Satans Temptations in Three Parts, Table of contents – Part 1
The Contents.
PART I.
Chap. 1.
THe Introduction to the Text, from a conſideration of the deſperate ruine of the Souls of Men. The Text opened, expreſſing Satan's Malice, Power, Cruelty, and Diligence.
Chap. 2.
Of the Malice of Satan in particular. The Grounds and Cauſes of that Malice. The Greatneſs of it proved; and Inſtances of that Greatneſs given.
Chap. 3.
Of Satans Power. His Power as an Angel conſidered. That he loſt not that Power by his Fall. His Power as a Devil. Of his Commiſſion. The Extent of his Authority. The Efficacy of his Power. The Advantages which he hath for the management of it, from the Number, Order, Place, and Knowledg of Devils.
Chap. 4.
That Satan hath a great meaſure of Knowledg, proved, by comparing him with the knowledg of Adam in Innocency, and by his Titles. Of his Knowledg Natural, Experimental, and Acceſſory. Of his knowledg of our Thoughts. How far he doth not know them, and how far he doth, and by what means. Of his knowledg of things future, and by what ways he doth conjecture them. The Advantages in point of Temptation that he hath by his Knowledg.
Chap. 5.
Inſtances of Satan's Power. Of Witchcraft, what it is. Satan's Power argued from thence. Of Wonders. Whether Satan can do Miracles. An account of what he can do that way. His Power argued from Apparitions and Poſſeſſions.
Chap. 6.
Of Satan's Cruelty. Inſtances thereof in his dealing with wounded Spirits, in ordinary Temptations of the Wicked and Godly, in Perſecutions, Cruelties in Worſhip. His cruel handling of his Slaves.
Chap. 7.
Of Satan's Diligence, in ſeveral Inſtances. The Queſtion about the Being of Spirits and Devils handled. The Sadducces Opinion diſcovered. The Reality of Spirits proved.
Chap. 8.
Of Satan's Cunning and Craft in the general. Several Demonſtrations proving Satan to be deceitful: And of the Reaſons why he makes uſe of his cunning.
Chap. 9.
Of Satan's Deceits in particular. What Temptation is. Of tempting to Sin. His firſt general Rule. The Conſideration of our Condition. His ſecond Rule. Of providing ſutable Temptations. In what caſes he tempts us to things unſuitable to our Inclinations. His third Rule. The cautious Propoſal of the Temptation, and the ſeveral ways thereof. His fourth Rule is to entice the way thereof in the general, by bringing a darkneſs upon the Mind through luſt.
Chap. 10.
That Satan enticeth by our Luſt. The ſeveral ways by which he doth it. Of the power and danger of the violence of Affections.
Chap. 11.
That Luſt darkens the Mind. Evidences thereof. The five ways by which it doth blind Men. (1.) By preventing the exerciſe of Reaſon. The ways of that prevention; (1.) Secreſy in tempting, Satan's ſubtilty therein. (2.) Surpriſal. (3.) Gradual Intanglements.
Chap. 12.
Of Satan's perverting our Reaſon. His ſecond way of blinding. The poſſibility of this, and the manner of accompliſhing it directly, ſeveral ways; and indirectly, by the delights of ſin, and by ſophiſtical Arguments; with an account of them.
Chap. 13.
Of Satan's diverting our Reaſon, being the third way of blinding Men. His policies for diverting our Thoughts. His attempts to that purpoſe in a more direct manner; with the degrees of that procedure. Of diſturbing or diſtracting our Reaſon, which is Satan's fourth way of blinding Men. His deceits therein. Of precipitancy, Satan's fifth way of blinding Men. Several deceits to bring Men to that.
Chap. 14.
Of Satan's maintaining his Poſſeſſion. His firſt Engine for that purpoſe, is his finiſhing of Sin, in its reiteration and aggravation. His Policies herein.
Chap. 15.
Of Satan's keeping all in quiet, which is his ſecond Engine for keeping his Poſſeſſion; and for that purpoſe, his keeping us from going to the Light, by ſeveral ſubtilties: alſo of making us riſe up againſt the Light; and by what ways he doth that.
Chap. 16.
Of Satan's third grand Policy for maintaining his Poſſeſſion; which is his feigned Departure. (1.) By ceaſing the proſecution of his deſign, and the caſes in which he doth it. (2.) By abating the eagerneſs of purſuit, and how he doth that. (3.) By exchanging Temptations, and his policy therein. The advantage he ſeeks surgeth. by ſeeming to fly. Of his (4.) ſtratagem for keeping his Poſſeſſion, which is his ſtopping all ways of retreat; and how he doth that.
