former Hopes, as thofe ut of their former Confidence, who flee from Battel. Hence then do we hear of thefe varfous Com- plaints : One (aith, Alas I I haw no Grace^ becauje I live not as other Saints have done in all exaSneft. Another iaith, / have no FakL becaufi I cannot bdiax above Reafin^ and contrary to Senfe^ as hhnr
< ham did, A third cry s out. He bi^b no Love to Godjhcauje h cannot findhis Soul ravUhedwitbd^ after him. Another thinlcs,«ei«i a hard Hearty becaufe h cannot we^ for Sin. Another concludes againA himfel^ becaufe lie fit^ds not a prefent d>earfiU refilve C while
jbe is not under any quefiion for Religion ) tofi^fir torments fit
^ Cbr^.
Chap; 8. ^atan'iS ITemptationjs?* in
Chr^. Some fear tbemfelves, ttcanft Ttrnforarits in pmufarUa^ ' loTfj have mmh oMt^gm *bm. Too fee how CompUtints may upon dm fcore, be multiplied without cnd^ and yet all thb is but Fal- lacy. Satan te& them what Grace is at fhc bi^., but not a woid of what it is at Im^ : And (b niu\^lfid is a tofled, weak Chriflian, that he ia examining his Condition, looks ^itts the %i^ Di^reex of Once ( as aflbrdmg clearer Evidence) and not after the Smeaity 6E tts which is the fefeft way fer Trial, where <^cesare weak* In a word, this kind of Argutng is no better than that of Children, who cannot conclude thcmlclves to be *&»; becaufc their prefcnt ftature is /*«/e, and they ate not as
id! as the Adolf, '■''., ^ . , ,^
a. Another part of his conning irileflenmg the real Graces of God*s Children, is to take them at an advantage, when their Oiajces arc rvtA^^ and thcmfclves moft imt of «rier. He that will chufc to meafurc a Man's Stature while he Is upon his Knees, fecms not to dcfign to give a feithfal account of his Height. No more doth Satan, who, when he will make Compartftms, always takestheServantsof God attheworft. And mdeed, many ad- vantages do the Children of God »ve him, idbmuch that it Is ao wonder that he doth fo oft Baffle them, but rather a wonder tint they at any time return to their Comforts, i. Sometimes he takes them to task whfle they are yet yomig aid tttuUr^ when they are but newly converted, before tbdr Ckaces ftre grown up, or have had time to put forth any confiderabe Fruit, a* Or when their Graces arc *mrf «»*, by tong or grievous affaults of Temptation^, for then they are not what they are at other times.
3. When their Hearts are difcamfoj^ or midditd with fear % for then their fi^ is bad, and they can fo little judg of things that differ, that Satan can impofe nlmoft any thing upon them.
4. Sometimes be comes upon them, when feme Grace tSt his part but pmly C^ not having its ftrftS mn^) and is fcarce able to get through, flicking as it were in the Birtlk 5. Or when the prmeft of Grace is (mail and imperctftAk* 6, Or white in the rfenee of the Sun ( which produceth Ftowers,and Fragrancy, and , k the time of the ficging of Birds, Qnt. ^. ti^i a. ) it is forced to caft off its Swtmtr Frmtt of Jby, and fcnfible Delights i and only produceth fTtnttr Frmtt, of Lamenting after God, Longmg and Panting after him,juflifying of God hi liis Dealingsiand Con- denuungit fdf i afl thU whik fimuig in tnrt, fojt a more p!e».
the Man it may he ftoni&d bknfelT krg& iocomes of gjre^tet meafures of Coohforts, Eafif, or Strength^ under Sbtpc partWuIa^ Ordinanccsy; at Help^ which hf ;I«ith lately attaiapij to i and no^ fii^ifl&^m»s.p??ls\tljf;to aqfycj what hehoMd £ix, h now' fii- ^icM^Qf )^s caff;,, jat^; thinks he.h becauie
he WH^^^^^^^^^ ^W^^.* .^« ^rnctimesSa^?nfhews dieai his Face in thisGlafs, ^^yhen 'xisfiiff^j through the Ipots of.fcmc J^fcarriage. i^ Oil he takes ^vants^ge pf {opiC Natural l>^taJ% as want of ?<r^^i whichiaiiight ,bc more ufi^.m/oiin^itiines,
but ar^ npw drje4 up> ,wApm,#l^
Affedlions, which arc never fute rules of Tri41s, IQ. Or in lucq ads that are pf a i»ix^ nature in the Principles and'MotiveSi where it may feem to be wicertain^ to .which the A3 muA bie aicri^ bed|, as to the ticHfi Pafent* .The Heart of a^cious Petfbn }^ iBg^ cl^Uenjged upon, any .pf thefe Points, and under, (b^eat a ]^dvant9ge«^^Ginecal]^W^ to give a pvc>of of hinoIcU, cSpc^ 9ally in the v^w 9t Qra^^ forth in all it^ Excellency aq4 C^ ry, (hall have litde taplqid^ but will rather own the Ac^u&ti- on. And th^ rather, becauj^ * v
3. It is another part, of Satan-s cunning, tourgetfaeoiC^hiUl ^hey ar^tbusat ^ iiand>. with;a Pfijpbilay^ nay, ^Ttohahitity c£ their. .m2^^>g't{)£mfelve$^ by j^xjg toa/avour^ble an opinion fc»:mef ly of tjiejr A^fi&, To cgnliriii theiQ in this apprehen- sion : I • He }qys before them the confiaeration of the decutjkU Ter. 1 7. 6. vfi ^f ^ Hcatpt, which ( being fo, above all things, and delpe-
fatqly wicked) I^ypnd ordipary.di^vqy) m^^ ^ fi)te(tsf|0(9^<^>(^ a.fijipitipn^of Sd/^delufion in all<h( foivaet ^c^s whixih;ak M^mjharth had of biinfel^ \ Satan; wiiU plainly fpeaik it,; ?^j^^ bajl bad fim thoughts and ^orl^f tif mini torvatds God^ hut fi^ftg they carry fo^ giyata dlij^oportion to Sjde and Exj^m* fle^ andcom fo far Jhort of Common Graca\ Uis more than prohjdflt^ iiMjf^hfofTi wak^^^offiiftd^fi/^anf^s artn^ Iwntl^fow^
^thfff tlk^^ {hifiP ^dherM» to^ ^an^fMifice^ cf t^ Command ^mfSer^ WV^ G<wi ^44^ iiiflf^ th4nfroin%h^fomr ^Ednoation^ the frt^ tfaUncy of Cifjiom^' ^r, t/je^in^^ns of Moral ftp^n f H^tp deft tboM ^otv that thy defms afirr Gqd^ and thy dili^t in bim^ art any more than the frodttSs ofNoMral trim^fks^ infiiiemed iy an HtHarkal fjuth of S(rifti^pgtlrvf^^.^T']S',o(tcxi^^ enough for Satan to li^ltjthis : A fi#\iaQWH^art . ^as it wpregrecdy.of its own mi- ' :\ ^ ^ feryj
•fey ) catchcth at ^H things fhat make againR it : and hence cotnpfainsj ThatfthathnoGirace,becaufe it fees not any viiJble Jfitdts, or makes nor i fulBdenil appearance ,at* all times, when ^^piJoTcd ,; Or refiifldd > bf becaufe it wants fenfibJe progrefs/c^ gives HOC thtf SiirtimerFriritsof Praifes, Rejoycings, and Delights in God i orbecauleit feemsnot to meet with remarkable im- provements in Ordinances » or becaufe it cannot produce Tears, andraife the Affedions > and becau(e the Party doth not know Imt fiisHcatt might deciev^ him, in all that he hath done. W hidh rfirDevilyet further ehdeavoufeth to confirm, 2. By a confide- xation of the feeming floTinefs and Graces of fucfa, as believed Ihemfeives to be the Children of God, and were generally by others reputed (b to be > who yet, after a glorious profeflion, turned ApoAaxe^ This being Co great and undeniable an In- fence of tfld Hearts deceitfdlneG, makes the poor tempted Party conclude, tfiat hkis certainly no true Convert.
Thus have we feen Satan's Sophiflry in the management of thofe five grand Topicks, from whence he draws his wife Con- dufions againft the Children of God, pretending to prove that they zsi not Converted h or at leaft, if'thcy be in a fiate of iGrace, that they in tRat j^at^'are in ZYcrylAdunJuitaBle conditio!^ to It. (For if his Argiuhents fall (hort of ihefirfi^ they feldom nuls the lattir mzxk.) TIfis was his firft Engine. Now follows, .
a. The 6thcf Engine by, which he fixeth thefq Cbnduiloiis, which though it be not Argnmentatiye^ yet it fervcs iojharf^ a|l his fallacies* agaihff ' thQ Comforts of Gbdrs . t liUdren i thisjis fear^ ^hich togetlier wjih^s Objeftionshc fends into the Mind* That Safin can raife a Iiof m and commotion in the Heart by feat, hath been proved before. I (hall now only in a few things (hew, how he doth fofiv^d his d^^n^ by a(tonifhing the Heart with his fiightftl thundfin^s. ' " ' ,, .
I . His pbjed^ions being Jiccompanied with Affrl^nuntt^ they Jiafi ktjtrong undeniable. Arguments, ai^d their fallacy is not fo cafily detefted; Fear, alj well'as Anger, / ^;w%iix Reafon, ami didbles the Underftanding to make a true faithful fiarch into things, dr to give a right judgment : As Darknefs deceives tab Setifcs, aiid makes every Bu(h aflf^i^tfol to the Paffenger i ;0r as. nfiiddied Waters hiffdf ^ the figbf :, fo do Fears in the Heart difa* i>Ie a Man to difcoVer the filUcft. Cheat that Sataii can put' w-
' 2. They
I74 :^ STreatife Of partii-
2. They are alfo very Cnduhm. When Fear is up, any Sugg^ Aion takes place. As fufpitious Incndnlity is an efied of 7(^, (the Difciples at firA hearins that Chrift was rifen, for Joy Mioid k not) io fufpitious Credulity is the effed of Fear. And we (faaO oblerve feveral things in the Servants of God, that fliewafliange Inclination, as it were a Natural aptitude to believe the evil of their Spiritual Eftate which Satan fuggefts to them. As i .There is a great forwardnefs, and Trecifitancy in the Heart, to clofc with evil Thoughts raifed up in us. When jealoufies of Gkxl's Love arc injedod, there is a violent H^wie//, forthwith { all calm deli- beration being laid afide) to entertain a belief of it. This is more than once noted in the Pfalmi. In this cafe, Dazid acfaiow- ledgeth this hafty Hutnour » Ifaid in my bafte^ PiaLji. 22.and PfiJ. 1 1 5. II. This hafty forwardncfe to determine things that are againft us. Without due examination , Af^b calls a great weakneis » li}k k my Infirmity^ Pfal. 77. lo. 2. There is cSfer- vable in thofe that are under Spiritual Troubles, a oreat kind of Velight^ (if I may fo call it) to hear TJrwf aiiig/ lather than Pro?- miles > and fuch Dilcourfes as fet forth the mifery of a Natural State, rather than fuch as fpeak of the Happinefe of the Conver- ted : Becaufe theft things, in their apprcfienfion, aic more firita- ble to their Cbndition, and mor<i needful for them, in order to a greater mcafure of Humiliation, which they fuppofe to be necel&* ry. However, thus they add foel to the Flame. 3. Thcybavc an aptitude to bide tbemfelves from Comfort, and with a won- derful nknblenels of Wit and Reaibning, to evade, andanftrcr any Argument harought for their Comfort i as if theyhad1>een Volunteers iq Satans fervice, to fight kgainft tbemfelves. ^ They have alfo fo great a bl^it^ upon thek Underftanding, that Sa- Ut^s tempting them to doubt of their good Efiate, is to them a fufEcient reajbn to doubt of if> ^nd that is Ground enough for themto^eijyit, bccaufe Satan ^fww it. 3. Thefe Fears make aD Satan's fuggeftions ftrike the ieher. , they point all his Arrows, and make them pierce Casit were) fbe Joyntf and Marrojp\ theypoyfori and envenom them to the |reat increafi: of the Torrtient, and bihderance of the Cure, they bind the Objedions upon them, and confirm them in a certain bc- Kef that the)- are^all true. We have now viewed Satan*s Eri £in^ • and Batteries againft the Serv^ts of the Lord, for the de{iu«ion '# their Joy and Peace, by Spiritual TirdubJey, but thefe are but
the
i of Sod, which he SxaetamiSi iwbgs upon thcm« - Of which
next. .- - . .-; -r ;■
CHAP. IX.
Of Ms fimh My t« hinder Peace^ by Stiritiui Diftriffet,^ ufhf'X^0re(ftkefel>iJh^0fSi the Ingredients at$d
■' Degrees of them. Whether M dj^nffes of Soul grife, from Meiancholy i i, Satan s methd in twrking them^ the Occafotts he makes ufe of, the Arguments henrgethy
-' fkr firengtbening of them, by Bears, j. their Weight ami hnrimen explained in feveral Particulars. Somt
: lednthdingCantiMSi-
THe laft fott ot TiouUes by which Satan ovmhiovrs the .^eaceof.theSoul, are Spiritual Vifh^fu y thcfc aic more " ^^6Mw»i ArotUs of So^l^i^idar A^apprchenfiojisofJDi- vine Wraih^vA ana4fid, Fears o£c^]sJtip&pamnMi^ny Biifering in natiire and J^et^&om thefimner tbtts otTcoubles > though in thefe Satan obfetves much what the fame Geneial Method^ which he ufed in Spiritual Trooiiles laft mentioned^For which caufe, and aUbthatthde are not £> common astheother^ I (billipeak of fiiem with greateir Brevity* Herein I fhall &ew^ r. Their Na-' iw^e. 2,.^tanVWc^Mip.workbgthcm. j^ Tlitir ^ejgfo and Burthen.
2. The Nature of Spiritual Diikefles will be beft diicovered, by a confideration of thofe Ligredients of which they are znade up, and of the different degrees thereof.
I. As to the Ingredients, there are feveral things that do con* cur fbi the begetting of thefe violent Diftrdfes. As,' r. Theie fe ufually a Con^Hcktion of feveral kinit of Troubles. Sonietimes there are (^itfirW Troubles, and imard difcompofuresof Spirit arifing from thence > ; fometimes Affri^timtj of blafphemous , thoughts long. 9xmtinued, and ufu^yily Sfkrmfl Troubles fin • , I • r# c c Wulwi '
3^
cafe, as any we ipeet withalln Saipture ) in FfaL^S. fecm««9C! oblcurely to tell us lb much > his Satd vhzb full of trtnAles^ vcr^j. And in v€r. 7. he complains that God ha<l afflidl^cd innxmiihMim Weaves : And that thefc were not all of the fame kind ( tboudi all concurred to the famq. end J. he, hi^pfclf Explains, ver. 8,i8. where he bemoans hin^iAf for the uiikioAiels of his Friends; Ihm h^ pa away mine Acquaintance » Lavir and Friend hafi tbam
ietnefs and Pe^cf^^f <ipi'$ Cjul^r^^ : but jfheS^ de%ii «he|fcir thj^ir hopes for tM^^pf*^^^ they aye tirouliled,- jofit fn tfaacibey utn&tCfiimrtedJ:>\xt fojf tliat thi^y e^cped never to hConuertedJthis i$ztto^\e of an hi^ nature, "making them belieye that thef dre etffn^V:^J^4tedi^ cut off &om (Sod^ for e^Cr, fti^ iindet an foi* ' y qf &rtiwmfu\^i.T*^^^^ ^^^emmi
£ the Party. In fome other troubJ^a.^Silild di^«ii^teil the Lords Servants, by imfofing upon them his own cur(ed iuggefii- ons, violently bearing in upon th^mtqmptatlons to. SjIn^maWaf-
fil«b*ithffr f^fs ^tt^ft»tf % to be: . 4; They arc *^fioub1cs of a fair higher ime^tiiwei the fqtmer^ t^it deepeft 5ont)Ws, the (baqpcftFeiiS) ^fcegrjMrtcft Agenie^. ffoiwff;^ pfel. 88. tr^, 1 5^ jg^ ddk tbem iiwrw»-j ^v^ixo Mftriaion : fnihlfi^ thy temws ljin$ d^^taadi tfyf^iJf^dtif^oeibovirffte^ thy fefroirs JkMe a» ' miffi 5i Th€l«5JialfefeddVrfe^w^of,ti^ T \ ^ r,s *^ t*|M%orfiiitry; by^WfAafrawfhg *is Aids aniComff^tk:
^ J3n^ **lf /edag j/ Ga^/ i#iig«i, ii^/^ee jrr^Br^ ihe bitter^: CoiOilf
tbatAeSMl^apo§r^(>ea$ufemdppts-. '
2. As to the different afegf#e^ -of 'S^itital Di/Jre^es^ we tauft oWcfiveb ^Tliat acdoiiitag t(> ^ <HDncu,rre^ otfkwir of
ti»ae fngre(tients.< foptbdiydottot alw^ystnmtowtbef/'iJiough nacft ficqufcntly they do >- and aetording to the ^igher^ or /dw diegr^s k wbttrh^thefe we uiiged upon the Confcience, or iM^n^ AwrArfahd believed' by tbctrouHed Pj^rty* thefe Agonies are in«e Of IfafcL' and>aiXHM^n£)y^ wt tcm dillinttii& tbcm vari«nftv:
I
»
fe^)eiafi6n. Theft teAottrs in thdn, ate in the greweft ttkfre-
ttify, the vrty Rr of Miftty; "of the finic nitute t^Kh rfidfe bf
ffie- DWhrtcd in Ifell, ikhifttht H^am that nSirdiis^ h notliirig el^ a v ^
Bot' tfte dreadful ^exatiort and torthtot of 4n accufiug . toatd- c^'SCi
itilefe. - THc]!' ire cortiittonly accompanied wirh MaMimng ofap'
Cod,- and mi utter, r^w* of all means hi Remedy •, andthougfi
thcy'fometimes turn to a kind of yfcwre dejp&athn^ < by whi^
f Whfcn tfiey fee if v^ill be" Ao better) they i&iji-/f» thetfifelves m
tfiisr'Mfcty, and fcefc todhmt tlieir'.1*houghts; as Cain AH
Mferfg hitnfeff to th^ Bqildfeig of Cities. And E/^jn, when
hehad £M hfr Bnth-rlght, defpifcd itj and gave himfelf up to
the putHat of a "WotWly imercft •>- fet foAictimes 'thefe Tereours
Chd' if6fdf-Mmber, as in jM«f, Xdib bdng fmittea with' dread
rf Gdbftiettce, tveflt anrf fiain^ed Wmt^ir. "We hav^e m^y. fa^
lOlhhices of thefe defperstfe- TerttoUrsi'- Cain is" the firft #e read
ofi ai»d' though the ac<iopnf.fhe- Scrifttires give of liiiti "bi bat
ftert, 'yet'tis fuffidctit tb let us fet what hfs^bndlti&ii wis, CreiL
4'. 1 1. tO'lS. Ffrftj Ht tWtS' tktfed'fhM the Satiy. &[ this part (jfjiij Gmft; there were, two Bratichb i p, thit his labbur • ihdtbyi ih^ T5Hag.e flwold.lkghsih 'aiiifi^cat^ tiVlfitcteC^ful i for iftfer God himftlf explain? it", t«r' ti. Whin fbdu iiO^'' tlM Groiiwi k^tmt henKfirib' yield- mti ihe'i& fhengih, the ^th wis cuiftd with BarrenndS bcfbre to Adamy bat now to Cain it hath i datMe C\xt(c. 2-. That he fliould W a Man of uncertain abode Ih; any pliie \ A Puritivg' and it Vag^nd'jhalt thoU U ihtbi Biti^x Not Being able to>fHy-'lowg In a.place, fcy r^afoii of thd terrfonrs'of hisConciehce. ' ifis own ftjterpretation of if, iiW.i^ ffie#s, that herefh fey z great part of his Mifery ; 'fhou h^ dri- WHm OMt thit day pom tht fa» -of the Earth. By wldch it ap^ prtursi that Ke wastabe as one that was chafed out of all Society aiid'as- one rJiat'thotrgHt himftlF frfe'ih nb place. ' Secondly! Hy wtsMd'/rotfiiBeTace'cfGhdi; (hat ii. He wis ddocried to eaWry the inward' feeling of God's 'Wrath, without any expeda- rlon of Mercy. Thirdly, Hisf mind being teitified under the a^ehenfion of that Wrath, he crys but, "mt his-^«« tpof greater than It could be ^ardontd •■, or that ^tt Puniflnnent was greater than ,«,» maidd^. (l^or thcwotd in the Original, (Ignifies both Sin, ' ^* iBaTjMiiflfineiit."> TaHeit whfcft'way y6u wiU, if eiprefletft S dee^ hxAtdat of Heart. If-in- the -forfflcrfcnft, theri iffigm- •' - • Ece « fies
47? Z%tmitttt PattIC
jBes a Convidion of the greatnefs of his fia to P4^atwi^ |f in
the latter fenfe, then *tis no kfs than a blaiphemous R^^Sim
upon God, as unjufily CrueL Fourthly, This honour was (b
great, that he was amid of all he met with, fufpeding eyory
> ' thing to be armed with Divine Vengeance againft hiai> amy om
' ' ' ' thaifind^h m^ IhaVjlay me. Or if that fpeecH was a de^e, that
Iid>tfoot ^^y o"^ that found him might Kill him, (as fome interpret ) it
Harminloc. Ihews that he preferred Death before that life of Mifery. It
ftcms then, that God fmote him with fuchTerrour and Con- fiefnation of Mind^ and with fuch affirightful Trembling of Bo* dy, for his bloody Fad, that he was weary of himielf^ and afraid of all Men, and could not ftay long in a Place. By thefe Tokens ( or fome other way ) God (ets his Marl^ upon him, as upcm a curfed Miicreant, to be noted and abhorred of ajl. Such ano- ther In Aancc was Lamecb^ of whom the fame Chapter fpeafa; I. The Aing of Confcience was fo great, that he is farced to con^ /<(} his fault: (The interpretations of thbie, that take it Inter- rogatively) Have I Jlainf Or, If I have^ tphal is that to ymf &c« are upon many accounts improper i much more are thote . fo, that take it Negatively ). Which, whether it were the abo- mination of Poligamy^ (as fome think) by which Example he iutd deflroyed more than Caia did y or i^ it were Munhet in a proper fenfe ( as the Words and Coatext plainly carry it ) 'tis not vecf: material to our purpofe y however God finote him with Honour, that he might be a witnefs againA himfelf. 2* He accuiedi himfelf for a more grievous Sinner, and more defperate Wretch by far than Cmh : If Cain ( ver. ^ 4. ) /katt be avenged ftoatrfMy truly LamecK fiventy and fiven-fold. Which is as much as to bfj that there was as mudi difference 'twixt his Sin and Cain\ as betwixt (even, and feventy ieven. 3. It foems alfo by his Dii^ courfe to his Wives, that he was grievouily perplexed with io- vfiord fears \ fufpe^ing f it maybe ) his very Wivcj Cas well as others^ might have private Combinations againft him, for the prevention whereof, he tells them by Cain^s example of God's avenging him. Thefe two early examples of Defperation the be- ginning of the World affords, and there have been many more fince, as E/j» and JndM. Of late Years we hare the Memora- ble InfUiice di fronds SpirjyOM of the deareff and moftre* markable Examples of Spiritual ^Horrour, that the latter Ages of the World were ever acquainted with > yet'l (hall not dare to
be
be CM&dent of his Reprobation, as of CaWs and JW^'s, becaufe the Scripture hath determined their cafe, but we have no fuch certain authority to determine his.
2. There are alfo Dilbreffes ftom Mdancboty^ which may be fiathcr difftrenced according to the intenfenefs, or remifnefs of the Difteniper upon which • they depend. For fometimes the Jmmaatiai is (b exceedingly depraved, the feart of Heart fo great, and the f9ma>s fo deep, that the Melancholy Perfon cry- ing out of himfelf, that he is Damned, under the Curfeof God, &Mppea.ts to be wholly hefida himfilfi and his Anguiih to be no- tlang clft, but a dtlinuu irrMtional d^bam. There are too ma- ny fid Inftances of this: Some I have known, that for many Years together, have laboured under fuch apprehenfions of Hell and Damnation, that they have at laft proceeded to Curfe, and Blafpheme God in a moft dreadful manner-, ib that they have been a Terroia to all their Friends and Acquaintance. And though fometimes they would fill into fits of obftinatefiknce^ yet bemg urged tofpeak, they would amaze all that weie about them^ ^hthe confident averment of their Damnation i with horrible oot-crys of their fiippofed Mifery and Torments, and with ter- rible rage againft Heaven. Some m this Diftempcr, will fincy , th«anielves tobe in fleff «/«*/>, and will difcoui fe as if they fiw the Devils about them, and felt their Torture. Such as thefe give plain difcovery by their whole Carriage under theur Trouble, and feme eoncomitant falfe Imoffnatms about other things, C as when they fency themfelves to be in Prifon, or Sentenad to Death, arid thatTorments, or Fire, are provided for them by the Maciftrate, &c,) that 'tis only Melanch<3ly C perverting their undirftanding) that is the caufe of all their Sonow. Others
there are, who arc not altogeAcf Irrational, becaufe in moft other things their underftanding is rigkiyet being driven into Melancho- ly u£n the occafion of CrolTcs, or other outward Affliawns, they at lall fix all their thoughts upon their Soul^ and now their fan- cy becoming Irregular in part, the whole .of the Irregularity ap- Sarsonly in thai, wherein they chiefly concern themfdves. Hence thev misjudg themfelves, and condemn themfelvestoeverlafting Deftrudion i fometimes without any <f/>?<iw«mufe,and fometimes thev accufe themfelves of fuch things as they ntyerdid: they fear •and crv out they areDamncd,but they cannot give a particular «^ ^ why they aouldentataiB thefe fears, ueuher can they feew
3«o
:9 steatite «f
any caufe why they (baald refufe the Coii»£bits'of the Ftoiai&s digt are offered^but they (ay, they know^or are perfwadcd it is £> » upu on no better account than this, It is fa, hicm^e itk fu Or if they give reaibns of their Imagination,they are commooly dthetfeiffea^ or frivoUm^ and yet in all other matters they are KaMnaly and ^eak or iSt like Men in their right Minds. Of both thefe kindsxi De^ fperation I (hall fpeak nothing further i 'tis enough tohave noud that fuch there are, becauie the Cure of the fbrmet is impoffUi^ and the Cure of the latter doth wholly depend upon Pbyfid^ Quefl. Some may poflibly pafiion^. Whether all extraardinsfy Agonies
.of Soul, upon the apprehenlion of airaal Damnatioa, be liot the fruits of Nklancholy ? and if not, then^iyhat may the difennu be betwixt thofe that proceed irom.Melancholy, and thoie that aie properly the Terrours of Confcience ? Jnfu'. As to the firii pa^rt of the Q^eftion, I anfipert, |. That ^ Spjr
ritual PinreflTes, are not to be afcribed to Melancholy. F(»^ z. There are (bme Melancholy Peribns who are never mare fin bom Spiritual Troubles ( though frequently accuAoitied to them at other times) than when X upon the ocoaiioa of (bme (pecial TrouUe, or Sicknefs, threatning Death) thcrq i%gr%at^cmfi to tear fuch onfets upon the increafi of .Melancholy i (bm^ iuch I have known. 2. &)metimes thei^Dilireflb cpflae fud^nly^tjxcn Confcicnce fmiting them in the very afif of Sin > . and thpfc Pe^ ions (bnoetime fuch, as are not of a MeUffeMU^ CeiilHtmidn. Spira was fuddenly thunder-flruck with Tenouisof Confcience, upon his Recantation of (bme Truths which he held > wd (b were fome of the Martyrs. Sometimes Tenours that have Gont{nue4 iong^ and have been very fierce^ are removed in a mment. N0H15, 'tis not rational to 'fay, that Mrian<Jholy only occafioned all iuch Troubles, where in Bodies that are not w^iw^ffy of that Com- plexion, (and fame fuch have been furprif(?d with terrours of CoBfcience ): if we will take a liberty tofuppole an accidental A&r Jdtichply^ we mult of necfflSty allow y>i«e time.j and (ufually ) Ibme precedaueouf occafion, to mould thenr into fuch a DiAempe^ Neither do th^ fears of Melancholy ceafc on a fiidden^ but abate gradualiy^ according to the gradual abatement of the Humoia. To fay that Cain\ or Judas^s difpair were the invafions erf" Irrong Melancholy, isJWJt only beyond all f w/, but.alfo Pwi*- ^ bdity. Neither is it likely that David ( ^hofe mddy Counte-
nance, and Inclination to Mufick^ are tokens of a Sanguine Com- plexion j
planoA J yiH% almKjff Mdbncbolrck under his fitquent complaints of jEptrkualTroubk.
4. They that wad the (ftory of Spira^ and obfeire his rationdft^ nm Hcf^f, tfi the Pifeouries that w^rc offered him for his Com- fit, m4 luEJ Cwriige all along, will have do cai^ to conclude kis TrDuMe to^be ^(jrMchuuiholy > neither did the fabcr judici- ous By-Aiiodeys aloribe his Difhrefs to a»y fuch caufe*
5. The Agony of Chrift upon the Crofi, under the fcnfe of Di» tifiis Wratt fd oinr Sns, (though it were mthmt Vefperation ) k ab UChkiiybdye Proofs chat there may hcdetfjiufi of God's T>if» |^|«K upon tfae Soul of Man %. which cannot be a(ci«bed to Me<^
2» I asArcar, Hut it is not to be denied^ but that God may vmkc ufe of that Hnmour as his Iffinmmt^ for the incrcafe and QOQtiimMce of Tcrrours upon the Coniciences of thofe, whom be thinks fit to Pimifll C for any provocation ) with Spiritual OefeitVDft^ Ab he made ufe of that Diflemper to puniOi Saul and UikitJikJkitiLzark I ipeak not hereof thofe Didrefles which are ap^lfii; dfe butMehoidioly-, C fcch as thofe before mentioned, of ^|^- ^5j; . vtttchPhyficians have given us ftequent Hiftories) though in this ijbl^nnim cafe, the iccret ways m God's Providences are to be adored with tis alienatii. huttMefilenoe V butof tho& Terrours of G>n(cienee which have one. ^ «M4ci!i«re of Melancholy to help them Ibrward, yet fo, as that itt& Judgment and Rea£>n are not thereby ^ers«rt€^. Sfha^ whenr his Gaie was haitily concluded, by an injudicious Friend, to be a iirong Mdaodioly, made this reply: JSTeiSf, be kfi^ fmng ymti^iU medspavti^fi V fir thu alfo is Gad's Wrath tHonifefled^ainfi iwrv— Which fliews, i» That he believed, God doth /^mtim/ manifeft l^Wirathagainft Man by Melancholy. And, 2. That he denied: thb^beitRT'cvAibtttfii: For his flill condhided, that God lent the Tamurs of his Wrath imtmHately upon his Conlcience, as the &aeence of his jaR Condemnation, for denying Chrift. Now when Gbd dodi make ufe of Melancholy, as his Inftrument m - Satan's haiid^ to o^ake the Soul of Man more apprehenfive of his- fin and 6od'5 Wrath, (though he doch not always make ufe dF this means, z$ hath been (aid ) while he ftillpreferves the Under*" flanding fiboa hlk Imaginatims. The I^ftrels is lliil Ratimaly and we fapve no cauft to make any- great difference betwixt theie Tieubks that, have fuch a mixture of Melancholy, and fuch asP has^jKrtw " NdWutrnwft we fay, That then 'tis in the power ;of : the.
mcrw
^' the Thyfidan to remove, or mitigate fuch SpiritiBl Diftrefles. For
if God ice it fit to make u(e of Melancholy for fiidi a purpoie, be caQ fit^nd the power of Phyfick, £> that it (hall not do its work till God hath performed all his Purpoie* And the mflu^ afsfidnefs of Remedies in this Difteaiper, Cwfaile it fetms to be wonderfully ftubborn, in refifting all that can be done for Cure J is more to be afcribed ( in feme cafes ) to GmT/ 'D^gt^ thm every Phyfidan doth imagine.
As to the latter part of the Qyeftion. How the Tenours of ' Melancholy , and thofe of Confcience are to be d^ingmfbed^ I (ball only uy this : That Cas I (aid) we are not much concerned to make any diftinShn^ where the Diftrefled P^y ads ratiMofy. ^is truie, fimetbing may be obferved from theie tmxtmet of Me- lancholy» and thence may (bme Indkatioas be taken by the Friends of the DiffarefTed, which may be of ufe to the Affiled Party. F^cl^in thisca{e is not to be negkded, because (though God may permit that DiAemper in order to the Tcnour <^^ Con(cience ) we are not of God's Counfel, to know hfm b^ he would have it to go, nor how long to continue > but 'tis our du* ty C with fubmillion to him } to u(e all means for help. How- ever^ feeing the Thyfician is the only profer Judg of the Bodily Diftemper, it were improper to fpeak ot the Signs of Melancho- ly in tnefc mixt cafes^ to thofe that cannot make ufe of them. And as for the(e Didrefles of Melancholy that are bfatiomd^ .they are of themfelves fo notorious, that I need not give any account of them. There is ufually a Confiitution inclining that vray, and often the Parents^ or Friends of the Party, have been handled in the fame manner before > or if their Natural Temper do not fead them that way, there is ufually (bme Cro(s, Trouble, Difappomt- ment, or the like outward Afflidbn that hath iirft pi^ed them heavily, and by degrees hath wrought them into Melancholy, and then afterward they come to concern themfelves for their L'b.i.<kmcii-SouIs. C As that Woman in Platers Ob(ervations^ who being tis alitnati- long grieved with Jcaloufie upon Grounds too juft^ at lafifell in- •nc to grievous difpair, aying out v That God mtdd not Pardon kr 'y
that Jhe was Damned i that Jhe felt Hell already^ and the' Tremens t of it^ &c. ) Or there are fbme Concomhans DeliriMm\ imagi-* nations apparently abfurd, brfalfe, &€. all which give plain dif^ covcries of Irrational Diflrefics. And if there remained any doubt, concerning them, the conlideration of jiff Cmmn/Laees^
together.
/••
together, by fuch as are Sober and Indicious, would cafilyr alTord a^tisfa^iom
3*^ Having now cotifined the DUcourfe tp the Spiritual Difireffit of G4d's Cl^^ren^ that are' fiot Co opprelTed i^ith Melancholy; asto bemifled with laUc. Imaginations 9 I tnuft oext^ concern* ing thefeX^ieiTes, offer another obiexvable DiJiinBian^ which is this: That they are either made up of all the five forementiooed Ingredients, or only of feme of tbemy and (b may be adicd Total^ or Partial '9 ihough in each of^tbefe there may be great di^er rences of Degrees, i. Sometimes then the Children of God . niiay be brought into 'total KftxclTcs of Q>n(cience,. even witlj Vtfferation^ and (that which is more hideous) 'with Blajphemjk If Mr. Perl^ns his Obfcrvation hold true, who tells us ;^ That Trat. ^f Di2 they m^ hefi cver^cbarged with Somw^ 4$ to cry (M they are dam^ fmions. ■Hfd^ and to .hlaffxmt God. And w&hav^ no reafbn tp contra- did it, when we obferve ,hpw far Vauid went in his hafle, more than once. And whatever may be tl^Q private differences betwixt thefe and the Reprobates, in their Agonies ( as differences there are, both in G<id'i Defjgny md their Hearts^ though notviCblc^ yet if we compare the Fears, Troubles, and Speeches of the one .and th< other together, there appears little ot no difference which • By-ftanders can certainly fix upon. If it feems [larfh to any, th« £> bonid a thing as 2)e#tfiV ihould be charged upon the EleQ of Gody in the t»^ of their rXftreffes, it will readily be anfwered ^ J. That if \ve fif^^fi ^^ ^his, we muft fuppofe that which is tpoofi. * If we like not to fay, that Gdd^s Childr/n may fall into I>efpair\ we muft conchide (very uncharitably ; that they that fik itito De(|»ir,are not God's Children. 2 • 'Tis eafie to imagine *a difference betwixt Partial and Ttotal Di(pair, betwixt Imaginary .and Real. The Children of God,^ under ftrong perturbation of Spirit, may iipaginc thenifelvcs to do what they do not, and to inay hcdffalfe Ji^i^/iej? agatnft themfelves > profefling that all their hope df Salvation is lolt^ when yet the Raot of their hope may ftill xemain in their Hearts mdijcovered. The habit may be there,whcn all vifible JSs of it are at prefent fufpended, or fo diiguifed in a croud of confufed Expreffions, that they cannot be known. Or, if they have real d^hifi of their Salvation, yet every fit of real , ' Diffidence, is potn^er Defperatefiefsh neither will it denominate a Man to be tot^y dejperate^ any more than, every Error;' even ^^/\[^^^/ \ about Fundamentals^ will denominate a Man an Hentid^ For ^ ZTq
Fff it
^^4 ZXttSLtitt^^pt fiittn
k matt he t fmhaehHS Enof in FunJamef^tah that tnakcs an Hc^ retick, foitmuft ht zfertinaehus V^Mence tluTt makes a Matt truly deiperate. ^. But (btneatnes the Chikiren of God hare only Fartiat DtAreffes. That b, they may have a great mcafixre of jfMeof the Ingredients, without mixtuie of the reft. Partica«>^ larly, they.may have a great meafure of tl^ fenfi €f Vkbu fTroA and Defertion, whbont 1>tj^aUm. The p<^Iibility of this h evident, beyond exception, in the EiEample of our Blefled Savi* THir, when he cry'd out, hfyGsdy myGcdy vfy b^tbmfbrfj^ me ? None can afcribe Defperatk>n to him, without Blasphemy h and if theySiould, the very woids, MyCdd^ mGod^ (cKptef- ling his full and certain hope ) do exprefly con tradid them, ^di an inilance, of Spiritual Diflreis mtimi Vefperation^ I take Bhmm to be. How high his lYpubies were, is abundantly teftified in ffal. 88. and yet that his hope Was wf hfi^ appears not only (^ his Frtfjpff for relief in thclgeneral^ ( for Hope is not utterly de- Ifaoyed, where the appointed means for help are carefully ufed,) but by the particular omKhment of his Hope fn God, in the iirA T«rles of that Pfalm, 0 LardGodffmySatvatiati^ Ibatficrkdday
4* Thelaft diflferenceof Spiritual DiftreflTes whi(& I ftall ob-
(erve, is this i Tiiat fome are more Tra/^hftt fhr and Jli^ker of
Terror, under a fttfint TtmptaHtm^ Which endure ^ot fong h o*
thers are more peed and pormanoir. The Ufs durable Dtihtfles
may be viok/i^ and fliarp^ while they hold. Temptatfons ef
Diffidence may firongly poflefs a Chikl of God, and at firfi may
iNif h T^tedj and tmn beforeriieir Faith can recover it £ltfj they
vent their prefent (kd apprefaenCons of their Eflate, as f&nA did.
Ion. 2.4. ' fudlMnta^omt of fbyfi^t. Many fuch hts Vsvid
: had, and in them, complained at this rate, ff^y kafl ibm ferji^
iiffime? Why t^^ ibm tifwy Soul f Vh\.^i.^'i.Ifaidinmyb3ifk^
V I ^m c$n dfffrmn hftre fbine Ejfer. Mai. iitf. 11. I fmdiu aiy
hafie^ M Mtn are tyarr. Wltkh was a great height ot DtAruft
«nd too boldly refle^rng -upon <3od's Fatthfolnefs, confidering the
ffechl Piomiies that God had made to hin^ &tch fliarp tits were
^ jlhofc of Bainbdm^ and Bilniy^ Martyrs, whole Tonfeiences were
' fo forely wounded for Recanting the Truth which they piofefled
that they feemed to feci a veiy flfefl within them.
The more fxed Diftreffes, as they are of hnger continuance tb they aix t>ften aecompamed vri^ the very wor^ Syn^omu : For
when
iirben in thde Agonks^ »« Ami mrSt^ nf cmufm Mean t9 tbem firmmfdayty ^hfetbmib^fifoSiefmfidfimf ^Pttd^smay^ rad being thid our \^% Complaints and Importoniries, wteiiouf 9ttif AnfirdT) tbey at lafi re|^ che ^c of Meaqs^ Some have ban m»i|t Tears (^ as tix P^ir^/ji^ Man auhe Pool of B^^^ Without Cisre. Sonic ftom thek Youth up, as Hemsn cGoiphim^ Some cmy tliek IMnffcs ta their VtmLBiiy and k may fee^ aic not eafed tffl their Soubare feady to depart oat of their Bo 4kSy and then tb^ often end fndiedy zndtmfartahfy. SotM^ I could tcH you of, Who on diek Deatb*Bed aftek*. g^vous Ter« tours, andn)at!y Out^oys^ ooncemttig thek mifcrks of £^^^ ' ^'DagkjKfsf0fevers lay loBg filent> and then-on a fixidtn brake outinto Raptures of Joy, and adoring Admkatkm, of the GoocU nefi of God, ufing that ipeedi <>f the Apoiile, Km. 1 r.j^.. O iht de^ of tift fubtty hafb (f th If^^fiom and k/9uduh rf Godf hm^ sMfearcbabk wft Ins Jmdffim^^ andbii W^ ftfkfnding Mf i Others goout of 4i€ Wprid in Vmi^nefi^ without any aqppewr- ftnccof Comfort : Such an Inftance was Mr. Chamben^ ( I6 the fiory of his Death uBitks) mentioned by Mr.Fen^'iz/^ iq hJl " Treatiie of De&rtions, of whom this account k mtet » that in jgreat Agomes Ite cried^out, 4k wm Damaed^ zxid to dkd. Tiie Cafe of fiich is futety very fid to themfdfares, and appears no ids to others V yet we muft take heed df judgmg raiUf concerning fhch. Nay, if thek former Couffe of i^tfe hath hccn mifirmfy pxfd^ C for who wiM rejcA a fine Web of Gloth ( as one fpeaks ) fox alittk courfe Lift at the end, ) efpei^y if there be any ob« fcvreappeartnceofhop^. C As that Eatpreifon d MirXimikiv^ ^ fhaithad^mm dr(fiBf Faitb ! '} isby Mr.Pdlsff^fuppGfed to be } ^ weought to judg the beft of them. We have feen the . nature of Spiritual IMrefies, hi the ingredients and Differences .thereof. We are now toConfider,
2. Satan^s method in procuring them: Which conlifts, u la the Occc^ns which he lays hold ok for that end* z. In the Ar^ ptmenti which he uieth. 3. In the working up of thek fears^ by which he confirms Men in them.
' u As to the Occafions^ He folbws mudi the finie Cmrfi which hath been defoibed before in Spkitual Troubles*^ fo that Ineed not iay much, only I ihaUnote ^m things, i. That it lakes' much for Satan's purpofe, if the Party againd whom he defigns, have. fain into fome gneo^usfins^ Sms oicammn Ma^
Fffa nitud^
X%6
mXttattttUt Paw It
\
nitude, do not lay a foundation fuitable to the Supcrftrudure \i^hich he inreods i he cannot plaufibly argue ^tpr^batm^ or Vam^ nation firom every ordinary (in > but ifhe finds them guilty of £mie« thiogextraordinary, then fae falls to work with his Accuiations* irhe ino({ ufual fins which he takes advantage from ^ are ( as Mr. Tcrhins obferves ) thofe agali^ the T^bird^ Sixih^ and Seventh Command h fometimes jthofe againft the Nintlh Murther, Adul* tcry. Perjury, and the wilful denial of Truth againft Conicience^ are the Crimes upon which he grounds his Charge, but rooft ufually^helafr. Upon this the diftrefled S^a^ and ibme of th^ Martyr/. As for the other, the vaottfrhate they are, Satan hat^ oft the mm advantage againft them , becauie God's (caet ami juft Judgment, will by this means tning to Light the bidden things ^f Par^ifi » and force their Confcienccs to accui^ them, of that which no Man could lay to;heir Charge, that he might maaifeft himfclf to httbefearcber of the Hearti^ and trier of the Reins. Thus have mai^ been forced to diiclofe private Murthers, feoet Adul- teries, and to Vomit up X though with much pain and torture) that which they have by Perjury, or Guile, extorted fromothers. a, Wherei Satan h^th not thefe particular Advantages, he doth endeavour to prepare Menr for Diitrelfl^ by ^tber Troubles long cQfttvmed, All -men that are brought to difpair of their Happi- nefs, muft not be Rippoftd to he mater Sinners than others h lorac are diflrefted with fears of EternalDamnation, that are in a good itjeafure able to make Job^s proteftation in thefc cafes: That Job 3t. p &c»^heir Heare. bath not. been, deceived by a Womafi : That they haue not
laid tpait at their Neighbtmrs door: That they ha;pe not lift up their hand agaif^the Fatberl^Sy vphen they fa^ their help in the <^ate » tha^ their Land doth, not cry dgair^them^ nor the Furrows thereof com^ ' - plains that vphen they farp the Sun when itjhined^ or the Moon walk^ ing in brightnejs^ their Heart hath not been Jqcretly enticed^ nor their Mouth kiffed their Wnd i that they rqoyced^ not in the deJirHSioa of him that hated tbefn^ jwr Uft Hp^hemlefues when fvil found him^ jScc Notwithiianding all .which, their fears jare upon, and prevail againft them. But then before Satan can bring them to confent to fuch difmal Conclulions againft tbemfelvcs, ihcy muft be rjc- travrdinarily fitted to taike the Impretfipn >. either tired out urdcr great AfilidionS) or /<?i?^cxerdred with- Fears ^bout their Spiri- tual Eftates, without intermixture pf Contfort^ur tafe, or their faculties broktn and weakned by Melancholy. Any of theie give
ninii
%m ati adWage tMtvalent to that of great Sins. For though 4)e cannot fey to the(e, your fins are fo Enormous, that they arc (confideied themfelves together with their Circumftanccs ) fad. &«. of Reprobation V- yet hcwUl plead that Gd^/c^wge tor ^ ^
m^ tbemVdoth phihlydifcovcr that he hath wholly caft them ofL and left them to themfclvcs, without hope of Mercy. ,
a As for the i*wi««oi»x which he ufeth, they are much-what . ■
from the Crnic fopick^ which he maketh choice of in bringing oil Soiritwd Troubles. Only as he aintis at the Proof of a great deal nnre aaainft God's Children, than that they are not Converted s fo accowUnglY he faues up his M«//i«w for proof to an highct ,
wn. His Arguaientsare; .^ ,. , «• t • r- ' i
J. From ScriMuret wt^d^ or roifapplted. His choice of 1
Scriptures for tfiis puipofe, is of fuch places « eitherTcem to teak moft f«Uy the dangerous and fearful pate of Men, ac^ iSding to the /»^. vim. and literal- reprefentation of thenv throi^theunskilfulnefiof thofethat are to be concerned i^Or of S places as do rtaUy fignihe the miferable Unhappin^ of fomc Perfons, who through their own fault, have been cut off fiom aU hope, and the poffibility of the liiic. to fomc others fw the future. So that in framing Arguments firom Scripture,- the
DevU ufeth * t^foU <^^^^. » ' J*^^'^ ^\. 5"^r^Pf!!!^. which have the word Vanm^m.m them, ^bed to fom^^'^^ .arftfr irfSAandMiicarriages of Men V when yet their i«#e«/««a* is ^f.Sas?he word feems to found, or as he would make them toSc. Now, when hecatcheth a Child^of God m fuch adi2^th«i(peciiied, Cifhcfiiidsthathislgnonmce orT^. JS^fnefe is fuch, as may render the Temptation fcwiWe ; te
wfcntW appUes Damnation to them by the authority of thofe .
Te«l F^^nftance, that Text of Ra«. 14.23. hajh been frj- ';^J^^^
oimlyabufato that end v Hi * W /i'f «*, u Domed f be J^^
Z^ The wordB^e^ there, fi^kes deep iWK^a weak m>u-
.Sd ChrilUan. that is not skUful inthe Word 6f R'fi^^fif •
^whether Satan apply it to Sacramental eatwg ( as ^^^
■ he doth to the Ignorant, though oontraty to the purpofe of the
Tex? J « wVoHhtingm the general, he makes this concluilon
.m^^itTnoudo.btel or thou half eaten '^'^^f^^J^^^fyX
Sllr *I-« i« no bape ftft theei thu art Damned. Whereas all
^^j£««« Oi wools- r-" *.t &.*<«= CTjOltt, KtoB
$Ot4^^^^
)i% z%tmitttif But It
«b the Hffmnct that then was b the Oaocb, about eadag thoft Meats that were unclean b^ Hofts's Law : In wWchcafc the Ab» file idoth pofitivcly declare, that ^' diflaence betwixt c£a and utidean Meats, is. taken awar \ fy that a Cluifttan nm^ with all ^edom imaginable, eat thole Meats diat were feano^ unclean, with this fnmfo^ that he were fUly fvfivoMiHbimn mixi. The neceffity of which fatis&dioo, he proves fiom this. That otherwifc he (hould offend his owft C""g-i^tMT, which S that cafe muft needs ConJemi him ( and that's the Dannatioti that is there fpoken of)-, as is mote evident- by ammaons this 7^'%f"l the next foregoing I Hafjy is be tU Cmkm^tb $m hmftlf. But he that doubteth, doth" Candtmn hirofeM; becauft hteatt not cf Faith i that is, from fiiBferfip^ of the lawfulneft of the thing. This Scripture then hath notlring at ail in it. lo die purpoie for which Satan biii^ it j It dodi not fpeak ol aar fittaU feuHnee of Condemnation pafled npori a Mia &r fiidiju • At^ s all, and the utraoft that it iiath, is <»idy this. That it is «
. Jfc« to go agamft the perfwafionof Conicience, and oonfequaithr It puts no Man farther off Sahration, than any «&r fin xSdoi
«* wn'cn, TJpon repentance, the Sinna may be pardoned
--' Another Text which Satan hath frequently ainded to th^ «•
^.j.t.r'r^. _jry great prejudiceof many, is thztoflcJ^tX^'j^^Z
ff, Wirhthis-&riptureheinfuftsoverthchamblefearfulCh». ftian, who » fcnfible of his unworthincfs of fo »cat a Brivi-
u ^; S?*^""""' ^^ ^^'P^ ^"^ «^Jo°g ^m the^acKuacnt of ihe-Loid's Supoer, upon thjs very fcoxti ThatiuA wowkS thy Wttech qnght not to make fuchnear^nd femiUar-apiftM^
Z^^.^^'^/S^u^ V«ft«ded to partake ffiS ^T 2l.*^° C taking the advantage of the Parties Confdouf. nefs of his great Vilenefs, and the v^ fow thoa«hts^Shhe
•he hath di/hx^ hmfitf for my, and ^run mun hj. owa ir«^ .^Me D«nnation. Thus hepleads it.^-^Sj^ .^a» than th^ tbo^iafl men and drunksn unwJbUy7n^
• Jktff mm then ean^.tbom. ihiA «f tbv Ql} A«*^^a1
<W &W*iri/r«)' W ttonacM, but wJutoaj, ie'^,^
many lofiaiiccs he f^^tk fiid and ur^ upon the Conftieacesof the Weak) who bave frcnn hence (concluded Cto.tfaagreae dir fiieis of their Souls ) that by unworthy receivicg of t& Sacraf^ inenty they haVe fealed up th^ir own Condemnatiod v and all this hy abufing and fervming the fen ft of this Text* For the unworthy receivings doth relate to the Miicarriages which he bad taxed before, and it implies a 4^e/c^, fropban^ takings fuch as nugbt plainly eKpreKs the fn^all, or unworthy efleem that tfiey had in their Hearts £br that Ordinance* And the Vamaaim there tbreatned, is npt^/i^ and irrecoverable Pamnation, bot 7mf^#«- fdJwdgmM '» as the Apoftle himfelf doth explain Ix^ in the next
Vcrfcs: Ffrr this cMffi msnyanfukly. Jnd ifrp9 ^POuU'judg
mirfdves'^ nw fiotdd n^t U judged. That is>Cas he further
explains it J we (hould not be thus Chained, at Affiled > and the word tranflatcd J)4nm4iiM^ doth Cgniik Judgment, At the kpTooc. fimheft, if we (hould take it for the Condemnation of Hell, all . that is ^eatned would he no more than thiS) That fuch have i^rped^ and God in Jfiftice might infli^ the Q^emaation of IftU for fuch an oflfence : Which is not only true of thyjloy bwt of ^V vdkr/^ which ftlU do admit of the ti^^Hon cf Repentance. All tlus wi^e this is nothing to the poor humbled Siiiner, that judgeth himlelf unworthy in his mod ferioosExamination, and greateft Diligence. Satto here plays upon the unexadoei^ of the Tr^nflation, and the ignorance of the. Party in Crhidfm » for ^tis not every one that can readily anfwer fuch Capfums Argur ments. 2. But be hath another piece of Cunning, which is this : He doth by a iigular ki»d of Art, tbrej^ upon Men focne Sai^uie ^atteally ipeaks of £xemaJ Condemnation, without ny fiiffi* oent evidence inivM^er ^ FaSiot the due application cithern, only becauie they c0Hn$^ fnv$ the oontrary. His proceeding herein is to this purpofe ; Firft, C After he hath prepared his way, hf fic»rflaiog their minds to a ^rful iulpitioa of their EOate j he Sus before them fiL^h S^ri|>tures as rhde v God bmdM^d tbe han rf tbarm^: Be hath prepared V^tls ff JFmb^ ^ted ftr J>^ruSioM. Chrift prayed not f^r tbe Jf^arU : And thatxroncera- ing the ^ejr/^ B^ k^^ blinded tb\ir eyes^ and bardatd tbdr btmi^ Secondly, Hexonhdently af^rm^ ^hat they flore fuch. Thirdly, He puts ^;Mi to prove checoofrajy, jind iieretn he iends them to tbe ftardb ot CqA\EntmI Vmrn » in which Art,&iun (like an Jffiisfa$mt) lead^ them out of the way. . Jijod daoiigh he caa-
not
not pofliUy determint what he affirms, he "0^$^ off the ptfithi proof from himfelf, and leaves it upon thrm to mdce out, that they art not thus daermined of by God's unchangeable puipc^c. And becaofe the tempted C under To great a Cloud ) have noSsdi ferfwafwn of their prefent Graces, as may enable them to make Jim their EliSum^ by the Fruits <i thtitVocifthn^ they aw beaten off from their hold, and are brought to believe that the Argu« tnent is unanfwerable: Becaufe they cannot &y they art dmm^ they conclude they tm^ be Damned h overlooking the true An- -fwcr that they might make, by keeping clofe to the Poffrbilhy^ or Trohahility that they may be Converted, and lb e(cape the Dam* nation of Hell. This gemral hope being of iiich high concern to the dilhreflcd, (for 'tis the ftrft thing that muft relieve them, till better Evidence come in ) it is Satan^s great jx)]icy to Cheat them of -it , which he often doth by this Method noir de- clared. . ^
2. Satan doth mainly endeavour to mijreprefim God to trou- bled Souls,, and fr»m thence he draweth out Arguments againft them. In the former cafe of Spiritual tronbies^ he itiifieprc- ients God, in that he reprefents only fome Attributes of his, not %)nly JifimS from, but in opfofnion to others, by which he laboqjs «to conceal the fweetand beautifli| Harmony that is among them i and alfo to make one Attribute, an Argument againft the com* /ortabfc fupportingConfideratfons, which another would afford. He mfifts upon God's Juftice without re(ped of Mercy, upon :his Holinefs, without any regard oi his GfackHisCondefccnrions to the Infimiities of the Weak. But when it is his bufinefs to • -bring any under Spnritual T>ijbreffee^ he then miireprefcnts God at an higher rate, and fticks not to afpcrfe hito With abominabfc Faljhoods. There are two Lies which he commonly ut«eth at this time. ^
I. He reprefents God as a Crnd tyrant, ofa rigotous unracr-
-cifulDifpofition, thatdeli|hts himfelf in the Ruine and Mifeiy
of Men. To this purpofe he rakes together the fe^^ paiTaaw
^^,?f *5«!Pt«re, ;^at fp^fk of God^s juft Severity againft Ac
mlfHl obftmate Smnq^s, that ftubbornly contemn his o/fes of
. <Jrace. God indeed hath cleared hirofelf of this AfpcrCon by
Solenm Oath, E^eJ^SS* "• ^^ Hw^ faith tbeLordGod. I'hAe
; ^epleafmedn the death 4ff the Jrieksd, butthkt the mcked turn frim
. hu ipay andJive. Yet the Tempted will fooner believe Satao's
I chap. 9. ^mn'U%tmptSLti0ns. }9t
Sugg^hn than God's Oath 1 partly becaufe the fenCe of their FUe- mjs doth ftcrctly fway them to think, there is Bjsi^H that he fiiould be (a') parclybecauie their Feari incline them to fufped the mnfi. » and partly the uneafie toilings of their Mind long continu-^ ed, rcviveth the natural fiamarMefr of the fpirit againft God. Which, how apt it is C when fretted with Vexation ; to enter- tain har(h thoughts of God I May be feenin the anfwer of the flothftil Servant to his Lord, who retiumed his Talent back again unimproved, with a Kefkaion: Importing that his Mailer was fuch as none could pleaile > fo Severe, that he was difcouraged from making any attempt of ferving him acceptably, Mat.2$.2^. He fiiid, Lardj ligfwrria tba$ than art an bard Man^ nafing tlm baft not fiwn^ and gatbering wbm tbom b^ natfiramd.
3. He belies God further, by reprefenting him as defining the Ruine and Miftry of the Tempted Peribn in particular. . He would make him believe that God hzd z particular Jpleen Cas it were ) agjunfi him above other Men > and that in all nis dealings with, or conccminghim, he is but as a Bear lying in tpait^ and m a Lyon in Jecret flaces^ rcdy to take any advantage to cut him off. And accordingly he gives no other Interpretatbn of all the Ways of God, but fiu^ as make them look like Tokens o£fUudl RejedHonof thole that are concerned in them. If there be up- on them outward AffUiionSy he tells them, thefe are but the FpiwwwMr/of Hell: It they lie under inward /c«/e ofWratb^ he calls that the firft-fhutt of evalafting Vengeance: If any particular tbrtatning be imprcffed upon theijr Confciences by the Spirit of God , in older to their Humiliation and Rqpen- tance> hercprefents it as Qod^s final Sentence^ and abfolute De- termination againft them. If for Caution, God fee it fit to fet before them the Exanfles of his Wrath, (as it is very frequent for himtodd, k& wc fifotdd fat afier tbe fame example of Vnbe^ li^ 1 Pet. a.^. 1 Cor.io.tf.} Satan perverts this to thatwhidh God never intended, f6r he boldly afferts, that thefe Examples frogmfiicate t^eir Mifcry i and that God fignifies by them, a Rre- diftion of certain unavoidable Unhappinefi.
This muft be obfcrved here. That thefe mifreprefentaticms of God, arc none of Satan's frbnary Arguments » he ufeth them only as fr^h Kefervtt to fecond others. For where he finds any Wing of his Batalions ready to be beaten, becomes up with thefe Supdics to relieve them. For indeed^ thefe Confidcrations of
^'^ Ggg God's
3^« ZXtmikot P»t*i
GocT^ Severity in the Cetxeral, orof t6$ fyeml Re&Ive agaiti/t aiyy in Piartiodat^ ate not of fotce fufficient to AHaqiu z ScuL that is within the Trencbes of prcfent Peaces they are not or fhemftlve^ proper Mtdiumi to prodoce (tich a Conchifion^Thottefl » We iUppoft God ieveit> C except we (bouM imagine him toM an bitter of Mankind mhnfJfy } we cannot thence infer the final Ruine of this, or that indwUUal Peribn. And befides, ( that theie are Hnjufiifiable FaUhoods) they cannot malce the final Damnation of any one (b much zsp'obaBk^ tHl the Heart fae ftft iptJkpzd in it^ hopes, by Feats, or Doubtingi, raifed up in it up on other Grounds. Then indeed Men are fiaggered, either by the deep fenfe of their Unwotthineis, or (bme iad continuing Calamity, and the (eeming negkd of their Prayers, If Satan then tell them of God's Scyanty, oi* that ( all his Rovidences confidered) he hath fet them op as i, Mark^for tbeAmmi ^bif tndignation^ they areready to bdieve his Report, it being fo fidt- able to their prcfcnt fence and fbeHng,
3. Satan aMb fctcfhetfa Arguments Stom the Siiu of God*$
Xlhildren, bat his great Art in this is by unjuft aggravations to
make them look like th^fe Offences > which by j^at txee^hn in
Scripture, are excluded fi'om Pardon. The Apoftle, f John 5. ti.
tefls us of a Sin that U unttf Veatb i that is, a fin whieh if a Man
commits, he cannot efcape Eternal Death, and therefore he
. would ndt have fuch a Sinner prayed for. ( That tlie Popifti di-
Karth'*" fthKaionOfriww/andAfwt^/Sinsisnothctc intended, fomeof
Petrus in k><^ ^^^ Paoifts themfel ves do confcfs > What he means by that fin
he doth not tell us, it being a-rhrag known (tjflJtfienrly fiom other Scriptures* The note of nnptmcnahlefuft^ is indeed affixed to fins un^cx feveral J^mummathns s the fin againfi.fbe Haly Gbof^ Chrift pronounceth unpardonable^ Mat. la, 31. T^tal jiptfi^ from the Truth of the Gofpel, hath no lefs faid of it by the Apo* ftle, when he calls it a dratping baek^ to Perdition^ Heb. lo.j^. Whether theft be all one, or whether there is any other 5>tt&r of fin irremiflible, befides that againlt the Holy Ghoft, Yis not to our purpofe to make enquiry. What-^cver they are in them* felves, Satan in this matter, makes ufc of the Texts that Ibeak tf them diftindly > as we (hall preiencly ice. But befides thefe the Scriptures fpeak of fome, that were ghen 1^ to vik jtjfiaionfy 4nd to a refrohate Mlnd^ Rom. 1.16^ 18. And of othera tliat Were given up to bardn^t 0f Hearty Mat. 13. 14. Ads a 8. 26.
Now
Chap. p. ^atan'ifit fCtmi^mtins. j$|
Now, Ddidbever they are of whcnn thdie things may be jdftly affirmed, they are certainly roifoable, faopetels Wretches. Here thea is Satans cunning, ii; he can make anyChild of God be* lieve.that he hath done znyfi^ AQ^ or ti&s of Sin, as may bing iiisD witbm the amtfafs of thcie Scriptures, then he infuhs over tfadoi, wi tdlis them orer and over agam, that they are cut oifforcver.
To this purpofefae aggravates all their fins. And, i« If he iind them guUty of any gnat Iniquity^ he iixeth upcm that, and labours all he can to nuke it look moft de^atdy^ that£> he may call it the Sin agabfi the Holy Ghfi \ and in this he hath a mighty advantage, that moft Men are in the DjHb abont thait fin : Afi Men being not yet agreed whether it be a di^indl J^fuks of Sin, or an b^Mr iegvve of wilfulneft relating to any psoticular Sin. Upon this (core, Satsan can lay the Charge of thi^ fin, upoti thofe t^^^jM^aiizit 6ooa the Truth, and thcougb Wealmeis have Ki^ eanud it. (Thus he dealt with S^a^ with Mmyy with Baitu bam^ and feva»l others*) There is fb near a reiemblance in theft fins of denying Truths, to what is fiikl of the Unpardon^ s^Ie (Siti, that thefe Men though they were Scholars^ and Men of ^d Aiilitiet^ y^thcf were not afak to anfwer die AfgomenC ^t the DevJl urgai a^daft them, but it prevctSed to di<« flte&them. Upon- others aifo, hath Satan the advantage to fix this Acculadon : For let the Sficat of the fin be what it will, if they have any thing of that Notion, that the Sin againft the Hofo tjbo% is a frtfmmftmm ^5 of Sui , under Temptation^ they-wtU call any notamm Crinu^ the Sm againft the Holy Choft, becanfe of die moire remarkable aggiavaiting Cireumfianees that h«re aosofftpaqied fiich a Fadt. 2. He a^ravares the Stns of God's Chiloren iiom the Wilfulneis of their finning. 'Tis a - thing often too true, that a Chad of God may be carried by a m^ hnP^^'i <^ ihroAg inclination of Affbdton to feme parti- dtfar ini^ty* where the /#w«bAb5^^ defnes that way, by a fiiddenhafte^ 4o)I^ thofe Rek^ncies of Mkid, which may be expected from one endowed with the Spirit of God » whofe io5m upon them, doth ordinarily fway them, t0 U^ againfi the tUh, But it is more ordinary to find a Temptation to prevail, MT^thfimding that an enlightned Mkid doth make iom ft«j!« fwM r -v^ikh ( becaufe 'tis too feeble > is eatUy bom down by thethongiM^MiiJei^of Satan^^wcfrklngupM uaclinations -
Ggga of
394 ^ %umtt of VajftU:^
of the Flefh. • to^b tht& Ca{b are improved agunffdicm, ovtt whom Satan hath got any advantage of doufatbg of their Eftate^^ If they have rdifted but inefiOmafy^ orifof ii#^ataH, hecfaar«> ^eth them with the AigM Wilfiilneis, and will £> aggravate the- matter that theylhall be pur in fear, not only that tfaore can be. no Grace (where Sin hath fo much power as either to cwtfivsvf fb much light and endeavours,or hath fo fitted the Heart to its do* minion, that it can command mthontz contradidion J but that they can have no H<fpeh that they that (in with h high an lund^ (hould ever enter into God's Reft. And to this purpofe he com- monly fets before them, that Text of HeA, io.%6. IfvPtfin ml^ fkiy after fbat we have received the kpomleJg of the trmb^ there it- mainetb no more Sacrifice for fins. Ox that of Hfh* d. 4. It is im- foffiblefor tbofe fphowere once enligbtned-^^ if ibey faB a^af^ to renefP ^9em aiain to Kipentance, Both which places fp^k indmi, atleaft, iuch a Jifictdty^ as in common ufe of fpeech, is caUed an in^bility^ if not an utter ^foUtte impoflibijiity of. Repen- tance and Pardon. But then the fining milfmtiy^ otfaUif^ mpay^ there mentioned, isonly thatof TWjs/ i^^^ j when \knthat. havcf em1>racedthe Gofpel, and by it have met with Cixh iixf^ef- lions of Power, and delight upon their Hearts, whicft we usually call Comnton Graee^- do notwithftanding, rejed that Gofpel as falfe and fabuloMS, and fo rife up againft it, with Scorn suid m* moft Gmtempt i as Jnliah the Apoftate did. If now the true intenditient of thofe Scriptures were confidered, by thofe that are di^hefTcd with them, they might prefently fee, that they were put into fear, where no fncb tanfe of fear was* But all' Men have not this knowledg, nor do they fo duely attend to the matter JC the Apoftlcs Difcourfe, as to be able to put a right lor terpretation upon it 9 upon fuch Satan impoieth his decdtfol glofi, and tdls them: JFilfnl finners cannot be r^oredtoRePin^ tance^ but yoH have finned mlfidlyh v^n fin was before you^ y$it> . T9^&i into it without any cof^ideration'y as tbeHorfi into the Battel:, or when Giklfiood in your way vritb Commands^ and advice to- the contrary \ .when your Corifiienees' warned- you not to do fi great widud^ neff^ yet ym woedd do it^ TJou were od tbofe that brlAjheTji^ and bmfi the Bonds. Upon this fuppofition, UmthefeTezt^ {peak of wilfnl finning in the General y How litde can b0 faid ag^unfi Satan's Argument ? .How itiany have I ktiown, that liav^ been tortured with theie Texts^ judging their Eftate Saada^ becaufe - of
of their vrtlfixhjds in felMng^ Who upon the brcakmg of the fim of Sum's mifi^r^tatioH, have cfcaped 0 a Bird mto the • mu, 3. "Wh^n either of the mo former Ways mil not ferve the WW ( that is, when he meets with fudi againft whom he hath DOtMfiRof notorious wickednds to objed, or foch ashave a bet- ter diferaing of Scripture, than fo to be impofed uporf, ) he la- bours to malie a Charge againft them, from, the manber qf their K&fcairiages. H«e he takes up all the Jilth he can, and lays it upon one heap at their Door. ■ 'Tis indeed, an eafie thing for Sa- tan to fet Ae Sins of a Cluld of God in ordet before him, and to. hdnz to mind imamtrahU Evils, efpecially to one that is already awatencd with a true dilcorery of die Corruption of Nature, and the Vilenefe of Sin. In which cafe, the more a Man confi- ders,^the niore he wiU difcover i and. Sins thus fet in Battel Ar- ««, (though ihey be not more than ordinary hainous, yet be- in« toany ) have a very difmd appearance, &tan's ddign in this* is to briig Men under the Aftightments which fccminoft pro- pet to bcKiifcd from a pervcrji Afpe<a of the « Rank of Scrip* Sesi which a little before I pointedat. For the Word of God fpeaking of the Final Eftate of Men, doth not only difcover the
iSdeif conditionof foB^ «^"> ^^^f l^fe^The^^" hxAat of Sin, but alfo the fad Eftate of others ftono the tuanwr^ depm, zxSfttVuny of finning. The H^thens, becaufe they Soved not tiTRnowledg of God, which they had fiom the wSks of Creation, neither, making thofe f«/flr««jr in matter* rTut^Vtohis WorOiip, which thofe Difcoveries did dired them
Tvimm QmaiMon, which they might have drawn ftom thdb fcindples. and ito whichin point of Gratmide, they.were ob. ^
^therefore God gan them up w-» Kepr^^t mind. And ge^ i«illy^^tningStoth«s, Ae Scripture tcadiethus, that i
Refbnnatk>ai
rTtafflTi; thai;^dina^'. as appears by the Parable, U.^ 12 4^. Seven mmrpkk&i Spirits re-enter*, vfhctc o?e that, ^"ut, ireceivedag.i7i,and, the mate of that Man. U 3^*?»ib^M Soalfo, a,P^.2.2f. Tothispurpofeisttei Ts^umn^ oracemingthe danger of continuance m fin, aftar
^Ih^M'fiddalyMd^yei, ^*bat mtbm.rem^^^
39^ ^ICteatifeof P«tft
There and many fuch like Scriptutesj &ttn haf& in refrfine^
which he plies.hoxne upon the Confcieoces^ tbofe thar.af e ^ea¥ bled with the icnfe of Sin« tellina then), "Iha^ibek [J«artfM$f Ways lmng<:ontinmUy wil^^Mvphh^aMing^ thCowfis tba^Qodk^ iaksn to reclahn tbm 9 thai ib^baving fil^ ne^i^fi^^t SMr vation > or that afttr baying feemed tp entjtrkUn i^^ b^ame nmn fif^ than before. ( W hich they will cafiiy bclievcibecaiife they ai e wm • mote fenfible of Sin, and mare dbfovant of their Mifcurriages dm fotmerlyO ^bere can be no quefiion^ bm tbeyaregmn $^ UviU AfftSms s Mid likg tbt Ground .UjM hw^ no^^g %a Brifrs 4md Thorns^ tbey are rejeSied, and nigb unto Cmjkigy wbpfe etid k t^j^ Burned. The Wound that is made with nhjs Weapon, hnoify eafily healed, as ibme others already mentioned > beoufi ( though Satan do undtdy wieft tbde Pai&ge% to ibch failure io the Children of God, as have Imlearno affinity with theio^ they only fpeak, of falling into open fr^anene/s n4tb contumofy^ yet ) they that have deep Convidions^accompanKd with gfeat Fc^ais^ »fually think that these are noaemnrfe than they ^e. Apd tb^Ugh they will grant, that fomc others have ffme fl^Hms liuef^ yer they think they have Ibarts fo de{perately wi<?kcd, that 't*er mull needs be under as great hazaids, a& tho£b wlj^liref ieeni to be worle.
^ There is but one Argumeitf more^ that carries any pC6^ bility of proof for cvcrlafting Gondemfiatk>n, and that is fioro an bard and iwtftnitent Heart. How Saten will noanage hioifelf to make a Child of God believe, that be hath fuch an Heart > is out laft^bfcrvation relating to his Sophijhy. And it is this, tte ui?iuft|y aggravates the difcomfofitres of the fpiritsof thofe that aiiecwidikd for Sin, and from thence draw^ his Arguments of irreoover^le Damnation \ pleading that their Hearts arc Stared, Hardned, uncapable of Repaitance, and confequentJy of Hoivecu That final Imfenmney will conclude Damnatk)n,is certain, aodihat (am havebeen given up to-fiicha j*</icia/ ^jardnels long before Owtk that they could not Repent i may not only beevidencodAom the Ihreacmng of God to that purpofc, Ato.13. M^sbe Ukm rf thifPa^le fat, &c but alfo hom the fid . Inlbmces o£ ?fcmwk Cofwhoa)^tisfaid, chat God hardned his Heart J andthc7«v who w»e blinded, Rm. 1 1. 8. God bath gmnthem tbtSditiff fimber.Uyes th^n theyfiouU not Jk, and, Ear^. thattbn ib&d mf hear, ftit flitt the Art 4ieth in tbis^ «owW- n»*^VChiId .of
God
Chapt9- ^Stan's Xtmpmions, 397
<36cl believe* tbst it's £> with hm. Tot this porpore h^ muft take Un at ibme advant^e, he cannot terrific him with this Argu- mmtat tfiiMdr* while he fe JfOni^ Repeiitance, with an i^a- HfmM iettled fiEame of. Hcajrt, 'tis not pcffible to make hhn be^ Ime he doth not^ or cannot Repent \ fer this were to force him contrary to fim& aoid cxperieiice# But he muft take htm at feme ^eaibn) which may, with fome piobability, adnait of hisTfe^, add nothing is more proper for t\M defign, than a troubhd Heart > £) i4at he hath in this cafe, two things to do. • I. He dtf^ets the Soul isioo as great an btight of Confufion as he can: That, 2. When be hath nultedk into heavinciSj and torn it into pieces, he may work upon its difiraOionf.
Thcie are many things that fail out in the caft of great anxie^- tyof Mind^ riiat ate capaUe of improvement for the accom^ pliflttnest of tto defign. As, n. Diftraftlng troubles bring the Heart under the jk^iJny of Amaxcment. Their thoughts arc fo faioken and disjoynted, that they cannot unite them to a compo^ iedjbttled lelbltttion in any thing,they can fcarce joyn them toge- ther, tomakeoutfomndi as might J^ out their i^fJwadefiroij ee endeavours » they fcarce know what they are doings or what they rpodi do* 2. They z\&>pyfin the thoughts with harfli ap* preheniioss againft God. Great diftreffes make the thoughts femctimes recoil againft the Holy Lord, with unfeemly queftion- bigs of his Goodnefs and CompaflGon v and this puts Men into a ted jyikn humour of untowardnefs, from whence C through Stattan's improvement) arife the greateft flmges of difpair. 3. Moft irfually in thi^ iiafe, the greateft endeavonrr are Fruitlefe, and EHflktlsfaftoty. Satan ( though he be no friend to Duty J doth mfiafinaUy urge them to Repent, and Pray, but 'tis be-^ caufc they cannot do ekhcr with ^jfatirfkmony and then their Failures are matter of Argument againft them. For if they rc- Iblve to put themfelves upon a more feverc courfc of Repentance, and accordingly be^ to think of their fins, to number them. Of to aggravate them, they are ufually aftighted from the un- dertaking, by the hainous appearance of them i they cannot, they dare not think of them, the remoteft glimps of them is ter- rible to an affrighted Confcience: the vMifing of them up again in the Memny ( like the rifing of a Ghoft from the Grave ) is fat more aftootflriflg. than the fir^ fref^d of them, after Commif- fiom So true is that oiLtiihtf^IfsMm mldfieSihf^fiSly, n
fpokld
59«
:aCrtattfeof Part*
wMili Us fnffS UtB. If they let f hesi^lves to beg their Vatdofif
by earneft Prayer, they are fi> d^oBtd and CDofiiied in Grayer,
that their Prayers pleafe them not v they coofie off fiona thcDiitf
msn wounded, than when they began. Or if in any nxodiac
they overcome thefe difficulties, fo that they do pray, and cdi^
fed their Iniquities, then they urge and /me a (bnow, or ate-
pundion upon themfdvcs, but (ttll to a ^citet diifsttsftOm :
For, it n)ay be C and this ufually happens in greater Difirefles)
they cannot wiep^ nor force a tear, or if they do, (Kll they fudg
their ibnrow is not Jdef tnwgh^ nor any way (uitable to the greats
nels of their fin. 4. To all thefe Satan fometimes makes a fur^
ther additbn <^ trouble, by injeding hlafibemmt thoughts: Heie
he fets the Stock, with- an. intention to Graff upon it afterward.
When all thefe things are thus in readineis, then comes he to fit
fire to the Trjr/r, and thus he endeavours to blow up the AfiK.
Is n$t thy Hiort hardaed u everUfiini defimSwif ibm eojfi ikm
deny tbisf Art ibm not gnwnJhiM^ and fenftUfs of oB the Inh.
Kords that an h^an the f { Here ne infifts upon the amazement^
4nd confiifion of their Spirit \ and 'tis very natural fi>r thofe that
are drunk with the Tetrours of the Almighty, to tiiinlt thcm-
fclves ftufti^ becaufe of the difiraSm of their thoughts. I have
known le veral that have pleaded that very Argument to that pui^
po{e). Satan goes on: ffha gttater evidence can that be ofaa
bardned Hearty than In^mtencyf Thm canfi not wumrn enottghf
Than bafi not a -tear fir tiy fins^ tbatt^ thou comldfi tptep enrmgbfir*
nurly^ nfon amy petty occafians nay^ tbctt au^not fo maeb or fray
for Pardon: Is not tbis^ not only a Heart that dotb not^ htt thatcan^
not Ke^t? Beftdes (faith he^ dwukpom^ibefecmtbot^s tbat
fby Heart if friuy to, do they not hyl tf in thy Bretfiagait^ GUI
Art tboH not ready to tax bim fir dealingtbuf with thee? What is
tbk tMoftPordnefs^ butd^ate obdaraten^sf And if with all theie
there be blafpemous Injedions, then he telk him it is a dear
cafe that he is judicially hardned > in that be oQs the part of tit
damned in IM already. By all, or (bme of thefe Deceits, theDfr-
vil doth often prevail fo fys with Men, that they conclude tfaeii
, Heart to be (b obftinate, £0 ilupid, that 'tis impoffible that it
fliouldbeever moJliiied, cm: brought into a penitential 6ame^ and
confequently that there is no hope of their Salvation.
5. There is but one thing more, ( befides the occafions which he takes, and the Arguments which he makes vdc o£) relating
to
to $ateii> method fer the ptocuremeot of Spiritual Dilhreflc^ asd tW is his end»vpur to ikengthen thefi Arguments, by the (iKreafe of /mt/ in theb Hearts.
What Satan cando iniiuGng up mi&imgi tormenting Feairs^ hath been laid> and how ferViiceable this is to his dcli^ I (baM ihew in z few Par ticulari having only fh& notied this^ih the Ge-. neral » That as Ms de%n in thcCe piflrefles^is raifed to exprelshia mmcfl height of Malice SiffinA Men, In puihing them feiward to the gfeaf^ mlfchie^ by excluding them uu^ fiom the /Mrf/f degree df the hqpe of Hap|Hneis, and by perfwading them o£ the inevitabJe cmmty of their eternal -Miftry^ So he doth en- deavour by. the jbviK# imjpidlidns of Fear, to terriiie them to the WrMMji degree of aArighttolAnnzeme and conlequently the eflfcds of that Fear are rooftpowerfiiL For,
u By this means, the Spirits of Men are fmrnd and moulded jntoa frame moft fiutaUeior the belief and entcrtamment of the VDofi di&ial impreifions, that Satan «n put i^xmi them. For ftiofig fears Clift^Fhre) do ajfinmlate every thing to their owa nature, making them nativaUy incline to receive the Uackeft, the mod difa<mntagious interpretations of all things againft theinielves> fib tbit they have no capadtv to put any other &i& upon what lies in their way, but the very worft h hence ire thCT potfeffed with no cither thoughtSi but that th^ are re- medildl Wretches, defperate Mi(acesttts, utterly foruken of God« They are hKOUgjht into fuch a woful fmialHy againft their own Peace', that they cannot* judg aright cFany Accufation, Plea,0r A^Mment that Sataa brin^ for a proof of their Unhap* pineis> but being fiird with ifa»niglvejudiGes of Hell, they thin^ every ^<ffi^fliaMv^8l>o^^ ^^ Sufftfirion a Tmb^ and every Acmfatio% t^fMtfiveof no Icls nian.tbeir Eternal Damna* tbn. Infomu^ that tiheir Fears dp more to if/c0i^ all Satan's Forces. A dreadfiU fimni bm^ in their Earr^ their flrcngth iails them at the appeturance of any OppoCtion. As when fear coooes upon aa Army, they throw away their Wea- pons, and bvan:eafieViaory^ give their Backs Jlbmethnes to aa incQ^deralMe ^emy»
a. Mm thus pbflcl9(bd with fi»i^ do not only receive into their own Bowels every Weapon .wluch Satsm direds on purpofe, m the wcnoding and Haying of ^dr Hopesi but by a ifarang^ kindof beii^ mey iitnaffQe erery tfamg to be the Smrd rf m
^
•
Enemy. All they ' hdatf, 'rtr meet wiA, tnrns into Poyfeh to | them, for they think cwy thing is agabft them i Promifh^ as | well a^ Theatningi > Merda^ as well as7iw%»Pi/j; and that by i ^Hthefe Cone as veil as another i). <jod f as #iA a FUhibm Stpotd^ turning evety Way), doth llMei- thefr acctfs to die*fr« iJF Life. R/wey die Kfertyt fas lUrhfter hi his Sermofts teports dfhim) iftttr bis denial of the Truth, was Under fuch hotrours 6f Confcience, that his Pdcnds were fijrccd to ftay with him Night and Day. No Comforts would fefve : tf any comfi»tabte place of ^ipture Was pflered to hinfv> it was as if 9 Man 'fimld an bim throHgb tpHh a Sttwd. ^ Nothing did him go6d , he thought that iff SeflptMref inade agah^timy 4nd JoMtdid fobis ^ CenJ^matm. Neither is it fo rare a thing for Fears to form the Imagination into fuchmifliapenapprchenhons, asthat wefliouM think fuch Inftances to be only 'lingular and unufiial h but 'fis a common ctk& of iPerrbur,' iiHiich few br none cfcape that are uri- derSpiritual iMfttelTes. The bfackpeff. of thehr thoughts, make . <he whole Scriptute tcith hiai\to them-. *rhc unfit medim through which they look, doth difcolour every ObjetS; So that Vid.^fr stcrj the Bcfok^ of Life ( as Mrs. Katb. 'Btetterge^ in the like caft, e^t- im Clarks preflijd her fdf, concerning the' Bible) jkctm to bicnofhinfe elft
^'^^^' hmiai'tib^Vedtb' to them. ' *
: 3. tiom hence it fbllows^ tfet no €M!(tltA Afivlce^ esa tike t)lace Wiifti th?tai Excpffive fears do' rertovethdr 'Souls (b far from ^eace, th^t they will not believe there is any HojJe for them, though it be tofi ibem. The tnoft compaffionate fefiou$ Admonitions ,bf Yriends*^ the ftroiigett 'Ai^gtuneiitis. agjunft t>c* ^aiti /the cIeareft.aifcoyeries of ^the HojixS tHat -jftre^btforc thcik ie^<r. iffc^ but.. Kt tie V xvlffle' iji^ iiie^\(^ Y it may Ibe ) they feem tb relieve them a liftfe,* T>ut the toibfort (Aider not with thetti, ^tis foon gone; Though ^e^ taknet anfmrthe Ar- guments brbught for them, ydt f hey cj^ifot Mieve thcmi as if their^ouisWere'nowdej^rrveddf all;*pbWerto*bel;cve any thfril . for their goc^. 'Svitihk tb.'that'^Ekpreffifo oPStird, '^ -anf^S ^^ ifo hfe'lTrietads'that'mcrditd-ttPCCtojfett^^ / Contfort bia qminoty^ I can believe notbing bftt pSdt is contrary to mv Cmfdrt. -Nay, ' wheti^thejr arctdd , that-many kjthets'ff a velacn ?%^ «ndertfcc11kedreadfuI,apPrthenlk)nsofei^erlamngMfer^
havtaf hJH)ecti Q?nifi>rt^, f and'tyttinifofd 'Eiperr^iice W6 flbd,, tliatit t^tbe^grtii^'i^ff H ^^i^'Smlf^ii bw feffktj^
Chap- p. ^atm's^ SCeniptationtf. 40,
i^^^t^i^) fime that have hem in dfeltkgeafiy for tfats will rft adtninifter jSiw bofe^thzt thcf alfo may at^ht com^rtcd, irhen the mm comfortable ffomifir of tftc Scripture^ are ji terroiw^^a them). Yet thw doth not effc^ the lead lafe for them fometimes, becaufe (bme are fo tpbofy poflelTed with un^ ^/«rii^/a Prejudice againJftthemTelves 9 that they think no^ie are^ ore?er were7«% them.^ They <:oihpare themfelves to jW>ir and Cain^ and think their Iniquity to^ ^ggiavated by many Cixcvm&mc£Sy far beyo^ the pit^b oC them.' Thas SpiM judged of himfejf V I #eff j^ C £ud^ be ) my- ^ji ^ hmw m^ir^
4. Though Fears make the Soul una^ive to any thing of Comfort, becaufe they wholly de&oy its inclination^ andal"* tcr its Byas to Hope 5 yet on the contrary, they make it ve* ry fftm^, and a^ive to' purfbe the conclufions of Mifery, wHich they have helped^ to firame« For the fpring of all the faculties of th^'^oul- are bent that way^ Hence it is, that tiMtt who are pbfle^ed with thefe Agonies, will ea^rly plead againft themfelyes, and with an zdmiMt Jkkf^tyy will JS-JIM Arguments ^ againfi thek Peace,- t(w»Diflin(Sions,^ and' - make fymgeivafitnis to eicape tjje .ftwce of any tonfolatHto thai* may be oijfered to them > their underftanding^ are, lis it wbe^' . vpbetud by their Fears to an unimaginable ^uid^efi. Who wouki not wonder to hear the Replies that (bme will give to the arguingsof their Friends, that labour to comfort them ^ What flrange anfwers Spka gave to thpfe that pleaded with kim ? How eafify he feemed to turn off the Example of Peter, denying Chrift , • and thofe Saiptures that fpeak of God*s Lave to Mwkind^ e^. aiay be feen at large in his Narra* tive. • ^
5* Fears, by aihangekindof^i^i^cihmi^, do not only make ' them believe that theyi&^ff be unhappy, but alfe will at laft' pet^ifde^ them, that they /»/ and fk their Mifery already. Ilow afton^ingty doth Sfkafpcakto this purpofe ? Tfind^ he dsily more and tmre hafdentme^ I feeliu Anfwerable to this ( I remember ) was the cafe of one who was long imprifbncd in deep DtflreiTes : He told me, that he verily believed that |
ScriptcM of if a. 66. 24. was fulfilled upon him, Pr(m one Sabbdk t9 (MfiiheryJhaB aid Fiefb come fo worfhif before me^ and'
H h h 1 they
bi-a.
