Satans Temptations in Three Parts, Part 3 · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII. Of Satan's ſubtilty in urging that of Pſal. 91. 11, 12. to Chriſt. Of his imitating the Spirit of God in various ways of Teaching. Of his pretending Scripture to further Temptation. The Reaſons of ſuch Pretendings, and the ends to which he doth abuſe it. Of Satan's unfaithfulneſs in managing of Scriptures. Cautions againſt that Deceit. The ways by which it may be diſcovered.
THe ways of Satan (hitherto inſiſted on) to engage Chriſt in this act of Preſumption, were ſecret inſinuations, and underhand contrivances: but that which he openly and expreſly urged to this purpoſe, was an Argument drawn from the promiſe of God, (though ſadly abuſed and miſrepreſented) He ſhall give his Angels charge concerning thee, &c. This we are next to conſider, in which (as cited by him) we may eaſily ſee, (1.) That Satan affected an Imitation of Chriſt, in the way of his reſiſtance; Chriſt had urged Scripture before, and now Satan endeavours to manage the ſame weapon againſt him. (2.) 'Tis obſervable that Scripture is the Weapon that Satan doth deſire to weild againſt him; in his other ways of dealing he was ſhy, and did but lay them in Chriſt's way, offering only the occaſion, and leaving him to take them up; but in this he is more con…ident, and induſtriouſly pleads it, as a thing which he could better ſtand to and more confidently avouch. (3.) The care of his ſubtilty herein, lay in the miſrepreſentation and abuſe of it, as may be ſeen in theſe particulars: (1.) In that he urged this promiſe to promote a ſinful thing, contrary to the general end of all Scripture, which was therefore written that we ſin not. (2.) But more eſpecially in his clipping and mutilating of it; he induſtriouſly leaves out that part of it, which doth limit and confine the promiſe of protection to lawful undertakings, (ſuch as this was not) and renders it as a general promiſe of abſolute ſafety, be the action what it will. It is a Citation from Pſal. 91. 11. 12. which there runs thus, He ſhall give his Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy wayes; theſe laſt words, [in all thy ways,] which doth direct to a true underſtanding of Gods intention in that promiſe, he deceitfully leaves out, as if they were needleſs and unneceſſary parts of the promiſe, when indeed they were on purpoſe put there by the Spirit of God, to give a deſcription of thoſe Perſons and Actions, unto whom in ſuch caſes the accompliſhment of the promiſe might be expected: (for albeit the word in the original which is tranſlated [ways,] doth ſignify any kind of way or action in the general, foreignyet in this place it doth not; for then God were engaged to an abſolute protection of Men, not only when they unneceſſarily thruſt themſelves into dangers, but in the moſt abominably ſinful actions whatſoever; which would have been a direct contradiction to thoſe many Scriptures wherein God threatens to withdraw his Hand, and leave Sinners to the danger of their Iniquities: But 'tis evident that the Senſe of it is no more than this, God is with you, while you are with him. We have a Paraphraſe of this Text to this purpoſe, in Prov. 3. 23. Then ſhalt thou walk in thy way ſafely, and thy Foot ſhall not ſtumble: where the condition of this ſafety (pointed to in the word [then,] which leads the promiſe) is expreſly mentioned in the foregoing verſes, My Son, let them (that is, the precepts of Wiſdom) not depart from thine Eyes—Then (not upon other terms) ſhalt thou walk in thy way ſafely. The ways then in this promiſe, (cited by Satan) are the ways of duty, or the ways of our lawful Callings. The fallacy of Satan in this dealing with Scripture is obvious, and Chriſt might have given this anſwer, (as Bernard hath it) that God promiſeth to keep him in his ways, In Pſal. 14. In viis, nunquid in praecipitiis, non eſt via …aec ſed ruina, & ſi via, tua eſt non illius. Bernard. ibid.but not in ſelf-created dangers, for that was not his way but his ruine; or, if a way, it was Satan's way, but not his. (3.) To theſe two ſome add another abuſe, in a ſubtile concealment of the following verſe, in the 91. Pſal. Thou ſhalt tread upon the Lyon and Adder. This concerned Satan, whoſe cruelty and poyſonous deceits, were fitly repreſented by the Lyon and the Adder, and there the Promiſe is alſo explained to have a reſpect to Satans Temptations; that is, God would ſo manage his protection, that his Children ſhould not be led into a ſnare.
Hence Obſerve, Obſ. 13.That Satan ſometimes imitates the Spirit of God by an officious pretence of teaching the mind of God to Men.
This our Adverſary doth not always appear in one ſhape: ſometime he acts as a Lyon or Dragon in ways of Cruelty and fierceneſs; ſometimes as a filthy Swine, in Temptations to beſtial uncleanneſs, Anothers ſevstaſc…leſſae immundaeque teſtantur, perhibentur tamen in aditis ſuis ſeciecisque dare quaedam bona praecepta de moribus, quibuſdam velut electis ſacratis ſuis, quod ſi ita eſt, hoc ipſo callidior aduertenda eſt … convincenda malitia ſpirituum noxiorum. Aug.and ſenſual Luſts: ſometime he puts on the Garb of Holineſs, and makes as if he were not a Spiritual Adverſary, but a Spiritual Friend and Counſellour; that this is frequent with him, the Apoſtle tells us 2 Cor. 11. Satan himſelf is transformed into an Angel of Light. Angels of Light are thoſe Bleſſed Spirits, ſent forth to miniſter for the good of the Elect, whoſe Miniſtry God uſeth not only for our Preſervation from bodily hurts, but alſo for prevention of Sin, and furtherance of Duty. Satan, (as wicked as he is) doth counterfeit that Imployment, and takes upon him to give advice for our Good, pretending to teach us in the Truth, or to direct and further us in our endeavours.
