The Counterfeit Christian, Sermon 1
SERMON. I.
When the unclean Spirit is gone out of a Man, he walketh through dry places, ſeeking Reſt, and finding none, Ver. 43.
Then he ſaith, I will return into my Houſe from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, ſwept, and garniſhed, Ver. 44.
Then goeth he and taketh with him ſeven other Spirits more wicked than himſelf, and enter in and dwell there; and the laſt State of that Man is worſe than the firſt, Ver. 45.
THIS place of Holy Scripture is generally acknowledged to be hard to be underſtood;Preached Auguſt 10. 1690. moſt Expoſiters and Annotators (I have met with) ſay but little to it.
Some call it a Parable, and others a parabolical Speech or a Similitude.
By the Scope and Coherence of the place it is evident our Saviour ſetteth forth by it the direful State and Condition of the Scribes and Phariſees, and other People of the Jews, who boaſted of their external Holineſſ, or ſeeming Sanctity, they being not prophane or notorious Sinners; or as they themſelves fooliſhly ſaid, Not Extortioners, unjuſt, or Adulterers, like as the Publicans were, Luke 18. 11. Yet the Lord Jeſus ſheweth by this Parable how they were deceived: for though they were delivered from that prophane and debauched unclean Spirit, yet was their State worſe than the State of groſs and wicked Sinners, which is ſignified by the entering into them ſeven other unclean Spirits worſe or more wicked than the firſt that were gone out of them.
That the Words may be applied to them and other People of that Generation, is evident from the ſequel of ver. 45.Matth. 12. 45. Even ſo ſhall it be with the People of this froward Generation. Yet no doubt our bleſſed Saviour in this place may have Reference to a Man in the like State; or as Beza, Caeterum quum Spiritus impurus exierit à quopiam, &c. as well as unto that People who were carried away with curſed Hypocriſy.
When the unclean Spirit, &c.
By the unclean Spirit, foreign, is certainly meant the Devil, called,*Mark 5. 8. an unclean Spirit.
1. Becauſe he hath loſt his own original Purity, or clean and Holy Nature, he being at firſt created an Angel of Light, having like Holineſs before he fell, which the bleſſed and elect Angels of Heaven have.
2. Becauſe he is ſo univerſally filthy and abominable vile in himſelf, and ſo remains and will abide for ever, there being no Poſſibility for him to become better, he being left and forſaken of God, without any means afforded of being purged from his unclean and filthy Nature.
3. Becauſe he is not only unclean in himſelf, but alſo defileth the Hearts and Spirits of all ſuch Perſons who receive and entertain him; nay, all the Pollution of our Nature, yea, the whole Nature of humane Race, was originally from that Compliance and yeilding to him by our firſt Parents; 'tis this unclean Spirit that hath poyſoned and notoriouſly defiled the whole Man both Body and Soul in all its Powers and Faculties, and not the whole Man only, but the whole World alſo. And as this is naturally the filthy and miſerable Condition of all Creatures, ſo thoſe who yield to his Temptations, come to have farther Polution and Defilement cleave to their Hearts and Lives. Sin is an unclean thing, and it makes all ſuch loathſom and abominable in the Sight of God, who are overcome by it. Though all naturally are vile and filthy, yet there are Degrees of Uncleanneſſ, ſome are worſe than others, more wicked, and ſo more like to the Devil, in whom his very Image or Likeneſſ clearly may be ſeen.
4. He may alſo be called an unclean Spirit, becauſe he continually inticeth and ſtrives to draw Men to Filthineſſ, and to all manner of Uncleanneſſ, being an utter Enemy to all Purity and true Holineſſ, envying all thoſe who love it, and ſtrive to promote it.
