Precious Remedies Against Satans Devices, Part 2

Precious Remedies Against Satans Devices · Part 2

p. 124The ſecond thing to be ſhewed is, the ſeverall Devices that Satan hath (as to draw ſoules to ſin, ſo) to keep ſoules from holy duties, to hinder ſoules in holy Services, and to keep them off from Religious performances.

And he ſhewed me Joſhua the high Prieſt, ſtanding before the Angell of the Lord, and Satan ſtanding at his righthand to reſiſt him. Zach. 3. 1.

The truth of this I ſhall ſhew you in the following particulars.

The firſt device that Satan 1. Device.hath to draw ſoules from holy duties, and to keep them off from religious ſervices is,

BY preſenting the world in ſuch a dreſſe, and in ſuch a garbe to the ſoule, as to inſnare the ſoule, and to p. 125winn upon the affections of the ſoule;The beauty of the world ſoils a Chriſtian more then the ſtrength; the flattering Sun ſh…ne more then the bluſtering ſtorme; in ſtormes, we keep our garments cloſe about us. he repreſents the world to them in its beauty, and bravery, which proves a bewitching ſight to a world of men. 'Tis true, this tooke not Chriſt, becauſe Satan could finde no matter in him for his temptation to worke upon; but Satan findes matter in us, for this temptation to worke upon: ſo that he can no ſooner caſt out his golden bait, but we are ready to play with it, and to nibble at it; he can no ſooner throw out his golden ball, but men are apt to run after it, though they looſe God, and their ſoules in the purſuit. Ah! how many Profeſſors in theſe dayes, have for a time followed hard after God, Chriſt, andThe inhabitants of Nilus are deafe by the noiſe of the waters: ſo the world makes ſuch a noiſe in mens eares, that they cannot heare the things of Heaven. The world is like the ſwallowes dung, that put out Tobias eyes. Ordinances, till the Devill hath ſet before them the world, in all its beauty, and bravery, which hath ſo bewitched their ſo…les, that they have grown to have low thoughts of holy things, and then to be cold in their affections to holy things, and then to ſlight them, and at laſt, with the young man in the Goſpell to turne their backs upon them; ah the time! the thoughts, the ſpirits, the hearts, the ſoules, the duties, the ſervices, that the inordinate love of this wicked world doth eat up, and deſtroy, and hath eat up, and deſtroyed; p. 126where one thouſand is deſtroyedThe champions could …or wring an Apple out o… M…l…'s ha … by ſtrong hand, but a faire maid by faire meanes got it preſently. by the worlds frownes, ten thouſands are deſtroyed by the worlds ſmiles. The world Siren-like, it ſings us, and ſinks us; it kiſſes us, and betraies us, like Judas; it kiſſes us, and imites us under the fifth rib, like Joab. The honors, ſplendor, and all the glory of this world are but ſweet poyſons, that will much endanger us, if they doe not eternally deſtroy us. Ah! the multitude of ſoules that have ſurſeited of theſe ſweet baites, and died for ever.

Now the Remedies againſt this device of Satan are theſe that follow.

THe firſt Remedy againſt this device1 Remedy. The Prior in Melancton … his hands up and down in a ba…n full of …ells, thinking thereby to have charmed … gour, but … would not …oe. of Satan, is to dwell upon the impotency, and weakneſs of all theſe things below; they are not able to ſecure you from the leaſt evill. They are not able to procure you the leaſt deſirable good. The Crown of Gold cannot cure the head-ach; nor the velvet ſlipper eaſe the gout; nor the Jewell about the n…ck cannot take away the paine of the teeth. The F…ogs of Egypt entered into the rich mens houſes of Egypt, as well as p. 127the poore; our daily experience dothNugas the Scythian deſpiſeing the rich preſents, and ornaments that were ſent unto him by the Emperour of Conſtantinople, asked whether▪ thoſe things could drive away calamities, diſeaſes, or death. evidence this, that all the honors, and riches, &c. That men enjoy cannot free them from the collick, the feaver, or leſſer diſeaſes. Nay, that which may ſeem moſt ſtrange is, that a great deal of wealth cannot keep men from falling into extreame povertie. In the firſt of Judges 6. ver. you ſhall finde ſeventy Kings with their fingers and toes cut off, glad like whelps to lick up crummes under another Kings table; and ſhortly after, the ſame King that brought them to this penury, is reduced to the ſame poverty and miſery; Why then ſhould that be a bar to keep thee out of Heaven, that cannot give thee the leaſt eaſe on earth?

The ſecond Remedy againſt this device2. Remedy. of Satan, is, to dwell upon the vanity of them, as well as upon the impotencie of all worldly good. This is the ſumme of Solomons ſermon; Vanity of vanity, and all is vanity. ThisGilimex King of Vanda…s, led in triumph, by Belliſarius, cried out, Vanity of vanity, all is vanity. our firſt parents found, and therefore named their ſecond Abell, or vanity. Solomon that had tried theſe things, and could beſt tell the vanity of them, he preacheth this ſermon over, againe, and againe; Vanity of vanity, and all is vanity. 'Tis ſad to think, how many thouſands there be, that can ſay with the p. 128preacher, vanity of vanity, all is vanity, The fancie of Lucian, who placeth Charon on the top of an high hill, viewing all the affaires of men living, and looking on their greateſt Cities as little birds neſts, is very pleaſant.nay, ſwear it, and yet follow after theſe things, as if there were no other glory, nor ſelicity; but what's to be found in thoſe things, they call vanity. Such men will ſell Chriſt, Heaven, and their ſoules for a trifle, that call theſe things vanity, but doe not cordially beleeve them to be vanity, but ſet their hearts upon them, as if they were their Crown, the top of all their Royalty, and glory. Oh! let your ſoules dwell upon the vanity of all things here below, till your hearts be ſo thoroughly convinced, and perſwaded of the vanity of them, as to trample upon them, and make them a a foot-ſtoole for Chriſt to get np, and ride in a holy triumph in your hearts.Oh the imperfection, the ingratitude, the le…ity, the inconſtancy, the perfidiouſneſſe of thoſe creatures▪ we moſt ſervilly affect. Chryſoſtome ſaid once, that if he were the fitteſt in the world, to preach a Sermon to the whole world, gathered together in one Congregation, and had ſome high Mountaine for his Pulpit, from whence he might have a proſpect of all the world in his view, and were furniſhed with a voice of braſſe, a voice as loud as the Trumpet of the Arch-Angell, that all the world might hear him, he would chuſe to preach upon no other text, then that in the Pſaln…es, O mortall men how long will p. 129yee love vanity, and follow after leaſing. Ah! did we but weigh mans paine with his paiment, his croſſes, with his mercies; his miſeries with his pleaſures; we ſhould then ſee that there is nothing got by the bargaine, and conclude, Vanity of vanity, all is vanity.Tell me, you that ſay all things under the Sun is vanitie, if you doe really beleeve what you ſay, why doe you ſpend more though…, and time on the world, then you doe on Chriſt, Heaven, and your immortall ſoules? Why doe you then neglect your duty towards God, to get the world? Why doe you then ſo eagerly purſue after the world? and are ſo cold in your purſuing after God, Chriſt, and holineſſe? Why then are your hearts ſo exceedingly rais'd, when the world comes in, and ſmiles upon you, and ſo much dejected, and caſtdown, when the world frownes upon you, and with Jonah's Gourd withers before you?

The third Remedy againſt this device3. Remedy. of Satan, is, to dwell much upon the uncertainty, the mutabilitie, and inconſtancie of all things under the Sun.Riches were never true to any, that truſted to them; they have deceived men, as Jobs brook did the poore traveller, in the Summer ſeaſon. Man himſelfe is but the dreame of a dreame, but the generation of a fancie, but an emptie vanity, but the curious picture of nothing, a poore, feeble, dying flaſh. All temporalls are as tranſitory, as a haſtie, head-long torrent, a ſhadow, a ſhip, a bird, an arrow, a poſt that paſſeth by; why ſhouldeſt thou ſet thine eyes upon that which is not, ſaith p. 130Solomon: and ſaith the Apoſtle, the faſhion of this world paſſeth away. Heaven 1 Cor. 7. 31. foreign intimateth, that there is nothing of any firmneſſe, or ſolid conſiſtence in the creature.1 Cor 7:31onelyonly hath a foundation, earth hath none, but is hanged upon nothing, as Job ſpeaks. The Apoſtle willed Tymothie, to charge rich men that they be not high minded, nor put their truſt in uncertaine riches. They are like bad ſervants, whoſe ſhooes are made of running leather, and will never tarrie long with one Maſter; as a bird hoppeth from tree to tree, ſo doe the honors and riches of this world, from man to man; let Job and Nebuchadnezzar teſtifie this truth, who fellThe moſt renowned Frederick loſt all, and ſued to be made but Sexton of the Church, that himſelfe had built. I have re…d of a poore fiſherman, who while his nets were ad…ying, ſl…pt upon the Rock, and dreamed that he was made a King, on a ſudden ſtarts up, and leaping for joy, falls down f…o… the Rock, and in the place of his imagina…y felicities, loſes his little portion of pleaſures. from great wealth, to great want. No man can promiſe himſelf to be wealthie till night; one ſtorme at Sea, one coal of fire, one falſe friend, one unadviſed word, one falſe witneſſe may make thee a begger, and a priſoner all at once. All the riches and glory of this world is but as ſmoke, and chaff that vaniſheth; as a dreame, and viſion in the night that tarrieth not; as if an hungrie man dreameth, and thinketh that he eateth, and when he awaketh, his ſoule is emptie; and like a thirſtie man, which thinketh he drinketh, and behold when he is awaked, his ſoule is faint, as the Prophet Eſay ſaith. Where is the glory of Solomon? the ſumptuous buildings of Nebuchadnezzar? the nine hundred p. 131Chariots of Siſera? the power of Alexander? the authority of Auguſtus, that commanded the whole world to be taxed? Thoſe that have been the moſt glorious, in what men generally account glorious and excellent, have had inglorious ends; As Sampſon for ſtrength; Abſolom for beauty; Achitophel for policie; Hamon for favour; Aſael for ſwiftneſſe; Alexander for great conqueſt, and yet after twelve yeares poyſoned; the ſame you may ſee in the mighty foure Kingdomes. The Caldean, Perſian, Grecian, and Romane, The pompe of this world Iohn compareth to the Moone, which (creſcit & decreſcit) increaſeth, and decreaſeth. Apoc. 12. v. 1.Rev 12:1how ſoone were they gone, and forgotten. Now rich, now poore, now full, now emptie, now in favour, anon out of favour, now honourable, now deſpiſed, now health, now ſickneſſe, now ſtrength, now weakneſſe. Oh! let not theſe uncertaine things keep thee from thoſe holy ſervices, and heavenly imployments, that may make thee happy for ever, and render thy ſoule eternally bleſſed, and at eaſe, when all theſe tranſitory things ſhall bid thy ſoule an everlaſting farewell.