40^ /M%^ttMimm
ihey Ibafljp f^Amid l^^f^ntbe Csf^nfif of the himtbrnhme tranjgr^ sigaif^m: Fer thm WamfiaM^ m die^ ndAnfi^O, their Fin ht fnemAed^ and tbeyfluU be an Marttng te stFI^^ To his own ftding^ he bad the tonncncs of Conictence, and the fcftfe of Divine Wiath was as a burning Fire wichia him> and to his apfrdfeifim , every iM^ fiom otfaen, was a gazing upon him as ^ MM^er of Miioy, ahbemd efaUft^.
The nature of Spiritual DiftrelfeS) and Satan's method ia working them, being esCf^ained, the laft thing pioauiedi is now to be opened. Thists,
J. The hmfben and weight of thefe Diftrefles, which how grievous, how btoUeraUe it is, may be fufficiently fien ia what hath been already (aid, and may be further evidenced ia the Partkulars foUowhig.
r. Thole that are wounded with thc& fiery T>ani^ do at irft uiiially;€tfami tlieir Wound, andfinother th^Gri^ be- ing afliamed to declare it> partly, becaufe (bme fft^iut^m p^^ (it may be> hath kindled all thisFirein ttehr Bofixns, md this they are nnwilUng to declare to others^ Partly, be<r catsft they fufped C though no one remarkable Sin hath oc- cafioncd thefe Trcw^ks^ that the dKcovery of their Qiie, Witt expoie them to the bonder and Cenjkru of all that (hafl hear <£ them. By this means the Fke burns with ^eater ve- hemency : Their Sc^e runs continually, and having none to 4>eak a word in fea(bn fer the leafi Reliet, it becomes vaoxc painful and dangerous^ As Bodily Diftcmpers concealed by a fiolijh modeffy from the Phyfician , increafe the troulde and hazard of the Patient. Here have they many (farugling^ with* in themielves, many attempts to overcome their Fears, but all in vain > ihcy fit alone and kg^fiUneey they flee the company and (bciety of Men v they labour after filitary Places, where they may tpt^ with.fireedom, C if their Tears be not yet diied up 3 or at lead where they may pour put their Ceif^a^ againA ihemfelves, they mMtate nothing but their hiifcxf i they can Hx their Thoughts upon nothing elfe v they ^oHer m d CrMe^ Of SwalleiPy tb^ mourn as a Dave \ they are as a P<£- C0n in the Wildern^s^ as ad Owl in the Vifart^ but iUll with* out eafe# They are but as thofe that are fnared in JOens^ and JPrifoH^Hntfi/i who the longer they lie there, have the /^
Tatienet
/ Chap: p. i^atmt' j{ ICemptattott jf. 40$
. -^litdxtteo-belrdie piefeot Unbtj^incg, aodthe/r/x Hb/ettt
be ddbaced firom It. I 2; AlVhen they are <irN< out with private CoDflidb, and*
have fioteft or ibtenniificn of Ttoobk^ then at laft they are Ibiced to 5^> vA faaViog once begun to q>en their Trou- bles, they care not who knows it. If there be any heinous fin «t the bottom, their Confcicnccs are forced to tmpft it: ' "Widcednefi C that was once fweet in his Mouth ) is tm»ed '• iH bk SmtU^ it it thegtHif Jp mtbin bim Thus doth God J* **• *^''^* ifiake Men to vomit up what they had fwaUowed down. Ter- lOurs chafe away all Shame, they can now freely fpeak agaiqfi their Sin» with the higheft Aggravations. And if their Con* fences have not an heteous Grime to aaufc them of in par'- ,
tiad^o'. yet in the gourd they will judg and condetAn them* felves, as the m^finbhrii, finfol,. or fctriwrf Wretches, juft- ly branded with indelible Charaders of the Wrath of God. However the Kftrefe becomes greater, if they #ri((yaccufe themielves of any fwrticahr Sin, that Vomit is not without t viokHu offired to Hature, which othawife would covw its Shame. It cannot be done without Sickneis, ftraining and torturei and when it is done, they take it for ponced, djat every one paiffeth the feme judgment upon them, whadi thev do noon them&lves i And the frtMMt fpeaking doth ttJm their Minds in thdr fearful exrcdations. For what Men do teettfim themfelves to affert, that they do^ more con- fidently !««««. If they only complam of themfelves m the eeaeral, witli any intentions of procurement of Pity, C as is ufual for the DiMTed to do ; yet while they ay out to Others, h tbit notUng t» j««, "OJ^*^/* tf h[ /'**«« ■tHYfirrM> likf to my fonow f &c StiU they thmk their jfw«^ UbeMia^tboHtbeifgroaniiig^aiAibaxC^toothess, dothftrong- Ivfix thisapprchenfion in themfelves, that none can be more ierable than they. Thus arc they brought to Jobs con- dition, ^fl* i<J. <J.^«««k& IjM» ^V ^^ ** «*'^«''¥«^ » *^ tboMhlforbtar.tpbanmlMfidf i^^ur.r^FTM-
2^ AH this while they are under an atfr^blefaife of Divine Wrath H«»i«fpeaks his apprehenfions of it, onder the - SlmUlt^e of the moft j^eous, and di(maU oanfort^
:feiromuit, Pfal. 88. <?. ^*<« M W m tn tbe Aw^ P^,m
404 '^ yLumm Qi *. *r«tt i»;
Varkiteff^ in ibeVtfps. Ihmd^ m gf0k xi^» 3* €ci«mifcs it
to the fcrmps of Death ^ sind Cthe Ughcft dat nuQune thoughts can teach J the fdixr of IM : ^ formic tfXhaib ton$aft m€y andibapMu of.Bdl^st bold wfm flKs Ifnmd iroukle. 0uU SonojP4 WeU might they tb\^ judg, sdl tttt^gp conndpred, ibr Sin (that then Iks heavy upon tbem^ isae^eat Weight, a Bmrtbtn ( iaith P^vi^ } jritff cr iiu« J eon bear > e(pecially when 'tis prciTed on by an heavy Hand^ thf H^ fr^efb me fare. Sin roakes the gieateft Wouod^ gonlidgiing theCpnCcieiice, which is wounded by it, is the^ wuter^ pai^ and c^ exquidte fi^nfe. ( Hence the Qrief of it iscompaied c^ -^ the pain of a running fretting Ulcer, that diAempers the whole Body : ( My Wonnds fiinl{^ and are eatrt^tedj my Sato raa i^ she Night and ceafid not J Or to (he jfmn of bsq^en. and fliaf^ xered £ones» FiaL 3^^^. Xhere k nofotwk^fi h «vy Fl^ beeaufe of thine Anger > jniH>^ k tberi anf r^ im my Bqa/if^ bo^ canfe of my Sin. ) . The I^firnmemi alio that makes tbe >ygi]iid is fliarp, and cues deep, ( Ytsjbarfer than a twonJ^ed Sword) but when the WeapQn is poyioned ( ^nd Satan hath a way to do that J then it biurns, making paiaflil; trkalignant In^ flaromations. The Wr^^h of God expreffed to the COflicicncc, brings the greateft Terrour i- Who kp<^s.tbe pomr qf tf?iife An^ geri PfaL 5^0. ii« It is impoiTible for the mofi trex/ihlin^ Conlcience, or moft ]ealoas Fears^ to go to the.J^iii^ boonds of it, neither can we apprehend any Tortuje greater v the Rack, Tortures, Fire, Gibbets^ 4^c. are aU wthiiig to i^. Hence is it that thofe who were afraii of fuffering for Truth, when by this means th^ey were brougbc under thefc DUkeiTe^ could then be willing to fuffcr smy %rmiM on the Body *, yea, and heartily wijh to fuifer mvch more, fo that thefe Tortures Aa and Mon. might be ended. Thus \\ was with bainham Martyr, who c. 8.PJ8. in the publick Congregation bewailed his Abjuration of the
.Tn«th, and prayed all his Hearers rather $0 Die ly and by^ than to do *» he bad don^. But that oi Sfira^ fecm^ a^moit beyoad belief j thus fpeaks he to Vermim: If I could conceive but the Jeafi^ri^pf Hope qf a better Eftate hereafter, I would not refkfe t9 endure the moji heavy weight of the Wrath rf that Great G^ yes, for twenty tbonfani Tears, fo that I might <tf length att^ to the
cad pf that MifcT)'^-^^, \ wh^i dreadful .Agonies were thefe, • - that
lAar put bim to thefc "iVifihei ? But *ti$ JeiS wonder, if vou oUarve what Apprehensions he had of his present iSrouoIe, he fudged it tporfi than IM it (elf. C Acd if you m^ouM have a Kvdty. Expo&ion of JhriiTs txptcOkxi, The pains if Nell^ ict* yon inay fetch k itCfOi this tnftanceO j My fnrefi^t Ejlatt ( faith he ) InmMo^Mt tmft^ thdnif my S^d (fip^attd froni ff^ B^dy) tpen wkb Judas dnd th^ n^ bf ^e Daimed\ and ^imfon I d^ tatker t» he thert^ ^an ibtff to live in the Body. So tfiiclf yduimagiiic zMzncri^t uAderthe greatcft wei^ht^ mmded in the mtift tetidet parts^ and thofe Wounds pro- foked by the AnpeBt'CwfofizMA, hnhoAcs tfH disjoymed and kroken, fined al(b witli hinigtr And thir(l, and in that cafe pitt tmder the hi^eft 2wt««e/ i yet you have but a very Jha^ dm of Divine Wiath : Add to all thefe. ( according to Sfira's wKh ) tt^taty ^90Mfmd Tears rf Bdl it k% yet all is nothin] to that wMch .a diibtiTea Mind flippofeth v Mrlule the wor< Eternity prcfents the Soul with the/w<rf &ir»»of utmoft Mf* iery ftll at once. Oh imckpreitt>le burthen of a Difirefled l^d! Who can underftand it truly, but he that feels it> Uffw terriUy is the Mind of Man fliakeii with Terrours, as iixt:fFild&uifi % a ydi^y 9%d i ' ^idi not only prodiioeth yiolMt Mc^ioids;, iiut atfi^ hidans ^foift^ Murmuif, and
4. This buftheh iipcm the Mind> ferceth the Tongue to yent its Sorrow in the faddeft accent of moft doleful Ont- erysy their whole language is ; Lamentation ; but when the pang^ of their Agfiuies cona^ upon theki, Cfer their Diftreffes ha^e their Rte). then they ;fpeak:in itho bJtternrfs of their 6m&^ Oh ! (GM'Baaham^) i itautdmot jit uU th WTorlds
it^y fi^ fi^^ ^ ^^^ ^ ^y Co^^i^^^H^i^* ^^ ^ former* k mentioned) m thcfe Ehfhdfts, crys out^ If^o^ «w, nv/ «ll^^ ^v'*'*^^) ^'M^ V^wyir/ ^It wbuld (urely have H«^ea .Mm's^ i» fenAuptight ibr Areaid^ to have beaM ^^ n)ariiife ourdiattVsnH*e^S&itancc : <4im dreddfnl yitf$ fiUim At^^mU ^tiULi^ Orto havehe^d hlsRe^ riy tt> hiro that told of iiis being at Vemee^ O cisrftd Thy! (ffeilh be) 0 asriid l>ayJ O Aat I >kad nmr gone f hither^ ^f^fil^xin I htd tbm Mdt Ac« The^JikeOawtys^had Z^
odd \Sm^m^^^^^^^ Goi^^l^y^y i^^^f^fotfd^
- •%
%n mf my an tbmfi fir firm bdfing mty md fivm tii vordi tf mf Rami^f And Htmtm^ PfiL 88, 14. Lwd^ ^ eafi^ tbm of my Semly why bul^ tim thy Pmtfiwmmef *Tb true, T>avid's ukI Hhmm's woids, liavea better Com- plexion than thofe others laft mentioned, but their diP. ^iet of Heart leeois Cat fbrnetimes) to have vxffA their ExpiiiEons with in.fctaous iricdeocei as thofe I^^iges fecm to fay, FfaL 38. 8. J Am TUmtd ly rttfut of At M. ^ittntft of my Heart. Pfal. 3 a. 3, My Bom vraxid olL tinZi mKoanng all the Day long. Job 3. z^ My Bjmhgt an pm- red ottt Itkg Water, If tbek Lamentack»a were turned into Ranw/, and thofe Roarings were like the fareaitiiQ in of a fhod, and that Flood of £> to^ ocaicinuaDce, that it drkd m the Manow of the B<»ie$, we may fifely iangine, that tfaqr were not &> mocfa at leafuie to fiiAr dietr words, hat dait ■ their Tongues rauht fpeak in that JHskB which is proper to AnontfluTient, andDiflieis. ... •
5. Though the Mind be the princif>al fiat of thdc Troo- bles. yet the Body cannot be exempted fiom a Coparumtntf in thcfc Soirows. Notwithftanding this is fo fir fom £; ting the Trouble, that it indreafeth it by a CmnlatiM. ITk pains of the Body, conttaOed by the trouble of the Mind. are communicated again to tht Fountain fiom whence i^ «nje , and ru^math au^fient the dilquiet of the Xftol The Body is weakned, thdxfirti^lf tanni em Uk iTattn they are u>hbind % Grafii pined as m Sl^», become as a Boule m tbe/moaf^: Thus Damd frequently complaias. P/ift 32. 14, he defoibes himfelf as reduced to a Slu^T' lam
*bmhf^kn^hmutheUofDuik NdtSisilihB peculwr «fei but (he eommon efieft of Spiritual Di&dftfe ffal.39.tu ^tbm mtkRehikgr i^ tSSs Mm^M. 9^y-,*bomm^biibtaMyt9«Mfmmam^a^ttMa>, ' /• «'n8 thusdiflrefled for their Sbula, theycaftoff «« eon
«mi$ whatfoever. And na wonder, bt betne infwadM ^tthey.haveff»de*%«««Jtof tkkSoib, t£y^^
7. Giving all for loft, rhcy ufualljr caft about fot Come Hfi to thdr Miiids 4 by. fceking after the lojper degrees of Kfifery, hearing, or fuppofing that all are not tormented alike, they endeavour to perfwade themfclvcs of a Cooler Hell, This if th^ could reach it, were but poor Comfort, and lit- tle to their Sttis&iftion > but a$ pocMr as it is, it i$ ufually de- nied to thcBi, for while they judg themfelves to be the greats # Sumrsy they cannot but adjudg themfelves to the ff^teft fonmnts i And thefe Endeavours being fruftrated , they tc^ turn back to thenoielves, ( as now hopeleG of the leaft ea(e X worfe than before* Now they fix therolelves upon the deep^ contenqf>latioD6 of their Mifery : Ob (think they ) hon^ peat bad MT Hs^fmtfs haij if we bad been made toads ^ Serpents^ Womfy or any tlnn^ ha Mml For then fiomld tpe never have kpawH tbisVnbaffinrfih and tbis begeis a thoM/and pain mjhes. Ob tba$ jpe bad never been born I Or tbaf Deatb could annihilate ns! Ortbataefion ^fwebadbeen born^ tpebad^ed! ( As Job fyesAs) Job 3. II, la. mydkd I not- from the TFomh? Why ^ I not ffve nf thegbqfi^ vrben I came out of the belly? ) For then bad we not contraSedfi mu^fGnitt. Or that the Mom-- tMni and IBUt couid fall ufon m^ and cover m fiom the Face of Mpr Judge.
Su When aB their Hopes arc thus daflied, and ( like a Ship- wraeked-Mairon a Hank) they are ftiFl knocked down with new Waves, all their endeavours being ftill frufhratcd, they fecm to themfelves to be abk to hold out no longer h then they give over all further Enquerier^ and the ufi (f Means^ they refufc to Pray, Read, Hear. They pcrcieve Cas^r^^faidj that they ptay to their ot^n Condemnation i and that all is to no purpofe. They are tpeary of their Groanings^ Pfal. 6. 6. Their Eyes faitmth M^ng up > their Knees are feeUe^iheir Hands hang down. And as Heman^ Pial. 88. 4, 5. Thiy count themfelves mth tbofe that go donm to the Pit^ free among the T>ead^ /% the flain that lie in the Grove^ whom God remembreth no more. Thus they lie down under their. Burthen, and while they find it h hard to he born, 'tis ufiial for them to come to the urmoft point of Vefieratenefi. ( Satan fcggctting and forwarding them.) Sometimes they open their Mouths with complaints againft God, and blafpheme. And ( as the. Ia{l part of the
I-ii Tra-
W
4o8 ^ ICrratife of Part IL
Tragedy) being weary of xhcrofelves,.«hey feek to put an ^ end to their prefent *Mifery , by putting an end to their • Lives,
I have prelented y6u with Satan's Stratagems, againft the
* Ttace of God's Children : the Renaedies againft thefe and other
**SubtiIties.of our grand. Enemy, I (hall not offer you, becaufe
many others have done that already , to wboft Writings ^I
muft refer you. Some frincifal Direi^ions I have pointed at
in the way, and in the General have done this for the heJp
of th^ Tempted , that I have endeavoured to fliew them the
^Mithods of the Tempter^ which is no Jhtall help to jn^efirve Men
fiom being thus impofed upon, and to recover out of his Snare
thofe that are. 'Tis a great prefervative from Sickneft, and
DO mean advantage to the Cure, to have a difcovery of the
Difeaie, and the Caufes of it. I Ihall conclude thefe Difco-
veries with a Caution or two.
1 . Let none think worfe of tbe ferions TraSice of holy ftrift- iiels in ReligiOT, becaufe thefe Spiritual Difirefles do fotne- times befal tnofe that are confcientioufly careful in the Ways of God, while the prophane and n^ligent Plrofeflbis, are Grangers to fuch Trials. Thefe Troubles are indeed very fid > but a fenflefs, carelefe State is far worfe : thefe Troubles of- ten end very Comfortably^ whereas the other end ( except God make them fenfible, by Convidion of their fin and danger ) In that real Mifiry, the fears whereof occafion thefe Sorrows to God's Children. And the danger of Spiritual 'troubles is not (b great as is that of an bardned Heart, ( nay, God fre- quently makes ufe of them to prevent eternal Ruine ) for one that goes roaring to the Pit,, there are tboufands that go laitd>- ing to Hell.
2 . Let none flighty or feoff at thefe Tremendous Judgments. 'Tis too common with Men, either to afaibe Spiritual Trou- bles to Melancholy^ as if none were ever thus concerned, but fuchj, as by too much ferioufnefs in Religion, are become ^Mad C a fair pretence (or Carelefsnefs ) or to a whining Bijftmidal tion : To the former I have fiid fomething before, agd as for the latter, I (hall only reply in the words of Spira^ to one that objedted Hypocrifie to him: I am a Cafi^aofay, a Veffel rf WraPh^ yet dare you call it Vijfmbling and Frenzy^ and can mock.
at
Chap. 9. ^atati'ifif Tmpmions.
at the formidable example of the heavy Wrath of God^ that Jhould teach yoH fear and terrour i But Uis natural to the Fl^ to §eak^ (either out of malice or ignorance) perverfly of the JTorl^ of God.
5. Let none be afraid of this Goliah, let no Man's heart faint becaufe of him^ A fear of cimtion and diligence to avoid his ^ Snares, is a necefTary Duty> (Be foher^ be vigilant^ becaufe your adverfary the Vevil^ &c. ) but a difiouroffng diftruAful Fear, is a diflionourable refkSion upon God's Power and Promifes to help us, and upon the Captain of our Salvation, who goeth out before us : Let us hold on in the pradice of Holi- netsy and not be afiraid. The God of Peace (hall tread down Satan under our feet (hortly. Amen.
409
I* • 11 2
D^m0»(h
^
sy
> ■
^.
Oil, A . "
TREATI
O F
The Third Part.
CONTAINING
An Account of the'Combatebecwixc Chrift and Satan, in ^atth. 4. Wherein the deep Subtilty of Satan, in managing thofe Temptations, is laid open, as the grand Inltance of the Sum of his Policy in all his Af- laults upon Men; Leading to a confideration of ma- ny Temptations in particular, and of fpecial dire(5tions for Refiltance.
By ^.(Jiki%.:M%
Hcb. 4. 15.
—Hi? was tempted in til points like as rve are, yet without Sin.
London^ Printed by J. 2). for Richard Kandel^ and Vtter Maflifdetty Eookfellers in Nap-CafiU upon 7/;ie, i 6y^.
«i
■1
1
(i)
mtioMiiiM
PART. IIL
i.*^
^••i;.
MAtTH. 4. I.
Then wasjifits Ud m <^the Spirit into the WtUtmefi^ to be tended tfthe 'MiL
I ^
C H A P. I.
the FirP etretm^Mim tfthe Cmkaie* the time ipohtn it
hoftfui* Wite tm SHeam Se^m tf 'Ten^tdt/tM, netiti^tns thereof,
J . - * •
ShMl bere ceofkkr \\it gnat TempradM wfaidk^ k plcaicdour Lend OkO to rubmit mdumo^! as a* n^QftfsvDoas H^mm Ibk.rairfnfiBatim, 'AbiI i^ Iii(brtf ioQ of tttf Doft^ TtiBimiliVis akecK dy handled. ^
The firft?ei&fetS4loEmi(brevaltem^ QfCuntifoDci^offhisConiba^ afnoftbemmat* t«fjfiw!i»g|it«d^rth* As / . -
Yn&^ The Tiiw when this fell out h not as a loofe^aadl ^ueiien* id Snuffgmcj^. hpt^foMad^ imde ^ee c£ both "bf God and Stfan, i>eiogfMfi fic^od jptopc^ &rtke Afo«rif^idh eackof^hem' wetejcanyu^ob* TUs i$«x|Ncllyaoteatii 2tf^4.«. 3^ Jefktled uf : but more fully in MaA^u 12. Immdiaefy^Spmf dritf^b lymim^lFittierinfrh Manifi% dfteiMng us to exped
SmkliAltg'^orth^ ^ei-
A a ther
4 Z %ttatitt of Part. III.
ther can we roifsof it, when the tlmigs unto which this direds
us^arc Co fuUv related immediately beforeJor we find in both thefe
EvangeMs^f W^qj^'fpeakib cxadly of the ^e of thefeTempta*
tiions) that ChrJ^Vfzt baptized o(Jd^n > thi^ was in order t6 tht;'
. fnlfl\\ix\gxh^Righteoufnelsorhis Office. As tHt. Triefis under the
]^^j^Ug[J^t ^^^ when they came to htthirty years old^ entred upon their Fun-
TcmpIe^Scr. dion, by Wafliings CorBaptitings) and Anointings : So Cbrifi
vice and Har- (that he might anlw^r his Type) beginning to be about thirty
Wls 6 1. J'^^'"''' ^^ ''i?^' ^^ folcmnly inaugurated into the great QflSce. of.
Luk J. %u ^ Mediatorjhifhy Baptijm^ an J tne extraordinary deicending of the
Holy Ghoji > by which he tp^ amfi/iud mtb tk Uyl of gladnefs above hUFdloips. To this folemnlnftalment' the Father adds an ho- nourable Teftimony concerning him > T&k ir. my • beloved Son^ in vfhontl'^tn well f leafed. Immediately after this was he carriedto thcplacepfCombatei Hencti^ may infer, ObC I. That our entring tipon ajpecial Service for (jod^ or receiving a Jpeeial
f FavoitrfiomGod^ .are tseo Stdemn Seafimsmbioh Satan mS^ nft of- for Temptation. Often thefc two Seafons men together in the feme Ferfiny at the fame f/i»e.T^j}ftar his rapture into the third Hea- »C6r.ii.»,7,ven, which (as ibme conceive) was alfo upon his entrance upon the |^i(^ryy was'btifTetpdbj^.the Meireng^rafSatan. . . ' ' 'Sbmejt^etKc^ two Scifons.arc Ja^^f< > y^c ftill , it may ,be ofefeWed*,' that the Devil watcheth them; . When any. Servant of God is to engage in any particular employment, he will Be upon htm* He Affaulted Mofis by perfecution, when he was iirft called tfidtlivfil^Ifml^: A$&ontsJ>aiadw9s Anointed, immediately doth }^e,^0fiageitbe Minds oT^tftfilind his Cou^^ers again^ It was j(b,ordiiuay with Lkthr^ t)ht he at laft came to thi4 that beforcany Emilia if ervm, he-con^ntly expe^bd either a fit of Sickpefsy or ttn htffetings of Satan. . He is no lefs (edulous in ^ving his Aflkults who! any Child of God hath been under pecu-i liar Favours, or£njoymeats:^3%eCfaN0rd& zkit an high enta-* Cant. S- J^^ »• tainment with Cfcr?^, is preCintly overcome by aw«}cfe*llecpy
indilbofition. ; / - : v '1
Though this may (eem I^nge, yet th^ hatfluteis of fiich a^ Fro* vide^ce on God's part^ znd the boldne^ of. the attempt on At- tan^ sporty may bemudi tafcen tM by the confidoration of the icafons hereot
Firft, On Satan's part : It is no great wonder^o fee fuch an undertaking, wheuwcconfiderlosFury^andMilice^ The more
wc
r
wercccivefromGod, and'lheinore wc zre to do fof him, th> more<Iothhe j»f/ig« us. ^ So much the more as God is Good, bf ifbrnuchishisEycEfvilr .'
' Sc^condly, There are (in fach Gafe$fi$ thefe) C^vctslI advantage j^^ which (thxougjti our wcaknef? and , ^nperfe^ion) we are too apt ^ •
10 .give hiiTr> and for theft he Ueth at the catch. ; ' Asfirft, JStecttrity, We are apt. to grow proud, carelefe, and confident after, or upon fuch JEmployments and Favours > cvena5 men axe apt . to. fleep or furfeit upon a full Meal, or to forget themCelves,. wheathey areadv^ced to honour. Jqh's great Job i5>. it. Peace aindHenty made him (as he.confeffeth) {bcoBhden<, that , lie concluded he (hould die in bis'Nefi, David enjoying the Favour ofGod in a nK>re than ordinary meaiure, (though he was more acqiuinted with viciffitudes and changes than moil: of men) grows fecure in this apprehenCon, that he Jhonld never be moved: but heac- p^^ ^^^^ knowledgeth his miftake,and leaves it upon Record its An Experi- * * *" g^jf^^y ence necoTary for othersrta take warning by, that wh^n be became *^ ^!j^ warm under the Beams of God's Countenance, then he was apt to fall into Security. And (this it feems was ufual with him in all fuch cafes) when he was moft fecure, he was neare(i fomc trouble, ..or difqui^t : "fhofi didjl hi^e thy ¥aa^ (andthed to- be fure the Devil will Jfhe w his) and J[ vif4f tratAled. £n joyment$be«» g(!t Confidence >.'Cpnfidencebrings forth Carelefnefs) Careleibcfi makes God withdraw, and gives opportunity to Satan to virork unfeen. And thus as Araues after Vi&ory growing fecure, lure oft fiirpriied ; So are we oft after our Spiritual Advancements thrpw»dow«. ' ;.: — - . —
' • Secondly, Difcouragemeni^ and tergtverfation is another thing theDevilwatchethfbr. By his Aifaults he repr^fcnts the Duty difficylr> tedious, dangerous, orimpoflible, on purpofe to di^ courage us,and to make us fall Ixsick. No fooner doth Tml engage in the G<)fpel, than the Devil is upon him, fu|;gefUng fuch ha* lards aslie knew w^ere moft prevalent with our mil natinres » if he j , hadnotbeenawareofhim, jindreiufed toheaikento what Fleib q^j; ^^ ^^ and Blood would have faid la the Cafe. When God honpured Afe/er with the high Employment of delivering Ifrael > the hazard and danger ^f the work wasfbibong^ &Ked upon his thoughts^ that hemaHes^rnany excufes > one while pleading his Inability and Infuffidedcy. \JFho ai^I^ that I Jbotdd goto Fbaraob ? Auo-!*<^ S-^ft- ther while he urgethJF/r^Mk/i^^^ (a
iarisfj
.* *.v
^^ vr*
4 a SCreMtCt Of PastlH.
£xo4.4. <• ^dsfytlicmoffatsOmimHIba^ A&a that lie devfledi anocher .ihift, IsmtatMi^fum^ inthstoAv&fe. Aiid«HsenailtliefeifiiI>- tcrfugcs were removed, (Satan had fo aftighted himwhli the »ouUc and difficulty oif this undettaking,) that heattttnpts to .ft^.i$. - ^rcji^aMray from his duty » ver*l3. Send h the hmd tf bim wbom . iboH wilt find \ That is, fpare meand fend another : and till tl^ aoger anddifpledure of God wa$ manileAed againft him, he &b- iniited not* In JanA the Temptation went Ugher. He Cupofi theapprdienfkms mentionedj tm M^from his Seryice,and}Hit$ God to convince him by an extraordinary punifliment. And ^ when Satan prevails not (b far^ zswbollyxo determen by iucfaoor itts ) ye^at lead he doth dijhearten and difcoungethem : S6 that : the work lo(eth much of that Glory, Excellency, and Exad* neis, which a ready and chearful undertaking would put up- on it.
Thirdly) TheF^lformiibntageofthesaintsiatfuditimesisof more than ordinary dijidvamap s nbt only to ^herr^ (^ if tbey can be prevailed with to lay ai^e their work, or to negkd the Improvemetit of their Favours, othersare deprived cf die benefit and help that might be «xpe(^ed from them) but a lib to ihemfdvtf. A prevailing Temptatbn doth more than ordinarily prejudice them at fuch times^ The greattiefs of the difappomtment under i^cial Scrvice,the nnwotthy negled^,andunatt{^cta!blene(s to Ipc^ cul Favours arc Extrderdinary Ftm/eati&nsj and produce more than <jxdin9S[yChajHfifien$sh as we&ein jFMjiftVAillimon,andthti^* fis dtCcrtioru
Secondly > As we have (een the reafbnof <f^MV'Jrttttn|iriata« }axkf^ thofe Oppoirtumtte^^Sb may we conHder the^pafbns of t?^/ FemafJ^^i?, which are thefe*
Fixit, Tenipt4itioiis at fech Seafons are pertmtted for m<M cmtneft t i^ii/ of the uptJjght. On this account was J^ f cmpred.
Secondly, For an iA»^/e of diligence, humilitt^and wati&ial- sefi. If theft fVi vikdges and NferCieis wffl . m^t d iKoutage Satan, what will? AndifSatahlbopenlymal^fiich Enjoymttits, wt xnay be sm^ksntdto hold .them/2^ * and fet ^ tMktjmtrtlxtpOA them.
Thirdly, ForaplentflMFWwfw^of Efl^>«cf. TVagptatteft is the Shop of Experiehoew Lntbtr was fe gj^cat a gaSttcr by xhis^ that he became ^ble fo to^fak tt^the t^r^en'ut ^uaCondtidnx of hfe heurers, that the ^hughts of their h^svirax inan^f^d by his
ipealuDgi
[
fpcMngh as if he had had an IntiUigencer in their own Bofim. Bcuit^M bcnammfnd Frayery MtdiiatkUj and 3eM;p*ilJM, as ne- ceflaxy requifitesfor the acoompllflunent (£aMinifter.
This may adminiflef matter of Coulet to us in both eafif afore- AppUc, mentioned. If we be put upon eminent Eptflaymetar^ or receive eminent Favonrs.
Firft, Wemofinotbefafccareasfo think Sstan win beafleep that wMle, or that we are hcf^ixi danger. While we are tmhmg Kindncfib^ be n devifitg Plots, and laying Snares. '^"TTT^^ With Priviledges and Mercies cxped Excrcifcs and Ha- fi^^'^^ zaids.
Secondly, in particular') We may receive (omething of advice from this conficreratioii» initferenceto hrh Ca&s. i. If God is about to cfR^nsniany Service, C'O We have little need to be c»ii/fie«i^ofoivaMfittes,. or perform V9)icn we know that Temptations wsit for as. (2.) V/t vaoA not only be fenfible of ocir freaknefi, that we benot confident) but we muiV be a^n^ - toffiveof the Stwmh and Power of God to carry us through, tbit we be Tiotdifamragtd. (^. ) Wemuft CccomOfpcfiHmiyt^ vfcvMjhci^atcbfiili and yet mnft we refnfetogtveittheleafi ptace of confidetadon in our ddakr of Duty 9 lefi: it jyofus * againfi Duty, or t^fksmn usin it. 2» If God bepkafed to Ho- • Hour us with peculiar F^oi^/. Hien (i.) Though wemuft im- pmvethemmthcfull, yet mnft we not feed on them ttrithtm : fiar. (2.) We muftnot fhry in the Enjoyment, or play with (he ^ /f Token % but look to the ttndeney of fuch Favours, ana improve ^ tiieav toduty, as to (heir proper end.
«^M^^aaa^dM^^MaH*MMMi-^ka«b«*i*A»«MMiMiawaMMa*MMMiteMMMii*Mhi
. .1
CHAP.
I a SCteatffe 6f Paft.fin
• •
ritaMHh
• •
C HA P. II.
• « M
•<^ ^i ^K
the fecond CircHmfidnce^ Chrifis beif$g lei by the Sfh \ Tit. What hAfid the Sfirit if Gcd hath in temf* j tdtions. And of running intoTemptdtiM y^hen nvt
-. iedintoit.
T
7^ He (ccond ChcMmflance acquaints hoj» Chrifi was cao carrieii to the- Cotnbate. In Solemn Combates and Duels, ;he Perfons undertaking the Fight, were ufually carried to the place !with ^eat ^i^/eifMi^ and Cd^ Chrijl in this Spiritual Battel is defaibed, as having the condnS of the Spirit, He wm led m of, the Spirit^ &€• What this Spirit was> is Cthoughby a needled and over-officious diligence} guefUoned by Tome : but we need not /hy much upon it, if we pon/ider the pbraleqftlieE?<:f«ge/i/?/ji who mc;ition Spirit without any Niftz of diffiniSioh : C^vhicb pFncccffity.muft have been added, if it had intended, either his /^wper Spirit as Manv or the rvid^fd Spirit Satan) diredin^ thereby, to underfhjid it of him to whom the •^ % •word5'/^;r/>'is'mbrc peculiarly attributed j (ws.) the Holy Gh^h
^ ^^ Qx if .we obftrVe thc.clofe cannt^cio^ m Lt^ betwixt that E;xpreffi^ ^ on of CHrff ?s bmg full of the ^ Holy Gboji^^d, his. . being Id by % Spirit^ it will be out of conti6ver{y,' that ttic^HoIy Spirit is here intended. Hence was it that Beza tranflates it more fully » Jefut being full of the Holy Ghofi^ xpjk led^ eodem Spiritn^ of the fame Spirit > and the 5'yriiici^ in iWi«t^iE?e»> doubts not to expreis it by the My Spirit : A nd what elfe can be imagined ? JVhen.ia ihls Text the Spirit that /e<:/ him up, and the Devil thzt tempted^ are mentioned in fo dired: an oppotition. He rpof led of the Spirit into the Wilder^ ^eff to be tempted of theVevil. The manner of his being carried thither is cxprefTed by fuch words asfignify (though not anEx- ' - 'A>ci fcrnzlrapktreWkc that of Philip) a ftrong inward Motion, and fcK,raM€V .^;^^j^eijpenhim. The Spirit drivetb him, faith M^ The jiv^T^. Spirit /eJ htm, faith L«lS;f, ufing the fame word, by which the
Scripture elfewhere exprelTeth the Power of th<* Spirit upon the Children of God > who are feid to* be /^^ by him.
Ecnce
Hence note > that the Sfirit vf God hfath a band in Ttn^g^hiif. Oif. %1 Chriftwasled by the Spirit to be tempted. This muft not te underAood, asifGoddid^/^/y tempt any to fin > either by i/i- iicing their hearts to evil, pr by mmng and Higgefting wicked things to their mindS) or by infitfing evil Inclinations^, or by any froper cen^liance with Satan to undermine, and delude us ,oy any * treachery or deceit ^ none of thefe can be imagmed without appa- rent derogation to the holinefs of God, vpho umfteth no man^ neither can be be ten^tedwitb evil : But what we are to ynderftand by the Holy Sfirit" s concerning himfelf in temptations^is included ia the&
particulars. ^y^^y^ ^a
Fix&j God gives CommiJlion to Ssitzny without which his hand would be leal^ up under an impoffibility of reaching it out againii I any/ .
' StcoTi6\yfiffort$mtiis and occafionsdo depend upon his Frmn^
\ dencei without which nothing comes to pals. Neither we not any thing el(e, do or can move without him. ; , Thirdly, The Spirit overfees the Temptation as to Meafmt^ ^ and Continmnce » The length and breadth of it is ordered by him.
Fourthly, The ijfue and oonfequences of every Temptation are at his appointments ThewaysofitsworldngferourExercife, Hu- miliation or Convidion, or (or any other good and advantage whatlbever, they all belong to his determination. . So that it is not improper toafl^t, that C7(y^ and Satan do concftr in the (ame temptation » though the ways of proceeding,with the aims. mi imn^ions of both, be MnSly different zxid contrary, .j^ence is, it, that the Temptation of Vavidy \Sam. 24. i. and - \iChron^%uu are upon /mrii/ri^tfr^, attributed both to God and Satan. <
This note is of uie, to remove thofe harflk InterfrttationsyAAiii j^^i ,n- poor tempted ChriiUans meet jvithal, cdnunonlv, from (uch as have not touched their burdens with the leaft of their Fingers Alen ._ are aptin theiecalestp }udg,
. Firil, The fFays if keligion^ as being ways Catjeaftinthemore {erious and rigid pradice of them) of intolerable hazard and- per- plexity h and only upon an Oblervation, ^that tbofe . xvbo mofi addiH jbemfelvet to a true andfiriQ obfirvance ofDuty and Command^ ufuaVy . eopifl/finof Xenftations i and exfrefs fometimes tb^ f^ars and diflrefs of heart abomibm. ..This is your Reading, yOur T c^y&^and Hear-
; • *■"" ' * ^ B ^ ■• '^ ' ing.
petual dinjtutt ; And tipon the whole, they conclude It dingfe- roUs to be rilimdu^ ibbvc t% ctnMm rdttcfthoii that ftoiecute it ini'flow atwwel^i«|rj^^^ ' -
. gcc»hdfy, The.Uke Severity ofanKiri do thby bfe ih UStitbit
to the Spiritual State of the tempted i as if they were f^^ets <tf hU
hatreds and fuch as were by himgiyen up to the power of this
fTtld Boar of the Forreji to devour and tear. AH kind of ^t{{tefle$
are obnoxious to the worftof mismdgings)Bx)mina}evo!etlttn£^
The Sufferings of Cir/^ produced this cen&ridus Scoff, L& Ui4
j^>j« v'jj^ ^Iwer him^ if be mUh^t him. D^m^r troubles eafily indtfced hi*
' Advcribiestoc6hcludethirt<5<?ife«rf/«^^ him^ and-fbai ther^
fpof none to deliver bim. Biit ki tlroubfes of this nature Cwhere ei^
pecially there ^efirightful complainings againft themfelves) men
are tridre eafilydrawhdut tp be pertityptdry Jn their unctedritable
determinations xx)itcerniiigthenf!.' Becatiie tfie troiAle itfelf is
ibmewhatr^w'e, andaptto;tejget1&ftfif(>*r ht^Hfflohs^ 2tod witbaH
tlie vent Which the amiSred jxtirties give by t^cir bemoaning ci
their Eihte, in hofite to ^afethemieh^es thereby^ is but tafcetaas a
T^imaiiy againlUhemlelves, and the undoubted Ecebotfof thett
teal feelings.
Thirdly, Their Sihf are tipon this Groiind pisjudged an4
lieightftea. VmjwlTrotibtts With comtAan Apprchenfion ai^e
wmfualSinK The Vipei^uponPi^j hand, mad^ theRiy^ifriMr
Aa$ 18. 4- confid^iit he^as a Man bJ^ttow than okdinaiy XJuflt and Widrod-
ne& David's Sickrieiswas^ enough ic g{¥e llis Enemies oceafion to furnilfe thatit wa^^thepumflimhit'of&m^gre^ Pfal4i 8. AneCHdih^^X^th^)'ckhKtbfo'Uhn Tltofe thatwereoVei^ Lukeij.^. ^ whelttiedby^the^F'alFbfthcTiJwarof^^ Bteod
fi/^nte mixed witlL their Sacri^ces, were judged ptatift ShiMt^ But in iittPard ^^MptatidnSj^ this'niisjud^ng coximlence is every way^moreheightricd '5 jandthofefhatare^ to haVe gi^en mire^iriyto Sitan; -'
Fourthly, Temptationsarealfomi^^l[:dto beirAr/ethan they
are.They arc itideed ttdngs to betiemWed iatlbut they ate not pro-
*pet]y of an afioiiiOung, aniaiing; or difpairing conikleration : as
men areapt to thiilk that View tiiie^rkingstof themat adiftance*
Againh all thole unrrghteous (iurmifes, the poorifflided Sep-
tants of OixiR hiay have ieMfrom this jtruth in fi^hd, That tbe
' HolyS^t of C6dh4thai^^^ in femptatfons : iiiiftt therefore h
• " is
Chap: i: l&mn'g ICtttipmims: ai
h iffipoffible^that erdry^hm fhcf ftoold he of (uch a Stgaifkatiiii. Wore they in thetnfelves noway /m^^/r to God's Gloiy in the <3radofisExdDci& oTiusChiMffcn, the Spirit of JSPiyZbwi and fib/i* ' 4Qf/wouId]iotafatthaT4aA««if]iithoau Ifundcr Satan's Aflaults fwmeet n^ith tiiofe chat by fitch a haifliQ^ of Cedhre, would ifgr^Miieyour Oroables, and togriive tfade whrai God fiath fid^ ned^yoM«)ay boldly araealfiom them to him that |iidgeck li^fitcoufiy* Aodliadecd if men would but ooofider in the &£left caift of thiinatUK) dfhar i« The £iu/of the Lord in patnittitig Temptations which (if feen) would mre an U^ mftification i)f his dealings andfeifptmcntaapplwdand ma^nfyhis WiC^ ckm, father than tocenfurc it. Or, 2 • If they ondd but fee the fkrawkyf^Qod?%S9fp9Tt. Howhea^ his part, in i&o/icffg; them by the hand, in anuaermn^fng of Satan, and confmn^ng him under tnc exemfe of his higbeft malke h and alio in the waysof his/^- ySrtt^ joa ^nd 4e£R«r«Miw Qt^^. Ifdie&in«/f^yf of Temptations . w^ien'tfadr ^g is taken out were but weig^ed^ men would chan^cheirmiadsasTeadiiy, ascfaeBd9*^m<i0/ did^ when they tfm the V^er «ot eifeA that mi^:hef they luppoled upon ?a$d \ And would fee cauft to (land amazed at the contrivances cifo mudh Power aftd ^iSikka^ as ban tvni theletoiqtfite other ends and «|^, thaiiwhat chj^bf^ftM^/Sfcaxi^ .
* This Confideration will fbctherfxpr^ its ufefidne(s> in e^m^ Appl. &. yMiig us under Temptations. Itm^bt have been FohPs great diicouragement, that in his anfwer befdreATeiv no manfiobd & Tim. 4.1^. widihlmrBiX^lds^Vf^hislupi^ Ai^Gadwofjmtbhim. The litoiMcoqrageoMtt weiuve uo^ diatwe
lM|e not kftto our i^s ,^ixtt the £p^fi/ Gpd is widi usi \ and ilbtit he ccmcems htmraroo zdgiffi to awr^fie^ and az«r-fic&his 9mide, and topat a dMi upoo' him when there is need. So that he qannot tempt tfrhec will, nor wbm he will, nor |n whst he iPTodld, nor as tori^^ he wovdd'i but that Snail cafes, we may ^ upon the grOM Ma to-con(iiiver,ior tdid^, he^> mi^gation, ordc^jj^stirancevsU^t^ :^ ' . . .
1 Inthat the EvsHgtlip do not'iay thatChrift <^ him(elf upon Ob'; 5. 9 Temptation, neither did go to 4«idemke it, till he was led to it^ wenote, l^lmwhafwermayhetkt^^Jvantagtcfa Ttemfuaian ly the
Xiii^wi^4bm atMtnt^ yk m^TPenn rkf 'uj^ Tmftathnf\
^^ ' ' -^- ' '.' :\' .... B'a . \ though
\t% Z%tt$MtOt Pare. ItL
,tB(mghtt^fiMftJ$Ami^n4fettmaF€fm^ M in^^kem. The reaibns of this truth are thefe : ' .
' - Tirft, There is (b much of the «<tf^e of w/ in Temptations th« they ^e to be avoided if poffiUe* Oodd they may ocdiMdly . be^ Cthat is beyond their proper nanure and tendency) fay the mmr^ ruling hand of God ) but being in their own nahiral C0ifiitmm tvily 'tis inconiiftent with Imrnam nature to defin them Oi fwh^
Secondly, To run upon them would be a cUngerous tmf^jng joC God, (that is) making a bold and pidumptuous trial (without cal() whether he will put forth his po^er to' refcue us or not. N(ffP be thatrMnsupon a Jefi^ation baib MframifitQ hedtlivendmt iff it. Andbefides, runsuponfodefperate a^m^^iwi, that in all probability he fliall iw/ctfrry m it, asa )uft puniflunjeot of hit rajhnefs. Queft. But Enquiry may be made. When do nden run (uncalled and)
unwarrantably upon Temptation ^ I Anfwer, many ways* As \^mfw.i. Firft, When men engage themfelves in Sin and ^iinarf.WidH
edne(s in the Works of the Fle(h. For it can never be imagm^ that the Holy God ihoukl ever by his Spirit call any to £ich rabgs as his Sbul abhors.
Secondly, When men run upon the vifihk and Mama 4fcetffia9s andcaufes of Sin. This is like a man^s going to tne Peft-houfe, thus do they, that thoughthey defignnot to beadof^in evil, yet will ftive their C(m^jffy and Countenance to Perfons iifi^^ e^ih ^ageaincvih
Thirdly, When men unntc^mly (without the ctfndud dther c^conunahd,or urging an unavoidable PkovideDce) do put them* felves (though not upon vt^/€ and.<f!fv«i» opportuntties,yet) up* on dangerous and hazardam occz&ova and (hares, tekf had no er- rand in. the High*Prieft's HaU > his curiofity led him thither \ he inight eafily have fdrefeen a probable Snare > but confidently put- ting himfelf forward, where his d^er was nmrt than his Intfu^ he ran upon the Temptation, and accotdmglv felL The we Gen, 34. X* did Vinah^ when (he made a needUfs Vi^ary to /ee the Dai^tas
of the Land > where (he met with her Sin and Sbanae. Ndtfaer "To they olherwife, who dare adventure thetnfelves « FamUUt H^4f iy '^* (whilft yet they are free and may othcrwifc difpofe of themlelves)
_ _ — S^^^ ^^^ ^* Snares and Temptations will be Ind bcfer& them.
I'he Cafe indeed is otherwUe to tho(e that, are under thp a^farf ^tig^cmcntof ritoHon^ namdl^ or voluntary, (iHt be antecedent
ta
. to the ha7ard)t^ live in fuch places or callings, they ha,*tt a grea- -^- , tcr promife of prefervation than others can lay claim to. , J; J; ^Z^' ' ^
Fourthly, Tho& run upon Temptation^ that adventure 4^- rently beyond their jhie^gtfc, and put themfelves^ upon anions good or harmlefi, difproportionaUy to their abilities. The Apoftle gives the inftance in Marriage-Alfiinence^ 1 Cor. 7. 5, whkh be 'cautions may not be undertaken at a caretefi advmwt^ for fear of *
a Temptation: and by this may we ju4g other things of like nature. , .... • . . - ^
Fifthly, They are alfo guilty, that deGgn an adventure unto tht mmafl ktmds of lawful Liberty. Thofe that have a mind to try condufions, how nearthey may make their approaches to Sin, and yet keep off fi:om the defilement h fuch as would divide a bah betwixt good and evil, have at beft but a hair's breadth betwixt them and Sin h But how caGIy are they brought over that. Like a man that walks, upon the utmoft Fer« of a River's brink, oft- times meets mmhottorpgromd, and a dangerous fiif before he is aware.
Sixthly, Thofe alio may be reckoned in the number of fuch as rufli upon their danger, who gq abroad without their ufeapons^znd forget in the midfi cUdayly dangers, the nuans of prefervation. Thamof^ by his negle^ Aid into a greater unbelief than the reft of the Affjftles, David's unwatchful heart was eafily (mitten by the Intelligence which his Eyes brought him. They that would plead' their Innocency againft Temptation, had need to carry their arms, andprefervatives ftill with them.
This truth is a fuBScient caution againft the rafh advemrnimfhefs jipflic. of thole who fbrwardly engage thqinfelves in matters of Tempta- * tion* AstheformerobfervationtolduS) Temptations are not to he feared » So this alio tells, they are not to ht flighted. The car* riage of the Pbilifiines when the Jrl^ came among them, is mat- ter of Ii«^^#i9ii to us. We may trmble jttftly when we hear of . their approach \ but our Hazard (hpuld be the Wbet^Stone of our Courage) and our danger fliould bring us to reiblvesof a more ^mrjrefiftance, thztwcmaiy qtdt our filvesliki men.
The Apoftle, G4ii. 6. i. ieems to imply (when he tells thofe that were more fevere and carelefs of others, that they may alfo be temped) that the beft of men do little kno^ what a- xhange, a Temptation may make upon them \ zfmall Temptation may be xooftrong for them^ and ^y cgpry them to what they never #fa^i&^
of> ,
>^
t4^ :^%tmiU(it vm.tR.
oTi nay, may breakdown ^fimgifi of thdr wfelvcs, and fijJp their purpofcsas a Thread in aflame* It did fo with Ftfcr, who . was quickly ira^«<rMe by that which he ha^ with lb much confi* dence^Mttlerf^^i^*
CHAP, n I.
thetUrA Cirei$mfi0»tei the fliue <f the Com^nt, f&c dthsfHi^e givem totimfUtiom by S^tuie, .
T
|He Third Circumfianee (next to be codGderedJ U the place of this Combat, ^be fPitderwfx. To enguive what cr where this Wildemefi was, is not only imper- tinent and ufelefs, (as to any thing we can obftnre £rom it in referaice to Tooxptatioh) but aUp a matter cfmcer un* certain coD]edure> Only they that would underfiand it of a plac^ more thmly peopled, are exprefly contradi6ted by ^far^l. r^. where 'tis fiid, hewof vM the tmd Be^si nptmg thereby a defilatezTid dangerous Soticud^ 6r remote from humane Society a^comfort.
'Tismuch more our concern to (eek after the reafbns of his choice of that place, or rather among thefe many that are given to fatisfyoQT&lveswitfa, what may have th^greateftappbuance of TrutL Hiey that cfabkChdft hereby defigned to mew the un- certain cimge/ and yidffitudesof outward tlungsin th& Lii^) or tof)oint at tiiefiiturc hw Eft^fte of his Church in the World, that k ifaould fojoum in a WUdernefe 9 or to direft thofe that have de- .dicated tfaemfidvestoGod, tomtbdroiP from the blandiflmients , 1 . .andailiiiementsbf the£ar|th ; widfa great many more hints of jf ^7i^locr JnftroaSon, anddocumcntttf that kind; theyiray,'ttetoff^n9 ^ ' ' -other, feemnot toattendtotheirMe^gnof the rfioicc of this
|>kce j whkh nocwithAanding is ev4d^it!y difcovercd to have i>een done monc/er to the Tniiptfrim Htwtii led into tbtlFitderneJi io bittmpted. The place then w^ fiibferrtent to the conffii^j ^ / .the picker Tieater on which Co ^at a Conteft was to be aded > ^d tfwe AjtU^ mind ^^t^^eckljconfideration^asio be had
of
• »
1^ ,ch9^^i..fymn's%tmfmms. i^
^ offechaj^te C^ bowllog de&Iate Wildooefi:) which may
Wkh€a(e pitch u|X)ncfa^ibllowii)grea(bii& , ^
Fkftjt pleafcd God to haveaaEye to the gUry of CbKilX'sQHJh
Siell, whenin i jbu^ CbiDbat be flKmld ib isooarkably £bU tlic . ,evHwltlioiitanytMkaftadTaatageraiib|K^ ihcm beiog none tiiat aoight be. the leaA Supjpoct or Eacouragement tp him.
Secondly, The condition of the place, gave rife to the /irft Temptatioa* Fork that he Jmagped in zi^nmniffVJerMf}^ k gave oceafion to Satan to tempt him more ftrongly to tMirn Stona intoBread.
Thirdly, In the choice of (uch a place, God feems to oiler Satan aipedal advantage in tempting h which was the Solitude and dan- gOKyC^his^efent condition.
TO'omit the two fbuner ConCderations (as not altogether fo tifefiil, fiicther than what I (hall be engaged to ipeak to afterwards^ this laft affords this Obfervation :
TtbatSolttude t^ordsagreat advantage to Satan in the matter ofo^f^ Ten^ation. This advantage arileth &om Solitude two ways : -'
fixtty As it doth deprive us ofbelf. So great and many are the blefled helps arifing firom the Society and Communion cf iuch as fiartheLord, (asCouniel, Com&rt, Encouagement from their Graces, Ei^periences, and Prayers, t^v:.^ that the Woe piqnoun- cedto him4hat k al(n\ey is not^ioundkis. ChriAians in an holy s^-^l^f 4- xo* Combination can do more wn\h and ib have a good rward for theirlabour. Tiiey can mutually belf one another when they /jff > they can mutually buit and iMrm .one another 9 theyc^ii alfbjli^<2vn on&.ap)ther's hands to prev^^^ ai^Adveifa-
xy« He then that is alone, being deprived otthefe advantages^ - lyeth more ppen to the ibokeof Temptation*
Secondly, Solitude inaeafeth Melancbolyy fHis the Soul with dijiml apprehenfions • and withaLdoth ^ Q>oil and alces the ten^ per o£ity that it i^nbt only rmdy to take any disadvantageous Ini- fr^^y butitdothalfodiipoieitto kaveny andipwre tnofevery confideiations.that (boiMJi^cft h and to putaiNid confirw^ion on things that never were intended for its hurt.
This may warn us, to take heed of giving Sl^n £0 £rcat an ^/fli^. advantage againfi us, asanimitep{^ry&)litudemaydo. I know ]
there are times and oecafions that do )uiUy require jit, to feek a (b* litary place for the ^izwy of Duty, or for {ccKt Lamentations^ as
Jeiyniah
>^ acmttfeof Part, in.
Jer. 9. 1, 2. JifemuA deCred > ot to avoid the trt^U dxAfim adfi^g fiom our ' mixing with an Aflcrably of trcacharoasaud wicked mcni This -is no n:K>re than care and watcMuineik Bat when thefe reafons ' urge not, or (bme of like nature, but either out of fett^ dlicoiH .tent, or a ^of^ refervednefi, we withdraw firotn thofe aids and <:omfort$ which are neccflary for our (upporti wedo toengthcn Sa- tan's binds againft us, and weaken our own.
^^._^a^,pM«««««MWi«HBMMMa«W^HM^^^«i^«WM**^*'^l'«*«l>'*^*"""«^>"*^«W**W>
> •
C H A P. IV.
fhe Fourth Cireumft^fue, the end' wherefore Ckrifi ym r Jed tf the WH^rf^fs. Holinefs^ Im^loymenty Srivu itiges^ Bxentft not from temfeathk. OfTemfigtiom th4t lesve not Imfrejftons of Sin behind them. Hm Satan s tempt Athns are difiin^uijbed frttm the hup ^ jfur orpn Heart.
r
THe Fourth Circumftance was the End. There was no other deGgn in the main of Chrifis being led up, and mto the Wil^ dernefs, but that he mig^t be ^af»^. In this two things feem to be matter of equal wonder. /
firil. Why Chrift would jS^if«>tbbfc tempted. For this, many , ^reat and weighty reafons miy be given : As
'Firft; Thus wasChrift-ei/i^&fftfftJtobe ihtfimirAdam^ and the Seed of the Woman. His being tempted, and in fuch a manner; doth clearly fatisfyus that he Vfzstru^numh and that in that n^ tun lie itwasthat waspronu{edfo^ifi^ti&e^€y;^e^/£esAiC ' Secondly, This was a fzix freludwm and eatm^ of that final em^ ^efl over Satan, and the breaking d6wn of his power.
Thirdly, Therewasatnor^'peculiaraimin God by theie means
ofT€mptationtO«|ualifyb!mvirith/rfify^yi<//wJr«r to help h Fcr in
that he fuffmd bang tem^ed^ h k ahU to fHcco9tT than tba$ art ttmf'
ted/ Heb. 2. 1 8. And having Experience of Temptation him{el^
Heb.4. 15. bebecame a merciful High-Prieft^ apttobe tmJfed m^ tie ftelwg
tf oar Inf metier.
Fourthly
Fourthly, The Confifuna of this experimenta} compailion in Chrift, wasafiartherreafon whyh'efubmittedto be tempted, to wit, that we mighthav^ the greater (T^m/^ W encoMT^^eMKvri, in ' the expedancy of mdrr dealing from him. Hence the Apo- ftle, Heh. 4« 16. invites to c&mz boldly to the TUmne ofGract at anjr time of need.
Fifthly, A further end God feemed to havtf in this, viz^ To give a fignal and remarkable Infiance to us of the natttre of Temp- tations, of Satan's 'Snbtihy^ his ImPudencyy of the ufieal Tempta- tions which we may exped v as alio to teach us what Weapons are neceilary fbrreliftahce) and in what manner we muft manage them.
Secondly, It leeins as ^ifapge that Satan would ir/t^ert^i^ a
thing Co unfeai3>1e and hopele(s^as the tempting of Chrift. W hat
' expe^tipn could he have to prevail againft him, who was
Anointed with the Oyl of Glddnej} above hU Fettotps ^ Some An-
fwcr, : .
Firft, That Satan might poflibly dotAt whether Chrift were the Son of God or no. But the Improbability of this I ftiaH fpe^k of aftei^vard s
Secondly, Others attribute ^Tta his W/t^^ which inkeeclts great, and might poflSbly bKnd him to a defperate undertaking. But, ^ ^
Thirdly^ We may juftly apprehend, the ^fl-e^iSii over Sa- tan to be & great that it might oforce him to the bpld attempt of fuchawickedirefi.^ We fte daily, that wicked men by the force qf ifaek own wicked ftririciples, are r^Ufty hurried upon. Acts of Siri, though they i^am the Prohibition, and are not ignorant of the threatned Danger. Satan is as great a Slave, to his own internal corrupt Principles as any. And whatfbcver blind fury is ftirred up in Man by the power of his luft^ we may very well fiippbfc the llkein Satan. . ^' ^ ' .
Fourthly, There is a Suitor hand upon theDevit, that Stpays^ Limits^ and Orders him in his Temptations. He cantiot tempt ^
r»ben he would > neither alwaysiai^W he would > but in his own curfed inclinations and the a^ing of them, he is forced to be jkhftnitni to'Gpd*s Defigns. And in this particular, Cwhatevcr might be Satan's proper End or Principle) it is evident that God carried > oil a Gracious DcGgn for the If^rnSion and Comfort of his Children.
C V Th&
V
-.; •
Thc'Eni'bf Chrift's going to the l/ViWemeik, being that he mi^x be tempted » if together With this, the Ihlinefr and P/g^ir tydPcWftitirefpeftdf Jiis ferfinixii Office^ be confidercd, we iDay note from ir. "
^ * !Zfeff ;ifi/fe£r height of PrJviJedg^ nor Emineney of Kn^hymenty nor
^* Holineji ofPerfon^ wiU iifcoura^t SatanfromTemfting^ orficweany
fromhif AffoHltr. The belt of men in thehigheft attainments may 'expcd Temptations. Grace it ftlf doth not exempt them.
for fitft^ None of tbefe Privlledges in Wy nor JEmincncics of Grace want matter to fix a 'f cmptadon apOB. The weakncffes - of the beft of M6n are fuch, that a Temptation is not rendred im- probable, as to the Succefs,' by their Graces : Nay, there arc Ipc- QilOgcafions^ ^ndlndinations inthtmy to encour;y^eTcmptatioBS ofPtide, andNegieil.; Re foand indeed nothing in Cbrift that mj^tofei; the leajf^ probability of pfevalencyi but in the Beft of 'Me0, ill their beft *ERate, he can find fome encouragement for his attempts.
Secondly, None of as are beyond the neceJijftybC Hicfi Exereifis.
Itcannot be (aid that we need them not > or that there iqay not
bf holy ends wherefbrerGod (hould not permit aad prder theoi for
' igw'G^di^'irfe'mbta^^^ arcane*
celTary t|)iritu^l Ftr)fickjy " tile defigii of theln is to bambUn^^ to
Deat.8.1^. fnfveus^ andtjQd^kf^ood intbe latter End., Nothing will work
more of (I^' Watchfufnefsf^; Diligence atii Fev in > Gradous Heart, than a fence of ^^t^n!s defignment^gajian,k. . Nothing pats a man mbre, to i^r^)^ iWea^hing after ^ .de0ring to fe
diilblved, and running to Chrif!^ than ihe tf oubleivme aadaffli* iftive putfuits of Satan \ Nothing brings meii more fiom the hen of the World, and to a delight m the Ordinances of Cfod^ than the trouble which here abides thcnj' unavoidably ffpm Satan* This difciplifiie the beft have need of > There arefuch remainderfoC Pride, andothefjEvilsinthemy that if God .. flictuld' not pesmit Non nobis ex:, ^befe Pricks ztiA^^nei tphumbk them, and thereby alfo awaken pedit cHe fine them to laborious w*atchfulne(^ ) ' they ' would (>e car elels, iecure, tentationibus 5 and (kdiy declihiiig. This made u^i^£i(/?i^;ie conclude tha^ it was non rogamus ^^ ^j^y ^^ieni that wc ftiould v^ant Temptatiqns/j, and that mur^f^ncki- ^h^ift taught US as nauclv whex^hq ^ire^cdus, not, t9 pray that ducat in tentau we (hould «flt be temfted^ but tMt we migKt no.t bc Jed into I& ttman^f^iM' fin^er^ and Prevalency ef Temptation.
ThiwUy,
THkdly, The PrhiUdgis tnd Gr^es of the Chffdxf n of (jbd,
do ftir up Satao'^ fridi^ Rcrenge^ and Ragd agsuoft thcfiu Afid
though he hath nq encouragement to cxpdSt £o eajy a Conqueft o*
rer tbcfe, aslie hath ovar others, who are captivated by him at
pieafuire » Yet hddi he encouragements to attembt them^ Gst the
iiDgnlar 'ZZ/i snd Advantage he makes of sCny fumfi againft thifm >
the difficulty of the work being recompenced by the greatnel^ of
the booty« For tiie fall of a Chikl of God Cefpecially of fuch as
arenoted above others) is zsv^htn a Stanidtd-bearerfalPUttb > or
as the £ill of an Oak that bears down with it the loiter Shrubs
that ftand near it. Bow the hearts of oth^s fail for feat, Itk
they ibotitd alio be overcome. How the Hearts of fdnle grow
therelyWiandventitfefome) How a general «Sr>^rjee Md dif^
credit thereby doth acdrue to Religion^ and the fincere Frofeflion
of it i are things of ufual Obfervation. If fuch Men bad not in,
them femething of fpedal Fny m^afe ofCoiiqueft^ bis Pride
would not fo readily carry him againll the heacfe amt chief of t!^*
People, while he feems to overlook the meai^er^^ and W^dkbf.*
Out*Houles, though more acceftble^ are not the ObjecftscJf the
Thief's I^fign h but the' Dwelling-lHoufe, thottEh (hunger
Bui]t^2Lnd better Guarded (becaciftit^rd»h^f^S6fttehk^iI>
is ofually affauked. Nefeh^ do Pirates 4(> tnfuch ftt themfelves
tMitk& Empty Veffehy thiough Weakly MimicA v but rkhiy Icfad^
Sj^ (though better able to make refiflance> zti the Ships of their
d^e«
FitftV ThiSdSaybe appJyed fyt the Eimotara^ing of thofe thdt ^/^//V.i. thfaik itMr^ tM< Temptation* dtt tb htoftt thete \ EfjWiairy, ; that they (hould (in their apprehenfion) be moretroubled bf\i\tti^ •
whiiVth^fiyftitth^f^m^h Tfife'confi^wtibdof thfi^ wfti much allay thefe thoughts, by thefe InfereAced which it af- fords : *
'-Fiffty Theife'iS flOthiftg «;J*/3rJ* befalls thefe- Complainants. 'S^f5*ftei5i)JeHtlfldc«^fi»tOWhe*s^V th#y eainfio* jiiftly fey^ their cife i^S^^pitifi'j^ t)i «h3Kt»ey «ire U6iit to ftich dMfcrfbances i. If is • hx^'^itiAtBtSdmiot^tiMMk^U^ of the'
IMtih'^Att<»&f^ i' dAifittifiA ofhets have feJt the like. If they *
obfe^^ t*« pwulfefr Sti^ahj^nefi dtid Ihj^idfkfs of f he Tem]pttf tiort ^ ' Ca*rtiofttlflfu!«Wi^t«ytfc*ift«fc(4f an wp^ighf Sbi^D- Chfifil met' withthelike. ^m^ih^'i^^iVi^ t^ ^^e^ B/ifJiwmy it felf in the highcft degree. •m>'!/j > C 2 ' Secondly,
i
Tcntationcm
20 7i JCteatife of : Bart IIL
Secoii4Iy> There i$ a good advabtaae to be miide of them > they wt^rtfimumi fiom other Sis^ wt ^i^oold othetwife 0k>w upon us.
Thirdly^Thcfe Tcmi^ationstothe uptight do but aimieSataii's bff^flnfmj^.in tbem^. and therr greater Sp^^^Hiiy' of me danger. eypcnimtur The Captivated Sinnctscomplai a not fomiKh^ occaufc they aie acYcntiunt Ivi, <b Inured to Temptation, that they mind not Satan*s fiequcnt qui c)^ jinmK> acceffcs. He thi findiex Htunility^ k more fen^k of a Temftaihn t^ A^' ?!"; Pridey than he that HfronJU
2l"ln lo? .Secondly, This is alfo of i\fe to thofc that arc apt to be cai/f^
dent upon their SucceiTes again A Sin thrpi^gh Grace. Sataa Tthey mayiee} will be upon theih again, \ So that they nmft bdia^e themfelvesas Mariners^ who when they have got the Harbour, and are out of the Storm, Mend their ^hip, and Tackling, and> prepare again for the Sea*
Laftly^ If weconfider the unfpotted Holincfs of Chrift, and his ^n Aant Integrity under the(e Temptations, that they left/ not the leaft of taint or (inful Imfr^on upon him » we may obforvc, ^ olf. 6. That there may be Refutations ^ mtbout leaving a totteb of Guilt er
Jmjwrity behind themt^n the 'temptedm
'Tis true, this is rare with Men, the beft do, feJdom go dowr^ to the Battel^ but in their very Conquefts they receive £omtwmnd. And. in thofe Temptations that arife fromouir 9P^n hearts, we are never Without fault ) but in (uch as do folely ari(e from Satan,theit is a poifihility V that the upright may fo keep himfelf,that the ividb' edone may notfi totteb htm^^ as to l^ave the print of his Fiog^s W hind him*
But the great difficulty is^ how it may be known when Tcmpta*
tions are from Satan^ and when from tmrfelves f
To Anlwer this,! (ball lay down theie conduiions.
^Firft, The fame Sins which owrpwn natuntvfGoid fi^ggeft tons,
may alio be irqeSed by Satan. Sometime ire; begiti by the forward'
working of our own thoughts upon oeeafimi and objeSk .pce(ented
:% , tousfromivf^lKMf^, prfromthe/^>ii^ofpurowiiI«c/A»ii<iit,,witfa-
Out the offer of external Qbieds, and then lfotanyh'%fi;i with its . fometimes i?<i^^;f begins with us, and by his inje&ed motions en- ' deavourj to <apd>e our Inclinations) So that thejime thing may be ibmettniefiom mrfetves^ and (bmetinoes/iviii Satan.
»■
Setondly,
SetbticUfi Thcie is no Sin fovUe^ but our omt heart might pot . fibly /^miiw it withoat Sttan, evil thoughts of the' very wo r ft kind, asofA&r/ier/, Adidtmts^ tbtftf^ Falfeffltnefs^andi^taf>^^.iS'i9i ]>hemiet^ mscf (asCtiiftfpcaks) be produced naturally from our ownheartsi for fcminally all Sins, the very gitatert of all Impie- ties ard there: So that from the greatneff^znd vilenefs of the Temptation we cannot ^i/S/ii/rfy conclude , that it is from Satan, no more than from the cmmoanefi of the Temptation,' or its //«f- ' al^hnefs to our Inclination, we can conclude infaSibly that its firfi . rije is from our Jilves. * .
ThircHy, There are many cafes wherein it is very rfr^cn/^, if not altogether ii^pdlible to determine, whether our ojvn hearty or iStf/4;i gives the^iyflife or breathing to a Temptation. Who can determine in moft <>r<ii/?tfJ3f cafes, when our thoughts are working - upon ObjedS prcfrmed to ourSenfes, whether Satan or our own thoughts dorun fatter ^ Yea when fuch thoughtsare notthe cofifi-' quint of any/arwfroccafion, it is a work too hard for moft men to determine which of the Parents, Father, or Mother, our own Heart^oxSatan^isfirJi in the fault > they are both forward enough," andufuallyjijyii.hand in hanS with fuch readinefs^ that hemuft • have acurious Eye that can difcover certainly to whom the firft' beginningistobeaforibed.. . ^ , -
The difficulty is lb great, that fome havejudged it altogether ImfoJlihletf^ f^y^zny certain marks by which it may be determined ^^ / t when they are ours^and whenSatans. And indeed the difcove- Vmu c.T/^* ries Jaid down by fome are not fu£5cient for a certain determinati- $< i. * on, and fo far lafTent^ that neither tbeyid^ii;ie/> of fuch thoughts Cfor the motions oFour ownLufts may be fudden> nor the horrid • nefs. of the matter ot them, are Jufficitnt no«es of diftinftion* That our own conupt hearts may bring forth that which is unnatural and terrible, cannot be denyed. Many of the Sins of the Heathens mentioned in Kom. i • were the violent productions of Lufi againft natural Principles^ and to afcribc theft to the Devil as to the firft InfiigatoT) is more than any man hath warrant to Jo > Yet* though it be confefled that mfinu cafe it is impoflible to diftin* . giiifliymd that where a diftindion may be made, thefo notes men- ^ tioned axe npt/«//y&tis(adoryy there may (I believe) ht fome cafes wherein there is a poflibility to dijiover when the motions " aie from Satan^ and that by. the addition of kmtremark^h cir« ' comftances to the foreaamed marks of difference.
Fourthly,,
Cdfd. Tempt. Fourthly, Thoughitbctruc Cwhidifpmclky) that (ia itooft Pan i^c. 4. ^fes) it is needUfi altogether to fpend (W time in difputing whe- ther the motions of Sin in our minds are iirftly from our felves or from Satait) our great^ buiinefi being rather to refifi tfaem, than to ^^Jiremre them > Yerthere are,/jpaMZcafes,whercmitisvery«f c^aty to Hnd out the triM! Parent of a finful Motion, andthefeait^ when tendef Confcicnces are wounded and opprefled with viehtt zndgreat Temptations, as Blafiermw 7bougbtf^ Atbe^ical ObjtQi* onsy 8rc For here Satan in his furious moleftations aims mainly at this, that fuch Afflided and Toffed Souls fliould-take all theft Thoughts which are obtruded upon their Imaginations, to be the KTie of their own Heart. As Jofifhs St€\92ixd hid the Cup inSei^^* mins Sack,that it might be a ground of accufation againil him: Co doth the Ddvil hril oj^efs them with fiich Thoughts,- and then accnfetb them of all that Villany and Wickednefi, the Motions ^ whereof he had with fuch Importunity forced upon them i and
Co apt arc the afBided towiwp/j^with Accufationsagainfl: them- felves, that they W/«;< it Is fo, and from thence conclude thaf " they are given upof God,hardnedas Fharsob^ that they have fin- ned againil the HolyXjboft^ and finally that there is no hdpe ofmer* cy for them. All this befalls them from their Ignorafta of Sitans dealings') and here is their great need to difiit^Jh S^tans Malice from their guilt.
Fifthly, Setting a^e orJinofy Temptatkms^wherein it is ndtber
Copoffible^ UQT fo material to buiy our fclvcs to find out whether
they are Satan's or ours ia tiefraordittory Temptations (fitch as
have been now inftanced> v we may difcover if they p-oceed 60m'
Satan Cthou^h not (imply from the rMUr o£ them, hot from the
fuddennefs and mUfendeney of them, yet) frona a due confiderati-
on of their natxrt and manner offtocccding^mifaHd with ^he pre*
fent temper and diipoiition of our, heart As .
Firif, When ttnujkd Ttt&fitkXiOTiSintmde upon us withani&iVi^
ll!xpIeruraque-&^^^i«!/JO'^^^ Violence, white our tbm^h^r.^,^ iJ^hmt^^ cGn-
fuggccunr^qtis ccrned ami taken up» Tefr^pt^tians ax>rc Jgreeabti\ tb o^t Incli-
rain^^'kd" "^^°^ thoughiitt/A«i^ ajjifiilgA^^ pre-
dc '& "^^T.^' fented, and wadually peo^edieg, iftci the Manner atttk inrt^k- •
tim, ita tt iog of natural Paflions, iiaay/^^iaattadifcothcV TtKki^fs, or
mens fui com- ' .... . , ,
pos mancat in ipfearfhr,. ha; duTeik^ impbtu plufquai^ humane irmehresi faJgiuis igftari o^n quam folcnt paflioiws dkttioctic:^ 5 '^; ^rt^i^rhwttJtftt \ , U; 2! r. 7. j; (f. ^
: , ..I f i -. H . .vi w j.f --'..« *
AdVions
. _. ^^*-4.
f
Chap: '4: datattt'K Xtmptntions* 1 j
A Aioiii th« have tio tendency that way, and yA we cannot Co ekarly accufe Satan for them : but when rtiings tiiat have not the tncmragtmait of our AfftSiont tit fcy Sijudden violence enforced up- on us, while wt are othetwifc concerned, we may jaftly fulped Satan's hand to be in them, ^
Secondly, While fuch things are bom in upon us, againft the^, . . aSual Immg^ firtnkpUi reluSancy^ and high complainings of the i^^^aSl Scdl' when the* Mind Is fiilecf with hmcfur and the Ifody with auWuttatt- ' trembling at the prefence of fuch Thoughts. Sins that Owe their tuin nonpeaws firft original to our fdves,raay indeed be rej^td upon their ^r/f rifinc "pf^n^JM*^^ up in our Mind i and though a'Sandified rfeart doth truly loai^ l^^i^^^^^l thec^yet are they notwithout ibme Wer ^^ee*of ticktingjdelight tim diditari upon the iJcdxbns. for the Fklb (in tho|fe ca£b) prefently rt/ifA fentit,8rdokt, up with itsli^infTfiifox thcfinful Motipn; but when fuch unnam- ^jg^endani ral Temptations are from Satan, tjfeir ^reappearance to the mind datura veUe- is an horror without znyJenfihU wbrkmg 01 Inclination towards pnw^ariflTiftia them> and the greatnefe of the Soufs difquiet doth fliew, that it 5f"^''^l5^^^ hath met with that which the AflFecaions look not on with any ''^^"' *^''^- amicable compliance. * '
Thirdly, Our Hearts may bring forth that which is mnatfiral in itielf^ and may give rKe to a Temptation that would be horrid to the thoughts of other men, but that it fliould of its own accord (without a Tempter) on kjitdden bring forth that which is dirtHly contrary toitsfrefent Lights Keafon^ or Inclination i As for a man to be haunted with thoughts of Atheiftn, while he is under firm perlwalions that there is a God \ or of Blafphemy, while'he is im- derdefigns of honouring him, is as unimaginable, as that our thoughts fliould of themfelvescp^^ive our Death, w.hile we are > moft Solicitous for our Lift > or that our thoughts fhould foberly tell us it is Night, when we fee the Sun fliine. Tem^ations that are contrary to the frtfent flatty pcftttre^ l^ht^ and dijpojition of the - Souly are Satans. They are fo unnatural, as to its prefent frame^ that^the produdion of them muft be from fome other .
Fourthly, Much more evident is it that fuch proceed from Sa- - tan, when they are of /p«gc*«twiw;zce and ft?;7/ftf/j^ Trouhls^ when they fo inceflantly beat upon the Mind, that it hath no refl from • them, and yet is under greivous perplexities and anxieties of: mind about them. I
The-
14
jtfflic.
z %tzmu of
Part. HI.
The Conficlmtioii of this is of great ufi to thcrfe dut fufiet unaer the violent huniesoffitan^ Temptations. Aliud eft tea. Firft, In that fbmetime they can juftly complain of the JSiai. MtiS S: "" ""^^^^ Temptation, when they have no reaibn to eharge it pere. Tentari "!»« themfelvesas their Sm. *Tis onethmg to.bc umted^zni « non in ten- another to Confatt or Comply > to be ten^udy and not a be brouria
*'*•' *-" »«» temptation^ it not Evil. Satan only Barks when he sL
geftSi but he then Bites and Wounds when he draws tis to
totioMm ferJ into temptation^ it not Evit. Satan only Barks when he Swti perfcvcr. I i.conient,
Mordct Sacan cum ad confenfam trakitf latrat folum cum fuggcrit. Bimard.
Secondly, That not only the 5/»f, but the 2>ffwe alfo (by ' juft Confcquencc; is to be meafured by the C«5ew of the Heart, if we conlent not, the Sin is not ouis, and the left degree of confcnt wegivc, the lefi is in theSin.
i
CHAP]
chap-jif ^mwM%tmpmioM, ij
MxTrs. 4.1.
♦
Jbii i»hm he had Pafted forty dajfs ani forty n^ks^ he was afterwards an hundred.
C H A P. V.
OfCkrifis Fafi^ mth the Dejign thereif. Of Sdtsns
fM^t^g m M Im/ifitle ivdjf^ OfhisinceffdMliisifartitm''
- ties^ dMhmhejfyesr»he»riJ0ed. * (^ ifMArdtcm^td^
tionsjpffithMtipdrd Afflictions. ; Severd advdmtdges Sd*
tdH hdtb ly tempting in Affliction.
'•• •■> " ■•• .4-.,..
. - . .
^ . ' ■ . '. • ■ • • • •?
IhVi next to ex}^aiti fbe Fii^ oT Chrift> the £ni) and Deiign whereof (became 'tis hot expreHy inentionecl) is varioufl/ GOfii)ei^ur^ ) Not to tnfift in this Di{couir(e, which is defigned ffHrPrfi^ice,pn the Controvoiv about the QugdrageiimalFaft^that which I &aU fii^ confider, is the Opinion of Af«/a«/iir, who (upon M$tfcfAm ^ik»^PfO^^?t^^^ was.not the Principal thing, for whicbloc^ t^ Sfuf it, Udh^MV^ the^ildemefs^ fort he was led not to Faft^ but tpiht,4emf^'^ tlioreupon) concludes^ that this was pvlj a eonjfiguent pfhis Solitary conditipn in the Wildernefs, and no odier tlung than what beJEel 2k&/e/a^^ by
God to fti^nd hinv ill ffv^h a Service where the ordsnaty means of t)]e vSuppo^rf of Ijfe were wanting, were therefore kd^ alive by hxv^^iBp^Mraardmaryy^^ thus , he thinks the
faftii}gwasnQt (atle^prmcipally) de^ned^ but that he being toundctgoa TempUtioninadeiblateWildernels where he had no Meat to £at,j. thqre Godf efhained his hunger, (b that he nei« ther delired nor needed- any. / If we acquicfce in this, jt will af- lord, this JPQOTifP^
la
T}>at
i^ ' ;x ICteattfe of ^ Part.m.'
Dod.!. J%ai tififen G(^ kadi fmb bk Children to JM
- avridMytkfriw rffwf t?f rot tfnbury wasKttff Mf" tft fifpflj^ ^Bsftrt God is engoj^edtogheextracrdinitfySuffort^ and his Feofle mayex* fed it accordingly. - \ x ' \', -'
This is a gr^atTrutKin ftleB^ an3 a great and neceiTaryEn- coui^ement to all the Childretrof God that axe caHed *oiit to Stiaits i But I fliall not infift dn this as the Genuine pnx!iK^ df thisFaft..
If we look further amongfl Vrot^snt Vhines > we (hall oUerve Jt-uken fys ^futed, that Cturift fafiedupoR Ddi^ and this is generally reduced to thofcttpo fieads.
Firft, either for InfimSion s as tp dejw that he was God^ by Far (ling Q> long^ and that under the trimbk of nEiolefting and di(^piiet- ipg Temptations 9 wher^theFailsoflifceda(eiBA&jZxw£ZMr were accompanied with the qtud repofe of their fhou^ts : Or to ftew that he was idan^ in that he really ftlt the nc^wral infinntties -ofthefaunfutnenatirc^inbeingihiMj^ry: Or to teach us the li/^irfr ff^/ofFafiing lathe general^ whea fit occafions invite us there* to. Or, Secondly, For Confirmation df his I>o^ne,to put an Mmomt and Vid-i^i^Az/i^t Dignity pponhis Enfloyment i as ^E/mt. Fafted at the r^oring of Hjrm.mioc. Rophdy, and at the refcmnation ^ asMb)?/ Failed at thc »7i#^^^
of the Law : So Chrift htgan the Goipel of the Kingdom with fa^ fting. Howeverthattheie things cannot be (pokenagatnfl^bdi^ Conclttfions warrantaUy deduceable from this Aftof Chrifts > yet tiiefefeemnot (in my z^dttnfSon) to come folly up to the proper end of thisundertakmg of his > which ieemis not oUcurel^ tobe laid before us^ inthat Paflage ofld^ 4. 2. hmgfhrtj^. day$ fenced of the Vevily andintbofidaysbe didt^t nothing ; where w^ lee that his being temf ted forty days was the prineipal thing, and ^ that his F^f^tkd a plain rlferme and re^ea to his Temptation^ Thus far (I (uppofe) we may be (ccure, that we have thedef^ in the general, that his FafKhg was in ^^ to his Temptation* But then whether this was dcSgMdzszttoedtfhn of the Teitipta- tions, or as a remedy ag^tinftthem, '^tisnotfoeafyto ^f ermine. Thatone of thofe Catlcaft) was intended, cannot be dcnyed by thofe that will grant that his Faft related to. the Combat i and it fecms not to labour of any r^ft^ancy or abftirdity, . tf we iay that tis poffible that both thefe ends might be aimed at, and acootd-*
ingly
10^1 AaOpioeeedioolrfbrve upon theiku There«€ onlf i6me
omr'thmgs to be Art dilpatched otK of the j^jsy :As
- thimrimgM of the Faft^ whyii ^as fbrty <ky$, ntH^tmft
mtUfii Thoughfoitie ^tidvtlitmt iol^v^i Maihn^^ it, nbt on)f A^^m&M dob.
Tffi^ '(wh6 dceodlhig totheir WDt)t» »e fidictilofti^nd friflifi^ Evan.jnioc.
hiCfhiskmcter) butattbFftfrvjf^nr/, luppofing that IbtM tegtod
Cwas or ought to be) had to Yi^fidfiimg^ti&x!^ of the F^s of
Mi/er'and £/fii^ 9 Yet I thhik ^is fieif h«lr peitinefit noi (afe to de-
tennihe aiiy thkigabovtit^ onlt i% irfifefTe$to ud that the conti^
ikiiaiiceofthi^wa^ aCDfUtdefabk t^
We are more concerned to enquire whether Chifift wasunder ^'i»«^of' Teftijptaftion s&ikmam : whfc6 tho^^ Ibttie deny, ^/^^^^ >» kft f hey fhbuld tetout a ftetnitii eontradidf^K^ among the Eirjit^ ^)}/4 yet thcu^ids of £*% ate fo eit^efi, {bemg fitly Jkytlxi^^ c #«»i^l^^fi^&€rf(] thatnotolkrabk EHrafioncata be found to ^itft thefeTetn|Stati(m^t<>fh6exid'pf thefe^ ^ys> fbrhetdlitis^ hewas notoidyten^d^/kpthe £^a^l^dftl^ef^ ^
that he was tempted dming the continuance of the ^brty days bo M^h onty there wara di/fofence in the J&W/ of tbe(e Teitiptati^r 0#i5 in regaidof the n^^wherem Satan managed dien^ and thb aHais ftl^fet dbwn^ hfMMk {AnMbki tJteTiMfirii' csmtehim^ which with the other Esqpieflion of LtJks compared, ftews us, HM'difkn^ <he i^t of the fbfty d^ys ^tad ' usi^ud Chrift;' atod yettamenin #«iM«i till^/Wfmjrdllthat is^ hemanagedthofeTempta^ tions in an Invifible way. Hence we may note, ' * ^^ S0iun doth uJkMy iemff in onlnnrifMe "sPOjtJiniHumner. Dod. 1^ . TJp Explain this a little, liball Evidenceif by albW.Cbnfiderati^'
Fifi!, ThathelMha^handinallSins fiiftorlaft, and then k ' inuft needs l>e in an Ino^Ue way, hiswtek is totempt, to go . about,]aying Snares taibaw men to Sin* Wid^ Mm mt rftMt
Father the Ikint^ 2nd do his Woiks. Carnal defies are tk£ii#/Vjoi,g,^.
giving way\o Aiiger^ isgnAtigft^M $0 fbt Pife' f^ tnd refilling of Bpher.4. ^>»7*
Sin is called in the iGenenil, a r^ifting if the Ve^ &c. In alTthis- Js^m. 4. 7.
workof Si6m, mendoiiot/lehim> when hej^ e?if Motions
into thenr Hearts they do not |«mm him^ and therefore doth he
his work in an Inv^ble way.
Sec«ndly> We have fuffident difooverie$of thcle frit^Me Path*
of his : for (t'O Some time Tietemp»^V/'*^^» ^^ tempted.
^byhis Wfci CH^by Fit&. (:^i) Sometimeby TimrnatOh^
is 7L icteatifc a Part, m j
jtOr^ ashediew outifdkNi/Covetoofiid^.aiid Vrndt^nodevt^ sefi by the Eye. (5O Sometime by LqeOifig Thougjbts and M(Vi tionstoourMind* C4*) Sometime by e«yifiiigaaliw^fePffii^ €f upon our Bodies^ in flining up the humors (hereof to pio« voke CO Paffionor EzoefliVe Miiuu AH thde ways (of whichi • have dilboaifed befixe more hUrgdy ) are Secret acid InvilUde, and by (iich as die(e he moft ufually tempts.