Is gone out of a Man.] Not that the Man was actually poſſeſſed with the Devil (as ſome may think) though 'tis very like the Lord Jeſus may borrow this Parabolical Speech from a Perſon actually poſſeſſed; but he ſheweth hereby that all wicked Men are in a myſtical and ſpiritual ſenſe poſſeſſed with the Devil; all graceleſs Sinners have an unclean Spirit in them. Where Sin predominates and rules in the Heart, there the Devil has Poſſeſſion; that Heart is Satan's Throne where he reigns and ſways the Scepter: Satan was ſaid to enter into Judas *Luke 22. 3.; and to fill the Heart of Ananias †Acts 5. 3.: both theſe had this unclean Spirit in them; the one was plagued or poſſeſſed with a treacherous Devil, and the other with a lying Devil. Hence 'tis alſo ſaid, that Satan, who is the Prince of the Power of the Air, both worketh and ruleth in the Children of Diſobedience ‖Epheſ. 2. 2, 3..
Gone out] Either by the Power and Force of the Grace of God in its common Operations he was thrown out; or elſe, through Policy, he voluntarily leaves his Houſe for a time, with an Intention to return again with a ſtronger force: Some adhere to the firſt ſenſe, and others to the laſt.
Gone out, i.e. as a carnal, prophane, or black Devil, for ſo he may be ſaid to be in all debauched Perſons: and in this reſpect he may be ſaid to be gone out, or thrown out of the Phariſees, and other falſe and counterfeit Profeſſors; he may not be able to keep them any longer under the Power of open and groſs Prophaneneſs. And from hence the Phariſee proudly breaks forth, God, I thank thee, I am not as other Men are, Luke 18. 11.Extortioners, Vnjuſt, Adulterers, or even as this Publican. Why may not Satan be expelled or forced out of his Houſe in ſome degree, by the common Influences of the Spirit? All generally grant that legal Convictions, and the Operation of common Grace through the Workings of natural Conſcience, have ſome conſiderable Power in them to reform the Life of a wicked Perſon. Nor can I think Satan would yield to any Soul voluntarily ſo far as to let him become ſo much as civilized if he could help it; therefore I rather think he was forced to give place, as not being able to hold his own (in ſome reſpect) as formerly, although whilſt the Creature abides in his natural State, not having a changed Heart, Satan hath poſſeſſion of that Soul ſtill in a great meaſure; and therefore he leaves, no doubt, a ſtrong Guard behind him, when he is ſaid to go out, though they may be ſaid to hide themſelves, or retire into ſome lurking-holes and Corners of the Houſe, or rather of the Heart. Satan cannot doubtleſs keep Poſſeſſion always, ſo far as to hold Men under the Power of groſs and ſcandalous Sins, or cauſe them to continue openly prophane; ſuch Power and Virtue is there in the common Operation of the Spirit, or in legal Convictions and workings of natural Conſcience, together with the help of the external Miniſtration of God's Word, and by the means of Afflictions, and thoſe ſevere Providences and Diſpenſations, under which wicked Men may be exerciſed, that it may tend to make them become other Men: though it cannot change their Hearts, yet it may make a great change in their Lives, by which means they may look like Saints, and talk like Saints and ſanctified Perſons, and be taken for ſuch too by the truly Godly; nay, and that which is worſe, may conclude within themſelves they are converted, ſince their former Enemy, that debauched groſs and unclean Spirit is gone out of them. I am ſo far of the mind of James Arminius, that Man by the means of that common Help and Power God affords to all in general, may leave the groſs Acts of Wickedneſs, let Satan do what he can; which has been often evinced by that Terror ſevere humane Laws have had on the Conſciences of wicked and ungodly Perſons. I am perſwaded were there a Law that he that ſwore an Oath, or was Drunk, or committed Adultery, ſhould have his right Hand cut off, or be made a Slave all the days of his Life, we ſhould ſee Men would get Power over thoſe Temptations of Satan, and neither be Drunk nor commit Adultery.
He walketh through dry Places.]
