A Cabinet of Choice Jewels, Chapter 1 · Maxim 2
The ſecond Maxim or Conſideration.
SEcondly, conſider, That true, ſound, ſolid marks, ſigns and evidences, are the beſt way to prevent deluſions; there is no ſuch deceit in ſound and ſolid evidences, as there is in fleſhy joyes, and in high and ſtrange raptures, by which many gliſtering Profeſſors have been ſadly deceived and deluded. Young Samuel being not acquainted with any extraordinary manifeſtations of the preſence and power of God, took the voice of God from heaven to be the voice of old Ely. 1. Sam. 3.5.Ah, how many have there been in our dayes, that have taken the irregular motions of their own hearts, and the violent workings of their own diſtempered fancies, and imaginations, and Satanical deluſions, to be the viſions of God, celeſtial raptures, divine breathings, and the powerful impulſes of the Spirit of God, and ſo have been ſtirred up to ſpeak, write and act ſuch things that have been, not only contrary to the holy Word of God, but alſo contrary to the very Laws of nature and Nations. Satan by transforming of himſelf into an Angel of light, hath ſeduced and ruined many Profeſſors,2 Cor. 11.14. v. Gerſon in his Book (de probatione ſpirituum) of the trial of ſpirits. againſt whom, as an Angel of darkneſs he could never prevail. Gerſon tells a remarkable ſtory of Satans appearing to a holy man, in a moſt glorious and beautiful manner, profeſſing himſelf to be Chriſt; and becauſe he for his exemplary holineſs was worthy to be honoured above others, therefore he appeared unto him; but the good old man readily anſwered him, that he deſired not to ſee his Saviour in this wilderneſs, it ſhould ſuffice him to ſee him hereafter in heaven, and withal added this pithy prayer: O let thy ſight be my reward, Lord, in another life, and not in this; and ſo he became victorious over Satan, though he had transformed himſelf into a glorious Angel of light; but ſuch a a victorious crown has not been ſet upon every ones head to whom Satan has appeared as an Angel of glory.See Dr. Caſaubon, and Dr. Moore, concerning Enthuſiaſm. Certainly, they that ſtand ſo much, ſo mightily for an immediate teſtimony, ſeem to open ſuch a gap to Enthuſiaſm, as will not be eaſily ſhut; yea, how will they be ever able to ſecure to purpoſe, poor ſouls from ſad deluſions? for how eaſie a thing is it for Satan (who is the father of lyes? Joh. 8.48. who is an old deceiver, Gen. 3.13. 1 Tim. 2.14. who is the grand deceiver, Rev. 12.9. Rev. 13.14. Rev. 19.20. Rev. 20.10. who has his devices, Cor. 2.11. his wiles, Eph. 6.11. his ſnares, 1 Tim. 3.7. his depths, Rev. 2.24.) to find various artifices to counterfeit this immediate teſtimony, and bear witneſs in the ſpirits ſtead; ſo that, when poor ſouls thinks that they have the Spirit of grace and truth to aſſure them that all is well, and ſhall be for ever well with them; they have none but the father of lyes to deceive them, they have none but the devil in Samuels mantle, to put a ſoul-murdering cheat upon them. I am not fond of adviſing any poor ſouls to lay the ſtreſs of their hopes of heaven and ſalvation, meerly upon immediate impreſſions, leſt they ſhould ſubject themſelves to infinite deluſions. O Sirs, the way of immediate Revelation is more fleeting and inconſtant, ſuch actings of the Spirit are like thoſe outward motions that came upon Sampſon, Judg. 13.25. The Spirit came upon him at times; and ſo upon every withdrawment, new doubts and ſcruples ariſe; but the trial of a mans eſtate by grace is more conſtant and durable, ſaving grace being a continual pledge of God's love to us; flaſhes of joy and comfort, are only ſweet and delightſom whilſt they are felt, but grace is that immortal ſeed that abideth for ever, 1 John 3.9. But,