Thirdly, The Wiles, Depths, Secrets and Devices of Satan» ivhich the Scripture tellsus are his moft fiuniliar Ways and Cour- &&, they in their own nature I^iply a ftudyed or defigned fisnejf
Fourthly, He hath peculiar 'Risfons of Poliey lor his Isvifide way ofdealing > fot the l^vifibk he is, the I^S^Umsuxc his ; Defigfi^ andconfequentlythe/e/T^lH^ By
^hisway he infjipuates himfelf £> into our Bo^ms, that be gees « /)stfrfv«« iir agam ^fm we are aware > whereas m vaii\
(he Knows J. he (bouldfjprad his Na^ if his DeCgns and Enauty. were difiovmd^tq us. jipplic. -' '^^^inpfiiteachustoyil/^ Satan where weieeiiimnoc^ and
fi) to ccmverie widb Obj^and Ocoifionsas (till fearing that there; oi^y be Anffminh^h4i a Iccriet Snare laid for us tp mtiap us al; - unawares* ,■....•.
If we a^m^caft.ourEyes.npcm what (lath been (aid, that (^tflwi»ternptedid7#&eF^Afy/, ItwiUthengiveustUsOb- iervation, ObC g. . ib0i S^MUfi^tetitfii itc^^ and fds tfoB m
tphb e$ntinit€dJmp(in9Mtks.
Here we may note a diftindion of Temptations (befides diat
of Inviiible and VifiUe^ of which I have fpoken) that ^me are
mwabk and Jhmfits^ and as it were skirmijhtry in which he flay$
not long,and others are mM fixed and durable, we maycall thotn
Solemn Temptations, in which Sat^ doth-as it werej^tVdb dovm
his Tents, and doth mafiag^ a long Si^ againfl us. , Of thefela&
fort is this Obfervation. - . . ;
Thus he tempted Pm^ continuing his Aflaultlot fi>me time
»Cor. U.S. before he dcparted,Thusalfo he d»lt with 7tf/epi who was fo^^
Gen. 39. xo. ted day by day for along time together. , Of thcfe lihaU note a
few tiling. As, • . , %
Firfi, Such Temptatipxisarenot without zSi^eud OmmJ^an. He cannot indeed tempt at all withpu^ teave, but bt^e^rdinarv
courfe
cotuie of his Tdnptations he hatth a general Cominiffioii under fuch f^aints and lioiitations as pleafeth the moft High to put upoA him, hut in thefihciouft have a Sfedd Otder, as we fee in Job't •Cafe. ''.[},. ^: .;:•
Secondly, Such Temptations? have MIR>a Special Gmnd. %ithtt thepre(ent5'#tf*eandP6ftureofour Cbndition is fuch as^atan * apprehends highly advam^om for his defign,and theftfotehe de^ fires tq have the sri/i«mMii^ of us at :^ a Sea^^ 6r there are ' more than^^i»i^2'#^i('ir/ and Iflclmations in our heart to what we are direftly tempted to, or to fim other confequent defign: theie animate and encourage him to high refolves of pso&cutfaig us moredoTely^upon ane^qpedation that a continued-SbUidtation is moft likely to pierail at the long run. ^ Thirdly, It is pofllible that fitch Temptations may ftand oai againft the Endeavours of iiM0y Prayers, and that we (hall find dieyareaotibeainyihakenoffasthel^ that was upon tofd/ hand/ Faid (2 Cor. 1 2. %.) jprayed^lrieeagainft the Mef(enger of Satan, that is^ (as ^inv and others mterpret) he^ Frayed ofhn gnd fervently, andyct it departed not.
Fourthly, Such Temptations ^ve no r^norinteirmiilion, men 4ute bu2q|fi4;Mil dogged by tbern^ what way feever they go; .; they lUIl heeur.the^fikme things^ and 'ca^^ot command' thenf thcAi^ts to ^Ve an exchtfion to his Motions, but fiill by renewed diilputes'andarguingSyOrby c^^Miin^i^jiiImportimities^ they are vex** ed and tormented": which fnrely (hews an high degree of eameft^ nels at}d Impidency in Satan.
Fiftyy, .Thcfe arc confequently vafy ImrJenfime^ exceeding Irtelbmc attd Tixelbme to us% Paul^lls them Sttfetir^s^ their trouble and moleAition. Satsm fo molefted fob in his Affliftion by inward accufations and troubles of tenor, that as an ouermmed man hecries out he had no quiet, and ^at he wasdKappdhted of hjs hope of eafe, in flcep, Ixxaufo he; was then Jhared with dreams
Sixthly^ Thefe are alio upon a fpif^id defign m God's part ^ *ei- * ther tojSMKsnm^;,, ahdto keep us doing, or to fretfent Sin and Mifcarriage :t to %i^ down our pride, left we fliould be exalted 4« tove meajure \ to asMlkpi us from Slothfulnefs and Security, left ^
we (houIdyeii/^uPi^Mo^Xee/ > ortobeahA:c4i^ofhis€f4ci,and[ ^
9n« Evidence ofhts Eomerin oM pitfervation^ fiitisfying' uis; and o« thers, thsrt^indiegieaieftSkAksofourSFifitiial Battel, lisC'iraci
n
:l
3® ZXUSltitttit ^:aLm.
ftfiSctentfarm, Upon tMe, and TikIl like de^ns as thde; doth the mod: wife God penait it. ..^^
> Sev£|ithlY^ Stfa^dodb Ror attempt .Temptadoia flf thB'««i but apon ajp«eiWrff%«, andthktdtharbecaufchehopesbyaW ^eat wd ffr^mm Imfomofity at Icagdi no picnifl, w tfa^fc
- would A/e^hirofcIftoowk^ as i for fottlythcemandoomolaiB: ingsatfiods Children arcMufickinhisEaisi or at kaft, udot a de%n to dtfautwe us in ourServices, and to make warfcr «&rTemptarionsoO*p»»««;^ .WjrjiA«iy,lJ^frir, &e. witt* are as a Refcrve or AmMbfljcntlaid in wak&rus. ThelnfeS (cstrom faenc^ are theft two.' ■
-^-A- I. That the Children of God onder fiicb Temptariods may be en.
couraged under a/^/f«t a^atum hjf coti&kmthktCiaig^ undqio the likg Mudu fiomSataa; »tis in-ie^edicns anddif-
, hcMtiwjg, .bjit5»h?yBHiyfee» . . ,..-..
.^irft, That Jis w<>C»)ubkiii«M, ^rOattoHhtMani
therefore they (houWnotfiinituwfcrit.. ;.:!.,.. ."^
&con«lly, Tipt Gwe kfi^fdm tb pretervt fion^the prmOnn
? ?!u"°i?^'^ Temptacjpns, eteo there, whereour mW
IyFatherthinksitnotfeto/w(<n«usfiointh* iwi^j^ of rfittn
lCor;I..r^y^^"^f^»^<t*eh|gh<^Sec^ritythat.th«iRttt^^
on afford, thaiTkmpt^ions. fliaUnetbe ibonSMlig^i or ttJ Abihttr, th^t Ihall he given thcw i he tells them thpr ari W ^ f xpedalways fudj aids as OiaU pEd£otly.dixM«n»ithe Temoea" tton th?t it inuft ininiedia(9|y Fan^, <« Aatthrir T«ripeaS« ihall become hght and cmem]Aible^ hulthw Gods FjaEk* ^illb^afurthp: engaged in the Ge»enri, itfaaa jft.;. to toS ihctt Tempt^tjons; tol^raWe, that /i6»y .»»« &. obM^he^thmt thoughnotwithwc nfwchto do. (aj ThtttheiM«^B«a**ifcaB becoiKurrm with tBec««»aa»ce<rf"theTenipta«k)Z th^^^h the Temptation abide, yctwefliaUbeaidedundetii. fa^^rS yet hew as wffulof:*^ hclpin Teoif!t«ions,;..as. he i^widvZ rommiflSonate thcm,when needrequhes^hisrefibwAaiwcffioiiS he temped, 9qd hisrflWves tfa^t w« Ihouldhcfuccouiwl -JZ
H#Wn;,uchkaa/w»#rythattfa«y fl».dd5Sa V Mr f^nr ir^*of<areandJoyeiB.qod i. m rsOaoSt^vAwrt^^SS
a q««re t^^ «vWy,pjroiifine(s 9nd iwUo»t«bai« JBiftrSrifff^ was 9jpfi averfetp: the m of Siii, wItt washi^idb m^sh^
againfl
Cks)^f. ifea&n'i1Cempf«fontf; yi
. »8iWlwl»i»th*e#w*ap^ ftouH prevail^ yet^vas
. Sl«**K^*fi^<!***"i^^«*'W^ wW concetti 'tis to 4;^^'^. ».
«ifc;Ar«#«*flR^d«L k»rf^^ to A<rCbtmfcIof f;i»«.-4:7: Re^.
<K(fM3r* »»tihtt^e«k)ttc fo, anrf jret the Temptation is theObj^a.' fame, and ftill continue;?
Jifm* Kfft, ^Tknot enough to rf/^, bat we mu/l eo^f / we to iii^. i. io (b* S6mt make limiied renihnces, as befieged Perfons, that fitatteefbi^tht&E' holding out, and then if they be not relieved at that time^ fbey yield 9 but we muft refblve zferpttual tefijiance^ zi kaga^th^Teitlptation/4/?/ 9 when one hand is beaten oflf, we mnfttold by another > wlien both axe beaten c^ we muft (as it were) hold by our Teeth.
Seccmdiy, In a faithful refiihuice) we may vafi the Whole mat- tatuffinGad^ and eng^gehimintheQijairel^asP^ii) ImTlfay iM^thd^ n4yk^thmfiffal^nme> 8cc.
' ^HtO. But how is if confiftent with Truth that the Tempta- bbjcft tion fliODtd continue, . when Jamtr tells us^ that Satan mtlfly upon
^;^.i« Itmiybe, theRefiftanceisnotasit oughv md CoAmfw.u dieUameisOursV If We be not /emir, fas (btne who defie the' Devil in wovds, and refiift him by croflSne themfelves, things wfaidi donbtfefi the Devil laughs at) or if In the Cof^Jence of a ptefinnmuous Br^mnA?, or if not with that IhmHity and Care that isiequifice, It witKbe no wonder if he depart not.
^Sccotihft^ Hed0th ffy at every refifbthce tpmeortejiy he doth
S'ine Ucj^ud'ls-dfl^uraged^ and is a lofei^ by every Oppo-
Thirdly, Tfalcm^ the Scripture % that he ffaall fiie^ (that is, fbonevorlat^) ytcitdothiiotfay, that he ihall do 10 Imieir^^e/^ (thc)uflhino(lufii;^ti^dqth(b)Where he is peremptorily rejeded) but InifiMneGale^ iSiAe muft be allowed, for the Devil Cas it is m d&r^^ fhAds fike a Foaming Dog fcntching
and windng^his Tinl^ ahd if any thiilg be given hini, it makes him tmpontmave for more 9 yet though we give him nothing, we oannot'exped that the firft or fecond denial (hould make him ceafe his trouble v as he hath been encoiuraged hyfirmir C&mflian^ . cer, (b will he not be difcourdged^ but wim many and conHmud denials*
If
Okf:^
• -
If weconCder the F4/I ofClun^ as^ M«4^dd^edb7<3od For an ddvaniage to Ac Temptation, and then look ppon his con- dition in the Wilderne(s bebg uader bazardsiEanB wild Beaftsan janint of neccflaries, and without zfc^UayofCixpfiie^ki QxmBxd way, and alfo undcrthc difcomfarts (^ CoH^ bngNi^ts (fir
t^ht/M according to the conjedarcs of (bmc this was aboutoqr OSOn
Mir«. in loc. andNwwuAer^Thenwemayobferve^ .
'tbat ^tis Satanf tpoy^ tofieond ouhpord Tiiflrtffef ami ME^km mth inmard teriMations. We fee the like carnage of Satan^ to- ward 7^*. His Afflidion was followed with many 'Temptations all his Friends, in urging him with Hypocrify, wei^ nO other than parties to Satans DeCgn, though they knew it not ama* rentlyi his Wife is fet on hy the Tempter, Cas the Swpcnt m& Eve) to provoke him to c$trje Go4 and die. Befides all thisi^ vdio^ .^ver&allconfider, what inward warkgigi of Hca^t^ SMhial ' t^oiAIe^iwl oonflift, his words frequently exprefe : they will quickly find, that when God put Job intOvSatans hand, unden that only limitatwn of not touching i// I^t^ he gave Satan a Li- berty to purfiie him witK i/w^i Temptations, aswellaStfjKftr^i .Vexations. When Ifiael was pinched with the flraifs of the WilderneG, Satan was mqft hufy with them, to puf the© ubon PiftrulJ, ; Mui-miuing, RevoltVdifobedient.ORpofeions, Jdolatrv; ^d whatnot? J>md ^^vcs in his experience to confetti tto Truth, he ncverjnet mih«»to but he hadalfew-
wlico they have j^ijgi^/ mthoia, iheyliivc fe^t fWifcaufmByj' fcMcOT have the|^5. Sickne% or^meet ^jthifid Pwjfideflfc^ .^t* they haye Satan.bufy with thek Souk,,«}okJ^ng .th«?r ^crcL or
I.uk. «. , J. tt'J^VM^A^A^' '^oth^f .-y^jf. -: m ^mtlm*mfonds 1 P«. li. 5' *?^ 0"f^?'P ^ W5 and ?r»«*le«BC.«lJf^%a5»Jfc^i^
iicmdcei dye Solemn Seafiht, that Satatt-defcet to-ioprove^ . that end i and. fqr that is it that X*^ expr<^«h that- ;wiach we trannatf , atiAe ofTemftation,- by K«tp«i ?ij/p«<r/*if, .whidi fieni- . Jifsan acafion or opportunity of Teinptatjpn. ' • ' i .
• . •
The
.1
Tbe Temptations that Satan drives on, upon the advantage of an A£9ided Eflate 9 are tbefe.
Firft, To drive men upon In^atim (Mhreakffigs againft God,as the Ifraelites in the Wildemefs, tutn upon Majfis with this, Hafi ihm brought us info the JFildernefi foflay Ht? To this tended JoVf Temptation by his Wife, Curfi God and dit, as 'tis in our Tianfla- tion, which cannot in any wife admit of the excufe, thatfie«if makes for her, as if (he gave whoUbme advice, to die, bl^g tf <iodh becau(e he reprover her (harply, as having CwkenfM^ly and wickedly > butatbeA, 'tisanIronicdScofrat/i9^/Integrity,P4^ thou blefi God While thou art ki^ by his difpl^ure ? if it be not a ^jre£f fuggeftion ofreyengefol defpite. At fiich times Men are * too apt to entertain cruel tnoughts of God^ and fadly refle(Sive upon hb Mercy or Jullice.
Secondly, In this poilure of Afflidion he ffarives to put thetp upon dhrefid -conelufiouf againft themielves, as if God caHea folemnfy their Sinto remembrance, and that they zstforfaksn of God, and iMr%J out for deftrudion') thepledg and eameft whereof^ they take thefe troubles to be. We way obferve that David's Afflidi- ons awakened his Confcitnce, to objed guilt and miicarriage, fo that he is as eamefl: to deprecate the marking and remembrance of his Sin, as he is to pray againft his troubles. For this fee ffal. 2^.6,7. Pfal. 38.1,4;
Thirdly, He puflheth them ufually upon contempt of Religion, and abandoning the ways ofQod : We are too apt to blame Reli- gionforallourTroublesiandas weexped that our owning the ways of God fliould fecure us from outward Afflidion, fo when we find it otherwi(e> we are too forward to fay, we have vpafhedomt handrtnvain, &c.
Fourthly,The Sin t^Vifirufi is another evil that he drjves at > he would have Men conclude that God caunat, or irifl not deliver. Can God prepare a Table in the JFildern^f (aid the IfraeUtes, by the power of Temptation, when they were diftrefled.
Fifthly, Another Evil aimed at in fuch a cafe^ i^, to put us up- . -. i>n indireH Courfis and. ways to efeape from our Troubles. Sant\:^ went to the Witch ofEndor, when God anfwered him not. Di- ©"r. '
ftrefles naturally prompt (uch things, and a little Temptation makes us comply, as is noted by the wife Mens defire, Give me not poverty, left I put out my Hand and StealV Diftreffes of Poverty put men upon Theft and unlawful way$;
^ *Thc
^4 "MXtUimttt Part. UK
' The :Eearox3S of Satans teR^pdqg the AfiU^d are^ihefe.
YitR^ That outward Affliaions ^re a load and hurlben > thk gives a |MX>bab^ity) that hi^ deQgn^ oiay the better take |^ce. 'Tis eafy to ciuac^bMP Jihofc rth^ are bMiddatpn^ to ^i^thdfe th^t are hvuif^iL, x^ nufief\\iQk that ;aie imiry and nce^
. Secondly, AnAffllAed^EftateitsaTeoE^tatioBj/ ^ /e//; and naturally dilates evil 4ibii|gs ;. It is half of his de%(i broogbt to bis band) itaifords variety of matter for aTeoiptation to work on.
Thirdly, SuchaConditianAKQnglyi^l;^ a Tein^ptation, and * ..furnið ii|gny Ai^m^s fbir ainrevalency > for Troubles are feriom tbin£^,. they fpeafc to the Heart, and what they fpeak, thq^ {pczk fiercely'j they reprefent things otbmpifi^ than eofnoiDA difco- very c;an.do, and fbrtJI^e moA part, they (he W an In^nuity in fwdtiplying Fears, and ajfgp0Vating Hazard, and afi:eruUmng fiif* peded ^vients, fothat Saltan can jtcarce defire a fairer Hit, than
whatthefeoflfkhm* : '
Fourthly, They alfogive him th^ advantage of i^M^> (otto &ch, their >i^4n^ if W,and God hath he^ed them in, they neither know where my an > whether their trouble by a At^Jemem of ^ Sin, orfQrTry^/, or fi>r /m/e^ti^A of miicaociage, or to mak^ vpoy for more comfortable manife(lations> andas little kaow theyjl^v to^ bebavnbmfdves'm their Trouble » opri^ and ^hen to get out of it» In fiich groping uncertaintteSji 'tis (carce poffibIc> bat chey « {hould be put wrong.
Fifthly, An Affii^ed condition br4ngsoniFfjii^€/> and Indiffo- fition to duty ^ it makes the hands weak^ and the Knees feeble >
Job 4; y. This made fob to faint, this dryed up Davids Strength. The fitft
Aflault of to Afflidfondoth ftound the Soul, and put itinto fuch aconfufion, thatl^(^ turns tsack, andF^rfif^istofeek, and every Grace fo out of order, that a man fhali be unable tp do any thing of duty, in a comfortable RKUiner.
Sixthly, In thiscafe Men are 9pt to conclude their Prayers are not heoj^d: 1 cry in the day time and thorn beare^not^ {zys VawJL. Hath the Lordforgottut to he Grachuff And with fudi ieeming probability is this urged upon us by Afflidion, that Jdi profefletb, be could not believe his own Sence andKnowledg in CichaoJe.
Job 9. 16. Iflh^d ealkdy md^he haJt>anp»€Hi me^ yet mfnldJ not belim i^
hebadheatk^neduntomyVdlfce*^
Seventhly^
Job 3. 13*
Chap, f,- :^$tm's Xtmpmtons* fi
Seventhly, Afflidions ftrongly fix Guilt upon us, and rcprc- (ent God Stardring ota mr Irnqt^^m^ and- Enqmmg 4ift^ ^m -i^ i^^ ^^ Sin.
Ei^Iy, TheylmtiVterth^Sprnt, ^4 ^ff^ ^P^^^^ "P^ the roind,of very hard thoughts oi Goa. ^
h^inthly. They violently pufh Men on .toip^ak uftadvifedly : thtoei5^cha(we^g:F«i<iMM^ of the o)<l 2b«^;iiof ft!i2j(M^ce a2id piftaift in theMind^ that 'ti& matter offMiin and diflSi^ to be filen t^thur belly is 0S Wine that bath no vent hit is ready to hnrft l^ Jdb^i.i^ New Bottles y and they are weary mthforhtariitgiflndcanft^ and rouft fpeak let come on tbem rpbat will,
' AH' thefe advantages doth an Afflidcd CoiTslition bring' to Sap" ' tan > and who can think that he who is (b Studious of our ruine, will be willing to mi(a£)^ir aq qpp^ftuii&y?
Firft, This muft teadi us tohzvtztpatchfid Eye over AffiiBion^ AtplicAi thou^ at alt times Wie muft exped Satai^s Stratig^s, yet i^ ^ * ^ f rouoles efpecially prepare for them i according^ to the wife Mans • advice, in ads^vfsdvtrfity^ amfider. '
Secondly,. S^eing^Satan takes advanugeof the jharf hmrnwrs of Impatience and Diftruft, we muft be paiti^ukfly^.carehil^. i\Qt to touch too much upon the iE^^;i€^of our Troubles, becaufe this is that that fets fretting and diftr^diug thoughts on work. . AP* ffidions CSkt the Pillir of the Qoud and^Tftein cTie^^Wlderncfe). haveaL/g^and P^fHSj/ft^)?/ and accordingly thcfe* thatcohverfc • with tTieS^di;,//^ of Troubles, Irwenome then: Imaginations, and J^/5^ their. Thoughts with dW^andW^^w and in a
word, draw fiarth nothing, but the Wormwood znd'^€ Galhwhcti^' ' as thofe that Study and ^ievrthr light fiU^cfthctti^ are FuH oPprarfe ' znd admiration^ m thcffzcions mi^rttres^ conifortable Wf /g^»n/, encouraging SftfportT^ &c. whfch they obferve. /Tis WiOom then to keep upon* the right fidf of them. ,
. Thoujgh it be the defign of Qod to turn theiariy?^of the Cloud to usi Yet may wehave a eomfetettt Light to.gui je us, if we would ' i9^(weit s whttn tlie Sun is ftf, the Moon may ' be up. May 'tis ' our duty to ftrive to rearvcr the right fide of the Cloud > He bides thatwemayyedi;.
If this fafi of Chrifts be confidcr'd as a remedy a^ainft Tempta- tions, then may we obferve* Ihat Solemn Temftattons a^ to be re- 0ed n^bTafiings and Pr^^. Of this 1 IhaH forbear to fpcak^till 1 come to fpeak of Chrifts anfwer, and the repulfe of Satan.
E 2 . CHAP.
3^
Z %u$Lti(t of
Part. Ill;
Matth. 4. 3.
^ M when the Tempter came toUm^ hefaUy If thou he the Son of God, command that thefe Stones he madeiBread.
354^
Hobj Creed.
CHAP. VL
T)54/ Chrijls tempt st ions rpere real and mt in Vifion ; tBst temptation is Satans impl^ent^ with the Evidences^ oMdlnftancesthereiPf. (Jf Satans tempting Vifiblj^ mth the Reafons thereof^
NExt folbws a paitlculac Account of thofe; JiM>re Enuxeat Temptations wherewith Chrifl was AHauIted by Satan, before I f peak ofthefe, I muft necefTarily remore this Stumblingr Block outof the way, (vbL) whether Chrift was ndly teropt^^. or only in a Vifan. That this was but vifionary, hath been fap- poied > not only by (bme, whofe conceits in other things, mig^t }uftly render their Suppofals in this matter lefs worthy of a ierious. confideration. But alio by very gvave and ferious men, whole reafons notwithflanding-are not of that weight, as to fway us< againfl the iMUf^ and JXtStory of thefe Temptations : which give ns a full account of thefe things as rtdly tranfa<fted,without the leaft hiui of undetflandirig them as done only in a Vifion. For,
Firft, 'Tis a. dangerous thing to depait firom the litzral Senji of what is biflorically related h If we take fuch a Liberty, w^ may as well underfiand other Hiftmcal PafTages after the/drMer^i^ejand' fb bring the Hiftory not only of Cbrifis Suffering to a z^r/i^A^ and. Mhantafthal Croft, but alfo of all the new Tieiiament to^very no-v thing*
Secondljr.
I
Secondly, The Cimdffiances of the Temptation are fo f articular-'
fykt down > zsthtDtviXseomng to him, leaving him, ^^i/ig feim
to the Temple, &c. That if we may expe<fi in any thing to fe-
cureourfelvesfromavifionary Suppofition, we may do it in this^^''***.^,*'"^ Hiftory. tran.inioc.
Thirdly,Thi5 Imagination doth wholly oierifjte and make void* the very end and i?^« of Chr ifts being tempted: for where were the ' Glory of this ViSory over Satan,if it were only a vifionary Tempta- tion, and a vifionary Conqueft ? or where were the cimfort' and encouragement which Believers (fronrtthe ^fij^/er Authprity,HM>,. 2.1 8. & 4« 11^0 might reap from this,that Chrift imagined himfelf . to be tempted, when really he was not fo ? Nay how impoffible is it, to make that ex predion of the Apoflle, [1^ rpoi tempted in aB' points Uhi 05. we are^ to agree to an imaginary Temptation ? ex- cept we alio fay, that we are only tempted viponarily and not ^ really}
Fourthly » Neither is it a plea of any value againft this Truth, t^t it (eems ta derogate too much fiom the Honour and Authority of our Saviour, that Satan {hould fo impudently ^iM^ him,with g^Jj^^J^^^JJ Temptations to tpor/hip him,' and ftiould.carry him at pleafure from mifinb fe cir- " place to place*) when we find that hei/o/iir;if4iri/y fubmittedto•cumduciaDi'• i&j^i&^ Indignities from Satans Inftruments, and turned not oppay bis ^^^^'S\^'^^' Ok^xom thofc that,^e him, J^ upon hin:i,and contumelioufly ^is fu^s^ CruT^ tnodisd him, and at laft fubmitted to Veatb^ even the death of the ^figi, ' i
Crop. , ^ (?regors$ts.-
As for thofc Objeftions from i^ipiym UpS, the Ttnacte of the Ttemfle^wpofL which Scultetm thinks it was impoffible for Chrift to ftand \ As alfo the Objedion of the infoffibility to fhew the King- ' dams o£ the Wot]d bomanY Mountain : I (hall anfwer them in their proper place, in the mean tynel (hall return to the Verfe in hand, ii\ which I (hall lirft pitch upon the general pro^mium^ or Introduftion tothefe fpecial Temptations, which is thisy Tie T'empter came to him.
In this we are to talj:e notice of the Name given to Satan, .and - alfo the fTay zndMtnner o£ the AJfaulty inthatExpeffion, he cametohim.
There are fj&rrediftind Names given to him in thcfe Temptati- ons, iu) His Name 5'^^«,. (hews his Mii/icr and Fury^ which. is the Ground and Fountain whence all that Trouble proceedSj- which we meet with from him*. (20 He is ftiled the7c/»/^f?^nd.
thatr
38 z^%nauUM PwtiiH.
thatfigiuficstou%howlK*i»t//«rf»this Nfalke^ his Way an4 Exercife, in the exerting of it. C3O He is calkd rlje l>iBfii or Accufer, expieJIiDg thereby the End and MRic of dl. From riiis Name then here given, wemay.qb&tye, Obf. I. Firft, That it it Satatu Wh\^ and Li^loyment to tearpf. Men, We
need nothcre'Difpute, whether it be/m^ to Satain to tempt, that , is, an foli, & fmfgt am^ati whether it agree to him only, and
^^uimdt Sum. dxtf/t-yt^ which fome indeed afinnin iuch a Senfe as this, that Parti. Q;!!^, Men dottmptMtnzsSatansJi^htimMf, the World tempts Z9 it is HTminW irt ^^^ ^''i'^' ?"** ^f**^ of Temptations-, but Satan tempts as the .flrumfntaliter, pvipet Autber and Eagineer of Temptations. Others there are Munausmate that think, tliat Men can, anddo^ri^(y tempt tibof^fe/accord-
TutT • '^*^' 8"* "^^ Qeci^P i*altogether needkfi a? tousjough iThtCj.j. ^w and othen may be true and/wdjw Tempter^ yet this hmd?^
not but that it is moft true, that Satan makes Tempt^ion his very ^w^and Bij^/f. And therefore not only here, but in i Tbdl 2 Si TheDevilisdefcribedby Ya&Jmfloymm v L^ by anymtmt' & Ttn^ter (ot he that tempteth) bath timftedym : which the ordi- nwy Glofi doth thus explain, Dlabolm, aum ^Ofiibm tmare. ThisName then is putupon Satan mklt^ by wayof Ewwwg^ Implying (u) That though there be never fomany Tempters vet Satan is the cbi^. (a.) That he makes temptation his proptr Im- ployment. .
That Satan doth fo,I fliail evidence by thef? few Not qs Eiril, Temptatioais.,init felf a BtifiH^tm^ fFork For if we confider either the JF«i^of anyone Temptation Cwhcr* Satan is oft put to K, i^tetSHgg^ntoptrfjpode, and after ptrfha&m to «?/?/g<i*eandprovokeO orifw«confidcr what Fjrra^iwe', Tools, Means, and Inftrumems are lequifite, and what it-mav coft to bring all things together into /it^-^fo^ and method; or if we think of the vanous ways and, mannejp.of temptation > That fome are tHedtate, fom^ imudiatei Comeimpard, fomeoHttParA foTtiEmve- able, rome fixed and folemn, fomc iHtktmentf to £w/,fonic affriffbt- ments firoto Vtay, othasimafittis of our peace and joyi- or laiiS if wecalltommd what;?W^, what ^r., what/«cL and ciV" vanca the Devil is fometimes put upon, we (hall eafihr fee, that it kee^ him doing, zv^t^heeatsnAtbtbrtad tflUmfi that hath that Imployment to fellow.
Secondly,
. Sccqirfly,^ Ssttia.: g^ fip bi^Telf unto ii, is whoHjr in if, he watlij to and fro^ goes about feekiqg ad vantages of this nature, c$mf^(ib Sea and LafSd tp FrofeUte men to his Slavery, uieth all means^ upon all Men, atall^i^/, with all ^/^^ce; Hence was it, that Latimer (in his homely way of J5>€akrng^ called hiin, 2.hujy THJhop in bU Viocefs^ and excifed the fluggifli to leatn laborioufneis of the Devi .
• * * ■ ^
Thfrdly, Hetakesa^/igfeinit,not onlyfioma natural jn'ope^t^ foy^ which his iollpqc upon hirti> whereby he cannot bat tcmpti as an evil Tree cannot but bm^ forth evil Fruits ; But aHb from the power oi znbabit acquired by long exercilc, which is accom- panied with fomc kind of pleatiire i and further, whatever plca- fure aiay be fappofedtoarilefromiwen^^/ir/ Pride or companion^ pfip in evil, he hath of -that in full meafure, preifed down, and ^I^men mift* nintiii^pver* "«, (y**..
Fourthlv, All other things in Satan, or in his indeavoars,have either a fitbferwn^y^ or fome ^ay Or dt her a reference and re^io^ to Temptation* His Pomwy Wifdom^ Malice^ and other infernal Salifications^ render hidi ahte to tempt) his Labour ind Diligence in ether things are but the w'ork of one that /r^^nmr Materials and OccafionS) his other bufinels oiaccufing^ 'i^bting^ d^oyiug^ tor^ minting, are but the ends and improvemeat$.of ten^ting.
Fifthly, He cares not bom it goes on, Co that it ^ on', as a Man that deligns to be rich, cares not hdw he gets itj which (he ws,thac tempting in general is his defign^ Of this we have many In- fiances, as (i.) be Aick not to lie anddiflemblc, he will tell t|iem of the /Ci^^imx of the JFarld^ and tbe Gkry of tbem, and a thoofand fair pcomiies which, he never intends. (20 He wiU tempt for zfinaHmaner^ if he can but gain a little, or but moleft us, yet he will be doin^ C^O He wiUnot give ovetfbra/oi/ot difkppointment. (4*) He is notalhamed to tempt contradiOopj things. hcteo^edChriftiiCtfi^jf the workofRedemptiiDn,Ald^ §are thy felf. He tempted Judas to further it in betraying htm*- C5O ^^y Temptation that be (ees will /w/</j- he takes iip with v henceisit that he tempts not the j^mx «(ti9 to Idokitry, becauft he hath them faft in another fnare^ being ftrongly led to an oppo^ fitioti and contempt of Cbrijt.^ (6^ He will fometime tempt- where he hath not probahility to<preTail^ evenagainft hope. Thu» * hetemptedClrri^and Fair/.
Thcs:
:^o ^ xteatiie of Part. hi.
^f^Uc. Thcufeof the Obfcrvation is this : If it behis&irfwef} to tempf,
it muft be our work to refifl.
Firft^ To rcfift is a lahoHr^ 'tis not an idle fomiality, conG/Hng in Words of dcfyancc, or a few ridiculous CroffingSj and fprinklings oiHolyWattTy orjf rtri«g at the name of him, as Ignorant People are wont to do.
Secondly, We muft grvt k^ our ftlves to this work, always JBghting and oppofing.
Thirdly, It will be neceffary to make ule of aH helpty as Prayer, Fafting, the Counlel and Support^of Holy and Experi- enced Men.
Fourthly, We.mwfl alio caft off all i&i«J«r.««cei', whatlbever in us is apt to' talie fire^ or give advantage,muft i>e laidioff \ as fride CwHch doth progiiofticate a fall) and Security^ which betrays the befti orPre/irwpf/aHjWhichprovokesGodtoleavcriiofeofhigheft
ts^eh 13.1^. attainments.
Secondly, In this general lMtrod§tSum^ we may caft our Eye, upon the i»ay zhdmanner of the AiTauIt) when 'tis &id, the Tempter came unto bim^ we are unavoidably forced to fuppofe, anathtr manner of cofning, than that whereby he tempted him for forty days together. And when we call to mind, that at his coming here mentioned, he Ciirri«/ Chrift to thelew^/^, and from thence to a high Mountain^ and there propounded mm(Hf an Ob)ed of W(nfljif\ wecan imagine no las, than that Satan jiere camevi- , ;^% to himv but in whatikapcor maitner of Appearance, it is altogether uncertain, tholigh 'tis moft- probable, it was not in the form of a Brwte, but infomeluftre of Majefty or Glory, as an Angds becaufc z^deformed^. or bale appearance, had been unfiutMi ' to the Boaft of givjiig thd Kingdoms oi the Wbfld, or to his defire thatGhriftlhould/tfff^irw ^/i3»(?r^/^i&/i». Hence we may ob- ferve: ObC 2. '^at Satan fometimes tenets in a vifible Afpearance^ and by
Voice.
Firft, The poffibility of this, is evident from- the Apparitions oi
BiC^dt bloc* ^&^* Satan is ftill an Angel, and there is nothing of a natttr4
' ^ * * Incapacity in him as to an outward Appearance to our Eyes and Sen-
ces, more than in glorify'd Spirits.
, Secondly^ In the ^ijf Temptation he did no lefs, whenheufed
the Serpent^ as a Trunc to fpeak through, and an Inftrument to
z& by 9 InpoffiJIions he (peaks audibly,and evidenceth a real prefence*
Thirdly,
TfairdIyundoubtedI«jfiWcdf may be given of Satans tempting and molemng vifiUy. I deny .not but thaeare a great noany Jdlc^ iS^me/ of this kind, and a number of ridiculous Figments, but it would be unreafonablc and highly prejudicial to the truth of Hi- ftory^ and the comvngAi-F/utb of mankind^ to^ufe aedit to the (erious Accounts of fiber Men, becaufe of ibme fbolifh and un« - warrantable FaUes*
What is related ofLtnber^ and his leveral Troubles from Satan this way,is evident in the Stoiry of his Life. Cyrillus tells us of one o Fi atics ad. Ef^tbimXaSA^Xt of jH?€r(ww, who when he was dying, cryedf out jwate me, ne- of the Devils appearingt<y him. thelikefs ftoryed of $t.Martin ^\^' "<>""« and pthers i and of thefe, you may rcid^ mpre coHcAed by nu« a^"^
Mr. Clarl^ . . * qui-me debeU
lare, SradTar- tara ducerefeiUnaat^qvitd faic aftas cruenta bdHa ? C/. *Senarda^s in Epiil. ad M. BaccvumJSf. TtUs of a Coumry Mamj dt Tribury in Germany t9 whom tht De^$l appeared in thefhsft oft$ Tall MMMy cUimimg hit SomI^ andoffmmg tofet dcwn hit Sins in a Scroll,
' If we would enquire invo HiearealoDS of Satans appearing thus^ we cannot more fitly pitch upon any other than tfaeie.
Firft, Either he thinks a ffcsit i^gbtmt» neceflary in iome ca- Ces^ and lor that end appears : or, . . :
- ScamdlyJicXct^Hifppcinnci^ needlul, to give a greater £^/« dence and cert^ty ^to the r^alhy of the pleaftitelof Sin which he; * ' pcomifeth) ^thatistbecommoAgroutid of his appearing in .^e^ waysand defigjps ofW^cbaraft.
J. Thirdly^ Or in the height of r^€, when he perceives other Ways not available, and when he bada to do with Fer&ns not ; ig>* > norj}t|tQfWs.4€vic«^ wherehe(cesh*hathno.iieedofa.J^^ ij
covert ways of deaUng; th^ he fiioks not (if potthhted^ to tempt . ormoleftopei)ly. . . ,
This muft teach us not to wondor at fuch Temptadons, much 1^ to judgthofe that m^y^be.fb.^nolefied, is if Satanlaad a grea- ter (hare 10 them^ (eeingCbiift was thustemptdd. -
F V CHAP;
4^ Z%tmibtt VM,m^
I*
CHAP. VIX.
I > ■ ■ ■ I I ■ ■ ■!■
t
"Xhe general vierc ofthefe temptations. Of SgtxBs Ors- dudiprtiteeAingin T^emftAMns. Of rtferviftg ^ ffui temftAtion lajl. What AgredtlcttiftMtioMiSy in wksf €^ u b^ t9ffeMei. Qf^^u»s ^fi^g d ^mmcrn Rmi, dn ttmftrwg thtft TjemftMtions^ vfkh tie^ wMmoj temftdtions of Men. Of the ddvdntdge Sdtdntul^s tf ndtur^Uffetite^ Senje^ AndJffeiHons^
1 Have done with the frodmumto the Temptations. Yet fcc- fcrelxipciitlieaitpliticuktty, I ikaill rake « ^gemndvin^ of them. Firft, . Sycomponng thde wvth tiie other T^amptfttltms of ChrHl cbrmgtiieifoRy iteys. Sepondtf, Sy compaiteg thcCt f^h the Temptations of Men.
and oUhrrc i3iati«tliMe lib ^mmmt gfnft us^;:fhOft Tetilptattf- aos» butcnlyiflthegeneiral) f^Mktmti^^mfml, wlicteastlidB zttfartictdarlykt down and recorded, XV^ixintitot •dq^^cfiend lefi tfaanthis, Adt^nfiihiftttf^^emimswiiiKMUif^
Obr. 3. T^iR^ 'N'/ i^KiMMr methods k<Sradml intfit '£mfMknf^ ^ndiht^
Tnat Satan is GraJmal in his Temptations^ thi^is true ef fum, ifwcTcgaid,
Ft]^ tfattflM»rin*cffcispiNM«4)4tt^ en«-
treats ge;2/(y, andiS'mi^taiieJM^at bedQim^iNpdh^ %tit
after they are accufiamed to his way, he puts on Imfmoufnefs and commands them.
Secondly, If the «<j«er of Temptation be regarded, he is Gra- doaltkarralfo. He tempts to liftie Sins firft, then togrtater.
t (hadHluOrate both thefe particulars by the example oiThomm Savage^ Apprentice to Mr. Collins Vinfener at the Sb^-T'otfcmm Ratcli^^ who iixScxcdin Anno iddS, for murthering his Fellow- Servant,
2.
Chap. 7' ^atan^'^Xtrnptationsi. 43
Serv^mt : l^tonfeflrth tfaae tbf Deriltodc this tainfe wtt faim; lie ftrft mrvpted hko^toin^lfii cf Dirty^ tien to .cMflew^t of OrdK BanceS). aiid Pr^iiiEi««irfiM€d^ then to Drml^y thai
to Fornication^ then to R(;i and 5/e<f / firooi hits MaftcE^ and laft of all ti> DJimAir v^ and takes paiHoidar notice that hi this laft TctoptatioB) to kill }m FclJowsSernfit, tb£i& was a vklmt and more thaDordiaary P^nrcr ofSataxt upfm hiat^ to iniUgate hsm to that WkkcdB(e& Alt this yoa may tead ad laage in the Fkinted Nacration of bis Life*. . The reafbns of his Gradual proceedings are^
Fixft) Ik.Tfoii]dda(mettM^«taP€f&fe^.m tbaa he is imq^P^^^ubM >. for the: ^tnin^hisend, kit he aofehis' ownde%i^ a.mliitfteadlofdfawi%Mmiti>Mic&ednel5, fcarepr aftight memftqsiit.
SeccHidJy^ Sis3are nuMtM^ pnfatMtryi toeachotfaer, finallcr Proffers and Temptations do inicnlihl^^ pcpam^ andu incline the Heastfo^glsartfi^'
Sec$Hdlyy,\ That ha Itoejps Jm^eofefi Tcmptaf ions M, isa con*
}uesice of the-feciB€)r> iorwhtdi: (befidfi» whatisnow fpoken> thefirreaibns may be given:
Firft, Tbisre i&fwHtsatimpftitih^ isnefofing bisl^er Ap^ J^utku Bk fJiod » hmifid h^ em[f itfiifid^ he is &t at defiance, whfch calls biOhoiiil t^S^nptofffeitkMU He pcrceiAres by olccn^ scpid&s that thofe Vfkh vAkjol be hatbtodo are not Subj^s of his Kingfiom, ;end that his lifnrkjib^'rf^ wad therefore no wonder is ic^ i£ be AiTault moft ftabufly^ and with, all hi;s ftrengtb.
Sccotidly) There is alio firiaey .ia it^ when he hath brought down our Ikength and weakned aatcDmage^thena violent bnict is fair to p«x:ure him a, V idory .
But becaufi^ I mention' a gnat Temptation, itmay not be am((s -- both for the further expkining. of the Text, and Uhribation of the matter, tq ibew what is a great Tcmfitarioo. Thefewere great Ttmptationsi to Chtift, anathex&arcieyeral things remar« kableinthem^whidi whtrc-cver they appear, they will denomi^ oafie the Temptation gceat,. and the mare^ of them are con joynecl together, and in higher ir^ee, it mzj yd\]^ be called iiill the greater. As,
Firjft, in thefeTemptatiojBS, wrmaynotf there were extmial Objects^ as well as iniioua(Ced/ig;S^/£H»7 ; ixs^ns^mouons are red Temptations, but whmthcy hsvetbe 0%Sx and thmgs pi^fented
Fa to
44 :» Cteattfe Of Part. hi.
tolhc Ey« or the Stnjisj then do they fttongly urge. At this advan- tage the Devil tempted Eve, he urged her when the Fniit was within the view *> Thus he tempted ild^M, wheif the Gold and Garment were in his Eye.
Secondly, Thefe Temptations were eon^kx^ confifting ofma- ny various defigns . like a fnare of many cords en nooles* When he tempted to turn Stones to Bread) it wasnot one^/e defign, bat many that Satan had in prolecution. As Difin^ on one hand, Pn^^ on another, and fo in the reft. The more complicated a Temptation is, 'tis the greater.
Tiiirdly^ The(e were al(b ferpkxiWy entangling Temptations » They were diUmmatical^ fuchas mi^tenfiiare, either in the do- ^ ing, orrefuTal. If he had turned Stones Into Bread, he had too much honoured Satan by doing it at his Motion. If he did not, he feemed to ffeg/e£f his own Bm$, in not making neceflaryprovifions for himfelf being now hung^.
Fourthly, Thefe Temptations proceeded upon<:oniiderabIetfi- vantages^ his Hunger urged a neceflSty oC turning Stones into Bread. His prefent ftraits^ztid the lownefi oif his condition ieemed to fpeak much for the rea(bnablene(s of giving proof of his Divine Nature^ by calling himfelf down from the Temple, and of doing anything, that might tend to a morepieff^i^/ Being and fupport in the World. Advantages firengthen Temptations.
Fifttily, Thefe Temptations were accompanied with a greater Prefence and Power of Satan, he appeared vifihly in them, and was permitted to touch and hurry the Body of Chriil, and to de- paint andfet forth the Glory of the World (doubtlefs in the moft taking way) to the Eye of Chrift.
Sixthly, The matter of thefe Temptations, cmp the things he tempted CkriA to, were great and heinom Abominations, (z di^ firuii of Providence, aprefumptionofProtedion, and a fmal re- nunciation of the WoHhip due to him, and transferring it to the moft unworthy Objeft, Gods ppfeffed Enemy) and yet were they feconded by thcftrong^ moft pwerfid^ and moft prevailing means, as his prefent Straits^ his intallible AfTurance of Son/hi^^ Pleajkrey and Glory. Where the matter is weighty, and the medimn firong and pre fling, there is the Temptation great.
Seventhly, All thefe Temptations pretendol ftrongly to the advantage and ben^t of Chrift^ and iome of them might feem to be done without any biame^ z$ to turn Stones to Bread, .to
fly
Chap- ^ • fyatm'si Xenlpta^tlonfi^ 45
fly in the Ain * The more kiidmfiz TcmptationprctendS to us; ft is thefironger. .. ^^:
Eightly, Satan urged fome of them in aidaring,provokingway^ IfthoubetbeSonofG^d ? as if he had (aid, I dare thee to flicw thy felf what thou pretendeft to be.Thefe kind of provocations arc very troublefom to the moft modeit and feltdenying, who can fcarcc forbear to do what thejr are urged unto at fuch times.
Ninthly, Thefe Temptations fcem to be defigned for the e;/- |4gflwwi#ofall the 2\r^«cr^/ Powers of Chrift, his natural Amtite in a defign of Food » his Senfer^ in the moft Beautiful Obje^, the World in its Glory > The jfffeSions^in that whidi is moft Swaying, Pride^ and delight in extraordinary Teftimonies > of Divine Po* wer and Love, in fupporting him in the Air, &c.
Tenthly, Some of thefe warranted as Vutyy and to fupply neceflary hunger, others^depending upon the fecurity of a^nww/e, HeJhaUgivebis Angels tbarge^ &e. The greater appearance of Duty, or warrantablenels is put upon Sin, the greater is the . Temptation.
By thefe ten Particulars may we (as by a Standard) judg,when any Temptation is great or leis.
Let us then take heed of /iwff Temptations, as the Jkoather ^^licu proceedings of Satan, as we would avoidthe greater attempts that are to fbUow. Where he is admitted to beat out our Lufts with a Kod or a Staf^ he may be fufpefted to bring the JPieel over them at laft/
Let us aUb after our AiTaults, expeS more and greater, becaufe the greateft are laft to be looked for. This holds true in three ca* ifs* ( I .) In fotemn Temptati6ns where Satan fixeth his AiTaults, there the utmoft rage is drawn out laft. (2.) In the Continuance and Progrefs of Erofcflion, the further we go from him; and the nearer toGod, be fureof thehigheft meafure of his fpite. (3.) At the e/zi of our race : forifhemifshis/^'then, it is efcaped for ever, as a Bird unto its Hill.
But fome may fay, I am but a MefTengen of (ad tidings '> and objed: that by bringing fuch a report of Gyants^ and Walled Citks^ I may make the hearts of the People to faint.
lanfwer \ This is bad news only to thtfluggfit^ fuch as would Anfwi, go to Heaven with eafe, and in a fair and ealy way, but to the /^rWrefoluteSouldiers ofChrift this is no great difcourage« ment : for (lO It doth but tell them of theirii«^di;» which as they
are
4^ ZXuuittaf Fattm:
^ perfv?yrf erf;, fi) biBki fcmrfntafinre'^rfr A/^, as weff as their €x/^eff^w». (2.) It doth but tell them, SataiTSi3«rfice and Fucy V wftififc they ^e affurcd of; and are mod: aftatd of if fone- ^roes^ when k fcems to lyelcHe and a$ afleep. f j.} It dbtft telt t hei» that Satans. thoughts concefnitig them are ^f^aring^ he fears they ai^gokjg, or gone feoni hiau If they were hh wflW Sct-
vants^ th€i« would bend Iwflilitjrofjthis nature agafnft them.
I have thus comraied thcfc Special Temptations wrth thofe wherewith our Lord Chrift was exercifcd diirrng the forty days
Secondly, Cm^mtht& TciRptat iofts of ChriR' wttfi thofe tfiat ufimlly M3I &&A«r«*«rf, in which there isfo ftodtfuitaWenels and agreement,both in *Mtter. and mMtitr, that it camof &e anufe- fol r« tafce notice rfi«, which, will the better appearin Ihftances.
Fi*ft, Then let ws confidei the Hrrt Temptationof Ere. Gat i.6 And n4xn tJptmwtM fai»thattbe7mwx^o(t^Ftfoi^ and that it w^pkafxnt to-tht EjFO', andafreetohtdefmliH matg (me-*//6,&c;, Here are all the Arguments and ways fuinmcd up, by whicfc Sa- tan prevailed upon her » it Viigood fir food^ here hewiDaeht upon the dcfireof the natural /iffttitev It vnsfletf^t tvtbe Ever here Ik tooii the advantage of the External Senfit. h was tfl^ dtfiredtomksommfe, here he cnflamed thsy^hnt. ter us- a^ainc»llto>nBbd the gwieial Account of TempcationSi in till: 1 ]()<». ». t6. dS that temtixJr arid, tht Lufi^thtFl^, the La of tin Eyes, and tht PrrdeofLife i where the Apoftle ieGgnedtv calls all off itom a love of the World, becaafe of the hJ 7aKt and daaget that we lye open unto, from the things ot^thc World, feikiog upon and ftinring^up ou» iJftl which be raniis into three ge/ieral beads, accordmg to the the vanem ways whereby thefc outward things do work upon us m cxctmg oxxtn^ttrat powers and apprehenlfons to finfijl Minirt: Andtbde arc io fu% agjeeing with thofc three in Eves Temptari- oo.that I need not note the Parallel. Let us now caft onr Eyes up- «jo,thcfe Temptations, and the fuitablencfs of Satans- way-s and •lealiags w»» wanediately appear. When he tempted Cfari/l to turn Stmestm Bread,, there he endeavoured totaftc adrantaee of
^^'^^ftr^^i^^. '^' ' >*• '' lunderftandinaSo^e reftraiocdSenfe, net &r the Mings ot«rr>^ Nature," but for the Wtwgs ofihcSmrfj/ in its Natural AtMht, accordine to that ex- f iH^fiiaflof CfaciOi lAe Spirit k^ilH^lZt tb: Fl^Sl^Tj^,
And
Aizdifwcibouldaiotior^AttinicmlUs pll^ tfae Laft oT^be lldOiwouiaiiK/iaistbcXaiftdr-^Eyes, 4knd the Pride of Lkt, contrary to die dear Icopc of jtbeTeKtt ferdKietteaUb dicluft- ii^<3fcojxiLpt|sIature«> When he ftiri:her tcinpoad hitn toe4/f ^/^^Jir»;{rjie|iuihed.bun upon the Pf«ifetf£.^ » Wheaheifaew- ei Km t^c JSihfgdomf of the W^orld^fbe glarji ofiAtm^ iie attcnsp- ^ed to ^am upon Jusa by the I^-^ Aire, ^^iqiu Favn this fNro* # portion and liutableneis of TemptationtoChfikft amI jus iMem- Im obib«,
Tbaf SMmuefmally^tmJj in a beaten fstb^ Mfwgkjm^nmd fKpm- Obf. 4. tncedMethd/qPCew^atioM. ^Tis <Ti3di^ miBCgAi^fCmmnfianaej^ lit idTeth unl^eakable iarkuej^ in tettptiag, ond^sth tuiDy ukkc t)evkesaBdJucgIcstfaani»Qher6oki]^ yctinthcGeatrglht hith'Smfied them into Method and Ofder, anl tSx tJiiogs upon Wlndiae wosksinuS) ace the iatnei thtts he walks hisnouad, and keqps xnuch-what tbeiame Track, not only in iitfcxsat fori- fixii^ ImtaUbiatheiameMeB, uficg Acikne Tempraiirttyowqr anclovei^ juidyetthisja^esaio^^iritaff^tjfiinwotaon, <v jfbg«- glhinfiixx SafaO) Imt hehath theic reafinas Ibr it :
Firfi^ Bec^ufe the fame Temptations being fiiited -t^ humsn^ NatMre in General, will with a flnall Variation oi Circunfianct fuit all Men» their Indinations generally an(weringto one another,as Face anfwers to Face in Water.
Secondly, Thefe^^o/^Vig Methods are Famous with him, as gmerdBy powerful and taking, and it can be na wonder if Satan fraSffi moftwith theie things, that have the large!) Frebatum eft of Experience to follow them.
Thirdly, The more Exterienctd he is in any Temptation, the more dexteroufy and fucceuiuUy fiill he can manage it > £0 that wcttxay expc^l^ nme cunmng and able in what he m^fraOifitk
This may be fomefatisfadion to thde that are apt to think oiAfflh. tfaemfelvesand their Temptations > as £/Mf did in his perfwafidn, I alone am left. Where Satan ufeth any thing of Vigour and . Fiercenefs, we are apt to fay, none are tended at tpe^ none in likg cafe^ we are fingtdar^ they are peculiar and extraordinary Tempta- tions, &c. But 'tis a miftake i even thatof5'tf/(wiw«may beapply- eilo theft, linreU nothing nt»^ nor any thing befain us, which others have not undergon before us 9 and would but Chrifiians be lb careful, to obferve the way of the Serpent upon their hearts, and as they might, ^nd (b commnaicatiue of their Experiences as
they
4? zs:umU(if Part. Iff.
- they ought, the Weak ami heavy Laden would not gp fo mouin-
ing under fudi apprehenfions, ascommonly aflHght them, it none were ever Co tempted as they are i It would be fomc fuppm
at worft, when the raoft hellifh Furies do opprefi them, to Jmow that others before them were in theCtdetpf, and ^fearfia of be- ing overwhelmed, asthemfelves, and yet were detew«rf j thtde-
laetsmxsrftbofetbatbavetfia^tkdangtr^isgrimdofbipeto thoft ihst are at freftnt under H. '' ^
oifi: 1^ ^'"i^v^'fgf that Satan tak(sagainfim,isfrm<ninut».
tal Afpaite, mr mernal Senfes, or awr jfa^mt and Ajfvmm. All thefe are ufual ways by whichSatan works agafaift us, as appears from what hath been- (aid, neitherareany of them fo meaiand contemptible, but that we have caufc to fear thcPower and In- fluence of them.Hence the Scripture cautions defcend to the Eves. JjHkjm ufon the fFine when 'tit Red in the Cub. Be S«her be FtZ lant, &c. The Appetite isnot fo eafily kept hi, but that it m prevail to Gfuitony zndDrunkpinefi : and fome aK fo powerfully earned by this, that they are Md to maks their BeKet their GoL Of the power of Senfc and AiTcaion, clfewhcie hatfabecri ipoken.
.i- :
I f
■•.\ .
CHAP.
\
"•■"•^
C H A P. VIII.
the rife (fChriftsJ^fitemftathn. Of Satans fating his T<fi^dtUns tP ^ fke cMiUtions if Mjtn. Of Umfttng Mem uf0n theftes efNeceJ/ky. the reafms and chests of tk/UfUa. His pretences of frieni^if in tempingy vpith the danger thereof .
H
'Avipg thus confidered thefe Temptations as they lye before ^ us in their gcnei^il Vxofy^Ot^ I (hall now fpeak of this {\xi\ Ipecial Temptation in particular, in which (i.) theRife^ orOc* c^on, (aO the Temptation it lelf^ C3O the Argument by which * Sacan would enforce it, are to be diAindly noted. : f irft. As to the Ri/epfit^ It is queftioned by fome, why Satan begins with this Firft, the oAufe they aAign, (in part at kdJH) is from his &A'fttccefiagainft Eve^ \n a Temptation about eatings as if this Wiere the chief and wpR hopeful Arrow in his Quiver. But we need npt go |bfar, when the Evangelift is fo pundual in fet- tmg it dos^i)) in.the^ ^tter end of the former verfe, he v^m an hun-- . ff^ Th^ this Devil took notice of, and from hence took the rife of his Temptation, that by tmning Stones to Bread for the fatisfa- '^on of his i»rcfent hunger, he might be induced to make way for .theiecret Stratagems which he had prepared againft him on this XKcafion^ Here I note, •
T}>at ipben Satan bath a dtfign againji any^ hi doth takg the advan* l^ of tbeirCondition^ andjuits bisT'en^atifik accordingly. Thus, ^'^ ifMen be in Poverty, orin the enjoyments of Plenty, inSickne(s or Health, if in Afflidions, under Wrongs, in Difcontents, or carried to Advancements and Honours, or whatever elfe m^y be confideraji>le iclating to thcm^ he obferves it, and orders his de* jfigiisjfo, aa to taki; in all th^e advantages that they will afford. That 'tis his concern and Intereft io to do, * we may Imagme,upon thefe grounds;
Firlt, Our Cp/i/int mud be gained > this he cannot properly and tmLffiretJiiut iwS^mice anddeceivc us to a complyance with him. .:,,,. ' * '.' G Secondly,
• 1
Secondly) If our ConHtum fpeak for him, and lye fiur (or the ffartherance of anydev ice ofliis^ ourcmifeiTt -fa upon the tnitttg half gained \ 'tis much, if fo powerful an AcUrdcate, ,as is mt ^e-
/e/z^ 6'/^fe, do not inflpeno^ us to an IfacliMtioTU
Thirdly, This doth his work e^rp/y and* cffedaally, he more generally prevails .by this courfe, and with, I^ Laboiu^ •^/>^//V. This Policy of Satau llioUld adVaiittee Ui^' ' by ^^j^.^^^B *^
Mmorialf to lis, in otiT eKptft«i6n^>ri^iriptaW6tt.* TTibiigh we know not an Satans thoughts, yetmiywe know where and how he will ufually make an onfet, our Cdndifhn will -tdliis what to look for. The Dijirejfed and AfHid^ed may expeA a Tempta* tion fuited to their C(wirVia;i, as of murmuring, repining,rcvcnge, diftrufl*, ufc of indirect liieans^ difpairings,, &c. They, thathatle Teace and Plenty may be furc they: (hall he • tenipted ^^<ii%j ,to Pride,Boafting,Ccrvetoufnefs^ OppreflRon, Contempt efothcrs,Se- cnrity, or whatever may be fit to be engrafted on that Stock ^ the like may be faid of any^ other different conditieD." Ho^faklyare we forewarned, ("by an ofefervation made tipon -Saf ansptoceedk^ iipoiTthefc advantages;)" where* to »pe(^hktt,andhow.f^ againfthim, ' *; ' *. -'^^ ...:'^.';. ...-', :>^
Let us proceed toa fiirther enquiry, Hwr'theDevil nianafied this advantage ofChrifts hunger vhe plaiiilyurgeth himwitn z >rcf]^fj;Ofptovidingftippliesforhimfelfi {preadiiigi>df<H:eh«AMa defircfoeat, arid the impoffibilfty of help; ih^it^streti 'ittdDtA* iate W iidcrnefs; as if he Hadfeid,' * ^ f^^i tfiieB^ehris u bi^ videdfpr^ Nature and TteUgmc^nfiniitQ^iBhytbeWWA^ no. kelp^ ordhaiy tneanrfaH '-, there is- tberefm if ntSctgh^tbat fim eac- rraofaina)y cotftfe hetakpt^ . TkrefortfrHn^tvnefftf 'Sfi»A h this is m$ unJkitablefotheCondition and Pinper of ,hm tphd utifi^Spn^Gdik "At this rate he'ple^d's; .-'* *- ; •' •' ^ ;; ;.. >.*.v.; • Obf. 7- ' ' CfbCofvt then, 7f6at'^dtanhfudlJy en^itmfif'idfkft^ tttt^PS^
ons upon fhejiUa of ^ere/^/y, a:ndfr(mrthtnce f& infer tf duty^ ' When he'tarjnot pretend a/S?r, and dired #ayto irf^hr Pradiccs, he v;o\x'ld'breh1^i Do9raTid.fbrcea'Way%N"f€^pftjfc
Unde^ this'Notidn of Nece0tj^ \thepcVil mdrifads all theb pro-
'tences, that fecmrobt ofinore'thairtnyi!m
prevalencics; Thus he-reachetli Men t6 ^hinkthey are necif^a^ed,
if they be carried by zlhonginclitiation, of their oir», <» if thetehe
an ur^^ojey'txnd prOvbCationfrbm otberr- or iF rfrey be iHfiraiu and
• dangers'rand^orrferlme*hrgoesf(^igh;' as^'tetcSch'Rfiffl ' tMat a
neceflity
irceffityr is indudc4 in^ vetyfabijck of tbdr ntttHrdfrimplahf wbicb tbeypitfuinptuo^ being fmful^be-.
caoie byAT^JBTi^tfaqr arf andcumot be changed without ^€ci4 Grace>icaiceifaali wt i^ect amMan with feafonable reproof for his. iniquity^^bu|bc willpkad fuchlu^
iffi Icmidjwt ^i^fl^ Sec.
The Reaibns of this Vciicy^ are th^.
Firft^ He Jcnows that oecdfity hath a c0if^/^ force, even to. things of ^ (otkcKwHk) sveateft abhotzencies : A treafury of Inl^-. cesisto behadinFamuieSy andhcfkgpi places, where. 'tis nfu- . alto cat unclean things, notonlyCreatitrea that are vile, buteven. Dung and Entisiiis > xuy Q>7jrannicalis Neccility, that it nukes inxodes into, and Conquefis upon Nature it ielf^ cauling the tender Deut. i8* ^4^' miiUicMtWmmy-mri^tP^d notadvefHMretbe S^k of her. Foot upon thegpandftat delia^tenefiandtendernefi^tp have an evil Eye t onwards tieliifhattdofberBoJmy .tomaTdfberSan^MdtojpdrdsherI)aMgh^ ter. Alike^cedothitei^erciie upon the Minds and Confciences of Men, it nukes-them riie up againil thek Ligbty it engageth Men to lav violent hands upon their ownjOomnBions^ to (mie^xid cztingoiu ikca(u\ Uqiw maxef mournful examples have we of this kmd i How many^WM 4f<fi4ttiJidBx>m Truth (being terrifyed by die Qrg^ng neceflB^ics ^dianga)- contrary to the higheft C$nuiliiont of Confidence? , , .
&ccmdly, Neceflity can do much to the, datj^ing of the Under* fiandii^ ^ ctm^e oCtlve Judgmefit> by the ihcpng Influence it luitk i^n the JffSwu.^ ^^n. are apt to| torn their apprehenfions, accordiiig^othe didhtesof ^eceifityvwfaat they fee.to hthazard' aiis^ thoy are inclinable ^ judg iohtml\ Men in ihraits not on- ly vidOH tbeii:-Rea(bn^but femetime hy infeniible fie[>s (unknown t^ tbemfelvf sj fide into a ^contrary Judgment of things, dire<9lly crois; to what t^ baa^^heUemd and proleifed. -Which perfwafion ;they ciwe sot to any further ace^on of Li^t,or new difcwery of Ar- gument,(for ofttimes,they2riffe Arguments which in the abfence of trouble they have contemned as wuik^ by the Appearance of daiger put on another fact, and feem firong) but to the preva* Jency of th^ jTe^ir/. And thus many in all Ages have altered their Jud^ents and thpughts^iiot becaufe they l^ap more, but becaufe xbcyfemdmofu
. The likeNeceffities do Men form to themfeives from exorbitant .
G a and
.^ ... » , ^ .
, and~greecly iapes and expeditions of a better eondttibn, compared to that wherein they at prefent are, and the like Influence it liath in the alteration of their Judgments. Let the Bifhaj^ of Sfalata be an example of this, who loathed the Kom^ Religion firft, and in England (whither he came for refuge) writ agamft it ^ but fkw a neceflity f fix)m the difeppointment of expeftation) to xiange his mind, returned to Rw»e again, and pcrfwadcd himfeff that that was true which he had formerly pronounced falfi h and lb writ agafinft the Church of England, as before he had doneagaicft BccUf.Bifi. the Church of Konu. To him we may add Et^bolm^ of'wbom lib. J. cap. II. Swratef reports, that (accordirig't6theirafi6usappear}flgsoPha-• 7ards j he chahged his-* RtUgion fevttal' tfaics^ : ^mei^imijtantm, he was zChriflian \ under jHlian^zTagan^znd under Jovinunt^t
fhcMacchihcis Thirdly, Neceflity offers an ekcttfi, if not zjffiijkathn of the ^mw4 ofthu gfeatefl mifcarriages. Lot offci*W tdexpofe his Daughters to the t/fi//^//'/> ^e fagijjg Luft of the -y^iom/te/ for theprefevktion'of his-;^^
tfJV'foZVr^^^'^'^S^^^ whichfurely hcwouldra no wife^We done, but that ioT^fioL^ulfi' he thought the prcferit fKceghy mi^ hiycf txcttfed him. EJhi
9n doth excuft profanely fells bis ^^rth-right, but excJuierii the^thatter fe, Sa^/if
Gen. 25. 31. pl^> in JirfHHcation of himfelf in the mattdr 6P the G6klen Calf^
^hm Mpzpp^ that tbkp^ple are fit on mfdnef.
Fomrhly, Necdmyis-^n i^iiAwyif jp^ aii^ to the con-
ditions of all Men, hi iH <:aflihg?j kndnmdWitf'eWravagaSJdwj ThcTradfwah in his'unfe^ftil giins or- otiteea^^itg^ 'p^h t heceflitY for ft; from the haidpefs of tb<f>Biiyer' jhi'dthgr^ iMn^i Ihcpoor Afo;i pleads a neceflity for SHaViA^^ -^'ind • flic Ricfr plSds the fame nedcflrty for Kmnge^ arid f Hus^it ferves all With a Ptetexr.
Thefc confideritions diftovering thi^ coiirfe fd hoptiSofl, -as co
this dtfignof theDevtV'he witf befai^'-to''pt^ilS^^^
>h(fre he can. ^ut befidei this, * wlf ieiii^^^sh€4brt^ Cheats in
this- plea of Neceflrty/' ^'- ". ^-- •-' •-\-ff': ' :- > ' • ; :: '.
' Firft, Sometimes he pius Men uponySgwwi^ a iieceffif y, where
'there is none. I^ul facrificcd upon a needfcfeSuppofal that Smttd
Tot coming ar thc^rtitie aj^jptMirted,^ fHerdwas anecellkyfor hiih to
'doit. - Hcfpaitdalfoth^C-arta'wpoiPtHe^ltke^^^ that it
was a ncccffary provifion for Sacrifice. . And thus would the
•Dcvilhaxc pcrTwaded'Chrift, that ^here w*ksan -abTeluteneccC-
Cty
^ » /
f.
Chip- 8; ^titAn's Xtmpmtions, ^i
fity tottiim Stones t£i dtead^ wheh ih Trufh there was rip fucfT* need*
Secondly, Sometimes he puts Men upon a neceffity of their own- finfutfroa^emM. H^r^^ fifiwiire to gratify the Daughter of Hero^ Mof^ and this is prefently. pleaded as a neceifity for the cutting off JdhnBaftifbh&id. 5tf|irf forbad the tafting of Meat, and feaKed; the penalty 1>y an Oath and Curf e, and thisi is by and by made a neceilityfor the taking away of JF(r;iiff&i;r/ Life, (who had tafled*
Honey not knowing his Fathers Curfe; had not the People reC-* aied him. _ ^•
Thirdly,Sometim€hej}re^dh^a neceflityfurtherthan it ought i: he knows that God hath fuch a regard to fej/ neceilities, that up- on that ground, he will ^]^^ with his Sabbath, and the prefent performance of Duty. Thefeinfianceshelays before men, and endeavours to perfwade them, that in like manner God will (upon a neceffity) difpcnce with 5«i/, aswell as with the. prefent Opportunity ot i'emoe. What a coveting (in. all Ages) Men have madeof neceifity^ for' their hi^ft outrages and extrava- gancies, and with what confidence they have managed fuch pleas, would be endleis to relate.
This ibufi wanitis, not to fuffibr our felves to be Impoftd upon, Affli^. fiythebigheftpretencest>fN&:eflity. Whaitever it may difpenfe with (as in/mec<f^/it willfufpendaprefent Semcfy and'War*- rant the performance of a Duty, brides the common rule and way Feicnda magis whcfein it ought ordinarily, to be mjuiaged) it'muft never be^*^^^* necefli- pleadcd to g^ve warranty to any thin^in its ciph fMme finful. ^r^n^^aK*^" NiKieffity mU not joftify Lying; Stealmg, Govetoufnefi^ Adul-qua iniquitas;
* jBefides» we maft be v^istry in judging what is a neceffity. Men are apt to plead a neceffity where there is none, and if we give i»^y to a facile admittance pfexcufts of this kind, we (hall prefently ^- ti^/yneceffities, stodhavdthctnitoferveusatevery turn. Som^ would warrant Sin by neceffity:, others^ would turn off Duty and rule by pretending a neceffity where none is; both are to be avoid- ed as Snares of Satan. ^
Ooceroore (before w.e diAsils this rife of the Temptatiott of Chfift in hand^ let us obfcrve that in perJ[wading him to turi^ Stones to Bread, he feems to exprefe a grrat deal oieare and tcn- dcrnefs to Chrift, with an invidious RefkSien upon the Love and ftdvidence of God>as if he (hould fay, I fee than art hungry^ andthk ""
Wilder-
5^ zxtmiUnt vtstAiLr
a T'abkfar tbtt^ Itbmfin fittyb^ tby Condiikny m 4 Friend^ admfi fbeetottimStomrta^ad. ' qbr. 8. * Note, 'ilmSatMmanaggthbkmB^ cmdd^nSy undirtbt Irigff^
fif^n^i rffrknJfiiip. H^ did fi) With £f^ Tbtt&rihjinimh Hk0 jffjhall be Of G4kls i as if t)e had agreat^r ttg^d to them, than God
hUIf* HctcoMedCbxiAmmh^^ under the (hew ot great kindnefi i' and noleis are ms common pretences to all Men. This is a deep, f oUcy, for by this means the i»i^£!iefintended is the better concealed^ and the lefs can and provihon made againft it ^ and beiide3,the 4ffiSli>Ms and defires are (lined up to ztib^ imbracement of (be Motion, tod an eager fwallowing of the Bait.
So great a Subtilty is in this manner of dealings that thofe who aifed the name of great Potitieians in the World, have leaxnod fiom Satan toibewgreateft refieSs^ and amoft friendly countenance to thoft whom they mofi bate^ and intend to ruioe^ Thus our ^- ciW^tbeThirdof£/i^/^</confiantlydeakwitbtfao{e for whole Blood he lay in wait : and the precepts of MafihiavU are fitted to this, that tis Wifdom to bug tbofe vmm tPt dfjin ud^hfy^ Biud^s Ttciknt made way for his I^^ggen Jpab^i Sword, couhl not fo well hai^e difpatched its^and upon Jbner^ if he had not uQiered! it in with a Kiis. ^^lic. This ihould make vswof^fiiffeii tho& Temptattocs thtt ofier
us moil kyidnefi^Ttd advantage, and fuch as axe moft gratifying to
our Humours and Defires. For can it be imagmed in good eameft
that Satan intends us a real good ? Cm the Gifts of Enemies pafi
TUmcoDoffd- for Courteiies and Favours with aiiy, butfuchasarehewitdied
9t & dona iie- into a blockiib madne&? Satan is moateto be teared when he jfc^«
< Hfiy than when he rageA > and though fucboigrcrs may be loolnd
upon by fome as more benigno ^nd le& odious Temptations, (as
foroekindofFjiiif/Mr ^/tri^ Oie mor< kindly created by fome,
under the notion of n^e "DfiffU) yetmay weiay of them as Or*
mlias. Agfiffifi rpeaksof fgme unlawfol .Arts and ways oiTbrnpa^
iijuritfernitiofiara^ qkoimberitis dmnms > They have the greatcft
danger that pittend the higheftfrlcttdihip. Thus much icdt the
Rife of the Ten^ati^>&
CHAP«
renccsi
ciutp.^; »mtesi%mi^miom: :ji%
^mmmtimmmtmmmmammlm^mmmmmmi^mmitm^^ttmta^^kifimmmtti^mmt^m^mmm
■ I I ■ ■#>
tif4rtifii^4fCd9$Jfder4fi0M tfthem^Hr ^f the firjttemff4- tioHj rvhat Satan aimed at^ in bidding him turn Stones intoBread. OfSatans Twvingmto things good mr Aiw- fulL the endcffucb a Motion. Horp to know rvhether fuch Motions are from Satan or the Spirit. What to do in cafe they be from Satan. Of bis various aims in one temptation. What they are^ and of his Policy therein. Of his Artificial contrivement of Motions to make one thing infer another. "*
- •
NEict follows the Temptation it (el£ Command djot tbefe Stones be made Bread. ' There is no great difficulty in the ivofils. The Gred^^ indeed hath a remarkaUe (ui^lenefi to the Supppfition, on whkh Satan infilU^ takmg Quifl to be the Som ofGod^ 'tis very pertmently fpoken, Say atSpeoi^thsx theCe&oaes Be isiade Bread % for if God j^^ it moA be done.
' Tis not worth the while to ixifift uponib finalla variety of ex* preffion, as is betwixt this EvangeUft'y who hath it [tbefe Stones:,2 and Id^, who fbeak^ it in the migular Number [tbio Stone Q for 1>endes that (as tome fuppofe) this E^effion ot Ltd^ might g.^^^^^ ^^ <&r any thing that appears to the contrary) be Satans Imering his Evan, inioc. teqiicft to/?^ Stone, when€3mfth^ denyed to turn many into Bread, upon his firft asking) this one Stone in Lukgy taken colle* <Sively for the whole heap, will (ignify as much as the(e Stones in Matfbetty orthephrafe (thefi Stones) mMatthem (by an imita- tion of a cottimonHefe^ji^^ may be no more but i>m of thefi StoneSy or this Stone^ as it is in Lukg i as 'tis didyjepthah was bu* tied in the Cities ofGilead^ that is,in one of the Cities. Light f 9^
The thingurgcd, wa$ the taming or changing the form of a ^*"''^' ^'^ Creature, Which i5aworktruelyi»»r^c«/tfW and wondafiil, and ■fttch as*had neither bee »;i/i«W to thtf power of Chrift, nor unlaw-- fid in it felfi *Tis from hence juftly ' queftioned, whore the ftii^ * '
of
e-TTE.
:f6 :^ ICteatiTe of Parcm.
of this fuggeAion Iay,or in what point was the temptation couched. ' FirA, It was not in the unlappjulnefi or Cnfulncfs of the thing j[nea- tioned. For ChriA did^s much as would amount to all this> when he turned Ifattr.ixAo fFine^ and whqnhefed Multitudes by a miraculous i»w/^^fe^w« of a few Loaves^and Fiflies,
Secondly, It was not unfidtabk to hiscondition, zshungry \ for fo it ieeeriaeda Duty to provide for himfel^and whidi Satan took tor granted«
Thirdly, Neither fcemed itany^fcr^g^w^tohisPowcr.anJDi- vine Nature, but rather an aivanugt and fit opportunity to give a full proof of it, to the ftoffing of Satans Mouth for c*rer,
NotwithAanding thcfe, there was Foyjin and MaUgpity ^oiigh in the fkgg^ian^ and under thefe Green Leaves ofplauiible preten- cesjlay md many ^«^%/, For (i.) By this was he fecretly tempted to ad mit of a doiAting of the truth of the divine l^imny^ lately declaring him to be the Son of Goi. (aO As alio further to qnt* fiion his Fathers Providence and Jx)ve> (3.^ and unneccffarily to tuhoutofthe^vJiii^wayoffupply, and to betake hioif^ to f«^>ffl means or extraordinary courfesb (^) And all this to the ^bnfe and undervaluing of his power, in frqfUtutingit to Satansdi- reSionot perfwafion \ and the Devil had gamed a confiderable ad- vantage, if he could have prevailed with him to do fudi a thing by . his inftigation. C5O It may be, he further thought this might entice to an high ^eem of himfel^ and (b make way for a vain cftentaihn of his power, and IntereA in God, All or moA of theft • fecm to be the deAgn that the Devil was driving forward. Several thin^ are hence obfervable. ObC 9. '^^^ »*^ Satan doth not judge it bUfrefint Inttr^^ ^ofnggA to
m things in their own nature fir^^ he wiS move us to things good in tbemfelves^ in hofes thereby to lead us into evil. This way of tempt- ing is bx>m a more refined Policy, than down-right motions to Sin i and doubtiefs 'tis lefs fufpetSed, and confequcntJy matt taking. The Evils that Satan would introduce by this McthodL are fuch as thefe:
Firft, Sometime when he tempts us to that which is Good,
it is, that he might /fright us fiam it i his approbation h
enough to put a difcredit, and difgraceful flifpition upoa any
., . o - 5^'"8; ^«ch a deCgn had he, when he eave t^iimny for Cim£u
Mit.?. »s^; Thath^at tbt Sfa of Gad i or for the ^filkf, that they were the
~ ' Servants
Chap. 9. ^atatt'5 SCemi^tatiottjfif^ 57
• Servants of ^he m(ft Ugh Go(k It was not his intention, to ho- A&. is. 17. nour him or them, bv bearing then^itneis» but to bring thtm ^ under Sufpition, and Trouble.
Secondly, There are a great many ways to mifcarry in a lamfid Adion, either by propounding had ends^ or by failwrts in the marimr of performance^ or by a mfimprouement of the whole. Theie mifcarriages ( and the pofl[U>ility, and (»x>bab»lity of them ) Satan carries in his mind > yet doth he not at iirft fnfwnd * thensi) but moving us unco the thing,, he hath an expeHathn that we vfiWJUde into them of our felves, or be inclined by fomc fu» table touohcs of fuggejUon upon oU£ minds > together with the nndency^, or iroproveabIene(s of the thing or AAion, to iuch evils as are properly confequent to it* Satan did not here tempt Chrift to thefe finfiil ends direSfy^ but to an Atiion which he hoped might iiffenfibly produce them.
Thirdly, Another Evil hereby aimed at, is the hindrance of a greater Good, not only as a diverfkn to turn usofFa better or more profitable occafion, but aifo as an unfiapmable inttrrt^ion of ibmething at prefent more concerning us : Thus he makes the ^^^/a;t of Good things, the i&iWr^Mcedf Prayer, or Hearing.
dome will (ay. This is z perpkxing cz^^ thatin things good or Queft, lawful in thennielves. Men (hould 1^ in fuch dangers, and will
thereupon defire to know, how they may diJHngniJh Satans Con^ '
trivanct^ and Motions, from thofe that have w dfftndance upon y^
him, or arefrom the Spirit of God? ^/^/aA c iic
in anfwer to this^ (i.) Let us ( when we fear thus to ha^»fwi circumvented ) look well to what Imfre^ons are upon our Spirit, when we are moved to what may be lawful, tor together with the motion^ C if it be Satans ) we (hall find either a corrupt res* Jon and end privatly rifing up in our Mind \ or we may obferve that our hearts are out rforder^ and perverfly inclined > this is oft unfeen to our (elves. ^Wben the Difciples moved Chrift to • bring down ^re/rw» Hftiwa,if they had confidered the prefent r«- vengful feliifti frame of their Spirits, ( which our Lord tells them, they were ignorant of) they might eafily have knpwn that the motion hadproceeded from Satan.
Secondly, The concurrent Circumftances of the thing or Adlon, are to be ferioufly weighed j for from thenec we may take a right meajkre of the convcniency or inconveniency of the proceeding in it. What is from Satan, it will be either unfeafinabU as to
H ' ■ the ,
58 ZHitatiUot Patt.in.
the Time, Hace, and Pcrfon, or (bme ofhtr thmg will appear
thtt may ^lyfc zJifewery. AsJpre Chrift refoftth to ttum Stones
to Bread, becaufc not only tne way and manner of the Propofal
doth fufficiently lay open the Z>?fe», but alfo the Circifmfaieex of
Chri A's condition at that time, mewed the motion to be unfiajojh
ake and incon^nient : for if Satan had urged the ntt^ty of it fer
the (atisi^iofi of his bmgtrh Chrift could have anfwered, that
'the experience that he liadof Gods fupport fotfmy days together,
was fuffident to engage him to rely yet fiuther upon him. . If he
had urged farther, that by this means he might have had a full
froof of Gods love and care, or of his Son^ip : It was at hand to
tell him, that it was needlefs to feek a finther nddena^ when God
had given hie Co full a little before : If again he had pleaded it to
have been an ufeful eecafim to gjve a t^hmny of his Power to the
fatisfadion of others : He could have told himr that it had been .
impertinent to have done it'then^ when he was in the mdern^y
where none could have the benefit of it : So that nothing Satan
eould have propounded as a reafbn for that Miracle, but it .might
have been repelled from a confideration of his prefcnt condition^
^fflif. The Inflrudion that may be gathered &om this, is^ That we
muft xM>t entertain thoughts of doing lofpful things^ without a due enquiry into the tender of our own Heai^s^ and a fuU conii«-- deration ofall Circnm^ane^i round about, with the probable ten«^ dencies;^ andconfequencesofit. i25'X But ( may fbme iay ) If IJudge (uch a motion to be a thing
loppful^ which doth proceed from Satan, What am I to do ? ^nfw. lanfwer. Ci.) Confider whether the Good be nte^aryot
not : if it be neeelTary, ^tis idniy and not ta be fbrbom, only the ahkfes are to be watched agaitift, and avoided* Secondly, If it be a daty^ Confider Whether it he fiafonabU or . mnfiajhnable^ neeeffary or wt, as to the preient time h if it be «fl^> it nay ht Jkfiendtd^ and a ^ifevof^port unity waited for. .
Thirdly, If it be only lofffitl^ and not me^ary^ we ought to alftain from it tphoSy^ after the example of David^ Pfal. 3^. a, who abftained even from Goody (thzt is, from IdiffiU bemoaning^ - of himfelf, or complamings againft Abfalom^ that had rebelled againft him) becaufe it was not necefTacy, and Cthe circuuiftances, of his condition eonfidered ) veiy danjgerous, left vm and way being given,he might have been eafdy dra$pn to fpeak pafltonately^. ot difiwlfixliy againft (Sod, and fooikhly againft Ptovideacesr
' That
That the thing unto whfcfa Sztta. taovti Chriff was lawful, hath been noted, ^9fext \tt us confider what Unit Satan might propound to himfelf in this Motion, and we fliall fee C as hath been &id ) that he did not io nairow and contrail his deiign, as that onljr ore thmg took up bis Intentionsi, but f^ttal. Hence have we this Obfervation i ^ —
that in one fugU temftatkn Satan wuy bmmvanom Aims and QhT. xq.
I>tfigflSp .
Temptation is a eomplieoHd thing, z'many-ieaJid Moffien Satan hath always many things in his Eye. Firft, In every Temptation there is a dinS zndfriMipal dlefign, a main thing th^t the Devil would have,
Secondly,Thaear$(evetal thing^syk^/ertriea^ to the main deCgn, as fteps, degrees,or means leading to it > the lefier imi making way Tot the greacei. If Satan dk>^ldnrthirjtic hys the Foundation of his work in inward QrudgiHgs and Hatreds s next he give$ Fravo^ cationsiy by i epvoacbful Woi^ or di^atii^ui Otttlages and Be** hayionrs,^ ( as our Safioor tiotes in the expreflions of Rscba^ Mdtth* 5. 22: and ¥o9l ) and io by de^es enticeth on to Murther. The like we may obfove in the luAs of Uncleaxineft, and other thing?. .
Thirdly, Befi<ks tbefe there ate i&i^ly Kefifuu^ femething in ambt^ment to wa<«h oor RetrMr v ^ Satan conliders what to do in cafe we repel, and'rdbft his irjotion^ that fe he may nm altogether labour in vain. A contrary extreme watcbeth tbof^ that fly from a Temptation *) Pride^ Seatrity^ Self^Confidence^ and ioafiing^ are ready to take them by the Hed : So truly may it ba &id of Satan, that be kpop^b the iPoy thattpit^ > ifp^egafor* n^rd^ hi it then > ifbacfy^ard^ tpe may aifi fttcehi him \ on tbi Irft hand^ hi it atwotkjy and on the right hand^ he k net idle. Al) thefc we may particularly fee in this Temptatk>n in Hand : He had. a main deiign C ^f ^hich mote prefently ;) he prq>ares meafts arid ieconds, to help if- forward \ fuch were thofe pleas of tfto^ifZtp, and empemmy which tlie hunger and want of Ghrift did £:»:niih him witliall, airf there wanted not the refirves ofPrefkmp* #wx aiid 5e/jMiglril in cafe-he refifted! the motion. -
Tiic Re^ns o£ this Policy are thefe. v
Firir, When Satan temptfs, he is not certain of his prevalencv^ even when the probabilities are thegrcateft, and therefore doth he prmde hirofeK with fiveral things at once 5 xhatif the tempted Party nar^^e^itt ene thtng, .there may be another in readincfsthat
II 2 n ..y
I
60 % Xteatifc of Part. lit
may pleafc his YaI». God dyes this advice to the Spiritual Secdunen^ In the hhmingfm Ay Seed^ and in the Evening mtiboli not thine Hand i fir thm kpon^ not -t^hat froB fro^, rvbetbertbk X «• that. Satan, that Scedfinan.of the tares^ imitates this > and faecaufe .he knows not wliat (ball profper, therefore doth he ule variety. . • ^
Secondly, Where many things are at oaice defigned, 'tis an hundred to one they will not <^ff return empty \ 'Tis much if many fnares mid, he that hath broken one or two, may not only be inticol with a third Temptation, C as being^either ipearied out with the Aflkults, or made flyakU with the allurements of the former } but may alfo fit down ficftre^ as having C u^ his (uppo« fal ) paiOTed all the danger, and Co unawares fall into an unfoen or uniiifpeded Ti^ap. ^fflie^ This may (i.) by way of Caution aflure us that we have no
caufe to think that oB fear is over, when we have avpided the more (Jn^ious and con^icmus defignoients of a Temptation, but rather to fi4^ fome further train than we yet have diicovered^ C 2. ) That there is a neceflity for us to be circmn§e3 every way,, and Janm4iks to have an Eye before and behind, that we may make timely difcoveries of what Satan intends againfl us.
