Satans Temptations in Three Parts, Part 2 · Chapter 1
CHAP. I. That it is Satan's grand Deſign to corrupt the Minds of Men with Errour. The Evidences that it is ſo. And the Reaſons of his Endeavours that way.
NExt to Satan's Deceits in tempting to Sin and againſt Duty, his deſign of corrupting the Minds of Men by Errour calls for our ſearch; and indeed this is one of his principal endeavours, which takes up a conſiderable part of his time and diligence. He is not only called in Scripture an Ʋnclean Spirit, but alſo a Lying Spirit, and there are none of theſe curſed qualifications that lie idle in him: as by his Uncleanneſs we may eaſily conjecture his attempts upon the Will and Affections to defile them by Luſt; ſo by his Lying we may conclude that he will certainly ſtrive to blind the Underſtanding by Errour. But a clear diſcovery of this we may have from theſe Conſiderations.
Firſt, From God's intereſt in Truth, in reference to his great deſigns of Holineſs and Mercy in the World.Deus eſt prima veritas eſſentialis, Verbum Dei prima veritas normalis. Mac. Diſtinc. Theol. cap. 1. Truth is a Ray and Beam of him who is the Father of Lights. All revealed Truths are but Copies and Tranſcripts of that Eſſential, Archetypal Truth. Truth is, the Rod of his Strength, Pſal. 110. 2. the Scepter of his Kingdom by which he doth ſubdue the hearts of Men to his obedience and ſervice in converſion. Truth is that Rock upon which he hath built his Church, the foundations are the Prophets and Apoſtles, Eph. 2. 20. that is, the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apoſtles, in the Scriptures of the Old and New Teſtament. Truth is that great depoſitum committed to the care of his Church, which is therefore called the pillar of Truth: 1 Tim. 3. 15.becauſe as Princes or Rulers put their Proclamations on Pillars for the better information of their Subjects,Joh. 17. 17. ſo doth his Church hold out Truth to the World. Holineſs is maintained by Truth, our ways are directed by it, and by it are we forewarned of Satan's Devices. Now the Prince of Darkneſs carrying himſelf in as full an oppoſition to the God of Truth as he can in all his ways, God's intereſt in Truth will ſufficiently diſcover the Devil's deſign to promote Errour; for ſuch is his hatred of God, that (though he cannot deſtroy Truth, no more than he can tear the Sun out of the Firmament, yet) he will endeavour by corrupting the Copy, to diſgrace the Original; though he cannot break Chriſt's Scepter, yet by raiſing Errour he would hinder the encreaſe of his Subjects; though he cannot remove the Rock upon which the Church is built, he will endeavour to ſhake it, or to interrupt the Building, and to tear down God's Proclamation from the Pillar on which he hath ſet it to be read of all; and if we can conceive what an hatred the Thief hath to the Light, as it contradicts and hinders his Deſigns, we may imagine there is nothing againſt which the Devil will uſe greater contrivances than againſt the light of Truth: He neither can, nor will make a league with any, but upon the terms that Nahaſh propounded to the Men of Jabeſh-Gilead, 1 Sam. 11. 3.that is, that he may put out their right eye, and ſo lay it for a reproach upon the Iſrael of God. 'Tis the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us into Truth, and by the rule of contraries 'tis the Devil's work to lead into Errour.
Secondly, Though the Scripture doth charge the Sin and danger of Deluſion and Errour upon thoſe Men that promote it, to the deception of themſelves and others, yet doth it chiefly blame Satan for the great Contriver of it, and expreſsly affirms him to be the grand Deceiver: Inſtruments and Engeniers he muſt make uſe of to do him ſervice in that work, but ſtill it is the Devil that is a Lying Spirit in their Mouths; 'tis he that teacheth and prompts them,Acts 13. 10. and therefore may they be called (as Elymas was by Paul) the Children of the Devil,foreign or (as Cerinthus of old) the firſt-born of Satan.
The Church of Corinth, among other diſtempers, laboured under dangerous Errours, againſt which when the Apoſtle doth induſtriouſly ſet himſelf, he doth chiefly take notice, 1. Of the falſe-Teachers who had cunningly wrought them up to an aptitude of declining from the ſimplicity of the Goſpel; theſe he calls falſe-Apoſtles, as having no commiſſion from God, and Satan's Miniſters, 2 Cor. 11. 13, 15. thereby informing us who it is that ſends them out and imploys them upon this errand. 2. He eſpecially accuſeth Satan as the great Contriver of all this evil; if any ſhut their Eyes againſt the Light, he gives this for the principal cauſe,2 Cor. 4. 4. that the God of the World blinded their Minds: If any ſtumbled at the ſimplicity of the Goſpel, he preſently blames the ſubtilty of the old Serpent for it, 2 Cor. 11. 3. When falſe Doctrine was directly taught, and varniſhed over with the glorious pretexts of Truth, ſtill he chargeth Satan with it, Verſ. 14. No marvel, for Satan himſelf is transformed into an Angel of Light; where he doth not only give a reaſon of the corrupting or the adulterating the Word of God by falſe-Apoſtles, as Vintners do their Wines by mixtures,foreign. (a Metaphor which he makes uſe of, cap. 2. 17.) that they learned it of Satan, who abode not in the Truth, but was a Lyar from the beginning: But alſo, he further points at Satan, to furniſh us with a true account of the ground of that cunning Craft which theſe deceitful Workers uſed, while they metamorphoſed themſelves, by an imitation of the way and manner, zeal and diligence of the Apoſtles of Chriſt; they were taught by one who had exactly learned the Art of Imitation, and who could, to all appearance, act to the life the part of an Angel of Light. And to take away all objection or wonder, that ſo many with ſuch ſeeming earneſtneſs and zeal, ſhould give up themſelves to deceive by falſe-Doctrine: he tells us that this hath been the Devil's work, from the firſt beguiling of Eve, verſ. 3. and that as he then made uſe of a Serpent for his Inſtrument, ſo ever ſince in all ages he hath made ſo often,foreign. ver. 14, 15. and ſo much uſe of Men as his Emiſſaries, that it ſhould now neither ſeem a marvel, nor a great matter to ſee the Devil at this work by his Agents.