The fourth Remedie againſt this Device4. Remedie. of Satan, is, to conſider, that the great things of this world are very hurtfull, and dangerous to the outward p. 132and inward man, thorough theHenry the ſecond hearing Menz his chiefe City to be taken, uſed this blaſphemous ſpeech, I ſhall never (ſaith he) love God any more, that ſuffered a City ſo dear to mee, to be taken from me. When one preſented Antipater King of Macedonia, with a book, treating of happineſſe, his anſwer (ou ſcholazo) I have no leaſure. corruptions that be in the hearts of men; oh! the reſt, the peace, the comfort, the content that the things of this world doe ſtrip many men off. Oh the feares, the cares, the envie, the malice, the dangers, the miſchiefs, that they ſubject men to. They oftentimes make men carnally confident. The rich mans riches are a ſtrong tower in his imagination. I ſaid in my proſperity I ſhould never be moved. They often ſwell the heart with pride, and make men forget God, and neglect God, and deſpiſe the Rock of their ſalvation; when Jeſurum waxed fat, and was grown thick, and covered with fatneſſe, then he forgot God, and forſooke God that made him, and lightly eſteemed the Rock of his ſalvation, as Moſes ſpake; ah the time! the thoughts, the ſpirits, that the things of the world conſumes and ſpends. Oh! how doe they hinder the actings of faith upon God? how doe they interrupt our ſweet communion with God? how doe they abate our love to the people of God, and coole our love to the things of God, and worke us to act like thoſe, that are moſt unlike to God? oh! the deadneſſe, the dulneſſe, the barrenneſſe, that doth attend …n under great outward mercies. p. 133Oh! the riches of the world chokesThat foure good mothers beget foure bad daughters; great familiarity begets contempt; truth hatred; vertue envie; riches ignonorance; is a french Proverb. Gen. 13. 2. foreign Policrates beſtowed five talents for a gift, upon one Anacrion, who for two nights after was ſo troubled with care, how to keep them, and how to beſtow them, as he carried them back againe to Policrates, ſaying, they were not worth the paines which he had already taken for themGen 13:2 the word, that men live under the moſt ſoule-ſearching, and ſoule in riching meanes with leane ſoules; though they have full purſes, though their cheſts are full of ſilver, yet their hearts are emptie of grace. In the 13. Gen. 2. It is ſaid that Abraham was very rich in cattell, in ſilver, and in gold, according to the Hebrew (Chabbedh) 'tis Abraham was very heavie, to ſhew that riches are a heavie burden, and a hinderance many times to heaven, and happineſſe. King Henry the fourth asked the Duke of Alva, if he had obſerved the great Ecclipſe of the Sun, which had lately hapned, no (ſaid the Duke) I have ſo much to doe on earth, that I have no leaſure to looke up to Heaven; ah! that this were not true of moſt Profeſſors in theſe dayes; 'tis very ſad to thinke, how their hearts and time is ſo much taken up with earthly things, that they have ſcarce any leaſure to looke up to Heaven, or to looke after Chriſt, and the things that belong to their everlaſting peace.

Riches, though well got, yet are but like to Manna, thoſe that gathered leſſe bad no want, and thoſe that gathered more, 'twas but a trouble, and annoyance to them. The world is p. 134troubleſome, and yet it is loved; what would it be, if it were peaceable? you imbrace it, though it be filthy; what would you doe, if it were beautifull? you cannot keep your hands from the thornes; how earneſt would you be then in gathering the flowers? The world may be fitly likened to the Serpent Scytale, whereof it is reported, thatSicily is ſo full of ſweet flowers, that dogs cannot hunt there; and what doe all the ſweet contents of this world, but make us looſe the ſent of Heaven. when ſhe cannot overtake the flying paſſengers, ſhe doth with her beautifull colours ſo aſtoniſh, and amaze them, that they have no power to paſſe away, till ſhe have ſtung them. Ah! how many thouſands are there now on earth, that have found this true by experience; that have ſpun a faire thread to ſtrangle themſelves, both temporally and eternally, by being bewitch't by the beautie, and braverie of this enticeing world.

The fift Remedy againſt this Device of5. Remedie. Satan, is, to conſider, that all the felicity of this world is mixt; our light is mixt with darkneſſe, our joy with ſorrow, our pleaſures with paine, our honour with diſhonour, our riches with wants. If our fight be ſpirituall, cleare, and quick; we may ſee in the felicity of this world, our wine mixt with water, our honey with gall, our ſugar with wormewood, and our roſes with p. 135prickles. Sorrow attends worldy joy,Harke ſcholar, ſaid the Harlot to Apuleius; 'tis but a bitter ſweet, that you are ſo fond off. Surely, all the things of this world are but bitter ſweets. danger attends worldly ſafety, loſſe attends worldly labours, teares attend worldly purpoſes. As to theſe things, mens hopes are vaine, their ſorrow certaine, and joy fained. The Apoſtle calleth this world a ſea of glaſſe; a ſea for the troubles of it, and glaſſe for the brittleneſſe and bitterneſſe of it. The honors, profits, pleaſures, and delights of this world are true gardens of Adonis, where we can gather nothing but triviall flowers, ſurrounded with many bryers.

The ſixt Remedy againſt this Device6. Remedy. of Satan, is, to get better acquaintance, and better aſſurance of more bleſſed, and glorious things. ThatLet Heaven be a mans object, and earth will ſoone be his abject. which raiſed up their ſpirits, in the t…nth and 11^th of the Hebrews, to tr…mple upon all the beautie, bravery, and glory of the world, was their acquaintance with, and aſſurance of better and more durable things. They tooke joyfully the ſpoyling of their goods, knowing in themſelves, that they had in Heaven a better, and a more durable ſubſtance. They Luther being at one time in ſome wants, it happened that a good ſum of money was unexpectedly ſent him, by a Noble man of Germany, at which being ſomething amazed, he ſaid, I ſeare that God will give me my reward here; but I proteſt, I will not be ſo ſatisfied.look't for a houſe that had foundations, whoſe builder and maker was God; And they look't for another Country, even an heavenly. They ſaw him that was inviſible, and had an eye to the recompence of reward; p. 136And this made them count all the glory and bravery of this world, to be poore, and contemptible for them, to ſet their hearts upon. The maine reaſon why men dote upon the world, and damne their ſoules to get the world, is, becauſe they are not acquainted with a greater glory. Men ate Acorns, till they were acquainted with the uſe of wheat. Ah! were men more acquainted with what union and communion with God means; what 'tis to have a new name, and a new ſtone, that none knowes, but he that hath it; did they but taſte more of Heaven, and live more in Heaven, and had more glorious hopes of going to Heaven; ah! how eaſily would they have the Moone under their feet. It was an excellent ſaying of Lewis of Bavyer, Emperour of Germany, **Hujuſmodi comparandae ſunt opes quae cum naufragio ſimul enatent.ſuch goods are worth getting, and owning as will not ſinke, or waſh away, if a ſhipwrack happen, but will wade and ſwim out with us. It is recorded of Lazarus, that after his reſurrection from the dead, he was never ſeen to laugh, his thoughts and affections were ſo fixt in Heaven, though his bodie was on earth; and therefore he could not but ſlight temporall things,There is ſaith Auguſtine (bona Throni) goods of the throne; and there are (bona Scabelli) goods of the footeſtool. his heart being ſo bent, and ſet upon eternalls. There are goods of the throne of grace; as God, Chriſt, the p. 137Spirit, Adoption, Juſtification, remiſſion of ſin peace with God, and peace with Conſcience; and there are goods of the foot-ſtoole, as honours, riches, the favour of creatures, and other comforts, and accommodations of this life; Now he that hath acquaintance with, and aſſurance of the goods of the Throne, will eaſily trample upon the goods of the foot-ſtoole. Ah! that you would make it your buſineſſe, your worke, to mind more, and make ſure more to your owne ſoules, the greatWhen Baſil was tempted with money, and preferment; ſaith he, give me money that may laſt for ever, and glory that may eternally flouriſh; for the faſhion of this world paſſeth away, as the waters of a river that runs by a City. things of eternity, that will yeeld you joy in life, and peace in death, and a Crown of Righteouſneſſe in the day of Chriſts appearing; And that will lifte up your ſoules above all the beauty, and bravery of this bewitching world; that will raiſe your feet above other mens heads. When a man comes to be aſſured of a Crown, a Scepter, the Royall Robes, &c. he then begins to have low, mean, and contemptible thoughts of thoſe things, that before he highly prized: ſo will aſſurance of more, great, and glorious things breed in the ſoule a holy ſcorn, and contempt of all theſe poore, meane things, which the ſoule before did value above God, Chriſt, and Heaven, &c.