As we have taken a view of the various deiignments of Satai> in one Temptation, fo 'tis alfo remai:kable, that thefe various ways o( his in this Temptaticm, dogive jTrei^i^ one to anfitber^Uid have as doie a connexion, as Stones in an Arch. Chrift was pleafed>ro commend the tpifdontoi the unjuft Steward, though he intended not the leaft approbation of his di/hon^y : ,So may we turn afide and obferve the amrung Art^^ceof the Devil, in the management of this ^gument againft Chrift, which is to this puxpofo, as if he had thus proceeded i Iftbouart the Son ofGod^ (of^tbe Voicefhm Heaven lately t^ifyed^J it can be na inconvenience^ but every way an advantage to give afkrtherProofqfit : T!by frejent condition of want and buHger.^ fiem to contradiQ it : forbotPfirange andwbefeenung is i#, for the Son of God to bein fitch Straits > Xetiftbou beefitfibat thonfay^ ihouart^ Vpt eafy for thee tohelf^ thy filf\ God that made the World of nothings by the totter of bis command^ can tmtch more thange the forms of livings wat are made already % ^tis bia, fieal^n^ andthefe ' Stones that are before the^e mil be t$trnedinto Bread y and brides tbak in fo doing thou maifijeajonahly vindicate thy JUffrom the Ecl^fi of 1% frefenti conditv>n^ ^«cejjff/y smd Vmy (fir 'tis Vttty to p^h
tk nraut (ftbe Bi^y wbiA eanm be fi^fMed mtham iff fropet nou^ rijhnmt) mftl thee wiauoidably toit^ exapt tboH^fear^ not to con-^ traS the Guilt offelf-J^hmaion, e^ciathfrnng 1 do not nrgt thttto fwideDdicacie/y but only Bread^ andj^ch of is needful tol^ef in the
* Lives of thpoor^ Men^ in tbefoor^ manner.
Hence note, Satan indriving on atemptation^ ufetb futb an Arti^^^^' ^^* ficialConsrivemefU rf Motives oM things^ tbatftUl one doth infer ano^ tbety onefirengtbens anotber. Temptations are liks a Serew^ tpbicb if oMce admhted^rpiH in^rove itsfitft bold to draw in all the r^. By thcfe Arts doth Satan, like a cunning Serpent, nriggkhmSQKinto the
• Aflc^ons of Men*
c H A p. X.
Of SdtdMs chief e»d iff this tefMtatipf0j his Skill if$ mi* king tke means to Sin fldupble. the Reafins of that Tolicy^ with his Art therein. Men^s Ignorance his advantage. Of the differemes of things propounded to onr ufe%
r[c various ainis of Satan, and their c/p/edjcpendance oneup^ on another, having contributed to us their feveral Obferva- tions, it remains, 'that we ask after the uMin and chief thing*that Satan prindpaBy intended. And to make way to this, it muft be- noted, that in 2ni;zi Temptations e^Mly^ the tnain defign of Sa^ tajp comprehends thefe m^tf ) Thediief£^^, and the chief ilfejn/ - cdlQ^^cing to that End. About thefe ibme Authc^s conjedure varioufly, whofe difierences we have no great occafion to menti* on, ^eing the Text gives (b great a fattsfadion in this matter.
For Firft, The main End of Satan, we have Cnot obfcarc^) , expiefled to us in theie words \Iftbou be the Son of God:*] which if we compare PfithMattb. 3. 17. 'this is my beloved Son, inwhomt duf n^eff/^/e^ye^i we (hall eaOIy apprehend, that here Satan, doth but eccho to that Voice which camfe down &om Heaven > As be .^ dii
aid, with Eve \Goibadfaid^ of tbetreeidtbemi^oftf^Ganht yeJhaUnoteat^ Satan (hjaviiJg as it were the found of this yet in his £ars^ inadearr«fer*««!toit, faith, Tm, bath GoifaidfyeJhaU notm? So hereisaliban evident t'tAtatriOnA'e'TAim..^--:^..
t^imoHy
tboH be^inJeedfitcbatbe t^ifyedy ghie fimfrmftfH ? ^e. ' fii which It appears that his defign \m to «aa^w this TeftimoJ ^ feme way or otha todefij, it i neither need it paft for ancSk- aionagamft this, that Sat.aB doth not iirtfif/jmeSion his doubt
hef of his Son-Jhif for it was not fuitable to £/PoIfc^ fo to Sr
X'Ltf f '"'"' ^ • ^' fe' rf ¥^" ''^^° ^^P^<*«d afterward, « the /^^,n execution (if it had taken effed; though it wercJ&J S
Secondly The chef Mean, by wbjcb he would have brought Jis End about, may be undcritoodii(bm<3irift's .^tf>«r to The Temptation: for ii cannot but be imagined, that Chrii knew th^
*J^m of Satans Policy, andthatbisl^^-muftfttlkSS^^ Me<i«/ by which Satan indeavoured to afnm hun Hk^A r
Tati, aod -we llMli find nwre id fa &, M,fi, SftJ^ _ „ '¥
tonger ana took &m.hm the ^lI^S^l^'TiS (^ the lane. paitiitlBTcifc IhBw) KKitS^LSiil? ""'*
v^bvS^ \£r u ^ ^^5" ^'^'^ "r^ ^"«* of before) this Wwby Af«««»w Jtotc h? wakft} anJ&f/h-^/we from tWrvi,lnr
/•*'
h midt iruP^^kpinf, ihatManliw not by Breadmly, but ly eoery IVirithat fneidd^ mt 0/ tbt Momh of ibt Lord doth Man live:. which is dearly of this Import, that Man lives not by otdinay itieansoBly, but thatGoi canpiovidc foi his Life in an extraor- dinaty way, by appointing any thing to that end, through his jBrigbtyandpowerftaWord,«i4goodHeafiurei So that tWngs flewf fo unufual, or unfit in thcmfelves for nouriflunent, will become. ftrcngthning to us, ifhefliallgive otit his command. ChriftthenapplyingthisjinthisSenfe, did Casitwerc>thus.% toSttan » TboM^ I want oribnary means of Lift, vthiS iiBrtad,yet Ham God eann$alfiMy^t^*>^lndfbefkafttb^ utmr^mitfitad tfit. So that IwiU wr cjtf # <» de^endMUt t^n the Tnmdenet of God in tbitfirai*, and wkboHt nranantnm to an. extraordinary eautft fir/HPply. Hence it is evident that to bring about his main End (which was to PiM* of his Relation to God> he ufcdthis means', that by reafontif his ftrait, in the failure of ordinary fup- ply, he fliouli difinfi Providence, and without warrant provide
for'himfelf. ObCirve, j^ ,, , a n r
Itbat lAertSatan emits on a main Vef^n and E«rf, be b^ms moft Qjf. 1 2? of bis pains and sk^ in renMngtbe Mtans to tbat tnd flan0>U and takinz. ThoEadis /©# inmottion, and the Means in their fit oratnvance, takes up mifi of his Art and Care. .The Rcafons
whereofarethefe';. , /^ ^ . .. ,j.
Firft The End is apparently bad, fo that it would be a contra- diftion to hisdelign to mention it, 'tis the fnarc and trapitfclf, which his Wifdom and Policy direfe him to cover » His ultimate End is thcd<ftn«aionof the Soul, this bedare not openly *w«e& ^ to the vifcft ofMeni he dothnot &y to them d^iroyyotir SoHlsMng eternal mi/eries uponyottrfelves^but only t«npts thcmto that which- Will bring this mifery upon them > ind as for thofc wemedMit^ cods, which arcthe formal a^ of Sin, he ufeth alfo a kind of mod^V'm their concealment i he dothnot ufually £9.y,^andfiibtr- tbee lir eommit Jdnhery: Butrather puts them upon iwj*/ or means thatwillWwtbemup tathofelmqoities, except that he fome- time have to deal with thofe thatareiixhardnedmSin, thatthey makg affort to dfirptd^dly^Mi then he can mote fieely difcover his Ends to fuch in the Temptation. . ,^ , ^ ,
Secondly, The. Means to fuch wicked Ends, have not only an ham, zaiNaftiral tendency in themfelves, which are a^t». Sway andByasMenthifi way, bat arc alfo capable of ^ihciaJ.
I
I
44 z%nmU(a Paft.ni:
^t^obemtnty to ^fiittUr intkement to the cvfls fccrctly intended and thefe require the Art and Skill for thd exad futttng and fit- . tingot them. The JEwi/ cannot be readxeS without the Afc«u,and Means Co ordered, (without the aid of Graced will fcarce mifiofxbt End.
Thirdly, The Means are capable of a Vam^ and PaiAt, he can make a fliift to fet them off, and Colour them over, that thewo- per drift of them cannot eafily bedifeovercd, whereasthe End$ to ' which thefe lead cannot receive, C^t leaft fo eafily with iome) fuch fair (hews. 'Tis far eaficr to fct off Company-lceeping, with the pleafurable pretences of Neceflity or refiihing divmifimint^ than _ to propound <iirea Drunkennefe Cthe thing to which* Company- keeping tends) under fiich adreik <5acr. Ifit be demanded^ Howandby what Amhc rendersthe Kfcans
^nfip. fo flaufihle ? 1 (hall endeavour a iatisfadion to that ^mre^ by
ibewing the w'^ that Satan took toorender the Means he made ufe of in this Temptation, planfible to <:hrift, which were thefe >
Firft, He reprefents it, zsibamlefiox lawful thing in it felf i Who can fay it had been fiaful for the Son of God to have turned Stones into Bread, more than to turn Water into Wine > . Secondly, He gives the Motion afurther pretext of advantage or g9odnefi^ he infinuated that it might be an ufiftd difanmy ofSs Sonlhip, and a profitable /«^/y againft hunger. *
Thirdly, Hefeems alfoto put a 2\fe^j^ upoa it, that other . ways of help failing, he muftbeconftrained fo to do, or to fiiifo further want* ;
^ Fourthly, He forgets not to tell-him, that to do this was but ^ttabk to hisConttition^ and that it was a thing well becoming the £oncf Gad to do z Miracle^
Fifthly, He doth urge it at the rate of a V'tity^ <and that being in hunger and want, it wpuld be^ finfklnegUa not to do what he coHid and might (ox his prefervation.
The lame way doth he take in (**«• Temptations, in fome ca- fes pleadmg^ff, m fome mfi of thefe things, by which the means conducing thereunto may feem plaufible. If he prcfents to Men occafions of finning, he will tell them ordinarily, that they may lar^fully adventure upon them, that they are bamkfL nay of advanti^e, as tending to the recreating of the Spirits, and health ot the Body i yea, that 'tis necefarySot them.to take fuch a'lifaerty -and that m doing fo, they do but what^thrf do that proSs ' I Jleligioa,
chap.io: ^titm's Xtmputione, 6^
ReMgioiu Atid'often^be Inth fudi achrahtage fiom the Circkm* isnees of the thing, and the IndimuUn of our heart, that he tmkes oold to tell 115. 'Tisnoldsthenl^Mfy, fuch did the outrage of. BiMMiriiiir (eem to hini, when he oonfideied, howonichhis lire* lyhooddid depend upon the Vunaof tfa^ Efb^uuu > PmT/ Zeal nrmde him confident that Perjkmi§n of Qiriftnos was his DM^nd** tlieristhereanytlttilg;wnidicanpcetaid toany-Zetf/, Advsmagt 6r ^ouraUc OmiMi bat prefently it takes die demmination
If any wonder that ividxfm and ifaalfew pfetences are not fim thkou^ by all Men, they may know that dUs happens fiom ^a fm^dlffioiaa»^
be Impoftd opofa, who know not the nature^ or theufual Ifliies ot things > as Children are deluded to put a value upon an uieled, or hurttul trifle > foare }!kti deceived and ealily impoied upon In what they do not underftand* And fer this ^i:^ are Sinners ' compared to Biids,who areeafiiy intiad with the Bait piopoftd to their vi€fr, asprofitable and good for them, becaufe they know not the Sttote tlnit lyes hid under it : this 4;norance caufing the mifiake mentioned, is not only a SimfU Ignorance, but a]fi> thsit Ignorance whidi owes ttsriletoai^i^ and perverft difpoCti-
on, (for there are (bme that kremfl^S/yi^S''^^'^^ dothoftenr% thofe open to a delufion, who tivcon^fHftffi^noiidlin^ will
not beat /^Mtt/ to make full Inquiries.
Secondly, This alio comes to pa(s fiom an Ignorance of onrr^/tt-
phs: for while we either engage in the thmgs propofed by &tan
upon the geffcfj/iMttjM^y of a^m/ Intention, or that we have ho
' cpiT^meaning in it. We are kept fiom a'dlr/eon^of theintended de-
^iigH. Hence Paul/ fiiwnothii^, in hi( perfecoting Ac'CimA of
God, of what Satan aimed at j or while upon the fnttiae of a
good haentm^ our {eoet coirupt Pmd^ do indeed move us
-Hwkthmdtouxf undertaking, we are as'littk apt to iee the Ends
of Satan in what he propounds to us. ^dbir, and the TU^Ufks ^^^ 9* 5^
pretendihga ZeatSx God, lidt realiy carried on hf theirowil fk--
ridus tmfert^ did as little, as others fkt * what the l)evil wias doing
withthem^
Thirdly, Themeaito of a Temptation asevendred kisfufpitl-
ous, fiom an Ignorance of tl$. CircMM^Mcer, a»l Conctmfitants
that do attend them.
I Fourthly,
^ -*
66 zxtmittaf Puttaii.
in^Hmtiift^ .i^hHrivb aseto^^fUc^ 4t^ that
ifideed we hitre; i^a g|rlattt\Ar(m^. thanr ir%iu9) to jcbe e^l fufpeiScd ') . we om^mit the dtogetof tht .me^^s. m b^lOt^ Mi aol fegr^wbold wfthtlfeoccBfbns^f iai^iky «9 pi^tei^Jtag M
^ifif/ or intendments, which he difcovers ag^nft us, bat.hU>^/l|^ '^xminmginmMtaijkrdlgt^'md' ixshiin^bft tK<s ^Mf^^ ! &> ihoidd we Icuii :to impk)i aU our. P4n« flmfihk ways or introdttQions to Sin, tl^t Satao^pMt^ in dtk teuiis
rab6dt tBeoOnriDgof noeasii'iitiio iomaq^it, !4oiOut )W of hil
, . Ddfign and JEiu/wcrid ma}so iis Jf^/oiir of evmy ^(riurt propound
dedtp U9. . Theyiihat bom mlfnlk^ <« ^n^itS (hall admit the
>«Kfloiirt>f JEsriV tannot expldl tu^vow thi&ft^ jtp whkh they ktid,
lOiiifthcyinay Kmleipfi^Bdiy) bfe^^feued ipofl^ the.c|i4 while
tbeyfU&theMaaisiClifiSbamiifat^ t^ 0)p
and the Lip) 'tis norf^^j^ to iJierio^ afod'often tbey <pme itot m
fo clear, but that (bm^Akiiieir^jor other fiidoi by theoi*
• . ; Idiay iii{pei9r;this Wi]lberetort^:b«f:^a$an; adfi^ ^ree p^
Mfi)fai^/e J ibrjf afltneafts l^^idii^tQiSijsr^fif^r^A i>P^ fnH4fd^ then
}|m WeufisvAEMl^ (ibtbi ApQ^fMth4a|i9Q$h^cafej
»>e ninji go<mt of the i^Wi, r(^iagf)et;erj[^^hiiig l^ Jlerf- to
^ 1 I Aiifitrct, We^not by anyevifiiMffd^of God- putintpanyfafih
^V^' rjlrji^^: things that are. or n»y tte inffftwfde ^sM^^afb -«Wy(bc »-
• ied b^. lis with due Cw^ ^ WatobSiliml^ :^;yet: ^Ithing/^ ajaenot
:^likeneithcr, &ijWitm&^kvifei^
-fMeratioD^v . *, ...
Fixft; If diait Whk& is^prdpoqnd^, or ^d before us, as a means toSin^ beMit:fi^.6nM^ the j^^
Secondly, Wcmitifibok iH^esitti^gSb j^ oCthe^l^rr^^which th^ oixty wfiththem of a iurtb^^yit) ibme Ciretmfiauces^ or f enures of an opportunity aiid ocoUioa .cffiMd, jAreoffnch a timsfhmg 49^^ ^it ithey fe^ly w^^rn 95 to
A. -.: • i .
Queft
y(t that Soaetf m^^^imflm^ as 3k«k^ or tffibttA&M^ ig •to be avoided.
• .I%ird]]r> We ihuft ftirdite confider thiiigs jas we 9rc jftt^. : or ozgtfgfl^ to them, and acainliiigfy' wfaore there is sffmsnu of d^DDgnn^ ottbe>ijv of it, ^Avmnftkeepat j^diftaace, imeareeiH gag^ to fuch thkigs either bv t)k Al^tioniogtfaeX^iy ofH^ngrei^ carhn^C^Hng^ oteommaadofGody ot uimHddMcFrmdsnst, or i4l^i(% whi^ theleTies are upon os, lire cannot avoid the thing oraAion, butaie the more concerned teitakeheed of being oMoreMMor dvcrtakenbjr thte* . ,- : v ..
-r ■ i» i '■ iM^ ii.iO ti.'tl UU JliflJ i.lH , ^'IH" >.'■»» LHWfl I' i t.MII "I ».]llli ' • * •
» >
C H A P. XL
Means. Of the Pmer pf tk(f$^ T^jffatfM^ :4n4f(fi
ResfoaJefifj prauAlencjt^ OfitmnrrmtsbUAtt^trnpts
■ fi^ ^sHef^yith the caups ihefeof. €f W^i^ mO^d^
* .: . ■ ' / j. . 1: • i 'W^' . *;' ' • . .
r Have pardcQlaily inflfted :u]^oii^tHe aimsoi &itan in: this
Tempfation^ in tifenvkridy^. and^ alfo )die ^jcu^ning wmekbm andxofaolencaiDf them: Ihavcatti fii^^ otehib-iaMgf .dffignl I .aiffi new in the MpIaSceto ^pidieat ybii withthc fifUSUniffi. and refpeds 'that the /imn&stf means canry 0(k the \fta^dii and ^th^ proportion whidi may he found in all Jthefe to the. edd defigoed .by them. . / ' , •? . v - i . ':...)
-' .Tnec!nieiiiMiar(m reiccenoetDXne enctxieugiwajMnM'^c^inQR^ oi B09^eQcosand thd^iifi/fitaff jde^insitohdkij^oiDtkit cji^ftjwts the/^ii/irre of ordinary paeans oflbtiplyx for&^heifeiideafVDUvodt^ impwyve his fiunger^ and want in tne Wildemefi, : as a . loaxiifeft Mglift^ ftfayidtecc ipwainis him, iw which! (ashetpml^ fi# gam) ^cii(ife^Wilo^gR)Hfid^owaifi«frdyu^i(a^ to toake ftrtfidf to auonhd)ccduf&.// Hencfe Nota^V. ^^. /j^- ■>il ;, ^^^ .-^^
Mtfedat'lii^ t9yi$igMtiita'4^Ji^kn^w^^ - '^
w . I 2 fiance
68 >S Xtmitt tt Part. HL
way.
, That the/^sreof miinaryzxAyjSxA. {applies hath fay the De- vils {ubtilty brou^t a Vifinfi ogf Providence, and : run t Men be- yond all KHfes xsf help, . is a thing ctaunonlyt and notoriouily Imown* HVhenr Memaxe afflided, and. faroug^ onto unufiial finite, and the oidinary wavs of xelief areout of fight, they ^are feon tempted toxlifiruft Godiand Man, and to conclude they are | cutoff, and that their ib/^ kttriffnd^ and that tbekt^ Eye fiaB m P&Lii^«ix- more fee (jood. Djv»^ diArefled, proclaims tfU Men Lyerr: Con- .PfoUgi.ii. eludes, thatheftiouldatlaft *ec»rdfi yontffe in the Whales Belly, jon.^4. thouj^t that all hope was gone, andthathe vm c^ ^h^ of GcAs
Sight* The Church of Iftael in Optivity, forgot Froj^ity (not- withfiandingthepKomife of deliverance atter feventy years} and thou^t no lels, than that her hofe ondfirenph wis ferifi^ed ) Lam. 3. 18. Andfromthe Sorinfures mentioned, we n)ay alio fee the ftreugthitndprevaleDcy of the Temptation, eQ^alijr wh^n 'tis reduced to particulars. As,
Firff, 'Tis not a thing altogether :^of no weight that fuch a Temptation (hould prevail againft /ifd& Peribns^ as David,^ and Jonab^ and the whole ChtrA oflfiaely that the manifold Expert^ ences that fome of them have had of Gods faithfuln^ in delive- ring,and thcfeafinableaefs of help at times of greateft hazard, the particular fromfes that all ot them have bad, (how difmal and black foevei things .have feemed) have given the folleft AJfkraneef imaginable, thatiwhat he had ipoken flionld certain- ly be perfbmied y the gracious Sgaiifieatianstoi fitch Fedbos as e- minently JXn^, noA skiSedin the Duties of Tcuft, and inJihbff^s of Provfiddscc, and the Q>ecial Jdi/am^t whidi fomeof them- fas Fvophets) have had abov€ others,' to enable them to improve that Sl^B^ Experienciy KnomkJg^ and Grace , to a firm adberenee^ to liich (pedal P^ravjS/, that al the{&things fhould not befuffid- e«ttokeeptlMnotfdiifanifl, (though at preient the ways of de^ livetaiicewerehidfrom'them'^ feemsfiraagCT
Secondly,^ ?Tisalfo wondenol to what an iog&t&di apfcvat- lingTemptatknihathatEyedibmeofthcm^ Pimft^feemstobea littlcoutcagkais, and did upondK ntatter e^l God -a Lyet^ when MaL 11^ II. ^^ ^^ ^ hkeLotei Lyers^ which (hdwevier . that femfr intcf* p^SftiQfSi |mt,.as]fithidbe<n JXtvidf Truflm God, and his confident i&lo<; sfmAmM^bk^Ea^ of his miae,. to <be.btc
Lyes, I 4
lif€$y aad that tlu^he fpike fiotn hk firm belief of the nromife, Iklimdy tberefmhave I fiokgn) yet the acknowledgment of his ibi^e, (which (compared withP/Sr/. 3 1. 22.) is declared as his wu^fs) win forceu^to conclude it an ingenuous Confeffion of his difirt^dt thtfirft ; when he was greatly affiled, (though he^ ' recovered himfelf afterwards to afaeli^of the promi&^ and that in* that Diftemper he plainly nfleSed upon SamHel, md calls the P^o*- mi&s of God g^ven by him, avayLye,
Thirdly, 'Tis ftrange alio, tbatprefent It^akcei of God^ Pro- vidences working but wiexpkkdJ>dimMett (honld not relieve the^ hearts of his Saints from the power of fucb diftruft, that when they fee God isnotunmindfiilofthem,. but doth hearthem in- what they feared,> they (hould flill retain in their minds theim- pireflion of an unbelievingapprehenfion \ and not rather free them-<^ (elves from dieirexpedhitions of future mine, by conduding,that he that hatb^ and dotb deliver, will alfo jfe^ deliver. P^km had'j Sain.a7. i. • this thought in his heart, thatheihpukltfoei^/vi^^y/AeibA^iif Acm/, even then when God had fb vemafkably t^^mI him bonit^ > Saul^ and f(»Dced Saul not only to acknowledg his Sin in profe-' cuting him, but alio to dechuc his belief of the Piomiie concern*-^ ing T>aind* One would have expefted,that this fliould have been set Cap. 16.- *'- fuch a DemoffiraUm of the Truth of what had been pronafed,that hediould havecaftoutall^^r) andyetcontrariwite, this pledg ofOod's purpofe to hiuEi, is received by a heart firongly ^r^^ffed^ ' with mifgiving thoughts, andheocmtinuestothink, tbu far ali ihii^ 5i^jit/ would one day defboy^iim. • . Foivthly, Hhcfsn^ of this JMsmBL are :aUb (btemat^^ie^tlxkt after they have been delivered; and have found that the f^ hath ^ not anfwaed Utiarftars:^ they have in the review of their cairiage - under fuchfeais, recounted this their vnAf^ among other re- markable things, thereby fhejving the mm^nMen^ of their un- belief and their r^anderthsit God -Ifaoidd pais by ^^LS^eat a Provo- ' cation, and notwithfiandin^ lb unexpeAedly deliver them. Da* - iw/ in the places before cited^ wasujpon a thankful acknowledge * mratofGod's-XoveandivonderfuiKindne^ which he thooghi he could not perform, without leaving a record of hisftrange and im worthy diftruft h as if he had fidd, Se greatly did Sfk^ and fa 9uh fiutaUydidd^avimyfilf^ tba$ Ifbrn-gavi ^^ Md concluded dk -
To^
«»
\
70 %%tmiitiA -PiifcUD
ikikes in widi (uch an occafibn as^ the want of means, to tempt t^ diftruft, whifch are thefc ; .
Firft, Sudi a coodition doch ufually trax^m Men 1)6fide$ diem- felTes, puts them as it were into «a M^Pt^^ andby a fiidden n^ ^KreofARcniflutient and Fear, fiaoeetb them beyond their ^effjcdf thoughts and purpo&s. This DMitMjts as the groimd of his iti* confiderate raOi fpeaking ) Jir nwav^fib^/^e^Iwas tfan^orted, &c. Noii^a^ Paflion doth not only make Men j^ed;, what otherwife ti^y would nor, but alfi> to put bad Intafm^ians vapcm adJoii$ a«id tbings.beyond what they will bur^ and baftea. Men to R^her exceedi^y unieafbnable ; So doth tl^ ftateof die Beart (un^ der an amazement and furprize of Fear ) ^ve opportunity to Satan to put Men* to imtriam and unri^teous thoughts of tfa& ProvidenceofGod^ and^byiuch ways to alienate their Miod[«
. from the ttuft whidtt they owe him.
Secondly,' Sisnfi]& a gjneat Mf to Faith. Faith then muft needs be much hazarded, when Senfe is ac a lols, or cohtradi(^d) as uiually it is^ in ftraits.
. That Faith doth receive an advam^t by Senfe^ cannot bexleny^* ed. To believe what wejfe, i$e^ than to beKevcwhat weyie . n0t i zid that inour/lateof Weaknefi and Infinnity^ God doth ib far inMg^ us, that by his alfewa&ce we may. take tht hdfik our Senies, is evident by Hs appointmenlf of the tsvo, Ssersmau^ where hy outmard t/ifibk Sigm our jF^f^i may ieqpickncd to ap- prehend tht Spiritual benefits ofkreA^ Thamof^ JKefolviny to firfpmd his\b€Jkf till h^.were fatisfifidthat Chriftwas rifei, . by .the ut- moft ^al that Sfiofe'Cpuld^vev : <determitiing)iaDt /coi credit the Teftt9aonybfthe«^to£theOift:ij^s,ti}l by prntangJiis^wwiMo his Side he hftd e^adeWa>fel£nwe.ffr<i.iwi.Chriftiic^^ emh* founded to him, but aJfopiDiKHinceth \i\s^f(inik0ti9n x£ his bdici^ a(^i€pHng it,, that hi ha4 bdkif^ becaj^ he'had fim^. But .whwi QUtwayd ufuaJiadps fail bs,7 f^vafmfe (babag notjaWe-to feoa&r qff) i*wholly;^^«fe/an4. qv.eirthrown» the very W^^/femW of probabilities gives fp &m. aj*^- to ottr Faith,, that k tommoni- Jy. daggers at it i and thfi«fo«e.w^s it given ?s the great coinmcn^^ dation ofAbr^mfFm\ that-foK (jicit withftandmg the.tmlifab^ fcteod Of the. thm^yfiaggeridn^ # ^«^ PmwJ5rniifil^ thoeby^faow extraordinary it w^ in him' at that time, to keep up a^injft the contradiSionoiSenfe^ and how ufualitis with others to be beaten
. -'- off
/fi^Hy qUc^rScnf? fpt?lvS^*j^«n) WijeW Whcjatis-^dcprived of^jls <:ri^/f&« Amifiiotl^rWQukla-jitcteulHJCYA^ad yfHt jiifai^^^ >tfge this TOig^ prove; w aigOOdMao^ wkea: S^^dtt^etber fi^y . hjs expeditions he mfiycodfider with himftlf 4n what a cafe ' "Ikftn/KH^^ if icairift .h»il'»«^Sijl(y <P ^^^^^fuHs
'Sid^'ajiito-rf^ Naik, in .all
jjjfpf^^'lwd ti^^^^ fc,. te hid gone/.ia^ay cf^n^mi j^ hij
'wmtie/.
Thirdly,^ though Faith c^il i& abcvi Scnfty and is impky^id about thJDjgf fuo$fien^ yet A«ry Sabt at <iW timfts doth not, ^St his ^Faith/o ifgi^* Chs\i\ tjells jus^ that to believe wh^tea-Man hath not ',\mif\tht]poi^^^ Job.2o.2f.
yet WithaV he hipt5 jit tahci^e and difficult > bt iSm bath not feek^ andya hath believed^ implyes, that 'tishut tme anidngft many that dothib, and that 'tis the Ca^n^ofa more than ordinaty diffieul'^ ty. jflenceiti% that to Af^ <jod when he kiUs^ tobriiiV$ vfhen means fall^ are reckoned among the h^ aiSings of Chttfti- anity. ' ; • . i /
Fourthly, ISVhen Senfe is nw-fltfi^ and Faith £itls, the Soul of Man is at a g|r«it Ufi: having nothing to ^air it up, itmuft needsji»j;,V ^^^ paving fi>n)Cthing to throw it i£nirii, befides its own/vv^ji^jr do wnwaid to difiruft, it hath the force lof t^ jgreaft zdifi^ointmrnVQ^xiSskit forward > and ^dibittmefs of Spirit hd^htned by thi^ mdig^ant: Influence of Satan, that with a vio^ lence (like the k^ff^e// throwing zAClfione into the Sea) it is caft in|t> the bottom of iuch^ibi of unbelief^ that the li^ttni'/ai^ of fqrmer Powecand extraotainary Providences cannot keep it froth Jan abiblute denyal of the like for the future. Ifiailin the Wik -denied when they cao^e to. tlie wai^t of Bread, though they ac- - knowledged he c/ifi/e the R(7d^ aftdgavetbem Water in the like firait, yet Co far did; thek Hearts fdl of that due Traft in the Po w« ^ er and Mercy of ,6od| : which mig^r havi been :cxpc6kcd > that though they confined the one,, they as . difiroAfully qu^m^ and deny the otbfi;' ibdavethtKo^ haMuxhtfmAd^ fli^:? odnhi give tmi f Strange unbelief I that/eex and ackni^vledgcth Omni- - poteqcy iujf^e fhing,' andyet^nierltin^Aiiikn • V
fifthly, ;IrpM(9ict^ ha& been aa old ^^im \ hh an Athufk ' ;t)ia|:l9fne.|iave 1^1^ guilty.o^aa deny that Qod 4»*ie>»fflkdll a/Tairs ielkting to his Children here below, who yet have not fo fully
7* Z%tzmttOt Part,Hr.
- miiiffiiflKd their luOuNth^^jknt^ asto daw to deny the *tf»r hf xGed. ThatGodk, thcyconfcfe, but wkhal they thmk' Am he
- »4lk^hiHtbeCirmh «fHtaven, andajtothe J^wftr concerns of Meni neither 6oth g/itd nor ml. This being zaoUEnvr towhidi moft are but too inelinabh, (and the morcbecaufe fuch tWnes are permitted (asthepuniflimcnt of his Children, and their Trvs^ CwhileothershaveaUtheirheartcan wifh) as feem fcaice ooiififtS
.with that love and care, which Men fook fia fiom him to his Servants; they are apt enough to mm the thoughts of thatuer- ^fwafion upon their Minds (for which the failure of orduiarv vSv* -of help, feems ttf bean high probability ; that he keeps himfdf tuKOHcerned, and therefore there fectns to be no fuch eaufe of rdl «»c« upon him. The Pfalmift fo cxprefleth that Trildu f JJ&I Jballfay, Verify then it a God tbatJHt^b in the Earth, 1 that it is d|fcoverai to beafpwal '«rfi«^of it,Cby many and fignal eon- yincmg Evidences) fomthatisfHfofGod, and hisPtovidenSs that Men ufoaUy M mto upon their ObTervarion of the Si^^ > fe?muig/««AwT/ of outward means of help. "'cmany
ffJf!Jp^j]"'^°il'"5'''*!i°^*/ Obfcmtion,7J^j?«,^d:e.
Gcn.z&.. .^''^.^ »A«rrt/«f, isasclearasthefbrmer. Sarai biinR^Z
fc«**^*?i*^^?^' ^"^°» *^»ftofherAge,\a?e her Hand-nmd to Jhabam, that in that way (the PK)nufef?««
mgtofeiO fteinightobtainChiMrenbyher! P^tSTwfSf thcmany and violent purfuitsof 5«/, notonly diftruied thtV^ mtfe thinkinghemightm^^jr^er^byhim, butrefolves to p^ xS,m.*7. 1. 5'S§5^'°^"j!^"y^iy'« fP<^«'y ^fi^ mto the Und S the PA«/iA«e/i ac«<e.whiACas appears by the Temptations and evils he rwa with there; was afogcthJr mr.arraUu° rhzt froma dUhruft Ma arc next put upTn unwarrantable Attempt IS clear from the foUowmgReafons; '».««anpts,
. Firit, The ^gbtmeat which is bred by fuch diftrufts of p«^«; dences, will not fufe Men to be «&.Fi is X^dfl^^ fr«w9w thatfomethingistobe^Awf. *^''*"«*^^<* Awngly
A»^rt' Y« iudii«he««j5i^« ofMens minds in fucharafe
^atthouehmanythm^eptopoundcd,in that hurry ohh(J3^^^^ they are .S^/»erfufuaUy of a true Judgment ■ and AS'S. '
^t thjy^e oppreffed witha mititSof though?^"^;^ .on the IOk occaiUn takes notice^ « the UdtitJ^of ^ t£^^
vritbin
ip.
miibin imy Sec.) and (as he exprefleth the cafe of Scft*ibenia j8r Storm) they are at their wits end*
' Thirdly^ Theis^mi^ jgrievance of Spirtc, makes them take ilhzty^hiaiodaka^tiscftobmdy Man^ that ^4^ 9
Twi^ori^rjar, though to n6piii|)Q& .
Fourthly^ BdngonceturnMofftheirX^ and the true j?4y of thePtomiteof God&f help) whatever other cmr^ they take muft needs be wmarramMi \ It they ooeebe out ofthcml^ way^they maftneedsirtm&r, andeverv^ they take, muft otneceffitv be
'iftmy/ Satan is (b (^iKMur jaan evil thing, that iedng any in this condition, he will not fidlto^ng0^ his help, and in place of Odds Providence^ to fet fixne wdamfml Shift before them* ' Sixthly, And fi> much the rather do Men dofi in with fuch o- ▼er&iifes, becaufea. fiidslen litof paffionate fiary doth dmt them, and out of abitter Idndidf ^iif and croffhefsj (zs if they medica- tedfii revenge a^dnfi God for their difappointment) they take up kn b^wimd nfobft to go that way that feems mofi agreeable to thAtfaffiony faying with King Jotam^ fFha$ wait we $tfon the Lard M^lon^for > Wewill take fuchacouiie, let ccone on^us what
Vhe Servicevi4iich the OUervatioa CweUdigefted) tnay per- ^^tie, foanfofuSy is very fiilly contained in an advice which D^oid gives onthelikeoccaibn, P/H^SJ^i^ whkhis Ais^ fTait oh the Lordj tdhge^ bkwof. Failures of ordinary means (hould not All us itfa difiruft, neither then (hould we run out of God^s waq^ for help. He that would praAife this, muft have theie three t£ung$
.rwmcbiuecQlliprehended init.^
: Firfi, He muft hxvcfidlperjwaiwns of the IPower and Protnife of God. I do not mean, the bare bear-fay^ that God hath fromijid
-to lielp^ aiid that he is able to deliver, but theie Truths* muft be
.m^iigM i^)on.the heart t^ and then vne *'
jisiai&l^ourEyeixpon^lxemi forif e^es weloletheiffgi&rof thif, wfaeatroubles befet us, our Heart wiU/i^/ us^. . and we ihall do np otherwife than ti^oTy who, when he^ Bottle of Water was i^pt, and (he ia^ no wayoffupply, (ate down, gave up her Son, and
ietfforibft, and fo fells a weeping over her helpleis conditioQ.
,ThiStwiaiM^iSbf|ArofGod Cinregteiofhis Power, Goodneis, H«b. x 1. 17.
-FaithfiUnds, atad Truth, Whidi are things fm(/!U<,) which kept
K- ■' ^' y ' up
74 Z%tt^UUl£ Paflkllt.
wpdieHeartof M^/er, tfaatic lonk not under the piefluic of Us fears, whenaU things threamed his nunc
Secondly) fie tlSai wduld thus wait ujpaii Gbd^ had need to lAVtW^V^^SMmi^S^tj iauSeKncttafmaicafifis,^ 1H* j^ye or Negled them he may xiGC, when Ue mjybmt&axi^ Sot that weic intdlloablefrv^nii^^ aiid ib to xnMr our ffiipci and £xpedat}on$ upon them, asifborjre^SmdidceitainljjIe^^ on them, is an high affiromtt^Goi&Omiufount^y andne leis thaa a finRd idoUziMg c^t he Creature v but the engagements <^our I^h ty muft keep carefully to the fiift^ and the confideration of an ^ depehdmy of an Almtghy Powtr^ as to any pAordmaU tntaas or caui^s, muft help us agaonft the oibtr inifanriagc> When iH means ^f^pkU fid! us, we moA look to live upon Omnipotent F^Mfi^fWii^tnd Goodneis, which is not tyed to any duitt^ hut that vMAm aB meftns> ^iAtmmmyxo ^Someifs>€tfie(mdrCm^ jii, candowhatheh^hpiDinifed, orfoesfti]
Thiirdiy) There is no waidng' upon God attdkeepinghisway, without a^tfr^MAfrM^ in God, tothisweaictioroa^^tfiM^^
but highly moMM^ to it, under thc(|reateft Aflltiafldrs of^ hdb^ Pfal.37. 5. Tnft in him, andbejhatt bring it tofafs. frtiff U ak Lard^tddoGcod^ ^ verify fbBn^fdt^fioL i«r^; The Lord , fliall help and dettvtr them, beoavde they tn^in inm* And tbk we are to do at attimay and in the^irelf H;i«iatir,andwiihi^
P£iL 3 « ^ '^i^M SMtrby, Ilmime danmsmlfifij I mU tm- hftngmd if '*^' ' 4m ikmfcmds if P«^, that bs^e fit tbmfiUu j^aitfi me hmd abtM.
Quefi. Butfome Cpoffibly) may (ay, Isit ote DutytoiEriMrinSidia
cale^ whenatltheufualwaysoffiippiy iaii us, nuift nothing be attempted ?
jr., I An^er, FirR, At (ucb times greater Gm and .Diligence is ne-
^V^\ * ceflary in ^tttmadthirigs^ that what tmtiSiVfM^ ooriidEecwadi hdp, 4M9tAer lawful eoMrJfimay » and as topttHtatDiUgtdce^ itflipuldhe tKtrmrdmary, weihouMbemcMeatneftiand fiei^piciit in< Fkaytr, Fafiings, Meditations, and tlbeexercifeaf OvsEoesi
Secondly, Mobile weare m the puifint o£V9ay^ and where the StAftanctoiit tnay iyepreftrved ntfim, if our StrMs and Wants mtunmdahly put us m of «k ir«f, weinay be&tisfyedtoga aa, though(bmeCii«iM^4a0itbenecd^ Kfii-^
ae^r might kill Zimri and Co/^i upon the Command of M»ye/«
hbmki^. $• And wnft^ehtlfin Ftofccdtkii of Diity^ thoogb CoclierCinsifflito it was in Smt rdpcds exdn*
oratnary»
Thiidly;, But let theSir^Jt beivbit it will, wte mnft not fbrfako Dotjr i for (b we eo> tfiir of Gods way^nd do oobcj^ nd Hope wlucbwc ate to keep iqp. to'Ood^waid.
But (it may be further urged) oiuft we when all Means fail, QueiL /^(^rm/j^TruftinGodfortbofe f«ry diings which W9 miglht eSL« ped in an oidinaty way ^
tn feme cales, our Duty isfiimifidn to his Wifl, and the par<- Afi/m. i« ticulsir Mercy neithar/»/t^£p«fy to be ixptSUj nor jctdifht^ed. Thus did Pii^ j^ behave Umieli; when he fled fiom/M^^tfaiiiip^ ' on AifilMfsIiebcliiaa 9 Let bim de fi^^fimmbbimgoed^
Bat theit are other C^ wherein 'tis our l^ty to jlx our lYuft npon the partiaUar Mercy or help. I (hall naaie^^> and poflSbly a gtftet many inOKeo^-be added. As» ' -*
Firft, When Mafde^are exprefy and particularly fmmfii ; ^ wheti the Kingdom was pronufedtoZ>4»ii« When a Son was ptcmfcd to Jkrabdm. Whatever had been the In^MhAUbla of their obtaiaiiig the thing pro&afed^ it was their duty fefiti$^ u> believe^ Thki$ indeed -not a general Qife«
Sieondly, -1vhen(kKl leads u| into (baits by e/r^^^ni^ «$ ki Ina Serwt^ as when Jg^jce/lbllowed the Lord into the Wildeme(s, iir order to an enjoyment of afiirtha Mercy^whidi was the PoflcSioii of the Landof Cmma \ when they had no Water to drink, nor Food to eat, and faw nonamral poffibiUty of fupply in that Wil^ demtfs, they ou^tK>Wvdy to have expededfupplicsirom God in an Expra&rdinaryyfdey^ and it b reckoned up againft them' ail thiek Sm that they ditd not believe. This was the very ca(c of €hrift under this Temptation, theSphitlcd hkn into theWil- dornefs upon the pro&cutlon of a further defign j when thtire was no Bread thereto latisfy his Hunger, he refmfitb to work a Mira* de for. his fupply, but leans upon an Extraordinary Provi- dence.
Thirdly, When the things we want are common univerjal Bkf- fmgt^ and fudi as we cannot yki# without : ifwehavew^i&wgto eat^ znd nothing tofftt on^ yet feeing the Bo^y cannot- toe without both, we muft poRtively expcd fuch fupplies from Providence, though we fee not tne Way whence they Ihould arife to us. This kiodofDifiruft (which refleds upon the general neceffary Provi-
K 2 ' dence
* •
l6 %%tt^\ittA Bart.«ti
^ dcnccbfGod, by wbfchheiscngagcdtoprcforvchisGtcatufesiL M.t < »« ^h«r Stations, t6 «fo^A thtGr^s ^ the Fkld, ip fHdtkmd^^^
mire d^^tb ym^iO;yt i^iHtkTaifhf nty^M]XLottioYz\ih^ f and in that regard a very Trodi^ of Diflruft>tbat will uptbelievC for NecelTarics, . Hence ltW.3. 17. the Prophet refolves upon il re joycing Confidence in God, when neither 7m, nor Fiew^ nor F/^WouMyeildanylwpeinanor^ .
^ Fourthly^ VihtxiGoais eminintly engoffd kfi our help^ andhisr
'^ Hoiiom Urs at Stake in that verymatter ^ fo that whether God wit hefpoino, or whether he is ^ifc/c, is become the <^«/r»iwj5f, upoa VihkWKMgkn in its Truth, or tiitfbnom of God is %o be tryed) then are we engaged to a ctnain belief of help. The three CM^. drenyvpon this ground did not only afiert, that God was able ude^ Uvdf^fhm^.oithzt their Death apd Martyrdoroe they could hear (which is ail that nnofi Martyrs are able toariie.up to) but they, aiTerted pofikively, that Godvpmld ddiverthem^ and that the Fire flicwild not burn them : they (aw evidently that the Conteft, wbe* ther the iJrd wzsGod^ vi^as managed at fo high a rate, that God. was^o^ore concerned to Vindicauhis Honowr by their pi^e(ervatio%, than to Fii7^£ctf^e their Gme and Patience by their Conftancy in. Sf0fhg* Another Infiance we have in Ma^th. 8. 26. where ChriA rebukes his Pifciples for unbelief^ in their fears of Siup« wrack in a g^eat Storm (not that every Sea-ncian ordinarily lies un- . der th^t charge, that gives himfelf up to the apprehenfions of Danger 0 thegroundofwhichcbari)|was this, that Cbrijiwzs pith ^em,- and coniequently it had unavoidably contradiQid his Defign, and r^Hed upon his Honour, if he had fiifiered his Di(^ ciples at ^ W ^/me to be drowned: their not mmdii^ how farChiift was engaged with them, and not fupporting themfelves againft then: Fears.by that Confidcratipii) rpadeChrift tax them for their linkFaiiK
CHAP.
ch^n: »mi^isi:%mmtmg, \i
9*
■"■■"'* * ri- J H!'i » ijii'j C " f
// , . . * . ; J
I ;
c^if A p. XII.
...... . . » ,
J t'. -* ^ .<.!•. .. , * ^ .
' L
€f Sstsms f^tediMg u itifer^ tt^ru/t rf Sotifflnf from • Dffirufi-tfPr&viJ^es. Infithces of the probMUtypf [ifctfdDefign, thRedfigs of this undert things Of Sa4n*s<mei^iw^ fo rvuifif the JOpfance Md Hopes.
«fGo^sXbif^n,l_l^s.g<n<rdMftt»dtothAt.f»r'.
. fofe, .•.■.••...
LAfily we are tooonfider the fuitaHenefi of the Me^ns to the End \ he had Cas we .have &en) fitly proportioned the jf^^-: diHoitMczns to. the dfiefzad principal. The failure of ordmary Means of help, wasflircwdlyprppettoinfcra Diftruft of Provi- dence* Now let it be noted how ii tly he improves this I>iflnfi ■. of Frovidenci^ tob^g abqutthe End he afmed at, whidi.was a P/-> .^n^ofl^is Fiiiai&tcx^ ^God> s^if he fhpuld have thus reaib- ned > Hi that infiratts Uforfakpi^ as to aU theujkal fitpfUis ibaf.mjn, be exfeSed in an ardinatyjpoy^ hath no reafon to rdyon Fravidcnee [ and hethat bath no reafon to rely on Providence fat the oody^ bath lefi caufi^ to ea^£F Sfiritttal SklJtngs atfd favours for m Soul» Heaqe.
'that Yif Satan^rendeavoKT^ tomal^Meaprxeedfionea P/)frj^ ^okr Trovidence, toa Vifirufi of their Spiritual SonJbiK orFiliallnter^ Wv ^^ ^^ Qod. Firfi, I fhall evidence that this is Satan s tkfign, and ncict, lib^l ^ve the Reafbns of it* The formgrvl (hall make^pd%,t^eie feycral ConG4e»tions.
t^ixA^ We. fee it is an ufital Infejraice that ot|iers makieof Men whoie' Heart fails them, under an abfe^e or. di&pp^arance t)f all , ineans of help in their Difixefle^. Kf Providence doth not iffear fi^thena^ they conclude God hath /0i:f2i%a them. Bildad thus cp^ncludes agaii^ft ^(A cbaf. /^ ^h^ not ^U thy fear jtby Confidence^i^y ihfe^ and the tirigktnefs of thy wifys }.• W hich rouft not only be ua- . dcrllood as an^/uc^ Scoffat jtlie ii^etfi^ Coniidence and .
Hop^ as not being at)le ((f/upport hkc^ ^gaif^ft faiatiog m his *
ttoubfe^
Job «. ^.
f I
trouble, hntiSz'dttc&aea^atunofilMfalJei^tZDdUjfoa^ of hisfuppo&dlnt^ty, and all the Hopes and ConfideBce wbkh ivas built upon it r and ver. 7. doth evidence, whae he plainly declares himfelfto fneao, that JJ> could not be Innocent or Righteous, it beuig (in his apprebetiffi>iiit) la thing never heaid of, that Co great Calamities fhould overtake an upright Man* ■ ^^Im/erptr^edbeufglMtceHtiT^gKsmdofyrl^ from ver. 5. It it now com lOm tbtt, and thou faim^, Uti^ j^^ DiflrefTes are upon thee, and thou haft navii2>le means of hda but defpaireft ever to fee a Erbvidcnce' that will lamg tliee outi
thfirpffirf" fitr/»fir thftn haft U^'A vi>« root 't^^^/M- t^r>^i ^ . .
_ >— Q^d, ^ .„,
Child. El^oK alfb leoonds hii» - friend trt OAs undiaritaUc Coifure ) If thoHwert pn and ifrigbt, btmidd tmi^ftr Hitt > that is, becaufe he doth thus overtook thee, therefcjrc thou art not pure and upri^t. ' ■
iffAfc«dothusairaulttheCotti6»ts<rf*<3odVaiiIdren, wehave ««brt enetigh to think that SauHMfin i firf bdides that We mar conclude theywc fct on work by the Devi^ (and what he fpeate I^ themjhe wiU attb by otl% ways pWtoote,a« being a ddignSat IS upon his Heart i ) we may beconfident, that thS being a Smt- mtje Co NattOvl td the Heart of Man, he ^111 not let ihp fofiir an
advaiit!?gc, fottheformlngofitinour ownHearts againft our ielvis'. •
9cddhd)y, TrtiebeftofGodsChiMien, m&chcafts, cfiape it *eiT**'<//j' (ifatallsjl whichdeclares, not only the depth and Power of thatPolky, but aMb how ufual it* i$ with Satan to urge
■ ^^^^^?^9^ ^!* '^ >*> «*^« ^9' ?5- recovered hin!& btitby^theJrav;l^F«irfr^»rf/.«^yB», when't«y.io7iT £
afi^ledbmWmh agat4 mty MdhtcemmhmeMntohmatm^ htEnmief., Bisearn^refohe^ not to givedphisTruft in God
aiidthi«w/i*«eofhismegnty, isfeffifienttadifcover S^ ei^rAfaft*«<.i ilo-Mw^hiftberSfvedorifc ^ ^^.
■^. J(^^fv^tans«!w«e//bi this Temptation over the Saintsof XM,' (who fomrthtoc hate iduaiy failed i J flicws how much it IS KUWork to cilftdown their hepts of lotereft in God, bv ovcr-
Ji^ilL^^*^''??*'? 'J^ ^^^«"^^ If 1^ ?«empts t£.
«nder-
midcitakiQg V We Imc Uttk auie to think, that he w91 he ooore "^ "* ^nj aiid gotfl^ m this Aflaquit ujpon thoie that axe ^ore v^e^
bw. the warsofvFtovid^feu ^ 2/4vd;; fivaU^thfiProqufts that Jbeliad received. , wdin^w nuQij^U tiya^ that^l^
hail of ^aibnaUe a»^ twRqpe<^ ddt^manees^y^^ waqi he w:^ i^tr^eiy Jieonce and^gainiait^intp iJ[ear of his ^^i^/^' aiiKi aq^ fiieoingofGodH Favour* He cdnipl^as one utterly iorlaken,
w^ I. fim^if^tbe di^ ACre, asa lAsinthzfmip^S^ -
to ftand ujp<u^ jand that his troidiks hadhipaghthip to tax t\i^ flateofhtsSoi^ luit obIj as <i;^e^of God's Favour Caod there- fore vtt^ I7« hqgsthat Us Fsceaaqf heno longpcbidj but z\(b as fuTpedir^the^i^it^ 2/cr«i8« dratp^h wtto my Sotd, . and re-
€d]$kico uifb^ £t c^^sq[^4!pi^iusSp^ that up
confideratspn offoniiqc M(^ ligremfmbreft
Cadi vttm 35^ hut wm tnA^d \ he cxmfdmdtht d^sofoU^ c^zd to
the^iido^ lu^admon^ ibid,
tUi k nom ii^niK^ \ i
. '^our^^, 'Ti3 aUb g coiDmoii^d padioanf thing with moRy ,t» cxiUft^^^ of their £jpvritual Condition, wb^
.JtWmfpti^ith^l^^^ QfPiovidenGe ^ Hence theAix>(Ue>
jC^I. t2*Si^« flli^ he jprouU fwet die Heaxtsof Men i^qr^the Lords d^eiux^r^pthofi^^ u(e of this encourage-
flient, that<0>d^^^tothimipth^ as4;o C^i&A%«^ndfuch
Sore undqrh^Ca^ Cm^mngif
i Lard I nihom the Lord iaifetb^ bedufineA^ Sec Which ceitainh b.teUs ustbusnuicby.d^t^is^xdin^ Mcp ta douht thek San^^ h^^^ cf their 40^^»^ We mav on^iedure what the hLdffMiSy when we knpW; what is prepared as zlSedidne: Thi3k woula not have been aco^nopfi RoQiedy, (iha^ Pffenk^ bt Qnl^ dren^ Aak^fffi h ,^«V<^ i.jC the disbelief of. thi8» had not, been the iuualuitetivetation.c^Affli<^^ and a conunoa Di^
i.rii
£Uth];>
8< iL ICreaeiife 6f " ?xdm:
FifiTiR^'Wemay further take noti^^ that thofe J&ppdm dF 'Mind, tnat were only occafiondii by oisiffri^ tfdngSi smd ^m
-enttecMtionofthePjtftyywiffi^:-^^ jtt-|f
'-^heycont&uc/w^, A)wh611y-dfe^ thatat
firilonlytrdubledthemfelvcs, for lofles or/oofTes, forget tfade 'Troubles, an^take upfiars for their Souk. ' Sometime this arifeth from la natural^m^and tiitaerouCieis of , :Sph:iti fiicharcapttomifgiveupbnknybcca^ •ly, IflrimUCm, bi'tPoainrim^farf^^ bis fatbah
'-Con^affions^ tmetSfit^ia^ay archer mffl^tm
SomttiiMthis^tifcth^ or heiditned
' by outward trdubtts. Thefe when they continue long^ancmira
• dtep, ~ put Meii into * Spirh rfhavini^^ wWcfatnafccs^ ^rem refofe
'tohc^ cottifoitti. Here fhe 'Devil takei h&^savaricige V Wtf^A?
[Smms, areas dcfi^tfiifllyitt^^ ^ wtlaarfid plia^
fitrex > theyarePwfto/i BMnemny hisPath ih^hich he ^rts him-
idf, zsthcLetriaiban in the Waters. Whcnfor tcmpotafLoffesor
TrpuMeslMen fiill into Mdlancholy, ifthey be not relieved foon
' then thd^f ]5ncf changtiih itsOB)^ and infCjtoiAr they difquict
' themfdveii ^d being out of God?s Fa^our,-^ bern«'cfimigeci fiom
God; as being ofthe number of the damried'i fadi-ag^nft vvhbm
the Door of Mercy fc(hut^ and ib cry outdfthemfelves ashopel^
and miierable.. The Obleryations of Phyfitianssilfoti ftore of in-
Alii damnatosftailces of this kind. Ff/!£t PAi^^Mr gives one, of a -Woman at
^'nS'^' ^W*. wh6firftfefievedfdfitheDea*<ofher5onv and^wheff
^"^f^/pL^^^"^ :that dWbged intoan highi
tcTM Trda. trouble v ' Ihdthourhisi that her Sim wttuldiiot iie'parddncd^ tfrit
MeUff.cz2.i$. God would not have Mofcylor her Soul Another, for fome lofe
-of Wheat, firft vexeth himfetffor that, and then at laft defeairs of
the Happmefs of his Soiili with agr^at rhariy iriore ofdat
. ^'Sonietinies a iij^^rife HUnaor doA (fibm the'fblie dccafibir) ^Ucft 'fkVtjhraahi^ mid i Fury \ of whifch AferJcffw givefe one Inftan^
M^USd ^?f if ^ ^«^^i?!i& <^^ ^ P«^^: who upon the Diflitffes prodcrit ff o.'w'^'^hheitaetwith,fcUmtoarage;igainll<36d, uttering fpcedih raverim ? fi full of HoTiour i^id Bkiphcmy, not fit to bexelated.
prefenseftcur * i... */* ^u ;."', . -iJOjk.jj ;•;^^ .. ! ,j. . i ..m
non fuccurrit ? cur non me carcere, incdii, fqualorc confeaum liberal ? OV, Abfca,iBe ba *
jusinodi Dcus. Merctmtm ad Gem. c.ii. foL »jo. -^.^^^ j«i-
iTthere be fuch an Affinity betwixt diftruft of Pirovidence, and ^iAruA of Son.(hip, that the one Aides into the other naturally. If this be common to all Men under troubles, to fufpedt their Souls > if the b^ do here adually miicarry » if tho(e that do not yet hardly efcape ) zndiffyfiamkrs commonly give this judgment of Men in Araits^t that there is no help (or them in their God > we cannot but eoVeS (torn all this, that it is an advantage which Sa- tan will not neglect, and that he doth very much imploy himielf to bring it about : . «
The Reafons of it are theie.
Fir A, DiAruA of Providence bath in it the veryfirmsl nature of diAruA of Son-Aiip. IftheObjedlofdiAruA were but changed, it would without any fiirther addition work that way. He that r^ « 1 1 truAs Providence acknowledgeth that God kpamab his wants, that J^li^^^ofta he is of a mtreifkl inclination to give what he fees he hath need of i 14. ser. 4. that he hathoianifeAed this by Promifey that he is Cofatthfid that this Promiiecannot be negleded, and that he hath Potper to do what he hath promiled. He that diAruAs Providence disbdiever all thefe, eonftquentiallyzt leaA > and he that will not believe that God takes any can of the Boiy^ or that he is of a merciful difpofi* tion toward him, or thinks either he hath made no fuch Pzomile, er will not keep it, ifanyfiich were made » cannot believe (if that doubt were but once fhurted) that God is his Father^ or that he hath intereA m the Priviledg of a Son, Seeing it k imfoffible to believe a Sof^Py vphiUbis Care^ Merey^ PronAfes^ and Power are di- firttfled. In tnis then Satans work is very ea(y,tt is but his moving the QueAion about the Lords Mercy to the Soul, and prefently Caswhen new Matter is minlAred to a raging Flame h ) it takes hold upon it, and with equ^, Cnay greater) force it carries the "* ^'
SoultodiAruA Spiritual Merdes, as before it disbelieved Tempo- ral Kindnefles.
Secondly, Th/tfame Rea(bns,which any Man doth gather from the fieming negleft or Oppofition of Providence \ upon whic;h he
Sounds hisdifouA of the Ixnrds KindneG in reference to outward ings, will alibym^ as Arguments for a diAruA of Spiritual Fa- vours. ThediArcAesofMenfeem to argue, (i.) That there is Sin and Provocation on their part, (a.) And that there is a ma- nifcAationofj^ii^cr on Gods part, (3.) And from thefeapprehen- fions aiifeth Si^^eme^, Anxiety, Fear, and Dejedk)nof Spirit, which iiftercfpij all the HelpT and Cqnfolation which mi^t arife
L from
r*
^^ aiCteatifeof Part-iix: \
from other confUetatms of the Lords Pr&mifiy ox Marcy^ tot, 4ic quietingof the Heart, and fortifying it agaiaftfudiapprcbenitonsi thcfe fame grounds, With the prevailing fears and peiplexitie^ ariOng fxom thero, arc enough to make us fufped:, that we att not yet under any fuch peculiar FaTourS) as may hefpeak as his Children by Adoptioa > fb that irom the fame precnifes Satan will conclude, that as he hath no c^rr &r ddr Boditr^ Co no iaue to otir < Souls ) tliat we neither love God nor are belovoiof him, betwi!ict the one conclufion and the other there is but a (f ^, and with a fmall labour he can cut the Channel, and let in that vay Diihuil, to run with all its force againfi onr Spiritual Intei^ in <3od.
Thirdly, To trufi God for the Soul is an lUg&cr ad, than to tf uft him for the Body, the Soul hemg of greater tioxUiney than the Body 9 and the Mercy neccilary focthehappiiiefiofit, being xfiOtefredom^ and /c^ t^rf^/e, itmuft liequire an higher C(mfidtw:c in God, toailureofthis, then fatisfy lis inthe c^erv 'tis m^e eafy to believe a /i#r kindnefs &am a Ftiend, than ; a fingd^ or epctraardinaryF^QUXt hethen that cannot truft Godfinr ttn^al Mercies, fhallbemoreunable to believe Eornal Bleffiags> If we run with Foot^men^ and they have weariid us, fliall we be. abk to contend y^lthHffrJfi-men ? If ti^ ShaUoaf Brooks be too itsong for US, whatiball ^edointbe/nreff/^^j-of/on^./ i
Fourthly, When Faith is weakned as toitmeOhjieiS:, 'tisfbtiM* ud and difcouraged^ that it is generally weakned as to dH'othet » if the hand be ib weakned that it cannot hdd a Ring, it will be k& able to Qralp a Crown s when we are baffled in;our truft fer temporal Mercies,, if Satan then put Us to it sot* 4a bel^e for ipiii(ual Bieffings, how can weexp^&but tdbaaanch saofe at a lofs in thetn ? So that heis £ire of thcWlEtotf bcfoie he f^^^s^and he that isfb fedulous to take advantage againft us,.wJU aoc lofe £> confidcrable a Conquefi for want of purfiitr. There i&in^ed ^e. thing thoit. may ibem fit to be oh|ci9»d agsift this, wiUcb«$ that Men may retain tbeilrFafiltiia.Qtiethihg, when yet they dl* firt^ in another,as the Ifraelitu diftrufted the Power and 6oodflt6 of God for t^dy 'and Fk^ in the.^V^emefiy when yet th^ be-* lieved that as he had given /F/i^erout of the Rock, ib he could 4& itagain if there were need. ffal. '^%zq, IkfmmtbeKQck^^ and^ the fyatetiR gnfiiU a«t, h$k cm ht give TSaxad:: ^s :sf they hdd^find^^
ludiieye he can ^ve. Water, .but ^tis:.mqfkiaib]e: he ft^uM^piovide .
Bread.
Chap. I*: ^nun'SXtmptatimn, Sj
SreadJSut they that would thus bbje^^may confider^that the reafbn ofMens Confidence in one thing, (while diftruft is in ether things prevaihng) is not from any real ftrength of their Faith, but a pre* icntiTtf^it of a Temptation 9 iffucha confidence were put to it, it would quickly be feen that it were truly nothing. As confident as the Ifraelites were, that they could believe for a fupply of Wa- ter, we find, that neither that experience,nor the other of fapply- mg them with Manna and ^ails were fufScient to keep up their truftinGod, but that at the next firait all was to (eek, ver/e 32, For aV thU they finned ftilty and believed not for hk tponderout
W0Tf1^»
Fifthly, Befides aK the forementioned Advantages that Satan hath in railing this Temptation,, ofdifirufting Sbn^lhip out of a diftruft of Ptovidence, we may (iippofe him the more earnett in this matter, becaufc'tisfo prai/(?J^»g to God to diftruft his Provi- dences thatheo&en, Cas a juft chaftifement of that evil} pu- nifhethit) by giving them up to diftruft him for their Souls ) the height of the provocation may be meafured by this, that 'tis not only a ^f^tf/ of God thatisaoove, but ufually zv^ing fome mean and contemptible thing, with thole Attributes which only fuit a God Infinite and Eternal. Aslfiael did not only forlake the ^^{^^ j^ ^^ ,^ Almigiity by their diftruft, but place their hopes upon 4/^«r,upon their own Horles and Warlike {Reparations, and at laft, upon the works of theiir hands, which they called their Gods. Howoffen- fivcthisis to the Lord, we may obferve by that notable check which the Prophet gave ii&tf«. E/<iy7.8, 13. notwithftanding his complement 6f refiiiing a Sign, (which God offered him for the flrengthnihg-of his hope) upon a pretence that he would truft without it, (though indeed ne abfolutely diftruftcdhim,as appears by 2 Cbron. iS. 20,) that it was a weaningwd tyring out the Pa- tience of along-fufferingGod > If it ajmallthing far you to weary, Aft^ hut rviltyou weary my Godalfo ? God is fo a^ive and jealous of att/flcro^ci&ii/e;!^/ of this kind, that they may exped he will give kp foch Offcndets to be puniflicd by the terrors of an higher diftruft^ He that is not owned as a God in his Providences, will not be .owned as a Father for Spiritual Mercies \ they that wiU not own him for the Body, jhaU not be able to lay hold upon him or his ftrength, to be at peace with him for their Souls, and by this pieceof juft dilcipline he often cures the diftruft of Providence in his Children, who when they fee themfclves plunged into terrors
L a and
i
g4 :a %nMtt of Part. 11?:.
ind fears about their cvctlaftingWclfatc, do not only call GoJ Juft, andaccept of the punifliment of their Iniquity, in diflrufting hira for fmaller mattcrs,but now wifli with all their hcaris,that they mighrhaveno greater thing to trouble them than what relates to the Body, or tins Life.
To Sum up all thefe reafons in one word j Satan hath from the forementioned confiderations, a certain expeAation of prevalency*. For not only in this cafe doth God (as it were) fight for him, by
fivin^ tbemkpy to diftruft their Filial Intcrci!, that have/T<wfl|jrf lim by a diftruft of Providence > and our Faith is alfo fo tpeakped. by the former overthrow, that 'tis not able to maintain its ground in j^n higher naatter, but alfo this diftruft canies that in the nahm and grwndf of it h that will of it felf work up to a disbelief of fpi- ritual Mercies. He knows then that thb piece of the Vidory is an eafy Confcquence of the former, and we may (ay of it, as the: Prophet Nabum^ dfap..^. 12. of the Strong-holds o£ Nineveh^ 'tis like a Fig'-treewitb theprfi ripeFigf^ iftheybejh'aksii^ tbeyfidllevem fall itto the mouth of the eater. This Temptation of diftrufting out Son-ibip fells into Satans Mouth with a little Labour, when once he hath prevailed fo far^ as to make us diftruft the Providence of God in outwafd matters* . jfp^i^ TMsmuft warn and caution us-againft any unbeieemingunbe-
* ' ^ Hcving entertainment oijealdkfy againft the Lords Providence* we are but too apt in our ftraits to take a greater liberty to queflion his Mercy and Power; not forefoeing how cloiely this borders upon a. greater evil > we may (ay of it, as the JpoftleCp^zksof hdhling in Controperfies^ that they lead to more nngpdlinefi^ and that (uch wordsL tat at a Caiikp^ fo doth, this diftruft ufually carry us^ further, and when we fall but with God for (mall/matters, he will be angry ia earneft, and withdraw,fromusour Confolations in greater. In the depth of your diftrefles when your fears are round about yoU) and God feems to compa(s you about with his Net i when Lovet and Friend for(akes, and wten there is no appearance ofhclp, enr deavour (for the keeping hold of your liitereft in God) to behavo yx)ur (elves according to the following diredions. ,
Firft, Look upon.the Providences of God to beasa great. /fe^y the bottom of whofe ways and defigns youcannot reachi think ot them as of a Mjfiery^ which indeed you muft fiudy^ but not i*r(Mraway, becaufeyou cannot at firft underftand it. Ptoviden-? ces arenot-^o be dealt with a$ Akxandet did J>y Gordilk his knot,
wbik
Chap. n. daian'id? JCtmp^tiong, %$
who when he could hot loofe it, he cut it* If you fee not the end of the Lofd, or cannot meet with a door of hope in it, ye^ lay yoffr Hand u^n ymr Mimtb^ fpeak not, think not evil of things^ou know not, but wait till the time of their bringing forth. Secondly, You mirfl keep up iii youir hearts fc|A ^nd honourable <itajigi&^/ofGod,.yea, of his Mercy and GoodnciSi and where you cannot fee your way,or God's way before you,yet (as it were by a kind of imfl^ch Faith) muftyou believe that he is Holy and Good inallhisways-r ,
Thirdly, Though yoiwnay«cad your^w/, or God*s ^ij(^/M^e in them, andaccordiixgly endeavour to humble your ielves, and call your felves vile, yetmuftit be always remembred, that Efer- nal Lave or Hatred is not to be tneafio'ed by them.
Fourthly^e/irjjn iompIainingf^^^Tis indeed an eafif to complain i I mB fie(J^ (fzith Job) that I may be refft(hed^ ijotwithftandifag . a J^^b 32.200 Mffi being given^ 'tis difficult to keep within bound f. Our com- plainings entke us to diffaruft, as may appear in Job^ who tooK a boldtiels this way^ more than was iit 9 as Chap, |o. 3* Is it good * mta thee that thoHjhoHldefi offr^} and that- thoHjhould^ dej^ife tb^ wfrk^of thine hands f
. All thishath been &id in the opening ofthe Temptation it Celf^ now muft I confider the motive thzi Satan ufed to bring on the^ Tanptation by > If tbm be the Son of God^ Sea
The ^Hffiion that ishere moved by fbme, is, whether Satan re* ally J^m, or truly doubt^ Chrift to be the Son of God." Severat ^ Learned Men tihink that he was in <&i»fe, * and the reafons are»^^^ ^^^^^ vaiioufly conjedured. Cyprian conceives that the nni^of the two nitim. ^ Natures in one Perfin did blind bim^ he knew it to be impdfible that Serm. de je;uw the Divine Nature fhould hunger^ and might think it fttange that ?i?^n.?™f^ ,' the Humane NaturcihDuld f aft (b long. ComeliMi a Lapide think* SiSl^arm' that Satan kpew that there (hould be fnv Natnres united in one exorcavir Sa«- r Peribn, and that this occafipned SataasFaUf while he proudly tanam. ^ fiomacked the exaltation of the Humane Nature, butheimagins ' Satan's doubt aiolefirom a ££w&i;^ 4?ence of tiiatphrafe. This k my beloved Son^ as not knowing whether Oirift were the Nhtifral^ ot - mJd<^edSon ofGod.
But notwithfianding tbefe a|pprehenfions,'othcirs conceive thai? Satan knew very well whaChnft waa, and that being privy to (b- ^ Quny things renting to him,^ as the tromfts which went i>efare and>disedly pointed oixtxhc^itDc^ihtAng^TSalmatioH' o[hhfy_ '^ I at**-
84 Z%tt^tiit(if P^Jt.Ht
at his CoBpeption, the Star thaf coiuhided thb Wife Kfcti to hhuy
the tefiimony fiotn Hjeaven concemipg him, with a great manf
things more, he could not poffiUy be ignosraBt that he was the
2lkfrjp4f 5 and the Son of God 1;^ bfeturc i Neithcidoch that expref-
(ion^ Jfthmbetl^SonofG^d^ ia^ly zof doubting^ feeing that that
is ufually exprcffive of the greateft certaiaty and afiavance, as in
the fpeech otLamed}y If Cainjball be avmged feutn-fold^ that is,
as certainly he (hall be avenged> (b Satan might ulle it to this Senfe,
Jjf, OT feeingthoH Oft the Son of God. Now whereas it may fecm
ftr^nge) that he (hould fetupon Chrift, if he knew who he was,
I have anfwered that beibf e^ ^ (ball here only add, that though
Satan did believe Chri(l to betheSonofGod, yetfotfarongly did
the power of Malice work in hiuiy that he would have had hint
to have doubted that he wa$ nQt &• From sfll this, we have this
Obfervatioi^
ThaP thmat dtftgnofSi^t^ U to ipeakpi the Affw^MCt andHbfef ^f- ' 5- of the Cbildren^fGody in their Aimion.
This is the Mafter-piece of his oeiign, the very Center in which moft of his Devices mee^t* we may lay of him, as EfauQivioi Jacobs U he not rightly caVed Jaeob^ a fupplanter » he flrfl^ftole away oqr Birth-right at tht Creation^ and now^he fieksio take away cur bUJpng inChriAthe,2U^e;jier, \
The reafons of this undertaking I (hall not here bitft on \ 'tis fuf)iciently obvious^ that the greateft* perplexity and- lQ;»rrow ari- &ih totheChildrenofGpdfrom bence^ andtharatroopof other Spiritual evils C^Impa tieno&i Fury, Blaf|>hemy^ and many more) ddth^IlQW ttatt|ieHe^ls».heitdes^lthat ihability fox Service, and.at I^> pUiij^npgl^pf^UiPutyy. Alirihallfiirtherdoatthii tiipe, (ha^l be tdihew in a/pw particulars, (fiomSatans carriage to Chriftin thisTen^ptatioji). howand after what manner he doth manage that dei^gpi i|i whicKinote^
Fir«, That'ti%hifjdqpgn;tp./bwrusfTomthe ftomife^ and fo weaken our Fafth in that .> ^fViheafiBEf was tempted, thi^ was that he aimed at, that (he; ()i^ul4. qff^hAthtgo&dfoarn^i of the piohibi- tipni HatbGodfaidfo^ Vf^hir^ini&t'emmandy tbatyoHfinmld not Eat at aH^ &c. the like he doth to Chrift, Is it irste ?- or can: it hefo Of that Vm^M/ire^ th^thmAritht Spn tfGod?
Secondly, Thqii^ ^ bcj»s dcsfign^ yet his way to come to it, i3n6tat^r^^(!^i^>i ^t-^ipi^moMdmi^Oy yetafterfpch a manji^er, as may ifx^yx a^ withal fuggifi a AmikiHg or fufpition
that
tktfttefitttfo J htdbthnptcomttoChrlftthus, IhuaHmthe .
*pft«^ Oed S rt-, rf^iil )f^(*e tfeif gjri« tfc^* fh^f^ifkony^rpofbut a lye or aMtfan: but ht rather prdC^s by qtitftiottiflg, which might ji^eojgfj^tj'thathcwailbj yet withul might pbffibly begk a delibtin hi^itiitid.
Thirdly^ New he tttoptflainly fu^geff* , foKiethihg that may icem :ro argue the (^nttufy v for thus he ^^Uviates Chrift^s prefent oonditiort of W^ftir, Cim it Uihxt Odd worn U^kthee h ihefe offref- fifigftraits^ ifthoutvert his Son ? At thlS1rat6 he deals With us, im- proving the ^i/m of butWkrd means of hdf>, the fermi0on of Temptation, the warA of Cortlfon, the eonitHHsnce of Afflidiion, notwithftaiidifig Prayeti, ^&4^ Atftbhahtliiks that we belong not toGod. . ' - . '
Fourthly, After this, he ttfgeth Chrift to a fihiful mifcartriage,to #rK^Providence,an(d totely Jio loflgeroh theCare c^his Fatheri if Chrift had be«i prevailed with in this, he would have made ufe of it, ^an Ar^metit t6J>rove thsttte i^as not the Son of God indeed, ^is Hfdal in biidi^Utin^i With Ui about adopiioHy iojut its. Uf6n fmetbing^ Mithntiyhi of an Argument out of our oxpn 'moHshi] againfius. Cbriftttiight have iftfwefed him in this, as the Mah zn£vfcitAJoah^ If I Jbould do fo^ then.iku thyfdf woutdj^ fetthy filf ingainft me. *
Fifthly, When at laft, he hath gradually afc^dec! to that Con- fidence as to^^oruf Adoptiortjfhen (at Ivery great dif^dvantage) . beputsUSup6nthe^^qf,inwhichhepAs by the (ir^iWry eviden- - ces, and iiififts On c3d^tf^^//»^j' proofs as neceiTary. The Servants ^ of the Lord that are mider this eierctfe, do find that in this cafe, the ordiftiry evidences of Rcpentiaftce, Mortificati(M% Love to thfe rirethfen, &<:. do nothing fbfthttrii Satan pufs their Spirit, upon cfemouring for higher ev^rdences » nothing will (erve except thty may view thcKecprdf oftternity^ afnd read thehr Names enrolled in the everlafiing Pecrees^ or except God wiUfieakJrom He^en in an extraorditjaryway, toteflrifyofth"Cfti.jas7i&(?»i.ifrefoIved, tbatiio left ftiouH fitisfy his doubt thaiftfte feefingandfeeingofthe/ri/it rffhe If ails h To this pQfpOfe fottiC ffarid upon -ito lefs than a Mi- . radtibr proof of Son-fliip. Ofwhichwehave two Inftances of later years, the one Mr/, Hmj^ipW, the other Mrs. Sarah tTigh^s^e their iteU- - who in their diftreifes for their Souls were tempted by Satan to '^^»^ ^ ^'•"'^' moke M ^ftj Experiment, the one by throwing a Venice Glafl.the otter^ tnrowing a Ciip^gainft the Wall with this or the like ex- -
pr^iliofl ^
jj8 Z Tttatitt of Part, nt
prciTton, Iflfrnfibtfived^tknletrnttbisGl^^hi^: adefperatc Temptation ! tt^k manner ofdefiriog^fatisfaaion is fo f^ovofcing^ that it cannot be cxpcded God will givcan anfwer by it, but ra- ther the contrary h and if he (hould not condefcend, as he is not bound, (though ht (Irangely preferved the Cup and Glafi fore- . mentioned from breaking) what a dangerous condufjon would Satan draw from it ? Of this nattm and defign was that propofal of Satans to Chrift, Command tbattbtft Stona bemade Breads that- , is, do it as a proof of thy Son-fliip. j4tpy By this we muft learn this skill, nottooe^/i/y togiveupour
^UP^^* hopes, or to be ProdigoLof ovx Intereft in Chrift, Co as to part
ynth it Jlenderly* If Satan would clrie^ rob us of this, we mxf learn thence, to put ^price upon thefe Jerptls^ and to account that * precious, and of iingular concernment, which he ufeth fb much cunning to bereave us of. Many ofthe Lords Servants may juftly . blame thfmfelves for their lavifh nntbriftitufi in this matter, who CasifitwerCL,anccefrary piece of fciww7i>y or madefly) will readily . conclude againfithemfelves, that they are not God's Childroi, that they are not yet converted, &c. Thus at m^n^iire/jthey give up to Satan without a ftrokg all that he (eeks for. ! Queft. But you will (ay, Mufi all Men he confident of Adoption ?
^An/ir, No, Imeannotfb, yet all Men muft be n^ary how theycaft
away their hopes: particularly,
f irft. Though it be a dangetous arrogancv for a $nfid wicked Creature to bear himielf up in a Mi^^ that he is convened and adhially inftated into the Adoption of Sons \ yet 'tis as dangerom on the other haild, for that Man to caft ofF^ff hope^ and to (ay he is reprobated^ and fuch an one as cannot expe(2 Pardon and Grace.
Secondly, Thofe that are converted, though they may and ought to /?««!*& themfelvcsifo^/y for their Jinful mJearrUge^ and finccrely ack^iomUdgthsLt they defirve not to be called his Children, yctmu& they htcsixe^l not to renounce tbeir Filial Interefi^ They may fay they are Prodigal^ yet keep to this, that thn^ are Sons i though they are wandering Sheep, yet muft they ftick here, that thry are Sbeep ftill, and that God is ftilt a F^^W though a frmifi Father^ otherwife thtkfoUy will gii/e more, then all his/kQr could fft^ at leaft fo quickly and ealily.
GHAP.
I pap: til ^mtfi^xtmutitmi i§
Matth. 4. 5.
Tim the XkyU tdfth bm h^ into ^ tioiy Qt;fl Mfmeth him on the fmck rfthe Temfk,
*mm
CHAP. XIIL
jj[ke frefantim u thefatml TmftMtim* Of his limU^
neft t0 egteh Mv»fittg<tt fr*t» tur Jtfpvers U taiMttl*
m, tb/U^ Safd» carried Chrifi in the Air, Of his
' T»wer t» tmlefi the Bodies o/Oms Children, Hm lit'
. tie thefuffojed Bolifuft tffUees frivilettgeth usfrem Smt
> « t«», ^SitMft Ji^ey i» ftemitig te cwHteMdme sms*
■ ptusryUefemes. Ofmsfretemdedflightimftieheafes^
mtb the reafetts rf tb*t Policy, Ofbis imfrrifffig 4
temftdtiotstofervejeveral effds,
I Omit Chrift's AnfWtf to die ftrft Temptation at prcienf Cpurpofing to handle his Aufwers to all the Temptations toge« therO And now the fio^od Temptation is before i», in which» .^0, 1 (hall obfetve a few things in Satan's preparation to the Temptation, which takes in (lO the time, (2.) the manner of his carrying him, (3O the Place where he aded if.
Firft, for thwe Time, That is noted in the word Qbcft:'] which (i 0 points at the mmedioH Suce^fion of this to the former AiTauIt. l^Euim^^I^id^ puts this Temptation but he only had re« ipedtomcfiihflsmce of the Temptation, in his Narration ^ not xeg^ing the order of them, whichM^iorhathpundluallyob* . jferved, asappcarsbyhisdafeconne^ngof them, with the Par* ticles,l2«»andif2^, vet.%%. Beiides, whofoever (hall confider, > ^utinthe firft^ ftttan tempted Chrift todifouft>^ (which he re-*
M pelled.
e
.''
pencd, by telluigliim that it was his duty ^m the failure of out- H^ means) (otelyuponDltiaePioriclcBec^ ftoing Kfcm-Jty^. not by Bread alone, &c.) he will (ee Co much of connedioa in the matter of the Temvtations, -tha^ he ^wilkafily perfwade him- ielf that the fecond pfice belongs to this, fdr this is but (as it wei»4 a iit and pertinent reply to Chriit'srefufab as if Satanhad
€X^iMrdv^0y^l(y»fifir^^ casing
tbyfdfddp^n^ tpbidftbou majftmtb greater confidence d&^ heamfebe f h^tkp'omifedanextraordinafyhelp^ and bath givm hk AngUr €bmtt
concerning thee^ &c. Hence Obferve,
Obf. 1^ '^^ Satan if not diffOfwedea^^ nor do^hjht altt^ays d^Mfon
tbefirfirefulfe^ bHtfre(jutnifyreni»ftm\Aj^lt^^ refolutely r€0ed.
.' Tliis word [*e«] dothidfo fi.) tcfl osof^tui's ZSftM&ba^ m^ctang a. p^efentj^d vantage, for a new Tcmptsjtion fiom Cjiia"^^^ thishc.jie'
iehtlj^W Rold^on, as a^ fit opportunity to tempt Kimi to pre&tip- fit^/ 'Here ijote, '
ObC 2. ^^ n>ben Satan kfi^ any <^«, if^ oeeafional a^bmUg^oe^
otTy from ottK.i^ay cfrefirfkl^ be tpUL not let iijlip^ bnt iefhoer i4 ta fbat if ina\fU$dto^ tbqngb i> bf contrary to that which be nm^r^la^ t^mrin^for* .. ... • ^^' ;;
" This was the Policy which Behbadact's Servants ufed m their addxefi to Ahab^ i Kings io. 33. the Men did -diligently ^blbre whether any thing would come firom him, and did haftily catch it : If ahy thing cotne from us, we are under his Temptation^ he is diligent to obforye hi and profecuies k accordingly h which: waif fat< toj&tisfy the wonder that (omehavev coaceming tli^ctrinr^^ rJity in tht Tenaptations to which they aie urged* They admire hpw itcoffies to pafs that their Temptattons Ihould -fo fuddenly alter, thatwhenSatanfeemsto he fo intent upon one de(^n, he Hwiild ^quickly change, and urge tbcmpre&ntly .to a diflfercnt, or contrary thing •> but they may know that the Devil watcheth . the Wind, andfpreads his Sayl according to the ad vantage whfcft arileth from onr anfwer. or repuUe. So chat.if we would but plow with our own Heifer, and jobfcrve our fiamcof Spirit, we Ihonld ^fily find out this Riddle^ . For; -as it. is-k dj^^^utings and ai^uings of Men, Keflits beget nfcw matter for i*i/»€r, >ahd& do they ibultiply one anotheis thus are Temjptadons altetedJmimi^
tiplyed.
an imaginaijr tfajng haith been prayed bef^r^* Yf t grafiting it tp* IiaYe:t)cenfeRl, Casin ttMhitick^$;toJ¥l^lM(en>; it is 4i(^^ what was the Wa<Atf> tlift w&yland inaiinci/crfit*' « Sorte think tbis^^^^^jt^^s^, di .was no DQtee than Oixift's Tohintary fiHomng of Satan,; who Evan, in lo< guided and conduded.the way » partly becauic the words^- 'Tf^^^L^a/ijU^vav and 0(>i»v,.are in Scripture acconaodated to a . Manat^ngofanyasaCocnpani^^ of the.way>.aodtQ;a.d*fpo(alof them jaany kind of jftation.' . .ThuSjWbere Ws feid^ Jo&ph #<wil;,Maty, tf/rrf ibtymg Child togpu Mat. 1. 1 j, Egypt, the iasn^irword isufed; and. when Chrift tells his Difci». I^es, that theyihall being the Ais and.tbe Colt which tK^ (hould^Mat. ix. &. iKidtyed.^ thc^iaind word whidiexpreffeth Cbtift*s beingCet on: thiTwj^e, is there ;«&di i^fy ^Uc^ they thinks it h^w.thc; I4ev9 of ChxifttoftejthuS'ViQlen^^
V Othera tbinkihai^ Satan was petrnitted totake »^\ the Body o£\ (^ifty and byjiis Power to luveconveyed him in the ^^ And/ i^de^therWhofarieg Aof thti Nartatipn^ with all ithe iCiroiunr: * ftMfif^ thcno^acc-evMonC: ibr rit* : Xhsj dJ^ancu of i plao^^ ! tbjs*i 9i4bi!B)!^and/peedinels ofithr.irenibv4)$> :f be;more pi;op«r»^/4C4ir: « ti(?^.jf of- the^Mrosds^.ir^l^Mg andi^^y/^ lAaSatiin as theador^ tadh t|i^4^Afr4^i>9Gf ills. Power therein, as;abletbdo great things »i) theiemakethe matter fo clear, thatitfecms to bean unnatural' ^urtagcrf^thi^Text, togire it any other Interpre^tion* : Reiides, tli^jfeortoeropin^nof Sauns taking of thrift,; ^^Man^nShr or ^ GmdA Xeems every wayxmxeaibnable : £»r if Ghrift onlyjioUow-n . ed Satan, ' then it n»ift have been either by a Land J(ntrn^Qn foot^ ofrlntbeifir. This latter it oould not be *)forifChriflhadfiippor<*. t(d jhimielf in the Air by his own Powes^ he, had antki fated the Temptation, anditWouBhavebeenibUyaQdnftadoefs^ for Satan, to Mve urged him to dy m t he Asr^ a£ter -foch an evidence of Ins . Power > and who can imagine that Chrift followed Satan on Fo^ . fiom the Wildemeis to the Temple, or that his aecefs to the roof of the Temple Was fb eafy, in fuch a^way when the Temple was always fbfiridfy Guarded? Note hence.