Thirdly, That this is Satan's great deſign, may be further cleared from the conſtant courſe of his endeavours. The Parable of the Tares, Matth. 13. 25. ſhews, that Satan is as buſie in ſowing Tares, as the Maſter of the Field is in ſowing Wheat; that by Tares, not Errors in the abſtract, but Men are to be underſtood, is evident from the Parable it ſelf; but that which makes Men to be Tares, is Sin and Errour: ſo that in a complex ſenſe, we are taught how diligent the Devil, (who is expreſsly ſignified by the Enemy, verſ. 39.) is in that imployment, much of his time hath been taken up that way. There were falſe Prophets (ſaith Peter, 2 Epiſt. 2. 1.) and there ſhall be falſe-Teachers; that is, ſo it was of old, and ſo it will be to the end. The ſhorteſt abſtract of Satan's acts in this matter, would be long and tedious, judge of the reſt by a few inſtances.
In the Apoſtles times, how quickly had the Devil broached falſe Doctrine? That it was neceſſary to be circumciſed, was early taught, Acts 15. 1. In Col. 2. 8. the vain deceit of Philoſophy, Traditions, and the Elements of the World, (which were the body of Moſaical Ceremonies) are mentioned as dangerous Intruſions; and in verſ. 18. the worſhipping of Angels (as it ſeems) was pleaded for, with no ſmall hazard to the Church. The denial of the Reſurrection is expreſsly charged upon ſome of the Corinthian Church, 1 Cor. 15. 12. and that the Reſurrection is paſt already, 2 Tim. 2. 18. is affirmed to have been the Doctrine of Hymeneus, Philetus, and others; but theſe are comparatively little, to that groſs Errour of denying Chriſt, Jud. v. 4. or, that Jeſus is the Chriſt, 2 Joh. 2. 22. or, Jeſus Chriſt is come in the fleſh, 1 Joh. 4. 3. which are branded for Antichriſtian Errours, and were boldly aſſerted by many falſe Prophets that were then gone out into the World; and to ſuch a height came they at laſt, that they taught the lawfulneſs of committing Fornication, and to eat things offered to Idols, Rev. 2. 20. All theſe falſehoods took the boldneſs to appear, before all the Apoſtles were laid in their Graves: And if we will believe what Auſtin tells us from Epiphanius and Euſebius, De Haeres.there were no leſs than ten ſorts of Heretical Antichriſts in the Apoſtle John's days, the Simonians, Menandrians, Saturnilians. &c. This was an incredible increaſe of falſe Doctrine in ſo ſhort a time, and in the times and preachings of the Apoſtles themſelves, whoſe power and authority (one would think) might have made Satan fall before them as lightning. What progreſs then in this work of deluſion might be expected, when they were all removed out of the World? They left indeed behind them ſad predictions of the power of deluſion in after-times, Of your ſelves ſhall Men ariſe, ſpeaking perverſe things. After my departing ſhall grievous Wolves enter, &c. Acts 20. 30. The Spirit ſpeaketh expreſsly, that in the latter times ſome ſhall depart from the Faith, 1 Tim. 4. 1. and Paul (2 Theſſ. 2. 3.) propheſies of a general Apoſtacy, upon the revealing of the Man of Sin, and the Myſtery of Iniquity, and that theſe ſhould be perilous times, 2 Tim. 3. 1. To the ſame purpoſe, John mentions the coming of the great Antichriſt, as a thing generally known and believed, 1 Joh. 2. 18. But before all theſe, Chriſt alſo had fully forewarned his Servants of falſe-Chriſts, the power and danger of their deluſion, and of the ſad revolt from the Faith which ſhould be before his ſecond coming, Matth. 24. 24. And as we have heard, ſo have we ſeen, all ages ſince the Apoſtles can witneſs that Satan hath anſwered the Prophecies that were concerning him: what a ſtrange increaſe of Errours hath been in the World ſince that time? Iraeneus and Tertullian made Catalogues long ſince, after them Epiphanius, and Euſebius reckoned about eighty Hereſies; Auſtin after them brings the number to eighty eight. Now, though there be juſt exceptions againſt the largeneſs of their Catalogues, and that it is believed by many, that there are ſeveral branded in their Rolls for Hereticks, that meerly ſuffer upon the account of their Name and Nation (for Barbariſm, Scythiſm, Helleniſm are muſtered in the Front) and others alſo ſtand there, for very ſmall matters (as the quarto decimani, &c.) and that ſome ought altogether to be croſſed out of their Books; yet ſtill it will appear that the number of Errours is great, and that all thoſe hard names have this general ſignification, that the Devil hath made a great ſtir in the World by Errour and Opinion; After times might alſo be ſummoned in to ſpeak their evidence, and our own knowledg and experience might without any other help, ſufficiently inſtruct us (if it were needful) of the truth of this, that Errour is one of Satan's great deſigns.