Chap. 17.
Satan's Deceits againſt Religious Services and Duties. The Grounds of his diſpleaſure againſt Religious Duties. His firſt deſign againſt Duties, is to prevent them. His ſeveral ſubtilties for that end, by external hindrances, by indiſpoſitions, bodily and ſpiritual, by diſcouragements; the ways thereof, by diſlike; the grounds thereof; by ſophiſtical arguings. His various pleas herein.
Chap. 18.
Satan's ſecond grand deſign againſt Duties, is to ſpoil them. (1.) In the manner of undertaking, and how he effects this. (2.) In the act or performance, by diſtracting outwardly, and inwardly, his various ways therein, by vitiating the duty it ſelf. How he doth that (3.) after performance; the manner thereof.
PART II.
Chap. 1.
THat it is Satan's grand deſign to corrupt the minds of Men with Error. The Evidences that it is ſo; and the Reaſons of his endeavours that way.
Chap. 2.
Of the Advantages which Satan hath, and uſeth, for the Introduction of Error. (1.) From his own power of Spiritual faſcination. That there is ſuch a Power proved from Scripture, and from the Effects of it. (2.) From the imperfection of Knowledg, the particulars thereof explained. (3.) From the byaſs of the mind. What things do byaſs it; and the power of them to ſway the underſtanding. (4.) From Curioſity. (5.) From Atheiſtical Debauchery of Conſcience.
Chap. 3.
Of Satan's improving theſe Advantages for Error. 1. By deluding the Ʋnderſtanding directly: which he doth (1.) by countenancing Error from Scripture. Of his cunning therein. (2.) By ſpecious pretences of Myſteries; and what theſe are. Of perſonal flatteries. (3.) By affected Expreſſions. Reaſon of their prevalency. (4.) By bold Aſſertions. The Reaſons of that Policy. (5.) By the excellency of the Perſons appearing for it, either for Gifts or Holineſs. His method of managing that deſign. (6.) By pretended Inſpiration. (7.) By pretended Miracles. His cunning herein. (8.) By peace and proſperity in ways of Error. (9.) By lyes againſt Truth, and the Profeſſors of it.
Chap. 4.
Of Satan's ſecond way of improving his Advantages, which is by working upon the Ʋnderſtanding indirectly by the Affections. This he doth (1.) by a ſilent inſenſible introduction of Error. His method herein. (2.) By entangling the Affections with the external garb of Error. A gorgeous dreſs, or affected plainneſs. (3.) By fabulous imitations of Truth. The deſign thereof. (4.) By accomodating Truth to a complyance with Parties that differ from it. Various inſtances hereof. (5.) By driving to a contrary extream. (6.) By bribing the Affections with Rewards, or forcing them by Fears. (7.) By engaging Pride and Anger. (8.) By adorning Error with the Ornaments of Truth.
Chap. 5.
Satan's Attempts againſt the Peace of God's Children, evidenced. (1.) From his Malice. (2.) From the concernment of Peace to God's Children. What theſe Concerns are, explained. (3.) From the Advantages which he hath againſt them by diſquieting their Minds. 1. Confuſion of Mind. 2. Ʋnfitneſs for Duty, and how. 3. Rejection of Duty. 4. A ſtumbling-block to others. 5. Preparation of the Mind to entertain venomous Impreſſions, and what they are. 6. Bodily Weakneſs. 7. Our Miſeries Satan's contentment.
Chap. 6.
Of the various Ways by which he hinders Peace. 1ſt Way, by diſcompoſures of Spirit. Theſe Diſcompoſures explained: by ſhewing, 1. What advantage he takes from our natural Temper; and what Tempers give him this advantage. 2. By what occaſions he works upon our natural Tempers. 3. With what ſucceſs. (1.) Theſe Occaſions ſuited to natural Inclinations, raiſe great diſturbance. (2.) They have attendency to Spiritual Trouble. The thing proved, and the manner how, diſcovered. (3.) Theſe Diſturbances much in his Power. General and Particular Conſiderations about that Power.
Chap. 7.
Of the ſecond way to hinder Peace. Affrightments, the general Nature and Burthen of them, in ſeveral Particulars. What are Ways by which he affrights. 1. Atheiſtical Injections. Obſervations of his proceeding in them. 2. Blaſphemous Thoughts. 3. Affrightful Suggeſtions of Reprobation. Obſervations of his proceedings in that courſe. 4. Frightful Motions to Sin. 5. Strong immediate Impreſſions of Fear. 6. Affrightful ſcrupuloſity of Conſcience.
Chap. 8.