That Satan is fimdiim permitted to exercifi bit. Tinper tifon the Bo* ^j^^ . ^ diu ofth^ethat an dear to God. That he hath Power to carry ;
M 2 the
95 zxttmua ^arti.iBp
the Bodktof Menio the Ak, is^fuffidetutly cooftmecifaNr what he fi<|u!tatio com doch frequently to IVitches, who are ufiially cuAei ^ we can' Dtdma aut ^f- give any elegit to the Stories that are writ ot i betti ) bt the Air, ^^^^« ' to pkctt hx remote firom their dwellings. And that this Power k I
permitted him upon others, thati (uch ^ are in oompadi with hiai, is as evident from what is teftifyed ofthofe^ whole forward curi-^ - dficy hath led to imitate Witches in dietr Anointings, who have thereupon been conveyed after them to their AflembMeS) and when the G)ropany hath been fuddenly difinifled^ they have been found many Miles diftant from their dwellings *> fuch infianoes we have in Hfdin^ and among other things, that of V^mnaKoffk Eodisu t* M7* mentioned by hiita, whom Satan would iometime bind to a Tree,
IbmetimetoaTalde, orto a Beds*foot, or to a Manger i fome* time oiie hand bound to another, the Devil thus mokfled her from eight years old, a long time. This Fbwer of conveying Ferfbns V^W'CafU. 10 the Air, is hot ufiiad^ yet there are Ibme in thkflaet^ that have . l^own one frequently mokiied by Stftan at this rateii However, if we take notice of his Power, to abufe the bodies o£^ Ho^ Fer'» ions morej^enerally, we fliall find it frequeAt» tim MagMm was pc^Qeued, Chrift mentions a Daughter of AhrAam bowed down by him many years > Job was filled with Botches and Soks \ atod there arq nftany Difeafes wherein Satan hath a giceatcr hand, than is commonly imagined. F^^jf/Mifi/ fre^piently conclude fo much, whiletheyob&rvefbnoeDiftempersto ekide fiich Reme- dies, as areufually fuccefsfulupon other B»fons under the feme Difeides. iitPUc^ From this we may info Cx.) the geeat fwet^ of-Satan > wh^^
can tell the extent of it >- doubtlefr Cif he vmre permitted} ^ (hould fee lad inflances hereof daily« (a*) This difeoveis the won-' derful Can and Providence of God over us in our pefervation from his fury. Cs*} Wensay fiuther note, that the abuf^ of die bodies of Men by Satan, will be no ofideiice^ that therefore God « • . doth disregard them, ' or that th^ are not predous to him. Chrift
did undergo this abufe, to give fuch as fliall be lb motefted, fimie comfort in his example.
The third Circumflance, which is that of flaet^ is fet down |4ike, 5. 6. firfi in general. The Holy Chy, that is Jvkfdltm^ for fo Lid;; fpeaks
exprefly. Jerufakm was fbcalied, becaufe of God's Watfifif there eftabliflied, andhb^a»/ier prefence there ^ but that it (hould he called ib, at this time may feem fliange , feeing it might now
B^eMfi^hdgfidin i$^ ha nm Mmihiws. In anfwcr to we muft know, that God harisg not yet g^ren het a B/ff of tforce^ He iSrplealcd to oontintte her Titk and Firiviledg* This ought ^jVCQfitfib)yim{:vovcd 9 butlwillnotfa/fermy felf tobe' divertedftom thejRiatter of Temptation^ whichis theonly thing I pipppmid : to piQ&cute fiom nence* I iball h^e pnl^ Ol^- fenr&u
that^he Eblin^9r SanSkyof s Thce^ mtt he no Pthite^ againJf'OlC Xtmftadmff , .l^snot fi>feaifur Casmany- imagine) as that he. dai^si^otappffiKidia C&KreW^f^or aClwr^, neither Pfoce, nor ZHity^ciut^ toep him o£ ^ido not believe the Popifh Fidion oF- their Su Bemetr Vifion, wherem they telt of his fteing but one Dralin a Market) and ten in a Monaiftery \ yet I queftion not th( truth of this^ that the Devil isas buty at a Sermon^ tm Fn^^zs^t any< other h^hymM^
But to i^^tdi altttlefurdxei into this matter* It ieems uhdehi- able, that Satan had a de%n in reference to the place, Cof which afterward \ ) and I fee no reafbn to exclude our iufpidon of a de- fign fiom the Name and Thk which the Evangelijl here jglves to fmifahm. HTis an expreiSba which C to my^remembnnce ) we xneet not witli .oft in the Nw-'f^ammt^ At the Suffering df . . Cbrift). ivhen d^e bodies of the Saints arc^ out of their Grares, 'tis (aid, tbeytpent into the Holy City i but 'tis evident, that it is^^ there fo ftylcd upon fpecial defign, as if the Evanfftlik would.by ^'^ *** that point at ^cfiaining oftbmXSlqry^zxiA that in 4 nttle time their faoaftof the Temple am Holy City fliould'ceaft, and that alT ihould be polluted with the OrcalTes of the Slain >and by thefatme loeaibn may we fuppofe^ that Satan (intending for Chrift a Temptation of prefumption^ and backing it withthePromif^of a Guard of Angels} hadin his Eye the ufual Confidence that the ^tjpfs had of that City, as a place where the prefence of Angels mij^..be.more.exped!ed than elfewhere. So that it feems, Satan intended to imfoji upon Chrjft a Confidence^in order to preiumption». fxpm the priviledg of the Place^ here obferve,
That Satan kmlling to gratify w with Nominal and hi$apnafy(^f^ ^ ^riviledges andVefitKefogainfihimfelf'^ he will willingly allow us ^^ Gxch difences^ as are altogether iffi%;ii^c^/2^ and delufive) andhi% l^plicy hcTiC is centred ^pon thefe itwo things t-
^4 .t- zMtiiaSt tf : ?iit?iiD
filfii>iet^timetaiiii'l
fudias were never tpppinted or blefled of God ' to My (uch ui^> butonly found out \vf the bdd fupaflitioiis ofMca, '^'^ :'L ^ ^ have an infiance in liaUei^ vhacactkdi iadam Ebfl
^umh. t J. x7. *f J ««ng ftc difcovers his mind inthis vatiatioa of t^i^ p«y.'
«lc««rm i* »;iff^te,/e G«/ ,fcrt tbm m^ attfe tbemfrmtbemi clearly itnpking, thathehad a confidence that* the pkce imefct
contribute fomething to his.defign, and that there t^fomc to-' Numb. XI. 41. *f rent wrm in thofe amfterttUfd^ places, and tfaetefoie dit he he--
Hoty4ra
•jocDroin,noim. ;r?'J:", „" "' ""^ """^ irw*rw.tacy: AxmoutC to Httv^Tattr num.& jumen- mid-Salt, Sign of. the Crefi, • HaHmedrEartb, CMfecMrdFJaeJ S'nl*" I'l'^r^ /'P^i'^d-Ms, E^c^afins, and abundanccWhiS^^ phaiisS njfy ^e fcen m-m^ny of:$heir Witting^ tdo-tedioiis-foS
dumfdlicetper ^ ;..-.,
quatuor partes loci,!n roodum crucislnfciibunturTcfiis t NaMrfHus + H « + ToA^^^^ ^ . - '»
Wdty He is alfo y^iUing that Men ufc thofc «<rf irf|,w ^ andhelps which God hath <^nMii|nded, To thatihey ufe them in a ' fmml mamer, which indeed deprives them of aU :thc Life and Efficacy that might be-expefled fromauiniiituted means •, thus' he readily permits Ignorant Pctfons without any diltarbanceM nH>leftauon, to ufe the repetitionof the Lords-Pr^^?^^.. mandmm^ and Cmd, or any other Prayir, whikfc pcrSSc'
. TR.e m(bm of Saan's Policy in (Ud. Gadftadom m ,Jjf!.^^'¥y^'l^'^Kffdoi'>gmth thefe, we are .fiw**^ from
conhimsthis, thofe that with^,r#4«»iJufe1h;fe^^yT 4 vemwu
f«9Maftr;) airilfiiallsriflftitftis JA the ufe oi G j^^s'- mm- Jtmm^^
thc& fbolifli Calvet of their own ilmntion. lit this cafe Men have iL]xefil!mptu6u$ a{>eift^tJon firom fach ufiges^ ^ of that 5vhich God Jwrer ptonii&d tOHrfO/by^heto, . iidthcr ever eiitreld into hi^' hq^ft tfcitodov feeing keanfv^ (hem all with thi^, WboiathrtqmrtA ^Ji things atyuarhkiU^f And accordingly their C6nicieilce$ are O30recotiGeihedibrtHeOffli(^;iofdnie6fthie(eP^^ than for the /ii^2rfiU)fthe^mift9» things ofthe Laws fu^ fcr the n€^6t of the^ ^y^vbf^the Crofi or Hofy-fF'atp'^ than fbt their conftant isar^kJi^'iMt^^ which their Hearth
fhould be guairded afgainfl their Enemy. .
Thirdly^ In the mean time, he makes work for his own Tri-
omphoverdiedi, that dote n]x>n thefe fbttifh Inventions. If we can fiippofe Satan to havePleafure or Mitthat anything^ we may be fiire he will JaUgh stt fuch preparations, for a SjJiirtti^al 1/Veifare> it being as truly rii/oi^ltf for any Man to go but with thefe fFea* fons againft Sataii, as for a Combatant to aflail a Gyant^ with a Fafer-Hdmet^ zWld^SlmldfindzU^^^ And indeed
WhdrSatailc^uftteiftltsa FHght^ or fear ppfiich tnatters, Casfbr • hisiuiv^ntagehefcHnetimesdoth, it is but in def^ to b^e^ pt confirm in Men a confidence of a Vertne or (Irengf h in thefe ^f^ges. TtffinR his Power > that fo th^ may fix upon them to the neglect offiod's own Inftitutions, which he moft dreads; . Thusweread^ thathecunnbiglf ceafedhisOr^e/eatPii^w, upon a pretence of » ]
thqfiitnctngPowerof the Bones oftheMartyt Babilaf^ ^'^^^'^ dKTt ?? were butie4 near the place h on purodfe to lead unwary Chrifli- cap. 18. ans to' the athraiion of SMnts and their Ke/I^wer. Many fuch in- fbnceswehaveiri5>rew^«'of the Devils feigned Flight at the ^, w_,.^ Signof thcCrofs, the fprinkling of Holy-fTater, the Angdical parJ iVc^l Salutarion^ SuBernards Staffs or certaiii Tf^ordr and Veifer hung cap. i» 3* about the Neck, and a great deal of ftich fluff we ma^meetwiih in nioft ol^ their Writers > all which. are but cunning con|ri- -vances of Satan, to advance a belief of the' vertue'dt thefe things, and fb to ^ Men there, to the negleQ ^. thofe -SiSiStifal Wtaf^ns^ .which the Scripture tecom- inbids;' /-•' • -
The£b
^i
XXfeORBW nugbHK
TbeTewehaveobCervtd fixxn <lie place bgaiieci^ tJie Ho^
City : Let us go on to the phce in pmiculai^ whore Satu 4^^
this 9 the tinacU oftbttimfk. Vatious aic thea>n)ei9urfesof Mea
4d)oat' this» whether it wereibme F^e, or the top of lovat S^m^
t)r the pkce whence«the Jlfifilt James w^s thrown down, or the
topofthelCfiig;xPmi»^ which was ere^ed to «£^t4idg|ht, over
a deep Valley, or Ibme Bmlemm^ Sec. But we are not concemol
in fuch inquiries, only here I (hall take notice of Sadmm^ who
^ppofing the place to be the top of a Fane i» Spire, and reading
tn z>*Uc. w jrf^^^ ^^^ ^ pomtsof fuch Broaches were Cofiarf^ that a
Bva^e. Bird could notseftMJpon them. Without pietdng its Footi was
therefpre wilKpgto conclude, that thefe Temptations were^not
reaSyy andl^mMffyafted^butinn/iMonlyf all this arifeth fixxn
a wrong interpretation of TrTepirj^dV, whidi our £4g/{|ft renders
Sf4mhem.ivA>. tinadt^ whcreas it properly Mgnifies any Banhmm^ or JbtpOdr
^^vk jn loc ^prominen^, ^jutting out over thcrefilike a Wing, which would
afford a fuiScient footing and fupport.
'Tismor&profitaUe toenquireafierSataasRe^r/airfir tfaechdce
ol fildfz^hxt} noqiieftion but it was iipon ddigni fi»relfehe
tnight with &pul convenience, have tempted Chrift to caft him*
Ie]rdown6x)m{bme7reeorfivci^ieeintheWilderae(si but then
what that defign was, is not (b eafy to determine, it feems plain,
that he mig^t l^ppofe that Chrift might be thMSHther 0mma$9d to
the undertakingof flying in the Air,by the hopes of GIpvy, which
mi^t be expeaed from fuch a p»formaoce,-beibre fi>many
SftSatars. But (bme think that he had a defign aUb upon th£^
!iiighif99t ^Qj of Jenffalemy and intended ibme delimon to die jfeir/,
^iurm.mioc, ^jjichlamnotuJlwillingtoctofe with, partly becaufe the Ezpe-
liences that wehave of his devices, afllnre usthat in^M Teoqpca* tion, his filiate oft manifild^ and 1 cannot but think that &ctan would make all thingsySane, and provide (inhispiojedingMind) againfi allevents > for if Chrift ibould have yeUded and evidenced lb. gfeata Power in the fight of all thePeepk, it might have been ^ ehmnQien ^eaeral^ that he was the Mi^iir, about that time imk verfally e^e^ed » and partly I am ready to think fi>, becaufe (is cale Chrift had done fo^ it lay Co fair, to cot^rm the Jems in a mif^ .40fibenfi$tt of the ^tfon^i^owing'^oC^^^ of wl^m they un« mr^fdmcU. in aerftood the Projpfaecy of MaL 3. u BM4^ I mil fend i«^ Me(|&»* / 4ec. ger^ and be pfi^ prepare the may brfore me \ and the LordmbMijie fidi
,fiaUfttddenly cmne to bis fen^le^ even tbe Avenger <f Hn Camnaaf.
Uihc. jFenpir tsepe&eA Elia to come from: Heaven to the Temple, haw fixongly would thev have been confirmed in this opinion, if they hadfeena Man fly nom the Temple in the Air, and by this means John the BifHft (who was tne EliM that was to come> flkould havebeen n^leded,and Clpv^hunielf (though honouxed as Kliof) not owned for the Mqp4r.
. Obfenrethen, l!lm SatanU iifips an targf^ atid tba^befnje3sOhC4. A%mfiaringw ddndingrfothtTty ty fuA'temMationr^ m fitm anljr to conarn tbofe tbaf an ftndir the ifmnediafe trouble ofthm. He tempts Chrift to call himfelf down, andaUbbyit ( atleaft) intends a delu&>n to the Je»s^ he tempts one Man upon the back of ano- ther, one is tempted toErrmf, another by that Mans Temptati- on, is tempted to 2f#i«f]^ and re jeding of all Religion.^ One Man is tempted to rnfbaiiifufi^ another is tempted by that to an wiAaritabk difirefpe^ of him > 'tis Eafy to multiply Inftances of thi&i
rt^
C HAP. XIV.
r
thdt Prefamfthm v^ms the chief dejign ^ this tamftatiott. Of tempting to ixtr earns. What Prefmnption is. Vte feverat roajs of frefaming. the frequenty of this temftatiofh in the generality of Prrfeffo/s, in Hyfo- eriiesy deffsrit^ Pet^ons, and in the Children of Qod. the reafins if Satsns Indt^ry in this Def^n. His de- ceitful contrivance in bringing ahout this Sin. JPrefir* natives agMir^ it.
N
Lxt to the fnfaraiwn which Sataq made (or the (econd €on« ^ , Aid, ( ahcady explained ) the Tm^^fim intended ofiers it Alf toourview, whichis this : Cegt thyfdfdawfu What Satan <hid9yinteiidedbyit, wemaycoU^ firom Chrift's anfwer, as oirell asfrom the thing it ielf, for he thus replys » Itksmitten^tbHt Jbalt aot tomft ihe Lardtiy God. Clmftdoth not ufe this Scripture loa&y fucfa fenfe as«ttu% thachdhould hereby prohibit f^4J9 to
N tempt
9^ ZXmtiUOi Part. HI.
tempt trim^ becaufe he wa^ Satan's Lord and God, but ht tnentf^^ CDS this Scripture as amr/e of Obedience, asif hefbould (ay, Iiik$y not caft my Jilfdown^ andfo rely»n extra&rimay bdf^ jfteiftg I C4m go dawn another mty^ for the ff^/eff of ordinary means, mien we have them, is a f em/fwrgof God, which may not be done. So that it appears by this, that Satan here tempted Chrift toprr^Swg^^.. on. Thereisonly thlsobjedion in our way h ihat ©eur* itf* /tf,
(the place by Chriftcited>cfarstoriieTeilipt«ionofthrJ>?tfaftft:r in M^ip*, mentioned Eaw«/. 17.2. where they chide mthMofir for Water j and there it would feem their tempting the Lord, was rather in dejpairing of his power and help, than frefitming in the negled of the ordinary means. I Anfwer, though dieocc^^/i- on arid tnatter of that Temptation be different from this of Chrift's, yet the jfrejumptuouf Experimm that they there made xA God*s Pte* fence asd Power was the fame with this which &tan de%ned : for w. 7. f where the account of that tempting is given ) 'tis £dd hecaufe they tended the Lordfaying^U the Lord amngur or not? they put it to this iffue, that the Beingznd Power of God flbould be imrf by thcgiving ornot giving of Water. The manner then of that Temptation being fo agreeable to this, Chrift very pertinently applies that command to it, prefumption being the thing which Chrift was tempted to. It might occafion feme wonder in us to fee Satan take luch ftrange fteps : He was before temptiM him to dejfalr, howtofrefuff^tion^but'tisno Argument of his%fcjiie/>oi uncertain roving in his way of tempting, but rather of his^fa*A andfubtilty. Note then, Obf. 7. ^^^ '^ Satans Policy in tempting, to run from oneesetream to ano^
tber. The Cw/wAitfff/ were firft temptedtaj{finfulciM»/j«3Wf with the adulterous Perfon, and were av<&fe tcbisExcw^tovmicationi afterwards they Were tempted to the contrary, ^cr^jy, and were as backward to receive him again. The TameMen that have been overcome, by Prodigality andExcefs i when they-begiri to fee the Evil of that,ar€ oft tempted to Worldinefs or CovetoufoefLthc contrary difpofition. Reafons of this Policy are^ •
Firft, The avoiding of one E;>rtrMi»f gives the SoulfuA a /wiw
Of care benot ufed to prevent it) : that ihcy are eaft moce tbS
halfway upon the other. Feter in aii Extreara ofAfcdeftyi ni&i.
ftd the tpafiing of his Feet by OmR, but whcjx heunderflooAtfae
Job. 13.P. f?^V^f herunsasfar wroi!gahotheitway4 Nbtn^FM^lu
J • 5 5^ 4^Htfny Band^ md n^ Head. Tiinsihtii€«e&fc ptrity6£Cbfm£
that
>
r
tittt they .rexcludcL the Weaki others, fo for Z/Im>j?, that the^ mit the open Scandalous and Prophane.
Secondly, While Men avoid oneExtream by running into a- tiothcr, they carry with thena fuch flrong Ifftfreffions of the Evil , they would avoid, and fuch fierce Pre^dices, that 'tis not an or- dinary convidion will bring them rights but they are apt ^o be con- iident oftheGoodneisof the way they take, and (b are the more bold and fi^ed in their mi{carriage.
Prefiiroption being the great Defign oTSatan in this Teoiptati- on, wfe may further obferve,
TbaiofDiftn^ m the one band^ fi Vrtfiunftionon the etber^ is one Obf. 8. oflnsgr^dJ>efiffis. Ofthefctwo, we may (ay as it was faidof the Swc^d oiaazad and JdfH^ that of all thofe that are flain by the Devil, whoibever hath escaped the Sword oiDifin^znA dc- fpair, the Sword of frefitn^tion hath flain. To explain this I ihall,
Firft, Shew what. Frefumption is. 'Tis in the General, a Cynfidenee mdwut a Ground. FirA 'tis, made up of Audacity^ K which is a bold and daring undertaking of a thing) and Secmiiy.
Secondly, The Ground of it is an £rr<?r of Judgment, (a^ blind or a.mifled Judgment doth always nouri(h it >> and this is either a mifiake of the Nature of (iich means on which we rely fpr AQi* ifaince, CaswhenaManJaysasmuchflrefsupona Thred as "pon ^%"^^^^^^^ a Cable, or expeds as much Nourifliment from * Stone as from p.' ^3 §7 ^ *^ Bread »} or a miftake of the W^/ff of others, from whom we expe(3: . aid and help, without a n^jir^ff^ for fuch a ConHdence.
• Thirdly, In its way of working, *tis directly of/w^ to Diftruft, and isakmd of exceghe (though irregular j Hope, not that in this cafe a Man believes or hopes over-much, (for there can be no ex- N<^n idco pec^ eels properly in the exercilc of Divine Graces^ but that he hopes ^*\'"*'^^^^^ f"- toor^/Z^/yorlijghtly, without a (olid Fomdation orReafon. Hope Seuin *^!!1^ sed hathforits Objedi that which is Good^ under thcconfiderationsof quia nimis ic^ 'fitikrity^ pojj^iUty^ and di^adty \ on fhe one fidedefpcration looks ^»f«^f ac temci e upon that good as yirt^re, but under fo great a difficulty^ that i^ fij^emo ^^ "" ' forgets tbefoffibilify of it, and thereupon Jurceafetb all indcavours ; ^^^es. MeJuL JPreftmption on the other hand is fo ks^nly apprehenlive of the I.i. c 6, S-s^' . - pefflhili^ that it never regards the difficulty^^tid fo thrui^s forward iotiq mofftlat endeaxoiasx)ic expeif^ations* The Nature of this
N 2 will
Voo ^ »eattfe of Part- IIL
Will be better undetftood when the particular Inftaiices of Fke* (umption are before us.
Firft, Then 'tis Ftefumprion, when fiom Extern^ or Stdwr* dinaftMems^ Men exped that for which they were never it^ml nor appointed of God. To-expcd Gr^ ofttmnsy or Tigs 4jf ». Tb^kfy would be a Prefiiroption, bccaufe God neverde%n'd them for fuch Fruits > and no leis is it, when in any other cafe Men look fot high and extraordituny things, £rom any ataui <jOod, above what God hath put into it, by the Law of Creation,
Secondly, When M^doexped thofe Fruits and EffiSs fiom any thing, unto which it is appointed, in mgkS or offofitimi to the ^n^meCaufe, without whofe concurrent Influence they cannot reach their proper ends. That is, our hopes are wholly centered . upon means, when in the mean time our Eye is not upon God. Thus, to makg Gold atir btfe^ ]ob.3X. 24. to makg fl^ ottr ArwOy Jer. 17. 5. to maksABoma Saahur^ Hot 14. 3. or to truft to any Creatures whatfbever,is in Scripture condenmed as a pitfumptaous refyanee^ and (iif regard of the neceflary difappointment) atnfi* ing in a Lye > in which Sence, 'tis (aid that every Man is a L^et^ PiaL 62 • p. The like Prefumptim it is,when we boaft great thmgs of our felves, and Cas Feter) makeconfident engagements^ (ia our own ffarength) that we will avoid fiich a Sin, or pesfoim fuch a Duty : for we are butfirail, and all our (ufficiency is fiom the Lord, fb that it can be no lefs than intollerable anrog^mce, topio* mile any thing of our (elves without him v neither can Men pro«> mife to them(elves the continuance of that Good or Advantage^ which they have already received from fecondOtufes (if their confidence buiUs it (elf upon that (ble coniideration^ without a jufi Uame. Job had faid he (hould dieinbk N^l^ add Vauid that kefioMld never be mcved^ but both of them afterward noted thefe confidences to have been no other than deceitful Erefump- tions.
Thirdly, 'Tis a Prefiimptjon to exped things above the reacts Sperare son ^"^ ftekntfiate and Condition » as for a mean Man, to beg of ^randa. God Autbmty^ and Rule, or toexpedto befet with Frinces > or
for ordinary Chxi/Uans to look for Mirackf^ Signs from Heaven, Vifwhs^ Kevelation/y extraordinary Anfwers to Prayers, and the like, all which expeAations are gn^undle^ and the liTucof apre* iumptuous Fride« ^
-. . Fourthly;^
^v
Fourthly^ When Men exped thiags-AMiiniry to ^the'R9du that God kathCctforlmJifiinfitionsof Mercy, they boldly prefume upon his If^iB, God hath pfomiled prefervation to his Children^ while they are in Gad'j^ wa^^ but if any ihall go out of that way^ • and finfiJfy put himfeif i^o dofigarss and hazards^ it • would be l^elumption in him ta ciLpt£t z fnfirvatkn. Tis the* fame in Spiritual things. God pfomiieth Eternal Life, and the Bleifings cf his G)yenant to fiich as give up themfelves to hiiD) and his JLzws y will it not beintolerable Prefiimption for Men ta bl^tbtm^ filvts in their heart with expedations of reignbg with him in Glor jry, while in the mean time they comradiQ h^ own }lule,and negled his Orier^ walking in piophanene{% and liying to themfelves^ ThisisanhighP^efumptipnof Mercy againft his exprefs WilL . Hence are fudi courfo, called /rryiMt^^ Siits^ PiaL i^« and iudi SinxtfTS tranigrefs with an lK^ib*M/Mf.
Fifthly, Tis aJfixaPrefionptiontoexped any Mercy^ thou^ conunonandufiial, vrithoat the criinmymeans^ fay which God in I^vidence hzxhfetlei the ulual Jijfenfations oi fuch Favours > as wlien Men look for his aid and help, for fupply of corporal wants^ while they throw off all care, and refiife their own endeavours^ which are the ways of God's appointment,in the con(ckncious.u(e whereof fuch Ktocies are to be expedecL The Heathen (upoit the confide ration of the neceiTary conntedipn#c£ Means and the EijdJ haveufually |udged fuch fluggifh expefiations,. to be no AiUnotS Mami better than folemn mockingsof a Diety. In Spiritual things 7tis inyocanda dt , ncleis prefumptuous, to npc& Conv^fionzni an Interefl in Cfarift Mlncnra. and Heaven, while they iv^ the carefoluie of his C?f«^!£«^t«ccf, an therefore we are commanded tofr^ for fuch Bleflings, . to cry ^er p^^y^ j. ^^^ j^ Knowledge oiidttr lift t^tbeFbice for mndeifianding^ and to ficond thefePtayers with our own utmoft endeavours > to fe^ fir it m fit. Silver^ and tofiarcbfirJt ai fir hid Treajkrts^ and . in fo doing
to exped the imding of theKnowledgof God. .
Sixthly, When ordinary or extraorMnary Mercies are exped«d [ for an nnlawfid End,, as when -. the JJraelitif at Majfa called for Water CwhKrh they ought to , believe God would fupply them « withal, their condition con£ideredJ but fojr a t^ and Proof of ' the Bting of God, for they iaid, ii God ^amang mar not P Exod* 17. 7. ^is hfjamet made a peice of Spiritual unfiuthfulne^and i ^£fir/tfry,toaskaDy thingof Godwithadefign to fiend i^ufon m , Ia^^ Abaz his iretuCng a $ign whcQ God offered .it| J^bowev^K ':
h«c
tot ZXtttiUitt^f ;Pa«:iH.
tic made a fliew rf MoiWty and lielkving) aigued no other thing, but that lie was confcious- m himfclf, that (in cafe be had accepted it) he (hould have situfed that Favour to an nnlawfid lend, and have tempted God by it, aspiittine it upon this Expe- riment whether there was a God or not. This is aMbanother acft^ ^dfPrefumPtion > when a Man becomes guiltyt)f any of thefe naif- canriages, he is prefumptuous.
Secondly, I further add to this difcovery of the nature and kinds of Prefumption, that this is one of Satan^s gr^wf Engins : ivhich I prove by two Demonflrations.
• Firft, By Satans common fraSke in this kind upon ail Cortsr of Men, in meji occalions: That wWchis His frequent pradHceupon moft Men, ;and on rooft occafions, muftcfneceffitybeunderftood to be chiefly defigned. €ome Men may poffibly be free from the < troubleoffomeparticukr Temptations, (zsKeronimm Waierm taith of Lmber his Mafter, that he heard him often report of him- &lf,that he had been afftfulted and vexed with^ffi^W of Tempta- tions, faving only that ofCevetonfipefi) but none can (ay they have . not been aflauked with this. Ilhall make it out by an iuduc^on of particulars.
Firtf, The generality of Men that live in the Frof^on ofReh- gipn, ^tc Frejumftiouf J nzy the greatefi pztt o£ tht blind World are ibh they prefume of Mercy and Salvation, the Devil prcachcth nothing^lfe, but all hope, no fear, and in thcfe Golden dreahes they Hide down to Hell : If we look into tbeir way of frnningjand then into their bopes we can jihig no left of them, they ftick not at the moil grevious abominations, the works of the Flefli, and in '^ thefc- they continue; 'tis t*ieir.7fv*^, their L^, they make^iwf- fian/fdr ikem^ ih^ eawtctjteep exe^ they do mafgdly^ be that reprovtth is derided hy them v they-makebuta#w(?i^ and (port of thofc things, 'wJMch, as the (haifte and reproach of Mankind, fhould rather fly thel^ight, and hide themselves, as things of darkneiss thcfe ttfaing^ they praiftifc without regret or ferrow of Heart, without finitingiipon thcTbigh, and inalhhis they have the confidence :to fay,' t^m the Lordameng w ? They can caU tbemfelves Chrifti- ans, and haveasboW expedations of Eternal Happine{s,as if the conanittihg of thefe evils were made by God the necciTary quaKfi*^ .cations to everlaUii^ Happinefe) what is more common? and .yet v^^hat nK>re prefcmptuous ? tor' fi .)/ Thefe M^ audacioufly liope j»d iSxpe^Meicy, c«pi^efly contrary to the peremptory i... * threat-
llttCatiim^cfQc)ck--Gc34^faith,'#fejTfiw;^ they
fiiy, iHjhallhmf^peacei (2.) Thcfe run upon the grcatcftha* »fdsof nttoc axslwo, wbhtheleafi fear, in the contempt ofafl danger, m the Bnfe r$^tA m^ tbeBmd, • wh mockgdr afiar^ onA ir Job 39. ax 'M^^bftd, ntiMtwnahUf BaA^ftm tbt Svmi.- f 34) -They ^c<5odtodahisiftAft, they proTokc God toTjegloufy, .mid thot to his FittT) henae wisit that NmrMJ was iaid to be a mighty Htmlcr he^ ibe LffriL And Er the Son of Jnd^^ th«t he was Gen. j«. 7 wicked b^bretbe L$ri : Becaufe fudi audacious Sinners will not (as we may £ay) go behind his Back to fin.
Secondly, Hyfocrites whofe carriage is morefinoo^ thief adfo ireprefuinptuous : for Wkile they hide their Sin, they do againft diiftates o£ Confcicncc prefunie,. tbc^ he that made the Eyedotb not fit^ andthatAereisapoffihilitytocheat God as well as Mens bcfidcs their boaftings and hopes have a fpedal mark fet upon them in Scripture, asaudadoufly falfe,iftr %)e of the Hj^ocrkeJhaU be o^^vtHcirGoiifidence of the Temple of thcLord ishiialiey and €0 termed exprefly by the Proj^et.
Thirdly, Ev^n deffforing Perlbns are not always free ofPtelump- tipn. The wGt of Sclf-murther, is a terrible prefuming upon infi- nftc Jnftice. S^^s dcfire'to know die worib» was of the fame kind. Thefc are indeed extraordinary, but there are fome other kinds of defpair that come nearer to Prefumption, as thztfeBjkal dcfeair, which arifeth out ofanexceffive love of carnal delights, aniafecure contempt of Spiritual things: for when fenfuality prompts them to Eat and Vrtal{^ while they may, defpairing and LipdcfsofaJutureHappine(s,/irioiw^^ andtheir
plcafure ceefc, they highly prefiimic agafaift the Patience and
Qoodhefs of God. ,
•fourthly, TheM^f Men are too frequently overcome by itt (M.) Not only, while' they are a»«rt<i%/i with Sins more,grf«w«fi and above the rate of Sins of Infirmity, to which how lyablethc hrfiiftaBnt may he, ftipon Temptation) maiy be gathered from P^ixAiV Prayer, Kie^tl^ Servant jhmfHfumptuow Sins, that ^bey bave m dmrnm mrme r, (i.) But by their earneft profeaeHons of tfieirownWTfflr, whehcoiitradi«9:ed by Providence. 'Tis by the J>rotActvJS;p.p.5r. ^Xy^AAt^andfimtne^ of Heart, to contend ^wtfcPtoiMencc, to attepaptto build with betpen Stonty^when the Aiiir^it/Wii, di.to;ariwforCh/4rA when Divine Wrath hath artrtdovm the. Sywmes. i^.y Haw frequently are they guiky
»»« •
of prefiiffiing tipon their TrimUtUntf^ thdr Strmglby their GtMir^ and upon dut fonre vuthm themftlires upon oepfmu of Sm^ ^w ftejf high above others upon a conceit of their higher attainniefli% t>r when they hoUly put theinfelves upon Si^Hnng^ or upon 4«us ^^viiik they want that due HKWf/irf -and oute that flould faallaoce tbenu (^) Thereisal&aPrefumptuousRaflmeis, upon which the 2^/and good Intentionsof holy Men may bmetmntsfneifi' tan them. Such was Z^^s^ii^/ putting fixrthhuha^ to hold the jtrk^ for which the Lord finote hinu All tbefe inftances. put to- gether, will fufficiently demonfirate that Prefiimption isonc of Satan's Mafier-Defigns.
•The Second Demonftration of thjs Truth is from the 'geoerd fnhfervimy of Other things to this. Moft of Satans inde^vonxs and Temptations aim at this pomt, and this is the tefidtand confe- quence of moft Sins ) that muft needs be iribief to which (b many things do but fitvz and miniften In this Center do moft of the Knes of his Policy meet, JPride^ Vm-Glirry^ Coneeaed^PrmUdger^ ' Suppofed' Advantages^ and many things moremrere but Vnder^A^ gents to this Teixiptation, which the Devil attempted upon Chrift, as hath in part, and prefeotly fliall be further evidenced.
Thirdly, Having thus proved that Prefumption is one ot the great things he aims at, I (hall next dilcover theReaibnsofhis ear- heftne(s and induftry in his Defign, whicitare thefe.
Firft, 'Tis a Sin very Natural^ in which he hath the^dvantage of our own readinefs and inclination. However that (bme fiom a melandfoly temper, .are inclinable to ftafs and diftruft at (bme time, when thefe ^/^apprehenfionsarr eahdted^ yet (thefe exceptedj hpef are more predominant than Fears h and Sdf-love^ which pro- vides fewel to thefe hopes, isa Natural Principle inall 9 whenio many things give him fuch Advantages, and promiie him a flic« cefs, we.may well fuppofe he will not mills iuch an opportn« nity*
. Secondly, As 'tis eafy for Satan^s attempt, Co 'tis rawfe fion tnnviQion^ and notroOted out without great difficulty : '^a^ :t)iat is ctmered with a /rffeoct of an higher degree oiboft : Mentis many ways of this iniquity are under p&ftpofms of Duty, and by reaibn of thatconlidcDce, Fear ( which is the Spuls Cemind ) is ^eef^ hence do they not lye ib fairly open to Counfel drRepxoo£ ThtJfiaelites^ Deut. i. 27,78. being under difirouiagement^ M- fuk to go tip to Canaan^ wfaien they were upon thrJmdcr of the
Landl^
Land v^ bbt being convinced of theif 5in/in diflrufting the Arm of the Lord, by Gods declared Wrath and threatnbg againfi them, they fall upon the contrary extream of prefiunption, and then :ver.4i. ibef vpoHld gonf ondFi^ : and the c9ffvi£fi^A of their /ir- iPMr Sin, made them io confident that this was their prefent duty, ^ (for thus they argue, we have finned agaiafi the Lard, vpemtgonf and fi^, accardo^ taoB thai the Lord owr God commanded m\ ) that though they were exprefly /orUif^ fiom God, ver^ ^%. Go not 115^, neither fight, for I am^ not among youj yet were they Co firangely canied by their former perfwaiion, that they refufed to be convinced, and went pre fumftuonfy into the Uitl^ By which in- ftance we (ee, what fftdXfntencu lead on Frefumption, and : how diffiddtly they are removed: which two things do no Ie(s than tempt Satan to lay out himfelf to the uttermoft in that de- •fign.
Thirdly, theGfRi^^jfof theSin when 'tis committed, isano* < therreaibnof his diligence in the pifffait of it 9 'tis not only fh^n a fimple Error or Miflalce, but that Error arifeth from intoUerMe Pride J thcy fiiy and do fuch things from the Fride and Stotttnefi of £f^ their Heart. He that is Prefumptuous, is Self-willed, a Pet. 2. * JO. Hence thefe Sins^ which We rtanflace Preiomptuoas, arp in the original, callcdPrf iw or Arrvginckf. Be(ides,they are contra^ ne */?;,' ^ V £/iffio«TtoGod'sOrrfer,/ip/irjrttt^thofethii^thatGodhath;^^^ ^'
together, as the Means from the End, or the End bom the Means^ as if the Eartbjhould be turned ont of its place for us. And in fbme cafes, 'tis no lefs than the open affrontuig of God, by abuiing his ownFavQursagainft himfelf) for thus they deal with him, who are opinionated In Sinbecaufe of his Mercy, concluding, by an ir« rational Confequence^ that they mgiSnr to be wicked becaufbGod is Good, or that they may fi-^ly offend becauie he doth nof /w- n^.
Fourthly, ThedangeronsIJl/iieTandConiGbquencesof this way ,of finning, do not a little animate Satan to tempt to it. In fotnc cafes it Was to bepuniftied by Death, Vent. 17. 12. the Man that dothprejkmptnotfy, — Even that Man JhaU die : and moft ufuaUy it is plagued with fad difappointmen ts, by a fevere engagement of God's difpleafure againil it. the Hypocrites hope flfoU perijhj it job S. 1 3 . & \u Jhatt be a^the givingtf of the Ghofi. And generally. He that thus zo. bleffeth himfelf in bis Heart, vphtn he bearetb the Words of the Cterfe, Deut. 29. 19,20. the Lord mil not^are him, but then the Anger of
O the
io6 1^ ICrmif e fil J?aj$. nt
CwrfisthM gnwmnuis tbU Mf^JhaU IjftMffHjt tm^ .a^dthe LvrdfitiH Uotoutbif Nmmfaum uudtr Ik^m^
Fdirthfy, andlaftly \ I.fliall lay before you, the deeeitfid cuh
.timf»» of Satan. kiiviQgingt^Sto ^yll^wiqgthcpartip
ciilarsof hisoaftagainitChxifiliieireiii* As,
Firft, Hcukcssopoiaage &(xr his Rffilve to rely upcoi Frovi- >
^dcflce, contrary xo the fc^n^TemiKation of .ti^rniiig Stones u>
Bread > Chrifi had refufed that^ telling hw it was duty to truift
Uim, who not loolyiby thejotdinaiy ;ingan$ of Sicpd jWlM ^ed him,
-hut alfohy any other appointment. . To ,thls. Satin rejoyns, by
4ifibing an im^/tfrirtf«r^ jn (^iog himlelf
^m the^Pinadeof the Temple > as ifiieifiiQuld %, IftboH mlt
AusfdymfonTrmaJkace^ do^iinihk. Wbi^rein w^:may note, tba
fhman obeMefitial deptndance^ be would draw Cbrift io an irr^fd^r
" trtfwmpti9iu He^retbrts Chrifis AirguiMPt Uf k f gain npon him
thus, IfG9dutobenlydii^hhy^cerl(aintn^f^ tbt %
tti^ be is40ibefdyedManfirtfefenfaH$n > if ibe belief of fufply ef
Breads tan eonf^mw.antgf^err^fal >rf ofdinary mums far the
.fKoettrement diimf^ .tbenmffydfebelitftfFrefirvathn in cafiiftgdy
Jelffmtbe finadt of d>ejemflet$f0 ^dfi tpidxa mgleS^ tie or4i^
' 'nmyMeans^ Thus Ukeaoxnoi^g^^^^ he end^vouxs to ^on-
c\vktSin&om Hmy^ firona a leaning ;.psnty .betwixt them,
though indeed the^caJEbs were vaftlydiiF^ent* For though it be
duty to depend upon Providence, wh^ God (in the fferjkit of
5«mee and Duty) brings usout of the j||ibrapdhopes.of <wr94r^/
means^ yet it can be no lets than .^t/k/iPrefumption, .for u& to
inakeittchEMfiramar/ofProvidcnQes^ whep we i^^not^ ^d
when ordinary meansare at hand. Aftortbe (uoe ^p^nner doth
he endeavou£.to put Fallacies upon us, andtpdieat ^s into Pke-^
fumptuous undertakings, by arguing from a nectary trnfl^ in bm^
cafes, znece^^efpefmrnngvaoiixxs^ up^p^a feetmi^likfnefs.
and proportion.
Secondly, It was no fmall^iece of Satan!s craft to take this advantage, while the hnfr^n of Truft, in the. want ot outward ' means was nrjimupon theHeart^f Chrift, he hoped thereby thfr nioreeaiily to draw him to an excefs. For he knows that a ZM/otfr osrnt^n^to avi>kl aSin, and to keep to a. Duty, doth often too nm^hMc/ifftustoanextream, and he well hoped^ that when Quift had declared \m&]i iofofitiwly to 4epend upon God, he
might
tti^ tMtpn^sjkd to hxtefiroebed that dtpcAdkncc beyopd its due bot^l^^ * tsldiig the q^pomznity. of his^fw^y tNt way^ which C^ a ^p btfoie Wwi and Tide) nught (oOn be overdriven. And thk iv^ the dtfigo of his 12^ in this (ecoad Teoaptation; b€^u(ehe^ouMfixikewhifetheIiiMiir4rlv^, and clodely purfue his^dvtotage^wf^ theffangth dad fevwasdoelg of thefe selves wer^ upon liim«
Tbitdlyy Hd endeavours to aainiatc him to du» Frefiunptioa hy fcpdar Afplaufty and to tickle him into an humour of aifed^* iiig theGlory and Admiration, which byfuch a firangt underta- king might berai(edinthemindsof the SfeSatarfy and there- fore did he brin^ him to die moft conspicuous place of a g^eat and populous City, ^ n6t thinkiqg tbe nnaaer ^ teafible if he had tempted him to it in a fi>1itary Uefert.
Fourthly, He propounds to him a PloMf^le End^ and a feeming advantage, visa, the clear and undoubted sUfinftry of hisfDmrn IV^nre and near Interdl in God 9 wging this as a neceflkyDuty, ibr his oWti&tirfaiftiQn, andtfae maivftitajCi(»of hk Son*(hip to others* . ,
Fifthly, To drive out of his Mxndtliok fiari of mi/carrying in his attempt, which otherwife might have been a Rock in his way: he is officious in /farengthning his confidence, by propounding trtathmm hdfi and proorvatives, iiiggefUng a fifety to him ftom the Ffbnkdg of the ^itfce where this was to beaded^ an Haly City ^xATtn^lt^ I^oduck)g more of a Divine IHce(ence for his faleiy tliten other places. ^
Sixthly, T6 make all (iire, he hacks all this with a Pr^mye 9f TfeftnH»um\ that nothing might be wanting to bis Se- curity.
By tins Metliod applyed to other things and Cafes, he endea- vours to bring us to I^efiunption.
Thecodfideratbnofthisiliouki put us upon a fpecial Af«eand ^ . .. watchfulndsagahiftlV^^iM^;ti Itismored^^ed, and hatha f^'^* greater prevalency, thanMen are aware off. 'Im things I (hall only at prefent propound fer our Prefervation, out of ?fal. jp. 12,13.
Firil, He that would be kept from Ftifimiftmm Sins,mufi make Confcieniceof5«ref Sins, tofearchfinr them, to mortify them, \
to beg pardon fi>r them* With what Faiceor Hope can we ex- j
O a p^a
loa ZXttatittOf Part. III.^
peA from God' heljp againft thefe, when we povokehimtO' teave us to out felvcs, by indulging our fdves in tot other?.
Secondly, He that would avoid them, omfl be under the^^^nve
and fear of being cvercome by them : be that flights a^d contemns
Dikicn inloc fijch vifible hazards, (hall not long be inngeent. David haCy
* firft ftiews his Confcience to be concerned with Secra Sins^ and
then begs to be k^^t^omfrtfitmftuomSins^ and by fuch eamefl
^ beggbg, he next (hews how imuch he .i/re<i^ , fuch inifcar-
riages.
O HA P. XV-
Siilf'MMYther another of his Dejigminthii/tempation. HmhetemPts to Self-muriher dirtily ^ ami upon vohstt Advantage he urgeth it. . Hifm he tempts to it indire^fy^ and the wojis thereof .. OfneceffarjFreferuiaivesagainfi this temptation. .
w
'£ have (een and donfidered the main End of Satan in this Temptation. Let us further confider whether this Was the fik End that he propounded to hinfelf : we have little reafon to think that he would confine himfelf to one, when the thing it fdf doth lb clearly (uggeft another, which might pofllibiy have fol- lowed. Innx)ftca(es5 theEndsef the Devil are imanyfbld : w£ i>Hfim in loc. "^^Y therefore eafily (uppofe Cand feveral have noted it) that the Gi^ii Tempt/ Devil (that great Murtherer) hadherdna fecret deiqgn againft P«i. cap.^.theLifeofChrift, and that he tempted hint here CindiredlyJ to
Self^MHTtber. And indeed (fuppoHngthat Chrifi hadjattempted to fly in the Air, and had failea^in the Interprife,.) what elle could have foUawed .but .Des^.« an4 Ruine ? Henca iet us Note^. ' .
Ob£ pr - That Sat^fed^ tbermne^tfattr BoiBef^ aswet or rfottr Sotdsjmd tempts Men ofr9nt(^Sdf-MxHher.\ That the Devil goes about ieek- inghow he may deflioy. Men, by putting, them upon attempts agaiaft their own Lives, is evident, not only £rom the Experienoe andConfeiSbnsoffuchasbave fu&rcd under Satan's j^g^u^
ta
Chap. 15. ^atm'iS Xtmp^tions, 109
tothatEnd, Cinditisa Temptation more common, than we think off, becaufemoft Men are unwilling to lay open themfelves toothers in this matter) butalfofibmthofe many fad Inflancei of Men over whom Satan fo' far prevails, that they execute Upon themfelves (his defign,by deftroying themielves. Yet by the way we may note. That fuch thoughts are often in the minds of Men, where Satanic riot indt^rhujly delrgning their deftrudiion i for he often cafts in fuch thoughts, not only to try how Men take With them, but to^i^ib^ and difquiiet them, and 'tisufually with Men of fad and MtlanmVy tempers to mi^a}^ their own fears of fuch a • Temptation, £ot $2X^tCs endeavours againft them, when indeed • their fear and trouble left they (bould beib teAipted, makes them thinktheyjre tempted indeed.
Satan drives on the Defign of Self^Miirtheir, two* ways, Fitft, diredly, when in flain terms he urgeth Men to deftroy themfelves. This (becatife 'tis diredtly repugnant to the Law of Na- * ture, which vehehientry urgeth them to Self-PreferVatiqn) he cannot efied, but by the help of Ibme advantages'^ yet (bme ways ^ and methods, by experience, he hath found to be (b available to (lidh aaunnatural refblve, that he frequently puts them in pradice. * As,' fitft. He works lipon the Vifiohter^/ of Men, and improves * the diiquiet of their Minds, Cupdh the occafion of any lols, vexa- tion,' difappointment or di(grace, ) to as great an height as he - can, and when their Lives are made bitter to them, and they are TaflSciently prepared by the ^we^Jwe^Tof their condition v then he - propounds Death, isis the only remedy to £et them at quiet* where- * in,bef!des his offidollfnefs to provide tliem with inftruments of cni- - city and 0f^/Mf^ for their u(e, he folk) ws them with ifr^iiiffei?//; drawn ftomthe fence of their prefent Condition >• the great in- ' tendment whereof is to ^^^jfe their fmart, and to make their • burthen feem intoltefable, and* then Self-riiiiie is but a natural Confiquejice. We may fee enough of this in the difconterits of good Men, and that they naturally work this way V JoV fpeaks ^ the generahpprehenfions ofMen in trouble. Job ^ .2 0,2 1 /lie bitter " in Send value not LifL^ fhey Jong for 1>eaib\ and dig for it more than ' fat bid Tireajkres » they rqoyct exceedingly anJt are glad when they can ■ fmdtheCrave* Jonatnn his difeontent prefers Death before Life, h is better for me to die than to live 9 EliM doth the Tikfe, and Job ' feemsimpatientfor.it. All this is from the power and working of this. Temptation^ though God held their hand that i t did no t f u Hy ^
^ii0 Zl^tmittet ;PxttAll
prevail. In AUthcfM^ the giroioid bf ^oAf^ttl ^as more a fancied than a real dugrace ) his Couhfel was rejeded Cwhich was in it felf no jgreat diOiohOur) and tbls Works up (uch a perplexing refeatment in his Mind, that Satan prevails with him to hang him* {cKvcxyddiberatdy.
Secondly, He moft frequently draws on Men to defirdy them* Cdvcs by terravs zod deiparing troubles ofConfiieneei thcfe as they zffoxd greater diiquiet anddiftrefs of mind than other kind of . diPcontentments, (b doth hejuore prevail bvihem^ for a wounded Spirit is above ordinairy foength,^ andhara to bear: only it may , may (eem flrange, that thole who Co experimentally feel how fearful a thing it ktofall into ibt bands of the living G^ Ihould en- tertain fuch a Temptation, .as (to their appreheniions and know* ledg> Will certainly flung tKeminto the very Ocean ofeverlafting : Vengeance. This no doubt Satan finds to be no finall obffarudtion to his defign, but here he uftth his skill to aftn a way for them that would out-run their lives on the one hand, as he labours to fmfm them Snith fence of Wrath and Indignation on theother hand^ To this purpbfc, he tells them, ( ^) that all the Hell they are to meet Willi isin their Confciencef^ and that Death will /ree them from al^ . or at leaft, thatOeath will give a prefent eafe^ and that till thelU- Jinwffwfl they (hall be in quiet. Thofe that are wiUing to receive thefeapprehenfions, may eajGl Jr be prevailed with to haften their . own death, feeing they have already fixed this Conclufipn witi themlelv^s, thattheteis no hope nor pardon for them » that th^ are Reprafe^rter and cutoff, for their thoughts can mtddaie nothing .but the terrcrs of fuch Condufions. {2.} He fometimes endea- vours to perf^ade them, that by executing this revenge upon .themfclves, they may make fome kind ofJatUfaQidn and amends for the fins they have cpmmited : which though moft falfe, yet ^tis a wonder hbw far fuch ungrounded Surmifes may poflefs the Capel Temft. ^inds of the Defperate. That Judof might have fome iuch Part 9. cap. 9. thought whcn he deftroyed himfelf; is conjeiiured by fome : bat atM^ Aug, that muftbebutaconjcdure, feeing hone can pretend to know /•• ''• his thoughts h but we may Cpcdk with greater freedom of thofe,
who have declared the working of fiicfaapprehenfions upon their Minds. (3 .) A more plaufiMe pretext he ufeth when he endea- vours to pcrfwade them, that they may <gff themfelvcs, and yet gotoHeavm fofvallthat i totWspurpofcthe fubtilAdverfaryisnot .backward 10 telr^hem, what have been -die Cbaritabk Expr^ons
of
^offoipe M«i, who Juve f^Ppofe^ ^ po^Sbility of ^epcptahce,
[vaerpaupi &f^v^y ^ we ^y, ,betwjxt the Stroke or Halter,
Wuic Death.- P^ifdhfb apprehenfivie of the aaifcheivous im- ;
,provq3aent of thi^CJ^^ty^.*» an eppotcrageinent to $elf-Mur- ^?|^* ^^f^^
..ther, that he wiith ffC9t earnefinel^ c^tfUon/ zlLMinUiQxs againft
facb JikeralE^ipt^jQUS. l .haiiie knownfiibsqe, and heardofothers
that h?ivi8 beenfdpotfeffed y^^ of bejng ia-
ved, iK>twithQan4ln£ that having pur pofed todeifarpy them(clve%
C thoi^gh Godpreveotcd the^ that they did it not ) they have
firft by fray^ recqianiqided themfelvcs to God, s^nd fo prepajred
;themfelves tc^ie- C4^ Sornetiaje though fudi affliAed ones.
We no fuch perfjrafion, but that $fom Death they fio im^nediate-
ly toHeff : yet ^e. they puflied forward, by a certain fearful ctiri^ -
cj^of knowing Ae^iw^.-' At that rate did ,Sfka exprelshimfclfi
.>vhen he defircd to,be Aeed of his^fe that^be might Hnow the ut- -
moft of thofe tornaents^which he feairod } ?s if the affirightmo^its of
liisife^rful expeSations, w^e worifethav the realfeeling of them. •
($^) But molt of all. doth he prevail agamft that objc<ftion ofgre^- ^
#«ri«//iiy after Death, byruiming Men up to a defierate d^aOioa
iatbeir terrors ^ their prefcnt anguifli is made infupportable, fo ♦
xhAtxhtylufiiii^^^ C4»« or wnfideraiion of what
Aallfolk)W#
Thirdly^ He tempts Mtodireftly to deftroythemfclve^from a -
Mndpleof Hmid^JbQldH^ and teeming fortitude of Mind: a • ^tUi^verycon^monamopgtheROTiwwi who impatient ofin- ju^icsj-awl from pride of Hearty not willing to fubjedlthetnfelves - to^flfoutSjcMed rather to tear their own Bowels, than to live to (ee themii^es ^)ufed» Livmti^ being forced by 7lirfirriifW,and ju>twilIingtooatUveherdiferace,tobb?dherfeIf. C^i^t? not being ; able tocndure^e Vi&ory orCijfir, puts an end to his days. In- ^^^^ j^ p^^, . numerable inflanc^ of this kindHiftories do every where aflford. vidcn. c, %. - Thefe thou^ they contulted their own paffioas, and knew of no- liquet mihi j thing that prompted them, but their own Genmfuy or Magnani- ^^^F^i^ ' mity, yet wcrethey not without a Tempter to fuch auel aftions. £ jy^^^^m Satan Cualoubtedly) pleafedhimfelfbyexerdfing his cruelty up- giadiwn facia on them fo eafily, by the help of fuch an i^wwr, which pafled p^Aorc infifft. (among thefe blind Heathens) for the higheft proof of ^er/iie and N^^J^^^ Fortitude. Tathis height it came^ infomuch that we fi^pd Seneca ^^s {^re highly applauding Cate^ for procuring his liberty by his own CatoMem Se. dcathi andfetting forth that Fa^ft-as the moft delightful Spe^acleind
ta-
lis ■•
-4»
/,ii/ vS SCteaitfe of Part.nr.
Jug. dc civit to tlie Gbds. Thou^ indeed (zsAn^imt notes): it is not P^r- Dd>P.i.c. ii.^i>i^^ butireid^^tejF, and a clear evidence of i^^ifiice, which can- W*j^^^^^^^^ or their ownliardfliipsi And if
diw eft, quTvi- we examine the matter to the bottom, though there be audacity lam xrum no- in it, to undertake their own deaths yet is this led oq by no^bettec fara magis principles, than Pride, Impatience and De(pair: which may^hc quamfwRwe. better be difeovercd, if we confider fuch kind of attempts, as Ec hununum* they arift from more Ignoble and bafe occafions. Paferadm tells judicium-- prx us of a Tnfian Southiayer who being carried to Prifbn with his 0)nfcicnti2 friend FulvtMi Flacem^ and defpairing of pardon, deQ>erateIy S?ontSc>ns his head againft thePrifon Door and daQied out his Brains i * and yet this Man was moved to attempt his deftruiflion, upon the pime general Principles by which Cdto deftroyed himfelf;
Fourthly, 'Tis alio fufEciently known that Satan by the force ^//^^^f^ip^' of Ci^0i»e in (everalG>untries, doth as it were neaJJiMeM^n to ^^^•^^*^"^" cut off their own Lives i in fome barbarous Places, atthe ^&<i^^ of lilgr.lib. y. c.^ Husband, the Wife in a brutal Affedton-of the praife of Ijm II. IftdmthedXid Loyalty, calls her felf to be devoured by the fame Flame, in PhlJippian /- which the dead Body of her Husband is confumed. And there /laj^ds. ibid- c. ^^g gj^jj J jjj ^Ij^j^ j j^5 cuftpms of fclf-deftruAion for the avoid-
>
PcrircmeHi- ing the tediousinconveniencies of (rfei^ge, where 'tis uCial for bratim & roti- old Pafons, . with Joy to prepare their oiyn Funeral Pi/c, and to cs per ftillici- fJ^2^iC a quick difpatch of their Lives, and rather to die at once, J2^^^^"^^^ than by pcece-meal, as Seneca exprefleth it. Calanmzn Indian £pifi loi. * Phflofopher, being Dyfentcrical, obrained leave o£ Jlexander^ to Qt Cuiiiu5, burn himfclf for more quick difpatd).
Fifthly, There is yet another way by which Men are tempted
fbmetimc Cthough rarely) to haften themfelves out of the World,
and that is by a pretence of an earn^ and impatient detire of Hit^
Pinefitocomc. That foffgi/zgx for fuch en joyments, do become the
cictr^. uTfff.hcA of Saints^ and is indeed their Ejfceffe^icy, cannot be denyed y
f?/^' , , but to make fuch zprepofierom haftc, muft be a <Aeat of 5iatan. That
aut"calimUi-* there is a poflSbility of this, may appear in the Story of Cleombntm
tis aiit ci-imi- (mentioned alio by Augf^ine) who reading Tlato''fPh£do of the
Tiis— «fedad Immortality of the Soul > that he might haften thither, threw
capcffendam^ himftlf Head-long from a Wall, and dyed. Now though it be
J^'^JJ^jJ "^j^J hard to find fuch an Inftance anrwng Chriflians, yet we- have rea-
magnitudo. de fon to believe, that where Satan ' perceives fuch a Temptation
Civ, Del I. I . may take place, he will not be wanting in the profecution. And
'• *?• if me may conjedure Auff^ines thoughts, by that (pinion which
he
Chap. 15. ^atan'flt SCemptattfottflf. nj
he propoun4s» viz. Whether it be Imfid 'for a Manio klB himfiifT>s Civic D.*ii for the avoiding of Swm ( which he fblidly confutes i ) We may ^' *• «"• *7* conclude, that fuch thoughts, were the ufital 'denotations ofgood j^q„ i^^^^^ Men in his time, and the rather becauTe in the cloie of that Chap- vobis £Fi^cs> ter, he applyes that diicourfe particularly to the Servants of Chrill, Chtini^fic tc- that they (hould not think their Lives a Bttrthen. ^*^ ' >^ "^^^'^
Secondly, Satan promotes the defign of Self-Murther, not on-^ ly Viredlyy as we have heard, butalfo by Come IndfreQ ways he undermines the Life of Man : That is, when he doth not formally . (ay to them deftroy your felves, but tempts them to fudi things^ a^ he knows will let in Death upon them. This way of fubtil Ma- lice I (hall explain under thefe heads.
Firft, Upon higheft pretexts of Zeal for God*s Glory, he fomd- times lays a Snare for our Lives « I cannot believe but Satan had •a Hand in that forward nefs of Ancient Cbrifiianf^ who by an open Profeffion ofthcir Faith before perfccutingjWw^Kref, did as it were Coitrt a Martyrdom \ And I have the 2ame perfwafion of the fainful earneflneP of iMny Holy Preadiers, who lavUh out their- Strength in a Prodigality of Pains for the Good of Souls, which Clikea7i&e//intheCa/itf/eJ wafts them immediately > whereas a y.j ^^ .^^ better husbanded Strength might be truely more advantagious, a9 refiea ^^. Sea continuing the Light the longer : and yet foiincere are then: ends, u Med. lo. Co plcafent is their work, that they felcf om oblerve, as they ought, that Satan (when he can do no better) is glad of the opportu- nity to deftroy them with their (?«>« TFeafon > and therefore in this ca(e, they may expcd he will do all he can to heighten and foi^ward their Zei/, notonlybyaddingall theFe»^e/ he can to their in- Vfdxdfropenjity of laborioufiiel^ but alfo by- outivard encourage- ment, of the declared Acce^ations^ and ExfeOations^ of their Hearers.
Secendly, Upon baler pretences of the full en joyment offenfkal TleafureSy^ and carnal Delights, he doth. unawares^ig/Zr Men for- (
ward to Pea^A and Dangers. Thus the Voluptuous, the Glutton, the Drunkard, dig their own Grouts^ and invite Death to cut them off, before they have lived out half their time. While Satan tempts Men to fuch excefles of Riot, he labours not only the d^ru' S/Wof the -Jw/, but alfo of the Ba^fy i not only that they be mife- rable, but that they may be fo with all Expedition.
Thirdly, Befides all theft, he hath other fubtile ways of con- triving the death of Men, by putting them upon ways and aSions
P that
114 ZXtmiUtit Pafe.ni.
that arc attended wfth hattri. Thus he fought the death of Chriii not direcfly^ but indmQly^ by urging hinr to an oQlon which he thought would unavoidably bring him to Dtath i for a Fall from fo great a t^rafcipice, wouM eafilv have bereaved any Mail of Life. And foffietimes when Men are bcfof ted with Enthufuftieal DeluCons, he can more eafily beguile them with fuch Stratagems : That Inftance of Stt^ is famous, who cut oflFhis Brothers Head, upon a fbolifli perfwafion, that God would magnify his great Power in giving him Lifeagain. If Satan can befool Cxxdi bewitch- ed Slaves into fuch abfurd and unreafonable apprehenfions in re- gard of others, what hinders but that he may fo far impofe upon them, that they may be willing to pradife upon themfelves. I s^etheNdrrd- remembcrfomething tothispurpofe, of one whom the Devil had 1r '&?ft w^^^n'gf^ prevailed with, to make a hole in hU Bre#, ( which of Quakers Li- ^^^^^ "^uft have let out his Life 0 upon a pretended Promife of ken. g^i% ^i^ Eternal Life^ and was accordingly ffrted to take up a
■ Knifi^ and to carry it to his Throat. In anno 1^47. in Tmi^in^ a Company of People were feduced tofacrifice certain Creatures taGod,among the reft they Sacrificed their aged 2kfwA€r,perfwading her fhe (hould rife the third day,and for this they were Executed at
Applic. '^^^ may awaken all to be aware of this Temptation > fomc
are ladly concerned in it> many are the complaints which fome of us have met withal about kin private, and the apprehenfions of fccfi hazards are (adiy difquieting. Through fucn fears thoufands 6f God's dear Children have ^<i(/e4, and rtiany, too many, have been twereonu by this Weapon > thofe of us that have not yet known Temptations ofthis nature, do not know how foon we may be affaulted in this kmd \ 'tis neceffary for all to /land upon their Guard, and for that end, it behoves us to have at hand thefe de- fences againft it;
Pirft, 'Tisufeful to confider, that this is one of Satan's great Flotf i and when w^ meet with it cloathed with never fo rmnypri' fexts^ enforcedmth never fo many feeming neceffities, yet muft we look upon it as the Connfel of an Enemy^ who certainly intends us no kindnefs, let him pretend what he will > and therefore may we before, it will be our fad inconvenience and difadvantage^
^ Secondly, It muft be fixed in our minds, that the thing in it fe'lf is ^n high Iniquity^ a moft grievous Provocation j no Inftancc of Seff-Murther. (properly fuch^ can be met withal in Scripture,
as
Chap. 1 5. ^atm'iS %m\ptatione. u $
as {^adHfed by any Holy Per(bn : the Command is dkedly againft it, TbQHjbah not kill* If ^c nnay not mHTther another (as ^i^/'/i ar- gues) we may not nmrther our fdms : firhethatkiBxbimfelf l^lUiyQQiYi^j^^'^ no other then a Man i nay we may much left lay hand upon our own /. i.e. to! Non Life. *Tis a greater violation of tlie Lam of Nature and of Love. ©J^eidcs, non Every Man is nearefttohimfelfi and his love to himfelf, is the^^^^^"^^^ Patten of his love to another. Self-Murther muft then be a Sin nim quTfc w:!" of higher aggravations hy far, than the Murthcr of another Peribs. cidit, aliud And the wifer Heathens were far from countenancing.any fuch cru- *^"^"* ^^^i- eltyi IfP/tf/^hadthoughtitbeftforaaiiii»i^i/^ee«/(?>/ww^ofIm-"'''" .
mortality, C which is the higheft pretence of Self-Murther itnz-^'lf*/^^^^^^^ gijaableJ)'tomakean end of Life violently, he would certainly -'* ' '^*"' have fraSifed it himfelfi or recommended it to others, but he vL.^ibid ^ is fb hx &Dm this, that he fpeaks againfi it as a great mckc ednefi.
Thirdly, 'Tis neceifary that Men keq> in mind, the Vanger thzt foOows fuch an z&. Death brings <Sod's unalterable Mittimus^ and feali up the Condition of every Man^ fo that in the fame po- ilure he comes to Judgm'eHt^ it puts an end to all Hopes and, en- deavours. Suppofe then fuch tempted Creatures to have Fears,^n4. terrors ^sgre0 asyou.can itpa^n^ them tp be^ yer there is a fo^', bility that tWy may be deceived m them, that their caie is not Co bad as they fear, or (if it be bad enough at prefentj that it may be better afterwards, (for many that have in their anguiih refblved againfl themielves, have been prevented of the Execution of their lefblves, and haye lived to fee the Lord and hU Salvation i ) ^ And Vfrbo is aWe to determine that fecret, that their name k not in the Booi^ of Life ? Who can fay, he is certainly excluded out of God's De- cree;? .What madnefs is it then to rufli into certain mine, when our Fears that diftre(s us may be but miftakgs. It is not fb certain that Men fiall be damned, becaufe of what they feel or fear at pre- fcnt, as. it iwjybe if they ^fc/frty/ themfelves.
Fourthly, To prevent occafions to this Temptation, it muft bcourcarenottogivem*iy^i>^//c(?«^e/i^/fbr outward things, nor to dijtrefftng fears, C fuch as are defparing and hopelefs ) for our Spiritual Eftate : or if we have a burthen either way .upon our . Mind, we mutt avoid as much as may be, impatient /reff«//2e/r, l^ Satan get advantage of us. Vifcontented Moods^ and cajiing a- vpayHofe^ zxt&A occafions iot this Temptation. If we find our felves thus burthened, we muft look to it betimes^ and not fuffcr
. . P 2 it.
xi6 :» SCteatife Of Pait* m.'
• ittogotoofirr. And if this Temptation comty we nrnft take heed we keep^not the Devils Ci^urt/?/, but difeaver the matter to ^ (bme that are wile and faithful, able to advife and Jrfay for usv remembring ftill that if only ataward things trouble us, we have a imerwayofeafe and Remedy, hy ftAmtHngto z chaftifing Ihro- vidence h if'Sfiritual'TvoxMes move this way, we fhould not nm fromhim^ but rather refolve to /erj/fci^* bis Footy as humble Sup- pliants for Mercy and Pardon.
fifthly. The Temptation muft alfo be oppofed with Fafting and Frayer > if this be fincerely pra<%i(ed, it will go away at* lad. ^ ' .
Sixthly, Something may al(b be (aid (or caution againft miie-u c^ofy tbrtffiir^ our (elves (while under (uch Temptations ) into places of Danger^ or into a conver(e i^ith Injhwnenu of Death > this may be toogreat a daringof the Temptation, and iathecoa-!*' lequencean^ifthief. Yet on- the other hand, we muft not be (b ca»ardi^y as tobeaifiraidoffuch Placei and 72^iVig/,.unto which' our CaVings and lawful employments do engage us > not-to vdare to go over a Bridge or to walk by a Kiver, or a Fit^ if it be our ne- c^ary way^ is but to give an advantage to Satan to keep us onder continual affrightments^ and therefore I fub(cribe to CaftU advice, P t ''^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^y '^' ^d fight it ofit by Faith \ wemtfi not fly th
cap^p. ^y-> ^^^f^^^-i the implo^menty but goon and loot^toGod^ andatljijl
fPtJhaBmaks Satan fly.
Objcd. ' Birtif foraeobjedtothis. That their weaknels is great, and their fears are (hron^, and Satan never idle, and that therefore they
Jnfiw. 1^^^^ /itf/e ground toexpedan efca^. I (hall de(ire they would
confider ferioufly, the Infianee of Chrift in this - particular, when* he was upon the Finacle of the Temple, a fmall fu/h might have overthrown him, and yet it was not in Satans power to do it bim-^ felf; though he*e»i^crfChri(i to caft himfelf down : which may fufficiently (atisfy us, thatthereisafurei&e<!%of Providence about us, and that Satan cannot do us the leaft hurt by ff^^ing us into a Pit or {liver, .<»: any iiich danger*
CHAP.
CM^.i4. a)aeatt'j8? ffeniptattonifif* 117
C H A p. XVI.
Of Pride J SaUns chief Engine to bring on Frefnmpion^ ' What Pride u^ and hotv if prepares Men for Jtnning prefitmptuou/fy. ' Confiderations again^ Pride. The ^
Remedies for its Cure* Pride kindled by a confidence of " Priviledges^ and Popular Jpplanfe.
THe iamsof Satan in thh Temptation bemg thus expUined^ I muft now offer to your confideration the Means by whTch he £)ught to bring his End about, which we have noted .already, was Fride : this he endeavoured to raife up in him two ways. ' .
. Firft, By urging to him the PrJtvVedJgef. of his Condition;, asta« - kinghim(elftabe theSi^ff d/GiN/.
Secondly, By offering him the occaCon of foptdar Applmfi^ to which purpofe he brought him into the Holy<jity^ where he might be. fure of many SptSaSors. I (baU hence note,
"^at Pride is SatarCs pTofzt Engine to bring Me» on to tro^ ObC 10; - / fumftion*
If we (bouM trace the ISfiory of prefomptuous Sins, we fhaH ' ever find it to have been fbv 4danfs fa& Sin, was an high Pre- fumption againft God's expreft Command, but Pride was the St^rhy which he knew they mufl, afcend to it \ and therefore he uied this Argument, tocorrupt the Hearts of out firft Parents, Te i
ffifdl bt as God's. ThePrefumptionofZ/«;x;i^ iii burning Incenfe \
upon the Altar, was from his Pride. 2 Cbron. 26. 164 Hk Heart ]
tpas lifted up^ becaufe he tpof become fhrong. Djfvii's Prefumption j
in numbring the People was from hence \ thus might we run j
thsoug^ many Inftances. But SatafCj own cale may be in/lead of • all, hisiirflSin (though we have but conje&ure what it was par^ tieularly) is concludedby all to have been ' highly Frefumptmue^ and the Saipture exprefly aiTerts that it was his ttide that brought him to it* i'Tim.^%6^ He that is lifted up with Ptide, /li// int^ '
i
J
1 18 Z%ttUitt(^f Part- HI.
the Condemnation of the Vevil. And in the general we are told by
5 he Prophet, Hab. 2. 4, That the Soul that is lifted up^ cannot be b upright as patiently to wait upon God in a way o£ believing^ but it will be prefuming to evade a trouble by indire^ contrivances.
To explain the Qbfervation, I fliall do no morebut-fliew what Pride is, and how fit it is to beget Prefumption.
Pride is afelftdolizing^ an over^valwaion or admiration of ourfthes^ • upon a real or fufpofed excellency^ inward or ottttpordy appertaining to ys. 'Tis in Scripture frequently cxpreffed by the /i/iiflgup or exal- tation of the Soul. And this is done, upon theconfideration of ^y kind of thing, whidi we apprehendmakesuseofce/ others i (bthat intpard gifis of Mind^ asKnowledg, Humility, Courage, c^. or cHttPardgiftsofthehodY-i as Beauty, Strength, Adivity^^c. or additional Advantages of Riches, Honour, Authority, &€. or any thing n^ell done by us, &c. may all be abu(ed to beget and nourilh Pride, and to fill us with high and lofty thoughts concera- * |ng our felves : and being thus blonm up, we are fitt^fot any pie* ..fumptuous undertaking. For*
. Firft, The Mind thus corrupted, begets to its felf apprehcnfr " • Kmsoi^felf'fugiciaKy : and therefore, as it is not apt to remem- ber from what Fountain dll thofe Excellencies come, and to what £;zi/they axttoferve> fbitbringsthemtoa contempt oi others, and to a cox^dtnce of themfelves. This are Men by agrees fi) in- toxicated by their own humour, that th^ mount up to irrati- cnal and aUurd conceits, fancying that they are more than they are, and that they can do far more than is poffible for them to ac- kromplifii, till at hl\ they become apparently foolifh in the purfuit of their inraginations* I need not inllancein thefdlies of Alex* ander^ who being elated in Mind^ would be j^^iterV Son, and go like Hercules in a Lyons Skin v or .in the mad Fren^i^ies of Caiar, who as he wouldneed fancy himfetf'a Gad, fo would he d^ange his Godjhif when he pleaied \ to day he would wear a Lyons skjnwsA - Club^ and then he muftbc Hereof \ to mocrow in another Garb he conceits himietf Apollo \ a Gadu^us made him Mercury^ Stmrd and Helmet made him Mari^ &c. Or in Xerxes^ who would inb^ the Seas, and fetter Neptune. The Scripture aiford€ enough of this nature, as the£oaA oiifebiichadnetxar'r Is n^this g^eat Babel that IhavebmUf Intbe Infolency of Nifuevei!^, Z^a. 15. lam^ and there is none befides me. The Bhfphemy aHyn^ Ezd^ 28.2. who
fet her Heart, as the Heart rfGoa^ 7^^%? I am 4 Gody I fit in the
Seat
Cbap. i6, ^titan's Xemptat ioitflf* 1 1?
Seat Qf God. The znogzncy of Sennacherib^ tfa,^6.ip^2(y.ff^here
are the G^s of Hamath that the Lord Jhoutd deliver Jcrufalcm
OH* rf my hand} Though 4// Pride, in ill Men arifith not to Co greatah height of Madnefe, yet *fis the nature of it, and none have any of it, without this humour of conceiting themfelves above ibentfilves^ ^hich ftratigely prepares therrl for any Prefump- tion.
Secondly, He that, is Prpiid, as he looks upon himfelf in a flattering Ghfe, and nieailires himfelf by the length of his Shadovp i fo doth he contemn and undef value things; that lye before his at- tempts aseafy and fmall, hence doth he put himfelf upon things that are far beyond him. Vavid notes the working of a proud Heart, Pfal. 151.1. in this particular. Neither do I exercife my felf ingreat mattert^ or in tbingstoo high for me > Shewing that *tis the guh!e of Pride, to m-hid\t felf in itt attempts.
ThiitlJy, It IS not only forward to attempt, butalfb de^erateto ekiGute^ Without conCderation of hazard. Difficulty and Danger wheil they ftand in the Way, ftiould ufually deter Men from their tntetprhc't but Pride W^;i^ the Heart, and in a blind rage en- gagethit to amtetnn all inconveniencies \ if Sin and the Breach' of Gods Law, befctbefoteaPerfon, whofe Pride engagqth him to an unkwflitunrfettakifig^ he 6ver*looks it as a thing of naught > Thfim^ the Pride of hil countenance he wilt not feel^ after Godfy God U not in aV bis thought f^ Pf^Llo.4.^
Fourthly, ftridearifeth up to a fcornfid comMition with any ' thing that of^)ofeth it 5 and the more 'tis oppoied> the more" it rageth, for the conteft is for hating i/x^ff. This was the Voice 6f Pride in Fbaraob^ Who is the tofd^that Ijhouldferve him ? Hence Men are faid to de^t the Commandments of Cod^ when in the ftrength of their Rride they are carried on to an open conteft for their own ways and defire^ again(| peremptory Commands and - Threatnings. ^ Fifthly, A\l this isdonthyzpteafing allurement v ^tis zfFitcbcraft ^^^i^^^^ ^^^
that ftrongly holds Men, and they think they are* fuiEciently re- fania mentis Warded if they be but gratified > though other things go to wrad^ gratiffimw yet they apprehend, if Credit and Honour be kspt up 'tis enough. ^**'^°'^* Saul (when Samuel had declared that God woyld forfake him^ yet) fought to pleafe hitofelf, by keeping up hisEfteem and Au- - thotitY'i'H>nournu^Mdlhc^ before the People^
* «
in-
. If all thcfc particulars be weighed, what prefamptuous z€t can be propounded by Satan which Pride may not lead to? He that fwells himfelfto a conceit of tfi/S/jitfcff^ that will needs be attempting things too bifh^ thzt contemnetb all hazards, and is made ; more/ortr^^ by oppoiition, and yet ^fc^yrt* himfelf in all, as in z GoldehVnam^ he is as much ^^m/ for any jfgMreor fhape that Satan is ready to ifi^efi upon him, as melted Metals tor their . MfiJ^ or Stamp.
Hence muft we be warned againft Fride^ as wrwould avdd AffUc . Frefftniftion^ if we admitibis, we cannot well elcape theotha.
And we are the more concerned to refift Ptide,
Firft, Becaufe 'tis ^Natural Sin > it vf zs the fiifi Sm, and our Natttres are (b deeply tainted with it, that it is a Sin thaitfirftibcws it felf in our Jnfandy: for Children will exprefe a Pride in their
* Cloaths very early i and 'tis ag«ier<i/infedion, from which none are exempted in fome degree or other. The Apoflks Phnfe i Job» 2. 1 5. Aews that our whole life, and all the. concerns
. ^hereof, is but the Sfbere in which Pride adb and thenfoce whereas he refirabs other lulls \ to fome particular ends^ or pecu- liar lo/Iiwmeit^/, he calls this iniquity the Pri^ ^f^f^ implying how impoflible it is to confine it in a narrow compais.
Secondly, It is zjubtile Sin, and often lyes where \is leafijuf" feS&L Every man fees it, as 'tis expreft in batigbty kikj^iTihoa^g Sfeechet^ in g^ffo^ Afparel^ in infoleMt behaviour h but often Men are f^/eff/t^/y pofTefTed with this Sin and know not of it : under an arjB^£fr^c(7;ifeMr^of Honoursand iine Clothes, they fefretly hug themfelves in their private conceits, and raii^ up in their own thoi^ts ImaginaryTrophies of Honour and ^idlory, for de^iftng what others io much dote upon. It was obferVed ofViogenes that he did intttt gloriari^ inwardly boaft, and with greatjor Pride con^ temned Honour, Riches, Plenty, &c. than they were troubled with, that en joyed them. SomeiecryPri^&in others, vehement- ly declare agaiiiil it as a Sin, recommend Humility as am Ornament of great price in the fight of God, and yet arc fraud that they ait above others in z fancied Humility \ and in the management oFthem- lelves in their Keproofs and Exhortations, exprefs fuch fad Syn^ tomes of zn inJultingUumour^ that the latent Pride of their Heart doth appear by if. *Tis pollible for Men to give Jb^nkf to the
• jilmighty fox all they have, and yet to be PraiiAof what is in them : the Pharifce was Proud, ( for fo Cbrift caDs him ) that be wm nut
m
0oiber M^ and yet he ixivldthanii God, as afcribii^aU t(yhim ,> nay he that iitmly fenfibk of the n>arkjng of this Pri& in himi^If^ '. und darex not approve it, yet he (hall find in his Heart fuch a de^ li^ when he isftraaksd or praifed, and when ibcne ASiont Cpralle- worthy) ^t not t Apt notice of ^ thcbeftfhall find that (without great watchfulnefs) they (hall not be ahk to hold from giving jome hints to others as a Memorial to them,of obferving theur excel- lency, or &oax fi)me Infinuations of their own Conunenda- tion.
Thirdly, Pride is a Sin no lefs dangerous then fubtU > there are no attempts lb (faange, unreafi)nable, monffarousorabfurd, but it may prompt to them. It was a firange arrogancy in Ibroato dei-^ fy himlelf in his own thoughts, and yet the acclaniaticms of the People fwell'd him into (lich a hlajphemom Imagination^ that dod :
thought fit to chafiife him, and inffaruA others by fo dreadful a Judgment^ as clearly ba£9ed his Infplency, and made him and ,
his Flatterers confe^ he was but a Poor frail Man. Ordinarily Pride is attended with z Judgment^ *tis the very Progn(fiick^ro(' rU- ine ) Fridegoetb hefortd^ruSion^ and an haughty Spirit before a Fall. Prov. 1 5. lb. But thefe Judgments have (bmething in them pecn^ liar (which other Judgments for other Sins do not always ex- press} to a mantfefiation of ajfecM/ abhorrency in God againft Pridei as (lO he commonly finites the thing for vphich they are Proud. StauPitius boafied ofhis Memory,and God (mote it : Hezekiob boaft- ed ofhis Treafure, and for that God defigned them for captivity : Pavid Glorifyed in the Multitude ofhis PeopIe,but God leifencd them by Peiiilence. NebHcbadnes^zaris Proud of hisBiM, and God drave him from the enjoymeAt bf it. Men are Proud of Children or KelationSy and God oft removes them, or makes then> a Shame znd Sorrow. (2.) He doth not only this, but al(b or- ders the Judgment fo that it (hall bring zjhame and contempt upon Men* in that thing wherein they frided them(elves v he will not onlyf^ififjyhMt^nofiain, their F^de:the haughty Daughters ofSion were riot only plagued, by removing their Ornaments, Bracelets^ and the teft'of their Bravery, but over and above he Jmites with a ^ Scaby the crown of their Ihad^ and difcovers their feeret parts ^ and ^'^ 3- '7» H» brings a Stinl^and Baldn^ uPon them inflead of a Sweet Jmeu^and well' ^
Jk a^y and burning inftead of Beauty. '
S9 £id a Diftemperihndsin need of ar fpecial Caxe : and for 'tlikf en3We(houMi
ObC II.
tii ZXtmitttit Paitm;
tit&y lhaScfamjgswefaaveordoiKit&iniKJictniEderwW is txullM^ or wherein we excel, aswhatwe bave «0^,taad wherein we tomtjhoH. We fliould beftraoge to our &brcs» and delignthat the rifhTIandflf0HUrtal0om what tkUjfi wfaichmuft
ie by having our Eye upon the Lt^afiahns that attend us at the
ScosaSiy^ It tauftbe our care to be Jkgnthiu of the tfvrkpv of
THde in us, and aIC>t)y an induflrbas Watcbftlnds to give a jfa
•>^ oreM;,tottioq^tsofthis nature when they Av^
u ThiwBy, The Oapqucft of dus cannot be ezpeded without a
? firlatr^daiftfhfuLdmriKti^ AnhuffibteSbulfecoffitaiedby
pjvid to a ff^eaiedCkitdj ffal. 131. 2. But a C2iild feuot weaiied
eaiffly, Jr^wjf.'WMrf ftiaft be laid oft AeiBreali, and »i»e att&wed,
before the Child win forget it. He only that is content loex-
exditiJyifihUhe upton himfet^ and by ftequent pradiccs to*^
toAtfehimlelfto /flUfaadfrfr^.Thoughts,. is likely to overcome
Ride ^^weWe&iO wais Satan's great Engine t6 Ukg on Ercfuftiption, the means by which he endeavoutcth to hecet ftidc (as was before noted : ) were,
Firft, The consideration of fr/p/i^</, as being /j6e5<?«0^^«/. For this expreflSoh, llfibou art tbeSoh ofGod^ Isnow urged in a Sence different fiom thatwhichit had iu the )?i^ Tetnptaiion^ there he propounded it z&mlikily that he fliould be Ae Son ofGoi, and vet be under fuch a i^i^W of Providence. In this fenfeJt rotaBly fuited his defign of drawing him toa dUltn^ of God's Cart, and confequently ofhls Sonlhip.Here he is upoil iemtMy Tempta- tion, and thtteforc propounds this, as a thitfg x;f which Chrifl was ajjured, and^rom'that AlTurincehe ihiis dilputes, Thett be- Ttev^ thou art the Son of God, and d0ti>eS depend on '^/eare-y there- fore needefi thou not to difin^ thyprtfirudtiou, if tfm «Mt tbv felf 'do»n. ^ J J J
Secondly, TohelphisconfidencefbrWardfotheundcrtakuie he fuggefts ivhat CreiJ^ and Honour it wouTd be to him, in the Sight of all the People to be To miracuioufly kept fiomliurt. HCnce note,
that Satan Sot}} ufuaUy^tiMe and jiotr^ Tride, hva perverfhenR- itneecfmrfrivaedget, •
It is viwy hard for Chriftians to carry their Aflurance «* ; not hut that Grace inits/r»j^^»w^gbegets.H«hafity, andaWaldi-
I
£]} care againft Sin and Folly, but fuch is our hfirmity that we arc eafily drawntobe Proiiri ofaHr Mercks^ and to perfwadeourfilyes^ thatwema;n)ake bidd with God becaale we are his CbiUrau Hence was that Parahdoxof Mr^F^x^ TJm hk Sins did bimtrnfi g0ody andbi§Graeeifn(^bmf\ he means, Sins occafioned his Hup mility, whereas his Graces were apt f through hi^ weaknels) to indke hf A Ptd^d. And to kde^Oii^ Pride fmM^y Go4 is forced to keep them (bmett^ hooicHe j%te ci their Afliirance/ or to . li^/tffethea} by other ten^t^Hons^ (as he did with f^) left they fliould be f^c^W iiWeme^f/i^.
liottfiiXihcty Ttbstt^ 12^
iin^y) itAeama^lf^t^oftoTridi.
The great thmg thalt CEiove4 the Hari^ ia theiir often Fa- Popuio mon- flings, and large Charity, Vas diat they pa^ hdiytProffi of Men^ ftniri> & dicU and therefore tookthey care to be fern of Men. The Hdthens ^ ^^ ^ noted thisto be the great feeder of that humour which animated QuIsveroiaQi them. r9$ a Pmwi of Trtimpa animates Souldiers to adventroufz&s. |^1,!S^^ And'lome good Men have found no finall difficulty to carry, fleed- novit, ut%mn "dily, when tliey have been boified up by the Breath of Meospraife > affidu^ & im-; whidi'hathalfooccafionedthofeierious cautions againft the dan* ^f^^^^^
tioneshocmio-
ger Flattery , and highCommendations, AfUnmnghbmb W9^h 1^2r^
^t0mmmmmmm
0,1 CHAP.
\H Z%ttiKfS»^
/
, c HAP. xvn.
OfSMtdm's pibiiky im nrgingthdtof Pfal.pi* ii, 12, t9 abrifi. Of kks imitating the Spirit rf G^d in t/dri^ 0fis ways of teathing. Of his fret ending Scriftnre t$
, . further %emPt4tion. the Reafons offnch Pretendings,
snd the ends to r^hich he doth shufe it. Oj^ S4tdns
' m^itkfmlnefs in mdmgitig of Serif tnres. Cdutions
dgainft thdt Deceit ^ the wdjsirf rtihich it fndy he dif^
covered.