That he deſigns an Imitation of God and his Spirit, may be diſcovered, by expreſſing a great many particulars of Gods ways and appointments, wherein Satan (as God's Ape) partly out of Mockery and Scorn, partly upon other grounds of advantage to his intendments, doth counterfeit the currant Coin of the Lords eſtabliſhments by a very cloſe imitation.Civit Dei. l. 2. c. 26. But I ſhall here confine my ſelf to the point of Teaching and Inſtruction, wherein how he proceeds, we ſhall the better underſtand by conſidering how many ways God hath of old, and now ſtill doth uſe, in declaring his mind to his People; the Sum of all we have, Heb. 1. 12. Heretofore he ſignified his mind in divers manners by the Prophets, and in theſe laſt days by his Son, in all which we ſhall trace the ſteps of Satan.
Firſt, God revealed himſelf ſometime by Voice, as to Abraham, Moſes and others: the Devil hath dared to imitate this. There want not inſtances of it in the Temptation, which is now under explanation, he did ſo; and his confeſſing Chriſt, I know thee who thou art, &c. doth ſhew that he is ready enough to do it at any time for advantage.Mal. Maleſic. Part 2. Q. 1. c. 9. Sprengar tells us a Story of the Devils Preaching to a Congregation in the Habit and Likeneſs of a Prieſt, wherein he reproved Sin, and urged Truth, and ſeemed no way culpable for falſe Doctrine, but I ſuſpect this for a fabulous tale: however it is undenyable that he ſometime hath appeared to Men with Godly Exhortations in his Mouth, of living juſtly, and doing no Man wrong, &c. Except we reſolve to diſcredit all Hiſtory, and the Narrations of Perſons (and ſome ſuch are known to ſome in this Auditory) who ſolemnly affirm, they have met with ſuch dealing from him.
Secondly, God hath ſometime revealed himſelf to Men in Extaſies and Trances: ſuch as was that of Paul, Acts 22. 17. I was in an Extaſy or Trance. foreign.This alſo hath the Devil imitated. Mahomet made this advantage of his Diſeaſe, (the Epilepſy, or Falling-Sickneſs) pretending that at ſuch times, he was in an Extaſy, and had converſe with the Angel Gabriel. But what he only in knavery pretended, others have really felt: the Stories of Familiſts, and deluded Quakers are full of ſuch things; they frequently have fallen down, and have lain as in a Swoon, and when they have awaked, told wonderful Stories of what they have heard and ſeen.
Thirdly, Viſions and Dreams were uſual things in the Old Teſtament, and famous ways of Divine Revelation: but Satan was not behind in this matter, his Inſtruments had their Viſions too: in Ezek. 13. 7. we have mention of Vain-Viſions, and Lying-Divinations; and ſuch Satanical Dreams are alſo noted, Deut. 13. 1. If there ariſe among you a Dreamer of Dreams. Thoſe days of confuſion, that are not yet out of memory, afforded ſtore of theſe: while unſtable giddy-headed People began to dote on Novelties and Queſtions in Religion, they gave opportunity to Satan to beguile them; for he taking advantage of their nauſeating of old Truths, and their expectation of ſublime diſcoveries, (which had ſufficiently prepared them for any Impreſſion) did ſo over-work their Fancies, that they eaſily conceited themſelves, to have had Divine Revelations; and nothing was more ordinary than to hear Stories of Viſions and Dreams. And this ſpread further by a kind of Infection, for it grew into a Religious Faſhion; and he was not eſteemed, that had not ſomething of this nature to Experience. And though the Folly and Impertinencies of ſuch things generally (and ſometime the apparent wickedneſs of them, as contradicting Truth, and the Divine rules of Holineſs) were ſufficient diſcoveries, that Satans hand was in them: yet until Time, Experience, and the Power of God had cooled the intemperate heat of this raving Humor, it continued in the good liking and admiration of the more inconſiderate Vulgar. And ſometime thoſe from whom more ſeriouſneſs and conſideration might have been expected, fell into a reverence for theſe pretences in others, and helped forward this Spiritual Witchcraft by their countenance and arguings, often abuſing that Text in Acts 2. 17. Your Young Men ſhall ſee Viſions, and your old Men ſhall dream Dreams, by applying it to a juſtification of theſe apparently fooliſh dotages. And indeed the effect hath diſcovered they were no better: for many of thoſe things which with great confidence were avouched as certain, were by time proved to be falſe; many things were uſeleſs, vain, ridiculous, and ſome were brought to lament and confeſs their folly after they proceeded far in theſe ways; and at laſt, (when the former opportunities are worn out) Satan grew weary of that deſign, (as being no longer proper to be inſiſted on) there is now a great calm, ſo that 'tis but ſeldom that we hear of ſuch things talked of; it were needleſs to give particular inſtances, when you may at your leiſure fetch them from hundreds of Pamphlets commonly known.