Secondly, Let us next look into the Reaſons which do ſo ſtrongly engage Satan to theſe endeavours of raiſing up Errours. If we ſet theſe before us, it will not only confirm us in our belief, that this is one of his main imployments, (for if Errour yield him ſo many advantages for the ruine of Men, and the diſhonour of God, there can be no doubt of his readineſs to promote it.) This alſo may be of uſe to put us in mind, who it is that is at work behind the Curtain, when we ſee ſuch things acted upon the Stage, and conſequently may beget a cautious ſuſpition in our Minds againſt his proceedings; the Reaſons are ſuch as theſe.
Firſt, Errour is ſinful, ſo that if Satan ſhould be hindred in his endeavours for any further miſchief, than the corrupting of any particular Perſon, yet he will reckon, that he hath not altogether loſt his labour. Some Errours, that overturn fundamentals of Faith, are as deadly poyſon, and called expreſsly damnable by the Apoſtle, 2 Pet. 2. 1. Theſe Hereſies are by Paul, Gal. 5. 20. recounted among the works of the Fleſh, of which, he poſitively affirms, that they that do ſuch things cannot inherit the Kingdom of God: Thoſe that are of a lower nature, that do not ſo extreamly hazard the Soul, can only be capable of this Apology, that they are leſs evil; yet as they are oppoſitions to Truth (propounded in Scripture for our belief and direction) they ceaſe not to be Sins, though they may be greater or leſs evils, according to the importance of thoſe Truths which they deny, or the conſequences that attend them; and if we go yet a ſtep lower, to the conſideration of thoſe raſh and bold aſſertions, about things not clearly revealed; though they may poſſibly be true, yet the poſitiveneſs of avouchments and determinations in ſuch caſes, where we want ſufficient reaſon to ſupport what we affirm, (as that of the Pſeudo-Dionyſius for the Hierarchy of Angels, and ſome adventurous aſſertions concerning God's ſecret Decrees, and many other things of like nature) are by the Apoſtle, Col. 2. 18. moſt ſeverely taxed for an unwarrantable and unjuſt preſumption, in ſetting our foot upon God's right; as if ſuch Men would by violence thruſt themſelves into that which God hath reſerved for himſelf, (for ſo much the word intruding imports,)foreign. the cauſe of this he tells us, is the arrogancy of corrupt Reaſon, the fleſhly Mind, (ſuitable to that expreſſion, Matth. 16. 17. Fleſh and Blood hath not revealed it;) the bottom of it is Pride, which ſwells Men to this height; and the Fruit (after all theſe ſwelling attempts) is no other than (as the Apples of Sodom) Duſt and Vanity, intruding into thoſe things which he hath not ſeen, Vainly puft up by his fleſhly Mind: If then Satan do but gain this, that by Errour (though not diffuſed further than the breaſt of the infected Party) Truth is denied, or that the heart be ſwelled into Pride and Arrogancy, or that he hath hope ſo to prevail, 'tis enough to encourage his attempts.
Secondly, But Errour is a Sin of an encreaſing nature, and uſually ſtops not at one or two Falſhoods, but is apt to ſpawn into many others, (as ſome of the moſt noxious Creatures have the moſt numerous Broods:) for one Errour hath this miſchievous danger in it, that it taints the Mind to an inſtability in every Truth; and the bond of ſtedfaſtneſs being once broken, a Man hath no certainty where he ſhall ſtay: as a wanton Horſe once turned looſe, may wander far. This hazard is made a ſerious warning againſt Errour, 2 Pet. 3. 17. Beware leſt ye being led away with the errour of the Wicked, fall from your own ſteadfaſtneſs. One Errour admitted, makes the heart unſteady; and beſides this inconvenience, Errour doth unavoidably branch it ſelf naturally into many more, as Inferences and Concluſions reſulting from it, as Circles in Water multiply themſelves;foreign. grant but one abſurdity and many will follow upon it, ſo that 'tis a Miracle to find a ſingle Errour. Theſe Locuſts go forth by Bonds, as the experience of all ages doth teſtify, and beſides the immediate conſequences of an Errour, which receive Life and Being together with it ſelf, as Twins of the ſame Birth. We may obſerve a tendancy in Errours, to others that are more remote, and by the long ſtretch of multiplyed inferences, thoſe things are coupled together that are not very contiguous. If the Lutherans ('tis*Si Wittenbergenſes admittant univerſalem gratiam. Huberiani introducent univerſalem electionem, Pucciani fidem naturalem, naturaliſtae explodent Chriſtum & Scripturas. Prid. Lect. 3. p. 34. Dr. Prideaux his obſervation) admit Ʋniverſal Grace, the Huberians introduce Ʋniverſal Election, the Puccians Natural Faith, the Naturaliſts explode Chriſt and Scriptures at laſt as unneceſſary: this is then a fair mark for the Devil to aim at, if he prevails for one Errour, 'tis an hundred to one but he prevails for more.