1. Satan is ſaid in that of Job *Job. 1. 7., To go to and fro in the Earth, and to walk up and down in it. Satan here ſpeaks, ſaith Mr. Caryl like a Prince; therefore ſaith he; Some conceive this was the Prince of Devils that is mentioned in this Text, or Belzebub the chief of Devils. He walketh about to view his Provinces and Territories, from one place to another, but he doth not walk to and fro as an idle Peripatetick, but to enquire, to obſerve, and conſider, as a Spy, to ſearch all things and Perſons as he paſſeth along. Therefore;
2. This noteth that Satan is a diligent Enemy; if he hath loſt a little ground, or is worſted in one Soul, he will try what Power and Succeſs he can find in another.
3. It ſhews that he is an unquiet and reſtleſs Spirit, being caſt out of Heaven, he can reſt no where; and if he be forced out of ſome Men at one time, he will tempt others; nay, if the Servant hath a little worſted him, he, to revenge himself, will fall perhaps in the next place upon the Son; if he loſe ſome place in his own Houſe, he will ſee if he cannot get into the Temple of the Holy Ghoſt; or, if he is forced to leave wet and filthy places in which he delights, he will walk through dry places, and ſee what he can meet with there.
4. Satan's great Work which he imploys himſelf in and about, is no doubt to get into the Heart of Men to dwell, nay rule there, and ſo ſubject them to himſelf, and defile and polute them one way or other.
Dry places, ſeeking Reſt, and finding none] i. e. where there is no Water or Moiſture, or not enough to refreſh him; he has a cruel Thirſt upon him, and unleſs he can meet with that he ſeeketh, which is to make a Prey of the Souls of Men, he is in a reſtleſs ſtate, like a thirſty Perſon who walking through dry Places can find no Water. There are ſome ſorts of Men that aford Satan no Content nor Satiſfaction; he ſeeketh for that oft-times which he finds not; he is not pleaſed to be as a Travellor, to paſs through a place and ſtay (as it were but for a Night) but would fain find Reſt, i.e. have a Place or Heart to dwell in, and take ſole Poſſeſſion of. I find one of the Ancients, who writing on this dark Expreſſion, ſpeaketh thus: So long as he dwelleth not in me, he is ſaid to ſeek Reſt he is grieved and vexed, &c.
1. Dry Places are commonly clean Places, or Places where there is no Dirt or Mire: and Satan, that unclean Spirit, is like a Swine, i. e. he delights in filthy and mirery Places, which may ſignify his aſſaulting the Saints, or ſeeking to get into ſanctified Hearts, or Hearts renewed by the ſpecial Grace of God, and throughly purged by the Blood of Chriſt, in whom that filthy ſink of Sin and Polution is not only dryed up, but the Heart is changed and made new, and ſo no more a Houſe or Habitation for this unclean Spirit, but is become the Temple of the Holy Ghoſt, or a Habitation for God through the Spirit. And theſe Men's Hearts are unto Satan, like dry Places to a thirſty and reſtleſs Perſon: for as the Holy Spirit cannot reſt, nor take up his abode in filthy and poluted Hearts; ſo the Devil, that wicked Spirit, can find no Reſt nor Place of abode in renewed and ſanctified Hearts. And as it is no ſuitable Houſe or Habitation for him; ſo likewiſe Believers have one dwelling in them, ſtrong enough to keep Satan out: for ſtronger (saith the Apoſtle*1 John 2. 14.) is he that is in us, than he which is in the World: and again he ſaith†1 John 5. 18., Ye are ſtrong, and the Word of God abideth in you; and ye have overcome the Wicked one: He that is begotten of God, keepeth himſelf, and the wicked one toucheth him not: ſhall not ſo touch him as to enter into his Heart, and take up his Dwelling, or get Poſſeſſion of him any more; and therefore theſe Men's Hearts, i. e. the Hearts of true ſanctified Chriſtians, I conclude are meant here by our Saviour, which are to Satan as dry places, where there is no dwelling or abiding for him.