Fourthly, One of the moſt noted ways by which God diſcovered his Mind was that of inſpiration, by which ſome eminent Perſons, (called therefore Prophets) ſpake the Will of God, as they were moved or acted by the Spirit of God. The Devil had alſo his falſe Prophets, ſuch are frequently taxed in the Old Teſtament, and foretold in the New. Falſe Chriſts; and falſe Prophets ſhall ariſe, Mat. 24. 24. There were falſe Prophets among the People, as there ſhall be falſe Teachers among you, 2 Pet. 2. 1. Many falſe Teachers are gone out into the World. Such an one was Montanus in Tertullians time, David George, John of Leyden, Hacket our Country-Man were ſuch, and a great many ſuch there have been in all ages; 'tis notoriouſly known that Satan hath thus inſpired poor poſſeſſed wretches who have uttered threatnings againſt Sin, and wo to Sinners. The ſayings of ſuch poſſeſſed Creatures have not long ſince been gathered into a Volume and publiſhed,Jean D'Eſpaigne popular Errors p. 76. as containing very perſwaſive Arguments to Repentance, and amendment of Life. Beſides theſe, our own times afford too many examples of this kind, many have put on the Guiſe of the old Prophets in a fooliſh (though adventurous) imitation of their Actions and Prophecies. Some have in our Streets reſembled Jonah in Nineveh, Yet forty days, &c. Some fancied to walk naked like Iſaiah; others have come with their Earthen Pitchers and broken them: imitating theſe and other Types by which God in his true Prophets foreſignifyed his judgments to come; in all which Actions and Garbes with much earneſtneſs, and in an Affected Tone they have called out for Repentance, in a confident denunciation of Woes and Miſeries, with a bold limiting of the time of forty days (that the ſame might carry a Parallel to Jonah's Prophecy) and ſometime giving (which is the ſureſt way) an unlimited uncertain time. How the Devil acts in theſe matters, and by what ways he ſeduceth them to believe they are inſpired of God, or have real Viſions and Revelations, 'tis not my buſineſs now to enquire, only let thoſe that think ſuch things ſtrange, conſider that the Devil hath the advantage of deep fanciful apprehenſions, and a working Melancholy in ſuch Perſons, by which he can eaſily work them to conceit any thing, and confidently to believe what they have conceited.
Fifthly, Sometime God notifyed his Mind by Signs and Miracles. Satan hath alſo his Lying Signs and Wonders; a Power God hath permitted him this way, which is very great, and the deluſions wrought thereby are ſtrong, hazarding the deception of the Elect. This Power of doing Wonders the Devil uſually applies to falſe Doctrines, to ſtrengthen and countenance Errors; the Apoſtle teſtifies 2 Theſſ. 2. 9. that Satan ſhall imploy this power for the advancement of the Man of Sin, whoſe coming ſhall be with Signs and lying Wonders. The Beaſt ariſing out of the Earth, Rev. 13. 14. he ſhall deceive by the means of thoſe Miracles which he hath Power to do. And accordingly the Popiſh Legends are full of Stories of Miracles, whereof (though moſt be Lyes, Forgeries, and the falſe contrivements of thoſe who ſought to bring the People to receive their Doctrines, the credit and advancement of which they ſought by ſuch ways;) ſome notwithſtanding (though not true Miracles) yet were truly acted, to countenance thoſe Errors which are pretended to be eſtabliſhed by them.
Sixthly, God doth teach and lead his People by Impulſes. Chriſt was thus led of the Spirit into the Wilderneſs; and Paul was bound in Spirit to go to Jeruſalem. 'Tis common for Satan to imitate ſuch Impulſes. We have clear Inſtances of Diabolical Impulſes to Sin in Scripture; a ſtrong Impulſe was on Ananias, Satan filled his heart; a ſtrong Impulſe on Judas, Satan entred into his Heart; and what then more eaſy to apprehend, than that Satan can counterfeit better Impulſes, and violently ſtir up the Hearts of Men to actions ſeemingly good or indifferent. Some Hypocrites are moved ſtrongly to Pray or Preach, (Satan therein aiming at an increaſe of Pride or Preſumption in them;) and they know no other, but that it is the Spirit of God. God's Children may have Impulſes from Satan, upon pretences of Zeal as the Diſciples had, when they called for Fire from Heaven. In theſe Impulſes Satan doth not ſo act the Heart of Man as the Spirit of God doth, whoſe Commands in this caſe are irreſiſtible, but he only works by altering the diſpoſition of our Bodies in a Natural way; and then having ſitted us all he can for an Impreſſion, he endeavours to ſet it on by ſtrong perſwaſions. Some memorable inſtances of theſe Impulſes might profitably illuſtrate this. Math. Pariſienſis takes notice of a Boy,Holy War. l. 3. cap. 24. in Anno. 1213. (of whom alſo Fuller makes mention) who (after ſome loſs which the Chriſtians had received in the War againſt the Turks) went up and down, Singing this Rithme.
Jeſus Lord, Redeem our Loſs:
Reſtore to us thy Holy Croſs.
And by this means he gathered a Multitude of Boys together, who could not by the ſevereſt Menaces of their Parents be hindred from following him,Wars of the Jews, lib. 7. c. 13. to their own ruine. Another inſtance of a ſtrange Impulſe, we have in Joſephus; one Jeſus the Son of Ananus, about four years before the Deſtruction of Jeruſalem, at the Feaſt of Tabernacles, begins to cry out Woe, Woe, to the Eaſt and Weſt, to Man and Woman, &c. And could by no means be reſtrained Night or Day; and when his Fleſh was beaten off his Bones, he begged no pity nor eaſe, but ſtill continued his uſual crying.