Of his third way to hinder Peace by Spiritual Sadneſs. Wherein, 1. Of the Degrees of Spiritual Sadneſs. 2. Of the frequency of this trouble, evidenced ſeveral ways. Of the difference 'twixt God and Satan in wounding the Conſcience. 3. Of the ſolemn Occaſions of this Trouble. 4. The Engines by which Satan works ſpiritual ſadneſs. 1. His Sophiſtry. His Topicks enumerated and explained. 1. Scriptures Perverted. 2. Falſe Notions. 3. Miſrepreſentations of God. 4. Sins; how he aggravates them. 5. Leſſening their Graces: How he doth that. 2. His ſecond Engine, Fear, how he forwards his deſign that way.
Chap. 9.
Of his fourth way to hinder Peace, by Spiritual Diſtreſſes. 1. The Nature of theſe Diſtreſſes. The Ingredients and Degrees of them. Whether all Diſtreſſes of Soul ariſe from Melancholy. 2. Satan's Method in working them. The Occaſions he makes uſe of. The Arguments he urgeth. The ſtrengthning of them by Fears. 3. Their Weight and Burthen, explained in ſeveral Particulars. Concluding Cautions.
PART III.
Chap. 1.
THe firſt Circumſtance of the Combat. The Time when it happened. The two ſolemn Seaſons of Temptation. The Reaſons thereof.
Chap. 2.
The ſecond Circumſtance. Chriſt's being led by the Spirit. What hand the Spirit of God hath in Temptations; and of running into Temptation when not led into it.
Chap. 3.
The third Circumſtance. The Place of the Combat. The Advantage given to Temptations by Solitude.
Chap. 4.
The fourth Circumſtance. The end wherefore Chriſt was led into the Wilderneſs. Holineſs, Imployment, Priviledges, exempt not from Temptation. Of Temptations that leave not impreſſions of ſin behind them. How Satan's Temptations are diſtinguiſhed from the Luſts of our own Heart.
Chap. 5.
Of Chriſt's Faſt; with the Deſign thereof. Of Satan's tempting in an inviſible way. Of his inceſſant Importunities, and how he flys when reſiſted. Of Inward Temptations with outward Afflictions. Several Advantages Satan hath by tempting in Affliction.
Chap. 6.
That Chriſt's Temptations were real, and not in viſion. That Temptation is Satan's Imployment; with the Evidences and Inſtances thereof. Of Satan's tempting viſibly; with the Reaſons thereof.
Chap. 7.
The general view of theſe Temptations. Of Satan's gradual proceeding in Temptations. Of reſerving a great Temptation laſt. What a great Temptation is. In what caſes to be expected. Of Satan's uſing a common Road, in comparing theſe Temptations with the ordinary Temptations of Men. Of the Advantage Satan takes of Natural Appetite, Senſe, and Affections.
Chap. 8.
The Riſe of Chriſt…s firſt Temptation. Of Satan's ſuiting his Temptations to the conditions of Men. Of tempting Men upon the Plea of Neceſſity. The Reaſons and Cheats of that Plea. His pretences of friendſhip in tempting; with the danger thereof.
Chap. 9.
A particular Conſideration of the Matter of the firſt Temptation. What Satan aimed at in bidding him turn Stones into Bread. Of Satan's moving us to things good or lawful. The end of ſuch a Motion. How to know whether ſuch Motions are from Satan, or the Spirit. What to do in caſe they be from Satan. Of his 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.
Chap. 10.
Of Satan's chief end in this Temptation. His skill in making the Means to Sin plauſible. The Reaſons of that Policy, with his Art therein. Mens Ignorance his Advantage. Of the differences of things propounded to our uſe.
Chap. 11.
Of the temptation to diſtruſt, upon the failure of ordinary Means. Of the Power of that Temptation, and the Reaſons of its prevalency. Of unwarrantable Attempts for relief; with the Cauſes thereof. Of waiting on God, and keeping his way. In what caſes a particular Mercy is to be expected.
Chap. 12.
Of Satan's proceeding to infer diſtruſt of Son-ſhip, from diſtruſt of Providences. Inſtances of the probability of ſuch a Deſign. The Reaſons of this undertaking. Of Satan's endeavour to weaken the aſſurance and hopes of God's Children. His general Method to that purpoſe.
Chap. 13.
The preparation to the ſecond Temptation. Of his nimbleneſs to catch Advantages from our anſwers to Temptation. That Satan carried Chriſt in the Air. Of his Power to moleſt the Bodies of God's Children. How little the ſuppoſed holineſs of places priviledgeth us from Satan. Of Satan's Policy in ſeeming to countenance imaginary Defences. Of his pretended flight in ſuch caſes; with the Reaſons of that Policy. Of his improving a Temptation to ſerve ſeveral Ends.