2. As dry Places are clean Places; ſo likewiſe they are commonly barren Places, Places where little or nothing will grow; Satan is for ſuch Hearts that will receive his evil Seed, i. e. ſuited and fit to cloſe in with his curſed Temptations, which are like to moiſt or mirery places; ſuch as all corrupt and unregenerate Hearts are, in others that bitter and evil Seed which this unclean Spirit ſows, will not take root: Or if it ſhould ſo fall out, that through the Careleſneſs and Negligence of Believers, and Strength of Temptations, Satan ſhould drop ſome of his curſed Seed in them, and it ſhould meet with a little of the old corrupt Nature (there being in the beſt of Men an unregenerate part) yet it would ſoon wither and come to nothing; for their Hearts are, (as I ſaid before) no proper Soyl for the Seed of the wicked one, therefore if he gets in a little, he is ſoon turned out again; ſo that in a Word, according to the Import of this Saying of Chriſt, (as I conceive) theſe Mens Hearts are to the Devil, like dry places, where he can find no Reſt.
3. Dry Places are for the moſt part places leaſt inhabited for want of Water; the Hearts of Saints are like uninhabitable Places to Satan, in them he cannot find thoſe proper Accommodations which he needs and muſt have where he dwells. But ſince he can find no Dwelling here, no Diabolical Comfort nor Refreſhment, i. e. no abode in Godly Hearts; he ſaith, I will return into my Houſe from whence I came out, ver. 44.
I will return: Not that he was quite routed and vanquiſhed before, 'tis called ſtill his Houſe, he lays claim and pleads Propriety in him and Interest ſtill▪ Therefore this Man's Heart was not become the Temple of the Holy Spirit, he was gone out, or forced out before, as a Swearing, Cheating, Whoring, or drunken Devil, &c. and this might inrage him, and move him to attempt ſome greater Enterprize, which we have already ſpoken to. Satan doth not love to looſe or let go any ſtrong hold he hath of carnal and prophane Perſons; but ſeeing he had received ſome ſmall Defeat, he ſets upon the truly Godly Chriſtian; like as when he was caſt out of Heaven unto the Earth, he preſently perſecuted the Woman which brought forth the Man-child, Rev. 12. 13. When he ſaw he could not uphold his Kingdom by Paganiſm, nor farther execute his Malice by Pagan Emperors, but was routed and overcome as to that Power he had, (as our late Annotators obſerve) to let us know that he retains his Malice, though he hath loſt his former ſtrength, he goes on in purſuing the Church of God. Even ſo, I ſay, he having been forced to give way before (as was hinted) he walks about to ſeek Revenge upon the Saints; but they being to him like dry Places to a thirſty Man, or as an Inn to a Traveller, viz. no reſting Place, he reſolves to return to his own Houſe, that is, the Hearts of hypocritical Profeſſors, ſuch as the Phariſees were: And this returning of his into his old Houſe, imports (as I conceive) his coming again in another form or ſhape, and with a Reſolution to get better and more firmer and ſurer Poſſeſſion than he had before.
Now he appears as an Angel of Light. Nor can we ſuppoſe he had no Party left in the ſaid Houſe when he went out. Parables muſt not he ſtrained too far; We ought not to ſcrue or make too ſevere a Scrutiny upon every Phraſe: therefore we cannot think when he is ſaid to return to his former Houſe, or attempt afreſh the falſe and counterfeit Chriſtian, that he hath quite given over his Deſigns in aſſaulting ſanctified Perſons, but he cannot indure to be an Underling, he is for kinging it in the Souls of Men, would fain reign and ſway the Scepter there; and where he cannot rule and domineer, he harh no Reſt, nor can be ſatiſfied. And therefore he may be ſaid to return as an exiled Prince, and leſt he ſhould be diſcovered, he puts on a new Garb, and is now contented his Captive ſhould become religious, that ſo the deluded Sinner might not diſcern him, but take him for his lawful Sovereign; as if he ſhould ſay, I will yield to you now; if you will be a Profeſſor and become religious, ye ſhall, but I will dwell with you notwithſtanding; here is room enough for me as a white Devil, tho not as a black one
And when he is come, he findeth it empty, ſwept and garniſhed.]