Seventhly, God doth alſo by his Spirit teach his People in bringing things to their remembrance. Joh. 14. 26.Satan alſo in imitation of this, can put into the Minds of Men (with great readineſs and dexterity) Promiſes, or Sentences of Scripture, inſomuch that they conclude that all ſuch actings are from the Spirit of God, who (as they conclude) ſet ſuch a Scripture upon their Heart: thus dealt Satan with Chriſt, he urgeth the Promiſe upon him, wherein upon the matter he doth as much, as when he ſecretly ſuggeſts ſuch things to the Heart without an audible Voice. In this way of craft Satan doth very much reſemble the true work of the Spirit, (1.) In the readineſs and quickneſs of ſuggeſting; (2.) In ſeeming exact ſuiting Scripture ſuggeſted, with the preſent occaſion; and (3.) In the earneſtneſs of his urging it upon the Fancies of Men. Yet when all this is done, they that ſhall ſeriouſly conſider all ends, Matter and Circumſtances, will eaſily obſerve it is but the cunning work of a Tempter, and not from the Holy Spirit.
Obſerve alſo, Obſ. 14.That whatever be the various ways of Satans imitation, yet the matter which he works and practiſeth upon, is ſtill Scripture: to this he confines himſelf;
Firſt, Becauſe the Scriptures are generally (among Chriſtians) received as the undoubted Oracles of God, the Rule of our Lives and Duties, and the Grounds of our hope. It would be a vain and bootleſs labour to impoſe upon thoſe that retain this belief, the ſayings of the Turkiſh Alcoran, the Precepts of Heathen Philoſophers, or any other thing that may carry a viſible eſtrangement from or contradiction to Scripture, he could not then poſſibly pretend to a Divine Inſtruction, nor could he ſo transform himſelf into an Angel of Light: but by uſing this covert of Divine Command, Promiſe, or Diſcovery, he can more eaſily beget a belief, that God hath ſaid it, and that there is neither Sin nor Danger in the thing propounded, but Duty and Advantage to be expected; and this is the very thing that makes way for an eaſy entertainment of ſuch deluſions. Poor Creatures believe that is all from God, and that they are acted by his Spirit, and that with ſuch confidence that they contemn and decry thoſe (as ignorant of Divine Myſteries, and of the Power of God) who are not ſo beſotted as themſelves.
Secondly, The Scriptures have a Glorious irreſiſtible Majeſty in them peculiar to themſelves, which cannot be found in all that Art or Eloquence can contribute to other Authors. 'Tis not Play-Book Language, nor Scraps of Romances that Satan can effect theſe cheats withal; and therefore we may obſerve that in the higheſt deluſions Men have had pretences of Scripture, and their ſtrong perſwaſions of extraordinary diſcoveries, have ſtriken Men into a reverence of their profeſſion, becauſe of the Scripture Words and Phraſes, with which their boldeſt follies are woven up: for let but Men enquire into the reaſon of the prevalency of Familiſm of old, upon ſo vaſt a number of People as were carried away with it, and they ſhall find, that the great Artifice lay in the Words they uſed, a language abſtracted from Scripture, to ſignify ſuch conceits as the Scripture never intended. Hence were their expreſſions always high, ſoaring, and relating to a more excellent and myſtical interpretation of thoſe Divine Writings. This may be obſerved in David George, Hen. Nicholas and others, who uſually talk of being conſubſtantiated with God, taken up into his Love, of the Angelical Life, and a great deal more of the ſame kind. The Ranters at firſt had the like Language, and the Quakers after them, affected ſuch a c…nting Expreſſion. And we may be the more certain of the truth of this obſervation, that ſuch a kind of ſpeaking (which borrows its Majeſty from the Stile of the Scripture) is of moment to Satans deſign; becauſe we find the Scripture it ſelf gives particular notice of it; the falſe Teachers in 2 Pet. 2. 18. are diſcribed (among other things) by their ſwelling words of Vanity, which the Syriack rendrs to be a proud and lofty way of ſpeaking, the original ſignifies no leſs,foreign. they were words ſwelled like Bladders, though being pricked, they be found to be empty Sounds, and no Subſtance: There are indeed ſwelling words of Atheiſtical contempt of thoſe,Pſal. 73. 9, 11. who as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks, ſet their Mouths againſt Heaven, but this paſſage of Peter, as alſo the like in Jude ver. 16. ſignify big Swoln words from high pretenſions and fancies of knowing the mind of God more perfectly, for they that uſe them pretend themſelves Prophets of God ver. 1. and as to their height in profeſſion, are compared to Clouds highly ſoaring; and in 2 Cor. 11. 14. they are ſaid to be transformed into the Apoſtles of Chriſt, and to the Garb of the Miniſters of Righteouſneſs. And that which is more, this particular deſign of Satan, is noted as the riſe of all; No marvel, for Satan himſelf is transformed into an Angel of Light.
Having ſeen the reaſons why Satan chuſeth Scripture, as his Tool to work by, I ſhall next ſhew to what baſe deſigns he makes it ſubſerve.