Chap. 14.
That Preſumption was the chief deſign of this Temptation. Of tempting to Extreams. What Preſumption is. The ſeveral ways of preſuming. The frequency of this Temptation, in the generality of Profeſſors, in Hypocrites, in deſpairing Perſons, and in the Children of God. The Reaſons of Satan's Induſtry in this Deſign. His deceitful Contrivance in bringing about this Sin. Preſervatives againſt it.
Chap. 15.
Self-murther, another of his Deſigns in this Temptation. How he tempts to Self-murther directly, and upon what advantages he urgeth it. How he tempts to it indirectly, and the ways thereof. Of neneceſſary Preſervatives againſt this Temptation.
Chap. 16.
Of Pride, Satan's chief Engine to bring on Preſumption. What Pride is, and how it prepares Men for ſinning preſumptuouſly. Conſiderations againſt Pride. The Remedies for its Cure. Pride kindled by a confidence of Priviledges, and popular applauſe.
Chap. 17.
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.
Chap. 18.
The manner of Satan's ſhewing the Kingdoms of the World. Of Satan's Preparations before the Motion of Sin. Of his confronting the Almighty by preſumptuous imitation; and in what caſes he doth ſo. Of his beantifying the Object of a Temptation, and how he doth it. His way of engaging the Affections by the Senſes. Of his ſeeming ſhineſs.
Chap. 19.
Satan's end in tempting Chriſt to fall down and worſhip him. Of Blaſphemous Injections. What Blaſphemy is. The Ways of Satan in that Temptation, with the Advantages he takes therein, and the Reaſon of urging Blaſphemies upon Men. Conſolations to ſuch as are concerned in ſuch Temptations. Advice to ſuch as are ſo afflicted.
Chap. 20.
The Nature of Idolatry. Satan's Deſign to corrupt the Worſhip of God. The Evidences thereof, with the Reaſons of ſuch endeavours. His general Deſign of withdrawing the Hearts of Men from God to his Service. The Proof that this is his Deſign, upon whom he prevails. That Profeſſions and Confidences are no Evidences to the contrary. His deceit of propounding Sin as a ſmall Matter. The Evidences of that Method, and the Reaſons thereof.
Chap. 21.
Of Worldly Pleaſure. Proofs that this is Satan's great Engine. What there is in Worldly Delights, that make them ſo. Counſels and Cautions againſt that Snare.
Chap. 22.
Of Chriſt's Anſwer in the general. That theſe Temptations were upon deſign for our Inſtruction. Of the Agreement betwixt Epheſ. 6 and Matth. 4. The firſt Direction. Of couragious Reſolves in reſiſting Temptations. Its conſiſtency with ſome kind of fear. The neceſſity of this Courage. Wherein it conſiſts; and that there is courage in mourning Spirits.
Chap. 23.
The ſecond Direction, that Temptations are not to be diſputed. The ſeveral ways of diſputing a Temptation. In what Caſes it is convenient and neceſſary to diſpute with Satan. In what Caſes inconvenient, and the Reaſons of it.
Chap. 24.
The third Direction of repelling a Temptation without delay; the neceſſity of ſo doing. What a ſpeedy denial doth contain.
Chap. 25.
The fourth Direction. Of repelling a Temptation by Scripture Arguments. Of ſeveral things implyed in the Direction. The neceſſity of anſwering by Scripture Arguments. The excellency of the Remedy. How Scripture Arguments are to be managed.
Chap. 26.
The fifth Direction of Prayer, and of the ſeriouſneſs required of thoſe that expect the advantage of Prayer. Of God's hearing Prayer while the Temptation is continued. Of ſome that are troubled more, while they pray more.
DAEMONOLOGIA SACRA: OR, A TREATISE OF Satans Temptations
The Firſt Part.
CONTAINING A Diſcourſe of the Malice, Power, Cruelty and Diligence of Satan. Of his cunning in Temptation in the general. Of his Method of tempting to Sin. Of his Policies for maintaining his Poſſeſſion. Of his Deceits for the preventing and ſpoiling Religious Services and Duties.
By R. G.
2 Cor. 2. 11. We are not ignorant of his Devices.
London, Printed by J. D. for Richard Randel, and Peter Mapliſden, Bookſellers in New-Caſtle upon Tine, 1677.
PART I.
1 PET. 5. 8.
Be ſober, be vigilant; becauſe your Adverſary the Devil, as a roaring Lion, walketh about ſeeking whom he may devour.