The ſeventh Remedie againſt this device p. 138of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider,7 Remedie. that true hahpineſſe and ſatisfaction, is not to be had in the injoyment of any worldly good; true happineſſe is too big, and too glorious a thing, to beTrue happineſſe lies only in our injoyment of a ſuitable good, a pure good, a totall good, & an eternall good; and God is onelyonly ſuch a good, and ſuch a good can only ſatisfie the ſoul of man. found in any thing below that God, who is a Chriſtians (ſummum bonum) chiefeſt good. The bleſſed Angells, thoſe gliſtering Courtiers have all felicities, and bleſſedneſſes; and yet they have neither gold, nor ſilver, nor jewels, nor none of the beauty, and bravery of this world; certainly, if happineſſe was to be found in theſe things, the Lord Jeſus, who is the right and Royall Heir of all things, would have exchanged his cradle for a Crown, his Birthcham-ber (a ſtable) for a Royall Palace; his poverty for plenty; his deſpiſed followers, for ſhining Courtiers; and his meane proviſions, for the choiſeſt delicates, &c. Certainly, happineſs lies not in thoſe things, that a manPhiloſophers could ſay, that hee was never a happy man that might afterwards become miſerable. may injoy, and yet be miſerable for ever; now a man may be great, & graceleſſe with Pharaoh; honourable, and damnable with Saul; rich, and miſerable with Dives, &c. therefore happineſs lies not in theſe things. Certainly happineſſe lies not in thoſe things that cannot comfort a man upon a dying bed; Is it honours, riches, or friends, &c. p. 139that can comfort thee when thou comeſt to die? or is it not rather faith in the blood of Chriſt? the witneſſe of theGregory the great uſed to ſay, he is poor, whoſe ſoule is void of grace, not whoſe cofers are empty of money. ſpirit of Chriſt; the ſenſe and feeling of the love, and favour of Chriſt, and the hopes of eternall reigning with Chriſt? Can happineſſe lie in thoſe things that cannot give us health, or ſtrength, or eaſe, or a good nights reſt, or an hours ſleep, or a good ſtomack? why all the honours, riches, and delights of this world cannot give theſe poor things to us; therefore certainly, happineſſe lies not in the injoyment of them, &c. And ſurely happineſſe is not to be found in thoſe things, that cannot ſatisfie the ſoules of men; now none of theſe things can ſatisfie the ſoul of man. He that loveth ſilver ſhall not be ſatisfied with ſilver, nor he that loveth abundance Anima rationalis caeteris omnibus occupari poteſt impleri non poteſt. The reaſonable ſoule may be buſied about other things, but it cannot be filled with them.with increaſe; this is alſo vanity, ſaith the wiſe man. The barren womb, the Horſe-leeches daughter, the grave and Hell will as ſoon be ſatisfied, as the ſoule of man will by the injoyment of any worldly good. Some one thing, or other will be for ever wanting to that ſoule that hath none, but outward good to live vponupon. You may as ſoone fill a bag with wiſdome, a cheſt with vertue, or a circle with a triangle, as the heart of man with any thing here below? p. 140A man may have enough of the world to ſinke him, but he can never have enough to ſatisfie him, &c.

The eighth Remedie againſt this device8. Remedie. of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider of the dignity of the ſoule; oh! the ſoul of man is more wotrh then a thouſand worlds; 'tis the greateſt abaſing of itPlutarch tells of Themiſtocles, that he accounted it not to ſtand with his ſtate, to ſtoop down to take up the ſpoiles the enemies had ſcattered in flight, but ſaith to one of his followers. (foreign) you may, for you are not Themiſtocles. Oh what a ſad thing is it, that a Heathen ſhould ſet his feet upon thoſe very things that moſt Profeſſors ſet their hearts, and for the gain of which with Balaam, many run the hazard of ſing their immortall ſouls for ever. that can be, to let it dote upon a little ſhining earth, upon a little painted beauty, and fading glory, when it's capable of union with Chriſt, of communion with God, and of enjoying the eternall viſion of God. Seneca could ſay, I am too great, and born to greater things, then that I ſhould be a ſlave to my body; oh! do you ſay, my ſoule is too great, and born to greater things, then that I ſhould confine it to a heap of white and yellow clay. I have been the longer upon the Remedies, that may help us againſt this dangerous device of Satan, becauſe hee doth uſually more hurt to the ſoules of men, by this device, then he doth by all other devices; for a cloſe, I wiſh, as once Chryſoſtome did, that that ſentence, Eccleſ. 2. v. 11. (Then I looked on all the workes that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do, and behold all was vanity and vexation of Spirit, and there was no profit under the Sun) were engraven on p. 141the door poſts, into which you enter; on the tables, where you ſit; on the diſhes out of which you eate; on the cups, out of which you drinke; on the bedſteads, where you lie; on the walls of the houſes, where you dwell; on the garments, which you weare; on the heads of the horſes, on which you ride, and on the foreheads of all them whom you meet; that your ſoules may not by the beautie, and braverie of the world be kept off from thoſe holy, and heavenly ſervices, that may render you bleſſed, while you live, and happy when you die; that you may breath out your laſt into his boſome, who lives for ever, and who will make them happy for ever, that prefers Chriſts ſpiritualls and eternals above all temporall, tranſitory things.

The ſecond Device that Satan hath to draw ſoules from holy duties, and to keepe them off from religious ſervices, is,

BY preſenting to them the danger,2 Device. the loſſes, and the ſufferings that do attend the performance of ſuch and p. 142ſuch religious ſervices; by this device Satan kept cloſe thoſe that beleeved on Chriſt, from confeſſing of Chriſt, in that 12. John 42. Nevertheleſſe, among the chief Rulers alſo, many believed on him; but becauſe of the Phariſees, they did not confeſſe him, leſt they ſhould be put out of the Synagogue. I would walke in all the wayes of God, I would give up my ſelfe to the ſtricteſt wayes of holineſſe; but I am afraid dangers will attend me on the one hand; and loſſes, and happily ſuch, and ſuch ſufferings on the other hand, ſaith many a man. Oh! how ſhould we helpe our ſelves againſt this temptation, and device of Satan.

Now the Remedies againſt this device of Satan are theſe that follow.

THe firſt Remedy againſt this Device1 Remedie. of Satan, is, to conſider, that all the troubles and afflictions that you meet with in a way of righteouſneſſe, ſhall never hurt you; they ſhall never harm you. And who is he that ſhall harme Nemo proprie l…d…ur niſi… a ſeipſo. No body is properly hurt, but by himſelfe, and his own fault.you, if you be followers of that which is good, ſaith the Apoſtle, i. e. none ſhall harme you; naturall conſcience cannot but p. 143doe homage to the image of God, ſtamped upon the natures, words, workes, and lives of the godly; as we may ſee in the carriage of Nebuchadnezzar, andGordius that bleſſed Martyr accounted it a loſſe to him, not to ſuffer many kinds of tortures; he ſaith, tortures are but tradings with God for glory. The greater the combate is, the greater is the following reward. Darius towards Daniel. All the afflictions and troubles that do attend men in a way of righteouſneſſe, can never rob them of their treaſure, of their jewels; they may rob them of ſome light, ſlight things; as the ſword that is by their ſide, or the ſtick that is in their hand, or of the flowers, or ribbons that be in their hats; The treaſures of a Saint is the preſence of God, the favour of God, union and communion with God; the pardon of ſin, the joy of the ſpirit, the peace of Conſcience, which are Jewels that none can give, but Chriſt, nor none can take away, but Chriſt. Now, why ſhould a gracious ſoule keep off from a way of holineſſe? becauſe of afflictions, &c. when no afflictions can ſtrip a man of his heavenly jewels, which are his ornaments, and his ſafety here, and will be his happineſſe and glory hereafter. Why ſhould that man be afraid, or troubled forThat was a notable ſpeech of Luther, let him that dyed for my ſoule, ſee to the ſalvation of it. ſtormes at Sea, whoſe treaſures are ſure in a friends hand upon land? why, a believers treaſure is always ſafe in the hands of Chriſt; his life is ſafe, his ſoule is ſafe, his grace is ſafe, his p. 144comfort is ſafe, and his Crown is ſafe in the hand of Chriſt. I know him in 2 Tim. 1. 12.2 Tim 1:12whom I have beleeved, and that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him, untill that day, ſaith the Apoſtle. The childes moſt precious things are moſt ſecure in his Fathers hands; ſo are our ſoules, our graces, and our comforts, in the hand of Chriſt.

The ſecond Remedie againſt this device2. Remedy. of Satan, is, to conſider, that other precious Saints, that were ſhiningWill: Flower (Martyr) ſaid, that heaven ſhould aſſoon fall, as I will forſake my profeſſion, or budge in the leaſt degree from it. So Santus being under as great torment as you have read of, cries out (Chriſtianus ſum) I am a Chriſtian; no torment could worke him to decline the ſervice of his God. I might produce a cloud of witneſſes; but if theſe do not work you to be noble and brave, I am afraid more will not. lights on earth, and are now triumphing in Heaven, have held on in religious ſervices, notwithſtanding all the troubles and dangers that have ſurrounded them; Nehemiah, and Ezra were ſurrounded with dangers on the left hand, and on the right; and yet in the face of all, they hold on building the Temple, and the wall of Jeruſalem: ſo Daniel, and thoſe precious worthies, in the 44 Pſal. under want of outward incouragements, and in the face of a world of very great diſcouragements, their ſouls clave to God, and his wayes; Though they were ſore broken in the place of dragons, and covered with the ſhadow of death; yea, though they were all the day long counted as ſheep for the ſlaughter, yet their hearts were not turned back, neither did their ſteps decline from his wayes. Though bonds and p. 145impriſonment did attend Paul, and the reſt of the Apoſtles in every place; yet they held on in the work, and ſervice of the Lord; and why then ſhould you degenerate from their worthy examples, which is your duty, and your glory to follow.