Firſt, He uſeth this Artifice, to beget and propagate erronious Doctrines. Hence no opinion is ſo vile, but pretends to Scripture as its Patron. The Arrians pretend Scripture againſt the Divinity of Chriſt. The Socinians, Pelagians, Papiſts, yea and thoſe that pretend to Inſpirations for their Rule, and diſclaim the binding force of thoſe antiquated declarations of the Saints conditions (as they call them) yet conform all their ſayings to the Scripture expreſſion, and endeavour to prove their miſtakes by its Authority.
Secondly, He makes abuſed Scripture to encourage ſinful Actions; he can cite paſſages of God's Patience and long-ſuffering, of his pardoning Grace, and readineſs to forgive, and a thouſand more upon no other deſign, than the turning of the Grace of God into wantonneſs. When Profeſſors turn looſe and negligent, when they adventure too far upon ſinful pleaſures, they lick themſelves whole, by an overforward graſping at ſuch paſſages of Scripture, which Satan will, with great readineſs, ſet upon their hearts, and then they pretend to themſelves that their peace is made up with God, and that they have no leſs than a ſealed Pardon in their Boſomes; which notwithſtanding may be known to have only Satans Hand and Seal at it, by their overly and formal ſorrow for ſuch miſcarriages, and their readineſs to return to the ſame follies again.
Thirdly,Funcius in his Chronol. tells the like of one in C…eet, that called himſelf Moſes, Anno. 434. who perſwaded the Jews to follow him, for the repoſſe…ing of Canaan. By this imitation of the Commands and Promiſes of God, he doth ſtrangely engage ſuch as he can thus delude, unto deſperate undertakings. The Familiſts of Germany were perſwaded by this deluſion, to expoſe themſelves unarmed to the greateſt hazards, upon vain pretences of Promiſes ſet home upon them, as that God would fight for them, that they muſt ſtand ſtill and ſee the Salvation of God. Some of later times have paid their lives for their bold miſapplication of that Promiſe, One ſhall chaſe a thouſand. *Joſephus Anti. Jud. l. 20. c. 2.Judas of Galilee, and Theudas were prompted by Satan to gather Multitudes together, (though to their own ruine) upon a vain perſwaſion that they were raiſed up of God, and that God would be with them.
Fourthly, He ſometimes procures groundleſs Peace and Aſſurance in the hearts of careleſs ones, by Scripture miſapplyed. Many you may meet with, who will roundly tell you a long Story, how they were caſt down, and comforted by ſuch a Scritpure brought to their minds, when (it may be much feared) they are but deceived, and that as yet God hath not ſpoken peace to them.
Laſtly, This way of Satans ſetting home Scriptures, proves ſadly effectual to beget or heighten the inward diſtreſſes and fears of the Children of God. 'Tis a wonder to hear ſome diſpute againſt themſelves, ſo nimble they be to object a Scripture againſt their Peace, (above their reading or ability) that you would eaſily conclude there is one at hand that prompts them, and ſuggeſts theſe things to their own prejudice. And ſometimes a Scripture will be ſet ſo Croſs or edg-way to their Good and Comfort, that many Pleadings, much time, Prayers, and Diſcourſes cannot remove it. I have known ſome that have ſeriouſly profeſſed, Scriptures have been thrown into their Hearts like Arrows, and have with ſuch Violence fixed a falſe apprehenſion upon their Minds, (as that God had cut them off, that they were reprobate, damned, &c.) that they have born the tedious reſtleſs affrightments of it for many days, and yet the thing it ſelf, as well as the iſſue of it, doth declare that this was not the Fruit of the Spirit of God, which is a Spirit of Truth, and cannot ſuggeſt a falſeſhood) but of Satan, who hath been a Lyer from the Beginning.
Obſerve laſtly, Obſ. 15.Though Satan uſeth Scripture in theſe deceitful workings, yet he never doth it faithfully.
Firſt,Joh. 8. 44. Etſi ſemel videatur verax milies eſt mendax & ſemper fallax. Becauſe it is againſt his Nature, as 'tis now corrupted by his Fall, there is no truth in him: When he ſpeaketh a Lye, he ſpeaketh of his own; for he is a Lyer, not that he cannot ſpake a Truth, but that he uſually is a Lyar, and that he never ſpeaks Truth but with a purpoſe to deceive.
Secondly, To deal faithfully, in urging Scriptures upon the Conſciences of Men, is alſo contrary to his Intereſt; he hath a Kingdom which he endeavours to uphold. This Kingdom being directly contrary to that of Chriſt's, (which is a Kingdom of Light) is therefore called a Kingdom of Darkneſs, being maintained and propagated only by Lies and Deceits. He cannot then be ſuppoſed to uſe Scripture faithfully, becauſe that is the true Scepter of Chriſt's Kingdom, for then ſhould Satan (as Chriſt argues Mat. 12. 26.) caſt out Satan, and be divided againſt himſelf.
This unfaithful dealing with Scripture is threefold.
Firſt, The unfaithfulneſs of his Deſign, though he ſpeaks what is true, yet he doth it with an evil Mind, aiming at one of theſe three things.
Firſt, To Deceive and Delude. If he applies Promiſes, or inſiſts upon the Priviledges of God's Children, it is to make them Proud or Preſumptuous; if he urge Threatnings, or ſtir up the Conſcience to accuſe for Sin, 'tis to bring them to diſpair; if he object the Law, 'tis to enrage Luſt; and that Sin by the Commandment might become exceeding ſinful.