Empty; That is, the Spirit of God was not there, true Grace was not there, Chriſt dwelleth not there; that Houſe may well be ſaid to be empty, where God and Jeſus Chriſt are not; nor is it a hard and difficult thing for the unclean Spirit to enter into ſuch a Soul, ſince there was no Enemy ſtrong enough to keep him out; but contrariwiſe, the place ſeems to be rather prepared and made fit for him, to take up his abode in this new religious and ſpiritual Appearance; nay here is not only room for himſelf, but the Houſe is ſo empty, that many other unclean Spirits more wicked than himſelf, may have their abode and dwelling there alſo. Satan ſaith, I will return to my Houſe, &c. He ſpeaks as if he was ſure enough that this ſinner was his own, and therefore ſhould without any difficulty enter in, in that new Diſguiſe in which he now appears; and accordingly 'tis ſaid, he findeth it empty, and alſo ſwept: but doubtleſs ſome Dirt and Filth was yet in ſome Hole or Corner: For like as a lazy and ſlothful Houſe-wife uſes to ſweep a little of the looſe Duſt and Filth in the open and middle of the Room, and lets many ſecret Corners lie foul as before, and may be leaves the Dirt behind the Door out of the publick view of People: So the falſe and counterfeit Chriſtian reforms his Life in the ſight of Men; or, like the Phariſees, makes clean the out-side of the Cup and Platter; but their Hearts are ſtill polluted, and as vile as ever.
Swept; but not with a proper and fit Broom; 'tis ſaid to be ſwept, but alas 'twas only with the Beeſom of legal Reformation; and how far that will cleanſe the unclean and wicked Perſon, is known to all underſtanding Men; it only takes away the Filth of groſs and ſcandalous Sins: therefore ſaid by St. Peter, 2 Pet. 2.To eſcape the Corruption that is in the World; that is, the prophane World, i. e. vile and notorious Sins and Pollutions.
And garniſhed, or painted; which may ſignify that ſeeming Sanctity, moral Vertue, and the common Graces of the Spirit. Our Saviour elſewhere compares Phariſaical Holineſs,Mat. 23. 27, 29. to painting or garniſhing of a Sepulchre; Wo unto you Scribes and Phariſees, Hypocrites, for ye are like unto whited Sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but within are full of dead Mens Bones, and all Vncleanneſs: Ye build (saith he) the Tombs of the Prophets, and garniſh the Sepulchres of the Righteous. And thus Phariſaical and Hypocritical Profeſſors may be ſaid to be garniſhed, i. e. they ſeem glorious to Men, who only judg by the outward Appearance, and know not the Heart; there may be a great change of Life, a beautiful outſide, and yet the evil and vitious Habits and Pollutions of the Heart may be ſtill the ſame, and not changed. And remarkable is this Phraſe of our Saviour [garniſhed,] which we know is commonly a curious piece of Art: Men by their Ingenuity ſtrive to imitate Nature; they will draw the Face of a Man, &c. with curious Painting, very exact, ſo that it much reſembles the Perſon's natural Face, yet 'tis not the ſame, 'tis but a piece of Paint, an artificial Invention: Even ſo in like manner by the Improvement of a Man's natural Parts, common Grace, Light and Knowledg, he may appear in the view and ſight of Men, as a true Child of God, and may talk and diſcourse like a Saint, read and hear God's Word, nay, and pray alſo with much ſeeming Devotion and Piety, and may likewiſe bridle many unruly Luſts, and groſs Enormities of Life, and give Alms to the Poor, inſomuch that he may very exactly reſemble a true and ſincere Chriſtian, and be taken by all Godly People to be indeed ſuch an one: but notwithſtanding all, 'tis but an artificial Piece, 'tis but like a curious Paint, or vain-glorious Garniſh; it is not the Image of God, it is not the new Creature; though it looks like it, much reſembles it, yet it is not the ſame: for the Man is a meer Hypocrite, a counterfeit Chriſtian, the work upon him being only the Product of natural Improvements, and not the Effects of the ſaving Operations of the Holy Spirit. Nay, and Satan, though an unclean Spirit, likes to dwell in ſuch a Houſe, I mean ſuch a Heart, thus ſwept and garniſhed, as well as in the Heart of a vile and debauched Perſon: And evident it is, that this ſweeping or external cleanſing with the Broom of outward Reformation, or the Garniſh of moral Righteouſneſſ, common Gifts and Graces of the Spirit, Prayer, hearing the Word, partaking of the Sacraments, and doing many good Works, cannot ſecure the Soul againſt Satan's Attempts, in order to his taking up his Habitation in ſuch Perſons Hearts.