% • «
THe ws^s of Satan (hitherto infiftcd on) to engage ChriA m thisa^ofPrefumpttoD) weie/kre^ infinuations, zndmder^ hand contrivances: but that which he openly and expre/Iy ur- ged to this purpofe) was an ^r^iiMKn^ drawn from tttcframife of God, (though (adlyabufed and miireprefented^ He Jhall give hi$ Angels d)a^ge concerning tbee^ dcc« This we are next to confider, in which (as cited by him) we may eafily fee, (i.) That Satan af* ^ feded an Imifation of Chrift, in the way of his refiftance ) Chrifl had urged Scripture before, and now Satan endeavours to manage the &me weapon againil him. (2*) 'Tis obfervable that^crip- tme is the We^on that Satan doth dedre to weild againfi him \ in his other ways of dealing he was%, and did but laytbmm Chrift's »^4ry, oi&ring only the occafion, and leaving him to take them up ) but in this he is more confident^ and indufirioufly pleads it, as a thing which he could better (land to and more^onlidenf ly avtmcb.' (jO The cjre of his fubtilty herein, lay in tht ntifnfrefin^ ^ii^ijff and abufe of it, as may be (een in thefe particulars: (lO In that he urged thisfromife to promote zfinfid things contrary to the general end of all Scripture, which was therefore written that n^efin not. (2 0 But more efpecially in his clipping and mutilating of it *> he induflriouily leaves out that part of it, which doth limU and confine the promife of protedion to . lamfid undertakings ( fuch as this was not) and renders it as a general fromife of abfolutc
fufcrr.
fiftty, be ti&e aSion iphat itvriU. It is a Citation from P/S/. $t. \. If. i2« which there nms thus, He^M^ hUAngtls chafgzwer fbee^to kg^ thee in all thy rpoyes > theft ]aft words, [in all thy ways^ which doth iireH to a true underftandingof Godsi/r^e;i/i<7;r in that promifc, he deceitfully /e<i»e/(w^, asiftlKywercnecdlcfsandun- |lecc0ary parts of the promift, when indeed they were on purpoft put there by the Spirit of God, to give a defiriftion of thofe Per* fins zrA AShmSy unto whom in fuch cafes the aeeompliflnmnt of the promift might be expeSed: ({ox albeit the word in the ori^al which is tranlQated [W^y/ J dgth fignify any kind of way or adi- on in the general y yet in this f lace it doth not > for then God were C3*3^T engaged to^n ^fc/3/irte prote&ion of Men, not only when they iipfif0re(|^j/ythiuftthemiehFesintodai%ers, but in the moft abomi- nably ii/i/M anions what(bever> which would have been a dired can^^ifiFi^Ti to thofe many Scriptures wherein God threatens to triibdrsw bk Hand^ and leatfe Sinners to the danger cf their htupaties :- But ^tis evident that the Senfe of it is no more tl»n this, * God is nfiihyou^tpbileyoHoremtbhim. WehzvczParafhrafioi tlnsTeM to this purpofe, in Trov.^. 23. Ithen Jhalt thou walk^ in tbyipoy Jjfely^ and thy Foot Jhall not fiumble: where the condition of this faiety fpoitr^tointheword \Jben^'] which leads the pi^nife) isexjprefly mentioned -in ihb foregoing verfes. My Son^ let tbmm
Cthatis, the pitcepis'of WifHom) not a^art from wine Eyes .
Then (not u^Oh' other terms) jhalt thou iriij^ in thy tpay fafelyi The iTtfj^/ then in this piomife, ( cited by Satan) arc the ir^y^x cf dottyj. or the ways of our lawfnl Callings. The fallacy of Satan in this dealing V^ith Scripture is obvious^ and Chrill might have gi-*. Veil this airfwef, (zsBemardlMltit) that God piomiiieth to keep . p^ , him in bis tPays^ but not ivLfelf-created dangers, for that was jnot vH$, nunquid hisir^j'buthisfMiVie) or,if^)r^,it was ^^<mV way, but not bis^ in pnecipitiis,^ C3.) To thefe two fome add another abuft, in a fubtile con- non eft vu bate ceaknent of the following vafe, in the pi. P/^/, '^*^^*IifS'?ftf ^ ^eadupontbe-Lyon^md Addu^ ^ This C9ncerned Satan, who&trjire/-' i^i^,^rif"i^ ty and poyfonOus dsams^ werfc fitly lepre&nted by the Lyon aiid the ibid. * Addet^ and there the Fromiji Is alfo explained to have a r^eS to Satans denotations h that is, God would ib manage his protedtiojp, that iiis Children (hould not be led into a fnare.
' Hence Obferye, ThttSatanpnmtimes imitates the Sfirit of God hy Qbt 1 3 # ^ sn officiifHS fnience of teaching the ikindof Godtd Mm. ^; ^
' ' This
■'
ti« - - -._
n6. Z Sreatrte of Part:. lU.
This our Adver&ry doth not always appear in oneflupe t^ ' ibmerioDe he ziBts as a Uy(^n or Vtagon in ways of Cn^i^ and fierce- ne(s ) fbaierimes as a filthy Jn^xeJaTemptations to bdtial unclean^ M . r ^^J^ and fcnfual Lufts : fometimc he pup on the Garb of Holii^
wfidlxTm- ^^ ^^^^^ *^ if ^^ ^^^' '^^^ * Spmta4 Mverfary, but a Spiritual, muncbcquc te- Frmdmd Couofdlour i that this is frpjuent with hinj, .the Apo- ilantur, perhi- Ak tells US 2 Omi. .Solanhmfdf it troju formed infa an Angel rf bcnrurtamen jj^ht. Angelsof Light are thofeBkffed Spirits, fent forth to , fecS'qS'da^ niinifter for the good of the Ele<a, whole Miniftry God ufeth not re quxdam bo^ only tor OUT Prcfervation from bodily ht^rtSy but alio for prevention na [«^cepta <k ^Sm^ andfurtherance of Vuty. Sata»> X as wicked as he is j^ bu7dam' vikt ^^^^ Qounicrfeit that loftploymcnt, and takes upon him to gjve eleais facia- ad vicQfot OUT Good, pretending to teach i;is in the Truth, or to di- tis fuis ouod red: and further us in our endeavours*
I fo \\i^^ ^^^^ ^^ defigns an Imitation of God and his Spirit,may be dit a^umciia**dl <^vercd,hy expreflfing a great many particulars of Gods wajsapd tcconvincenda appointments, whercia Satan ( as God's Ape ) pfxt^ ^tpf malirin fpiri- M^d^ and Sdom, partly upon ^her grgwfds of advantage to bift SmT^i"^ intendments, doth counterfeit the oirr^ii^ Coin of the Lords ^^a- Ci vlt Ddf L hlififmmts by a very ctofe imitation. But I fball herp coj^ne nqr felf ^.c.^6. * tothepointofTeachiugandlnftrudion, wherein.how he pro-
ceeds> we ihali the better under Aand^y confidoriiig how many ways God hatbof old, and now ftill/doth u^ in dec\aringhjs mind to his People 9 the Sum of all we have, JUA^uiz. Here- tofore he figniliedhis mind inJ^vers maimers by the ftofbtts^ and intbefelaHd^s bybk Son^ in all which we Qiall trace the fieps of ^ Satan. . . ». .
Firfl^, God revealed himielf (ometimebyFai^ as to Abrabm^
Mqfes andothersi theDevil hath dared tp imitate thiSi There
wantnot inftances of it in the Temptation, wMchisnow under
explanation, he did (b> and hisconfefling Chrift, I kpam thee
vho thou art^ &c. doth ihew that he is ready epough to do it at
Malr MaieEc. anytime for advantage. Sfrengar tells us a Story of the Devili
Pin i. Q. u ^reaching to a G)ngr^^ianin the Habit and Liken^oHFriefi^
^*9' wherein he rr^e/Sin, and urged Truth, and feemed noway
e»//^^/eforfalfeDodrine, but I fufpeift this k^ ^ fabtdom taki however it is undenyable that he fbmetime hath appeared toMea %. with Godly Exbortationf in Im Muab^ (ff^it^j^ly^ An4 J^i^ V
-Man vprong^ fica Except we refolve to difa&dit all Hifrory, an4 the Narrations of Palons (and ibme fuch are known to fom'e in
this
chap,i7- *aeatt'ifiJ Xemptaeiontf . 127^
this Aiiditoiy) wjjo fckmnly affirm, they hurc met with fiich . cfcaling from him*
Secondly^ God bath fbmetime revealed himfelftoMen inExta^ fies 2nd trances: iuch as was that of P^/, ^£f/22.i7^ ^^^ if^ M Ext^ or Trance. This alio hath the Devil imitated. Mahomet Wa9ar ui made this advantage of hisDifcafe, Cthe Epi/qpjTJsor Falling-Sick- hmsd^eu neis) pretending that at fddi times, he was in an EMaJyyMd had .'convene with the AngdGabrieU But what he only inJmiavety pre* tended, others have re^Z/y felt : the Stories of F^ini7{/2j-,and4elu« ded ^yji^x.arciull of (uch things > they frequency ktve fidkn down^and^velainasina$wopn,^and when they ^ve awa- ke4 ^^old wwiderfia Stori<^ of what; ihey h^Vj? : ^
Thirdly, l^^itrandDreamswereuwal thiqgsin the QldTe- ihment, and famous waysof Divine Revelation; but Satan was sot behind in thismatter, hislnfirumoitshad their VifiM^ too; in^«4«6«7' wehavcmen^tfnpf;^4f«4^/i^
Xf^hmMife amo^yn^ ^Dre^^ner rfVreamJTholbdtys of CQnlUi* on,that2urenotyetoutofmemory^af&dedAore<)f thefe: white unftable gi^d)hbeaded People begm ta ckte on Nctueltiet and <^d^ lUqwj^n ^Iwon, t^^CTycpBpiWjanifs tp^S^tanr 50 kftffih f hem i /[jj^lie Wking a4va»^€<oi their wsf^igsof oW^J^^hft -andthiBir ^^p^ztmnoSfikUx^ (^n^h*jadf^^^i<BfJ^pii5pared
them for any topflreifira did ^ avei^-^wiork their J^^^ th^ ^fily concerted themielyes, ; to ^ j»,ve ha^i l>ivine Rofelaihns i
, .. ..rW.ajKfP<f5¥W/^fff«feiWtf»cw
ioipri^Miifl&corilusffwtiijifttP:.^^ th^ folly
sw Zv^p^f^^^^ .of iuc^ things ^nerallyj^and lopietime the n^ |R^mr is'ici;;^^ ascontnuli^ng Tr^f^, and the. Divine
f^lesipf^^^^ ) W^S^^^^ Sjsitans liaq4 was
jatl^> yp?,^Jlt4T^M»^.i^ and;heP<ii»er <>f God had
^uiolf^^e^^^^ continued in
tliub'^iMtf /xitM^^ inconfider^e Vulgar. And
Sometime tm»& ipvc^. whom more firmfhtfi and confideratiiAi mjB^ t^^^^l^ C3cpi^:ed, feU into a ro^ei^c^ for thefe pretepces iniothocs, ;^ :Mlf^ ^!VV^4 ^b^ Spiritual Winhorafi by their i^OWteiuttiCBandaiga^^ ^n^bui^ng^t Te;Ftk^£f/'it. i7»
,^.. i
r I
7i%tmmoi Part. in.
tern' Tomg MtnfifMfee Viftont^ andymr old MettjhaV dream Dnm^ by applying it to a )uftification of thefe apparently - fboiiih dota- ges. And indeed the eflfedhath difcovered they were no better: tor many of tbofe things which with great confidence were avovA- td^s^enain^ were by ttMie proved to be /2f//e i many things were nfel^i vaiiL, ridicHlom^ and (bene were brou^t to lament and con- fefs their folly after they prodeeded Tar in thefe ways > and atlaft, ( when the former opportunities are worn * out ) Satan grew wtary of that deflgn, (as being no longer proper to be infifted on)
^ there is now a great calm^ fo that 'tis but feldom that we hear d
ikch thingstalked of) it were needleis to give particular inAances, . when youm&y at ^ur leifore fetdi them bom, hundreds of Fam- s phlecs cotnmonly known*
Fourthly, One of the mdft noted ways by which God difco- vered his Mind was that of iitffkathfty by which fome eminent Perfbns, (called therefore Prophets) (pake the WiU of God, m -th^m^fh9vedot^Ahyibe'^SMt of Ood. The* Dcvft had alfc^hiS-fSil/i Prophets;' fuchSte fre^^tienftly ^taxed in the OUTe- ftattieHt; and foretold ihttetNTew. ' Falji Ctfri^f- amtfalTe Fro- pbets/haUariJe^ MzU'2^2^ Thre nwe falfi Vrofhtit among tk People^ m there Jhall htfalje Teaehetf among youy 2 Pet :2. i. Many . felfe Teacher^ aft gone- out' intb Ithe Wddd. Such an one was MontoHUs kit€Mii^'&xiiC^l>Mdrdt^ John of Leyden^^ Hae^ li^our^Cd^flftfy-MaA.^were^ fidi,.^^ many fuch there
iiave been in all ages ) ' Hi^notoriouiiy known that Satan hath thus inipired poor jtojf^at imic^s ivhd h^ve )ixtd^ threatfdngs againft Sin, and wo to Siilhers. The Mngtof (^chipdB^^
Jean D*Ef- h^vc ik^Iot^ ifincc been gttfierW i^fWwjK and pubHflied, as
1
i
•amplesof this kind, many have piit on the Gi^of , the old Pro- phets in afoolifli (though adventurous) imitation of their Ai^ons and Pro|Aecies/ Sbteehavifiitour Streks^rt?febiblBd %itiifr in ^ineoeh^ Tet forty days,^ dec. Soine&i^icd'fo v^ak^aksdUkt Ifi^ iah others hirecome-with th^t-EarthettThSUr^ krid^woken Aenc imitating thefe and other Tjfe/by whichGbi in his true Prophets forefignifyed his judgmeiits toteoihe i in* iB which Adions and Garbes with much earhellnefs,. and in an JKeSted torn they have calfcd.outforKepdntanceivfna^wiifideht denunciation of Woes aadMifedes^VitfaaboId'Utnififigof thfitimeof^^ {tl»t
the
Chap. 17' ^^tm'U %mtpULtions^ i%^
the iame nught icanv a Parallel to Jonah'' s Piopliecy) and (bme- ^ time giving C which is the fiireft way ) an unlimited uncertain time« How the Devil ads in the(e matters^ and by what ways he (educech them to believe they are inipired of God, or have real Vifions and Re velatlonS) 'tis not my bufineis now to enquire,onIy let thofe that think fuch things (hrange) confider that the Devil hath the advantage oidtzf fandfid affrdniifms^ and a wmi^g Me- lanAoly in fuch Per(bns,by whidi he can eafily work them to concat any thing, and confidently tohdieut what they have conceited.
Fifthly, Sometime God notifyed his Mind by Signs and Mira- cles. Satan hath alio his L^g Signs and Wanders 9 a Power God hath permitted him this way, which is very great, and the ddu- fions wrought thereby are)?r0irg, hazarding tht deception of the EleS» This Power of doing \yonders the Devil ufually Applies to falfe VoSrines^ to flrengthen and countenance Errors 9 the Apoftle teftities 2 lb^.,2. 9. that Satan^fliall imploy this power for the advancement of the Man ofSin^ wbofi coming JhaB be with Sigps and lying Wonders. TheBeaft arifing out of the Earth, Bjeu. 13.14. be JhaB deceive hy the means oftbofe Miracles wldA he bath fonder to dom And accordingly the Popiih Legends are fiiU of Stories of Mira- cles, whereof (thongh moft be Lyes, Forgeries, and the ialfeconr trivements of thofe who (bught to bring the People to receive theur Dodrines, theaedit and advancement of which they*^ (bught by ' iiich ways ») (bme nbtwithftanding ■( though not trne Miracles )
et were truly aOed, to.countenance thofe Enors which are preten-
ed to be eftabli(bed by them. Sixthly, God doth teach and lead . his People by fn^Ji/yer.Chrift was thus led of the Spirit into the Wtldemefi^ and PmU wzsbo$ind in Spirit to go to JerHJalem. *Tis common fpr Satan to imitate (uch Impulfes. We have clear Inftances of Diabolical Impnlfer to Sin in Scripture 9 a ffaronglmpuMe was on Ananias^ Saun fiHodhU bearti a ftrong Impulfe on JttdaSy Satan entred into b^ Heart ; and what then more eafy to apprehend, than that Satan can counterfeit better Impulfes, and violently ftir up the Hearts of Men" tOadionsfeeminglygoodor indiiferenc. Sonae Hypocrites arc mdvedfirongly to Pray or. Preach, CSatan t;herein aiming at an in- aeafe of Pride or Prefumption in them 0 and they know no other, but that it is the Spirit of God. God's Children may have In^l* /ex frodi Sauo, upon pkete&oes ofZa^/ as the Difo'ptes had^ when tbcy called for Fire from Heaven. In thele Impulfes Satan doth
R not
I
cap. 14.
fiot fca&the HeaitoF Man as tbe Sc>frit of Godl dodi, wllofe
Commaikts in skoBO&ztc tn^Mt^ but he only wodoi fay 0ke-
ringibedifiq^oHefotit Boiittina'iiMmd wa^\ ami thea hnring
ftud us all he can fbi an Imfnghn^ he endeavouis to fiti^om by
jfr^ir| pefCWafions^ Sone memorable inftancxs of tbefe ImpuUes
mi|^t piohtably illuftrate thifi« Miok. larifiBnfis takssnocice of a 1
s/ / nr^ \ 1 ^7) ^ ^^^ lai^. Cof whom a&bPiitf/<r makes mentkni:) who I H.IJ wsr. 1, J . ^^^ j,^^^ j^ ^^j^ ^j^ CM*^«r had rcceiwd in the Wat ^
a^sitfift the iWdl^r) went ttp and dbwn^ Siagb^tfais Rirlinie. JepffLofdyRtJiemottrLafs:
And by this means ke gatfteteda^McdcttudeofBoys together, who
could not by the kvaidiMetuntr of their Parents be'lmidfed fiom
Wdfsoftkf following hua, tatheirownniine» Another inftance of a jfrjffge
Jews, lib. 7. InapuUe, we h«^ in Jofifbm \ one Jefm the Son of ^M«ir,about
^« i^ four yeaisbeforethfiDdirudionof JWi;^i^ attheFeaft of 3!i^
hrnaclesy begikitftacryootlPiw^ fToi, taAeE^andfn^^ toMan and Wmnan^ ice. And could by no meansbe refiraisied N^ht or Day V and when his Flcfii was beaten oiFhis Bones, be begged 00 pity nor eaie)> hut AtU oontmued his ufiial crying*
Seventhly, God doth aUb' by ho Spiritteach hisPeopfe in hrin^ Job. 14. %6. ing ihinff to that ttmmiranct. Satan aUbm imitation of this, can
put into the KttiKk of Men (with g^xat veadfne& aaid dexterityj
FrormfeSy ot Sentences of ScnpturCy tn&mach that they conclode
that all fuchadm^ are from the Spirit of God, who (as they
conckide> ftt fuCh a Scriptust iipon tbdr Bearr ; th^
tan with Chrifi, he urgeth the PvottiKe upon hiin, whetdn up*
on the matter ht doth as itEtch, as wbeohe fecfetly foggefts fiich
things to die Heart wkhoQt an audible Voice* In this way of
\ f €r4^ S^t^okdo^ifety modi Tifimblc the mm work of theSpnit,
Cxrj InthefiMdM^and^BdkiielsGffi^^ (%,) In(eemmg
. ci^/4»MB^Sq:ipturcfi]ggeAed, with the pcefent oceafion 9 and
C3.) lutMeftf-irc^^of hisorgingitopon the Fandes of Men.
tet^heaall thii^isdooc!, they that ihaOferioufly cpnfider all ends,
\\ Matter and CirCiuBftlnces^wiil ealily obfen« it h f>at the cunning
work^of a Tempter,, and not bom the Holy Spirit..
Ob£ 1 4« : O^ive al{^ fhatjvhanver be the vmm mys afSaumiimkation^
je$
ynibe mmt/t tM^U )»mkj Md fraSiftfb tftm^ it Jtihstrift$at : t9 tbk huo9^net bimfiifi
Fiift, Becaufethe'ScriptiMsategenendly {among Chriftians) receiTcd as ^imdo§tbfedUraelef of God, die Sdb ofbur Lives and BntieS) md, tiicGromidf of cm hope it would be a ram 9nd boodefi hbour to Wpole upon thole tJiatretaiQ^t^^ belief^ the Aying^^of-d^tmrkyhAtcmm^ the Precepts of Heathen fbilafi- fbgts^ or any other fhing. that may cany a "yifibteejtwggeiyjewtfroin or e^ioradiOimto Scripture, hecould not then poflEbly pretend to ^jyhfineltfimMan; not could hc46'trmt{firm bimjilf infaan dngd . (fJJ^: kit ^ufihg this coyert'ofDmneOnmnand, Flromift, er Diicoveiy, he canmofeeafilybeget abeKef^ tlaxCoiha^faid ' «r, and that there isneither Smuoc Dagger in thethiqg^propoun-; ded Jbut Duty and Advantage to be ei^peded s , and this is the very thing that maikes way for an eafy entertainment of flich deiufions • Poor Gveatures believe that isaAjfrtm^G^^and that they are'itffo^^ UsSfMy and that wi(fa'(uchconfidencethat tfaeyc(;;i^e9r» and di-^ crythofe (as^gnomnt of Vivim ^tjjjlmety and of the l^ower of God} who arenot fo^^ejfif^asthemi^lves;
Secondly, The Scriptiires have a Ghnvnis frr^ihle MMJly ia them ipcccdof tetbeokelves, wineh cannot be found in all that An or EUHpitnce can contribute to other, Autbor^^ 'Tis not P/^jhlMt Lanpufge^ iK>r.i7i^,^/ofXiMM»ce/ that Satu wit&l 9 and therefore we mayobferve that In the Ugb^ delufionf Men have had fnMcei of Scripture, and their (Ixong perfwafionsf ofearifiMiie/iMrydilcoyeries,' have tfariken Men into a reverence of their profi;8iba,becaufedf the!$cripture WQidsa^^^ Phrafes, with which their hdkleftfeMies are woven tp: for let but Men en- oimeiQtothefe^of the pievalencyof Famlifm of old, upon fi> vaft aniOiberof Pcc^Ie as were caxjried away with it , and they flKiU find, that the great An^ee lay in th^Wm'ds they ofed, aHu3guage4i^j^te(from5cripture,toiigm as the
Scriptwe never intended* Hence were theh expreflSons always 1^, foMing^' and HnektiflgtQ a more excellent and n^eal inter^ pretatm of thofe Viuine Wrhingf. This may be obfefved in Datdd George^ Hen. Nkboht and others, who uiually talk of being mifkifiantiaied with Gody fakiBitp into his Lwe^ if the Angelical L^e^ and a great deal mcMreof the iamc Icind. TkcRantert at ikR had the like Language, and the ^makprs after them) aftefted fitch a canti^ Expreffion. And we may be the more certain of the
R a truth
.A
liji Z%ttatxktd Part. HI.
txvitho£thisoh&tV2itk>n^tlaLt{uch (whidi bor*
rows its M^e/fy from the Stile of the Scripture j is of moment to Satansdefign > becaufe we find the Saiptureit felf gives particular notice ofit > the falfe Teachers in 2 ?et. 2. i8, are diicribed C^* mong other things) by thcix falling words of Vanity^ which the SyriafMjtn<its to be z frond tod lofiy way of ^ui^ngy the oripmai irni^jytot. figQiiies no lefs, they were words fweUed like Bladders^ though
being pricked, they be found to be empty Sounds, and no Sul>* fhnce : There ate indeed fuelling words oiJtbeijUoal contempt o£^
Pfal 911 ^^^^^» ^^^ *^ ^^^ Pfalmifi fpeal^ fet their Mouths againft Hea- • 7h9i \y^jj^ |jm tiu5 paflage of Pefer^ as alfo the like in fide ver. 16^
(ignify big Swoln words firom high tmenfions and fancies of know- ing the mind of God more petfedly^ for they that ufe them pretend themfelves Propbas of God ver. i. and as to their height in pro-* fefiion,are compared to Clouds highly/ajri^ » and in 2 Cor. i k 1 4^ they are faid to be transformed into the Af<files cf Cbrifi^ and to the Gzxb of the MDnifiers of RigbteoHfnefs. And that which is more,this f articular deCgn of Satan, is noted as the rifi of all h No marvdf ' for Satan himfdfU transformed into an Angel jof JJ^t. ^ Having feen the realbns why Satan (£ufeth Scspture, .as his
700f to work by, liballnextihewtowhat ^<i/edefigns he makes it Juhjerve.. c
Firfi, Heufeth this Artifice, to beget and propagate erroniom VoQrines'. . Hence no opinion is fb vile, but pretends to Scripture as its Patron. The Arrians pretend Saipture againft the Virinity ofChriih The Socinians^ Pelagians^ P^^s^ yea and thoftthat pretend to JDi^irjtia/rx for their KiJe,and difclaim the binding fcoEoe ofthofe antiquated declarations, o£ the Saints oondidons ( as they call them) yet conform^U. their layings to the Scripture exprefliony and endeavour to prove their miftak^ by its Authority.^
Second ly. He makes abufed Scripture to. eneourage iinful Adi-^ onsh he can cite pai&ges of God's ?^»«4;6 and long-iufiedng,of hisfardoningGtacey andreadineistofbrgjvey and a thoufand n[X)re upon no other deiign, than the turning of the Grace of God into wan^ tonnefs. ^hen Profcflbrstum ]oo£e and negligent, when thef adventure too far upon finful pleafures, they lid^ thonfelvesirMB^ by an overforward gracing at fuch paiTages of Scripture, whicb Satan will, with great readinefs, fetupontijieii^ hearts,, and then they pretend to themfelves that their peace is made upwick God, aadthat they havcno Jels than afialed.Pardon in. their Soibmes k
whkh.
c3iap. 17. ^atm'&%tmptatione. M3
which notwitbftanding may be known to have only Satans Hand sndSealzt it, by thcitcverlyafulfarmalfirrow for fuch nufcarriages^ and thcitftaJinefi to return to the fame follies again.
Thirdly, By this imitation of the Commands andPromilcs of Fundus /» hu God» he doth flrangely engage fuch as he can thus dekde, untb ^^^J^"^'- j**''' J^irate undertakings. The FamHiJh ef Germany were pervaded \nQ^tl thar by this delufion, to expofe themfel ves wiarfmd to tht greateft ha- c^hdhimfeif lards, upon vain pretences of Promifts fit home upon them, as Mofes, Anno: that Godmmld fight fir tbem^ that they mufl ftand jiill and fee ^*^ ^^^;^^^J/^" SalvathnofGaa. Some of later times have paid then: lives iovT^^fJAu^, their bold milapplication of that Promife, Onejhall chafe a thoM- him^fw tin foiuL * Judat of GaUke^ and ^eHd(H were prompted by Satan to r^i^^PJlmi 9f gather Multitudes tojgether, (though to their own mine) upon a S^lS^hu, yoin perfwafion that they were ratfedu^ of God^ and that Gfed: Anti?j^. /. would be with them. lo. r. x^ *
Fourthly, Hefometimesprocures^^ffniTe/rPe^eandAilluran in the hearts of cardefi ones, by Scripture mifapplyed. Many you nay meet with, who will roundly tell you a long Story^ how they vrettc^ dotpn^' zndamtpnfedhy fuch a Scripture brought to tbar\ mindf^ when Citmaybemuchieared) they are but dec0ived,and tiat as yet God hath not Ipoken peace to them;
Laftly, This Way of Satans fetting home Scriptures, proves iadly effedual to beget or heighten the inward difireffei and (ears of the Children of God. 'Tis a wonder to hear feme diipute againft theoafehre^ £> nimble they beta objed a Scripture againft their Peace, Cabove their reading or ability) that you would eaiily con* - chide ther^isone at hand that prompts them, and fuggefts thefe things to their own prejudice. And (bmetime a Scripture wifl be fit Co Crofxcfttdg-w^ ixy their Good and Comfort, that mnilf PleadingSy muGh time, Phiyers, and Difcoutfes cannot remove it.> I have kruxwn feme that have (briouily profefli^ Saipturcs have been thrown into their Hearts Hke-^^nr/, and have with fuch ^ Violence j7xe^sy!i/^^/!pr€i&eiiji^i2 upon their Minds, Cas that God « ' had cut themofl^ that they were reprobate, damned, ^^O that they have b<»n the tedious r^Ufs affiighmentt oP it for naany days, and' yet the thing it Cclf^ as well as the ifTue of' it, doth de-- - dare that this was not the Frtfi> of the Spirit of God, which is a . S{Hxit of Truth, and cannot fuggeft a faUefhood ) but of Satafi^^ . whahatk beeita Lyer fircxn the Beginning., .
4
C&fetve-
i
, Obfbve hftiy, tZ^Mgi^ SaUn 9iftth Scrifm* in ib^ iee^fid
^°^* *5* tporkjngt, yet be never datbhfaitbfiMy.
Toh. 8.44. ^^^^^' Bccaufeitistfgiiiifjf t/^2^(j*iwv, as 'tis now corrupted by
Ecfifemel'vi- hisFall^ there is no truth in him : JFben he fieak£th a Lye^ hefed(^ dcntur verax etb of bis 0ipn > forhc is a Lycr, not that htcsnnat (pake a Truth, mililcscft butthatheKfiwJ^fisaLy^^ and that he never Aeaki TrMtb but fempcr tJlax. With a jputpole todecem.
Secondly, To deal faithfaUyy m urging Scriptures upon the \
Cdnlciences of Men, is alfo contrary to his Intereft> be hatha ^
Kingdom which he endeavours to uphold. This Kingdom bdng
diredly contrary to that of Chrift's,( which is aKingdom ofLigh)
is therefore called a Kingdom of Ihni^^ hcin% mahdjinei and
propagated only by Ides and Deceits. He <»nnot then be fiippo*
fed to uie Sqciptnre faithfully, becauCe that is the true Scepter of
Cbrifi^s Kingdom^ for then fhould Satan (as Chrift aigiie&ACfiwia.
2^0 «4^ 0Ht S^aHy andheJivided agunfi bimfelf.
This unfaithful dealing wfth Scripture is tbreefold^
Fhft, The unfaithfulnefiof his D^m, though he (peaks whit
is true, yetheddthitwitfaanm/AfiittA, aioung at one of theft
^fowchings*
FirR, ToDec€ftiieand Delude. If he applies P9V«»)Sr, or xnG&s upon the frmledgtrol God's Children, it is to iQake them Troud or Prefumpruous > if he pr^e Tbreatninff^ 6k up the Gonicience to accuie bx Sin,^tis to bring them to dijfair y if he objetft the Lnn^^ 'tis tQjenrage Lim \ and that Siniy iheCommaadmM Mgk becmnt exceeding finfuL
Secondly, HisDe(ign tsTometioie to bring th^Soiptwe under
SMBdth^xnt CQutrnftf ne jpnts (bme weak Cbrifiius up$a wfedfi^
naVu i^n^fudm aife.of Scrtpture,and then tempos otters £D' Um^
at them, andtodiijpilein their Hearts thpfe ^^4ys of Relig^ii)
which (bme Zealots with too much weakneis ^o ma«age« jMcb
are apt enough to (coif at the moft ferious and wejgblty Duties of
Holinefs, even when performed in amoA (erious manner, if
VatAd put on Sack£lotby and zBuSt himfeif wi th Fafting, J t is pre-
fently twrned to bia refra^uh^ and tbej)runl^rds mal^^^ &^ of its
but much more advantage hath the Devil tprai(eup&ornand
loathingin the Minds of debauched PertbfH, by the ^^ff^^xdnad
[ wfskilfifi u(eof Scripture. Some by a osurrow cpnHoemeiit of the
\ ' words Brafber2tid 5i/fer to thofe of their own Fettonfifif^f^fijiiKme
» elfe were to be owned by them^ have ocoi^oned the CcoifofHoly
Bmhtn^ Ca ]M»aIe notwithftaadifig ufedwitb agrsw fmm^ by theA]^(lIiO^ ihtheuilniDiicDurlc&of c^ who iv^t att oo- cafioQS to hanlen tbe&iclves a^oA the Povra^ of Rdi^on^ The like Obfervations they make of other waysrand foimsof Q)eak^ iDg, which (oxne ha ve accufiomed them(U«es.iiBiD9 m a con((>> cntious confonnity to Scriptuse fdiraie : inall which: the Devilob*- (etving the vtakfffi ^d in]udidou(he& of fiMDC on theooe hand^ and the fcompi Pride of ocbeks on. the other kmd ^ is wilCng to provide matter £br theis Atbei^kak pumr^ by pitfriog aH the Obligations hfi can. upon 4beCoo(cieiices of the weak, to continue in! the tfjfe^the(e£xpreffions»i For fione proof of thi9^ mattervwemay notethetccretDeceiiiof Satanv in that liberal profellion of Chriil to be tbt SmofG^ Mark r. z^ Luke 4^4* tk^ov^ tbeewha ^bm ari^ t& Boly &ri€ rf Gcd: bctc was Tnith Ipc^^ ken by him, and (one would have thought) with gvesa Ingenu- * ity,butyetheainninglyiniiaua€edintO' the Minds otthc Heai>ers a ground of Suiplcion, thathewas aotthe &mof God v and f&t ^ that end oaiOs ma Jejk of NaicoiKtb^ as if Chrift had been bom there V he knew well that the y^nv expediednoAbjjEf^fk>m2^ - ZfOntb and therefore on (et puqpoie ufed he that Expicffion, thae he might draw him intocontempt. Ab4 a wwdinigliy wefind this ^ very miftake (that Chsift was bona at Mismrciiib) bttame anAr- gdknent againfi hun, 70^7.4i« while ibnse wese cooviiiced aad laid, Thspsiht Ckijiy Others iaid, jM O^ eome eitt rfOsL^ filee? . .
Thlsdly,, AnotherpartofhisDefigointheii£eofScripttmSi^ is ^ to put a Varn^ tifon Hjfocrijy: He isready to Cart Men by piK- ' ting Scripture Exfr^fions in their hfo§uh^ and imarmg them t^ a ' conftant ufc of the jbrafes of tho& Divine Writings, tha^ they ros^y kfsJifieSl thenuelyesof the Pride, Formality and fecret wick- ednefs of their Hearts > and to help on their miftakes concerning^ * their Spiritual Condition, he am uigejL4X>n their 0>n&iences ^ofe Scriptures that ferve to engage thdb in mHtnal Ofaicrvances ^ o( Religion. It may appeas by the Phari(ee$ boaft of Failing tmitt aWeei^^ of fafingtytbts^ o£ giving Almf^ that thchr Confcienccs-^-^^*^-*'- were fbmeway concerned in thefe things, io that though they were left without check of Conicicnce, todtvoutWidms Himfef^ ^ yet were they urged to make long frayers. Suitable to this is ^at which Solomon (peaks of the Hark>t, who to colour over her Wick** - cdneft, had her Offerings and PWx, and when her Confcience is
appeafcd
ii<5 :a STteatife Of Part. hi.
appealed with- thefef^orfbrmances, (he can excu(eher (elf in ha way of (inning, She eats and wipes her M&mh^ and faith, I have don§ nB mcitsdn^y Prov* 30«20. Satan doth bnt hereby help to fMt z'Se- fulehre^ot guild a Ptftfheard, and to furniih Men with Excu(es and Pretexts in their way of (inning. Not unlike to this wa^ that Ser- vice which the Devil with great readine(s performed (zs I was informed ixom fi)me of good credit) to a young Student, who had fiabuponlbnie Books of ii£fgici^ in a C^/Ze^-Library, into which having (iohi privately on4^ Night in purfiiit of that Study, . was almoft furprifed by the Pr^ident y who feeing a Candle there at an un(ea(bhable time, fuddenly opens the Door to know^ho was up folate, in which firait the Devil Ctogratify his Pii^r/ with a ready excu(e>/ff^cJ!^efi& away his Book, and in a moment lays Montanm his BtUe before him, that he might pretend that for Ids impbyment. -
Secondly, Another point of Satan's unfaithful dealing with Scripture, \%\iisfalfe€itationoi\t\ 'tis nothing with him to ^^er, dfonge^ or leaifeout fuch a part as may make againft him. If he urge Pramifis upon Men, in order to their Security and Negli- gence, he eenceaU the Condition ofthene^ and bann^tth the T}rreat* ningfzx from their Minds, rep^efenting the Mercy ofGod in arfalfe Glais, asifhehadpromiied to fave and bring to Heaven every Man upon the > common and ea(y tearms of being caSed a Chri(8- an. If it be his purpofe to di(quiet the Hearts of God's Children, to promote their fears, or to lead them to difpair, then he fets home the Commands and Hreainings^ but hides the Fmmifis that might-relieve them, and (which is remarkable) he hath Co puz- led (bme, by fetting on their Hearts a piece of Scripture, that Vfhcn the next rpords, os nextverje^ might have cj/W them of their Fears, and anfipered the fad Objedlions which they rai(ed againft themfelves from thence s (zs if their Eyes had been holden,or as if a milt had been caft over tbem) they have not for a long time been able to conlidcr the relirf v^hich they might have had. This hiding ofSajpture from their Eyes, (fetting afide what God may do forthe juftchaliiffementofhis Childrens Folly) is effedled, by thejfriwg In^nffion which Satan fets upon their Hearts, and by balding their Minds down to a fixed Meaitation of the dreadful in- ferences which he frefents to them from thence, not fuffcring them toiiz/eR^ their Thoughts by his inceflanc Clamours zgiinll ' * them. ^ •
• . ' Thirdly,
TbkdIy,Hc unfftitbfully habdhrikiSai^tuics^ by li^e/Hi^thc true Import and Sfn^icoftbein* . We' f cad o£ fi^tne^ z.Pet,^. t6. who tPT^ the Scrifiure^ the word in.the Origiaal figoiHes a racking or cpzn,x5m. torturing of it, as Men upon a Rack are firetched beyond their ducleqgth^ toadiflocation of their joints, amLfometimes foi^ced to (pfikc wh^t thpy ncYerdid npr intendedi fo are the Scripbres ufcd. Thole that do Co are Satan's Scholars, and taught of hliD, (though in regard of the Spirits ^fireteadiing, they are called »;»>. learned) which' is fufficient to (hew Satan's deceitful dealing: be often lays his dead and corrupt Sejn(e (as theHailotdid withher dead Child in the room of the living Infant ) in the place of the living meaning of the Scripture : this may be feen evidentiv, . FirA,, In Hatfut or Errors, thefe are Satans Brood, and there, are none ip vile (that pretend to Cbrifiian Religion) but they claim a kindred to Scripture, and are confident on its Authority for the^n. Now feeing Truth is but ffive, and thele £itors not dn-* ly contndidory to trmb^ hxxtto.tath other, Satan could never 4pin out fucb conduCons from the Divine Oraclts^ but by wreiHng them from their true intendments > and he that would contem- plate the great Subtilty of Satan in this his Art, need but coniider what di^rent flrange and monftrous fliapes are pnfupon the* Scripture^ by the ft vetalHcrefies wluch, march under its G)k)urs. The S^^s in thehr way repreient it like an old Altnanad^ oat of date, and withal in theule tbty nud^ of^it, they render it as a piece of nonfenfieal furious roving.- The Soci'mans take down the fublime Myfteries of Chrifts'iatisfai^'ion, and Juftiiicatibn by Faith,with External Rewards and Punifhments, to a firain as low • ' '
as the Twrt^ff^ Alcoran. The fafi^tnakc it like a few leaves of an imperfeif): Book, wanting Be^nning and End, and ^ not fit to be let up as a fufficient Rule.The Ranters ma^e it ieem rather like Language from Neff,than the G>mmands of the Pure and Holy God. Some will have it to countenance mofindiculom inuentianr ' in Worlhip, othcrrwillhaveittodi(chargeaIl9irrjpW0i^rv4//tf;k>' and Ordinances, as Childiih Rudiments. Some raife^ it all to the pitch of Mnigmatical unintjelligible Mytiericsi Others can find no more in the precepts of it than in Arifiotiei Ethicfy. Thus by diftorting and wrefting, Satan hath learn d thele, unskilful Ones to make it ferve their vileft Lufts and Ha- mours# ^ • ^ ' >
S Secondly,
Scflondly, TfKiameArtofwrdUDjgScriptivekoI^^ iq Smggf^s. Ifhejvcwld cncootage any in Sin, he can xipture for that, and teO him that God is Mocifiil, th^' Chftft died for Snners, diat tfaeie isIu^ofPaidoiiy that Saints have done the like 9 thsDg^Tery true in themlelves, but penrei^ ted by him to another fenfe than ever they wete intended to by God, who hath fpoken thefe things that we fin not. If he would difiowrage a Saint, lie can tell him when he linds him doubt- ing his ettate, tliat the^^«^ MdunktUannghavt tbm fan in tht
Rev* tx. 8, l^vflrichhurnsmkb ¥m snd BrimftMie » wlien he ^nds him un-
d<r ^hp^fn $in^ he tells that of the A]poftle, Jfwtfin wiHJkl^ after mb/ttf€incihiedtbBkjfatpldf€f tUt rpmaiiu na mm
S^t^c^foat Siiu» When heobienresthem d^coti^ofhd and wac- dciinginDuty, then he ob|cds, l^g^dMrnM^metifkhibeirL^t^ in0 their Heart k far pern mu V he fees tbem dUFand without CoiiiblatioB at the Lord's Shipper, then to be ibre they hear cl*
iCor. XX. xp.^^^' he that eatT ani draki nmvMtily^ eaietb anddrUkgri^ Vam-
' B4^t9b$mfelfi Ifhefindhim&cfM4Riff^diat he is not to ap-
prehenlure of Mercies or Judgments, as he would be, then he lets
hocne jome fiich Scripture as this, Jhk fe&fks Mkart kmopted gn^
Mat. ij. X r and theix Ears art dull of bearings &c. Thcfe Scr^ures arefi^
WCiUly perverted by Satan fiiom the true and ppopor meaning of lKccn« I have had comphincs firom ieveia} dejcAed Chriftians, of thefe very Scriptures urged upon them to their ^eat trpuUe,when yet it was evident, that none of theie were, truly applyed by Sa- tans Temptation againft them.
Jfplic Theie thlngsgive us warning not'totake any thing of this Na-
ture upon tg^^ If Satancan fo imitate the Spirit of God in ap- Elicatioasof Satpturc, and bringing it to our remembrance, we ave great reaibnto beware'led: we beimpoied upon by Satan's I^iign clothed in Scripture Phrafe i not that I would have Men eOeemthefecret^iring of Scripture upon their Minds, to be in aU.cai(esa detttfiatL; and to be difiregardcd as fuch. Some indeed tbw are that Cofiverily rwiark the weakneflcs of I^rofefforsof Rc- " ligion, that chey raife upa/cowt to that whidi is of moft neceflary axid Icrious ufe: becaufe the Devil prevails with ferae HyfUDcritej to ©liJd themfelves with Scripture phrafe^ and others through i«- fofd^t inadvertency i are (unknown to themfelves) beguiled by Satan, to mifepplications of Scripture to their own e!?arc, or to other thiiigs > they therefore decry all the intipard n^orl^ngs of, the
Heartj
f
Chap. i>; ;S)atau'jtf i:emptatiOtttf . « 19
Heart, as FtfA^^ ov siA^^^jlH^lrld^ .' thefedb'lhlut tfeiie ll^Vils i4^k« But chat the ^it ^QoA ( whdim Satiil) treadkafoaflf eodeavckirs , to mltat^ ) 4of h^ /St M* Sarit>tuir6 Cjommands, TbrearniopMd tVoffiiMU]^^ tbtf Health of fcb People, is not pnly atctfteii by the Eit^tm tif ^Ulehat ai€ Inwairdtf a^udinted with th( waysof Ooi;, but 1^ ^tof ' the "gteat 'Pibm](b ^hkh Chtifi bank )sfftsi fbi ^ conafoit Of M^ People in his abfence. Job. 1^26. Bm tbt ComfcTttr which k the Ibfy Ghqft^ tphm iht Fafbtf JhaUfaid iM my Nsme^ hefisUteadbym sUtbi^gSj MdhtUig at tinngs toyour rmmbranct tphatfoever I bJM fmd $M9 ym* This tl|9n being graoted aa a ^m undiakdn iVutli, our care Inuft be in difcoyeiing and avoidteg Saftan*s cpunt^feit ufin^ of Scripture and in this we fhould be more wary \
Firft^ BecauTe we are not Co upt to JnJfiQ what we meet withiniiichaway, when 'tfe brought to us fax the Lgngnage of Smptitt^ "s
Secondly^ lAnfl thofe dAt^M^MmeMfedih the Scriptmt, wilt ' •
beata/W£iJr(isiu>tknOwfaighowtoeitticate theiMH Scorn fiicb diffidukieS) as inay arife to them from Satan-^ Sophi*^ fity.-' -5 ....-.■*•-
Thkdlyy WariM&k idfoimM tilceflStif7;^^ ^ liable to bdkft what fitif^ owe Vifir^^ and CUnfiiefiee awakened is amfi to the iqeding 6f that which anfwei^lts/^/. . !u
You may %, What i^ there of dir^ion fer us id thii Cafe ? Queftt
TheAnfweris ready > Two things are given us in Charge.--rf«/8r. ^ CiO Tbatwebeiivyf/^^'^if^ A £k:ile baity credufity is trea- cherous. ChriftforbidSy <when he foreteb the rifing of falfe Chtifl's, ACfiir. 24. 2^;) the fam^ardne^ of z fitdden belief^ njAtt^ thereby thofe that are ptefeatly taken ^rith every new appearance; ^Tis childifli to becanyed with every Wind, we are warned aUb' of this, X ]6L 4* i. Mkvtndttvery Sfith. (1.) We are com*' nianded to bring ^tmviM what(bever to 'iryal^ though imme^ cliate AezK^imTi or j^i/imi be pretended, (x eMraatdinarf CommiO* lion, yet muft all be:hroagbtto the Touch-Stofte, we muft^wr^ attihinfs 1 Thfl j.ar. aMtfy th§fe that fay tky ate ApojUef^ Kci^l 2« 2« Nay, the Sfkitj are toie fryidtpbetbtr they be iff Gody i Job. '
4« l# • ' j
You wai lay, flowmuft we try ? Qucft*
I Anfwer, God bath given a VlAHck^^ St^gSkknt and Certain rule, 4/t/ip^ j
which is the Scri^tmt^ atid.all^aii fee ttyed by that : (b that if l
S 2 ^ there
14© ZXttSLtiitt^t ParcIIL
thaebe Im^/e/, or T)ifeoverkfjOi[^MuemkrMcti. of Scripture 4]pon any, it muft not be taken for grMHeif that they are of God, becaufe they pretend Co high, (for fo we (ball make Satao ]udg in his own Caufe) but lay all Co the Um and Plmimet of the Vvritten Word, and tf" it anfwer not that, call it ^oniidlsntly . a delufion, and rejed it as aeatrfedy though it ought (eem C in o- tber regards.) ta have been fuggefied by an Jngel fi§ik Hea* vtn* '
Obled. ^"^ ^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^' ^^^^" pretends to this Rule, andit is Scrip-
' * turethatisurgedbyhimV ^ /
Jnfw. i Anfwer, though it be (b, yet he ufeth not Scripture in its
090 Intendment, andSenfe, for the di£:overy of his unfiutfafiil
dealing. FirA, Camfare the Inference of the fiiggeftion With eiAet Serif*
tures. Ifitbefirom a ^iffl;. Scripture, coonpare it with thole diat
are more plain^ and in every cafe, (ee whether the gmerak Cmrtitt TbMgh it tfoi of the Scriptures fpeak the lame thing : for if it be from Satan,he ^ scrtftuf /^^r either j>%/ wi th the /^arir and Phra&8„,fiodt doubtful and equi-> ^I'^S ^'^^''r volentvterms making his condufion > or his citation will be foimd %t!^ i„[lf>^in^f^^^ ^^ (which isrooft ufual) contrary to Truth or Hoii- ferimce^fjtlfincfs'y if any ofthcic appear, by a true ex jim'iut am of the In^an Seatm/iew- of the ScTipture which be leeks to abu(e, or hfiamfaring it* trdry to vther ^jj j^ ^j^^ g^^ g„ J Geniuf of . Other Saiptures^ you nuiy
nJtf firolM^^^^^h P^o^o^ncc that it is not of God, but Sata*s dc-
tm£mtt§ ceift
frnftthimrd. Secondly, ConGderthe tendency of fuch Suggefiioos; Let no
Man fay that this will come too tate^ or thatjt is an after game : I do not mean that we (hould ftay (o long, as to fee. the £fFetfts h (though this is alio a certain diicovery of Satan's knavery in his highelt pretences ') the Phanatick Furies of the Gtrman Entbttfiafis do Do^v appear plain tp all the World to have been Velnfians^ by their End^ Fruitr^ and Wee ) But that n^i/e theft Conduiions ajre obtruded upon us, we (hould ob(erve to what they tend : which we Khali the better know, if all Ciroi^i^^nce/ round about be con- fidered*/ Sometimes Satan doth covertly him his Mind, and iend It atong with the fu^eftiou) fometimes our cwdition will enough ' ^ declare tt^ and thae is no cafe but it will afford fbmething of difl c^merj if ferioufly pondered. If he either prompt us to Pride, Vain^Gloryf Qf Prcfumption, or that our condition fway us that
» way, itwillbefuflicientgroundof Sulpitionfiiat'tis Satan that
^^ * then
ctap. if. Satan's Xtmptationu.
then urgeth Promifes or Priviledges upon us. If we are of a pounded Spirit inclined to Dillru/t, or if we be put on todefpair, it is paft.denyal, that 'tis Satan that urgeth the Threatnings, and prefleth the Accuiations of the Law againft us. He that gather/ Stones, Timber^ Lime, and fudi M£^terial$ together, as are ufu<- ally imployed in Building, doth difcover his intention^ before he a<3tually Build his Houfe, and thus may Satan's End be known by his Prej^ifT^i^;!^ compared, with the fway andlnclination of our prefentTcM^.
\ Thirdly, It muft be temembred tliat with thefe endeavours, we c^tcnjSd^theFaceof the Lord for help and Counfcl > ind that we affly our felves to fuch of the Servants of God, as beipg more kpawing than our (elves, and l^ frept^t^ed in their Judgments Cbecat^ not concerned j are better able to (ee into the Nature of our Straits, and to help us by their Advice&
t4i
m
^
I « Ji.
CHAP.
I4» ^ %ttM(t 0f Patt. in.
MAtTH. 4. %.
I
^<fm t^. DeVf/ t4^ef i& ji^im Mp into «» exceed- ing hkh ^iotrntMriy and fTeweth him all the jQng&HS of the Wkldf and the Glory of them*
CHAP. XVIIL
th manner efSstsm^sJbewing the Kingdms rf the Worliy Of Satdifs Fref orations before the M^thm of Sin. Of his confronting the Jlmightf hy frefrnnftmus imi^ tation ^ and in what cafes Ik doth fo. Of his hesntifjh ing the Object of a Temptation^ and bevp he doth it. Bis roaj of engaging the JffeUions by theSenfes. Of bis feemingjffinefs.
T
^His is the Preparation to thp third Temptation h in which we have, C i.) The Place where it was Aded. (2.) The Objcd iet before him there.
Firft^ The Place was an exceeding Ugh Mountain. What Moun- tain it was, Neho^ ^ifg^t or any other, 'tis needleis to enquire. 'Tis of more ufe to ask after the Reaibns of Satan's choife of (iich a Place. The Text doth clearly imply one that was the commodi* * L'tihifoot oufnefs ofTro^ » Satan intending to give him a view of the Hitrmjxi loc. Kingdoms of the World, diufeth a Mountain as iittcft for that Comt!^inloc. end. But that this was not all the Realbn^ is not only "^ intimated Dcut,)!. 4^bylbme, butpofitivelyt affirmed by others, who think that Satan & 34. 1. in tlusimitatui the like i&God to Mojesy who was called up to
Mount
Mount Nebo to view the Land which God promifed to Ifradk Whether thefeCircumftances of the Mountain, and the view of the Ringdoths of the World, were of purpoft contrived to affront Ood by fuch an Imitation^ I will not be Pofitivc in it ; but we * may with greater Evidence affirm, that in (^aing the Kingdoms of the World, as things altogether in his difpokl, he doth di- redly ont-brave God by an iniokut Con^arifbn of his Power with that of the Almighty's, whofe is the Earth and the fulnefi of it^ and to whom the Sovereignty of the difpo&l of it <loth be*
long.
Secondly, That which Satan (heweth Chrift from the Moun- tain, is 0id to be the Kingdoms oftheJford^ and the Glory of them. Here (bme buTy themfelves to conjecture tpbai Kingdoms were thus pointed at, fome keep fo ftridly to the word L^ff, 1 that they are forced to take up with that OpinioQ,^ that all thefe Tempta- ♦
tions were only in Vifwn v for they coniSder that no one Mountain c 45.^^54!* in the World, can give a Pro^ ovGtone whole Hemilphere, or * if it could, yet no Eye would be able to difiem ztfo great a diihtnce. But the inconveniencies of this SurmiCbhave been pointed at be-* fore, and 'tis enough to (hew that the Text may admit of an In- terpretation whichiball not beincumbred with this fuppofed im* ^
polfibility,
Othersrefirain this to the Land of Canaan^ as if Satan only (hewed tliis as a famous Infiance of the Glory of all Kingdoms. ^ Some think the RtfWM«Emj>i>i Cwhich was .then raoft flourifhing, and lifted up its Head above other Kingdoms J was the great ' Bait laid before Chrift, as if he had a Dclign to divert Chriftfroiii , thebufinefsofhisOjJfci?, by oiFcring him the Scat and P^wcrof^^^^^ jintichriji : But the Text runs not fb favourably for any of thefe Opinions, as to conftrain us to (lay upon them. [Kingdoms of the fForld] fcemto intend more than Cri^j^;?, or thcRomiM En^e^ . the Word «oj<it6> ufedhcre, and oD^^fj^'A in L«%, which we tranflate the fFbrld^doCo apply to one another in a mutual accom- modation, that we cannot ftretch the World to tlie largeH Senfe \ ^ of the whole GUhz of the Earth, becaufc 'tk.exprelTcd in L^ by ' 01 ii^/w5i«H, which iignihes fuch a part of the World which is more ^ cnkivated and honoured by Inhabitants \ nor can we Co reftrain it to the Roman Emfire (though when they fpake their apprchen- (lons of their own Empire, they-feemtoengrofs all,^ Lukg 2. j.) becaufe Matthew ufeth the word Koe-^ttos, a word of greater ^ra- - j
dvmn '• ' ]
i
144 :^lLUamtOl rart. uu
dMi. It feems then ihi£ many Kingdoms, or the ntofl conftderahU Kingdoms of the then known World were here expofed to his Sight. But then the difficulty lUK remains bow the Devil oould (hew them to. his Eye. That it was not a vifionarv difcoveiy to his Mind hath been faid \ Some think he (hewed the(e partly by Ocular Pro(ped of thofe Cirie/, Caftles^ 'totrns^ Vineyards^ and Fields that wereneer,as z Compend o£ the whole y and partly by a Di/o?«r/? of the Glory,. Power, and Extent of other Kingdoms that were out of the reach of -the Eye ; but becaufe the Exprefliou iv^iyu^- which Lfiii;e adds, [in a moment of time^ intimates that the way %ej^* wliichSatan took, was diiferent fromcommon pro(pe(3ing or be-
holding'fOthcrs are not (atisfied with that Solution of the difficulty,
but fly to this Suppofition, that Satan u(ed only JugUng and De-
lufion, by framing an ahy Horizon before the Eyes of Chrift \
fhewitig not the Kingdoms themfilves^ but a Pbanfajm of his own
making. But feeing thismight have been done in any Plaety and
that an high Mountain was chofen.for furthering the Tro^^ I
S9 Mfi Lucas ^^i^^ *tis lafeft to conclude that the Profped was Oaelary and not
Biugerifis ' Phantaftical hut tcz\^ only helped and allifted by Satan's Sl^B ancl
tbm^f in loc. Art, as a great Natttraliji , and as a Prince of the Power of the Air,
by which means, in reJkSions^ or extraordinary TroffeSiver^ he might difcover things at vajl dijiancei : which we may the rather lix upon, beotufe we know what helps for Profped, Art hath difcovercd by Glajfes and Telefafef^ by which the Bodies of the Sun, Moon, and Planets (at fuch unfpakeable diftance firom us^ have in this latter Age been difcovered to us, beyond ordinary be* ]ie£ AndwehaveReafbnto think that Satan's Skill this way farcxceedsanythingthatwehavccometothe knowlcdg of, and fb might make real difcoveries of Counirys farreinotc, more than we can well imagine. ,
The(e things thus explained, I (hall note feveral Obferva- tions. ' ^ '
ObC I. ^'^^9 If we confider this great Preparation that Satan makes,
as Introdudory to the Temptation to follow, we may obfervc, ^hat where Satan bath afpedal Vefign^ be Projecfi andmakss ready aO ihmgs relating to tbeliemptation before be plainly utter bit Mind : He provicks his Materials, before he buiWs, aii^j lays his Train be- fore he gives fire: What is his Method we may learn firom the , pradice of tho(e that arc trainedupin his Service.Thcy in Rom.i^.
TT^iOia. ^ii^ are faid to ma^^provifion for the Ftijhy to foic-concxive their
Sins,
and Advantage tor their accomplifiiment* This is not to be nn* deifiood of iw Sins, for in (bme that are inirim/ in the Kfind, fas vain Thoughts^ Pride of Heart, &e.) there ^en{r not fuch Pro vn (ions> we may (ay of them, tb6T times are always^ and in manf ca(es the Houft U fi»^ and tmufkd to bis Hand, he imds all . ^ things ready, by the fbrwardne(s of thofe who are Fret in his Ser- vice, and the fuaden accidental CMoaranee of things, fiut where the«Ten)ptation is filemn^ and where the thing deiigned Cin the perfeding of it> relates to £^eri(^«rr Ads, there he deth this Policy, to have all in readinefs (though it coijthim the hbour of am^ajjing Sta and Land for it ) before he expreily ipeak his pur- po^ HisHeafonsare theici '
Fir A, lif things neceflary &r the Encouragpient ^nd Accom* plifiunent of a Temptation, hy iM of the n^ay^ and were not at hand, his Suggefiipns would ferifi as Coon as they were baniy and would be rejeOed as hnfogibU or inconvenient^ To tempt a Man to fieal, when he knows not vphere^ nor b$»^ or to revenge whoi he hath no Enemy^ nor ?ravoeatian\ (een;i to be no other than if they fliould be commanded to remove a Mbtmtain, or to fly in the Air > which w(»ild quickly be declined, as Motions affindingno . ground of entertainmept* And therefore that his Temptatk>ns may not bring a "Sieafin ofrefkfal with them, as being nnfeajonabk % « he takescareto fit hk Servants with all things requiiite for the •workheputsthemupon. .
Sectdnaly, As Temptatfons (of this kind) would be no Temp* rations, (becaule not feafible,3 without th#ir Preparations i fo ^ muft we not think-that it is the hart Sngfjfihn of Satan that4ukes a Temptatfon to fierpt* The Reafon of its Prevakncy, is not barely becaule Satan breaks.fuch a Motion to us, but becaufe fiidi a Motion comes aoeonfl^hed with all fdi taUe Vr^atatms. When it prevails, it is the unAil Motion that imiff^, but frdfarationi areas the Feathers that wing his ArrowS) without whkhthe]: wouM neither fly nor pierce.
Let this, Firfi, renew oi)r CaMtion and Sufpition in every things Jfflic. and every place, that Satan isat work sigainft us» thoHgh we fie. no vifible (hare. i
Let it put us upon fucha watchful carefulness in Qirery of am ways, that we may refolve to undertake nothbg for whkii we havenotagood'andwarantableReafoo^thand, that if our Gon^
T fciencc
^
i4^
z%ttmmiit 'Pait.m
SttOict&f totSy what deft tfaoaltttt wcmxjhc ziM to give a
^podAooocmt. !
SiKotrdly, If^einiRddiebeha^ioororSatatifs thefe Ptepara* tionsanclOiFerSy wclec hima^ after the Pattern of highdt So- vcreigDty, difpqfirig of fiafttily Kingdoms ac iltcfaa rare^ as if aU Power were in his Hand Hence we cnay obfetve^ That when Ob£ 2» Sa^mien^itoSin rfhif^Cmtemft md hif9Uncy agsin^ Gbd^ be then tbaikiH eancems him to hear inmfidf <m^ by wHfr$ining the AU wrigbty^ in jmitating bk* Amtbori^Md Vomer.
Thh carriage of Satan b not to be found in aB his Temptati- ons: For in moft cafes he ads with greatell feer^ \ and as z. Thief that is afiaid^pf Dircovory^ be ufeth dl ways poffible for Concealment > but when he (ets up hinnfett as the God of the WtrUt^ and fiands in Competition with the Lofd, darning an fntertfi in the Fear and Devotion ofMen^ thenJiefcoldly avotulKth }ivc^t\(^ tadiabouistOM^'4/ieGodinpoint of greatneis, that he might pofieis cbnn vi^ith a 4ielief thait he only ^nght to ht feared;. Thb Airogaficy cf Satan agatnfi God, may be ieen in tbret ihk^ '
Fhtft) Ia bmtatb^ SMitr Ordtnaneei^ and*In(fittttions. There isnot any part of Divine Wor&ip the Obferration whereof <3od hadi cnjoyned {oMen^ but Satan hatli let upfotnthing like it (os hitnielf. AsGodappomtedbisTm^ FfM^/, Mtarr^ Saerificer^ Ogermgr^ "tyths^ S^Quaries^ Saeraw^nt^ ^c. So hath Satan had his "temfles^ Prie(ts^ Altars^ Sacrifices^ pjfenngt^ SanSttaries^ Sa* «ranw{tr^c This is fiiftciently Jmown toany thatread his Hifto- lies ) and I could gh^a<u}l AcKroont of it "from Heathen Authors^ bat.tfadtl^havedone already whenl fpokeof ;&itans Subtilty in promatiflgldotaitif in the World. lihall only add here that which Varro it cuUu Konto idatcs of ifaeBooks iifNoMa fm^ttut^ which were ca(u* Dcorum. a»y <tttt up by the Plough erf" ot^H^ensmim^ ct«nhig too near the
Sepidcfatt of ^/»4) where th^feSooks ^Mid been Boried. This IbitAwas the iecond King^- the- ^mms^ who infKtuttd the £iVer and Ceremonies oitagan Worfhifiix his Sub;edh, and in ' thefeBoote C'w^h he Chot^t^At^e conceal, bybarying them with bimj Jk bad Jaid open the &om>nfHif th^l^^tnl^Mji^eT fo that when they were broujgbt to the Senate^ they C jnddng tbontef^ lobe known) 4m1 judged them to^ tfae Fire. Which is a deargmmdofSi^iticm that he had^hoe diK»vered ^ much Cauies of thcie Rites, or of the way whereby iie came to
• be
I •
fabiof^nAsd tfa tJieitt) that the fa\Si6k Kdowledg thereof con^ ' fi&idinot ixAththc Inteitfl: of tlidr HeathenUh ReHgiod. This pe Ovlt DcL cao^eSiae^f^hsitiiiCjfxbe}^ whoaUa notes that Kwrntky-^'i^i^is* pifitendcd familiat Converie with th^ ffyi^ ^<^> as a pbu*- * iibfe caver to ckatidefiKfli Art ofHydnm^nltu^ by which he was- iifini&ed in otderMgtfae Cemnoiiks <rf IddUrfi whkh lie effa^ '
SeanxUf^ Satan wkbfiolei^ Arrogaiacir,- ealfcf Up^ii 't&n 10 - IfDitate God, in his ABis of f^tt fer the comu^mdng of his Woi^ > Mp'm tbe World* He had his Miracles fi^e^aentfy, of which I; - Have l^ken eMe where, fohad be his CMcles, as at IXifhH^ antf other placds. Bereit flialtfiilSce tdhot^^ thatats fhe fo^dkig th^ brad jefiismfo the World, fuvinftdd Wi^lifeh Power oTcloiria;- Miracles for the Confirmation of that Office and Authority, wiikn *' hehsklfeceiyedfeomGod, fbrtbeRedeinptioiiofMan> wa^fhe. Uj^/aJ^^nxtkttainbegiirenofthe M Fbwer, Wi^om/ »id Gtedo^ 06 Gk)d ttlo^'Sacaii&ihitirfelf With ^^atbft Indd-'. Ont talmiiitte than CMft Was ^knoA Ad -fe&nfer afcended to thr' Father,, but we Ittar of iSiMox^Migiy, ASlt. &• p. who was cryed up asaniinftance of tbe^gmr ?oMf of God 9 and after that at tiom be gave oat tharbe wa$ GW, conlif bi»^ the People in fuch a b^ ]tf,bfthelk^ge things Tifbicb he thne did s^^ thefn, tbat aiff^i^Mwa^trcaedfbrhJs Honour, with this Infcriptibri, "to Simon aOrtai God. Long after this, the Devil raifM up AfoVo-' mmiyaH£m, a Man of ah Abftemious and GomroendabteLife » titii the Dev^ did defign to match Chrili in his Miracles, which woe^manyattdibAmge, xlMtbUtfiratm doth not only con^ ^«« him to Cfaiifl^ but/ivfirhimastheanoreHonourale Per (on. Cimftbitnfdf foretold this Stratagem of Satan, that he (hould raife xspfalf9Cbrijfi with lying Signs a^U ffondtrt. And toomit I;i* fiances of former days, it is not beyond the Memory of moftof you,^ That the Devil renewed thb Policy in Jam^s Naykr^ ^ho ma bfafphemoQS Imkatian ofChtijk's riding fo Jerufalem, rode to irr- * ^«/ with a great Company before him. Crying, ift/y, Ho/y, and Hafauna to the Son of DavKi, and Ore wing the way with Branches bflVees: The Authority that was then, taking notice of this' and othet Bh^hemous outrages, fentenc^ him to exemplafy ' PxmiAiment^ init here alfo' the Devi) reneweet his Afed^;^^ tor a; certain Qtfzen oi London of good note, being overcome with Ddufion, Ptinced a ioekofNayt^s Sufletings, wherein the Devil
T 2 had
I4S 3lSCteattfedf Piitiii.
had epfx^tunity to v^t his Mafioe mote fuDjv. for be CDiopaicd' all the parts of bis Punifliaacnt, to the Sufleniigs of Chrift *i his^ tFhiMmhc&ii was, that it nught be fiiUiUed which wasipokn hjfhMmj AndVi^ttd^UomlbimubtScmt^ds His SiigmA^ xjffghe iaid, was that it migbt be fulAlkd which was ipokeo fay
bis Tongue with an hot Iron, he (aid. was the fulfilling of that) sml theyCmn^nf toll : and afterothet particulars jofConpttiioD, fin an which w e^ialled him to Ghdft) he at laft takes notice that the multitudeof Spcdators^held offthdr Hat% while his TopgMC was bored thoiow, (a thing common in a Qroud to^gtvd^ cppcMTtunity ofSight to thofe that are behind) and to this aft. he ajpplys thatof the tvoMgelifli^ ThVmlcf ibe ftn^ vm ma finm tmtcpio the bottom.
. Thirdly^ In ads of Em^iW and Sovereignty, he Imitates God*: that is, a$ God propounds himfeif as the only Lend God, and^n-^ joynshiinfelf to be wovOuppedaccofdingly, by tromfii of Ad* vantage in cafe of Obediace, and tbrtsimt^f. of bfifieries aod^ Plagoes-in cafe c^Dilbticdience v^ (b dothSatan &t up him(elf in « the World as God to be adored and worfliipped,. and him do all Idolaters worfliip, asGodtefitiies» Peir^ja.iy.. Thy fad^^ eodmtto Veuilsy nottoGod. FlaL 105.37^ T$ey^ fscr^kul their Sons andJ>au^ttuunioJ>evils. i Cor.io,20» ItbtM^tf^M^tbtGtn-' tiUspKrifici^ tb^,f($cri&cetoVmhyAniiiottoGodM And though it be true, that many of thefe blind Worlhippbrs did not farmJfy' woifhip-theDevjl, but thought they had worfluppedGod^ yc^by (ych cunning did he engage them to take up with ways of Wor«^ Ihip.of hisjprefaibii^^ that it was in naU^ a Service done to hiou But befides this^ in thole places of the World, where he hath greater Power, he :^vwmI^ propounds himfelf to be worflupped, anddoth accordingly often appear to themjha Vifibk.Sbafoh £>. that many of thefe blind Headbeos acknowledg two-GoJ*s^ one> GM^aqjd another Cn»r/ and hurtful, which latter .they Aythey mufl woiihip, left he J^oy^ or harm them* By this Satan con- tefis with God for an Empire in the World ».> and to promote it the more, he fometimes deals by^V Bromifif^ of Riches^ Ad- vancement, Eleaf^re, and fuch other Baits, to allure Men. >to.his Ptofefled Service J thus are l^^«be/ drawatoaGompad with him. Thus Sytvifhr^ the fecond g^ve. up himCbif to the Devil for the Io2edomy and ib did (evetaLothess.. Wheathisisnot enough to.
prevail|.
■-■ '
t
L
Chap. 18. Nairn's Xtmpmimu^ ^9
^erail; be adds Mtmteingf ^nd brcatfi^ forth cruel Threatningi, l>y ^
which means many Heathens are kept in awe by him, and woiy ^
^p hisb, fff Mcf4t^^ for no other reafiMi but to pve%ye themfelves ^
fipom hurt byittm* In this Temptation he propounds himfelf to Chrift as the Objeft of Divine Worfbip, and boafts of the King- doms of the World as things of his dilpo&I > by wluch hcieeks to draw him to fall down before him.
This courfe Satan takes for theft Beafobs*' ^ ,
fixtt^ As this Proud and Malicious OfUn^ation of hb Tbwtir, ^ ibme kind of fatUfMion to his mvnjje^ Humour agtikift 0od: SoSecondly, He doth hereby raife up himfelfasd his wic- ked mftitutionsr of Idbfiltry, into Credit and Efteemwith Mcn» Thirdly, As this is a MMgy to trueile/i^Mi and a footn caft upon the ways of God^s Service, to faring it into dilgiace and di& credit: So, Fourthly, By this meanshe ikii^^ theHeartsof Mesa* gpdnft God.This was the C6n(jderation by yfhicbPbaraob hardened his He^t, when Mefix turned his Rod into a Serpent, ch3nge4 Waters to Blood, aiid dtd fo many Sgns before him> hisMagici^ 4ns did the /% : upon which the King might thus reafon with teiftftif, that M!^«/ had no other Power, iMit whsuhis Moff^ans . bad, though he mig^tthinkhima more^i^f]^ Ateia^.and thei^te tMrc wis nore^n ta believe his.Meirage as being^rom God, (edng his Miracle!^ might be no ptheipthan theEtfeft oif iiis Art, to countenance a pretended command from Heavtn.
- This TrifolAicvof rS^tan, may inform us 9 FirR, of the great £Mif»ce of God that fees thefeoutragfiousmockm andyetaotl;i^>p^jrj^ . not by a ftrong hand put a fiop to thorn. Secondly, Of the great Pon^ ttd Ptioi ofSatan, that- hi botliiM f though not without* permiflioiifromGdd:) andi£^e attempt things, of this Nature. Thirdlf, The great Ptiper of. DeluGon, that can fa blind Men, thattheytiotonly^aredr^wntOiifirapartinfochDeCgQS, hot jhk liet^ confidently a' 2>3M;fr/iM^/fe and Hew^ warrant for theix fo doing. Fourthly, Themifcir^le S'Jjwry of fuch Vaffals of Sa-^ tan, that are thus led by him,who are therefore (adly to be pittied^ aad lamented^ as^ being under fucit iirong Chains of Capti«! ,
vity.-
Thirdly, We cannot pafshy the -rfr^ which the I>evil here ufctl^ QbC^-j..^ to 'fetoff^he Temptation, anatomakeitplauiiblc> iieiets before
him-:.
lar^i"
'
I
159 : :a5Lteattffftf - .iP:a^'W^
hipi the Jf'arldjn all itsGlary. Here Obfer^c> ^"jfhaP^S^fm ia Ut, terf^Miif^ to fTortity rkdJi&eJ:^ doth nJuMyfaiHUli^ O.^^ff^hb 4 itTHtmBflrBemtty^ \-'\ ' ^ '/.\.\\\^ a
" when Ihatrefbmetim^oblSryedaMbW/^i^/ii^upon a S^ gmng exccffirc Coiwtiendatipns of a trivial Medicine, afiertifig it gooa ahqoft for every Difeafi^ and with a great many Lyces smd y Boaftingsi '^fcf&frfi^g it npon the ctedulpas7|4^^^ ItharChput
me in mind of this Spiritual ^mntebaiiksryoi the Derili how doth he ptll jand delude the'¥1ooflfti; by laying out (he Plaafuies of Sn ? and fib-otftetwile doth hd keep them at a . i^zinz AdmirMiait
•^ Kifrfj'liftherc beiny thing tfiiit caip be c^led a P«%A/, . wmay *ny wajr coriducc,to kSatisftdHpnihany iSiif^x 1|« wilL^be fur^ tp^ fpfeafcoFit^artts*^ lie notonJijiUeaclhe^^ Jofcrt^
f*ri^t)^tIte!i^iRht in grfeirtg Cotnrnendations^* to tnt moflr noted Pleafures that Men prcMpound to them(elves : hpt ^ feeks out Ac, bidden things of Delight, and rlifeth inMen aa Itdi of dc&e after theiniprbvementof Delight, by the mtr^ances pTwir oc Art.. Thuslwteffethwiircrf'JdlHty, ravilfhihg^th, hig^Satis&d^ and (if'theywiHbelieTCihiKO ofunfp^akable DeSght to be had bygivingthcmftlvesnpto the World, andtheCburfec^it. Nay he hides nothing that will bear any Praile, the leafi ^d vantage^e JmoB^ Gratification d)at any Sin can s^ofd tv Hiamane Deiire,hfi win be fure to fpealrdjE9t^ .' / ' , . * : . .
' Slecondly,' He can^otft)iis D^fi^ by tj/ij£ he promiieth more than ever Sin can give, and he {ends his mfelytes out after Sinuhderthe%^Ejfpe5^ia;i/, and when they come to enjoy it, they often hnd the Pleafure/^ff/j&m of his Boaftv he whi§err Hmomsy Preferments, and Riches^ 'in the Eaif of their Hearts, sted often pays'them with fovmy and Dilgpa'ces, and gives them ft^ ibefatro hfrbone}^ StMes for Breads a S^erpe/it for a FJJh. Witches givefrcquent Accounts of SatanMymgPromifes, he tells riiem ofEcafts, of Gold, of Riches, but they find themfelves deluded » he fends them oft hungry away from thofe Banquets, (b that they have no more than when a Man Vrtams he. Eats. He grres tj^t which feems Gold in Apfie^nCe, butat lafl they findif to be*
Slaits
•*^ -f-
hxgc in his. Offers to ChrBi, and what he re^iresf iit will have iff.
iufineft to engage Kka in Sin, by his ftwur/e of Ad vantage, "but ]being once epj^ed^ he takes not hitn^txsKerne«d in Honoii^ QT: Ingen^uty tori Perfirmdnet^ - HeiK?e -A^th the Scripture Htly caU thcVlcaiioxcs c£ Sin^ lyingVkniti^^ ^vainShtm^ zvream^ there- by warning Men fiQniajteirwavd Stlief oF'&tan^s Promifes, in that they find by Experience they (hall be^t lafl but Lyes and Diiappointmencs. -^ • ' ; • .
.. Thirdly^ To.makciiis Bait tnore ^t^kii^^e oonceaU all ihe inconveniencks that may attend theft Worldly Delights. H'e Ofkts here the Kingdomsof ^ World toChrift, as it all were made upofPlcafur£4 thefe Cares, tVbub1c$, and Vexations^ that at- tend Greatnefs and .Ride he nsenHons not $ their Burthei), Ha- zard, and Dtf^ethtpaflfethdver. Thusih c6mm6n Taripta-r ^ ' tions, he iscat^fuitoihidetiom Men the l^I^ks that follow th^^^ empty Pleafure&i So that often Men do notconpder fheMif^ chief, till a VaHjhihf tbroagb^imt tAtet^ Prcrv^ 7; 25. and till a . dear-hoagbt Eo^mncn doth :infortti fhem-of theb: Miftsikes. ' * ' ;
Fpurthly, . His,Iteweran4 wbrfnitJOfi thi Tahcre?' &M^^^ is iowfiJbT5JMk]otiisit»W 'v^ibreby^hfe/i^vam^thtififc'neaia^^ oiFSin.. Thatlie hath fuch a Power 1ia<h*b(to diicou^ befere, , and tharafanc^>«7S/to a >g#c4t'£'Xiida4rJ^ pear othermfe than what obey are, \s evidewt fraxti cwH^n^ E^^i^ - eace. > xh? pj/¥*pf oopft tfawgssfcpends nrtxtiri^Hin'FiAr^ ih.an.thf tfi ternal w^rth 9^ them^Qii<t Ki^are ^dre eh^gtd t0'a|[)uruiit'.dr' things % theJ5^*w^iBfli¥hich *^Acy«!(Wbcgit in'Aaf'iJlih^^^^^ than;by^^3ir^iii«.Pnnd|iIefiorKiiow;W ChJl^n byfanc^Tiave a ^ value of tbeb:^ Toys, andare ib '^owerlfuTly '(^^ of far y€*terftsicccatinbrYfay»tefelXiBgps,n^ their Coiii^. .
Satan knows that the belt of Men are fQpepincsc|iildi^/^t'ip lcdaboutby<hfclrconteiB,a!iHia^eW(*fe!rc6nc^^ a^pr^end - things far 6tberwife than: what dTey4re niTruth.HeTice is it*Cas one jy^Cyatpie •: oWcr vcs) that of thmfiuuit of -Men Hl^af' return Ironi J^tHJatenk^ot fofMrErr^s^s ftomMpi^ot.iSiwi, iotfrQ»the>Rivft'^^ fcrrce caq vi?e Hnd §. i. cap.4.v tm^ which .btii6gs*bad(cbeid(dl|iifMk>tfw)Tich^h li^ii pdocelyed > before he haifcen.thein. Ji:Y««y' doklJ^^^^ ^d' KfincI :wiih% an high opinion of things, and^thiife'WojA»ta!6t Imkginations ^ pad to fuch an excels, that Men think to find^a iatisfau^ion be-
yofld/»
c-
^ ;^oo4 the Nature of tbcle PleafurfeSf hey aim at; which hath tfaefe
UmI inconveotencies, the om^ that this £j^/ and draws aspoiver-
X fully^ a$ if they were alias nslind high as they axe cooceited Co
"be « the^tJber, that Sight and Fruitipn tiJ^r axvay the EftinmcioQ,
>nd by adifappointment^ doth deaden and! dull the Affi^on$ to
what may be really found there* Thus Satan by one deceit nukes
Men beUeve that Sin hath Pleafure, which indeed it hath pot^and
by that belief leads them on poweifully to endeavour an em-
)>racenient of them, and ait lalt urgethihem with a dett^tan^
jihiAk Inbppofition to this deceit of the Devil, we muft learn to^
^^ fteem Worldly Delights as W as he would value them Ar^.
And to this purpofe the Scripture (peaks of them, in undexva- luing Language, calling Worldly Pomp, jan Opim$n^ a Pkmtajyj ^ V* J ^ Fi^bn, or Figure^ an Imsginaim rather tnen a reallity '9 and ♦otvFotrt*. fyyjjjgy injoyns us not to admin thefe f hingsin others^ not to envy XxMfx^. ^ them that enjoyment of them, nor to j^eratourwant oftbem^ 4^^ 1^* '• muchlefeto beir^Wj^eiwith any an^y ^zSBoa aboutthem, por jw. 4^5. to concern our (elves in any esrn0 puruiit of them. Ob£4* Fourthly, Satan tnthis Temptation did not bravely (peak of
thefe things, nor only make an oAer in DUcourfe, but be thought it moft conduceable .to his DdBgO) to ftdCa^t them t^ Hi Si^i 4ie knew EOl well> that the Heart is more a&ded by Jhpkk Difi^ verkty ^bmhyratiotuUDifeotaJes.
Note here. Thai Saian in tenf^aiiMf if^arldfy Ttufmt^ w * diovoms toem^tbe AjfiBiont bythe Sences.
That Ms &tan's great bu(ine(s to work vtfou the AtkQkms^ I have fiiewed at large. Here he endeavoured to prepare the Jf* fiEtiont of Chrift, t&t (b the motk>n (when it came } might not . i2ie, as a Spark&lling upon wet Tmdo^ but thatthe A/Iedions being ftirrM up, might c£cr^ the Oifor, and ^hatthe 0£fer by a mthud wmrnh^ might more erfime the AflSbdbns that t^er^beat* ed before.
To this End he works by the Senfes, and would have Cbrift's Cjieto raU^ his JffeOiont of Love, Dcfire, Hope, and whatever eUeimg^it wing his Soul to Aiftivi^. There is a greal comieSifn betwixt the Senfes and the Aiiedion, the Sen(es bring IntdHgace unavoidably, and ate apt tpJfiir*^pouriH>wersto A6Hon t as Che /^icctfffisfaidtphunt theP^yfor theX>0a> ib do the Senfes (or the AfTcdions, and both for Satan*
-* .»•••••- . . . '
• ' , • It
It Js alforenmkabletlut SataneodearouringtoniJce^ if Chrift Ttaytoors tohts Afle^cms» and that he thinldQftit nc^ ceflaty to givehim a view of what he pioflered hiin^ flioulS not give him time to take a fsJl Smvef of thefe Kingdoms, but (bould bttdMi itup ill fiicbaft b^^ that all Cas Lidi;; tells us) was done in zmonmn tfthm: was Satan hi hafte } or was he unwilling to part with what he ib liberally pio^ered? Surely no, but this ' fftf^Mttfor washis SuhiJiy^ toentice hun the more, and to en* yZi»te his Heart with greater defires. Obfovc then, Thai wbmObC j* , SaPMkmfi liberal inlhs ff^ferfy be Am mmsgjah bk Omtmei ef AdMmagemHfaJieningfymf. And this he doth, Ftift^ToJkifk fin the worth of them in our Eftinoation, as if they W€»femif not to be gazed at, otcmhmPeim^ notfittobee^pofedtocom* non view. Secondly, By this Arthe makesMen more cijpr inthe puiiuit* Our naturalCMo/!^ preffetfa us withg^ ter things of i^btft acoefi, and we have aBb itiaiige defiiel fcindledtnusfinnainnrfpf^^ ibthatwhatwe lift not tod^/cifn^nm^mi^ we have a liberty of Enpyment ^ when we are forbidden, we are^tunu tkMkAy^Ahfatiine l^ andcannoi be at quiet till
wedoenk^it.
. 1lirhen$atatoiBake$«ifiewkhMen,oflaiudiePkai^ Wodd, andyethedgmguptheway withdtmculties; theyfliottkl Coadieiio other oonftrafikkmofit, but that Satan doth (fo.fiur zs iAaiiomitGdU: beis concerned) vMcfirmigfy emjct thenu' He Plays at Fef with ^!I^7^3^ ibea^thatheniaymakrtheninioreearnefttofell^ u^^^c^ftfeonic |tf fM^ibftheFoffcflMoofthdcDcl^^ ameridaiV-
rt'it''"' ' ' ' '
1 < • . • »
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a^^^mmmim'mmmmtm^mm^i—^'immimtmtmmmmmmm^ft^mimm^tm'l^^
CHAP. XIX*
/ ~
y S Atom's ends im timfti^ Cbrif HfJUmn MjtJhfttf^ kfm, '.- kettkesthesetm^ sad tyRe/^t^ mpiigJUij^Amitm.
iMth aUbided us;, boite dUI|>^taie^ tto Jafiatku. U\^ who was Holy aud Undeiiled, God and Man, (ecn)s|0(li» ao 4^
3«c; ■ takes in the whole y»fcfetyg^
or the care of the Soul and Eternal Life > m whidi ienfi Sataa doth frequently pradife this Temptation upon Men by the mo- tive of Worldly Pleafures. Ifliallconfider the Temptation ficft as Blafphemous, and fo it will give us this Ob(ervatio%
hidiom U^^bemom ImeOiims.