Secondly, His Deſign is ſometime to bring the Scripture under Suſpition or Contempt; he puts ſome weak Chriſtians upon unſeaſonable or Imprudent uſe of Scripture, and then tempts others to laugh at them, and to diſpiſen in their Hearts thoſe ways of Religion, which ſome Zealots with too much weakneſs do manage. Men are apt enough to ſcoffat the moſt ſerious and weighty Duties of Holineſs, even when performed in a moſt ſerious manner. If David put on Sackcloth, and afflict himſelf with Faſting, it is preſently turned to his reproach, and the Drunkards make a Song of it; but much more advantage hath the Devil to raiſe up ſcorn and loathing in the Minds of debauched Perſons, by the affected and unskilful uſe of Scripture. Some by a narrow confinement of the words Brother and Siſter to thoſe of their own Fellowſhip, (as if none elſe were to be owned by them) have occaſioned the ſcoff of Holy Brethren, (a Phraſe notwithſtanding uſed with a grave ſeriouſneſs by the Apoſtle) in the uſual Diſcourſes of thoſe, who wait all occaſions to harden themſelves againſt the Power of Religion. The like Obſervations they make of other ways and forms of ſpeaking, which ſome have accuſtomed themſelves unto, in a conſcientious conformity to Scripture phraſe: in all which the Devil obſerving the weakneſs and injudiciouſneſs of ſome on the one hand, and the ſcornful Pride of others on the other hand; is willing to provide matter for their Atheiſtical jears, by putting all the Obligations he can upon the Conſciences of the weak, to continue in the uſe of theſe Expreſſions. For ſome proof of this matter, we may note the ſecret Deceit of Satan, in that liberal profeſſion of Chriſt to be the Son of God, Mark 1. 24. Luke 4. 34. I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God: here was Truth ſpoken by him, and (one would have thought) with great Ingenuity, but yet he cunningly inſinuated into the Minds of the Hearers a ground of Suſpition, that he was not the Son of God; and for that end calls him Jeſus of Nazareth, as if Chriſt had been born there; he knew well that the Jews expected no Meſſiah from Nazareth and therefore on ſet purpoſe uſed he that Expreſſion, that he might draw him into contempt. And accordingly we find this very miſtake (that Chriſt was born at Nazareth) became an Argument againſt him, Joh. 7. 41. while ſome were convinced and ſaid, This is the Chriſt, others ſaid, ſhall Chriſt come out of Galilee?
Thirdly, Another part of his Deſign in the uſe of Scriptures, is to put a Varniſh upon Hypocriſy. He is ready to ſerve Men by putting Scripture Expreſſions in their Mouths, and inuring them to a conſtant uſe of the phraſes of thoſe Divine Writings, that they may leſs ſuſpect themſelves of the Pride, Formality and ſecret wickedneſs of their Hearts; and to help on their miſtakes concerning their Spiritual Condition, he can urge upon their Conſciences thoſe Scriptures that ſerve to engage them in external Obſervances of Religion.Luke 18. 11. It may appear by the Phariſees boaſt of Faſting twice a Week, of paying Tythes, of giving Alms, that their Conſciences were ſome way concerned in theſe things, ſo that though they were left without check of Conſcience, to devour Widows Houſes, yet were they urged to make long Prayers. Suitable to this is that which Solomon ſpeaks of the Harlot, who to colour over her Wickedneſs, had her Offerings and Vows, and when her Conſcience is appeaſed with theſe performances, ſhe can excuſe her ſelf in her way of ſinning, She eats and wipes her Mouth, and ſaith, I have done no wickedneſs, Prov. 30. 20. Satan doth but hereby help to paint a Sepulchre, or guild a Potſheard, and to furniſh Men with Excuſes and Pretexts in their way of ſinning. Not unlike to this was that Service which the Devil with great readineſs performed (as I was informed from ſome of good credit) to a young Student, who had faln upon ſome Books of Magick in a Colledg-Library, into which having ſtoln privately one Night in purſuit of that Study, was almoſt ſurpriſed by the Preſident; who ſeeing a Candle there at an unſeaſonable time, ſuddenly opens the Door to know who was up ſo late, in which ſtrait the Devil (to gratify his Pupil with a ready excuſe) ſnatcheth away his Book, and in a moment lays Montanus his Bible before him, that he might pretend that for his imployment.
Secondly, Another point of Satan's unfaithful dealing with Scripture, is his falſecitation of it; 'tis nothing with him to alter, change, or leave out ſuch a part as may make againſt him. If he urge Promiſes upon Men, in order to their Security and Negligence, he conceals the Condition of them, and banniſheth the Threatning far from their Minds, repreſenting the Mercy of God in a falſe Glaſs, as if he had promiſed to ſave and bring to Heaven every Man upon the common and eaſy tearms of being called a Chriſtian. If it be his purpoſe to diſquiet the Hearts of God's Children, to promote their fears, or to lead them to diſpair, then he ſets home the Commands and Threatnings, but hides the Promiſes that might relieve them, and (which is remarkable) he hath ſo puzled ſome, by ſetting on their Hearts a piece of Scripture, that when the next words, or next verſe, might have eaſed them of their Fears, and anſwered the ſad Objections which they raiſed againſt themſelves from thence; (as if their Eyes had been holden, or as if a miſt had been caſt over them) they have not for a long time been able to conſider the relief which they might have had. This hiding of Scripture from their Eyes, (ſetting aſide what God may do for the juſt chaſtiſement of his Childrens Folly) is effected, by the ſtrong Impreſſion which Satan ſets upon their Hearts, and by holding their Minds down to a fixed Meditation of the dreadful inferences which he preſents to them from thence, not ſuffering them to divert their Thoughts by his inceſſant Clamours againſt them.