The third Remedie againſt this device3. Remedie. of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that all the troubles, and dangers that doe attend the performance of holy duties, and heavenly ſervices, are but temporall, and momentary; but the neglect of them may lay thee open, to all temporall, ſpirituall, and eternall dangers. How ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect ſo great ſalvation? He ſaith not, if we reject, or renounce ſo great ſalvation; but if wee neglect, or ſhift off (as the word is) ſo foreign. Diſ-regard, not care for it.great ſalvation; he doth not ſay, how ſhall we eſcape, if we oppoſe, or perſecute ſo great ſalvation? no, but if we let ſlip, or neglect ſo great ſalvation, how ſhall we eſcape? that is, we cannot by any way, or meanes, or device in the world, eſcape; divine Juſtice will be above us, in ſpight of our very ſouls. The doing of ſuch, and ſuch heavenly ſervices may lay you open to the frowns of men; but the neglect of them will lay you open to the frowns of God; the doing of them may render p. 148you contemptible in the eyes of men;Francis Xaverius counſelled John the third, King of Portugal, to meditate every day a quarter of an hour upon that Text, What ſhall it profit a man to gain the whole world, & looſe his ſoule. but the neglect of them may render you contemptible in the eyes of God; the doing of them may be the loſſe of thy eſtate; but the neglect of them may be the loſſe of God, Chriſt, Heaven, and thy ſoule for ever; the doing of them may ſhut thee out from ſome outward, temporal contents; the neglect of them may ſhut thee out from that excellent, matchleſſe glory, that eye hath not ſeene, nor eare heard, neither hath it entred into the heart of man to conceive. Remember this, there is no man that breaths, but ſhall ſuffer more, by neglecting thoſe holy, and heavenly ſervices that God commands, commends, and rewards, then poſſibly he can ſuffer by doing of them, &c.

The fourth Remedie againſt this device4 Remedie. of Satan, is, to conſider this, that God knows how to deliver from troubles, by troubles; from afflictions, by afflictions; from dangers, by dangers; God by leſſer troubles and afflictions doth oftentimes deliver his people from greater: So that they ſhall ſay, we had periſhed, if wee had not periſhed; we had been undone, if we had not beenP…riiſſem niſi periiſſem. undone; we had been in danger, if wee had not been in danger; God will ſo order all the afflictions that befall you p. 149in the way of righteouſneſſe, that yourNon eſſem ego ſalvus niſi iſtae periiſſent. Anaxagoras, had not theſe things periſhed, I could not have been ſafe, ſaid this Philoſopher, when he ſaw great poſſesſions that he had loſt. ſoules ſhall ſay, we would not for all the world, but that wee had met with ſuch, and ſuch troubles, and afflictions; for ſurely, had not theſe befallen us, it would have been worſe, and worſe with us; Oh! the carnal ſecurity, pride, formality, dead-heartedneſſe, lukewarmneſſe, cenſoriouſneſſe, and earthlineſſe, that God hath cured us of, by the troubles and dangers that we have met with, in the wayes and ſervices of the Lord. I remember a ſtory of a godly man, that as hee was going to take ſhipping for France, he broke his leg, and it pleaſed Providence ſo to order it, that the ſhip that he ſhould have gone in, at that very time, was caſt away, and not a man ſaved; ſo by breaking a bone, his life was ſaved. So the Lord many times breaks our bones, but 'tis in order to the ſaving of our lives, and our ſoules for ever; he gives us a potion that makes us heart-ſick, but 'tis in order to the making us perfectly well, and to the purging of us from thoſe ill humours, that have made our heads ake, and Gods heart ake, and our ſouls ſick, and heavy to the death, &c. Oh! therefore, let no danger, or miſery hinder thee from thy duty.

The fifth Remedie againſt this device p. 148of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that you ſhall gaine more in the ſervice of God, and by walking in righteous, and holy wayes, though troubles and afflictions ſhould attend you, then you can poſſibly ſuffer, or looſe, by your being found in the ſervice of God. Godlineſſe is great gaine; Oh the joy, the peace,Tertullian in in his book to the Martyrs, hath an apt ſaying (Negotiatio eſt aliquid amittere ut majora lucreris) i. e. thats right, & good merchandize when ſomething is parted with to gain more, he applyeth it to their ſufferings, wherin, though the fleſh loſt ſomething, yet the ſpirit got much more. the comfort, the reſt, that Saints meet with in the wayes and ſervice of God; they find that Religious ſervices are not empty things, but things, in which God is pleaſed to diſcover his beautie and glory to their ſoules. My ſoul thirſts for God (ſaith David) that I might ſee thy beauty, and thy glory, as I have ſeen thee in thy Sanctuary. Oh! the ſweet looks, the ſweet words, the ſweet hints, the ſweet joggings, the ſweet influences, the ſweet love-letters, that gracious ſoules have from Heaven, when they waite upon God, in holy and heavenly ſervices, the leaſt of which will darken, and outweigh all the bravery and glory of this world, and richly recompence the ſoul for all the troubles, afflictions, and dangers, that have attended it in the ſervice of God; oh! the Saints can ſay under all their troubles, and afflictions, that they have meate to eate, and drinke toWhen the Moble Generall Ze…ſlaus had loſt his hand in the Wars of the K. of Poland, the King ſent him a golden hand for it; what we loſe in Chriſts ſervice, he will make up, by giving in ſome golden mercies. drinke, that the world knows not of; that they have ſuch incomes, ſuch refreſhments, p. 149ſuch warmings, &c. that they would not exchange for all the honours, riches, and dainties of this world: Ah! let but a Chriſtian compare his externall loſſes with his ſpirituall, internall, and eternall gain, and he ſhall find, that for every penny that he loſes in the ſervice of God, he gaines a pound; and for every pound that he looſes, hee gains a hundred; for every hundred loſt, he gains a thouſand; wee looſe pins in his ſervice, and find pearls; we looſe the favour of the creature, and peace with the creature, and happily the comforts and contents of the creature; and we gain the favour of God, peace with conſcience, and the comforts and contents of a better life; Ah! did the men of this world know the ſweet that Saints injoy in afflictions, they would rather chuſe Manaſſes iron chaine, then his golden Crown; They would rather be Paul a priſoner, then Paul rap't up in the third Heaven; for light afflictions, they ſhall have aThough the Croſſe be bitter, yet 'tis but ſhort, a little ſtorm, as one ſaid of Julians perſecution, and an e…e…nall calm follows. weight of glory; for a few afflictions, they ſhall have thoſe joyes, pleaſures, and contents, that are as the ſtars of heaven, or as the ſands of the ſea, that cannot be numbred; for momentany afflictions, they ſhall have an eternall Crown of glory; 'tis but winking, and p. 152thou ſhalt be in heaven preſently, ſaid the Martyr; oh! therefore, let no afflictions, nor troubles work thee to ſhun the wayes of God, or to quit that ſervice, that ſhould be dearer to thee then a world, yea then thy very life, &c.

The third Device that Satan3. Device. hath to hinder ſoules from holy and heavenly ſervices, from gracious, and religious performances, is,

BY preſenting to the ſoule the difficulty of performing them; ſaith Satan, 'tis ſo hard and difficult a thing to pray as thou ſhouldſt, and to wait on God as thou ſhouldſt, and to walke with God as thou ſhouldſt, and to be lively, warm, and active in the communion of Saints, as thou ſhouldſt, that you were better ten thouſand times to neglect them, then to meddle with them; and doubtleſſe by this Device Satan hath, and doth keep off thouſands from waiting on God, and from giving to him that ſervice that is due to his name, &c.

p. 153Now the remedies againſt this Device are theſe that follow.

THe firſt Remedie againſt this device1. Remedy. of Satan, is, to dwell more upon the neceſſity of the ſervice, and duty, then on the difficulty that doth attend the duty; you ſhould reaſon thus with your ſoules; oh! our ſoules, though ſuch and ſuch duties and ſervices be hard, and difficult, yet are they not exceeding neceſſarie for the honour of God, and the keeping up of his name inThe neceſſity of doing your duty, appears by this, that you are his ſervants by a three-fold right; you are his ſervants (jure creationis, jure ſuſtentationis, jure redemptionis) by right of creation, and by right of ſuſtentation, and by right of redemption. the world? and the keeping under of ſin, and the keeping under of weak graces, and for the reviving of languiſhing comforts, and for the keeping clear and bright your bleſſed evidences, and for the ſcattering of your fears, and for the raiſing of your hopes, and for the gladding the hearts of the righteous, and ſtopping the mouths of unrighteous ſouls, who are ready to take all advantages, to blaſpheme the name of God, and throw dirt and contempt upon his people, and wayes? oh! never leave thinking on the neceſſity of this, and that duty, till your ſouls be lifted p. 152up far above all the difficulties that doe attend religious duties.