Thirdly, Satan hath yet a further reach in promoting Errour, he knows 'tis a Plague that uſually infects all round about, and therefore doth he the rather labour in this work, becauſe he hopes thereby to corrupt others, and infected Perſons are commonly the moſt buſie Agents (even to the compaſſing of Sea and Land) to gain Proſilytes to their falſe Perſwaſions. This Harveſt of Satan's labour, is often noted in Scripture, they ſhall deceive many, Matth. 24. 24. Many ſhall follow their pernicious ways, 2 Pet. 2. 2. How quickly had this Leaven ſpread it ſelf in the Church of Galatia, even to Paul's wonder? Gal. 1. 6. I marvel, that you are ſo ſoon removed from him, that called you into the grace of Chriſt, into another Goſpel. Inſtances of the ſpreading of Errour are frequent. Pelagianiſm roſe about the Year 415, but preſently ſpread it ſelf in Paleſtine, Africa, Greece, Italy, Sicily, France, and Britain. Arrianiſm, like fire in Straw, in a little time brought its flame over the Chriſtian World, and left her wondring at her ſelf, that ſhe was ſo ſuddenly become Arrian. Socinianiſm had the like prevalency, Laelius privately had ſowed the Seeds, and after his death Fauſtus Socinus his Nephew did ſo beſtir himſelf, that within ten years (after his confident appearing) whole Congregations in Sarmatia ſubmitted themſelves to his Dictates,Conſid. Th. Soc. Proemial. p. 65. as Calovius affirms, and within twenty or thirty Years more ſeveral hundreds of Churches in Tranſilvania were infected, and within a few Years more, the whole Synod was brought over to ſubſcribe to Socinianiſm. We have alſo inſtances nearer home, after the Reformation, in the raign of Edward the ſixth, how ſoon did Popery return in its full ſtrength when Queen Mary came to the Crown? which occaſioned Peter Martyr (when he ſaw young Students flocking to Maſs) to ſay,Haec una notula omnem meam doctrinam evertit. That the tolling of the Bell overturned all his Doctrine at Oxford. And of late we have had the ſad experience of the power of Errour to infect, no Errour ſo abſurd, ridiculous, or blaſphemous, but (once broached) it preſently gained conſiderable numbers to entertain it.
Fourthly, Errour is alſo eminently ſerviceable to Satan for the bringing in Diviſions, Schiſms, Rents, Hatreds, Heart-burnings, Animofities, Revilings, Contentions, Tumults, Wars, and whatſoever bitter Fruits, breach of Love, and the malignity of Hatred can poſſibly produce. Enough of this might be ſeen in the Church of Corinth, the diviſions that were amongſt themſelves were occaſioned by it, and a great number of evils the Apoſtle ſuſpected to have been already produc'd from thence, as Debates, Envyings, Wraths, Strifes, Back-bitings, Whiſperings, Swellings, Tumults, 2 Cor. 12. 20. He himſelf eſcaped not from being evilly intreated, by thoſe among them that were turned from the ſimplicity of the Goſpel: The quarrelſome exceptions that they had raiſed againſt him, he takes notice of: They charged him with levity, in neglecting his promiſe to come to them, 2 Cor. 1. 17. They called him carnal, one that walked according to the fleſh, chap. 10. 2. they taunted him as a contemptible Fellow, ver. 10. They undervalued his Miniſtry, which occaſioned (not without great Apology) a commendation of himſelf; nay, they ſeemed to call him a falſe Apoſtle, and were ſo bold as to challenge him for a proof of Chriſt ſpeaking in him, 2 Cor. 13. 3.
If the Devil had ſo much advantage from Errour that was but in the bud, and that in one Church only; what may we imagine hath he done by it, when it broke out to an open flame in ſeveral Churches? What work do we ſee in Families when an Errour creeps in among them? the Father riſeth up againſt the Son, the Son againſt the Father, the Mother againſt the Daughter, the Daughter againſt the Mother: what ſad divided Congregations have we ſeen? what Fierceneſs, Prejudices, Slanders, Evil-ſurmiſes, Cenſurings, and Diviſions hath this brought forth? what bandying of Parties againſt Parties, Church againſt Church, hath been produced by this Engine? How ſadly hath this poor Iſland felt the ſmart of it, the bitter conteſts that have been betwixt Presbyterian and Independent, betwixt them and the Epiſcopal? makes them look more like factious Combinations, than Churches of Chriſt. The preſent differences betwixt Conformiſts and Nonconformiſts (if we take them, where they are loweſt) they do daily produce ſuch effects, as muſt needs be very pleaſing and grateful to the Devil, both Parties mutually objecting Schiſm, and charging each other with Crime and Folly; what invectives and railings may be heard in all Companies? as if they had been at the greateſt diſtances in point of Doctrine. But whoſoever loſeth, to be ſure the Devil gains by it. Hatreds, Strife, Variance, Emulations, Lyings, Railings, Scorn and Contempt, are all againſt the known duty of brotherly kindneſs, and are undoubted provocations againſt the God of Love and Peace: What can we then think of that can be ſo uſeful to Satan as Errour, when theſe abovementioned evils are the inſeparable products of it? The modeſteſt Errours that ever were among good Men are ſtill accompanied with ſomething of theſe bitter Fruits. The differences about Meats and Days (when managed with the greateſt moderation) made the Strong to deſpiſe the Weak, as ſilly, wilful, factious Humoriſts; and on the contrary, the Weak judged the Strong, as prophane, careleſs, and bold Deſpiſers of divine Inſtitutions, for ſo much the Apoſtle implyes, Rom. 14. 3. Let not him that eateth, deſpiſe him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not, judge him that eateth. But ſhould we trace Errour thorow the ruines of Churches, and view the ſlaughters and bloodſhed that it hath occaſioned; or conſider the Wars and Deſolations that it hath brought forth, we might heap up matter fit for Tears and Lamentations, and make you ceaſe to wonder that Satan ſhould ſo much concern himſelf to promote it.