Thirdly, He unfaithfully handleth Scriptures, by wreſting the true Import and Senſe of them. We read of ſome, 2 Pet. 3. 16. who wreſt the Scripture, foreign.the word in the Original ſignifies a racking or torturing of it, as Men upon a Rack are ſtretched beyond their due length, to a diſlocation of their joints, and ſometimes forced to ſpake what they never did nor intended; ſo are the Scriptures uſed. Thoſe that do ſo are Satan's Scholars, and taught of him, (though in regard of the Spirits true teaching, they are called unlearned) which is ſufficient to ſhew Satan's deceitful dealing: he often lays his dead and corrupt Senſe (as the Harlot did with her dead Child in the room of the living Infant) in the place of the living meaning of the Scripture: this may be ſeen evidently,
Firſt, In Hereſies or Errors, theſe are Satans Brood, and there are none ſo vile (that pretend to Chriſtian Religion) but they claima kindred to Scripture, and are confident on its Authority for them. Now ſeeing Truth is but one, and theſe Errors not only contradictory to Truth, but to each other, Satan could never ſpin out ſuch concluſions from the Divine Oracles, but by wreſting them from their true intendments; and he that would contemplate the great Subtilty of Satan in this his Art, need but conſider what different ſtrange and monſtrous ſhapes are put upon the Scripture, by the ſeveral Hereſies which march under its Colours. The Quakers in their way repreſent it like an old Almanack out of date, and withal in the uſe they make of it, they render it as a piece of nonſenſical furious roving. The Socinians take down the ſublime Myſteries of Chriſts ſatisfaction, and Juſtification by Faith, with External Rewards and Puniſhments, to a ſtrain as low as the Turkiſh Alcoran. The Papiſts make it like a few leaves of an imperfect Book, wanting Beginning and End, and ſo not fit to be ſet up as a ſufficient Rule. The Ranters make it ſeem rather like Language from Hell, than the Commands of the Pure and Holy God. Some will have it to countenance moſt ridiculous inventions in Worſhip, others will have it to diſcharge all outward obſervations and Ordinances, as Childiſh Rudiments. Some raiſe it all to the pitch of Aenigmatical unintelligible Myſteries; Others can find no more in the precepts of it than in Ariſtotles Ethicks. Thus by diſtorting and wreſting, Satan hath learn'd theſe unskilful Ones to make it ſerve their vileſt Luſts and Humours.
Secondly, The ſame Art of wreſting Scripture is obſervable in his ſecret Suggeſtions. If he would encourage any in Sin, he can Wreſt Scripture for that, and tell him that God is Merciful, that Chriſt died for Sinners, that there is hope of Pardon, that Saints have done the like; things very true in themſelves, but perverted by him to another ſenſe than ever they were intended to by God, who hath ſpoken theſe things that we ſin not. If he would diſcourage a Saint, he can tell him when he finds him doubting his eſtate, that the fearful and unbelieving have their part in the Lake which burns with Fire and Brimſtone; Rev. 21. 8.when he finds him under a known Sin, he tells that of the Apoſtle, If we ſin willfully after we have received the knowldg of the Truth, there remains no more Sacrifice for Sins. When he obſerves them diſcompoſed and wandering in Duty, then he objects, They draw nigh me with their Lips, but their Heart is far from me. If he ſees them dull and without Conſolation at the Lord's Supper, then to be ſure they hear of him;1 Cor. 11. 29. he that eats and drinks unworthily, eateth and drinketh Damnation to himſelf. If he find him bemoaning that he is not ſo apprehenſive of Mercies or Judgments, as he would be, then he ſets home ſome ſuch Scripture as this, This Peoples Heart is waxed groſs, and their Ears are dull of hearing, Mat. 13. 15.&c. Theſe Scriptures are frequently perverted by Satan from the true and proper meaning of them. I have had complaints from ſeveral dejected Chriſtians, of theſe very Scriptures urged upon them to their great trouble, when yet it was evident, that none of theſe were truly applyed by Satans Temptation againſt them.
Theſe things give us warning not to take any thing of this Nature upon truſt. Applic.If Satan can ſo imitate the Spirit of God in applications of Scripture, and bringing it to our remembrance, we have great reaſon to beware leſt we be impoſed upon by Satan's Deſign clothed in Scripture Phraſe; not that I would have Men eſteem the ſecret ſetting of Scripture upon their Minds, to be in all caſes a deluſion, and to be diſregarded as ſuch. Some indeed there are that ſo ſeverely remark the weakneſſes of Profeſſors of Religion, that they raiſe up a ſcorn to that which is of moſt neceſſary and ſerious uſe: becauſe the Devil prevails with ſome Hypocrites to guild themſelves with Scripture phraſe, and others through imprudent inadvertency, are (unknown to themſelves) beguiled by Satan, to miſapplications of Scripture to their own eſtate, or to other things; they therefore decry all the inward workings of the Heart, as Fancy, or affected ſingularity: theſe do but the Devils work. But that the Spirit of God (whom Satan treacherouſly endeavours to imitate) doth ſet home Scripture Commands, Threatnings and Promiſes upon the Hearts of his People, is not only atteſted by the Experience of all that are inwardly acquainted with the ways of God, but is one of the great Promiſes which Chriſt hath given for the comfort of his People in his abſence. Joh. 14. 26. But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghoſt, whom the Father ſhall ſend in my Name, he ſhall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatſoever I have ſaid unto you. This then being granted as a firm unſhaken Truth, our care muſt be in diſcovering and avoiding Satan's counterfeit uſing of Scripture, and in this we ſhould be more wary;
Firſt, Becauſe we are not ſo apt to ſuſpect what we meet with in ſuch a way, when 'tis brought to us in the Language of Scripture.