After I had preached theſe two Sermons, a Godly Friend who heard them, told me he had met with a Treatiſe of Mr. Richard Allen's, Author of Vindiciae Pietatis, who gives the ſame ſenſe on this myſterious place of Scripture: He helped me to the Book which I was ignorant of, and Mr. Allen being a very worthy Perſon, I ſhall give you ſome brief Hints of what he hath ſaid.
When the unclean Spirit goeth out of a Man, &c. That Sinners are vile and abominable, ſaith he, it is from that wicked Spirit, Satan, that dwells in them: Every Sinner is a Perſon poſſeſſed of a Devil; when a little reformed, they ſeem for a time to be diſpoſſeſſed, &c. He walketh through dry Places; what theſe dry Places may be, is not eaſy to determine: Some by theſe loca arida, underſtand loca vacua, void empty Places, the Deſerts and Waſtes of the Earth, where he finds no body to attempt or moleſt.
But could Satan, ſaith he, think to find Reſt there where was no Houſe for him to lay his Head in? Would the Tempter waſte his time in ſeeking whom to devour in thoſe waſte Places, where he knew well enough there were none to be found? He knows too well where Sinners dwell, to go to ſeek them where they are not; more like to find the Devil at a Market, than in a Wilderneſs. Thus therefore ſeems not to be the ſenſe—.
Why may not, ſaith he, theſe dry Places be the Saints on Earth, the Fountain of whoſe Blood is dried up? in whom the Sun hath dried up their Dirt and Mire, in which this Swine loves to wallow, &c. [He ſeeketh Reſt] this notes two things.
1. When the Devil is gone out of any Perſon, he is never at Reſt till he is gotten in again, either thither whence he went out, or into ſome other Habitation, where he may do more Miſchief: Like Children, like Father, 'tis ſaid of them, ſo 'tis much more true of him, He reſts not but in doing Miſchief.
2. The Devil loves to dwell where he may be at Reſt; that is, not from Work (his Reſt is his Work) but from Reſistance or Oppoſition, i. e. in carnal and unclean Hearts, &c.
[Seeking Reſt and finding none.] He goes, ſaith he, through theſe dry Places, from Saint to Saint, from Heart to Heart, in hope to find Entertainment, but is ſtill diſappointed; here's little Reſt for me to be had, theſe dry Places I ſee are no Places for me, here's watching and wreſtling and warring againſt me; ſo much praying, complaining againſt me, that there's no ſtay for me here:—Ile go back to my old Habitation: And when he comes, he finds it empty, ſwept, and garniſhed, a little cleaner and handſomer than when he left it. The Devil can allow Sinners a little Reformation; but though it be a little cleanſed and garniſhed, yet it lies empty ſtill, there's no Tenant hath taken it up, though the Devil went out, Chriſt was not let in, but there it lies void for the next that comes.
Then he goeth and taketh ſeven other Spirits more wicked than himſelf, and they enter in, and dwell there; and the laſt ſtate of that Man is worſe than the firſt. Beware of a returning Devil; the Devil at his return often makes ſevenfold worſe Work than before he did. Allen's Godly Fear, p. 213, 214, 215, 216.