Fifthly, The greateſt and moſt ſucceſsful Stratagem for the hindering a Reformation, is that of raiſing up an Army of Errours. Reformation of Abuſes, and corruptions in Worſhip or Doctrine, (we may well ſuppoſe) the Devil will withſtand with his utmoſt might and Policy, becauſe it endeavours to pull that down which coſt him ſo much labour and time to ſet up, and ſo croſſeth his end.Judg. 5. 18. They who are called out by God to jeopard their lives in the high places of the Field, undertake an hard task in endeavouring to check the power of the Mighty, whoſe intereſt it is to maintain thoſe defilements, which their Policy hath introduced, to fix them in the poſſeſſion of that grandeur and command which ſo highly gratifies their Humours, and ſelf-ſeeking aſpiring Minds: But Satan knowing the ſtrength of that Power, which hath raiſed them up to oppoſe, with ſpiritual reſolution, the current of Prevailing Iniquity, uſually provides himſelf with this reſerve, and comes upon their backs with a Party of deluded erronious Men raiſed up from among themſelves, and by this means he hopes either to diſcourage the Undertakers for Reformation, by the difficulty of their work (which muſt needs drive on heavily, when they that ſhould aſſiſt prove hinderers,) or at leaſt to ſtraiten and limit the ſucceſs: For by this means (1.) He divides the Party, and ſo weakens their hands. (2.) He ſtrengthens their Enemies, who not only gather heart from theſe diviſions (ſeeing them ſo fair a prognoſtick of their ruine,) but alſo improve them, by retorting them as an argument, that they are all out of the way of Truth. (3.) The erroneous Party in the Rear of the Reformers, do more gall them with their Arrows (even bitter words of curſed reviling,) and more hazard them with their Swords and Spears of oppoſition, than their Adverſaries in the Front againſt whom they went forth. In the mean while, they that ſtand up for Truth, are as Corn betwixt two Milſtones; oppreſſed with a double conflict, beſet before and behind.
This hath been Satan's method in all ages. And indeed Policy it ſelf could not contrive any thing that would more certainly obſtruct Reformation than this. When the Apoſtles (who in theſe laſt days were firſt ſent forth) were imployed to reform the World, to throw down the Ceremonies of the Old Teſtament, and Heathen Worſhip, Satan had preſently raiſed up Men of corrupt Minds to hinder their Progreſs; what work theſe made for Paul at Corinth, and with the Galatians, the Epiſtles to thoſe Churches do teſtify. The buſineſs of theſe Men was to draw Diſciples after them from the ſimplicity of the Goſpel, nay to another Goſpel; and this they could not do but by ſetting up themſelves, boaſting of the Spirit, carrying themſelves as the Apoſtles of Chriſt, and contemning thoſe that were really ſo, inſinuating thereby into the affections of the ſeduced, as if they zealouſly affected them, and that Paul was but weak and contemptible, nay their very Enemy for telling them the truth. What unſpeakable hindrance muſt this be to Paul? What grief of heart? What fear and jealouſie muſt this produce? he profeſſeth he was affraid leſt he had beſtowed upon them labour in vain, Gal. 4. 11. And that he did no leſs than travel of them in birth the ſecond time; verſ. 19. If one Alexander could do Paul ſo much Evil,2 Tim 4. 24. by withſtanding his Words, that he complains of him, and cautions Timothy againſt him. If one Diotrephes, by prating againſt John with malicious Words, prevailed with the Church, that they received not him, 3 Jo. verſ. 10.nor the Brethren; What hurt might a Multitude of ſuch be able to do?
In the Primitive times of the Church, after the Apoſtles days; when thoſe Worthies were to conteſt with the Heathen World, the Serpent caſt out of his mouth water, as a flood, after the Woman: (which moſt interpret to be a Deluge of Hereſies: And ſome particularly underſtand it of the Arrian Hereſie) that he might hinder the progreſs of the Goſpel. Which deſign of his did ſo take, that many complaints there were, of hindring the Converſion of the Heathens, by the Errours that were among Chriſtians. Epiphanius tells us, That Pagans refuſed to come near the Chriſtians, and would not ſo much as hear them ſpeak, being affrighted by the wicked practices and wayes of the Priſcilianiſts. Auſtin complains to the ſame purpoſe, That looſe, and laſcivious Hereticks adminiſtred matter of Blaſpheming to the idolatrous Heathens.
In after-times, when Religion grew ſo corrupt by Popery, that God extraordinarily raiſed up Luther, Calvin, and others in the Fifteenth, Excitata a Luthero beſtia Apocalyptica & non irritata tantum ſed ſauciata multorum venabulis, ultimum fere omnium bonorum judicio, eſſlaſſet Spiritum niſi ſpiritus … inauſpicati tum her…icos diſtraxiſſent & retardaſſ…nt impetus. Prid. Orat. de Spir. Seduct. pag. 95.and Sixteenth Centuries; to diſcover thoſe Abominations, and to bring back his People from Babylon. The Devil gave them no ſmall trouble by a growth of Errours, ſo that they were forced to Fight againſt the Papiſts before, and thoſe Philiſtines behind; inſomuch, that Reformation attained not that height and univerſality, which might rationally have been expected from ſuch bleſſed undertakings. This was the conjecture of many, particularly of our Country-man, Dr. Prideaux, That if theſe Fanatick Enthuſiaſts (which with ſo great a ſcandal to the Goſpel then brake forth) had not retarded and hindred thoſe glorious proceedings; that Apocalyptical Beaſt of Rome, had been not only weakned and wounded, but utterly overthrown and ſlain. In particular Cities, where any of the faithful Servants of Chriſt endeavoured to detect the Errours of Popery, theſe inſtruments of Satan were ready to joyn with the common Adverſary in reproaches and diſturbances: How they oppoſed Muſculus at Auguſta; and with what fierceneſs they called him Viper, falſe Prophet, Woolf in ſheeps cloathing, &c. you may ſee in thoſe that write his Life. How theſe Men hindred the Goſpel at Limburg, againſt Junius; At Zurich, againſt Zuinglius; At Ausburg, againſt Ʋrbanus Regius; Melch. Adam. to vita Theol.you may alſo ſee in their Lives. In all which, and others of like nature, you will ſtill find, (1) That there was never a Reformation begun, but there were erroneous Perſons to hinder and diſtract the Reformers. (2) That theſe Men expreſſed as great hatred againſt the Reformers, and oftentimes more, than againſt the Papiſts: and were as ſpitefully bitter in Lies, Slanders, and Scorns againſt them, as the Papiſts themſelves.