Secondly, And thoſe that are not exerciſed in the Scripture, will he at a ſad loſs as not knowing how to extricate themſelves from ſuch difficulties, as may ariſe to them from Satan's Sophiſtry.
Thirdly, Warineſs is alſo more neceſſary, becauſe we are inclinable to believe what ſuits our Deſires, and Conſcience awakened is averſe to the rejecting of that which anſwers its fears.
You may ſay,Queſt. What is there of direction for us in this Caſe?
The Anſwer is ready;Anſw. Two things are given us in Charge. (1.) That we be wiſely ſuſpicious. A facile haſty credulity is treacherous. Chriſt forbids, (when he foretels the riſing of falſe Chriſt's, Math. 24. 26.) the forwardneſs of a ſudden belief, taxing thereby thoſe that are preſently taken with every new appearance. 'Tis childiſh to be carryed with every Wind, we are warned alſo of this, 1 Joh. 4. 1. Believe not every Spirit. (2.) We are commanded to bring all Pretences whatſoever to Tryal, though immediate Revelation or Viſion be pretended, or extraordinary Commiſſion, yet muſt all be brought to the Touch-Stone, we muſt prove all things 1 Theſ. 5. 21. and try thoſe that ſay they are Apoſtles, Rev. 2. 2. Nay, the Spirits are to be tryed whether they be of God, 1 Joh. 4. 1.
You will ſay,Queſt. How muſt we try?
I Anſwer,Anſw. God hath given a Publick, Sufficient and Certain rule, which is the Scripture, and all muſt be tryed by that: ſo that if there be Impulſes, or Diſcoveries, or Remembrances of Scripture upon any, it muſt not be taken for granted that they are of God, becauſe they pretend ſo high, (for ſo we ſhall make Satan Judg in his own Cauſe) but lay all to the Line and Plummet of the written Word, and if it anſwer not that, call it confidently a deluſion, and reject it as accurſed, though it might ſeem (in other regards) to have been ſuggeſted by an Angel from Heaven.
But it will be ſaid,Object. Satan pretends to this Rule, and it is Scripture that is urged by him?
I Anſwer,Anſw. though it be ſo, yet he uſeth not Scripture in its own Intendment, and Senſe, for the diſcovery of his unfaithful dealing.
Firſt, Compare the Inference of the ſuggeſtion with other Scriptures. If it be from a dark Scripture, compare it with thoſe that are more plain, and in every caſe, ſee whether the general Current of the Scriptures ſpeak the ſame thing:Though it was Scripture that Satan urged to Chriſt, yet he rejects his inference as falſe becauſe contrary to other plain Scriptures prohibiting not, to tempt the Lord. for if it be from Satan, he either plays with the Words and Phraſes, from doubtful and equivolent terms making his concluſion; or his citation will be found Impertinent, or (which is moſt uſual) contrary to Truth or Holineſs; if any of theſe appear, by a true examination of the Import of the Scripture which he ſeeks to abuſe, or by comparing it with the Scope and Genius of other Scriptures, you may certainly pronounce that it is not of God, but Satan's deceit.
Secondly, Conſider the tendency of ſuch Suggeſtions: Let no Man ſay that this will come too late, or that it is an after game: I do not mean that we ſhould ſtay ſo long, as to ſee the Effects; (though this is alſo a certain diſcovery of Satan's knavery in his higheſt pretences; the Phanatick Furies of the German Enthuſiaſts do now appear plain to all the World to have been Deluſions, by their End, Fruits, and Iſſue) But that while theſe Concluſions are obtruded upon us, we ſhould obſerve to what they tend: which we ſhall the better know, if all Circumſtances round about be conſidered. Sometimes Satan doth covertly hint his Mind, and ſend it along with the ſuggeſtion; ſometimes our condition will enough declare it, and there is no caſe but it will afford ſomething of diſcovery if ſeriouſly pondered. If he either prompt us to Pride, Vain-Glory, or Preſumption, or that our condition ſway us that way, it will be ſufficient ground of Suſpition that 'tis Satan that then urgeth Promiſes or Priviledges upon us. If we are of a wounded Spirit inclined to Diſtruſt, or if we be put on to deſpair, it is paſt denyal, that 'tis Satan that urgeth the Threatnings, and preſſeth the Accuſations of the Law againſt us. He that gathers Stones, Timber, Lime, and ſuch Materials together, as are uſually imployed in Building, doth diſcover his intention, before he actually Build his Houſe, and thus may Satan's End be known by his Preparations compared, with the ſway and Inclination of our preſent Temper.
Thirdly, It muſt be remembred that with theſe endeavours, we often ſeek the Face of the Lord for help and Counſel; and that we apply our ſelves to ſuch of the Servants of God, as being more knowing than our ſelves, and leſs prepoſſeſſed in their Judgments (becauſe not concerned) are better able to ſee into the Nature of our Straits, and to help us by their Advices.