He modeſtly offers this as his Thoughts on the Place, and I find others confirming by ſome brief Hints the ſame things. I thought it not amiſs to recite this Paſſage of his, as a farther Confirmation of the Expoſition I have briefly given you of this dark Place of Scripture, not doubting but 'tis the ſenſe and meaning of our Saviour.
But now to draw towards a Cloſe, take two or three Points of Doctrine.Doct. I. Obſerve,
1. Satan is an unclean Spirit. As God is the Author and Original of all true Holineſs, ſo is Satan of all Sin and Wickedneſs: And as God's Nature is pure, ſo the Devil in his Nature is impure; all Purity proceeds from God, and all Sin proceeds from Satan; God ſtrives to promote the one, and the Devil labours to promote the other: As God's Kingdom is ſet up in the World, and maintained by Holineſs and ſpiritual Sanctity; ſo the Devil's Kingdom is ſet up and upheld by Sin and Filthineſs. As God by his Spirit dwells in ſanctified Hearts, ſo the Devil dwells in polluted and ſinful Hearts: And as Chriſt makes that Man or Woman holy and clean where he makes his abode; ſo Satan makes thoſe Souls where he takes up his Dwelling, unclean and abominably wicked. Moreover, as he who is truly ſanctified and made Holy, is ſaid to be of God; ſo they that are wicked and ungodly,1 John 3. 8, 12. are ſaid to be of the Devil*John 8.. All thoſe who are ſpiritual and truly gracious are like to God, or bear ſome Reſemblance of him; and all unclean and wicked Perſons are like to the Devil. Theſe things conſidered, no marvel Satan is called an unclean Spirit.Doct. II.
2. All prophane notorious and ungodly Sinners are in a woful ſtate, the unclean Spirit is in them, their Hearts are Satan's Habitation.
The Heart of Man was not originally Satan's Houſe, nor hath he any juſt Right or Propriety in it; 'tis his by Usurpation and Conqueſt, as Men yield up themſelves to him, and entertain his Temptations. Man both Body and Soul is the Lord's, he is his Creature; nor ought he to ſuffer any to dwell in him, much leſs to rule and ſway the Scepter over him, but the Holy God. But as all Men as they come into the World, have wretched and curſed Natures, through original Depravity; ſo ungodly Men actually have caſt off God, their lawful and only Sovereign, and have imbraced the wicked one, they have received, and do ſubject themſelves to Satan that unclean and filthy Spirit, he is King and Lord over them. The Devil hath got Poſſeſſion by Craft, he inticed our firſt Parents to open the Door to him, they gave him the firſt Entertainment, 'twas then he took Poſſeſſion, and thereby at once corrupted all that are in the Houſe; I mean, all the Faculties of the Soul, to ſuch a Degree, that they all naturally ſide with Satan, and are for him, and are filled with Enmity againſt God,Rom. 8. 7. and oppoſe and reſist his Spirit, and rebel againſt the Light. Wicked Men had rather be under the tyrannical Government of the Devil, than to be ruled and governed by Jeſus Chriſt: And from hence 'tis no wonder they rather chuſe to have wicked earthly Rulers and tyrannical Kings to be over them, than to be ſubject to a Prince who is an Enemy to Wickedneſſ, Tyranny and Oppreſſion. This ſhews the Blindneſs and miſerable State and Condition of all wicked and ungodly Men. We may further note alſo,
3. That Satan may loſe ſome ground in Sinners Hearts,Doct. III. he may ſeem to be gone out of them, and they may become ſober and civilized, and yet may be in the Gall of Bitterneſs, and their Hearts notwithſtanding may be ſtill Satan's Habitation.