Sixthly, Satan can alſo make uſe of Errour, either to fix Men in their preſent miſtaken wayes, and careleſs courſe; or as a temptation to Atheiſm; Varieties or Opinions and Doctrines, do amuſe, and amaze Men; while one cryes, Lo here is Chriſt, And another, Lo he is there. Men are ſo confounded, that they do not know what to chuſe. 'Tis one of the greateſt difficulties to ſingle out Truth, from a croud of ſpecious confident pretences; eſpecially, ſeeing Truth is modeſt, and oftentimes out-noiſed by clamorous bold Errour: yea, ſometimes out vyed by the pretenſions of Spirit, and Revelation, in an Antiſcriptural falſhood. At what a loſs is an unskilful Travellour, where ſo many wayes meet? while one party cries up this, another that, mutually charging one another with Errour. They, whoſe hearts are any thing looſened from a ſence and reverence of Religion, are eaſily tempted to disbelieve all. Thus Errour leads to Atheiſme, and layes the Foundation for all thoſe ſlanderous exceptions againſt Scripture, by which Godleſs Men uſually juſtifie themſelves in their Religion. Now, though all wicked Men are not brought to this, becauſe the Conſciences of ſome, do ſo ſtrongly retain the ſentiments of a Deity, that all Satans Art can not obliterate thoſe Characters; yet, the conſideration of the multitude of Errours doth rivet them in the perſwaſion of the Truth, and goodneſs of that way of Religion, wherein they had been Educated. Papiſts are hardned by this; and though they have no reaſon to boaſt of their unity among themſelves, as they have been often told;Diſcourſe of the Idolatry of the Church of Rome. and now of late, by Dr. Stillingfleet: (who hath manifeſted, that their Diviſions among themſelves, are as great, and managed with as great Animoſity, as any amongſt us;) yet are their Ears ſo beaten with the Objection of Sects and Schiſms elſewhere, that they are generally confirmed to ſtay where they are. Beſides, this is a ſtumbling-block which the Devil throws in the way of poor Ignorant People; if they are urged to a ſerious ſtrictneſs in Religion, they are affrighted from it, by the conſideration of Sects and parties, and the woful miſcarriages of ſome erronious Perſons, that at firſt pretended to ſtrictneſs; imagining, that ſtrictneſs in Religion, is an unneceſſary dangerous thing; and that the ſober godly Chriſtians, are but a company of giddy, unſetled, conceited, preciſe Perſons, who will in a little time run themſelves into madneſs and diſtraction; or into deſpair. And thus out of fear of Schiſm or Errour, they dare not be Religious in good earneſt; but content themſelves with drawing near to God with their mouthes, and confeſſing him with their lips, whilſt their hearts are far from him, and in their works they deny him.
There is ſuch a propenſity in the hearts of Men, to be ſtaggered by the multitude and boldneſs of Errours, that the Apoſtle Paul expreſſeth a ſence of it, and ſeems tenderly careful to avoid that blow, (which he knew Satan would readily give through that conſideration) by the apology that he makes for God, in his holy, wiſe, providential Permiſſion of them, 1 Cor. 11. 19. There muſt be Hereſies among you. His intent, is not barely to put them off with this; That Hereſies are unavoidable; but to ſatisfie them, that there is a neceſſity of them: and that they are uſeful, as God's Furnace and Fan, to purifie and to cleanſe, that they which are approved, may be made manifeſt. The like care he hath, in 2 Tim. 2. 19, 20. upon the mention of the Errour of Hymeneus, and Philetus, where he obviateth the offence that might ariſe, by reaſon of their Apoſtacy: partly by removing the fears of the Upright, in affirming their ſafety, whatever became of other Men, ſeeing the Foundation of God ſtandeth ſure: and partly, by declaring it, no more ſuitable or diſhonourable for God to permit the riſe of Errours in his Church, than for great Men to have in their houſes, not only Veſſels of Gold and Silver, but alſo of Wood and of Earth; ſome to honour, and ſome to diſhonour. By theſe very Apologies, it appears, That Satan by this device of Errour, deſigns to ſhake Mens Faith, and to drive them from their Religion.
Seventhly, Neither can this, that corrupt Doctrines bring forth corrupt Practices, be of any leſs weight with Satan; or leſs engageing, for the purſuit of this Deſign, than any of the fore-mentioned reaſons.
Corrupt Doctrines are imbraced as the very truth of God by the Deluded; and one way or other, directly, or conſequentially they lead on Practice; and that with the higheſt ſecurity, and confidence; as if they were very Truths indeed.