The ſecond Remedie againſt this device2 Remedy. of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that the Lord Jeſus will make his ſervices eaſie to you, by the ſweet diſcovery of himſelfe to your ſoules, whilſt you are in his ſervice. Thou meeteſt him that rejoyceth, and worketh righteouſneſſe, thoſe that remember thee in thy wayes, as the Prophet Iſaiah ſaith; if meeting withIſa. 64. v. 5. foreign Paganta is diverſly taken; but moſt take the word here, to meet a ſoule with thoſe bowells of love and tenderneſſe as the Father of the Prodigall met the Prodigall with. God is pater miſerationum, hee is all bowels, he is as ſwift to ſhew mercy, as he is ſlow to anger.Isa 64:5 God, who is goodneſſe it ſelfe, ſweetneſſe it ſelfe, beauty it ſelfe, ſtrength it ſelfe, glory it ſelf, will not ſweeten his ſervice to thy ſoule, nothing in Heaven or Earth will. Jacob's meeting with Rachel, and enjoying of Rachell, made his hard ſervice to be eaſie, and delightfull to him; and will not the ſoules enjoying of God, and meeting with God, render his ſervice to be much more eaſie and delightfull? doubtleſſe it will. The Lord will give that ſweet aſſiſtance, by his Spirit and grace, as ſhall make his ſervice joyous, and not grievous, a delight, & not a burden; a Heaven, and not a Hel to believing ſouls; the confidence of this divine aſſiſtance raiſed up Nehemiah's ſpirit, far above all thoſe difficulties, and diſcouragements that did attend him in the work and ſervice of the Lord, as you may ſee in that 2 Nehemiah, p. 153verſ. 19, 20. But when Sanballat Luther ſpake excellently to Melancthon, who was apt to be diſconraged with doubts and difficulties, & feares from foes, and ſo …eaſe the ſervice they had undertaken; if the work be not good, why did we ever own it; if it be good? why ſhould wee ever decline it? why ſaith he, ſhould we feare the conquered world that have Chriſt the Conquerour on our ſide? Iſa. 40. ult. 3. Remedy. It is not fit ſith the head was crowned with thorns, that the members ſhould be crowned with roſe-buds, ſaith Zanch.Isa 40the Horonite, and Tobiah the ſervant, the Ammonite, and Geſhem the Arabian heard it, they laughed us to ſcorn, and deſpiſed us, and ſaid, what is this thing that ye do? will ye rebell againſt the King? Then anſwered I them, and ſaid unto them, the God of heaven he will proſper us, therefore we his ſervants will ariſe, and build: but you have no right, nor portion, nor memoriall in Jeruſalem. Ah ſouls! while you are in the very ſervice of the Lord, you ſhall find by experience, that the God of Heaven will proſper you, and ſupport you, and incourage, and ſtrengthen you, and carry you through the hardeſt ſervice, with the greateſt ſweetneſſe and cheerfulneſſe that can be. Remember this, that God will ſuit your ſtrength to your worke, and in the hardeſt ſervice you ſhall have the choiſeſt aſſiſtance.

The third Remedie againſt this device of Satan, is, to dwel upon the hard and difficult things that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath paſt through, for your temporall, ſpirituall, and eternall good. Ah! what a ſea of blood? a ſea of wrath? of ſinne, of ſorrow, and miſery did the Lord Jeſus wade through, for your internal and eternall good? Chriſt did not plead, this Croſſe is too heavy for me to beare, this wrath is too great p. 156for me to lie under, this Cup (which hath in it all the ingredients of divine diſpleaſure) is too bitter for me to ſip off, how much more to drink the very dregs of it? no, Chriſt ſtands not upon this; he pleads not the difficulty of the ſervice, but reſolutely, and bravely wades through all, as the Prophet Iſa ſhews: The Lord God hath opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the ſmiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the haire; I hid not my face from ſhame and ſpitting. Chriſt makes nothing of his Fathers wrath, the burden of your ſins, the maliceGodfrey of Bullen firſt K. of Ieruſalem, refuſed to be crowned with a crowne of gold, ſaying, it became not a Chriſtian there to wear a crown of gold, where Chriſt for our ſalvation had ſometime were a crown of thorns. of Satan, and the rage of the world, but ſweetly and triumphantly paſſes through all. Ah ſoules! if this conſideration will not raiſe up your ſpirits, above all the diſcouragements that you meet with, to owne Chriſt and his ſervice, and to ſtick, and cleave to Chriſt, and his ſervice; I am afraid nothing will. A ſoule not ſtir'd by this, not rais'd, and lifted up by this, to be reſolute and brave in the ſervice of God, notwithſtanding all dangers and difficulties, is a ſoule left of God to much blindneſſe, and hardneſſe.

The 4. Remedy againſt this Device of4. Remedie. Satan, is, to conſider, that religious duties, holy and heavenly exerciſes are p. 157only difficult to the worſer, to the ignoble part of a Saint; they are not to the noble, and better part of a Saint, to the noble part, the ſoule, and the renewed affections of a Saint; holy exerciſes are a heavenly pleaſure, and recreation, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, I delight in the Law of God, after the inward As every flowr hath its ſweet ſavour, ſo every good duty carries meat in the mouth, comfort in the performance of it. foreign i. e. my yoke is a benigne, a gracious, a pleaſant, a good, and a gainfull yoke, oppoſed to foreign, painfull, tedious.man. With my minde I ſerve the Law of God, though with my fleſh the law of ſinne. To the noble part of a Saint, Chriſts yoke is eaſie, and his burden is light; all the commands and wayes of Chriſt (even thoſe that tend to the pulling out of right eyes, and cutting off of right hands) are joyous, and not grievous to the noble part of a Saint; all the wayes and ſervices of Chriſt are pleaſantneſſe (in the abſtract) to the better part of a Saint; a Saint, ſo far as he is renewed, is alwayes beſt, when he ſees moſt of God, when he taſts moſt of God, when he is higheſt in his injoyments of God, and moſt warme, and lively in the ſervice of God; oh! ſaith the noble part of a Saint, that it might be alwayes thus; oh! that my ſtrength were the ſtrength of ſtones, and my fleſh as braſſe, that my worſer part might be more ſerviceable to my noble part, that I might act by an untired power in that ſervice, that is a pleaſure, a Paradiſe to me.

p. 156The fifth Remedy againſt this Device5 Remedie. of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that great reward, and glorious recompence that doth attend thoſe that cleave to the ſervice of the Lord, in theBaſil ſpeaks of ſome Martyrs that were caſt out all night naked, in a cold froſty time, & were to be burned the next day, how they comforted themſelves in this manner; The winter is ſharp, but Paradiſe is ſweet; here we ſhiver for cold, but the boſome of Abraham will make amends for all. face of all difficulties, and diſcouragements; though the work be hard, yet the wag…s is great, Heaven will make amends for all, I, one hours being in heaven will abundantly recompence you for cleaving to the Lord, and his wayes, in the face of all difficulties. This carried the Apoſtle through the greateſt difficulties; hee had an eye to the recompence of reward; he look't for a houſe that had foundations, whoſe builder and maker was God, and for a heavenly countrey; yea, this bore up the Spirit of Chriſt, in the face of all difficulties and diſcouragements: Looking unto Jeſus the author and finiſher of our faith, who for the joy that was ſet before him, endured the Croſſe, deſpiſing the ſhame, and is ſet downe at the right hand of the Throne of God.

Chriſtians that would hold on in the ſervice of the Lord, muſt look more upon the Crown, then upon the Croſſe; more upon their future glory, then their preſent miſery; more upon their incouragements, then upon their diſcouragements. Gods very ſervice is wages, his wayes are ſtrewed with roſes, p. 157and paved with joy that is unſpeakable,This is praemium ante praemium, a ſure reward of wel doing, in doing thereof (not only for doing thereof) there is great reward, Pſal. 19. v. 11.Ps 19:11 and ful of glory, and with peace that paſſeth underſtanding. Some degree of comfort follows every good action; as heate accompanies fire, as beames and influences iſſue from the Sun. Moreover by them is thy ſervant warned, and in keeping of them there is great reward; not only for keeping, but in keeping of them, there is great reward; the joy, the reſt, the refreſhing, the comforts, the contents, the ſmiles, the incomes that Saints now injoy in the wayes of God, are ſo precious and glorious in their eyes, that they would not exchange them for ten thouſand worlds; Ah! if the vailes be thus ſweet and glorious before pay-day comes, what will be that glory, that Chriſt will crown his Saints with, for cleaving to his ſervice in the face of all difficulties: When he ſhall ſay to his father, Loe here am I, and the children which thou haſt given me; if there be ſo much to be had in a wilderneſſe, what then ſhall be had in Paradiſe? &c.

p. 160The fourth Device that Satan4 Device. hath to keep ſoules off from holy exerciſes, from religious ſervices, is,

BY working them to make falſe inferences, from thoſe bleſſed and glorious things that Chriſt hath done; As that Jeſus Chriſt hath done all for us; therefore there is nothing for us to doe, but to joy, and rejoyce, he hath perfectly juſtified us, and fulfilled the Law, and ſatisfied divine Juſtice, and pacified his Fathers wrath, and is gone to Heaven to prepare a place for us, and in the mean time, to intercede for us; and therefore away with praying, and mourning, and hearing, &c. Ah! what a world of Profeſſors hath Satan drawn in theſe dayes, from religious ſervices, by working them to make ſuch ſad, wilde, and ſtrange inferences, from the ſweet and excellent things, that the Lord Jeſus hath done for his beloved ones.

p. 161Now the Remedies againſt this device of Satan are theſe that follow.

THe firſt Remedie againſt this device1. Remedie. of Satan, is, to dwell as much on thoſe Scriptures that ſhew you the duties and ſervices that Chriſt requires of you, as upon thoſe Scriptures that declareTertullian hath this expreſſion of the fulneſſe of the Scriptures (Adoro plenitudinem Scripturarum) I adore the fulneſſe of the Scripture. Gregory calls the Scripture (cor & animam Dei: the heart & ſoule of God and who will not then dwell on it? to you, the precious and glorious things that Chriſt hath done for you. 'Tis a ſad, and a dangerous thing, to have two eyes to behold our dignity, and priviledges, and not one eye to ſee our duties, and ſervices. I ſhould look with one eye upon the choiſe and excellent things that Chriſt hath done for me, to raiſe up my heart, to love Chriſt with the pureſt love, and to joy in Chriſt, with the ſtrongeſt joy, and to lift up Chriſt above all, who hath made himſelf to be my all. And I ſhould look with the other eye upon thoſe ſervices and duties, that the Scriptures require of thoſe, for whom Chriſt hath done ſuch bleſſed things, as upon that of the Apoſtle; What, know yee not that your body 1 Cor. 6. 19, 20.1 Cor 6:191 Cor 6:20is the Temple of the holy Ghoſt which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your owne? For ye are bought with a price: p. 160therefore glorifie God in your body, and in your ſpirit, which are Gods. And that 1 Cor. 15. 58.1 Cor 15:58therefore my beloved brethren, be yee ſtedfaſt, unmoveable, alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord. And that, And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due Gal. 6. 9. 2.Gal 6:9Gal 6:2ſeaſon we ſhall reape, if we faint not. And that of the Apoſtle, rejoyce alwayes, and pray without ceaſing; and that in the Philippians: Worke out your ſalvation with Phil. 2 12, 13 1 Cor. 11. 26. Heb 10. 24, 25.Phil 2:12Phil 2:131 Cor 11:26Heb 10:24Heb 10:25feare and trembling; and that, This doe till I come; and that, Let us conſider one another, to provoke one another to love, and to good workes; not forſaking the aſſembling of our ſelves together, as the mannor of ſome The Jews were much in turning over the leaves of the Scripture; but they did not weigh the matter of them, John 5. 39. You ſearch the Scripture, Gr. there ſeemeth to be indicative, rather then imperative.John 5:39is, but exhorting one another, and ſo much the more, as you ſee the day approaching. Now a ſoule that would not be drawn away by this device of Satan, hee muſt not look with a ſquint eye upon theſe bleſſed Scriptures, and abundance more of like import; but he muſt dwell upon them, he muſt make theſe Scriptures to be his chiefeſt, and his choiſeſt companions, and this will be a happy meanes to keep him cloſe to Chriſt, and his ſervice in theſe times, wherein many turn their backs upon Chriſt, under pretence of being highly intereſted in the great and glorious things that have been acted by Chriſt, &c.