Let theſe Men change their Lives, and become other Men in the View of the World, alter their courſe of Life, yet they are miſerable; Satan has ſpiritual Power and Dominion over them; he has a ſtrong party in their Hearts, when he ſeems to be gone out, and knows they are his ſtill, and owns them as his dwelling place. When he cannot meet with Entertainment in other places, when Saints afford him no Incouragement, but diſplease and defy him, and their Hearts are as dry places, he can nevertheleſs return at pleaſure to his old Habitation, and there he enters and dwells. Let them change their Religion, yet they are Satan's Slaves ſtill, he matters not if they leave Popery and cleave to Prelacy, and ſo become Proteſtants in general; nay, imbrace a more refined ſort of People, and take upon them a more ſtrict Profeſſion of Religion, yet ſtill they belong to him, if they are not truly regenerated and renewed in their Souls; let them be Preſbyterians, Independents, or Baptiſts, it ſignifies nothing, they are ſtill the ſame, and under Satan's Power and Dominion. O how miſerably are ſome Men deceived, thinking if they are reformed and become zealous for external Ordinances, and have taken up this or that form of Religion, and are taken for Saints by Men, that all is well, and they ſhall be ſaved! How did the Phariſees glory in their ſeeming Zeal and Piety, and flatter themſelves, and yet wofully blinded, and in a damnable State and Condition? Note alſo, that,
4. Morality,Doct. IV. external Gifts and common Grace, are but like a vain Paint, a mere empty and artificial Garniſh.
They make a fair ſhow in the Fleſh, they pride it in themſelves, and Men praiſe and admire them, but what doth all this ſignify? they are ſtill under a diabolical Power and Influence, and twofold more the Children of the Devil than they were before: Nay, as I ſhall hereafter ſhew, rather ſeven times worſe than when they were openly wicked and prophane.
APPLICATION.
1. A Terror to Sinners. Tremble you that live wicked Lives, remember the unclean Spirit dwells in you, and has Power over you, your Hearts are his Habitation, he rules in you, and takes you Captive at his Will. If in this State you die, you are undone for ever.
2. See to it, you that are Profeſſors, leſt you are alſo deceived. What is a reformed Life without a changed Heart? To caſt off the groſs Acts of Sin, will not avail you any thing, without the evil Habits are broke, and you renewed in the Spirit of your Mind. Though you ſeem to be godly to Men, yet God knows your Hearts, and how they ſtand affected to him, and to true real Godlineſs. A form of Religion will never ſave you; and though you may have got ſome ground againſt Satan, and he ſeems to have left you, or is gone out, yet take heed he does not return again with greater ſtrength, and get you into ſtronger Bonds now, than he had before. But becauſe this will be more fully opened in the next place, I ſhall at preſent ſay no more to it now.
3. This alſo affords much Comfort to God's People. Satan ſets upon you, and fain he would ſubject your Souls to himſelf, and take Poſſeſſion of your Hearts, but he cannot prevail, you have got one in you who is ſtronger than Satan, who will preſerve you to his Heavenly Kingdom. But no more at this time: I ſhall leave what I have ſaid to the Bleſſing of God.
THE unclean Spirit that goes out,This Hymn was ſung at the cloſe of the firſt Sermon.
Of Men that vicious are,
Doth oft-times ſeek and ſearch about,
For reſt both here and there:
And fain would he make his abode,
In places dry and clean;
And ruin all the Saints of God,
Which hath been often ſeen.
But thou, O Lord, doſt them preſerve,
And in them thou doſt dwell,
So that from thee they cannot ſwerve,
To be o're-come by Hell.
Which Satan ſeeing, ſtrait-way goes,
To his own Dwelling place,
And with him brings more diſmal Woes,
On ſuch who want thy Grace.
Who of it being empty quite,
Tho ſwept and garniſhed,
He enters in, and with ſtrong might
They captive all are led,
And overcome by him again,
Through curſt Hypocriſy,
And in them he does rule and reign,
Which few are brought to ſee.
What cauſe have ſuch thy Praiſe to ſing,
Who are renew'd by thee?
Whoſe Heart thy Habitation is,
They always happy be.