The Devil then hath this great advantage by Errour; That if he can but corrupt the minds of Men; eſpecially in the more weighty and Fundamental Points of Religion: then by a great eaſe, and without any more labour, he hath gained them to the practice of whatſoever theſe corrupted Principles will lead unto. No courſe can be taken, that with greater expedition and prevalency, can introduce profane Debaucheries than this. Thus he conquers Parties and Multitudes, as a victorious General takes Cities, and whole Countries by Surrender: whereas his particular Temptations to Sin, are but inconſiderable, leſs ſucceſsful, picqueerings in compariſon: and when he hath once corrupted the underſtandings of Men, he hath by that means, a command over their Conſciences; and doth not now urge to Evil, in the notion of a Devil, or tempter; but as an Angel of Light, or rather as an Ʋſurper of Divine Authority: he requires, he commands theſe wicked Practices, as neceſſary Duties; In perſecutione cogit homines negare Chriſtam, nunc docet.or at leaſt, gives a liberty therein, as being harmleſs allowances. This difference was of old obſerved in Satans management of Perſecution, and Errour; that in the former, he did compel Men to deny Chriſt: but by the latter, he did teach them.
That the Lives and Practices of Men, are ſo concerned by corrupt Doctrines, may appear to any, that are but indifferently acquainted with Scripture, or Hiſtory. We are told by the Apoſtle Paul, 1 Tim. 1. 19.That Faith and Conſcience ſtand ſo related to each other, that they live and die together; and that when the one is Shipwracked, the other is Drown'd for company. In Phil. 3. 2. he ſeems ſeverely harſh againſt thoſe of the Conciſion, he calls them Dogs, Beware of Dogs; beware of evil Workers. The reaſon of which expreſſion, (I apprehend) lyes not ſo much in theſe reſemblances, That Dogs ſpoyl the Flock, by devouring; or that they are fawning Creatures: or that they are induſtrious in proſecution of their Prey: (though in all theſe particulars, falſe Teachers may be compared to Dogs; for they ſpare not the Flock, they compaſs Sea and Land, to gain Diſciples, and they intice them with fair ſpeeches:) but rather, he intends the ſimilitude, to expreſs the prophane Life, and carriage of theſe Seducers; for Dogs are filthy creatures, to a Proverb, The Dog to his vomit. And common Proſtitutes, for their uncleanneſs, were called Dogs, in the old Teſtament. So ſome expound, Deut. 23. 18. The hire of a Whore, or the price of a Dog. And we have full and clear deſcriptions of Seducers, from their wicked and abominable Practices. 2. Pet. 2. 10. They that walk after the fleſh, in the luſt of uncleanneſs, and deſpiſe Government; Preſumptuous are they, ſelf-willed, they are not afraid to ſpeak evil of Dignities. Verſ. 14. Having eyes full of Adultery, and that cannot ceaſe from Sin: an heart exerciſed with covetous Practices; curſed Children. Verſ. 18. They allure through the luſts of the fleſh, through much wantonneſs.—Jude verſ. 4. There are certain Men crept in unawares, who were before of old, ordained to this condemnation; ungodly Men, turning the Grace of God into Laſciviouſneſs. Verſ. 16. Theſe are Murtherers, Complainers, walking after their own Luſts, &c. 2. Tim. 3. verſ. 2, 3, 4, 5. Men ſhall be lovers of their own ſelves; Coveteous, Boaſters, Proud, Blaſphemers, diſobedient to Parents, Ʋnthankful, Ʋnholy, without natural Affection, Truce-breakers, falſe Accuſers, Incontinent, Fierce, deſpiſers of thoſe that are Good, Traitors, Heady, highminded, lovers of Pleaſures, more than lovers of God: of this ſort are they which creep into Houſes.—All which, do ſet forth Heretical Perſons as the moſt ſcandalous wicked Wretches that we ſhall meet with: groſly filthy in themſelves, corrupted in all the Duties of their Relations, natural, and civil; defiled in all the ways of their converſe with Men.
Neither are theſe wicked practices iſſuing from groſs Errours, to be looked upon as rare, accidental, or extraordinary effects thereof, but as the natural and common fruits of them: for Chriſt makes this to be the very ſpecial property and note, whereby falſe Prophets may be diſcovered. Matth. 7. 16. Ye ſhall know them by their Fruits: Do Men gather Grapes of Thornes, or Figs of Thiſtles? &c. Theſe Fruits, were not their Doctrines, but their Lives: (for to know falſe Prophets by falſe Doctrines is no more, than to know falſe Doctrine by falſe Doctrine.) If any object, That many falſe Teachers appeared in the ſhape of ſeeming Holineſs, and ſtrictneſs of Life; they may be anſwered, from Chriſt's own words: for there he tells us, (to avoid miſtakes) That their firſt appearance, (and it may be the whole Lives of ſome of the firſt Seedſ-men of any Errour) is under the form of Sanctity: They come to you in Sheeps-cloathing; In an outward appearance of Innocency, and plauſible pretences: but then he adds, that their Fruits afterward will diſcover them. A Tree at its firſt Planting, is not diſcovered what it is; but give it time to grow to its proper fruitfulneſs, and then you may know of what kind it is: ſo that we need not affirm, That damnable Doctrines produce wicked Lives in all that entertain them at the very firſt; 'tis enough for diſcovery, if there be a natural, conſequential tendency in ſuch Doctrines, to practical Impieties; or that at laſt, they produce them, though not in all, yet in many.