Bhfphemy in the largeft fen(e, is any thing ^ken or done» by which the Honom andFame of God may be tpotmdtd or fnp§^ diced y but the firmalhy of Blaiphemy lies in the f9trfofe orifitend^ ment ofrefrosdwtg God. Such was the Blafphemy ofthe Ifiaelit^ yMomufefonxeo^ where KafphemingiseK*
^racatly the addition of th^ord C$trfu^y wlucb in the Oi^gi* (ii-i^ nal comes l^om a word that fignifies to /et /ig^ i^ mk; So that
^^ hence, and fiomthe Ciiqunftancesof the Story, wc any fifely
COQ«*
I*
^kMjf) keinsipeicailil^mii^ be ^tvii out t&^Ufy fhf tcAftncire. QiHhthte Cbek wJ^at it wiil) ft yn$<:W3kiY wo9t Ain tiuif J^ksct^isk tti4>hniy^kbthelt4Mfirx&wqrio ibein tbefepcdtioiiof »•* '^* ttui^' die ivowi fA(msb(V9hkh in reverent? ithe^ either k«T4 iM f as^wliieii they fif) -tkAmiftieJUmighty) orditnge kin^ ^^/S^njip^
ftr^) that 2(ffM0lw^<3cd,aiidB2i#m^ ^re joyned lAgO'
^itittiom^MmLy^f^ oriqasoachofGod\ to
^dfe (as to thtFtm ot k) mete muft be an mi«dbMt of itpf0«ii!» lug. NowthMg^thbbsaSiuwhichtlieHeatfof JiSemntof Cm woiM moftMbhttr) yet Satudoth fofnetimes tioiMe dbe 1>tf 9Mbk. Wft Jiftve «d fcillaoce in jM»^ bis Defign. wis to faifiog lotti to Cwfe 'God^for £> he{»ofeueth w expttfi tentiS) Oh^ ««
f^Iainly to hioH bybisWtfe, OuxkZ^su CmfiGodmUic Whtl^ €»er may bei{x>]Rci of tbe Woid^ isiigaifiAagJBtq^g f tbongh icMBt mm IM WttU "irHa in^he ptqaer idkiteof that Lan^agc; ^^ „ . ^ Canfl rtotty an Amifbrufii wEtfiMfim^ asibmethiiUc; itg^i^d^ ^les asftfOf^yioC^asto tt^^ zni is deteiminfale toitlsacr. <igi4fi<^tioft idtker firay%y the Ciiatrnftanoes of the t^lace ) or iiniatieverMMindenvourtoeKafthfeWtfe^ ^ pbun not only by jFp|tfAn(^tlwkwas<vUO>ttnicl, bat HCo hy Satan's z^ yfmtd BtBffi^t k wusdiiedly lor Cuffing <3od. Befides tlnS I«flaii^^4f^^amiidef tbe £»f«^ JEjpir.^. wn
'^H libd thiit ihfe Tetnpttttion is taore coouaoa to afl fixtt of CbrHtfans then we ^^oiAcI knagbe v . 'tis ()iafai diat tJKfe vTordf alkuie to^e f^flned Ai^m^ whieh j^p^^iigjiix and others ufed i illl^ hM i)li}y40^^ and the Venom iofla*
tned wkb a fier]^ Heat the Part or Member pierced. By this £• rr^ktAklt nidft be-^affted, chat not wHman Tdmpiatkfts arc . . , Wx&gf lind^ftood^ tet fiidif ar.wera more tbin ordmarily hurt*- ^7n^fmlfi ful, vexing and dangerous : it may be Perfeemhns areoneof theie Trtd.Sacr. Darts, ^ aM reckon TeiiiiFta and B^af^i^^^^. ^^f-^
j^iWiipyfift be(i*IOtdl>ted)ypoint€!dat« > 7lieway^^tiiikiMfT€Of)ptat{on|NrHhre&
V 2 Firft,
^ fiMIe ways of«|(!urM;tbem, asd thi$ iittaft iHm pnOiftiJl
C9/i^flfWRftJB{ aod Uivm Bbifd^^ When tfcottlb Meadb Mt discdiy HKQid an ^MT-f^magtioft Go4^]petS^ them todiatwhkhtnig$cbcib£#€i;^MMfc Tliis ficuiaia jhivl
,^ WeotfacCafeofJU^r Sm/, accocdtngtobis 1catoii(yof tiici% £
that tbey woe open UaiphetnerS) for they weic fiady bettor edur
catwd, oeithcridoth jUexpfdsfuchaFdffcf thecni but that m
their Afirtft their Hearts might have been & htfmdfinmtke Fuini
Cpd^ that theymig^ be tempted to $mdm Thougbts of God,
fighting his Tmreatning^or Goodneis. To this puifxiCe Jbrngkni
C^/Inloc. tianflases, Tbey have IHtUBlegid God in licir fleji^A The fihne
. . thiqgwc may ofaforem Job himfel^ when the Devil €oaId not
i"^^'^^ fKw^widkkmtQd^Godf^
by Us Miferies^ that he hoped at htt to hrii^ htm to mtter the
naoQi of his bfind in impatient aodiefiedingEjqpreffions, ao4
Infant fo £tt prevaiid^ that he bitterly CmfiAtboVaj^mtmmhwm
^"^^^^ &fir^.aadwiflieth thathebadgJi««i^lfe(iM*i^^«MrM#y
ifeJUy: wlddidiou^itquneftribottofwhaf Saianhadboaftr
0dof mhi$i6cfcmimitag9iofthim» yet it had inch an uamur
camabletendency that way, that when his Friend £M«s took
noticeof hisExpreflfionS) as fivpiviiig of too mu^
forced to make i</^/<^ for himfett^ and to cxcideitby the dd^
tatene($6fhisOHidition> Jobtf.atf. Jhjou imspm u r^pnw
ffMU^midtbtSfHdHsofomtlMkde^^ InluchoiestheOb*'
vil provokes Men beycmdthdrintentioos to (peak in thekbafte fo
inconfiderately, that they knownot^ car mind notche juft Goar
leouanceofthdr Speeches* Icwasa^f^mof Bhipbonyin 0#f
vidfi^&j (though in his hafte) tkaiaBAUnmnLwrsi it was an
imbelieving Rcfledion on the t romiie given him by SammL In
.Mfl. 3« t^. the People did not believe that they had JMp^fi
m$tA §ig/AnSt God^ when yet their Ifjfrdt had been fimt,^4A^
Secondly, Satan endeavours this b]f^vk>knt ItgeOionj of Blai* phemous thoughts thatare dinSlj fiidu In this I ihaU noteco
Firfi^ That the ml^ Thongbtsof God, of his W^ys and F!io- vidences, of Saipturc, and of Chrift, ate freiquently (uggcfted 9 of grotu^ oMi^age againftHcayco, and Contempt d ,the
Almighty^
V
•MWcMt tsthattlMei»«#6«i^ or thache it mh jfm^, or># Md||WtDU»fMnB&icrtliatCI^ an/m^i^jhfe
#ickiaciiDdiinginthis kind, thou^ never fb contrary to the BoK ani BaffwafSw df dibfe whNh he thus mokfts.
Scoradl)^ Tfaefe afefirequemtr mfarjiirfupon them, and ihm^ wtM$ to ooublecl by dieit^ mat they cannot freethemfelves fiomfochtfabughts^ buthe.^lm^on, and 'tfjiMmv in their Eats f^Odfin €iAxvcs) Nfga'Dmm^HtkikVtOy Deny God, Curie Tern. 4.
Thirdly, And this with jfo j^t a >SrerMdJ«^pi^^ that ahcy arecompelkd to^fwthcie thou^ts in their hBndt^ and \o fytakmdray to wmt they would^ as if their Thoughts airf Tongues werenot under their Mm Gmr«iir«f, the Devil not 6^ ^ fytqg himielf to bear in theft Thoughts upon them, but he enlea« Toursasitwere, tonnketheni/^^^Miiiy andtocafthisSi^i geftiou into thdvi9r»Mi^d>that lb they might fiem properly to betfaehrown: andthbthevarefcacedtowhedierthqrwiMor nc^ cventhen when their Mmb^ ate SXkA with Hmmf^ their Htnt withGM^, and thek 801^ with ^^WmIIiiiK* I have dHconrfed with fbme who have iHCtei^ complained tut AekToogMes an| dieirTlKMil^AaMdnotiabetfaeirc^wn, botthatS^ nd4 Aem a^his Plft^ivei andthatwhenfaioppofiticmtothcTempta^ fion they would have fermod their Tongues S$^ they have rpoken.Cni]f!iy inftead of B/^^h^ % and tbatvmm • UadphemousThou^t had Ken c^ info thiv theyoould
SM^tbeat reft till th^ had tho^^Hdgmhf
, FoortMy, Theft tioalikfixne Temptations are oft ^^^^^^^•icsXiVxmtM Hmuma. jbiiiMrClfflMeartelisusof a MM^ that was troubled grado. %i, withbfadphenM)usThougfatsfbriJM»9jii^^ andcouK
Mt quit faimfelf ofthem, dioughhc had macoEatedUsBody with IVatchings and Faftipg^ Some have them ^om^ away, and fv» tmrmg again byjE^) aoooiding as the prevakncv zaai' ftrmeot of ijat^tMswholY gives Satan the advantage of* dealhig dnis with them. For if we enquire why it is thus, ciped^ with the €2htldid(i of God, we muft f^rf/y'refolve it into the mfemAMi Wifdom rf GUy who for Holy Ends of tioebing^ and VifeifUnulg \m Servants, permicsSatan cbusto mokft them > and^iuwy into itic&fmiitdatjdoan^agitfm^ accord*
ing tQthe vadety of their Cmditkms^ which vSiaSiy are theft.
Firft, .
I
10 - Mietl«ifflBM ^#uMA
StTMitrmiMiimeB do fiqdwc J^^Afmae* fiCu S. 21^ the
Itephet iMcs, that ivfaea dief^e*|ricftQiill be ^meifyMfkmimd hungry^ they (hould #v> thtmfthkt^ and emfi thrir King and JM^
<£«< tmi^iukt^^ as^ivQiMhim^^^ ibeyitufidftncp '
-jationsof diis TcimicatioD s «rlM^ iMx GufiMie >I» iwlthrir He»ts%(, Sotasioui .01% make them fo thek JiM^ ^V"*^ Buiioi^ AFrWHeacCwittiMdilrfiqb Mr 3Mg«r ir iiri«i^% Qi n^bois thtl^df Tim wasttfee Ea^wc iwhidi AcOewl mm^J CiOt wacais Jii^ii^|)&^d; agaipftitteJfccwndflXing^ ^ ton2akethftmX:urfeQodinchwItaro andibytiusidid he leek
{oMevail upon Chcifi in this hbrpheimK TempcatiM* founhly, Ji HtUnMf .Diftei&fierdkithtiifikallytnvte t|iv£ blafpheosQiig &^ggeiliQB5 ) itbe d^fimM wuiffyM tW iai ef lUkaterthcaclviyit^es wlH^be k^^
iCcca&ntoSaiaii tp loove^hesi ($sbf nJMpBoxcHmaoO iomh
1 Bijt tbcpreos vcc^ (hod wiy .1^ «htdi Satan tempts Mpm M^ felarfmeming, oy/nddrnGl^woiU^imMthug^ like U^mi^4oaami(b<he flow a*i:iiketftfikldealy.¥aiilik| thefeareverycQD^om, an4 tbcjpeft f)f Aiad^iUenic thea Ji^ quemly. Sataaieemsa^ it wese.ifithiartQ J^fvlrd^ and iS^ Um^
feTfintbaTeSiyyieftioiiSi thuiMlfitfiiid a./ertM TompMlMi^ their danger is DQtib.tnuch9 yer.are'theyjMCto;he jf^fb^fod^ kft
tbefe ofteavifi(s(farel^(^eiMfccaiBedt:. and 1^ lUfintfEbd wkk
nil
. I Qiali next enguireinto thecReaJMS^f. ithts «miMe<ipUeh 6^
Firfi^ TliefeTemj»tiqps.iugrvet!y 4^ they jwe^
^ailxior, jTet they are fuUef^ppqpIet^g^^^ Csmf^ ISfs^
tour.
IhJI abbomm) d(>,fegredy f^^im the &u^ agd^lpcepaxi if tfiw
W. ^ 'tis ficUy ttra^Iefetne to Iieac«&r» 6k((i)h«qe: pod^ fie
tfftMibet tfibij^ ibd. mproacbed thtt (Cuth Va^y '0i^an fnt:Ui wa$a$ i SMor^i^ .Kt Snw^ to hear the UaQyli^Qous ^(b eftht^ wicked; whent^fiudtQhitD.w&re^^GW? And if it- wcre^ dOoAifibn and tbanA to hjof to'&our the fdan^e-A^ftroM^aod Blaf-. j^em^ C a»be profcfloth it was, PjW. 44*^15, j<J^.) howfidlyafi
^m
Is ChdugK to put Sataii upon that Dcfign^aMfc*tiM,<pquhk(b»e ZumX
thfeen;ce.Mpont6oC.<hajt(aay hi&6wal«(tt«-' he wouMdo aniSSeoSfi Jtie.(^tQ.i)a^Q|iis;Q]i^C;frti;t&«(i mwJi^^tefKadnlbsflfs, He%- Martjriumbff;.
Oni^lf,aofip.»f tSWAChiwcn, .yetit^^a«a|r tp imm ««&rt-Magi$a dolfl^- i^InK a& Muopitf inj^ jpif^uiLSidlJBiiJc, w(«aifBfi»«f<|^V Ways i>>tt>>«»ium eft
?ift#;5etvkcs^ Whco V€'ftwrStfan,thHSr t6«ua wfwoMM» it is-JP^'^j*^ ISWJflnmTwe a»e Cm f Sie ^<itv»)fDore,|p SaS^^pS iwmuratiooe
S^^P^aVfn . -i . w * , . ^ . • infinuantur«
ml
[Vii
• 'V^
1^^^ g H^Ua Thfltifihiig
&f..
!?s^
lihning a^mlt
(u) la zegard of m>er/
^v
i >r> I * • i I ■
>Ai
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fP!
• (
12Sd$'fpcak,4RP'^
• •
%6o ZXtULUU^ ifm.m:
Wlttt'WewMlldMtwilltngllyliear^ tndit cannot drnfe but be tsMy affiidfTe, to hear thek Corfts and blafphemous Speeches : but wbm we confider die advantage that Satan takes of th^r V^mfety fif their lives hetetofece hav^ been Pi^ffr'and Refigocup we connfort our (elves in this^that it is more bk htaUet^ than tfcuev 9WH Indtnationf\ neither (hould we fuffel* our Hope or Charity to be ^iRreiTed on their behalf. (2.) It is the likeg^und of Con(b- htion for omr filvts tft othefs that are vk>Iently afflided with UaP* 'l^eax>us Thoughts. For,
Firft, If we call to mind that oik Imf and AC^ircr fiiHered fuA things, wethatare of hisHlMi/l^/^neednotthuik we receive « /h»ngeorim!^/;Meafure» in that we ate oxdefted as he was. Seccmdfjr, If we colder that Chriil was tempted wkbom Sin oa hispart, then may we fetch this concldbnfimiit) ihatUkf^ fifktlMJMtbatghrJha^
he tbargoMi mib them Of OMT Initpuikr^ Thirdly^ Wemaylraice
'lee, tteit (uchTemptationsare motcfiigbifU ttum bmfftd % tiidk
coW Tempt, Cast>nc obfcrvcs) ieldom #j%i> they carry with themfonmcK
Pan ». c; 3, bamr ( tothofethat believe an4 k>ve the true God ) that it
keeps them irom a pankiMtm with Sataain the Sin if fit^ nay
It fills them mthfett toAftrivbig againft it 1 they rather^ <s^«
' fetr/) jfSiiivand difbtuet them^^
piiance wko tnem*
• Secondly, The confidefationof this kind dfTempfttioo maf
' fill the Hearts aqd Months of thofe of us»' as have liOt hidicrtO
kqi troubl^ with it, widi fr^fatiioUwaMt natthUkm,
If wcIdii^'nMbeendnder this j|^d of l^ertife; it is not fio4
h(>l£ i^omk^^^^aifi him. . A poor .weak'Cfari(ttan wondcA ' that Satab hath not maile him a hmi^ for this^^lbMr, that hehJA xmhr^nYtm ^th this ttnifA. Tpaniwer that Wonderjbe maqf kndtv tfaat^ianwi^etidcriieft ih <3od, thA Will not put «
^ISJtm^^ dbpicfi the Weadr '4iid InfiMI widk
flrong£9:i»ale\k liibitWbs^mtibnB tend^ Cooapaflb^
nkteFa^herr^otfa keep o^1bc!i7Mi'becaufe fie #111 not iu^
Thirdly, J\m Ti:mptatiiiit'(^ibr iiU^
. V . 4tr fc^^irtbtt^ftiaSr^ r\ ^^"
vEit^ 1Whe£iiivarertibiibied'vr|t}U>brp^ Itf^.
Jt^iCDtiladeKd^ik^hatftate and ten^ their Body iiz i£ it be diftem- peted with Mdancboly Cas is moft uiual) then tht Frefcription of an able Fbjfitian is neceflary in the fiffiplacty without which he that would fpiritually advife or tounlel) fliall but beat the Ah^ aflKl ^ his word$ be (b far from the faftaefi of Naib, that they lhall be asWind. ' I baveJcnown many under gicat corophdnty andfeair by reafon hereof^ that have been cured by PBjfid^^slam: for wheit. Cin this Cafe) the Fwe/ i§ withdrawn^ the Fkt goes outt cor* red): the Melancholy Temper that gives the Devil this advantage, and the Trouble^ will ce^fet / ; -
Secondly, It is of great Conleguence to underftand the Naitire 0f tbefe ttmftoimf : if the tempted could (ee the(e to be thehr . 5if]|^/;sf^/) rather than their ^i;i/, they would with greater eafe beax it as an ^r£fii^ff« And to thofe that c^/^>, abhor^ refifi znd pray^gsdnH them they are not $ins^ no naore than when an Harlop layeth her Child at an Ho/rp/f Womans DooTi that Child is to be reckoned' as theTruit of her Wickcdn eft. A Gyant may dafli the Son agabi0 his Father, but (b far will the Father be from impu- ting it as fAeUiomtnfolenct in his Child, that he wiH'|>itty him the ifMre, as fuATering by a doublt Injury > for 'tis not only againft his Mhtral AffeHkn and Reverence to his Parent, but 'tis a Mily burt befide : thus will God much more pitty his Chil^'^n yapA^ dieife Suflferings. . , * ' ; ,
Thirdly^ We mud not fu0er iuch thou^ts to hdgt in us, but . before they (ettle (ifpofiible) WemufirfpWtbem : as Abrabjm drove aiway ths Fowls ^that 'cafne^ down upon V^^Sacrifice. vl En6W the Tempted will feyi thif iidvice!^ is not TraSicabley thcy\ * Bnd thdi^ thoughts fwarni ab^u^ t|iem as Beer, and wh^n one is. ' Jhpivinhacli^ another Hraight comes in its place. . But to them I AnfWer, that blasphemous thoughts are repelled tmo ways : (u)^ "iyftout and rejhbtfe reftfi/mce. This.thoughit do Tioiexting!^ j^^tn, nor fiee us otahetrouble^vet it ki^psth^'fromie/Z/ft^'upon us, and us f roih r J^e Giwft of 'tnem* .^{aO By J5iwr/i? lyhrch tlici work of a lawful J$9i^/9yw>/2f, ot good Society^ 2nd othctpifcourjes^ may ^o ; this owy give (bme eaCb from the Moleftation, and the p ^j^ Tentai„
other prtferves us innocent. ^ ' .magis vincitur
" Fourthly, In Tempt;iti6i;5 to Blajbl "•-- ^..>
better then VtffuUnis i hpf we ^rp^to^ __. _ _ _ - ,^^,. -...^ ^ IjhlyCoraemft df Salani jfjivcbetoob^p^'O^^ • : ' • ' * • X fults
* •
so
fi4c9 flie. eaoi^ upon us : <»DOigiHl«li they «««hfintaii, ftliatr the ?aflfb)gef> with fficttcr «iieane& and wai&^^ JUtnuKkr mi f^m Pifiitrti^ (Kkc thatof Cfarift in tbe SttOtOA^ Qm
» •
* C H A p. XX.
k «.
the tijitm^e fif IdUttrj, S*t4»*s Depg» u ctftMt tie Woffiip if Gil The BvideMcej thereof^ tvM fi^ Reaft/fs ofpuh endeta/uin. Bit gemrtU Defigm if w^hJr4Pfhi\gthe Hedrts ef Met^ ftm Out te hit S«r- vhe, tkefretf thdPthkuhis DeJ^if^ Mm whemhe f^evtUsi 'ilMttefiS^»s miCdnfidftiees trt n» E%^ dtneestatheeMtrMy* iSis tUeeit cfpr«p4imiitie Sim m
' dtrngSMMter* TheEvUetucs if tlM iSitthed^ mmA theBju^0»therecf»
»Tr!!tailte*et6)filW«w4ifiet1rtnpmit^ Ipio.
JL ceed next to«onfider it as UoldOrmy. the woids i^v 7ar<it wt^iwV^^ if thott wilt fen iowa and wotIhij>, do give us tfc* tntt iMoH afUdkav, The Wo»d which we till Worihip. camels fite wto, which f^nifestok^ ot fioniitveiv whi$:hfif ijijkial>6g, hothMflctothtfCunepidrpoi^, and figdi^inem aiMi*r mtttkcthf which wefignify the>«#^ tf enfmaS: ^ MfitheHand, ortoFawiiasaIX)g, aieGcitares which exwefi theHonour we would give, andbdngappljred to K*ine Worihio btfine^ OTwitfa tt$)eft nato an iiaimm^^ ii Utlm '
focfa, d60i^ CfaiJUlteie^itiAfai$AtfWer. Thm Ihalt
Idolatiy, when.dther we ufe the/fme Adionsofi^s/tnWWo*- (hipto that Which is Mi?N^ orwhen we rdlify bur rrifcfl> to the M)» God laan undue way of out «kM iif^. . Here inifiht 1 takeoeca&Mi to ftcwilie Vadtyof thePdSJb&jbterfiig^dr
diOiii.
V-,
^Mndion of Liatiatxd DuKs !^ Xii Dr. MMttk^iss) hcrtf-
liy overthrown : Satan iteth not htte fct hidifeH uf> A Ihe Omtd-^ iifi/far^ •/• /i*.
fotentGod^ for he acknowlcdgcth one Supetiour'td ItfdkeK; ittifinty !»• i*.
that he confefTeth that the Power he had off the Kingdotitts c^ the c^* ^
^oMnpm g^ tifkbf^ Liik^4. Q«Ni therefore not theL^ni^,
lnut the Thdia is required (x him \ and yet fbk ChU^denU/hha as
bciog i!fifo/rfn% in that i[\oKeligbmWerfnp (for tlwt naift nceifc
fee the fenfe of hi$ Anfwcr ) if ^ fv
Aolwer) if dm to any m God alma. Their Qf» ther diiHn<%on of worffaippingiM Idel^ ( Saint^^ Angel, Oroi^ 6ccO and (ef^rrfoch a Creature, is aUb hereby cruflied (a^ is com- toonly obfenredO for what the £«mge/;^ MMtbm eMpnOkth fay v^^ifccwiote fior, Liv% caBs tf^Wtfv^v, 1?^ me: fo thatthej/^iij,j^itt Scripture makes no difierence betwixt thefe two, (hewbg it to be loc Idolatry to ufe religious Woilhip to thaf which is not God,or bifin ^^kfi^ io ^ it, butthefetfiingslihallnotproftcute, keeping therefore to my defignl ttM. ohferye*
Hut this b fo, will appear,
f irft, IF we confider what vatiaies of Woiihip hidi betn in th^ WTorld. God gave ajbto/and ftable Law, and yet this folittk frevailed, (hat Mdi were upon new Inventions/^yMe/y. I &all notneedtore^onupthe (ihnoft ni»nberk(s> iraif^iei dfthlft kind among thc|!eathen. The Inflance is plain enough, inthoft (hat profefled thenameof the trueGod, they wete ftill dHtngidg fy[nefpFa(hhnrin Retigon, liorrowing Aimrffi from their-ndgtl- bours, fo that if there Were. but anew itfi^ at PiMMifdt, dram^ ld6i in any ftnrnge Cky, they muft prtfently hwe the lifce, til! (ii the nophet tells thetn) aeoorMng^ fo ihtit CMhffi n^itefhHf GmU. flethitwincdltt/ mind, that the Husb*rida)iin did lilfty6ii^4Mdtf Seed in Sk Fields and that there is fiieh VMiei^df Tar^f sUid filft tt^rffaip, notWidiAandingthe plain and pdMivt Cbmmand 6f C6d» fixing aAd detertninttrg his' MTorfhip, moft needs concMe that ah&fe^^ &itan hath^nt it. ' fondly. If we call to mind, how in til Ages therfc hath bcM ittdifid^tii <bi^ iflcbnftant Variety, we hear f)f it dihong the Heaiheni. We read encu^ of it dthtog the /e^/, add when tbey were tiot of the hnnx)ttir of moit (ham^l td$bi^ irksy to vet eomiptcd the ^itforlMp bf Gdd hfiMiit "^^^
4
^m\ iitAjx^tsmsf\9tK(ofind^ that ^<iy«aitw!'tfi8LiiWetf ^
ItodftM tftg{hreYlicetoilidii» ted tiuideict«tf bytlwiih ^U ' •
^ ' X a times
1 ($4 z xttmtt of piw. HI.'
times of the Gofpel were not free* though Chrift came to fiek
fuch Worfbippers, as fhould tporjhip him in Spirit and inTmtby yet
• / before the -rf^^o/J/e/ Deaths, whileyetthey werepa(wadingto the
contrary, there arofe up fome that corrupted the Woiihip, by leadingthe People back again to the Jewifh Ceremonies^ and othcfs laboured to bring 'm warfiiipfing of Angels^ and at laft to eat tbingt offired to J^<?// with greater dehlemcnts. Since the Agoftks days the fame DcHgn hath been carried on in the Churches. E^nehath patched together a great deal of jFexn]^ and Hfift^Ai/Er Ceremo- nies i and when theMii« of Sin ihail be revealed, yet an higher Flood of fuch Abominations is to be expeded. Who hath wroughtall this but Satan? this is ftill the fame defign, and thou^ the work be not in aS parts like it (el^ yet the whole of it evidenceth the working of the fame Spirit in all.
Thirdly, Let us obferve how wr/y this began. JWe cannot (ay, but that in the days ofAdam^ («who doubtle& had received partH cular Commands from God, in which he would not fail to bftrud his Children 0 ^hey were feekiiig to themfelves many Inuentions. Oen./^ 26. At the Birth of Ei20/ (as fome eonje<Jhire} there were fuch defilements brought intoufe in, Worfliip, that Setb had re^ (paS* to it when he called his Son "Enos Sorrowful, as lamenting that Profanation which was then begun in calling upon the Name of the Lordy for fo do many interpret that Paifage, which in bur £n« glilh we read thus, "then began Men to catt upon tbeNameoftbe Lard^ the word in the Original is ShID) which figniiieth both to propbanty zndtobedn^ and may be as properly tranflated, then propbaned' they in caUing upon the Name of the Lord. And there are (everal rea- DffUlMi:^ ions that move learned Men to fix upon this Tranilation : As Ci 0 i-iihtfitt. That it is not f^obable that Men began then, to call upon God, TrtmiL See, oxpublickfy to do fo (z$ fome would interpret) and not before^ as the jpseCentEngl^ would imply. C^O That Age was noted as coor- rupt, and therefore it is noted (zs z rarity ) that Enoch walked with God. (3.) The RtfWi/ij; generally tranflat* T37n to Piro^ phane 9 but if wefhouid grant the prefent Englijhy Tthen began Men to call ifpon the Name of the Lord^ It would imply that the Worfhip pradifed by Adam and Abel had been corrt^ted^ and now it was re^ ^^ei/ again and reformed, which will make the Corruption of Wodhip to be yet more early. And after that we read of abrup- tion cr^t into the Family of Setb (as well as now in thjc Fami«* ly K^&Cj^n) fo that the WoY0up of Codftoodnot long in its Ho*
l??o.^%
Aowr, thfAx^Mcttit md Sitbv^etffzlivc to tiiAnift ttkm \ > which flicws that it was a rebellious departure from the Way, fomented and brought on by the malif^naht Spirit Satan. -
Fourthly,* But totnake all fure, the Saipture lays all theft kinds <>fGorri^tk>tv6fWoiihipat.52rtkfnVl]>oor« The defilements of *Wcc(hip taught in J^t^fotimhy Jhuid^ are^ called the d^thf of Sa^ Pev % t ian^ the Goftuptions intxoduioed by Antichriil^ are ftcAntbe ivarkc z Thcff;V.f. ings iff Satan. Wiut mtss promoted by falfe Apoftlefr to that pur- pofc they had it from tlieir g^eat Teacher Siatan, "who transforms ^ bimfilf (ox Su^ ends into an Angd of Light : fo that nothing can* ^' '^'^^ Be moreplaiu than th^t this is an old and coniliant! Deiign of Sa-
. The particular ways by which Satan eAeds thisDeOgn I (ball not now touch) but (hall in lieu of that give you the reafonsof his endeavoursthis way, ' • .
Firil, He koowsthatthis.isaSinofanfc/g&^^wJA/(?tf. Wor* fliipi^ the proper Tri^c.that is dnetoGod^ and 'd$ peculiarly his Fnrogative to prefcribe the way and manner of it r neither of thefe Honotirs will he give fo any other ^ but will exprels his jealoufy when any invafion is made upon . thefe his fole Prerogativu. Now his IVorfliip cannot becorruptcd, but one of thefe atleatl will in fbme de/gree or other be toHchetL If we fet up another OhjeS of Worflup,we deny him to h^God : if we woifiup him in a tpoy of our otpn in^^ vention^ We deny his Wifjiom^ and iet up our felves above hnoy as if we couki order his Wbrlhip hetttr than he hath done in his l^ord.
Secondly, IftheWorflupbecon«q;>ted) allthe*-£x0'ci/Spf the Afie6kiopsdf theHeairt, and alltht f oriait. fdf is loji^ aiKlbe^ comeunaoceptable > he knows that fuch Woifhippcvs &aSl men with this Amwer, tpbo hath required this at yottr bams f* • Thirdly, Corrupticm in Worfliip, Satan by long earperience knows to have jbeen the ground of tnoiei&iiirati') qoahicls, jptt&i cutions gndtroubks under whidi die Church faathgioaned in all ages,' eyery digmnce impoiing their way and fe^^k iipon HXL diJjenters^totbQdiJhirbaneeo^Peace^btesichia^ hin-
deianceof the gro/wth of Pie^) tothetoii^and devouring of one another* . , y . . - i . ; . * '
t.. .ffourfhi%i\Bfi^esCodi&fkovokiedbyt^ r* y^
toxhaoovt^is^)f)^^ Iblation^ and his Ouorches as SMiob,
RftUr* Sg^tf»Mti» iiWtteigAiftttous in thk,1iccwift to iwiyt arcQipaSleofnMwy mkf^t^mtt to furdier biM dcfigo, and maj ' S^hm fnttnca to cwttk^\aCd.t.%m htnoMvk^ WM$fify 4tp^orm|tR$]^gjkHEi9 andbyuafpinlPriodpltoofloincHto^
jiiat<Q\)k}4a(^iCieAbeUI)(tanedi^ ef
J)^ »n4 where that cainei^
14p(ak;9iC«cimMics were fi) called hcrCi and in the Epiftk t5 lheHiiri^/3 wete his Eng^e fay which he battered the phia Wprfiiipoftbe New Tellament. AndastopretenoestiieApoffie iloth there, Md eUewheie nolte, that Jhot^jf and Ordity Jhmdtity^ Wifdmn^ mdSelf^denyal^ are things very taking, and yetuTuaBy pretended for fuch bold Unwaibns as may corrupt the pure flrearos cfthe^San^hiary- AppUc Hence may I leave with you a few Memorials.
^ ' . f|rA) This may mibe us yuim of any idteratioos in dhe Way of ^od's WoJ(ftipf We ha^cjroiba under the mofi plaofible pretexts to fiiipc^ the bandof Satan,becauie 'tis one of ms main ra&dTcs to corrupt tfa^ Worflup.
S^condly^ This may juftify thole that oat of a wtfHmbui /^i^pfcotuplying with Satansdelign, darenotadmitof aJ^ in 4be 7ijM)W:i?hi^deii^^ hath pi tfcribed^ not leave behinsi ^ Sl^ jAf^^ of what he iath enjqrned.
Thirdly^ This will tdlus thacd&t Wo>ffiipisMand/^i!hat li^\\it^€f,tjfoMfesXkmi»^ iawptioni, "We cannot off^d ih keeping dofe to the Rule, though the Worfhip thereby become i0fftf^ni»Ad ji^tlb ^qmbusukxfaid afypeaifance. W€ mav fi^Oibmr^it bytfai^Jcaftii£&i»r;andcamiotbefi>ce^ f99fr4IVft) JViweik^iof pleafin§iheS«tt/2tf xH Men b|ytbdiistio« ducements. . ; ' :.
dsfigPl Sif iflmmi ik. Atfcftt' rf ISm^ fim Gid^ ik Smwe smi mytifftfhtfleafi^ Bsifhe fiiooktifly to 1i{m|/«0m^ ad^^
offered rooft fitly agree. Hence Cbferve,
'
<Ai«.
That thtpeyilr^Qth Iardal)(bis.pideavoarsreo^bi5; avMtbe
he Oidewmm^tfd the Trim;^i^.tSf^ Andthhknotcfilg'fi^
rule of Exieriour forqe, fucb as Conquerous have av^ thw cap- tivated Slaves, whoacc compelled to fubjedtheiir Boikh wbife yet their minds are full of hatred a^^infi him^ wl^9.hatb.(^u$ foK- ced them to (uhjedUon >. but it is a rule over t}^ ffsar^^aA ^ ^ediQUSiof Men^ workjcg m the Children <fVifik'^itiic%^ }»y^^i fiking of thefe ways, and begetting in tbeni tbe J^mg/f pt $^^ ^ lb. that what work he imporent they are pleaied withaJ, and Im ^ to Boifeitfi : Therefore he is not only called their Frpwe^ but their G0dy.mithqx.Eatbery X^ ace iff ^cur Father ^Vftil^ ifttbaCwith a kind on»r4r^^a^iaif . they wiU and ^
£41^/ which he propounds to theoi.
SecoDdly^This Kingdom iseajsmiry to God's Sfiritudl Kinglomi diat beiBg of Dadcnels, this of U^ : and it is n^aged ^Sa-* ta& with aiteuviouS'COix^tkion and Cm*/!^^ to that of God i ifx that asGpdinvites Mea (o the Happinefi orhi$ Kingdom, an4 finds his Spirit ia his Word and Or<Uaances to perfWiitdQ thgnu Satan doth the lilkc, he (ends out bis^irit whidi the ApoAIe c^U^ f&f S^rHoftht JFarldy i Ccr.2. 12. andimpby$all his Agmtsto^ Oifflf^ Mctt/or falom ht^r^mi tbe Hmf^ God doth, heprqqu- l^m 1& mr^m^of HeaTitfe^^^ if they will fall dowji^
aiu)iwoxihiFhu9. ; Kaif? ^tiis fq,x»p^ to pipi^cute an Interek Am ^99ifii iaa vfzy cf efgejkhn^ eipedaUy toany otheythat (e^ Vip fiff tboaielvesin a cc^tradi^ory CompetitQrfliip^ that the ve- ra aaiuiial Laws of Satui$Bii%doQiwiIleng9geh^tQftaa4up f|dP it, aad to enlarge ic ^ be caop.
Tlx>&.upo!| whomfae ]prevsul9 ari o£ tw Firft, Some are tnfji2^/y in nis Service; theft apfwer^tbe Chara** ^orwhich was »vea d[Jh^ 1 Ejatg^ ax. ao« IVkofdi bimfelf
ULmiihJI^ifi^^h^^ TheJ?clf expteffion (hew%
tlvitfucbasejvii^lm Difpoftl, as things fili
are W the Pc^ewoni and Power of (h^ ^^^ they art at S(»i?n^,^il| \ it he. %. to thepH ^^ ^SP \ andifhe fiiyXom;^ emm^ thjsiir Bpdiesand Spirits are S^tan's^diey are not theixpYm ; VbA they are his for throids of Sin, for that ia^ynaent only, lb ^1 tfaey^e i»M[l^ mm^jj(4^h(nmnakk.^ The lamr exprcffim
ptMiey in Sin, that they eMare thUrSin m Soiom^end hdii$ qor^,
that
1^ ZXttatitttif Part. III.
^litt tfeey do not BluBi, hit openly wear the DevSs Livery, "and avotich his Service : As the tpirkt^ftk Fl^'an mam0^romcCcin ttefrt)raaiccrfruch works, zttwuHifi^ly Satans Subjcds. Hiefc Hv^Sa vd ^^^ ^ ^^ ^^ fiequently in the Old Teftamcnt ftiled Sdns of 0 fVQ n0n e**^» * ^^^^ ^^^ fignifiqint, (hewing cither their devoting d£ L^;^ y^^ themfelv>e$ to the Devils Service, in that they rejeft the Yoke of fumdiam 'G^'sLshfv, in thatthey iretfi^feif JSoffJ!f, andcjft hk Cords from JtKto vel a ****** or ^heir Fride that they will have noftc above them,not con*
03 ^non & fi^^^oR ^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^ *^> ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^*8^ ™*^^ ^ ^^^ LLy n^p^^ jverjTre^towhatisgood, hcmgtphotty unfrofitabUy and to amy good
vela 03 ' »'«^''^*^^^»
ija/z ^ UjMf Secondly, Some are fecretly his Servants^, they coiuc to the Dc- profieh homo ^*^ ^* ^^ Nkedtmm did to Ghrirt) by Ni^ti they will not open- imtilif 'y profcft him^ but yet their hearts art wholly his : fuch are called
by th^ name ditiypocriterniht Pharifees and Scribes feemed to de* clare for God, called themfelves Abrahams Sud^ Failed, gave Alms, made long Prayers i znd yd \vatzGinef of ion ^fF^r^^md ^^^jrirFa^thiVtvih Thefecrefyof tHisuhderhand crigage- pnent to Bell is foch, that nrany who ire in alei^e with the De- vil, and at an agreement withDJeath, do neither know nor believe it concerning themfelves. For,- ' '^ .
Firft, This private Covenant may be, where ttere are the grqa- teft feeming d^lements of Sataii, and high FrMfpons of Servke to God. The Pharifees: (as hai^l>eeftraftd)#er6theDiy»iSetvlnt5,- under all the fair (hew they vAtdi of Keligion^ • and zeal for the Law,and yet when Chrift plainly told them that they were not ^- krjhams S^ed,but the Devils Seed,they with high mdig^ation and fcorn throw back the $^ccu(ationt6 Citti^^ Atfa^^^tf^f^iMmlM^iuMf' baft a -Devil, we are Abrahmfs GbitdrtHyiy^ll^ Mi«ved they the truthw^en-it'wastoldthetn. - ^•' '•* 'r - - ■• ^ * '^ Secondly, This may confift with ibme d^nmoft and iirtentfoti to give God Glory. The 'jFrt^x though they fubmitted not to the Ri^teaifnefsof Gbd, yet CbytheXd^hnonyofPim/^i(bey.had' z^ZeihoCod, The iery Heathens that fiaificetbr|)fe'tils,'haStnot- fkntsKtitetitiorlit <b to^ do, ' as apj)ekis by thcif inlgr^tk).n • ob the Akir at Athens^ Al^s- 17. ^ 3 . 7otbe mkttoipA Godi ' The true Gbd, though unknbwnithey propounded as the OhjqBt of their Worilnp> yet felHng into thofer ways ofdevbtibn w^iidi' the Devil had ^re- fcribcd,' t^icrfe imre^imfcoqW not hinjlej !i«tytllat,tliev bccirrit liit-
-'^- Thirdly^
Thirdly^ Men may be Servants to Satan under grelt 'affiifances 4iridconfidencesoftheir J«/ere/f inGod i many go to Hell that, have lived with Lord^ L(?r^ in their Mouths > thofe mentioned in Efa. 48. 2. that had nointereft in Truth and Righteoufi^efs when ' they folemnly fware by the name of the Lord, yet tb^ called tbtm^ felvtt of the Holy City^ and flayed tbemjilver upon the God of Ifrael.
If it (eem ftrange to any that the(e ProfeflSons, Intentions, and Objeft. Confidences are not enough to {ecure Men from this chadrge, but that they may be fecretly Slaves to Hell. lAnfiver,
Firft, That thofe do not neceflarily conclude that the Heart of 4^* fuchMcn isrightmth God, Formality, natural Con£:ience, and the power of Education may do much of this : for though we. grant that fuch are not eonfciom to themfel ves of any real defign of faving Satan, yet they may either (b far tnifs xtinthtway of their Service, offering that as well pleafing to God, which indeed he hatesCand that through wilful and affeded IgnoranceO as thofe of ^whom Chrift fpeaks, Job. 16.2. that (hould think the kjOing of God's Giildren a feice of acceptable. 4Sem{:e> Or they may x Co iniftaken as to the^^iiiceri/yoftheir Hearts,, that they.rnay think they have adelign to pleafe God in doing of what he requires in order thereunto, when indeed it may not be fingly/w God^ but for themfUves th^t they vfOTcky in a felf-gratification of their n^irr^/ Zeal for their way 9 or their £/}eeiii,Credit, and Advantage may prl« vately influence them, Tather than a Sfirit of Life'^tnd Porper.
Secondly, Theiviwj^which theydo, and the Ends they (crve, * will be evidence againft profeilions and intentions. ^Tis a fure rule, ~ that the workjhews to whom Men are related of Servant s^znd it is laid down as a certain Standard to meafure the Hearts of Men by,^when pretences and perfwafions (eem to carry all before them. Rom.^. 1^, Hn Servants ye are to whom yoH obey, i Joh.3.8, 10. He that commit tetb Sin if of the Devil: intbUtbeChildren^ofGod aremanifefi^ ' and the Children of ilx Devil i that is, when it becomes a quelHoa to whom a Man belongs, whofe Child and Servant, he is^it rauft be determined by the works he doth : if he engage in the ways of Sin.,hc is of the Devil, let him profefs what he will to the contra- ry. This fame Ballaiice Chrift ufeth to try the truth of the Jetvs pre- tences to God, Job. 8. 34. fFbjfiever conimittetb Sin^ is the Servant, of Sin 'j they boatted high, but he (hews theip that feeing theiK^ dcfigns and works were Hatred, Envy, Murther, &c. wWch arc
Y app>
170 3t Streatife Of VmAiu
apfxntntly from Satan; it was evident they had karned thcfe of him*) and he corcbidesby this proof^ ver. 44. that they wen if their Father the Vevil. Thusmaywefay of thofirthat pretend they honour God, they defie the Den1, they intend well, if yet they give themfelves up to the pleafing of the Flelh, if worldly mind* cd, ifiheylivcmftidc, Strife, Envy, Malicjoufiiels, c^c which are works of the Devil, it is not all their pretences that will inti* tic tbefiito God i but tbey^re f for all this) the Devils Servants, «s<l6ing his works. Jf^lic. This n^ay put Men upon enquiries, who are yc for? wbofe
Servants are ye ? There are but twothat can hy daim to you,and thefe twodivWe the whole World betwixt them, there is no ftate of Netttralityy you areeither God's Servants, or the Devils, ye can- not ferve them both > now if the Lerd be Cod^ firve him, Satan's Service is Bale, DiihonouraUe, Slaviflii the Service of God, Free- dom, Honour, Life and Peace : there is indeed nocomparifen be- twixt thein. Happy then is that Man that can (ay the Lord is his Lot and Portion, that can conne into God^s Prefence, and there in his Integrity, avouch the Lord for iris God s That can ftand up- on it. My Sent ha^hfhid mfo the Lvrd^ tbm arttgy God^ and I have nene hi^es thee ) (fther Lords h^mhaddambthn over m^ hut we will makg mefttien ofthyNsme only.
This Temptation thou^ it were in it (elf horrid, and as a Biood of Vipers knotted together, which at once could (end out (cveral ftings,and make nwrny wounds Cas hath been noted h) yet in tbc way of propounding, Satan (eems to infinuate the largen^
ofhispidScr, andthe^<»/ffefirand inconfiderableneisofrhe Ser- vice required : as if he fliould (ay. See horn free I am in my Kindne/t^ I mil not fiiek^to give thee ebe Kingdmrof tbeW^orld^ andtheGloryof ) tbem^ and aO ^14 for fi fmalt a matter^ ^ hewing h^oreme^ or doinr
tmd little Reverence. This gives us to OWerve,
ObC p. 2'*** »^*f ^ ^^^ ^^ »cfe« 'f^ i^, ihan to enffave Men to bk Sen-
vice^ yet he wiSfnfowid Sin as sfinaV things or bnt one aSrfSin^ as athing not valuable^ to engage tbemto him. Not buttliat he dedres to run Men to excefe in Wickedne(s, arid delights to l^e them with both hands earwftly work Iniquity with gree^mfi i yet svherc he (testheConlciencesrf Men fquemifh, and that they cannot bear Temptations to c^>enand common ProphaneneG without dan- ger of r«w/r from him, there he (eems jimJ^, and requires but (broc (mall thing at leaft at lirll, till the W8\y s of Sin bc&mc more
fittmliar
Chap. 20. ^titrn's^Kmr^tatims. 17%
familiar to tbem, and then wbea thef csm betcar bear ity he doubles the tale ofBrid^^znd with greater confidence can urge then^ to things of greater ShaaieandEaortoky* That this is hi» way, appears,
Firfty From the commoti Argument which he u&th at firft to thofe whom he would dkraw oS honk a more c^ efol Converfaticm which is this : Do fuch a thing, it's but for ^nct^nd but litHe^ o- tliersdo the Ukf and deaaur nonor the ^ do as great matters as thi» comes to ^ 'tisbuCafimU things confidering the Strait or the Advatiug0 that maif aocsew.TMs is his uRial Nore to candidatt^ Ini« quity, as experience of all doth teftify.
Secondly, That this is (b, is al(b evident from a ConCderation of the feveral mys and courfes of Sinners. Some are tempted and overcome by <»/iei^;i^ of Sin, and n^t ^ ^ff urged to others; Some go to Hell in a way of Covetoufnefs : Others are pretty un- blameable in moft ofthei^ carria^s, but 'afe overcome by a proud Humour: Others are given to Drink, and yet will tiot Steal nor dealfidiely: Others take a more cleanly way to Hell, rely upon thdr own Righteonfiieis, or are engaged in Enot, aid their Life of herwife fiooorband £ii& The jian in Chnft's time were enly OigagedagwBftGbn^ a»d&rth<kTradkion^ but notmole^ fied with Temptations to open Idolatry as fornnerly. Thofe who are Ignorant, are not troubled with Temptations to delpair, or inward Terrours. The Reafons of his dealing thus are thefei
Firft, He fees that oneSiiiibMr«r(yproftcmed^ isenough tofig-» nifyHMMg^Tohim, andtogivefaimPoiflfeffioa* A$wetakePo£l ftffibn of L;afid by X Tor^ era Twig : (b by one Sis. admitted i^kh fuB ]MAifN3ft of Mind^SataoLisletinto the Heart. As:a PeAoy willbefufficfentearneftfor t Bugaio of a tbou&nd Pound: & may one Sin be aF/cdj^oreasneft. tor the nJ^h Soul in a Leagfu with- Hell.
Secofitfly, Heknow^thatoiieSmpcrfififidiii may he enough todtihroy theSoul v k^one#^iaiiaisq|t fiLill, oHe Le^mayifiak z Ship.
ThinDy, He Itnows that one Sia bred^ the Ccvenatiti of God;, and turns the Heart from him, if Men give up tbemfelves to it.
f ourtM^, <Dfie Sm mif^fy purfued, itaakea st Mao giuky of the Breach of the whf4 Lap>^ it ddlroys' levelanxlt sefpe^ to Qod> .
Y 2 under-
171 :a Cteatif e Of Part in.
undervalues his Authority, contemns his Threatnings and Pro- mifes. Fifthly, One Sin is enough to make iTifyfbrimire, where Sat^ * Would have more, yet at firit he is pleaied with it as a hoi^zfM be« ^ &nning \ it makes room enough for. the Serpents Head, and. then he w ill afterward eafily Wind in his whole fiody* . Affile. This may warn us not to be imboldned to any- Sin by the plea
6[ dimimifion i not to venture becaufe it may feem little, or be but for once. A true Chrii^ian (hould be a perifed Vnherfalifi^ he (hould be univerfidiy a^ab^ all Siuy and univerfaHy for AU • Duty.
e H A P. XXL
*
Of mrldly JPUAfure. Proofs that this u SatufisgreAt Efigine. What there is in Worldly Delights, tAat makt them fi^ Counsels d»d Cdfttions Againfi tba Snare;
I
Come now to the Argument which Satan uied for all this, AH . thefetbingf mil I give tbee s he cads a Golden Apple before him, and (eeks to entangle htm by Worldly Greatneis and Dclighn ^ I (hall not examine how true. or' faUe^atan fpake, when he called all thefe things his, and that he could give them* to whom he. would, 'tis enough for our purpoft to take notice of his pre- tence, (b far as might make his Offer probable, and then^ob- ferve, Obf^ .lo, ^^ ' the* greats Engine ji^hid? Satan^Mfttb to draw a»ay ^ Heart
from God to his Service^ is ff^rldly Fkafitresand Delighr^
I (hall firfl ifaew, that this is Satans ^eat Engine, and then ex- plain what is in it, that fits it &> much for his purpoie. The'iir/i crf'thefe is evidenced by thefe particulars,
Firft, The Scripture doth particularly note to us,* ^ Veceit or Guile to be in Worldly Pleafures, ChriA, in Mattb. 13,22. {peaks of the deciitfulntfiofKUhts v and that deceit is expreiTed by fuch a
word
Chap. 1 1 :; ^a(tin'5 5Cetttptat(onflf. 1 7^
word as fignifies a drawing ont of the way^ a mifleading » fe that *yi7»f, ab «
be means notthe uncert^rinty of thefe delights fin which fence 'tis pr*v. &T«t©-
£ttd, thatKicha t^tbemfelvts Wings and fly away^) which often
difeppoint and deceive the expeditions ofthofe that do moft hug
theri). Nor can this be underftood of Riches in an aHhefehJe^ as; •
we attribute deceit to Men, who as rational agents can contrive and
devife Snares s but it only means that thefe are fo ObjeSive^ as ^
things that are abufed by Satan, to delude znd betray the Sons of
Men. And thefe arefbfreqaently made ufeof by him for fuch pur-
pofes, andwith fuch advantages of Power and, Provocatibn, that
Chrift elfewhere (Matth. ip* 23.) {peaks of it as a thing almoft
impbifible, to have Riches and not to be enfnared by them : A
rkhManJhall hardly enier into the Kingdom of Heaven^ which A£iri^
and LtAs exprefs by an afledionate amaiement, 0 how hardly can. •
a rich Man befavedl
Secondly, Thfcfe are Sataiip great Net^ which inclbfeth MuTtf-^ tudes V zgeneral Bait, by ^hich moft arehdoked fnto th^ Service of Sin. Meft Teniptations ceme from thiis Ocean, as Springs from the Sea h the Luftofthe Flejh^' the Lffidfthe Ey/, the Pride ofUfe^ have their Original from the liTarW, ijoh.2.16. Chrift fpeaksof this Mammon of mri^iftiaHfneP^ as the only thing that ftands up ia competition fbr the Hearts of Men againft God, Matth. 6. 24. and the.*Apoftle 2 Iiiff. 3. 4; reckoning up the various way s of par* ticularLufts, as Covetoufne(s, Boafting,Pride^ Blafpheming,. e^c». concludes them all under this, that they are liwers of Vteafures more than lovers of God H fliewing us thereby, that though the LuftsoT Men might run out diverfe ways^ and be exercifed upon diverfe particular Objeds, yet they all borrow their Original ftom Worldly*. Pleajwes^ and their deiign is -nothing but that in the general. . Hence is it that fbme make the World the great Traytor to Godifor ^ though they reckon up three great Enemies to God and Man, the Worlds the F/f/&, and the VtiAly yet thefe three agree in one^ the . f leafing of the Fl^ is the great ena altid defire olF natural Men, the World is the Stcfrerh&ufe^ from which Men draw out feveral Plea- fures according to the feveral ways they take in Ratifying their. . Lufts and Humours, and the Devil is only officious to help all this forward^ by inticing and perfwading them to meiks thefe provifions fottheFlefh^ And who can think other, but that this muft be Satans great Effgrfff, when (as hath been fiid;^' firft, the World, andthePIeaiiiresofit, isthe/iirii» of all- Iniquity, containing in'
it
- ^tr4 "Zizmtitt of Part. in.
it vktH^Vy or aauMy the Tranfgreffion of the whole Law, the n^ It isofatteva, 1 Tim. 6. lo. all prophanenefs againrt Go<L aH negkdof Duty all Outrage, WtxMig, or InjufticetoManTmaT Cand ufua ly doth; fpring from hence, infomuch that fora^ haTC particularly traced it through wry Command of the VecaloaueMd found It guilty Ceither as Principal or Acceffofy) of every IniSiitr (2.; Our thoughts may be the more confirmed b this, when w^ fee an Men mangled by it : for albeit that /*»« Temptations fecm dmSly to rarry Men from a Im or care of the World, as Defeat terrouR *f Mind, voluntary Humility, neglecting of the Bo-' dy, andothersofthefamekindi yet iff he matter h? oonfidered the truth m hand cannot bc^m«<&eJ by fuch an objcdion. f^ ■ fiO thofewhofeemm^/A^ofConfcieve moftto hatbZ World, wereyet/F^ff entangled by it,and the coifKJeration oftfaj Gmlt Cwhethaat pelent juftly, or unjuftly charged upon tfa^ IS the ufual«B»ii«i of tkefe troubles. ' And C^O Sofe whoftZ " to ««^^*e Money, Riches, Plenty, a-c. W C k ««7t ^
^ffTTf^ Worldly Luibi for Pleafures of the World cJ^ /r-fW whatfoever may arife from say thing that is in thTwSST tothedelightofLife. Honour, Pride, ffiLlXS ^en^orldlyL^s, as v^ell as Covetoufcefs, and ddireofffi?? Ru^e. And thofe that feem to deny thi.f3v^?SS?.
v«y -uch^.<«^intheir P«/e/«.Sffh^a;P^
fSvl"'5^^°^'''°^' 'J^^f^^dtohavc^ven ijTthe^dv* TO God. Vemat wasonce comraendedby PW as his FcS S
bourer, Fhkm.v. 34. yet atlaft it fc prevailed SZhim £^
cotnp^atned, 2 Tim. 4. 10. that l>mihaJfirfSiT^.S^!r
Kedh.sbackui«nhisP«,feirK>n, andfofer riflS«r iS!:
which horrid Apoftacy was his Imt to th« treCm W<M T7 feemed refolute not to ad any thin« ztSSJi^.u *^
fi^lmUock,beforetheaildrenoflintl tS W^J?^'
ftemed to differ fiom thegqod ground, only ia thi^^ ^al ^
Fruit
[ •"
Chap. 1 1 • ^at<in*fi? ficmptationflf. try
Fruit was grten and not ripe fas L»ii^ exprdleth it ) thy brmtgh not Fruit to PerfeSioH : They were cib94%^inthe{el«ir beginning . and offers for Holineis, by the Cam and Pleafmts of the ff^arUL All Ages abound with inQances of this kind- ; Mnoi Sybnm preached againftthe Vape^ iet up the Council above biiti, commended the Germans for oppoHng him : but Preferment made him alter his note, and at lalt he became Piispr himicl£ Ebwicr the Perfecutor ieemed at Ikik a ^W Mfir, a Favourer of iMtbefs Dodrine, but advancement changed him to a bloody ^•olf^, a cniei Tygar. Sf^ lato forCx)k t^y-^ but (miffing thoie Dignities which heaimed at in England) was upon hopes of g^tatcr pr^ermcnt, induced to iick up his Vomit, and to own fepay again. How many Exam** pies have we of tho& who the hi^ tl^ grew in the VTorkl, be* came more c^d^ of. Religion > as Sixtm Hmnxm^ wiio went as fall ^^(^ia Religion, as he wcntfurmnd in Promotion : (b that he that at Hrft entring into Oiders, }»da pod Ir^^of his Sali- vation, by that time be came eo be Pefe^ he wcame fb wkked that hcdefiaired of Happiness.
Fourthly, This Temptation is one of Satan's toft Re^/, and often prevails where Ferficutim cannot* The Thorny-ground- hearers were above thoie of the Sttony-grouad in this, that th^ fiood out the Storwi^ and bore the foorcbing Heai of Periecutioii^^ but then the IPi^r/^d^^^it^ them. Sad experience telts \x^ that Churches (hat did thrive and gcow as the P#6«-#r0e under their Preffkresy wertCpoikdhytaliind plenty^ which ib checked the Seeds of Pride, Vanity, andContentioo^that they grew upa-main, and did more to their deflation, than the cruelty of all their fax* ce/i Enemies. JhU^ who by thegrcateft Art and Policy, ftudied to overthrow the Cljpftians name, fo oMerved this, that he made ^^-fu"* | it his rule, rather to corrupt Mm by fOnooers^ then to (»mpel tbtm by Ms^^pro^ai'e Tvrments : we have alio found that though the Romahf Synagogue quarm toimcn- ioyn force to SubtiUy in the advancement of their Dagan^ yet they "^ cogere ftu- bave ftUl looked upon this Temptation of the World zs molt likely ^"i^--^^^^-*"- • to gain the Hearts of their rational oppoftrs : Cmdty could over^w the Senfl^ Multitude, and could take out of the way thofe of - whofe oppofition they were aftaid, but it fcldom with fucccfe, wrought upon Peifons Tguidcd by Light and Conicience j to a compliance^ that wouM hold long : for though at lirft (bme good ' Men were over^-awed to make fubicriptk^n and to recant, as it did p^x Ads and ' ^ithBUney^ Bainbam^ Cranmer^ andieveraiothas i yet upon the ^^^
work-
17^ ' ^ ^ SCteitttfe 6f -Part, Ifl.
' V ^vorking t)f ConfcnHct Caftdr the flound and darie of (he Tempta-
. tion was ovf r) they recw/e^ forcfolutely upon them, that they loft
more than they gained that way : But thofe that were willing to
nibble at pretern.ents^ became theirs i»l>oVy. Thus they let upon
. Ltitber^ GaUacew Otrr^ccMm^ Dutaylor^ and- a great many mof e
. though to no purpofe, for they were ready to bid their Afc^grpe-i
,rifh mth thtm^ and to bid defiance tb their Favour as well as to
their Frowns. Not withftanding they have made many real Con--
qu^s by this Weapon, and accordingly this is reckoned among the
Temptations of greateft force, Heb. 11.37. 1^ tpmfiifHtd^ they
were favpn aftmder^ they were tempted^ that is, by the Pleafuresand
Preferments of the World : it feems the Holy Ghoft would point at
this C how fair and plaufible (bever it be ) as one of the DeviFs
moft powerful Engines.
Next 1 promifed to difcover what it is in the World which makes it (b Ht for Satan's defign;.
Firft, The World brings or aifoids fit matter to be made the I Joh. t, 1^. ^^^'^^ of Luft. For thisreaibn the Apoftle in the place aforecited forbids us fo eameftly to love the World, or the things of the World, becaufe there is nothing in it which \s not imfroveable^zs anoccafion, or Provocation to Lull, fFbatJoever if in the Tf^arldii Lffi (f Fle/h or Eyes or Heart > and there is no Luft but it may be furniftied with a.pioper Obje<ft from hence, the Appetite, Senfes^ or Afiedions fetch aJl their delights from hence.
Secondly, Bdides the common Materials of Sin that are digged out of this Idiat, the Woxkl hath (bmething of an aptitude in it to tempt. Not that it hath^<?^er/^and formally, infidiationis annrntm^ an a3ive Subtilty to lay (hares for Men, but yet it is not fo purely : pajjhfe^ as to make it altogether Innocent. Thpre is fbmethingof a H Curfe upon it, ever fince by the fall of Man, it was looftied from its proper primitive ends h and as the Devil {pake by the Serpent, fo doth he urge, fpeak^ tempt, andiniinuate^t^^i^r/^!/, {bthat it isitillanoccaflon of danger to us, and hath a fpecial advantage over our aflfeAions upon feveral accounts. As (!•) in that it is in its k\i lawful to be ufed. (2.) In that it isfuitable to our defires and tempers. (^^) In ibme lefpeds Jt might be ;iec€(^)^ and ad- vantageous for the comfort of Lite, for the (upport of Pamilies,and to enable us to be helpful toothers. C4O It is near to us, under pur Eye, wehavefamiliarcoilverfewithitj it is frill with us. (5.) vWe have znati^al propet^ty to be in love with it > the Flelh would
ftia
I
Chap. II. ^mtfii%mot$itiong, trr
fiiin be plealcd, and nothing is^niott anfwcqble to k than the pleafurcs of the World.. iVe need not wonder then^when we fee ' it (b highly capivsting the aBfti^ons <>f Men, and leading them bound in ,Cib4in/ and Fetters : Some make it their GmI, Gain isallpfid. 17. 14. their Gtfi/M(j7and Religion > they leek their ParthB in tbk JUtfii this is their Tre#/iffe, ami here is their iHbrf, and it would be no lelswonderifSatanfiiould be guilty of lb much over^ht, zs to nc^ed the uieofanlnfinimeoc which is every way (b iitted for his purpofe.
Thirdly, Befides this &irpio(peftwhidi it gives to Sin, it hath an emiuty to God and his ways,which is no \€& advantagious to the Devil ; This is pofittvely aflkmed J^m. 4. ^ the FrimdpHf ^Ak IFarld^ k Enmity mtb God f not only is this true in a lower (enfe, 9S zlAnJkrance^ being backward and averfetoit, but it isa^^lMI op{toiitk)n and contrariety to God and his Service 9 its Jramng iMck and hindring, ischa^eenoughagginftit: for it (lO mA^ drswf tboft thoi^ts, aftduMs^ time, care, and enddvoutc, which (hottld be laid out uponfcf^crtiiingS) fo that Holine($ muft needs beobfirudted, dwindle and decay by it. (a.) Il hinders tht influence of Heaven, it (huts out the li^t eaufaJly^ quencheth and idiAeth the Spirit, and merkmottf^^aifbit provokes God to with* . draw,to remove iiis Glory,and to give over his ftriving with them 1 « But the contrariety that it hath to all the farts o{ Ifelineis lis yet more, Chrift notes it Manb. 6. 34. Th^ittwo Mafiers^ God and the Wor]d,are contrary in their T>efigns^ in thefar Commands^ in thdr Natmresj iothat itisimpoSiblefbr any Man to ferve them both: they both require the HEuvt, . and they both require it to contrary and i>ic0^n^tf^/e Services and Ends: Thefetben arc fuch Makers, as would be Vomini in Soliinm^ Matters of the whole. Now theee Grtitti in loe» cannot be twoM^ers oione tikngm that (enfe, neither (if there were) couldtheHeartsof Men ferve thefe diiierent commands^ but their work would neceflarily engage their afledions to one only > they wouldci^kr hve the am ajtdbatt tbe otber^ or bold to tbe aneandde^fitbe other : This very confideration (if there were no more) doth render the World a defirable Infirument for Sal- tan. .
Fourthly,In all this the World hathfo aunysCmning Tyijffiifeij and plauiiiile 5iEtt^/, that jt becomes thereby wpnderfully Service- able to Satan. 'Tis the perl^^n of wicked toliy^ to manage wicked defigns under^/^ii^. pretences >.tbefc the. World hathjn
Z readi- ^
mdinds,wBea'ti»tcnrfWofX«Wi««aiidtkcacherya8rinft<^ i- Tte pleas of Ntt^^PMfecQdoa of a Ani/«/OiUuig,of *n,wefcBr for a Family, c£tgit mgUOiagtiKbeMtiutiEGody of cburat t^ Hean, and taking the Cotsfimsiof the Laboivs of their IteKk' andag>:catmaoym<tfc» uexeadf tetatfa to ilvaMd ok the force of the convinciflg Worduhefe the Dewl drives home^and/^^m diem iiwo fuch fhvntfttfm^Hf, that theddoded Sioow «raiot fee the iMpr that is before him, nor the Sj^tual AMtoy at Uttatiy of his Soul, in his excdiive love to Worldly Pleafures.
fifthly^ The World hath«MbaSpWtualF«yeiiMiJM and WiidH craft, by which Cwherektech ooe^prevailcd; Men arec9dhmMtl toaniitter/&ig<»/Wt<|?ofthcinfeIvesandGod, a«d beiagdmok irtth Pfcafores, they are eaffly engaged to a nadnefs andheidit 6f Folly. Some like foolift Chikli<en,ate made to keep a scat «^ M the Worid forgery triflttjRx a PtiH/km ; they chink themfiivcs gttfat, honourable, exodkat, andfor th» make a great Airffc. Whcnthe World hath-nofe added*»» Cuiit t» tbw SiMtn of nd mitth.-' <Maxs are by this Cine mnsfotmed into St^mm Chbt- tw«, andaathe^part of t^mt and %<r/. Otherslike Swi>» Urailow in the Lufts of unckanaels. Others arc mmmMHed ■ pat- tiftgoffallnafutalaft^onsi, care not whatheyridcover, footer tiwfftite, or be madeGifait. Others a(« taken ^•<kh riJumU^
fmziefy fothat aMftwthatlkndsin tiiet*»/jf&d»<?of4fe4teeoottw jwfutt #ouId iudgthcmout«y **«fr.»*r/. h would mtikea Man admire to«»d ot^thaFiishs ittCMok (Utigiils, X«ncti\ AUkmhJo' and many odier^ who becaafe they nrwe above maoy Men thought thAnrelve$afa(»ve,6M«M«TArMm» 5^ they foMatf thtv were tow, and mufti«, anddidfcchthlogsas woutdhaVe roa<4them (hut that thek grMtncfiovtr-awcd it)a /A«i«g-5ft«Jt and com- mon foom CO ChiWren-Ndther mjift we think that thefe were hue iome/ep or rare inftanccs of wdrldly «!*»»««»«, when the Scrio- wrenwesitasagenewldiftemper ofall that bow down to w(S- mpthialdoi. They twiwithm Otd in thfPirid, (aith the Apo- » » J'«t«, they locany it a»if there wert ir* God to take no- tice of them, to check them for thehr madncfs. G«dUm im at bis tboHgbtt, filth Vavid, ffal. 10. 4,5. The Judgments cfGodate ^^vemrfiimrSi^, hep«flfeathisEn€»Bi5, «nd fifeh S \^lit2tti^btika neverMwved, 8fe. The Whole Pfak» defiabes the Worldling, asa Maaihat hath Itjftattunderftandfee and wciead»gtfcefMttefal^^^.iMlfiMi .what- tteD<S J- .
znoic
moie Ht Eagbefor the]>evil to work witln tliaQ the PIcaTurt^ of thcworid? •
I (balllirieAy apply this to m» Com of Men*, thdfe th^c ^^firait- A^lic. Httf with waat acid ncceflttie^;, md thpfe wbplccwp/ tm (wr^ ha- ning all ^ibtff tikcr Hitfyf «2M D^«
* Firft, Tothofe that think their fmafkre ofoucvirard Comfort^ thtUj I would from the Dodtinc now explained^ tell them titttthey haveootibmuch caiife tpzfexand diiqulet themielvesl^ their Poveny^ or Jranblu^u they apprehend. The World is not (o defjieeUea tbiiig) as many dr^am 9 did but Men confider how great a/ir#neitis, and What i^xgcf/ attend the fullnefs of t(, .they would not fi) camefily eatftt it, nor fo paflionatehr lamm^ .when it &fs &om them. If thou h^ fo much GpdUneii^ as pan qnia thy Heart in a contented enjoyment of thy /i^/c, tbat little whidx thon hzA^shemr than fftM ridw iftbf vnd^d : thqu little l^QW^ efttemirfc^ ffide^ Infancy, CooiL^pt of God ^n^ Men« fi|id[ many other Temptations andLuAs Cod doth frfjerv^ thee, by 4-
Ea^hly things : thou art npw (it may be> often lool^ %uptp God, jbvifiiig to believe his Word, often examining thy Heart, /^f^Mr^ig to live upon God, and his AUfuiflSciency, hi^ng after the Bread, that endures to £t«m$^l 1!^^ >; when if thou haidU^ tkeTemptations clPlmty Cit may . be feared j thoii wpi^ldlt b^ <^r mberhUny and be carried away .to forget Qod, to be carelds of Holy walking, and (b make way for Bitterneis and Sono w at la/t^ ' Secondly, I would alio cautkui Poor Men not to enlofge ftKlv defoes. too much after the World, but to &ar the Tonptatipns of the. Worlds; it is fio; only a fiiare to tho^ thac^a;^ it,, butto thoiie that 9^4/2^ it • for while they, admire jt, afid engage4beir AScAions for it, it «n(bares tjbem ixxfmfiil under* '^Aftp-y they are tempted to JL>v, Cbe^^ Dijfemble^ toa^ unlaxp^ ^l Shifts, ^ to R»b^ Sh»l^ Wi^re^ in ^atgaining^ znixqnegleS tbecarc of the Soulin aU* Let (^di qall itomincTCiO that i^ten ^seJpA}irididnced(r Goid dpth^of purppje ihmgjn and crois the de- iigti$:of:fu(iv» fo that though tbey tayUn4 fweat^ running fiom i&fket'toMock^, ripoge^ly^ mlfmingf^l^y YahthJomiup- cii4iieir gottings, and they, wither to noth^ng^ v^hiU it isyef in tMr^mtiy <^ if they Ieem:tp keep them ipiigpri yet all the end they make witbtlKm, iis:b«t toput the^ inijo a, ^^ ^ith b$Ut^ ^femfifiy fMtrapd^ : E^lff^^. 14. (^,) They ioiften ^e at ^
gi^at deed of idboonin:faiifuk, %mi .tJicn mkc» t^ ^^f^e^-R^^ • *^ 22' is
*\
• • •
is pritbin tbdr nadl^i they are overwhelmed with their difi^ohn^- «M#, asifProvideqeedeiigned to modl^^them for their Folly. This* if exceUentlyfet forth, intheEmbUm^fahis^climbMgup a Rock) with great labour to reach a Cromn that hang upQtk £e Predfict^ who when he had fhretched himfelf to p4^ it, &lfe down aiid ^tfil;ir to Ifd^' C^O And when they do by great toyl rakg toge* ther an beaf of Riches, they uejtarvtd frequently in their Plenty, and fo curftd that they have no more tim tbebeMdi^rf tbnr. ic£ s« 1 1* Goodt with tbm Eyer^ in that God denies them a HeMt 19 1^ tbam^^ C4O Thdr gettings allay not their Thirft for oooce, Hstbgtlmmh^ SilPer^ fioB not be fatkfyedfritb Silver^ £ocle£ 5. lo.. C5O Often, they aregiven as a/cmrr^eand Plagne v as the ^maUs given to the Ifiaelhefj earn wtafiMrNofbrUi. The wife Man nocesit, £^e£i 5«I3« KiAtsanhmftrtbeOwmfttber^tothurlfiH.
Secondly, To tho(e that bavttbe JkUgbt^ of the World, plenti*^ fuIEAates, full Tables beautiful Houfes, rich. Tradings, Ho*^ noursandlXgnities: I wbuld deCre toEivethegreateft caution,, that they take heed to themfelves, becauK they v^alkM tbemi0 of Snant. Thefe (boald confider (lO that the great God bath kii^ mofi ferious charges upon them, fiHtohvetbe fKarld^ but to withn draw their Aflfedions fibm it, nay to be Crmc^ed to it, . as to amr. captivating delight, andto li/^it with fuch an Lidifferency of odnc^ that they ftpuld be in their deportments towards it, zsifdMyufii Hm^ (2O They fliould have their danger in tiE«ir£j«JEJk>wcai«n V fill is he of his fleps, that knows he walks in*themidA of Strfems whichrare ready toiling htm \ the thoughts of this (hudd blunt ' die edg of onr Delights. If you were at a Feaft where you knew there were poyfoncd Di&es, you would beafficaid to eat anv thing. Do you think that Optain Smtbmhtn he was taken by tne Sd^ . vages ofAmmca^ and had plenty of Meat&t before him Cwhidr. he knew was given to firt ten him, that he might be better .Kfeat^; when he veas killed) had any Storoack .to Eator to Drink I IVas tliat Feaft pkafing to him tha^&t under a jharf^SfimdiBaDii ornlusUcsLdinzHorJiHair^ Mflien lie expedcxLev^ momcne it fliould tall upon him and kill him i Such are great Mdn^ rich Men 9 with* what fearand care fliould they ufe thefe thmgs^ when they know there is hazard-of miichief fionuhem upon every 00- «ifion ? How niudi doth Chrift fpeak in -that joDc . SentencCi it is ufktfm a CofndtagQ thrm^tbi fiys vfa.Needk, tbaitfors fiebMm to tmnimo tbtKiagdomrf'HMmU He meiins not that'tia ^ifphoi^
*t
lykifoffiUt^ hutextnamlydiffieHit^ and the difficulty lies in the hindeiances which their Riehes caOs before thehi. C3.) They 0iould carefully confider, for what ends God gives thefe^ and to what iffi they are to be put. Rich Men are but God's Fmjersythey dabatr^frry#|peB4|^,andwhatisputthereid)for^^/id^iiye/) ifae-* ^ cofdingly, as faitUul Stewards, they lay it out upon thofe that hntnm^thsjibAli md^ Friends rftbtmm .
^.^^Mdlltum to aSpirieual-Atcoant : but if they think that all is foi tBdafthes; and fo (hut their Bowekt^and Pur(es from others, then they carry tlieB^ no otherwiie, than ^s Judas did, and will be eiafily perfwaded to fell Chrift and Heavta for a Utth mart of Eartk.
CH A P. XXIL
Cf'Cknjff Jmfiver imtbegenerd. tbst thefe Trnptdti^ 0ns vpere ufon defignfor oiir InfirtiStion* Of the Agrees meni htwxt EpheU tf . 4Md Mactb. 4^ thefirji Uire^ dhm. Ofconrdgiaus Refilves in refifisMg temfUtiom. hs cmji^ency with fime. kind ^f ftMr. The ntceffity ^ thk Ctmrdge^ Wherein it con^fis } dndthat there it d coth rMgeinmMrnhgSfiritf.
1"^$ic(c Anfwersof Chfift to thefeveral Temptations -( whidl i ',i are now tobe explained) arei^S^^ren^as to their iPMffir, yet the gmrdUnrpart of them being the fame^ | (hall therefore handle tBem together. They may beconfidered twoways^ - ^
Fir(t,As.they are iit and pertinent anfwers to particular Tempta«< tiOT^Gi i>ifbn^y of FnjumfHon^ oijy^ancbbig the Heart by ^ ff^&rldly Veligks to thft^Service of Satan > and thus may they be uiefiil in their conlideration, to thofe who are diredly moved by Satan to (uch Sins. And when at any time we are tempted in ilraits > to afi dmeymt rMddce iTpon the careful Providdnce of God^ we may look uppn Chrjft's Anfwer^ that Mdn"/ Life doth not Co depend Upou the ii!^#MMfif^ but tbat any other thing blefied by
Divine .
f%l Qi%tt&titt(if .f^ait.1tl.
iviflie Appointment vEAyhe ofeful to that end. Whea we aicen- ticcd to frejume of extraffrdittaryGj^ppoits i then 1^ Chrift's Exam^ pie the Temptation may bexeiilled by confidering, that howe- ver God be to be truiled, yet be is at no time to be temped tymt* neceJfaryexfeSatiQns intheitf^ffiof the ordin^ means. If our Hearts be wooed byfFerldfy Ptligbts to^^nff' imreart cf God and Religion V we may then cafl to mind; that this is 4thmimMe Idol^try^ and fo may we turn off our- Hearts from fiaful compli-* gnce, by charging our Souls with the oppofice Duties, upon a true dipr^very of the vilenefs and incoovenienee of the tranfgrefli-*' . ons urgf d upon us. ....
But Secondly, They may be confidered as they give InJhrmdiM for the manageuient of our SfiritKal Arnumt againft all Satan^s Wiles inthege;«rtf/, and in this Senfe I fliall lendeavour to open them, laying down firftthefetwoConclufions:
Firil, That the w'Wfiif^^^ of thpfe Temptations, aspermit* ted to Satan, andfiiboiitt^untobyChrift, ^^as certainly upon dxf^gn. The fime Wifdom that contrived the wonderful method of the Salvation of Men by a Redeemer, . did ^o order diefe Temptations \ for el(e Chrift could have fnvented them, or by a liivine Authority commanded Silence to the Tempter, and by his Pd^pwt might have chafed him away. AsChritf told Pitoe, Jhou amlifti>mftno fmer a^ ail agMiift mtettcm'it were given tbu fiwn eime \ thereby manifefiing that his differing was ftofn an higher defign than he was aware of : fo might he have (aid to the Devil^ ixceft thU had been defigned by an Eternal CemJH^ %bm ^oedd^, jm^ have made this attempt. So that we muft look further for the ^ing and rift of this, than to any fuppofed cecafional ontbreak^ng of Sa- tankal malice upon him;
* Secondljs That tbisdefign, .however it touched upon the Per- fen and Offices ofChrift, as Mediator and fecond ^Jl^ (for thus it became \i\m topvercome the Etieiiiy ^ctfce feme Weapon,' by which heovercanae o^ir ^Arft Raroots^ ,andby iJris Perlbnal Ex-
vancs^gofru- Krft, In that.Chrift (ifhisanfwcrshadoiily«>n€crn*dhim(HO flra icnusfi might have given ^A«r/f# n?^ef, to the^ Temptation, (^ ft^;i- 9MxcmTiCi\it\^'mgSt0nestQ'BN0d: be couUhave retsv^ the ArgiAhent npod Dc%u£i$ ^^^' |asi«erw.and others obfcive) Iflamnvttbe Sim rf cU. '^ ' 'tk in vdui u npin a hSrack^me s IfJ^mt^ ""fkin podtii tempi me^
^ Ox
Chap. 14. s>Htm'& £emptations?: ^Cj '
Or he might h^vt anfwered. That at the Fatljer hath Lift in himftlf^
Jo hath be given to the Son to have Life inhimfelf^ and that by, this Pi- Mufrafm in vine TomrbecoHli fujiainhimfel/mthoHt Bread. To the ficond^ it ^^^ ' . niight havcbccnafuiEciejot anfWer, to have excepted agaioft his mnfahhfklo^m 6X1^
diCa;>vmnghi$ nHlffdtmiJppn of the Claufc,^ £ ia at thy ways^ 1 He JhakseptbceinallthyvR^^ his Temptation might hav^ felkn to the Ground, as no way enjODuraged from that P«:omifc. To the t&rr// might have been .returned iuchtnfwers as thefc, that Satan's ejferwof aLye^tbasitifvasnotinbkP^ the Kiiigdomf
of the fTorld : 7%at thefemre Chriji^x already^ that tbefi h>ire vain Arguments to dfar»Hm from the Glory of an Heavenly Kingdom i and hnzMy^hat of aOCreathres Satan (being God's fworn Enemy.) W JeafireaJontoe9cpe3T>ivineHonojir.
Secondly, In that all Chrift's Anfwers were from Scripture CwWch isproperly, ^ Li^t tothefie^s of Men) and ali thefe Sg'ip. tures cited, Qxcw Ma/is puty i hei^ithnot, the S.oMnf GodfiaU not iive hy 'Bread alone^ but fdan lives not by Bread alone h he iaith not Chrii 'mnjihot tempt ^ bnttboM (Man J Jbali not tempt the Lor d^ thy God^ &c. By all which we may diicern, that Chrifta^iW^ed^ot by Arguments p^Hliarly: a^reeableXo his Verfgn ^eodUatt/r^^ h^bf fuchas j&it thcj^eneralfiafe of God's Children, And this pertai^Jil Viae arma ^^'afsforpur advantage, he con<jucred withfudi Weapons .^ PPtfoi quibusiibi • any neceffity that he Had to take thattouiXe,bMt for the need ^ we ^^^f^^ v^*-'^^* had offncb injiruSion \ fgr hereby we fee, that Sataa is conqi^able^ ^ andalfo ho^ we oJuft ule our Weapons. In this aJfo h^l^t^ us ^
Example^^'that i»eJhmldfolhrt> hMeps : ^s Gideon jQid to bif ^oul- ^^^ armatura diers, ofyoufeemdoyfQiUyQulikppire. Thus as .it were doth our ttoViTbif? Lord fpcaK to us, fir yoHrfak^sfufered I thefe Temptations^ that J ^uam nobis'i!-
diers, ofyoufeemdoy fochyou liksvpife. Thus as .it were doth pur aoViTb Lord fpca^ to us, fir yoftrfak^sfiffered I thefe Temptations^ that J quam now.. .,- might teach your Hands to T»,ar\^ andynasr fingers to f^t \ for yojtrjahs I'us'TyruncuJis tufedthefeWeaponsofyours^ rather than my own^ that I mightjbexvi^^^^^'^'^%^^^ you the uCeof your Sr^ord and Shield, andhox9 ypw-Jdmrfarymof- be Etnosfb^ overcome by them: dealing herein with us, as a Mjtftsrit Arms, C'ti§ ^oa^ret exem- IMufcnlm's Coinparifonj who for the better inilruAing and ^}^* *'^^' perindc matingof his T)"'<^? takes rather his P/yc/p/e/5»^<w<j/, thanhis(?»»« qwda^^fi"'^ to beat hisAdverfary withaU minding notonly the C^wJ^ of a^g^l^^m^l^ Enemy, but alfo the encouragement of a young Souldier. - iuis,iid t/run-
•Ifany catfy a fa(pitioa in their Mind, that Chrift had notour V^^^ ^'^'"** inftrudKon (b much in his Eye as hath been (ikJ, becaufc. he gives rtema? ^^^ * not ixxchpanicular Jnfimiiiotu for our fpif ituil Welfare^, as the Apo- J^^fimlm. .
lite:.
1^4 :X Cteatlfe of Pait. hl
filcm l^hf^* expeding, that our Saviour ihoDld have beca fnore^MOM/inimkingpanicularif/pZj^ of
his carriage to our u£e, and drawing out finom thence Saaacf^iiwe €09ci^ii/ or draughts of the way and «M«nr of rt£ftaDce» they may knowy that there is no other difierence bctwntEpbefl 6. and ' Maitb^ than there is betwixt Fnapt and Exam^ What the Apo- Ale there piefoibed in the Theory^here Chrift teacheth in the ^-- dicohere we have in dieir ii^,the GirJUrflrmib^Ac SbkU^Fjthb^ the Sward0ftbe Sfint^xhe HdmHafSshatim^i all the o^er parts of that Armounand withal we may know^tfaat this is a iar more ad- 5rantagi&us way of teachingyoung Beginners^to let themfee things in a plain Example, dian cmly to givegencral Precepts. Butbe- fidcs, we art to confider that Chrift did many things^ the mean- ing whereof the Dilciples theu prefent with him, did not know asyet, neither was it expeded firom them that they (hould CGke to what he laidtoPcffr, Joh*i3. 7. WhjiU0^ tbm kffwe/t Moi mm^ km tifomjhatil^imm hereafter) but were intended to be laid up i«jimtobcmorekihymadeu(eof, asii^icywfirrffim/fliouklcome in togive than information. He therefore that had purpo(ed to give further 11^ in this matter by his Apoftle and Sorant, was now doing that which his defign jed him to in his Perfonal A<2- ingn, wim zficnt n§ea alfo to thofe Infirudions which he intea* ded after tocmmuaAMe. Vf% have then no reafon to be jealous that thefe Temptatfens were not intended for our uie, • but the more to aflure our (elves that it was even fo, becaufe we find that tbof^ very ITedjpmi/ which here Chrift in his own Perfon wdUUd ag^nft Satan, are afterwards rfCMwum&i to u&
Having thuslaid the Foundation, we muft dien (if we will' Imitate our Captam) carefully obferveliis depmmem from pout to point, diat we may draw outthofb Inftroftions whidi he in- tended for us.
And the firft thing thatlfliall take notice of^ fluU be theCoMv^ and'MagnanimityofourLeaderyvhe had endured Temptations fcftydays and nights before^ and yet he keeps the Field without any appearance oifirinhtng or running away > Satan no fboner tempts, than he is repelled. From this Confideration we have this Inftru- dion, V '
Dire<f^«' u ^^ ^ ^^^ watdd faeajfully rej^ 'temfmms^ mfi n^fy^ hft
frith a couragwm refihefa tin^elfto tffofe.
Chdftx-
^
ChrifUans k^ ^pt tofw^: wheo &ftaii comes, ijf^^igatnft thorn, an^ ready to f^r^ their Baqks :\A$ the I/rjuUta^ifSfcd^^ at
the appearance of Gotiah^ ^and fled before him. , $ut if we would conauero. wemi^ (as P^^^^'-go oiU againft hlts^ in thei^kfnft vftht Lara; totluswe are caliQ^ya..C9r«i<^»J3« S^andfafi intbefaitb^ quit yattr fzlvti IS^ Mtn^ . btfirong : and £.phe£ 6. ij^ Standjfoving, your Loins girt ivitb Trtah^ &c. ThisCouragerecommendedisnot a Contempt and n^Iigent flighting of Danger, nor is it a bold ad- ventutoHpiefi \ypon occafionsofSii^t iti$ sjiHoly^ bwnbk Co$tragty ^nd doth admit of a tbrcefold lear^
Firft, Oi z ftar of Svt^ that is, ;a batted of it. We muft ftar Sin as the greateft evil : this is no Cmr^r^f, . but tends to the ftrongefire/olution^ and highefi endeavours igainfi k. From this Principle islt, that Men opp(^^Sin a^ their M»tii/ Effeiis^ and e»;ite their utmoft Courafie tqif^t f^inft it. ks ihctbilifiinu being affiraii/d of J[/r<fe/, aaayei hatingto ferve the HArews^ mu^
tuallyencour^fiedooeaoptheVEeyrfpAgv ^4 ^l^y^ felv^likf McHy Oye tM^ims. A li^c^liatred;^ ^ .
. Secondly, Courage admits of a^rmAiiii^feax^ an^^ avoidance. Occafionj of iSin are to be fled^ we are not with greater earn^efi called upon to ftand^ than we are warned in this cafe, io'fiy. So the Apofue often,^ Fornkafipf^^fy JM^^ .fyyouthfml i Cor. 6. i8i ^s.Vc€afi(^arc,b4$^^^ Calling,, and Pir?y & lo. 14.
doth not cff^e* Prov. 4* 14. Entjetnottntotbtxm) of ttheWtcks/d^ * **«• *• *»♦ Mdj0.notintben^ay iff eitil Men,, He fights beft, that flies moft, where peceflity doth not bid him fiay. , ^ Thii^y, It alfoadmi^ of the fear of an Holy Jtaloufy > fuch a Vijlnifl of our felvq;, . as-puts us to feek ti> t^ Rad^ rvhicb k bigbp^ iban wt^ for fiiel ten ^jod calls us to tarn into ourjhong bold^ and to lay bold ffon bU Strengtk . 'Tis raflmefs or defperatenef% and lio^ trueCourage^to adventure our ielves without bur'.Guard px Shield, But hqweyer wc xml\fear Sin, J^^ our Strength, and fly Occa'- y^i yet Satan[ we jnuflnot|ly. , Here we ard bid tp'jRand, foi^ 'elekcafbns, .' ; , , ; : .« ii
Firft, ?Tis ImpofCble to fly /r^&iw.filecan follow uswhera ere we go: ifwegotoH(?/j^4/7fJfe^/^^^^ Ifwq
4iut up our fejves in our Clofets^ he can meet us there- : ;If we be-, take our (elxes to a iFildernefjot. to a Croudyto be fiire he. will find
1 • . ; V ..' ,'i . r. 'J^ -v.-ai-il) o'^ :'i: r >.\/^ ,.; Uj V , . A a Secondly,
lilt
ti6 %%umkfi( rait hi:
Secondly; V9tzttcxpTdilj<^^tdtomdkfre0aiiei. Jam. 4.7. . Krf^ tbe Deriti t Fet.5.y.--ii*^i»r f^*Th» plainly (peaks pofitive^ rndeavouts and oppolition on our patt. Thirdly, h f anting fc^thtn unlxiietmg Dffirtfi^ of <5odV-
PdWftr; tis if he were not iWe hfavrta tbinHrmoll^ ahd of CJmfPs ^xjmpaffionatc trtiJenicfi, as If He would not JftccMr thfi that art
Fourthly, Our Stinting inakes Satan infklh He triumphs \vben
return our fi^dcs, and bcfides liath the ^eater advantage to
wound us qjr to tread us down at I%injre. TisoMerved, that God
providds Armour for Hftfrfand^Ttf/l, andall theym-^jrt/, ^by a
Sheild in caft of Rcfiftaftct : bitt if we fly ^fb little encours^e-
mentis there for cowardice) there is no i#riiw«r for the Bjd^.