p. 161The ſecond Remedie againſt this Device2. Remedie. of Satan, is, to conſider, that the great and glorious things that Jeſus Chriſt hath done, and is a doing for us, ſhould be ſo far from taking us off from religious ſervices, and pious performances, that they ſhould be the greateſt motives and encouragements to the performance of them that may be, as the Scriptures do abundantly evidence. I1 Pet. 2. 9. Luke 1. 74, 75. This I am ſure of, that all mans happines here is his holineſſe, and his holineſſe ſhall hereafter be his happineſs, Chriſt hath therefore broke the Devils yoke from off our necks, that his Father might have better ſervice from our hearts. 2 Cor. 6. 6. 17, 18. ch. 7. 1. compared.1 Pet 2:9Luke 1:74Luke 1:752 Cor 6:62 Cor 6:172 Cor 6:18 will only inſtance in ſome, as that, That we being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies, might ſerve him without feare; in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe before him all the dayes of our lives; Chriſt hath freed you from all your Enemies, from the curſe of the Law, the predominant damnatory power of ſin, the wrath of God, the ſting of death, and the torments of hell; but what is the end and deſign of Chriſt in doing theſe great and marvellous things for his people? 'tis not that they ſhould throw off duties of righteouſneſſe and holineſſe, but that their hearts may be the more free, and ſweet in all holy duties, and heavenly ſervices: So the Apoſtle; I will be their God, and they ſhall be my people: And I will be a Father unto you, and yee ſhall be my ſonnes and daughters, ſaith the Lord Almighty (mark what follows) Having therefore theſe promiſes (dearly beloved) let us cleanſe our p. 164ſelves from all filthineſſe of the fleſh, and ſpirit, perfecting holineſſe in the feare of the Lord. And againe, The grace of God that Yit. 2. 11, 12, 13, 14.bringeth ſalvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us, that denying all ungodlinſſe, and worldly luſts, we ſhould live ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly in this preſent world; Looking for that bleſſed hope, and the glorious Tace lingua loquere vita, talk not of a good life, but let thy life ſpeak. Your actions in paſſi…g paſs not away; for every good work is a grain of ſeed for eternall life.appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, who gave him ſelfe for us, that he might redeeme us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himſelfe a peculiar people, zealous of good workes. Ah ſoules! I know no ſuch arguments to worke you to a lively and conſtant performance of all heavenly ſervices, like thoſe that are drawn from the conſideration of the great and glorious things that Chriſt hath done for you; and if ſuch arguments will not take yee, and win upon yee, I do… think the throwing of hell fire in your faces will never do it.

The third Remedie againſt this device3. Remedy. of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that thoſe precious ſouls which Jeſus ChriſtThe Saints Motto in all ages hath been (Laboremus) let's be doing. hath done, and ſuffered as much for, as he hath for you, have been exceeding active and lively in all religious ſervices, and heavenly performances; he did as much, and ſuffered as much for David, God loves (curriſtas, not quariſtas) the runner, not the queſtioner, or diſputer, ſaith Luther.a… for you, and yet, who more in praying, and prayſing God then David? ſeven p. 165times a day will I praiſe the Lord; who more in the ſtudying, and meditating on the word, then David. Thy law is my meditation day and night. The ſame truth you may run, and read in Jacob, Moſes. Job, Daniel, and in the reſt of the holy Prophets, and Apoſtles, for whom Chriſt hath done as much for, as for you; ah! how have all thoſe Worthies abounded in works of righteouſneſſe, and holineſſe, to the praiſe of free grace? Certainly Satan hath got the upper hand of thoſe ſouls, that do argue thus;The day is at hand when God will require of men non quid legerint, ſed quid egerint, nec quid dixerint, ſed quomodo vixerin…. He that talks of heaven, but doth not the will of God, is like him that gazed upon the Moon, but fell into the pit. Chriſt hath done ſuch and ſuch glorious things for us: therefore wee need not make any care or conſcience of d… ing ſuch and ſuch religious ſervices, as men ſay the word calls for; if this Logick be not from Hell, what is? ah! were the holy Prophets and Apoſtles alive, to heare ſuch Logick come out of the mouths of ſuch as profeſſe themſelves to be intereſted in the great and glorious things that Jeſus Chriſt hath done for his choſen ones; how would they bluſh to look upon ſuch ſouls? and how would their hearts grieve, and break within them, to heare the language, and to obſerve the actings of ſuch ſoules.

The fourth Remedy againſt this device4. Remedy. of Satan, is, ſeriouſly to conſider this, p. 164that thoſe that doe not walk in ways of righteouſneſſe and holines (that do not wait upon God in the ſeveral duties and ſervices that are commanded by him) cannot have that evidence to their own ſoules of their righteouſneſſe before God, of their fellowſhip and communionCertainly 'tis one thing to judg by our graces, another thing to reſt, or put our truſt in them. There is a great deal of difference betwixt declaring and deſerving. on with God, of their bleſſedneſſe here, and their happineſſe hereafter, as thoſe ſoules have, that love and delight in the wayes of the Lord, that are always beſt, when they are moſt in the works and ſervice of the Lord. Little children (ſaith the Apoſtle) let no man deceive you; he that doth righteouſneſſe, is righteous even as he is righteous. In this (ſaith the ſame Apoſtle) the children of God are manifeſt, and the children of the Devill; whoſoever doth not righteouſneſſe is not of God, neither hee As Davids daughters were known by their garments of divers colours, ſo are Gods children by their piety and ſanctity.that loveth not his brother. If ye know that he is righteous (ſaith the ſame Apoſtle) ye know that every one that doth righteouſneſ… is born of him. He that ſaith I know him, and keepeth not his commandements, is a lyer, and the truth is not in him. But who ſoever keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected, hereby know we that we are in him. He that ſaith he abideth in him, ought himſelfe alſo to walke, even as he A Chriſtians embleme ſhould be an houſe walking towards Heaven▪ High words ſurely make a man neither holy, nor juſt; but a vertuous life, a circumſpect walking makes him deare to God. A tree that is not fruitful is for the fire. Chriſtianity is not a talking, but a walking with God, who will not be put off with words, if he miſſe of fruit, he will take up his axe, and then the ſoul is cut off for ever.walked. If wee ſay that we have fellowſhip with him, and walk i… darkneſſe, we lie, and doe not the truth; but if we walk in the light p. 165as he is in the light, wee have fellowſhip one with another; and the blood of Jeſus Chriſt cleanſeth us from all ſin, ſaith the ſame Apoſtle. So James in his ſecond chapter; What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man ſay he hath faith, and have no workes, can faith ſave him? i. e. it cannot; for as the body without the ſpirit is dead, ſo faith without works is dead. To looke after holy and heavenly works, is the beſt way to preſerve the ſoule from being deceived, and deluded by Satans deluſions, and by ſudden flaſhes of joy and comfort, holy works being a more ſenſible and conſtant pledge of the precious ſpirit, begetting and maintaining in the ſoule more ſolid, pure, clear, ſtrong and laſting joy. Ah ſouls! as you would have in your ſelves a conſtant, and bleſſed evidence of your fellowſhip with the Father, and the Sonne; and of the truth of grace, and of your future happineſſe; look that you cleave cloſe to holy ſervices, and that you turne not your backs upon religious duties.

The fifth Remedy againſt this device5 Remedie. of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that'Tis a precious truth never to be forgotten (Quod non actibus, ſed finibus penſantur officia) that duties are eſteemed not by their acts, but by their ends. there are other choice and glorious ends for the Saints performance of religious duties, then for the juſtifying of their perſons before God, or for their ſatiſfying of the Law, or juſtice of God, p. 168or for the purchaſing of the pardon of ſin, &c. viz. to teſtifie their juſtification; a good tree cannot but bring forth good fruit, to teſtifie their love to God, and their ſincere obedience to th… commands of God, to teſtifie their deliverance from ſpirituall bondage, to evidence the indwellingsFinis move… ad agendum, the end moves to doing. of the ſpirit, to ſtop the mouths of the worſt of men, and to glad thoſe righteous ſouls, that God would not have ſadded. Theſe, and abundance of other choiſe ends there be, why thoſe that have an intereſt in the glorious doings of Chriſt, ſhould notwithſtanding that, keep cloſe to the holy duties, and religious ſervices that are commandedTene menſuram & reſpice ſinem, keep thy ſelfe within compaſſe, and have an eye always to the end of thy life and actions was Maximimilians the Emperours Motto. by Chriſt. And if theſe conſiderations will not prevail with you, to wait upon God in holy and heavenly duties, I am afraid, if one ſhould riſe from the dead, his arguments would not win upon you, but you would hold on in your ſins, and neglect his ſervice, though you loſt your ſoules for ever, &c.

p. 169The fifth Device that Satan5. Device. hath to draw ſoules off from religious ſervices, and to keep ſoules off from holy duties, and heavenly performances, is,

BY preſenting to them the paucity, and poverty of thoſe that walk in the wayes of God, that hold on in religious practices; ſaith Satan, do not you ſee that thoſe that walk in ſuch and ſuch religious wayes, are the pooreſt, theJohn 47, 48, 49. verſes. meaneſt, and the moſt deſpicable perſons in the world; this took with them in that ſeventh of John. Then anſwered the Phariſees, are ye alſo deceived? Have any of the rulers, or of the Phariſees beleeved on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are curſed.

p. 170Now the Remedies againſt this device of Satan are theſe that follow.