And that this matter hath been always found to be ſo, all Hiſtory doth confirm. Such there were in the Apoſtles dayes, as is evident, by their complaints. Such there were in the Church of Pergamos, Rev. 2. 14. Thou haſt them that hold the Doctrine of Balaam; who taught Balak to caſt a ſtumbling-block before the Children of Iſrael; to eat things ſacrificed unto Idols, and to commit Fornication. There were alſo, the Nicolaitans, of whom Chriſt declares his abhorrency. Verſ. 15. In the Church of Thyatira, there was the woman Jezebel, who taught and ſeduced many of that Church, to the like abominable Doctrines and Practices. Verſ. 20. Beſides theſe, the Apoſtle John was troubled with the abominable Gnoſticks. The filthy Carpocratians, who taught, That Men muſt ſin, and do the will of all the Devils, or elſe they could not evade Principalities and Powers; who would no otherwiſe be pleaſed to ſuffer them to eſcape to the Superiour Heavens. Of theſe Men, and their licencious Doctrine doth he ſpeak, 1 John. 3. 6. &c. that they that are born of God indeed, muſt not, dare not, cannot give themſelves up to a liberty in ſuch Abominations.
The ſame Fruits of corrupt Doctrine appeared after the Apoſtles dayes. What was Montanus but an impure wretch? What were his two companion Propheteſſes, Priſcilla, and Maximilla, but infamous Adultereſſes? The Priſcillianiſts, the Manichees, and abundance more, left the ſtink of their Prophaneneſs behind them; by reaſon of whom, (according to Peters Propheſie, 2 Pet. 2. 2.) the way of Truth was evil ſpoken of.
Later times have alſo given in full evidence of this Truth. How ſhameful and abominable were the Lives of John of Leyden, and the reſt of thoſe German Enthuſiaſts? Who reads the ſtory of Hacket, and Coppinger, without deteſtation of their wicked Practices? What better have the Familiſts, and Libertines of New and Old England been? ſome were turned off to higheſt Ranting, in all Prophaneneſs of Swearing,See the Story of Mr. Copp. Drinking, Adultery, and the defying of a godly Life: and this, under the unreaſonable boaſt of Spirit and Perfection. The Heavens may bluſh, and the Earth be aſtoniſhed at theſe things! But in the mean time, Satan huggs himſelf in his ſucceſs; and encourageth himſelf to further attempts in propagating Errour, ſeeing it brings in ſo great an harveſt of Sin.
Eighthly, In this Deſign of falſe-Doctrine, Satan is never altogether out: if he cannot thus defile their Lives, yet 'tis a thouſand to one, but he obſtructs their Graces by it. What greater hinderance can there be to Converſion, than Errour? The word of Truth is the means by which God, through his Spirit, doth beget us; 'tis part of that Image of God that is implanted in us: 'tis God's Voice to the Soul, to awaken it. It cannot then be imagined that God will give the honour of that work to any Errour: neither can Truth take place, or have its Effect upon a Soul fore-ſtalled with a contrary falſhood. Falſhood in poſſeſſion, will keep Truth at the door. Neither is Converſion only hindred, by ſuch Errours as directly contradict converting Truths; but alſo by Collateral non-fundamental Errours. As they fill the Minds of Men with prejudice againſt thoſe that profeſs another Perſwaſion; ſo that for their own beloved Errours-ſake, Men will not entertain a warning, or conviction from thoſe that diſſent from their Opinions: they firſt account them Enemies, and then they deſpiſe their Meſſage. 'Tis no ſmall matter in Satans way, to have ſuch an obſtruction at hand, in the grand concern of Converſion. Yet this is further ſerviceable to him, to hinder, or weaken the Graces of the Converted already: if he can ſet God's Children a madding upon Errour, or make them fond of Novelties; he will by this means exhauſt the vigour and ſtrength of their Hearts; ſo that the ſubſtantials of Religion will be neglected. For as hurtful Plants engroſs all the moiſture and fatneſs of the Earth where they ſtand, and impoveriſh it into an inability, for the nouriſhment of thoſe that are of greater worth: So doth Errour poſſeſs it ſelf of the ſtrength of the Spirit; and in the mean time, neglected Graces dwindle into emptineſs, and fade as a Leaf. The moſt curious Queſtions and Opinions that are, contribute nothing to the Eſtabliſhment of the Heart; 'tis only Grace that doth that. Heb. 13. 9. The heart is eſtabliſhed with Grace, and not with diſputes about Meats: nay, they do Grace a prejudice, in that they make it ſick and languiſhing: foreign.for to that ſence is the Original, in 1 Tim. 6. 4. Doting about Queſtions, or growing diſeaſed, becauſe of the earneſt proſecution of Opinions.
Ninthly, Errour hath yet another miſchief in it, which makes it not a little deſirable to Satan; and that is the judgment, or puniſhment that it brings. So that it every way anſwers the Devils hatred againſt both Soul and Body. The bleſſings of Proſperity and Peace do attend the Triumphal Chariot of Truth. Pſal. 85. 11, 12. Truth ſhall ſpring out of the Earth, and Righteouſneſs ſhall look down from Heaven. And then it follows, That the Lord ſhall give that which is good, and our Land ſhall yield her increaſe. But on the contrary, Errour doth more provoke God than Men are aware. How often did God deſolate the Iſraelites, ſet a fire in their Cities, and gave them into the hands of their Enemies, becauſe of their changing the Truth of God into a lye; and worſhipping and ſerving the Creature more than the Creator? God left not the Church of Pergamos, and Thyatira without ſevere Threatnings for the Errour of the Nicolaitans. Rev. 2. 16. Repent, or elſe I will come unto thee quickly. Verſ. 22. I will caſt them into great tribulation, except they repent of their Deeds, and I will kill her children with death. And accordingly, God fulfilled his threatning upon them, by bringing in the Saracens to deſolate them, and to poſſeſs their Land: as he alſo brought the Goths upon the Empire, for the Arrian Hereſie. How is Satan pleaſed to labour in a Deſign that will kindle the Wrath of the Almighty?