J^ifthly, *Ti$ moft ftitaMc to ajriffian Cxrarage to dye in Hm
' ftacB^ andtoputitTodietimiofthja7irdrathti*than'toyeild, Ao
cording t6Ve]^aJmiMottd^'Otmff tmj^erattfrmfl^tmymfri. Evc^
fyt2hW(Han (hould faf, fiafjitcfi aitdne tH IffyfOm that hath
given up my ntoic to GWi^etWhathlprofdFedHoliBcfeafijre
Men •/tmethathathfbtnaityadvstetageifei' rcfiftahce, and ffach .
iWcct encouragements fiottia ViftortonstJencraT. '
Qucft. Butthegreat QueiHon is, * tVhatis this/e^^tfmtis/irtefifc^am!
' theC»ir*gewhichTSMW>i^i'?' ' ^ • ^ *- ..:^c/^ ■,■ ... .
Anfi^. ; / AnfiP; Theftar fUittddeklian trtibeftvSng^^ -ind pfi-
'■ idHimttyy thr^ughwhich, as^pekfyxiftftico^fei hkn tbmp ti^
fbdr Wti^xfns^ and yeild themfdyes iro tp'SStan, whentheHearts
of Men fail them to the giving up ot the Vidory. ^'
- Spiritual Courage (otrthte contrary J kzfrrhm rejilve offi^iw
h iM in the Strtn^b 4^' tbe Lafily^iiSi' it confifts ofthefetiS .
Firft, A Sincere Refolution to tie on Cbr^rfide agamftalUnl-^ « f tpatj^ a deliben(te unfeigned determination to ftand tor God. and
his Holy ways, agamftSatanand Sin. (t.) The ground of this determination, is a eomnBim of the mlafSm^ even to an . bsnnd oCiu He that hath not throughly weighed the Mifeiy of living ttt - Sin, and fully purpofcd within himifelf to forlake it, c4n have no trucChtiftian Courage when ircomes to a -pinch. (%.) From tba ^ound, he lays himielf imder fottmn mgagamnts to Chrift his Ge- neral f aslSbuWiers Hft themfclves under their Captains) ^m he . wiliyiinr bim and obferve his Commands^ he gives up bii^lf to God by Covenant:: So that now he is no Imger bk a»n^ but
Chilli's
or li^iQtt^ Acjfi^of his j^ndib fot Aidand Vli^ory^^that he hath ffil^Hifesq£f^3^p^U\on^ laft&aflift
1)191,, that he imyat(taiQ to fyiqc i^l degree of the Mottiiicaftion of ^Fl^wiiJribeAffe^af^Mdl^
Secotidly^ The /econdpaxt of this Courage conHfls in a Jkka- (/e m^^rfMuvif of this undertaking. Courage is not only feen in the firji cnfe^ ; but in the Frafiaaion of the Warfare : and this lies tn.l^rathiqgfy ..(i.^Wben there arc rtal indeawmrs againft Sin, ( anfjiverabktQ this undataking) in aU way$ of ifarivin^ to op* . pole in when.Men do not engage againft Sin tvith hig mrds only \ or as the Children cfEfhaim (who arming themfelves and carry* ing^ Bows, (eemed to have (tout reiblve% but then turned bad^ in the day of Battel^ ) but with real and amfdmaom wr^lin^^ letting )(hein^Ivc# with all their aught and care againft eyery Temptati- pn, and ftodying topprjm the Vi^xjvry (where inany degree 'tis cbtamed} to a g^eiter beight* (a •) When tliefe endeavours ar^ Sincerely /er#^in, without being^Ve mariedout or utter faintr ^g^ fo that it never comes to this (thou^ they may befbmetim^ imder Satan's feet) that they relk^f^thcixfififikmn Engagement^ .orrepeQtpftheirjundertakin(^ andthm turn thefar backs upon God, a^ng thovifidives uioder iSatan's Colours *> luch a fainting as this wouldpereave Men of their Crown : TeJhaB redf in dm tlnU tf ye faint nat^ GaL 6.p. Upon this hazard are theChildren of (jod Mooned) Heb. ia/3« ^ y> bemaried^ and faint inyour mnd. (3O There is alfi>a particular kmd of courage exprefled in an cofenem^ l^^ndhmi^. ^tim of Satan's Suggeftions, when after all P^rt %. c. 9. ^mnsufid^ thfy.^?ift tobetroubkfcpic : thi?isnotto flight Sjf^SjJ -^Wvbiitio flight *^#«» whotboujgh he is refitted, ceafeth not to c, jg 5. ,^*- moleft; .;; • .
- : J flttHfvirtifutaiJy apply this iirft Dire^ipn (i.) to tfaofe that Jfplie. (pKOfWlni U^fit Vk th^elves in their Hace^or W^rtare (which is a stWMJwpOfflible'taQne^thai^ddi the. work of a Sonldier^ ) not '<<bMMl6ti^ ^^iacypijpanda3^ragk)us endeavours do abide them. ,(a.> TaAotellit pretend themwlvespuift's Sanldiersy Courage and Oiriitian Magnanimity is ]it)ur eogftizanoe^ by this muft you be im^wii^BoW.rfoyci^/' what areyoiirre/3/«^wa/, and undor- takings ? IlNrfWSttiftiaw tba^hav^/^y^w^Fwe w Mieving.can more eafily fitisfy themlelves in thi^ but tho0 that light in 3ejr/M^Gr»^ in difquiets and troubled Thoughts, aite'apt to
: . Aa a ' ' con^
i88 'XfCitHt^tf Vittm
conduce themfelves whidiei^gl bcciuftthqr are fi^fitl i or ter thipkj^ tliat they look not up to Jcfus, the Amthr id fii^htr of their Faith^ becauft Aey appr^endthctt\rc\ire$ wearjr -and faim it iheir Minds. For the eafc arid help/of ftichi lOrtHlhew in a fwr -thihgS) that there is a^rej/ a ChriltiairCoarage in (iich MoBtrnerr^ as in fomethat fing Songs of Triumph; " Firft, *Tis znal courage and undertaking agaihft Sin^for any ta reiblve hxsutmofi^ out of deflation of it, before he anfatitfy fiimfelf that God will accept of it. To oppofe Sin under fuch » difcourageaient, or at fuch a Venture, is a conragiom batteth anJt yet. lb do thefe Mourners.
Secon;lIy, ,To be under continual grievings becau(e of mifiarria^ g^^y ft> that other things o^ outward enjoyment tt2& to be fleajbtg^ is a couragipus hatred > bu t this is their cafe.
Thirdly, To tpr^le againft Sin under high diftottragemMf^vARa afflicted and tdfled, when. Satan runs upon them^and^kes them ty the Neck, and yet they continue their wreftUng and withftand'- ing, as they are able. This is faithful refiftance, a r^anee woo ^ Bloody Jirivingagainft 5w, Heb. 12. 4; that i^ (if that espfeflioil be proverbial, like that, adSanplinm ufjue) tbeyrefift Sin laith^ fully, under great H^^jrir and /nauhfeffifencj^, even to Wounds and Blood, till they have ftroi^n Heads smd fe^jw Faces i #ndcaii (ay to G6d,though we have been hrokgn in the place bf Dragonr^znd have thefe Wounds to (hew, yethaife ipe not departed fhmtbee^ faer qjii ttedour defires after thee and Holinefs, i&t -aH tlvefo bofietings of Satan : but this is the Chata^fef of thefe dejeAcxfones. • '
Fourthly, *Tis a couragious hatred thstf cannot ^feffef ^(ilkfvfl Motion to fall upon- the Soul,but -ft puts aHlntoli c^ifiH^'Wiffaifi, and raifeth difquiet, forit is an Argutnentthai thfireisa.e0iiiivir»- «ry betwixt the Heart and Sin: but this is their<:afe al{b. • ' \ n
Fifthly, 'Tis Courage and Conftancy to IMd^oH in ^cions len- d'eavours and ftrivings ) fo that whetithejr farf^ 2A feen iirthey ^can r€C(JfeS their Strength, xhty fit oii it^thg^^kfi^ iiid^tctkwi-dK Battel,never (hanging thchfiffi refihefotlMWM&il^iaiofiSmlTk^ feiinplycd in the ApoAlesPhfaf^ofyJ^r^iwg, JEffh. A'1^ mtlfiand^ and wttnye batftdone aO^io ftand. He isaccoun^ed to Jtand^ that r»ff/not outof theFtdd,but ftdndsto hMloljiRefi^ to the Tail, though the Battt! goftte ^infthiftkbf fits >boci ijch ?rc thefe Mourners. : ': /i r i ^j .
4 . »i « .
There
.V ; J .
1
There is true Genttage under Mourning and difquiet of Heart, f6 that we may fey to fuch, 0 ^h&Ui(ffliSed andtoffed^ fear not, The ' Glbryrfthe Ijardcjiall Jkifk ufontheb^ They that are weak in this ScncefhallbcftrongasP^/^^
CHAP. XXIil.
• •
^tUeJccond Dirc5tion^ fhat tcmftatioffs are not to be dij^
putcd.. the feverdl ways of difputing s Tiemft^ion^*
. In whd$ Cafes it is eo$rvement sndnectffary todifpHte
poith Sai4n. In what CMfesincofovement^andthrRea^
finsofiti ''.■■' "
«
THene^elthnigobfirvable in Chrift'is carriage to Satan is this; That Chrift ( though he re jeded every Temptation, by ^ giving a reafon of his refixfal ftom the Command of God j did not fttiTer Satan to ^mhh Temptations further than i^xtftrfiTropafal^ . and in his Anfwers betakes no* ^0^ic« of the Reif/0;f/t)r Motives i>y which he hbouted to make his Temptations prevailing. In the t wo iirfi Temptation%Hiie gives no reply, to what Satan infinua«- Xfd by hia&ppo(itiad,t£ljfr<rtfiik^iS'M ofGod^l neither by a& ^^iptng thatoecwasibv nocdifpc^endg to 'him ' his kffowkdg of the feoet Aiiiii/^which4ieliad wteipt up under]fte(e plaufible/^e* je(^^ In tfaexUrd hcanfWersnot a wcMrd to ttie Vdnii^ and felic- '[facod'of histleceit&l offer of > the Kingdoms of the ff^wldy- though Casiiath*heenobfexV€d> he might have oppolTedflrong Reafons ^gW)ftthemdl:.ani)beCde^iWheiJ Satan betalhae Iniblent iand loM^^nt ill tempting Ci^iA>d/^€&ii^>^ he<;ha-
<^ahimaiviiy wkh ^: Q^tike Abomination, Gntheehence^Saian. . Fr^oi^hidi weiiave ajGri^Ond Dnre&ion^which-is this.
•'".. 'tis^i!J!fmptmi(ms:tdi.Sm^'^ansobe'ifff6fii ^tkePthanlydi^sstin^i^ , \ ' . .- u*. i ^ .
ibi^if fiwtlsifl'&Gsdof a dlAind Application, 'becaufe k isnota
: . ^ Rule.
> t9o %%tmtitt 0f ;F*tt.m
Ruk fi) genital^ but that the pradHce of God's Children have made exe^hn againft iu For theclearcr Explanation of it, liball
f irft, Give you ihc feveral k^is o£ difpotingis, bj which wc may fee that all are not alike : For
FirO, The (erioiis working of the thoughts m a qm^ denial of a Temptation with a resfin mflyed or exfr^ed ( though it admit not Satan to any firrtherdifpute or Argument) mzyyjnfimefinfl, be caUed a difputing^ for the Scripture ufeth haK(yyi(TuM for any inward (erious lliought. Sftcb a kind pfMflitwi as this is mc^ far^ \ it cannot be wanting to any that rdfufe a finful Motion, this being (as we (Mil fee afterward) ^necf thoie Dir^ons Which Chrifi intended us by his Example, and the very thing which Chrift pfadifibd in every Temptation : for he contented, not him- ftlf to givea nd^d denyal, but ftilladds a lUtf/Ss of fuch refufal. Tbc^ewhoin^eircr^/^mKrurge that Ttmputious^ut not to be difputed, do not rmt|p/i this as any difputing. And others that do (takiradiiputingfbrtherefufiilofa'thing with areafim a^ figned ) tmnk chat his procedure in the two tirft Temptations, is .notiM^/ebyus, butonlythatof the third, wherein he diafied away the Devp with angry denyal: but the miflake is ob- .viqus.
•Secondly, Theicisadifputiitgofwiiieq(f4^ frrence : dhis is wlienr a finful Kfot ion in jefted into our Hearts, is tiOtdireSly €onjm$edt0'r but then iriftead pf a fidl drnfol^ Men be- ^gm to raife ^ii^imix, and make ObjeBtM/ of l^ moment, or Itome imfertUim ^jtMrka which^lfarikenot at . ti»e nwt f as one oUer- vedofhim(elf^< tl^tinfieadof <^>rn^a^nfii he b^an
.to diipute, whedier it came ifism S0*0ff<xiJbk «m ineBnstm^ ^d (b infteadof {MidkVig (he Fire, be bufied bimielf to enftire wbentfe it came. Mqp d«ii with Teiaprsticnsin tHi cafe, as they, who being asked whether they will buy. Sash a Commodity, h^y sn^ fiper /Ttf, but y et<c9U back the Party/again, ud 4xi^.whence it aune f prwhatitmudcoft? andbyfochot^i^tomffiJ^cf CM^en^ themlelves at hSi to buy it* £i^ fiulra^ by iiich an iti€$nfi2iraie conferena with Satam fer the aknt^ beginning of the Seipents Speech [TeaybatbAd/aidyefiallnotuft^ Sec'} and the (tunming up of the Arguments Whidb prevailed with hcr^ eat (wk»' tte Woman farp that ibttm wof good far Food^ and Mi^km f$ the £ye/, &c.]docfeaflyevidbioeuatthertwasi|wrrJ^^ than is there, exprefled, aad^tbat alibtendingttafitttaintte Coodn^
fiiofint*
jpieafantne^ zniPrcfiioltbtFmit. This kind of dirputing is always unlawful and dangerous, for ic is but a iPanton d^^yanee with a Tempcation^a ftajiflg ufwt the bolt ^ftbe Jjf^ aad coowonly cndsln a Cnful compIyance»
Thirdly^ There is a diQ)utiRg of a JiUberatu^ and partying in- Jkffmncyi t^isis, when the Devil puts a thought of Stnkico thck Minds, and ( while they ieem not to be forward. to iinbm:e it > leaves it to/xr^ conjUer^^^i, and then they float, betwixt i«- folved and Hnrefolved^ betwixt^ & con^ being at a great, diiputc within themielves what is bcft to bedone, whether the ^nvemm- ais onxht one band, will weigh down thcincomwiiencii/oh tbeo- ther ) thisincaiesofiif^jrM^ Sin, is a wicked iG^j/ti/tg toirix^ iMni^ always unlawfuL
Fourthly, There are alfo treacheroas/^/i^ argmngfy whcveia. tlie Heart takgsfart mth Sauui. Thefe are thofe i^afas that are tQ be found in Natural Men, about the dou^ p;r Ml d^ing of fia&l - things. This looks k l^ke the CptiAatA^mixt the fi^-Md th tfi- nil, that ithathoocafioned an enquiry, how they Inf^y be idi^m^ ^ aniflfedeadi &Dm other. ^Tis generally <;0Qcluded l£at ja ihae ftrife o( the Nauiral Man, the Light of the Under(tanding^ tod G3nfcienc^ gives ^ppdition to the bent of tt^ Affftfmi^ ^ jthe p^fofklsies (xhog^ gxidi^ io pai;t; in tht^m^4H^.i^ Parties xh^^veo{:q>d£tk>neac^ to other > hut with ;thi$rfrv<!i^^ d^eiice^ thuinibisfii:ifeif^ theXfefltfifaif/frt
n^Goi^ tvhcreas in the. o^,. the AiTcdions Mf t^*5w^/^>^ . and in a nnalignant io/tf/^/i^to the 1,.%^ Arive to pat it opt, and . to^e^^o* th^ CQnyi(^on;Of Cpciciejfce, (othAt the Man firivef to * Si^^ *aidio;ftQpt|}eiWiitf&pf fucho^B^ioB^ a^ come iWo.the, . ^traryj this ^ind of dieting is alwap 6^ ,
Fifthly^ Thcie is yet a difputing in a firiU S^nfe, which is .a . full and Jilemn debating of a Satanical iijeSion^ hy giving it ihtfidl' - bearings and adnut ting Satan to be ^ Refpondent to our ob|e<9:t- - oos. .Of this^^p^ 9'^'*^ how far it m^y be convenient, and how far inconvenient, becaufewe fee Chriii in this place did not tbm » diiputc with Satank and yet we iihdis/b»cr/ in Scripture of fome . Holy Men. chat have been unavoidably ^aged to difpute a i Temptation to the utmofi. ^
To Anfwertisis Query, I iliall Secondly (hew in what cafes it < may be necedispryw. x^nvenient to m£f.tb€ Lijh.with Satan in an> : BpIj ^^b ?^^ m.what odcf. it» i^,iiiemit»ient,Md .dange-.-
rous^ ,
\
i^^x Z^tmtiUiyl Part. IH.
totts* There are four cafes in which Hve may dHpute a Tempts tion» '
Firft, When the Motion is of things JdtthtfuUnd ii^jf^/e, whe- ther they be lawful or not. Here it cannot be avoided : for albeit (as the Apoftle advifetli RatH. 14. i .} doabiful di^tttatwis are not 'tobeimpo£ed upon others, (b as to tye them tipto our perfwafi- cnS) 7et in thefe things every Man ( before he can zSt clearly ) is * -to endeavour hks ovmfatUfd^ion in the lawfuTnefs orunlawfulnefs of the thing, that fo hemay be fitHy pafwaded in hk m>n Mind^ -ver. 5r And he ^vcs two ftrong reafons of this, ver. 22,25. C'*J from the ftfcii^and trouble, which otherwifethe Man may be put •tipon^ while his Confcience unfatisfied, eendemmtb him intbat^ wbicb hy zconttzrj piiiQ\ctheahwtthi (2.) In that this con- detmiation. of Confcience ( while he doth thaty the lawfulnefs whereof he believeth not) is an evidence of his Sin^ as well asan ^ec^wn of his ttoHhUt
Secondly,' Difputings have place, when a Temptation hath to* kgniMd updn the thoughts, and (6 far pofleiTed it ielf^ that our c^m^kn l-iieth up in the difence of the Suggeftioh. Satan will not 'MHtbAthdHi Ohou^ he bean intruder without our leave,) dll ne be bea^ out of his garters. The Apoflle^ Efb, 6. imph'es (b much 4>y' that exprdTidno oiiptencbingthi^iiyDaftfofS^tzxi. It is not pt(>pct to underfhtnd it of a kefuUl of the fitji Motion of Sin, f though Inter|»retars doufually make it com^^ehenfive both of the l^0^gout of the Dart, and thepUid^ngit out) becaufe this evi- dently fiippofeth, that the Dart hath tierced the Soul, and now b^ihf to Mr/rand enflame, which will require mpre labour for the quenchmgof it, thanarefofalof tfaefirft Motion would pbt us to. As when Fire hath taken hokl upon our Hou{es,we (hall be forced to bring Water for the extinptijhing of the Flame, \vhich ( before it hid broke out upon the Building) an ordinary care might have prevented. And this we further taught byadidindlion which the fame ApotUe ufeth in^ the fime place of gf^yeti zndi\"hs*f^ociJlandiftg and nnthfianding. Wemuftkeep'offthc Temptation that ite^^ir not^ hy fianding againft the AlTault in a peremptory re/iif/i/i but if it do enter^ then we muft. be put to it, by a forc^ of holy aiguing to p^B out the Arrow, and to mtifiand it.
Thirdly, Much more need have we of diluting, when the prefent Temptation is a Mdfion of fuch a Sin which we are babi-' tMa$ed MTito^ andhsLVC l(mg pra3ijed^ fbfthefe kind ofliiiulMo*
tkms
I
tions arenotcaftouteaCly* In this cale, D^ivi^ adWfith hisEne- * * mies, VfaU \. (who had for a long time, lovti Vanity^ andfouAt 4ftet Iti^vfig) that by eommmni with their own Hearty and by diC^ putingagainft^their (inful Pradices> they (hould bring themlelves under an Holy awe^ and by that means fiop thecoiurfe of their fin- nihg) Per. 4. This indeed is the great thing that Sinners are called to by God, to fonder their Eftate, to confider their ways, to Jtttdy the evil and danger of Sin, to examin themfelves, and to reafon together with God about the wickedneis and ingratitude of their Adions, and about the contrary lovelinefs, bleflednel^ and hap- pine& of the ways of God, that £0 they may be brought to repen- tance * all which are done only by d^feriout arpting of their caie and hazard.
Fourthly, It is convenient, and in ibme cales necefTary to di(^ putea Temptation which Satan offers to us, ^tbe Mouths ofMtn^ who entice us to (hare with them in their wickednefs : ibrhere by itrffdng^ we may not only difamragtthtit further Sollicit at ion,aflL (ofm owrfdvu from the like Temptation iox the fiiture, but we alfi> by the exercife of an Holy Charity, endeavour to full them out if the Fire. When Jofefhs Miftrefs tempted him, he confidored that he had to deal both with the pA/i/, znd hk MifirePy Gen.^o. 7, 8« and therefi>re that he might ref^ theVevil^ he peremptorily r^yttl the Temptation,' but that he might t^ of hit Mifinfs £rom her unlawful proiecution, he arffus with her about the In* gr^itude. Danger and Unlawfulneis of (iich an ad. My Matter woteth not what is with mt in the Hodfi^ and he bath committed at that he hathh fity Hand: there is none greater in this Houfi than J, m- therhath hekfft any tjring bad^from me but thee^ becaufe thou art hii Wife: how then can I do this great Wuk^dnefs and Sin againfi Godf \Vhen Sinneirsdo entice us to caft in c»ir Lot amongft them^ fitty to them, andctfreofoiur(elves will engage us to ^r^ne-the folly and danger of their ways with them, except they behave themfclves z&Pogsand Swineh their carriage givin'g us juft ground to con- clude, that they are Cofet on Witksdnefs;, that it may endanger us, rather than ]>r0^^ them,to debate with them. And (b was it likely, Cand the Text fecms to hbt fo much,) that wJien Jofeph pcicciv^ edhisMifirefs was re/^/W upon the purfuit, and that his reafbn- ings were not minded, he jper/7/fei in his denyal^ but forbore his
Bb * But
Bu^Kbwwc^^^t^af be conrctMent to<fi^te 0ft the It^^mm^- tioned' Sctrfe) in theic jW c«fbi Cancf others may pmtxtblf be ati^- j die^: yet- there arr cafts m whidi it will he ineMifenimt amf ha^- Tardous to dil^Kite or ar^ei^ andt>fth|9 0i^.I ftalt*Kcboii;
fcur.
- Pirif, l^w•no^fafc tx> difj)ute- the- matter, in v9tkift9kutT!t$Bf^- Utions^ fuph as ate (AiYi^fuitaMt to oufftc/to^ftBw^, o» may re- ceive a favourable ^J^flP^and cpuntcnance firom the poflitre. of ouf - -rfjfiifrx and. Condition. ThefeTemptations- (cwn in our. deba« ting agaiaft them} are Hke the opening of a Sfpddke^ which . ftndk forth z^ftypfnousftnam whith ipay w/Mf' thofe that /a^/> and rcfift-it. 'Ti^chmgerous to admit Fire into thefame 'Roen^ where ^ there is Gnnforpder^ though therfc be no intention to kindle it. It hath beenan.old^ObfervatioiT, that the very- ew/tj^ (f if^Shus^ Sifir^ (though dfc6gned to begjet flis^mei and re(blution againil them for the Future r) hzvckindl^td'a nov^ ftame^ by^themmecd^.- fery dcclararion'of the Mtnmnmi^ C/www/Rtfueef^^that they h»c . rctutncdG^om^c Confiffhrfmn^htfeSedtl^ thoft very Perfons whofecare it (hould Hav^beentobavc put the. fegfc/^rfij^^e upon Sins, fc wfrff](Jfe^,.to thebegetthlg,6f/^jrt* and abhorrency in the Parties, andthemfelves^ have^bytoo-oirr^TiKr - an enquiry received fiich Fdyjin at the Ear^ that tttctSart hath been forthwith i«/Wf<i 19to Bke Hazard iremaih^ to tftofc- that arc» wiUhigto debate fuch Sins with Satam fortbough- they ^f/r upon the fcore ofre0a;jce^ yet the very dipdfing on Rxdk a fiibjed C^hen admitted to lay if ftlf open) doth convey fuch Aimrvtis /w^funto the treadferouf Affi^ont^ -that-the Hzart i$ in danger of a^rt Toy^ pn. There is no better, way in. fuch cafe$ than to command all fuch Thoughts and Confide"rations(riitf of onr Coafir^ and ( as we do, when the City or Town we live in is inftftcd^ to withdraw- oqr (Hves firom the air of fuch a Temptation. We mayobferve the Kke care in Jofiphy though bethought himftif concerned at iirffi fas hath been (aid) tooppofe the unlawful fuitofhisMiftrefi,yee feein^er defperately fet upon her Folfy, he declined all Comnmni-' iw/wn with her, zndtK^ouldnothtnnthh^^ Gen.^p.tbi andatlaft when Are caught him by his Garment,fee left i$ in her hand andjt^y WT. 1 2 . He might eafily hare refcned his Garment fromiher, had be not been aware that his contefiing againft her^ might tecve been anr •ear/?i9;ftf/e;i/)f/ir«w;rttohimfelf.^ Chrift himfelt, when he* was- tempted by Teter to j^himfilf^ (which was a Temptation very
taking
Chap. 1^ : &ntm'n %m0motm. ; i j?i
^t^kbg to HtqmneNattuiSy^lscially wlien Suiieruig, .an^ Death ^isin^skWy) i5i3]OveifkQrtaiKl|f>ariBgm againil it»
than he was when the Deyil tempted him. He gives no poiitive f^oafoasagainftit, $shtdidwhcn he was tempted to fall down dnel wmffip -we l>ivil^ but diichaijgethhunfelf from any fiirther confi- ^rscrion^of thcmatterbya dedaxedabhonieDcy or the thing. Get 0hei kkmd meSatan^ for ibfufmottr^mt the things that be of God^ httJtbt MbkgrwbiAhB of Men. Which is as U he hadtplainly iaid, ihU itifi^ffuumtlyjromtbe Z>et«/, aadfinmch abhorred by mt (becoHfiJfi ^fM^UtomfOmdition) tbati mUMoeJimHcb-aiMjami^qf f|, or m^derit.
. rSeomflly, OenesaUy in all Xen^ptarions, (tliou^ they have not ^he «dsaiits^i£ ot9c.jpre/i^ or inclination^ ashatli
l)6eQ tooted;) df sn ^fftnfmt wiAdrmmmt jrom Obedienee^ or of tbi^gfr iKMjiw^ninBifri)^ iinful, it is sot conv^knt to di(pute then^ hat- to difm^ them by ^denyal^ except i^me of the forementioned <u)Dliderations do alter the cafe. In>i^M^ cafes we need not paffy but ftoatly deity^ Our icibkitionsijibr Piii^^ and againfi Sin^ mould 4)0t be to /e^ ; we are certain jhat S^n is to be avoided, and Duty to be prai^tfed^ihere we fiioiiiaee fem^toiy. Abraham being cer^ . i^ii/ir of Duty, wbcnOodcdMedlvm to^ a fUce-p^hichbeJhou^ ymtd retmefBT.an^hbetitanee:^ he diiputed not the uncertainty^ the danger or inocmvenience that poffibly might attend his removal, i>ut went out, notkpamng tMtber bentent^ Heb. i i. 8. Paul being -caHed byOod tip preach among the Heathen, thou^ Fl^ an4 £lo^ were ready with Arguments againA it, .yet he would not fi) mach^cMi/erwithtbem, but immediately obeyed, Gal.i.i6. JLikein/lances I might fetchfirom other holy Men«C^riait,when the *Ftefidentgaveitto his.own choice, whether he would ob^otbefnt toVeatb^ commanding hkci to take it into conlideration, he rea- :dily repiyed. In re-^iam SunSk mn^ deUberandium^ that it was not lit to deliberate inibpbinacafe. Mrs. AnnAskstnf^ when p. tfae^ Stake r^dy to be burnt, zPardon was offered by the LordChancel- lory file would imt fb much as lool^ on iU but returned this Anfwer, that (he came not thither to de^y her Lord and Ma^ fter. Bi/hop Hopiiir in the fame Condition, had a Box laid before him with a Pardon in it, which when he underftood, Che wais fo aftaid of <ww/m«g with a Temptation) he cryed out, ' If ye Ufve mySoul^ a»ay mth it i ifyz love my SjouI away
mth it. And many odicrs there were in all ages, fo far from accept-
B b a ' ifig
1^6 :9lCteatiCe0f Part-iiE
TcntatirfaSa.'*^ 15ch mtdimfid ddSmrmiut^ that they) would not take iotoi tana^^nul.<^iifi<^C'^^^oi^ ^^^ tttmghttOttSt€niasiqx>n which they might have
iumcvad^di eKbaped. ^
^umfcntfa^ Thirdly, When a Temptation, after ^ff meMr ufed, coqtinucs daud "cKuk>» ^ ^ trotibU/m, and is rather an amioyaiue than an infeShfi^ thea & nihil rrfpon!"^^ ^« "Ot *j(?«tt It, but by an Holy Contempt ^kfiifi iu dc&commen- Temptations to Viaffbemy areoftof thisiiature C ^hath been no^ da caufam {gj in its place) and there^are other*things, by which Satan oe* 5^' ^7 w ates to God's Children greatdifijuiet, while they in the mean time Sicuc tuiiiffi. * abhor thi^$in, and cry out of the Tryal. Here when the Mkffhiger mum eil Ca- of Satan will not depart^ 'tis an advice that hath the genenl apr nemlatrantcm pj^l^ji^^j Qf Holy experienced Men, that we (hould A(K/5 the
pr«terirc, iu Temptation, as an approved way to our quiet and eaic \ for while tina vincendi we think to repel fbch afTaults, by firugling with Arguments, we ratio eft coiw dt> butiffcre^/e the force ofthcm: as he that thinks toyJMr^r.himCelf nSLS^ againft the Wind, by holding up his Cloak,befm^ iim^, doth hut
Sue cum iis"^" derive upon himiclf a jhwi|[«r Uaft. ifputare .^ Fourthly, In Temptations of fmnm^ trouble and fenwy it *4s Satan nihil mi- not convenient todifpute themattpr with Satan* David m PfitL Sum fu{ToS42- '*• ftemstocorrofthimfclfforhismiliake, hi^Soul wasc^ temptum. id ' dotpn mtbin him ^ and' for the curecfthat Temptation^ he hadl rttm. 3'f»jy!s* prepared himfelf by Aigucncnts for a Viffttte s but^ perceiving o!^r^A himfelfin awroBgcourft^ he calls off his Soul fiom difqiuet, to ^ic. i4k. I. ^^ jjpn^cdiate application to God and the Promifes, Tn^ fiiB im
Gtd^ firlJ^Vyet ftakfi bms -but in VfaLvi. i. he^ismorCifym^ &iffi with his work, for while his Enemies were ai^ed by &taa.' to difcourage h'm>, her^off/ the Temptation at){r]|}, before It fetr led upon his thoughts,, and diaieth it away as a thing that he would not gjiWCZTto^ IfttheeLarddalpa ft^trHJl'y hem fiyyt tbm to tf^Soidi fieeat-a Bird to yowt Mmnktin f And there are weighty re^f/oir/ that fhould diflwade us from entringihe lifts with Satan in Temptations of i^iiy^im/tn>uble,As OO ^htdettrmuMim of the iS'i^fccn^of the Soul and its converted ftateisa Qgeftion of no(ma]l^£f|^/^jp, zhpfftty Contn)ver(y,mor«r intricate and abftruCe than thofeControveriies that in the Schools are oCareatefl Name for difficidty : for this is lyable to^more weighty O^Sums^ and Child of Light ihndsin need of nicer diftiiiSion^ As Dt.Goodmn Oofoves^lZvy €a^. j.f.^u that converfe with dgeOed Spirits^ find fi mitcb ijmd^^ and jtimbkn^
afrtafming^ turning every ip(^ toward off the force of. an Argwmnt brotoght for their confolatioM^ that even vrife and able Headi are oft put
to
i-,
ffafimiyMJLkifnpm vkcuvfonfwr. Would it then be fit togive Satan this advantage ? or to admit him fofar into our reafoning ^ He that will lAvtr^ Satan to Tdch a tonteft, (hall be iure to have his bmidrfmlU.
Seomdlyy Hiis kmd of Temptation doth ufually difabUMcn fer arguing *) it oftentimes canfimndf the Brain, jfn^i^x the under* ftanding, and ire<ii^/the Memory* Heman complains of hiai-^ ' {dfzsMfhraSedtyternfff. Job ailshiwfelf defieraie. SuchPerfbns arenot fiirely in a fit cafe to manage a Temptation with '€0 cun^ ning a Sophifter as Satan." » .
Timdly, If they de£xnd into thfc Battel, he is not only foofirong jfor them, but commonly after a while^ they #j% Satgri's fan againfi themfelves, and comply with himjCpncIuding agaidi chetr own peace*
Fourthly, There is alio a heHet way at hand than to enter into a>Di(pute^ and that is, By gnng to (3id by aPreJint Faitby Lwt w Ktpet^ance^ n4mthetrHtb»rfany0ftkfek qttgtioned. It is a difficult #ii/Jl^toprdveibnQe time that j^nwrra^ of Faith, Love or other Ckaces were fineen- y -this may admit of iuch objet^ns firom a wounded Spirit, that it will behard to^anfwerthem ^ biK inthls > cafe 'tis a nearer way to fee if there be not in^ tbefic<mtfiamingfy ibme^iv^cfitaSsofthefe Graces: whetherfuch* complainants are not mllingto embraee Cbrifiufon any ittms^ wbttbtr tbeyda mi bate - Sin^ n^babertbgftPinddn^iwifiifftealy be reconciled to Godj 8cc* ft oft falls out that this doth ftay the trouble, when examinations of fbdrmer ads do nothing fopthem. Some Men are at more pains • (asonefiuth) torepairandfitantf/^Bia/^fe'/rg, then would fenre to rear a nem one. Yetmuft it be remembred^ that though it wcit the beft eomfi to refift Temptations of this nature at fitft^ ^ by amid' ing unneceflary dij^tings; notwithftanding when this (zs Ftootcd ^ b&fore of other Temptations) hath fdznd upon-the heart and taken ■• pQireffion,then (hall we be forced to fi&onrh^amhs vritb ArgwrnntSy and whether we will or no, muft we undergo a Gonteft : As we fee in David who when bis trouUes had prevailed upon him^ was fcMTced to f lead mtb God^ with bimfelfy with the T'emptation; and to have recourfe to former Experience i thtdays-of old; and the years of the righ band cf the mfi High^ and all littleenough.
Thirdly, All that I (hall further (ay concerning the inconveni- oides of ^ifpu ting with Satan, <&aU be to give yoy thereafons
mam-
L
i4S mXtttlttUM 'fttttHL
: hazaxdous aod uoluiuble. A%
Iixl\ -Tis zn ibkomr Co S^Mi^ a^d a difg^aet to *4>iit icSves^ Men are loth to be feeo coptdiipg wkhPerfons of a fariii/baww i;Mi^> .cQicciaity inruchthingSAvbfdilH^ infamy, 'l^ts^a u£ual}>«id€o£<ieaeffo(ity is Men<)fSf^^ they^icori^i^y ^vivewitha Sofld^ <9tt0nMd M$h^Seggm'y orhtjfwaA inCamfoiiff of th^etlMdfemidert4m ml nmm^dt^ftitidfy: «nd in inattess .that are vile aod h^^ 'ck h^ly iib%racefal to aflknic them to a debate. Such things wiQ eith^^et more cmfo than they > jdcietve,'^ whik -they fecin«to be cattnteiienced by a dMpate, oar elfe ihall cBmmmiaue thJ^kJifindii to tbofe tiiGit fballfhewfucfaiiamili* . -juity with tbem.
Secondly^ By relufing to difputeTenaptations, we jaufe 'Up m
.ousbeatfis bm ^d^iive Mmem^^ that ^hhonency we
^ . jaccataiomdsBd fiseiigth&ea^gai&tt ihrni : Itoouft needs tu^d^
.<>urhaM^ed.intoa^e/c«^<4ifin^agaiiift't^ whkhour oonfi^
. Vexation at )if^ vim ptefeats to m ib abeniinabie, that it deierres
m>pihu Jnfvm^ }»jx^^ jlind whaour
I Heart is thus alsonoed) it canAot but Haud upon its^jioid. ^is a
. <X)ur& thatBoly Men have taken, to keep Men at a greater dp^
^ ilance from Sin, to prcient it as a thing of gn^ abhrrtmy^ and
thatistfaeiotmlmentof that Expreflion, Rcau 6.x. shall m
V SiHj^ that Graa may abound f Gidfnhid^ The wfcac/x tMf thata*
bu(eof GofpelGra(ie4)e (hews by fetting it below thtwirk c^any
faims thought, he (harpeas their apprebetifions agamft it, by an
outlay of deteAation. The like he doth %ph. 5.3. where he in-
4leavoux6 to fe^ their Hearts againft uncleanne(s and covetoufiieg,
by telling them that it was unbecoming Sain t(hip, that (uch things
{bouldhc Jo natch 0$ Mcena$mdiyibetn.
Thirdly, Difputing is a/rcrcr invitation to the Devil to oarge the Temptation further : we do but toy with him, and give him occa- fion to follow u& Eve found the truth of this by iad Experience, (he fo managed her fcif , that Cbe plainly intimated (he had a mnd to bear what the Devil cmld fay^ tor the eating of the forbidden Fruit 9 and/o urged the Prohibition of God, and tfaeThreaming, that fbe fought from Satan a confirmation of her feoret ambeliify la- ther than faithfully indeavouredarefw/ye of the Teibptation 9 and mentioned the Threatning under fuch terms of Mncertainty and ftraiventwre^ as an ObjeHion^ which (he delired might be removed^
rather
^ •
rather than firom a iirm belief of that Death fpoken of^ for* tifying . her . (elf in her Duty > by all which Satan was Co encovmged* to proceed^ that heprefently confirmed her in her Diftruft.
Fourthly, TheiadiftnilSOgsufiialiy^retMn nphing of advantage to our account, buttoSatus. Weunneceflarily enter the Lifts with him^and that upon yery.iKitefiu/terms,he being, (zs Saul (^d ofGaliab aiMl9jliiVl>|A)i i^VfTarfom bis Tmah^BOidyfe but weak iui$kilfiil'^/A^*» we g^ouc of our. Trenches and Ita'O^ our Weapons behind usvwe expoleour naked Breafts to a}) Jus Darts, and bydifcimrfing with binihe ^'it/ time, wherein the Pcyfin may more powerfully n^orl^^vipon our Affedions. If he was too hard for our/f^PareoF^at tlus Weapon, we. whoCb Heart* are- not^ faixyMl to God, as) tbpirs in Jimoctmfy but ctmrnfud, by Satan ( wbq hatMiia aJPaa(y w us J wt^ wt likfdy to/ownsoff with Triump!?f.
liifiiUy,, i;i^f€^/)«%<a»4f«9WnJ^¥) mmmAfm.ALip$Ay^ Oqir hoM^ i^t )f»i% Quc^ ii ioopiye^ in.' in fdC » indinati^ oa tA )m)4 wiienr Aim?& ar« wiiluqg; ti^-7r«ittK £kH]r Exh a4?2rie^.ud4 {liiperi^ci^ <ii£ thiSktk^ giM u^> tbatcfilMft to Sto a&eicCMiiwwcat^^^^i^ £^Mn^ iUlIf' y«l|^i0& thi9
The Suov-of this Diredion is this, that w^en a Motiovof Silu
v«e. (bould pereoq^rily'^i^R^ ir« . and^ iktd it away with an ongryK rehiAfy or i^nere. AbooiUiatMSQ^. £ m#y^ nti^ ^/a. iM.*^ ihp) <ai0 £ <9{<h ti&k fTfd^efi i Ga tbet hence: or,. 72« i^rA Sjthukt tbuy. Sat4tft «
m
mfmmmi
CHAP
y
-*<» ' afCreafffcdf apart in.
C H A p. XXIV.
'theihiriDlrmontfrepeUing.MremfttttM'ftuhoiitJieUf' thiHecfgi^y.tffidoMig, What » S^edj tUmMl diu,
TBc nagpaimnity of Chrift, and *e percmptorhiefi of Ws A^^y?- Z^Y""" noted. Wefboftfuttherobfervc the mme- A«wi^Qf his Anfirer, he faflbed not any of thefe Motions to ttav long with him, here was not a Crat tibi refieiideh, erne araim l M9mmMdIi»iB.Afmri he would not tafctime with tKc De- vil, but had^his Anfwer ready : no foonct was he tempted, hot the Temptatioo wasitpelled i for thefe expreffions [ L fc ^
tiie tpad^ and fpeedinefsof thefe returns,that he anfwer^ iw faitly,forthwith. Hence we have aiferiDiredion in our refine c»Satan,whichisthis: ^
fmbmtb nfOia. TheDwoaion is of great ImportanceT^ not for us to pafs by a Temptation with Siknee,ot to defer an^
Fnr th*fe ReafolS '-
, J!?i:^''^?**"r^ of Temptations, is doHgemt or infecSious. dothfuffiaentlyinforecaneccffityofthcirj?w^»roi^ ThiiS ofdangcr rcquireaMfc«ftop. UFoxTon i;^-ken intothe Body we fpeedily labour to caft it up, or to ovcreome it by AntidoJ,: WclatourtoilaytheTprcading.ofa<?i«,^««prcfmly. who thinks It ht to delay, when Fire hath taken hold upon an Houfe^ •~ScrdMedi.2Jev«y<?!P«»'««>)'ofhelp, is in the y>ee^i«i/> of the endeavour' cina paratur, Tis too late to bring Water when the Houfe is confumed, too late
irgaTtn^L3j;Ji7^jl«>.^^^ Th^Aat
ucrt moras, fonfader what a Temptation is, wiUfeenoreafcn to move flowlv
moppofing. '
Secondly, Sile»ce eneouragab Satan. 'Tis not with laxti as 'tis
' with Men:. 'Tis the Policy of fbme, to ww/flaJ^thcirPetitioncis,
and
'Chap. 14* ^^tm's Xtntpt^mne, aoi
and by filence tofure them fromzny fiirthcr addrds, but Satan hath nore impudence thaa to be put o9ttofc(mnUHaase by delays and more aSive Malice, than to be Mfcoftragedby filence h nay it doth x>n the contrary mW^A him* Mi^^requefts are difheartned by Silence, but fuch Motions^ which by their na^mt imply a difgraee^ and carry ncyreafon for their Acceptance, but what they exp^ to iind in the confent of thole to whom they are made, if they be not preiently refufed, they give eneonragemait to hope for entertainmem^ An immodeft requeft to a chaft Matron, if not forthwith ezprelly .abominated, encoura^eth to further attempts. Si^ being Co great an a&ont cp an holy Heart, the Motion of it cannot be en- tertained with Silience, . but Satan is imboldned to expe^ confoit in time, aq^ioHaw^ his advantage accordingly. Heufuauyt^ at ^ valiant peremptory refiftance 9 but if the puUe of<iiie Soul beat flmlyupotf the Motion, he grounds his h(ff upon that, and is * animated to a furtker.procedure.
Thirdly,Our mBs are apt to be inclined by delay. Though gnce :Juv^ma4^^^4M^t our Csopkcd naturt^. ydt we ftill carry fuch a Jv4y to our finrmer difpofitions, thatafinall thing ( having the j^dvantagepfourAHiirtf/B^ and inclination j makes us (like a fitful Bon^} turn toawQldfiand. For the Mnderfiandingzxd nM of die &qgeaemte. are bat im^eSly good, tbefacul(ies that ifainild ol>ey are ftnndy > in fuch a caie how dangeroustnay delays prove i >Vho will faiftr a ieditiouslnccndiary in an A«my, formerly incli- jied to Mutiny ? Who will permit Leaven tp remain in that Mafi, which he defiresmay not be leav«ned,and not quickly remove it ? l/Vho will negl^ a fpark upon dry Tinder, Cthat would not have >
itcpnCuiP^^ ^nd notinftantly putit.out? If it was ib great a mifchif f CO fiivin Innocency ,(,zs hath been faid j to delay her pe- temptory denial, of how much greater hazard is it to us ? Delays atz dangerom^ to a very Proverb, and Silence may end in Confint.
Fourthly,Silence is gARxfime degree rf confent. *Tis ftrangc to find '
a Man delaying an anfwer to Tempt ation, ^nd yet no way guilty \
of confenting, latjiings that gre to be.oppo&d with care and ha- tred^ no Man can withhold his Hand without blame :. he that is not agaiffi Satan ( who is to be perpetually refitted ; is fofar fof j^jf^,.^ . «. i/m, as be is not againft him. He that delayr Juttice which is due, tbm e^T negare denies \u The Judge in the Parable was calledunjuli:, not becaufejuiii Um. he, h^dd^^rqured ifee .Widows Hopfe, but becaufe be deferred to ^'* "^ P^<*- do,ha f^.^ ^P tb*t bindtsrs, m Cvil when, .and as feon as hecan; tdh^i^ ^^
C c dcth ' '^ '
J
rdblH mmHoai ud.apfiii»e it* Thefe ore received A^tiamr a-
jsiongiiiAeo^ andluivcr'tbeiaine'tiutli in then), if applyed tore-
ififiancejofTcmptattom* Andtliis mayfiMPther appear by confide-
.tingCi«)The»rJ^/J-of thewiUinthc R^jwerjre. When our wj^s
.tttff^jiict^ifioagOQdaBda^nft^^^ yet we^BUBOt fiiy, they
.^e^afiSbiitt tfaffaOM) ^dagaj[ii^dieoth€T^ 4mttbar there ts
:^ljjim Agrfeofofctfentfrto^good, and of indHnatipiitocvilhi
.eurvHls,0reUe «re ifaoiddfiOt meet with coin pJamtngs of £pr^^
«/ifi/aAJxi0d«i^aeere«efiftaQoe&; as in the Ape^, the evil that I
KWinMBCf^tbat ioi. (2O The^£t/ofdicwiHificodfentiflgtnay
^(ofMuL, -HaacL, aiid^ck^ (hwt diey mdy be almoft hjef^g^
MoA as iftmud^ atadieady-as cbs Mocion. <^^;; The wiH may faie
iMf*fpititf<»i^ 4vbetiyet it^fermsiiotin
klk]£myftfimfejiffmkniim > 4tniay 1>efMlfo)r4fi thatJt doth not
wmnJhaM^ata4fy^^f^Jf^ ' fiirtbe^i(|^<M^ or negation of
the wills a3 (where itought to ad:;) ^^anneic avcid the charge of
Filthly, iiot^o^KiSvtr,^kac)j^\8tf»iofifbi1^ fwering4 'Tis ie/r iitti^a^ m^n^eimrfbrHAUi^he .
ffegdy in oeaiaL The fooiier Fim is put eiit, orthe l^leale isihiti Kfid^tfe Jeis hurt isdont \ tad 't«far k(s krbourta^uAicfi a Sfmjr, thioitaFJane;> to pbokvp^yoiiae'^ f hanaa eid^tandar4 i
4$9vltb.|Btater e^XMsercvoie^fhan^^al^it^iatk^^M^chiD^ Ego adolrfcens jj^^j^ . ]Jj^ jj f«&atljrinakeM f ^ tvtehhi us, our Aflfe^ojis are
Sl^ltttn,* & *^^ ai^age^oar lladertoiidiiig'foon bribed v and tt«n wefevc aixerara ; da siotroBlyStfttfirhat Mr jibtf/to oppolci and fhis ftlfto xlivided^ fldihx caftita. ihatjvhen "we^oiDe to fight, our Wills are agaiflftourW^/^ % tHir *'Sio ^"""limt 4^«w' ^wft our Agmw .\ our #r#e/ aiid Vn^s dafli and Urn enim ne* coocradid xadi other. ksAs^in confeffefh of himfelf, I ^r^;^ me dto exau- (laid he) and then feanJL hfi ilMHjbauh^kear me infion » i /^j!* aires & cito ^^ ^^ fiiii^ father than U ipctinp^ Ltlfti At the hiil AfTauIt, the £^pl«c 5oulis€ft in zie$teff<fiHfe^ more unanimousand «i#Mt with it quaroexringui. fclfithaniMhe^/A«^^|p««^ F«r fas*onefeithJ
cWi/:/. «.<^.7. 'ttisJbctter to do it while reafin komnfrfute^ than when bothiUif* »&ecnham^^ ^^ ^^ll^i^^oiifpire againft us. And UfHy, It would be more ^^i[^;^/; HoocHjr and ^^^ izxhtt mt tohaye sdmiittd fuch a
tur^uam non Gui^ ihe&a&erA»hada»uance into our Thoughts, to be forced admitucur ^jufiibimfMC* IxptbcipevieW'Of ouvAdiohs weOiali have mpre ^P^ (Mofitttcoibaff^ebeciucfcluceagaiflll^^
The
iff herf hWWrf <iifi«it€V aodihew wdds ii*inon:to heftidfortlitt dtefenjtfkm of thfe tSredfidn, but «» accDontof whW i» tiffyed
Fi«f Tftae' it rtwft ^finmt » fiseed daermmttm agatnft Sm. Sdfrietefuft a* Te*ivp»«io» withdiefanieMHid^ thatcafryed l«»V
V*ift'<Af rf ***>^> «''** **^ f"'^ l«»jwerf their o#n' indinatfbft, bat «efe Koiioi? fe# tiftthey i^, ftM. •» an*BO mmdar : fbrif ho
tHe SolTiai^JWten of tbt Fkfli be i<icU<ieid i^umurd, jhje. is litrie eioe^tioii fhathe v#honiittey&:(iM«»« piit iarfpreat, and . 6trt coMlydeayittg, ftfeattfeWotttteag. But tteti*^^ dWft eiT(ianyMc«(i'd!j?*«» f6 bopwbffoccefe, muai^an Ao^ <jf M>/y iiOSgndthit aga«»ft the <iff» of Tci»i»tatiOD,and ttet aw^ rterfitto a fcriousrcfoWc of ^^^^jdi^ _^ ^, cc^ -
S6tofldlr, THs-poativtf «feiiir*l Mirtbe aMb vtfdy^juttfSA- tan, in Motions that arc ««%(y, or that may feem Ug^,htt\g^ and not <fi«a/? intended. Though it may be but a tranfient Glance, or a thingfhat is out of «»r R<r«i, yet muft noth«|, be amtemud&t undervalued. >fo*jry will take noticcof /««» a(awnsorci«««. fiancei, and no lefer^itioi^ muft wcfccdf every profiarnadc to us. left Satan *y *!y meMs get an advantage agamft us.
Thirdly, Th&Kfufal mull be fo ^kJl, *!»« « »°5[|^ «ady to take the Temptation by the-Throat. At the fffl Matm at nfing Sitinour Mind, we tnoft endeavour to ftifle it inthjBirtb,^that knwybe ^thttmmdyFfHb of a Wma»,^^ VlS'^til \ t^emufi notgive ittimctogrovruptoa JW- -»/ ITid;?^, but JnuftnipitinTheearlicftbaddit^sofiU 'Tis the nature of Grace fifwedobut faithfully purfucthc inclinations of it) to be ^uick
n its oppoGtion i fo doth the Apoftles phrafc teach u^ Ga. 5. 17.
theoneftir, but the othct fe ttady with an oppofiton, and the rcafoA of it, is ftom the aahe eontritrifty that Is bctWtxc thctti i foe fo the word' ivri'KCrroci there ufed; would cxprcfe it i they are fworn Enemies, animated by principles of conftant owpofitwn, » ^tfter and Fire arc, which cannot meet in peace together, bat a prefent noife and Combat c i^taHcd fiom this «fljii«8i*«w
Fourthly r When this isdone, we muft cndeavoaf to ««"*'««» ani^\^~o<^iit^diraUi^>tnct. AChrHofGodak«OWr)itf.fcifal
104 ^ CteattCe of Pam m^
yiddiagsofiD&imty, may iayisthcApoftk, Whaldo^ I d^ Im not y that is (lO What he then confents to, he did not aBam'- at thtfirfi^ tilt importunity prevailed, (x.) Tboi:^ his AffeSwu . iWineto Sin, yet his confiant fettled judgment is againft it 9 and. though he do it, he cannot fiiy he affnvts iu Neither of thefe aie - the things I aim at > but thts^ that as the firfi- Motions of Sins are^ dilallowed, we fliould endeavour to hpf at that, to fiand mr mmniy. to withhold theleafi ^,^a^/^k or approbation ^ not but that we. wemuftbe fbrced^fadly to acisaowledg the real truth of vi^at the. Apoftle pf^Vs in the place laft cited, that thefe differan frinafUs^ (which of them Ibever oanry the Viiftory) do (b imftdo one another, . 'AM'99^c^\gaiCtc3mtsit^yttH^anM oraitn$«
at^ fo that in thejtMc^oppofitions, there may be ibme /ecre^ de- grees of allowance unavoioably > not withiianding we mufi (b ma*, nage ourdenyal, that if it were pOffihIe we (hould not afford the. ' ym//(^ inclinaticm toward it » , the kail, the. better, and nohkr. Conqueft.
G H A p. XXV.
l[he fourth DirciXion. Of re felling a Temftathn ly Serif* tHTi Arguments. Of fever Althingsimflyei in the Dire^ HtM. . the neceffttj ef sufwering by Scripture Argu^ ments* theexceUemy^ftheKemedy.. Jhm Serif turc Arguments are to be mAftdged.
•T^He next particular in Chriil'sAnfwers, tobeobfervcd by us,, iefilfir^ 1 is his c/>^to«/of Saipture, as an invmcible Reafon againft radoncs folif ^U the Devils Temptations*) -he beats them all back with this Wea- Sacris Scripta- pon. It iivmtten. That this was written for our learning, and risvicit, ut ^f^^^ otherwife than for our inftrudion, he lay not under any ne* t^n^t^^iZ^"^^^ hath been evidenced before, and 'tis a
cere, c^jer. in thing which all Commentators do take notice o£ From this we have loc Jatffim. another Diredtion, for the right way tmd order of lefift ing Tcmp?- ^: ^. ations,which is,
Du-eCt. 4. 1^ tenftoiions on^ h^ repelled by Arptments dratpafrom tbeJFord
ffGod. For
For theexplamtfon ofthU) it may be confidered whkt is (i.) p^fi^fofid in this Diredion : for when it is affirmed that we muft uTwerby ReafbitefromScripturd) this Implies^
Firft, That Temptations are not to be oppofed by groundkfs re- filfids s 'tis no way Mt to fay ipt kpHI mt^ becaafe n^e w^ not^ nor to infift upon our orni bare refelve: fbrthis would btrrilfidnefs^m* tber than an ohtdimtial nfrnfal \ and unwarrantable/e//^ci^ff/f^e/rce, father than an humbk m^Ung. There are Ibme, of whom it isaybefaid, as theProphet once charged thej^eir/, Efa.Z2.ii, that when.Satan comes upagainft them, they took in tjiac Day tfr th ArmoHfaftbe Houfioftbe Fm^^ they repair the Wall/and cafi Si#clibfbrFortifkations theyprepstrethemfelves tothe^attel in their awn Stmgthy bm tbey look^nH unto the Makgr thereof^ to him wb0 by his mighty Power nm^ faJMcnom Hearts to refifltnce. The Vanity of fuch undertakings is enough manifefied in the ETent,fbr ^ommoidy^ch Meii)gookiJn4Br««>^of refotution, but are fb 4//«re«f atlhfe^riliappeayance of the- Enen^y, that they ydldif/fithut a^ftroid^ Who conla be more confident than Feter^ that he would BOt^;iyhisMafter, whatever others did, and yet bow (bondid his Heart fail him? We may warrantably deny a finful Motion^ without being ^A^^/rc/ie in our reafonagMaft it, efpecially In ufieal T(?9)ptatiQn& and when tbey thruji themfelves into our Minds,at fiich tones when our Thoughts are charged with an attendance y^n other Dutics>in which neverthelds the Heart hath zficret and* ^ implicite regard to the Command of God : But in no cafe muft. we go down to the Battel, in the (Irengthof a If^tlfidnefs^ left it go againft us«. And thus do they, who when they are reproved for ibme mifcarriage, a^ of Drinking, will pre(ently with great con*^ iAtTiC^mzktengagennntf^' not to drrak Wine or itrong Drink,not t9 go intoa Tavern or Akhoufe, without any hwnUeref^eii toDu* ty, orthe Fower of God for the Conqueft of the Sin : and accor?- dingly we (ee that ufiially fuch Promiles and Obligations do not bold > either they tpilftHly break them, or they^ become finfully mtty to make Evafions for^ the pradice of Sin, without the breach '< oftneOathor Promife. ^
Secondly, The Diredion fuppofeth that we muft deny the Sin with the Arguments ofgreat^^trengfb^znd Amhority, There were occaijonsandhints of other Anfwers to* thefe Temptations that oiTered themfelves in Chrift's way, and yet he waves them all,fix- ing only upon Scripture reaibns as the beft and ftiongeft. 'Tis no
Chri-
&n, but, WhatwiUMtAravf Of.nJ^t^uyfg^^r^V^^
fidesi that thcfe wpuH only bea W, to Wag orf d«pUtiSS that It IS no wax fafe jto wmwe «ur SoubupottfoKdES^ when bt«et««yJ,ehad/for.v^>«ttv«t«JehrS«^^ when he may bayc^ Wi>; 'tisetffyfot&teito£^ tl^
Bows, and f« <r«* tl./.& C»^^;^ /:,_ j^_ / • _ . . . -. T^. mcio
. Bows, and to m thcfe SRcaj^m fuBrfet vhe.tte A««««Sh r^^ - fons with f^^cafoiM, and ptdentJy make us believe, <S w
. Thirdly,. This bir<5^otB6|i««carlf^ iteth cjLft
Cbaraaer^Jjutm the A&rfandKea&n of it j tfa*tao< ScS5 ufc<Iasa_cW»PrM (as if tbeDcvilwcW aflhaddftteS^ ^dyvo,d.ofiU.c«*^*l«^,teiQe^a, bStf?i£^
it?C««*w^, whic^.worfeuf^rttheM-KltheJrigHeft^SSJ;
bear. Notw«hftandio« the pbihnefe aod'andeni.bfa.fe of Sk S '^** i.ptonlydoig*«^*«Ale« bkfe th«nfelves awiS tfS Devil by repwting feme Plwafe? o« Sc«teu«8 6f ScripS^^Z
t.n«.tly, and foch as have qodir«a f^i6aieio*SSS^- ftand betwuct Satan and them, (asif eSmihondd SJSd^S
Jehvah) but alfo P^^f?,, Cw<iof.thm,,.fecbaS miSrEj SS! pofed more conjSderate than to be <»med bvftch J«nSl V^ u*^ r^,f^^^ Placed a «««in the f W. aJ^ouSJatS^'S
^ ons; the ^^g«g of Sentences of Scripture ab«K ,He Sh^
Virtus Ev,n. W^, fortbedrivmgaway of evilSpifiis, though in a dwr J! gelucftmin- »rtf<*5»a to the reafon which rh«fon«.:^ »l^ ""6" |n a wear (wk
in figurU,ergo *^°"'*^' .^"'^1^ « f^is,^ that the P«Wr ofScripure k min tbeFii de po&a P.O. therefore prohts isfoadmdintht Hurt, not asiL«r^£^JL \?T
hP«.^. >..&c. Suchkindofoppofitiomrnjlfa^^o^.f*'
^t'it ^-^^-^^ think to A.re*iOr«,7^i, i«^^« JS^T^'S^^
' ^^ cometohimwith*4i.iW^e, wto/Z^witfahimas a^^'lS/J
he
a^if^vy, ^a^'if Eemi^tiottfif* tor
4j|jd Jr uft jrf"^ptWP^5»«»»"H^> «^ fft^H^f" We fee Chrift ur- flfd^^py S^txift ifuH^mitt]^^ km he «fed iit. wards, and %)fe tQ Hiw^e^#^./^^ ^*w«i)i«iof ^WsiBiBok t»fiag againft .' .tbiHPJ'fWl<3fiifSr<-' .Jvi»wTiS!»Ff#<««»Aad.8» Aofwer that dothjifoi^ fujl^.^^^iwwerjy )cWfir9Bt^*t>)bW»g»wicrf the nwarcf the Te»npt«ion, *B<i;fefl^€d;iK«i«i*^«©b(e4iPoW£^ that
ftrfMmi^fmV^Vf^^ tbpHgh hfth%d» ft opportunity to rc-
ia thatCwlliclwt pipdW^c ip P/W.#i*. to f»dai»c any that ikwl4.p#Wt««»"fly'?iW>09^*^^ ruft'out cf
<Jpji\way9(Jty,«ti^ww^,.<h« <^w«, «nd«<!i?Qftdtfee#ffiu*
^ a" pjb^ SaipturcXYhich chargfitIx-l^l80«««tt8)ft^M^. . • • ib'ings thaf 4re.to J>ejr«Wl»/ifWrfM«nA*w«tto«a»entcitit, t - i^l»? J«ffiW»»fW»S*ft'lfe«efifl<Hl by Stjn^ym^tffmnu, by thefe
Jk«^ he i^ tbffijt He^t ^iui(i4k9»ffi*l*^wi4hm fat aftgn tfpan ihine
thciat* «urjt43t^hp^GQi»rfiaP<i Umbe upd^rgooil Jiter^Uy, asthe Jeflv a|p3?hq^Ai,^d pi51«^«<^» OHoujsfe^OHie tlyskotharwifej) is' oQt oweflpry tJO.i)C*flef t*d, feei?ig 'tisgwnt«d by «ll, that they w?re to.ha.ve the Conpmands of the JUaw 4o seady in their Minds, ^d Mewioiies, as if they had been written on their Hands, and MKjn their Eweh^ads,. TbatGod deCgned this precept for the re- 6flafljce.ofSin^odTpmp*?u<jn, caiwO(tiic4Q»bted, .and that the idvwtig6;wbicKtTiigbtheiifi8.arifctoth!erow:?$nQt only the*t«- jf<jrw!*w« .'of their h4inis in point of .5m, asd Bnty^ is as una- ypidabk •> ftn that^and w»? is intended by that pirt pftJicIojiun- <5ti,Qni 'f:htfe.wtn-dtjf»kchlcommndtbte^JilheJHfhiite[&art^ but ^R ? boida this infivwfitipn fwhijcK the Hnowldg of theLaw
'^ ' ■ " . and
,^<,8 :a ICteatlCe Of Part m.
sulffoi (which would ^finable- tbetnto fif, 3^ ^^^^ ^ l>^ 'v
»/>W» wy Htmi) he forthet enioytis th^mi^thfe- quicfcand teskfy y%^
. mtmbranm of thcfe Laws Tai tt they were fontUtf htttPan their
■Eyesy and figns M their Hands 'y) it can Ggnity ;bo Ids than this,
that in & doing) they w6ukl be aUe to <ref^ thofe Motions, by
which Satan woQld feek to engage them to the ^violation of
thefe Commands. Neithtt need we todoubtharcof^whcn Chrift
hinafclf hath fo fuH^auj^tuSi b/ hii own Example, in'rdifting
Temptations, the farttmlarmfi of the rememhrance of the La» : In
the Neir X^anunt the Apoftte is oieftexprefiin thirmaftek-, E/^. 6.
•I J. 7al^theSpmd4fftheSpmt^ whith h the WordefGody where
not onlv the ii/eof Scrfpfure^Coimnand^ and 'Prornifes againfi Sa*
. tan's.Syggcftionsis rawght, but atfe tfce >^ itw^'-aiia potency
of this Weapon inre%ence to itseridi ^tis called a Sn^ofd^ and
in that comparifoa) it* (hews the aSwe refinance which may be
made by it > and 'tis called, not a Sword of F/^ (fbrilie fTea^
fonfrfimrfrarf4'*aftno^Qtt^al)b^t(f^ tb (hew how
mightyitisin«€peUing'Sataih --- -; ^ - ^ *\ :
Secondly) AiMhei Evidence of ttis'Aftfnliids; tift^ttt^hcjke^ c^ which ahe Children of God haf^had in the W^t management of this Weapon. *Tis obfervabk fhat white Chrift lanfw^ed by :Spripture, Satan was Ji/€«?«/, and had not what to reply to the Anfwer, but was forced to betake himfelf to a itetf Ttnl^affon^ •David in many places highly magiilfies= thif l^bwtt of the Xlcrt^ mand, in thefoccefs he had by it. ffiJi^f.-^. Heftews hdwi^ vaiJable it was to prefave him in his common, converft, from the finful Snares-laid before him, concerning the vmki ^f *&«? hy the w^rd of thy Lips Ihave kgft me from the Paths of the d^hnyer. In Pfat. 1 8* 32, 23. he tellsuisthat he wa3'(hieWed front the Sins of hi* inclination and love fwhkh ate hkrdeft to prevent) bytHeoppo- fition that he gave to the Morions of them, in letting up the Sta- tutes of God againft them, AShU Judgments wtte before me^ and I did notpKt away his Statutes fromme > I i»as alfo n^ght before bim^ and I kgpt myjetf^ni mint Ihiqttify. fn PfaU 1 1 p; 1 1 . He puts hii ?roba\umefi:\x^t\ theW^ad of this RecW, and fpcaks ofit as hii conAznt tefu^e^T^hy fFbrd have I hid in ffty Hearty thatlmiglytmtfn againfi thee. In PfaL 37. 3 1 . He fpeakstjf it^$ ztryed cafe of common experience to all the Children pf God, The La:»f of God if in his Hearty In Bpift ad *^* ^f *^ fitps JhaH fllde. I Ihall addHto -this, the Expetience* df GaL * Lmther^ Wi^ (faith he) the Motlohrofkh^^Fk/l^ldffrage:, the only
remedy
^wmiyn^ u ui^ tU Smrd of ibe Sfirh^ that k ikt WwiofSalvatm^ mduMtt^mlfkihm^ - — rfwk^ Imyftlfhsmgsodtxfmvuet^l Immjwf^rtimmiyjBfu^fafh^ hm fi fionmllaid:
hMrf4myfl4ieiofS€rifmrt^ tmi ftt^imy fdfnfmiit^ 4r ifman. ^iid^y firaigihpay ng^t!^^ wbieb wHhm
thefTardy 49Mhenuff^l^fkmit$Mkny$lmiphit mlinltjf^ee^
IMMcfe liB to dVifCMUm • ■
' Thiedly, The£ycf£p;feyofchbitinedy ]mUfurthcrat|^pearfio^ thcfe following retioDs. ^*J5^ ^^» .
Ffffi, InthatitisanZ/ii»fr/j/RciiHrdy,thcrccanbcnaTcn^^ SScJTta^i^il tixm cither of fabieemmt^ otofafffigbtment^ but the Scripture will bus -^alium ^ferd a fiiitable Piomife or Commaiid to repel it : So th||t it (like (i^%^va De. AeFtsmi9£'S$pordiatht Cbendrim band at Paradife) turns eve- ^^ ^^^ ^^ ly way to gMard the SouL I need not give inOances of its Power ^^^ £^„ againft Gnfnl Motions^ having done that already > and of fiich tunc non efle Temptations whidi war againft the peace of the Soul : I need but P^^nn fed hor- iky this in the ccneial, that as the Natmt 6fjmb Temptations is £„.*^ . . toiifffnfi GoJ; and to render him dreadful to us, in ttieappear-y* t^. ^^ ancesof Wraths andincompaffionatelmplacablenefs > ( and this Reclamac.(S;<- JLitfkrfetsdownasa certain rule) So have we in Saipture fuch ^*^) ^wdc i^/^4tiM/of the Mind and tender Inclinations of God, and fuch ^^^^^"^^^^' fidlanddfifrFremifotoaittreusofthis, zxyA thok£o adafttd to promiffione--* every ca(e, to every kmd of hard thought which we might take eft autem opus up agafai0 hiif), that we may find enough in them to fireak all^^^**^**^ tfaoicn»didoiismifi«prefeiitatk)ns of Satan, and to keep upinour ^|j^j^^^* Mind, ri^tbm^safGodi which if we will adhere to (not promiffio. z^^* fiufoing fiidi Fromiies to be wrefted out of our hands , nor our f^*r m Gem. c Itearts to give way tomal^nant impreffions of Cruelty, Revenge Cor^aidad^c ortlnipeiafiihefiinGod) though we be caft into Varl^^ J°to ui^adwfum thelXcc^^emay findibme BMat$ on which to fix fuch.%iwij^/ vcrbom Ddf ofHope^ asmayat]aftgiowuptoa5/frffitf/ft;afcMginGodourf'e9u^^^ Saviou»:.and iothi»ca(e, when our Heart and Satan didate to us ^"ai^"^/^^ tfaat£MirMm£miiy, weought (as^itwere) tojimt ottrEycsr to,am.^f^i^. idiile to hearken to ourown^cff^ and Feeling, and to /S^tp theNulh alia re Whrdi bat if wt once give np the woid oi Proaufe,'tis impoflible ^^^ S^nari the womdof Ckmiaenceflioiildbe healed with any other conlulc* c^fj^^^
latiom quam vcrbo
; Sttondly^ This Resoedy is amfrdmfive of moft other Remedies Divinae pro- iqg^flftSainn's Temptations. In Epb. 6. There are feieend other "^^^^n^ U. I^etoesof Spiritual Armour reoommended, and yet there is fuch a ''^' ^j* ^^
' Dd mani*
« «i
mtktf JudgiMiK wd43pkii««k) depend aft-dbie mtd^J^SfrtfmA
faardfliips^hat attend Holinefs) arr{mparedto im^ kf the comt^. fimaUciin^pcace^bfingiQgi'ira^^ Ki^lftft^
«e/whicb is our Bre^/f-F/^^ is only {Hfarfb^ ud wmgjbi mktsii * u$ bf . t^GbSoqitiDre, and its OnUiittii«c$ i JP^iil^. wbidiis our . ^ J&ie/i, andB^ wk'ch iaourJBbbiM^ theyMidifirfif tbem «ft; nictli0iitf % iroirjniflod cfwowagoMitt aCit : . wdnriieiNai odbcft ^ pan4of^AisMi«att4A^«iI«iv tUs^o^^^ to^heiTiMr4 viuchaotooij^^dMM^ bmatfai]^^ and bcate U«kthe£ncinf. iftfaetmtectJ^efemiiflycKmfidcixN), attb^ p^ of Aunonrare but tbde fM^ <i|be^iMMf <tf (fatS^uk^ f^tkh^ Hope^ Vu^odn thek.^ncm«pea^ themn^of S<9i^p^ii9» a^
thei;|fiiaHa#%,and m;iiJM ^/NrdMMsfetbaealb :
tUfi ilnpiouf bdns P^ ^^h in rrsfy. faituliiar IbnpcatioQ, ifr amounts lonooKirrihaii tfaisweatt^^eikttgoi^^ fAtiwumtaUrefB^ed^ bysbdkmg^ fbimtf^ J/if^ii^ m^m ^ Hm..miii^JfffimmsfmthtH^dif^ ^^ ^
^^wn'^Jb Satiptose e asit istfae Wbid aaJ Goovmnd of dm
^MatKlBgofHami^} hatha; ^JMHioy ati J><OTit^^i>fagi Ai^fl^f^ .
viTf oveqtbq Cw^Amr^oChfeik Wivnrtbff^ itwi
ixJWif^ £Mik^Si,4« aodfkitktbe Mi^ofmXIiMb itbatiiBDWcrcfver tbe CmffsauKn ofmofe tbabfte.jKfi nrtiidtK
€mi£ aDivioefion^nr, tb^istiefttbo im«' fot |d» Cooumik^. whicbaaay be &axmi^2Btg3tdi4wbam^miMiA hihoA txp^SlQi)^ fiipm thca^,g«Mx»f£tfaciitaKt»oi) Smi^is^ ndim ^« h- «b: .
Miv^j^ Jiercroci^ dotb aii&fiioiittWcMiw^ ;
verwpcki) if «fac^^<M<imV>oCibat:Li^ to^zD^r
AraiD, and give chiQtk to the conruption oC the Heart) wexftmr^
J^jsdMpd^ tlnecaiilteiiamtft^
lt.caMo toiiie vile^ofMeii;: bi^tgfeDirttBAitawJto^^
^m€ JMaipM the Wdtd to be witft ^ood Mei^, whofb {Ie9rtsf !!«#- Ifcat the Wosd, 'Wfaetr they bind the Lam t^ tbOr tkatf itiA
t9^mMatt^tdgtdStmi: nprdotfr it only by *ff/«;&4y. affright- ^''** 5^"® ^*" moaestmifythcm fioin Sfe, bur by comraandhieDuty make tfic SudSr* Hrtrc M itfiv with tt, fb that it becomesa deUghrfiit fatfsfei^fion to nugarum, &
\9t piefavcJfiOai the Slnare. quas amittcre
Fmibfy, There is no Aigtattcnt that can be ufeJ ag^tinff !"^«J*^a^» T«ftpfatiofis^ that can be itiorc aff&mtefy dife^Htaghig to Satan : g*"diuTcrau SaiM, asbaJ asheis, cannot butMm^ thofe Truths lyhkh he ^^?. Cfjy/^/. kwm^ and heknoivff that thctc dre many Truths in Scripture '• ^- ^* ^* . fvttchteiped'hitn, as tirreatnnrgs of Pnni&ment an^ Divine Vt<i»geancc^ hthdkm thefeibbigs and tretfAtesy Jfatfu i. tp. Hlsr mmnAdAlci^ffafU^y (^remcmbranoeofthefe things begets &i^ 9*010^ m him, he cannot but be under a dread of thefe Trutts •, TWha<c»bcl}ipt)Ofcdfc to wonnrf hiiiias the bringing rhefethings tbtoeox)^, byttf^mgAe Cottinrandof God againff him ?" i£l«< ^ e # -rfnw/wit&givestwoinftances of this kind, theoncof 06r/)?^^^|^*^ ^^- '• HrtKi* Sn^ittfcffi O&om theKpiftleOcdicatory tothc^ 5 f(?is»e/ of ' ' Bp«nllwV\v<tfks':> Thctftherof I>^irfCrj«iKrKcdl:or ofaSchobt • srv J^WNfhi (%rMff»j^onboth which the Devil Vnstde a bold attempt itfA-j^iNri^^M^ :> liblQii the firfl demandtog zCdtaUtfie of his Sins in Writing, ; from the other.de)niiilding a Taper in which oneoT f^ $ttRlcntshadx>tdiged'fa}mfdffo Satan's Service, they bpyhitfetredhm to thatTeitt ofGtfU 3. r^ • 'theSTeedoftbi Tf^oman JMhm^^tbtHtgJLfT^^^^f^' And this was retorted upon him yf9i^Cfsmzfihrw^9Xerdf0Bm thatheprefently£#e^the fuit a^lifWiilic*. . ,
« K/^ Thtslfi/^pontannoTeafflybesi^effii^/Wofottrhu^ Wtien we^urgt a Bn^fa^ Pr»A£ft/lria^«again{{ a Temptadbn^ what csllhefayilrAnl\ver^ hecannotiie^ittdbethe9V/(^God>. or' t^hi^Mi^ cti!tm.wt dKtkOtobrtged to it 'y he made none of thefe r«lttWMo€hiift,'liUtbyhfeOf2e^^, wrtiiB^thatitwasCcrf'srHbly , Comipand ^^/<g/;ig;us to Duty*. Neither dares he ftand u^ . .
tfMM^WK^ttfns, except hefind our. JTaith Mc/iAe^to waver, oir our . ititod5ii»«idlr^d wounded by inward trra^ and when ^
he puts tmz boldnefs to deny Scripture to be the Word of Go^^ tHafr ft figrufies- Oc^i restMntendmen^ i^ his thresining; Cfcstiby bigflrfing- )*iWttf tff the Ttuthoqcrmture,, anirby'ftggjeft^ng '. Iiijl^^f ^B^afid^p^ of the
t •* Dd 2 Com-
%ti ZXmtittOt Partem:
Commands of it, hivneRs Cwhenhedoth pevailj 'this Wei» pon out oCour hands; yet he is forced to/*** a toit^ajs^ and hi many frevim infinuations to make his way to thefe atheijUeal «/l * firtiott/. Thus he did with Eve, foft (finding her a little inclina- ablc3 he dn^ in privily fomething that might argue, the Imtv- bability of the threatned Penalty, and then at URpofithtly de^ed
' it. ^ut Tiovf \£y)cho\6i to tKiSy that the CommMM is trut and My
tttdji^ and good^ becannotwrell out plea from us. • Sixthly^ Nothing doth more waiemww Temptations, byren- dring the nafons and motives thereof vaiu and empty, than doth the contrary commands of Saipture. Temptation hath always feme intieement of pleafure or profit, and.theie only feem to be *i- ^/jgorrealbnable, while we (OA^Attf the Word of God, as nt' ten wood or F(/&, piine only in the daik« but when we are mgai with finful ftajkret^ how mean, bafe, dangerous, and unlo^ be they, when the command to the contrary gives information that- they itcfnaret and lead to Death, or the provocation of the Al- mighty.
Seventhly, v/hilc we refill with Scripture-Argumcrits, we m- gage God (whofe Command we would ftand by ) to co down tn the Battel with us i ^clayhlduPonhifJhenpi.zndpatMLZ • ons upon him, to take us out of the fhare, and to deUvdus &m hma who is toofirong for us.
Fourthly, ,It remains that in a word,I ihew bow the Command* or Arguments of Scripture are to be ufedin refilling Satan^whith IS thus; men mt have any finfiil thought c^ma.yoi^mndLfi^. rejeatbe^er by fargtngyoitr heart whhdtay, frmfime o^e com. mand. As if you be urged f o ads ofUncIeannefs, prcfentlvrefiifr thusi No,Imuft not,God hath commanded the contrary: he S faid thcufialt not commit Adtdtery. If a covetous thoucht irU>^ jed it with this,God hath mA>»Jhalt not Covet, If you he t^iS* ed ro pleafe the Flefli, and follow vain delights, anfwcrit «Sk xhi^IfjtUpeapertbeFl^^Mdk: andThe Uke muft b^ SJj • m other Temptations. .. »" oc«one
Objed. ; fo|nemayperhapsthink,thatthisise4^w(,dtand quickly don*
aid that It fcems to attribute a f7r/«e and Po wer to the Jor£^ &npturc, - as if Satan were charmed by the language or DhraTe
Anfif, ' Hp;^evcr> At the fitR view this may feem cafy, yet he iS^n
a^ nfidtt how much ^Wajeof, Grace gi^s neccS^^^^^^ uk ot ;ga^tute^^^«,^ m not &c^ to,.4t it ^ ^
mon^or yet to diink that any vcrtue is attributed to dit'wotisJoti Firft, The $aript\jre here is only recommended as afit Infimnenti 4ind no fiirther or higher ptaife is givenithough thereftare we may not attribute the whofeotthe Conqueft to the Iniirument alone, yet this hinders not, but- that as an Inftrument Peadiarly fitttd for th«{e ends, we may commend it above all otbef Iffirumt/itt: as wc may iuftly commend Bread for nourifliing above a Stones and ex- pctt more fiom it, than fiom a chipi (b have we reafon to expeft more by the ufe* of Scripture againft Satan, than from other means of defence which God hath not fet up for that Seryice.
Sfecoridly, It is a to»wiwt«»v of ^"*''* ^"^'^ an^Aidthaf- wff^KT/ for us. » the Inflrument is ^ipture, but the Power by which it worki is from God. •
Thirdly,Neithcr is it aiiy eard^ formal ufi of >Scripture expref- fions, that will give encouragenaent for expcdation of a Divine concurrence, but the ufe of Scripture in thisbuGnefe implyes an ««wyft^«ffC^««w/or, it is an uiging of Scripture under a/tfiff^W" .
Confideration. ,,,^.,«., ji-„_
Firft, As being eertamly perfivadcd of their Tmtby and fully
kieepmg to that belief. c v l r ^ 4
"Secondly, Ashdngthafil^ t^frAttifive of the^«/«i^ good- ne(s,andMQfitiblcne6oftlieCpiiWMnds, zAdebtatfidlyadbmtig to thc^, as the only way and means to bring us to Unioa with Chrift, and to prefcrve usin it.
Tliirdly, As being highly and indij^enfibly okHffd by them, to . perform the Duty comitaand^d therpm, and to avoid the Sins<fot^.
bidden. •' ■ -• .. » . ' <• 1. . 't t
"Rwrthly, i^MihizD.bKmikei^atiMofada»neMpa.cax^-
diRg to the ftomifeof God.Now he.that can plead the Command-
of ftoi^ againft a Temptation in this manner, dotfe not do.
an ordinary work, neither.wiUheafcribc the fuccefe to the words:
and phrafe of Scripture. .>-.„,,. ,'
Some may (peradventure) wonder why (3jnft by his exaippit had not recommended Fr*^, feeing it is of foch unqueltionablc . nfe in our undertakings againft Satan. But that enquiry mayie fiilly fitisfied, if it 1)6 confidcred, thatChriftdid^curiarly pre-- mre himfelf to this encbuntcr by filmn ¥4ingy vet^a. which.- Sothiw/** W»g- {Qt6xAemfUcatUdix6fViK£ta^damu$*^- *«abY that part wWch is eartwor<toi«y, andnfuallym Sttiptu^A/
tt4 aiTfwftfrof ftut. fit
fRMMofpKrfbvtHen, hath bees Qs^en ofiti irspUcttlt «Rly ilMtiwin heneel«d<t« liMi^trceHpn^
,^^tm^m0^mm''m^^p'm^9*r^t^mm^^mmm^^^9^^i^if0mmm't¥^ti^»i^0m99immmm^
€ HAP. XX Vf.
hettimg Prtjer while the Temnkhm is eojitimuL Oj^^ pm&tnMt itntrtuUedmtrt, mik theji ^t^y wmf,
^ * X artnottohemgkQtd.
lliii8£>(M<pi€nt!fre^omimii^ smd^ lb iaSfJbandlbct hf tnoft Authors, that I (hall refer you to fuch Author; ''as ptrtieu- ]«df tiear of it V noiitog i»l|r, Thsf the i^p»/Rir, m JBpi. tf. tZ. Ti^un hticumWMftJrtt^ettsin ri^.#oit£i) (ftamgdmayf ffM '
idlferfiueranee^anaSHpPlieathnfir allSabtft) hc doql mincl us that ' hethi£aqpdfl»tbeMtm9^ mxx&hcpadiarfyp^
ud^atdtsmKttfMfjgemmthHwoi^. For
Firft, Hemuft have a IV^^ jrdwine pf Hearty he qauftf fjy^^ aT- 1^99^ or (is'die Apoftte'dlK'^ hemhil^ PraycmHmk^. )Nf6c
^<^if ^higP"^Y "^pft fWiitow^ttp^>TTTiy refr, and irfiajt a CfmAkoi had mtim Strvktf t^oittend i^n Frayer, but that hemuft bfdtf a dk^to wrdHe- wkhXjod^bf ^PraTcr s and thirmuft h^ conAaiit- ly carried on,t hough the aSs of Prayer be inurimtM ? and beiTd^ thlt {wfiieb caKes^ \kt ttia^ lieep'ms n1mlfia$etf^iimes for that du-
\ ty^. Jieii|iifthl«^ 1^ tIcattJ?liMft fasJ^^ th^t every occif-
fimmofir ti TteiF*»*ic)n ^i» fr^fyyat hitn upon; the Diity :i
^ na^ i|e in»ft (itKfdpeift ef the fie^uent {ff«^^
wahi6od<*ii»fte^ent9>iMf<ifJtf;7yam be as a
lAmtLwMf mfihea into that Doty, ja^pM/ tya$at ti^ i^ Coovisc- fifliLpWhq ^bat upreffibn fkeMdlk 79'^)^dbthttirit^ taiiaire been- jVFmjter^ ahd-vrtioDj^ takcniip Vitfttharddty, ^
Secondly,^
, - Sfmailfi Tft imift •pray iftAeUfklt^ hli Sigltxtiy^ U thtty in.
thf Duty^ A more than ^r^ jh^ carneftncfsJs necclK^ty lit /(^/evi/i .f
ttetSi 'Jw tMOlfttt dut ill his !9trefrgtb, he moft cry mighilj/y and.
Thirdly, When his Spirit grows dull, he muf\ reinforce it^wztch Ms Ifcttir he tnuft % ttd If it bs^fitedful tb ^idthi it up, h« muft
add F0ftii^^liAdHAthn^wV^tent6lhetrt\cznsu)aY^ btlpKiU . fMHh^, Ift f hfreotitib he muft (S&Atimad Wif h6ut ^vklgoff tW Duty, though God behave^himfelfasifhtf minded not his orvv or poiA fl»«ielteetif'M$^1k2anf^ yer withcat Wi^^inels mbrtour Sup- fdko€tmi9^ne)ir hitti. Xt-ttm be eodtteu^d with all PeHivera»cu, : fIfiMf 4 The Hottt fhat tltldttttlite thb muQf oorbeft iMrr^niv as^C&tee^Mltd Up6ki ftis OWti Conwn Mjy, ithfn he 1$ m^ted ia^ tlM^MMM^ili^^ iskptforollic^^
tous for Peace or Eale^ that hett)ifld^bughim(e!f in his frivateen^ jaymenty without cwKcmiffg himfelf to tender and help thofe that are in tlieiame dangers > when his Supplications are for all Sams as well as for U«!/«[^then may he expc^ to receive an Olm hancb 0f Fore from Heaven in the return of bis Prayer.
Tis often objeded by fuch, that they fray^ but are not beard \ Objeft. . and thatTrmpnttong roniwwai imiwif hllaudiug luaiiy cf y!> ^M* wieflliogs*
Firft) It is a great mifi^ to think thatPirayers ztcnot beard^ otAnfip. ^ donotprevail, necaufetbe Tafnptationis)ia^4»tfi«rMii0P«i^ Pray-. - eis may be acceptable to God, and recorded among his remem- hnnces, wheretheTcmptado%;^of Swfmyf andotboHbo/yE/fi^^ may be continued. *. ^ . • 'i .
Secondly, What God hath ffomifed to fucH Prayer he fails not to mJ^goedy he hath not promi(ed.to exen^ us from Temptation, but from the Father and prevalency of it > If bU grace be fkfficiint fef itf in the mean time, . 'tis an aniwer as good as ?anl got when ^ he was importunate \ if together mtb the Jemf^tation he gives m if^ Jke^ tbattpe nu^he able to hear ity there is his faithfulnek in keep- - ingpromife > he no where promifedj that SataH (hould not tai^y . but that hefliould notfnvail > while we can hold up our hands, in ^ the Mount to God, (and our praying frame will ascertain usof v this : F^r^ Man U never aver^me by sTem^ation^ * Jo bag ,as hie can f ^Mfogait^ tr > for (bJong he deligffts not in it, ib long be eonfents^ '- noty and till he doconfint^ Satan cannot fnevail.y Pr^ «will either '. ix^Xhcp^ftaiifB ffigtmfj^ **