THe firſt Remedie againſt this Device1. Remedy. Do you not ſee (ſaith Chryſoſtome) the places where treaſures are hid, are rough, and over-grown with thorns. Do not the naturalliſts tel you, that the mountaines that are big with gold within, are bare of graſſe without. Saints have as Scholars, poor commons here, becauſe they muſt ſtudy hard to go to heaven. of Satan, is, to conſider, that though they are outwardly poor, yet they are inwardly rich; though they are poor in temporalls, yet they are rich in ſpiritualls; the worth and riches of the Saints is inward: The Kings daughter is all glorious within. Hearken my beloved brethren, hath not God choſen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heires of the Kingdome, which he hath promiſed to them that love him, ſaith James. I know thy poverty, but thou art rich, ſaith John to the Church of Smyrna. What though they have little in poſſeſſion, yet they have a glorious Kingdome in reverſion. Feare not little flocke, 'tis your Fathers pleaſure to give you a Kingdome. Though Saints have little in hand, yet they have much in hope; you count thoſe happy in a worldly ſenſe, that have much in reverſion, though they have but little in poſſeſſion; and wil you count the Saints miſerable, becauſe they have little in hand? little in poſſeſſion? though they have a glorious Kingdome p. 171in reverſion of this. I am ſure, the pooreſt Saint that breaths wil not exchange (were it in his power) that which hee hath in hope, and in reverſion, for the poſſeſſion of as many worlds, as there be ſtars in Heaven, or ſands in the Sea, &c.

The ſecond Remedie againſt this device2. Remedie. of Satan, is, to conſider, that in all ages God hath had ſome that have been great, rich, wiſe, and honourable, that have choſen his wayes, and cleaved to his ſervice in the face of all difficulties,Good Nobles (ſaith one) are like black ſwans, and thinly ſcattered in the firmament of a ſtate, even like ſtars in the firſt m…gnitude, yet ſome God hath had in al ages, as might be ſhewed out of Hiſtories. though not many wiſe men, yet ſome wiſe men have; and though not many mighty, yet ſome mighty have; and though not many noble, yet ſome noble have; witneſſe Abraham, and Jacob, and Job, and ſeverall Kings, and others that the Scriptures ſpeak of; and ah! how many have we among our ſelves, whoſe ſoules have cleaved to the Lord, and who have ſwum to his ſervice, through the blood of the ſlain, and who have counted their lives dear unto them, that they and others might injoy the holy things of Chriſt, according to the mind and heart of Chriſt, &c.

The third Remedie againſt this device3 Remedie. of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that the ſpiritual riches of the pooreſt Saints do infinitely tranſcend the temporall p. 172riches of all the wicked men in theAlexanders vaſt mind enquired, if there were any more worlds to conquer. world; their ſpirituall riches do ſatiſfie them, they can ſit downe ſatisfied with the riches of grace that be in Chriſt; without honours, and without riches, &c. He that drinks of that water that I ſhall give him, ſhall thirſt no more. The riches of poor Saints are durable, they will bed and board with them, theyCraſſus was ſo rich, that he maintained an Army with his own revenues, yet he, his great Army, with his ſon and heire ſell together, and left his great eſtate to others. will goe to the Priſon, to a ſick bed, to a grave, yea to Heaven with them. The ſpirituall riches of poore Saints are as wine, to cheer them; and as bread to ſtrengthen them, and as cloathes to warme them, and as Armour to protect them. Now all you that know any thing, do know, that the riches of this world cannot ſatisfie the ſoules of men, and they are as fading as a flower, or as the owners of them are, &c.

The fourth Remedie againſt this device4 Remedie. is, ſeriouſly to conſider, that though the Saints conſidered comparatively are few, though they be a little, little flocke, a Luke 12. 32.Luke 12:32remnant, a garden encloſed, a ſpring ſhut up, Cant. 4. 12.Song 4:12a fountaine ſealed; though they are as the Summer gleanings, though they are one of a City, and two of a Tribe; though they beIer. 3. 14.Jer 3:14 but a handfull to a houſe-full; a ſparke to a flame, a drop to the Ocean; yet conſider them ſimply in themſelves, and ſo they are an innumerable number that p. 173cannot be numbred, as John ſpeaketh. After this I beheld, and lo a great multitude which no man could number, of all Nations, Rev. 7. 9.Rev 7:9and kindred, and people, and tongues, ſtood before the Throne, and before the Lambe cloathed with white robes, and palmes in their hands. So Matth. ſpeaks; And I ſay Mat. 8. 11. Hebr. 12. 22, 23. When Fulgentius ſaw the Nobility of Rome ſit mounted in their bravery, it mounted his meditation to the heavenly Jeruſalem.Matt 8:11Heb 12:22Heb 12:23unto you, that many ſhall come from the Eaſt, and Weſt, and ſhall ſit down with Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob in the Kingdome of Heaven. So Paul: But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the City of the living God, the heavenly Jeruſalem, and to an innumerable company of Angells. To the generall aſſembly, and Church of the firſt borne, which are written in Heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect.

The fifth Remedie againſt this device5 Remedie. of Satan, is, ſeriouſly to conſider, that 'twill be but as a day, before theſe poor deſpiſed Saints ſhall ſhine brighter then the Sun in her glory; 'twill not be long before you will wiſh, oh! that we were now among the poor, meane, deſpiſed ones, in the day that God comes to make up his jewells. 'Twill not be long before theſe poor few Saints ſhall be lifted up upon their Thrones to judge the multitude, the world, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks: Know yee not that the Saints ſhall judge the world? and in that day? oh! p. 174how will the great, and the rich, theMr. Fox being once asked whether he knew a certain poor man, who had received ſuccour of him in time of trouble, he anſwered, I remember him well, I tel you I forget Lords & Ladies to remember ſuch. So will the Lord deale by his poor S^ts. he will forget the great and mighty ones of the world, to remember his few, poor, deſpiſed ones. Though Iohn was poore in the world, yet▪ the holy ghoſt calls him the greateſt that was born of women; ah poor Saints! men that know not your worth cannot have ſuch low thoughts of you, but the Lord wil have a… high. learned, and the noble wiſh, that they had lived, and ſpent their dayes with theſe few, poor, contemptible creatures in the ſervice of the Lord? oh! how wil this wicked world curſe the day, that ever they had ſuch baſe thoughts of the poor, meane Saints, and that their poverty became a ſtumbling block, to keep them off from the wayes of ſanctity. I have read of Ingo an ancient King of the Draves, who making a ſtately feaſt, appointed his Nobles, at that time Pagans, to ſit in the Hall below, and commanded certaine poore Chriſtians, to be brought up into his Preſence-chamber, to ſit with him at his Table, to eate and drink of his Kingly cheer; at which many wondering, he ſaid, he accounted Chriſtians, though never ſo poore, a greater ornament at his Table, and more worthy of his company, then the greateſt Peers unconverted to the Chriſtian faith; for when theſe might be thruſt down to Hell, thoſe might be his Conſorts, and fellow Princes in Heaven; you know how to apply it. Although you ſee the ſtars ſometimes by their reflictions, in a puddle, or in the bottome of a Well, I in a ſtinking ditch, yet the ſtars have their ſcituation in Heaven: So, though you ſee a godly man in a poor, p. 175miſerable, low, deſpiſed condition, for the things of this world, yet he is fixed in Heaven, in the Region of Heaven. Who hath raiſed us up (ſaith the Apoſtle) and made us ſit together in heavenly places in Chriſt Jeſus. Oh! therefore, ſay to your owne ſouls (when they begin to decline the wayes of Zion, becauſe of the poverty and paucity of thoſe that walke in them) the day is at hand, when theſe few, poor, deſpiſed Saints ſhall ſhine in glory, when they ſhall judge this world, and when all the wicked of the world will wiſh that they were in their condion, & would give ten thouſand worlds (were it in their power) that they might but have the honour, and happineſſe to waite upon thoſe, whom for their poverty and paucity they have neglected and deſpiſed in this world.

The ſixt and laſt Remedie againſt this6 Remedy. device of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider that there will come a time even in thisTheſe following Scriptures do abundantly confirm this truth. Ier. 31. 12. Iſa. 30. 23. Iſa. 62. 8, 9. Ioel 2. 23, 24. Mica 4. 6. Amos 9. 13, 14. Zech. 8. 12. Iſa. 41. 18, 19. Iſa. 55. 13. Iſa. 66. 6, 7. Iſa. 65. 21, 22. Iſa. 61. 4. Iſa. 60. 10. Ezek. 36. 10.Jer 31:12Isa 30:23Isa 62:8Isa 62:9Joel 2:23Joel 2:24Amos 9:13Amos 9:14Zech 8:12Isa 41:18Isa 41:19Isa 55:13Isa 66:6Isa 66:7Isa 65:21Isa 65:22Isa 61:4Isa 60:10Ezek 36:10 life, in this world, when the reproach and contempt that is now caſt upon the wayes of God, by reaſon of the poverty and paucity of thoſe that walk in thoſe wayes, ſhall be quite taken away, by his making them the head, that have dayes without number been the taile, and by his raiſing them up to much outward riches, proſperity, and glory, who have p. 176been as the out-caſt, becauſe of their poverty and paucity. John ſpeaking of the glory of the Church, the new Jeruſalem that came downe from Heaven, in that 21. of the Revelation, tells us, That the Nations of them which are ſaved, ſhall walke in the light of it, and the Kings of the earth do bring their glory into it. So the Prophet Iſaiah: They ſhall bring their ſons from far, and their ſilver and their gold with Only take theſe 2 cautions. Firſt, that in theſe times the Saints chiefeſt comforts, delights, and contents will conſiſt in their more cleer, full, and conſtant injoyments of God. 2. That they ſha… have ſuch an abundant …eaſure of he ſpirit poured out …pon them, …hat their riches and outward glory ſhall not be ſ…ares to …hem, but golden ſteps to lead them to a richer living in God.them, verſ. 9. For braſſe I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring ſilver, and for wood braſſe, and for ſtones Iron, verſ. 19. And ſo the Prophet Zechariah ſpeaks, Chap. 14. v. 14. And the wealth of all the heathen round about ſhall be gathered together, gold, and ſilver, and apparell in great abundance. The Lord hath promiſed that the meek ſhal inherite the earth: And heaven and earth ſhall paſſe away, before one jot or tittle of his word ſhall paſs unfulfilled; Ah poor Saints! now ſome thruſt ſore at you, others look a ſquint upon you, others ſhut the door againſt you, others turne their backs upon you; and moſt of men (except it be a few that live much in God, and are filled with the riches of Chriſt) do either neglect you, or deſpiſe you, becauſe of your poverty; but the day is coming, when you ſhall be lifted up above the dunghil, when you ſhall change p…v…rty for riches, your rags for robes, p. 177your reproach for a crowne of honour, your infamy for glory, even in this world.

And this is not all, but God will alſo mightily increaſe the number of his choſen ones; multitudes ſhall be converted to him. Who hath heard ſuch a Iſa. 66. 8.Isa 66:8thing? who hath ſeen ſuch things? ſhall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or ſhall a Nation be borne at once? for aſſoone as Zion travelled, ſhe brought forth children. And they ſhall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all Nations, upon Verſ. 19, 20.horſes, and in Chariots, in Litters, and upon Mules, & upon ſwift beaſts to my holy mountaine Jeruſalem, ſaith the Lord; as the children of Iſrael bring an offering in a cleane veſſell into the houſe of the Lord. Doth not the Scripture ſay, that the Kingdomes of Revel. 11. 15.Rev 11:15this world muſt become the Kingdomes of our Lord? Hath not God given to Chriſt the heathen? and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for his poſſeſſions? Hath not the Lord ſaid, that in the laſt dayes, the mountaine of the Lords Pſal. 2. 8.Ps 2:8houſe ſhall be lifted up above the hills, and ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the top of the mountains, and all Nations ſhall flow unto it. Pray readIſa. 2. 2. Iſa. 54. 14. & Iſa. 61. 9.Isa 2:2Isa 54:14Isa 61:9 and meditate upon the ſixty chapter of Iſaiah, and the ſixty ſixth chapter, and the five firſt verſes of the ſecond chapter of Iſaiah, and there you ſhall finde the multitudes that ſhall be converted to p. 178Chriſt; and oh! that you would be mighty in believing, and in wreſtling with God, that he would haſten the day of his glory, that the reproach that is now upon his people and wayes, may ceaſe.

The ſixth Device that Satan6 Device. hath to keepe ſoules off from religious ſervices, is,

BY preſenting before them the examplesIohn 4. 12. 7. Chap. 48, 49. 1▪ Cor. 1. 26, 27. Mica 7. 2, 3, 4.John 4:12John 4:71 Cor 1:261 Cor 1:27 of the greateſt part of the world that walk in the wayes of their owne hearts, and that make light and ſlight of the wayes of the Lord; why ſaith Satan, do not you ſee, that the great, and the rich, the noble and the honourable, the learned and the wiſe, even the greateſt number of men never trouble themſelves about ſuch and ſuch wayes, and why then ſhould you be ſingular and nice▪ you were far better doe as the moſt doe, &c.

p. 179Now the remedies againſt this Device of Satan are theſe that follow.

THe firſt Remedie againſt this device1 Remedie. of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider of thoſe Scriptures that make directly againſt following the ſinfull examples of men; as that in Exodus, Thou ſhalt not The way to hell is broad, and well beaten, the way▪ to be undone for ever, is to do as the moſt do, (argumentum turpiſſimum eſt turba) the multitude is the weakeſt and worſt argument, ſaith Seneca.follow a multitude to doe evill, neither ſhalt thou ſpeake in a cauſe to decline after many to wreſt judgement. The multitude generally are ignorant, and know not the way of the Lord: therefore they ſpeake evill of that they know not, they are envious, and maliciouſly bent againſt the ſervice and way of God, and therefore they cannot ſpeak well of the wayes of God. This way is every where ſpoken againſt, ſaid they: ſo in that Numb. 16. Seperate from them, and come out from among them. So the Apoſtle; Have no fellowſhip with the unfruitfull works of darkeneſſe. So Solomon, Enter not into the way Prov. 4. 14. ch 9. v. 6.Prov 4:14of the wicked, for ſake the fooliſh, and live. They that walke with the moſt, ſhall p… riſh with the moſt. They that do as the moſt, ſhall ere long ſuffer with the moſt; p. 180they that live as the moſt, muſt dye with the moſt, and to hell with the moſt.

The ſecond Remedie againſt this device2 Remedie. of Satan, is, ſeriouſly to conſider, that if you will ſin with the multitude, all the Angells in heaven, and men on earth cannot keep you from ſufferingSin and puniſhment are linked together with chains of adamant of ſinn; we may ſay as Iſidore doth of the ſerpent (Tot dolores, quot colores,) ſo many colours, ſo many dolours. with the multitude; if you wil be wicked with them, you muſt unavoidably be miſerable with them; ſay to thy ſoule, oh my ſoul! if thou wilt ſin with the multitude, thou muſt be ſhut out of heaven with the multitude, thou muſt be caſt downe to hell with the multitude, &c. And I heard another voyce from Heaven, ſaying, come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her ſins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Come out in affection, in action, and in habitation; for elſe the infection of ſin will bring upon you the infliction of puniſhment. So ſaith the wiſe man; He that walketh with wiſe men ſhall be wiſe, but a companion of fooles ſhall be deſtroyed, or as the Hebrew foreign a Ieroange, from ruange, to be naught.hath it, ſhall be broken in pieces. Multitudes may help thee into ſin; yea, one may draw thee into ſin, but 'tis not multitudes that can help thee to eſcape puniſhments: As you may ſee in Moſes and Aaron, that were provoked to ſinne by the multitude; but were ſhut out of the pleaſant Land, and fell by a hand of Juſtice as well as others.

p. 181The third Remedie againſt this device3. Remedy. of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider the worth and excellency of thy immortall ſoule. Thy ſoul is a jewell more worthWhat wiſe man would fetch gold out of a fie…y crucible, hazard his immortall ſoule (to gain the world) by following a multitude in thoſe ſteps that lead to the chambers of death and darkneſſe. then heaven and earth: The loſſe of thy ſoule is incomparable, irreparable, and irrecoverable; if that be loſt, all is loſt, and thou art undone for ever. Is it madneſſe and folly in a man to kill himſelfe for company? and is it not greater madneſſe or folly to break the neck of thy ſoule, and to damn it for company? Suſpect that way wherein thou ſeeſt multitudes to walk, the multitude being a ſtream that thou muſt row hard againſt, or thou wilt be carried into that gulfe, out of which Angells cannot deliver thee. Is it not better to walke in a ſtrait way alone, then to wander into crooked wayes with company? ſure 'tis better to goe to Heaven alone, then to Hell with company. I might adde other things, but theſe may ſuffice for the preſent; and I am afraid if theſe arguments do not ſtir you, other arguments will work but little upon you.

p. 182The ſeventh Device that Satan7 Device hath to keepe ſoules from holy and heavenly ſervices, is,

BY caſting in a multitude of vaine thoughts, whilſt the ſoule is in ſeeking of God, or in waiting on God, and by this device he hath cooled ſome mens ſpirits in heavenly ſervices, and taken off (at leaſt for a time) many preciousVellem ſervire Domine ſed cogitationes non patiuntur, Lord now how fain would I ſerve thee, & vaine thoughts will not ſuffer me. ſoules from religious performances. I have no heart to heare, nor no heart to pray, nor no delight in reading, nor in the ſociety of the Saints, &c. Satan doth ſo dog, and follow my ſoule, and is ſtill a caſting in ſuch a multitude of vaine thoughts concerning God, the world, and my own ſoule, &c. that I even tremble to think of waiting upon God in any religious ſervice; oh! the vaine thoughts that Satan caſts in, do ſo diſtaſt my ſoule, and ſo grieve, vex, perplex, and diſtract my ſoule, that they even make me weary of holy duties, yea, of m… very life; oh! I cannot be ſo raiſed and raviſhed, ſo heated and melted, ſo quickned and enlarged, ſo comforted and refreſhed as I ſhould be, as I might p. 183be, and as I would be in religious ſervices, by reaſon of that multitude of vain thoughts that Satan is injecting, or caſting into my ſoule, &c.

Now the Remedies againſt this device of Satan are theſe that follow.

THe firſt Remedie againſt this device1 Remedie. When Pompey could not keep his ſouldiers in the camp by perſwaſion, he caſt himſelfe all along in the narrow paſſage that lead out of it, and then bid them goe if you will, but you ſhall firſt trample upon your Generall, and the thoughts of this overcame them; you are wiſe, & know how to apply it to the point in hand. of Satan, is, to have your hearts ſtrongly affected with the greatneſſe, holineſſe, Majeſty, and glory of that God, before whom you ſtand, and with whom your ſouls do converſe in religious ſervices; Oh! let your ſouls be greatly affected with the preſence, purity, and majeſty of that God before whom thou ſtandeſt. A man would be afraid of playing with a feather, when he is ſpeaking to a King; ah! when men have poor, low, light, ſlight, &c. thoughts of God, in their drawing neer to God, they tempt the Devill to beſtir himſelfe, and to caſt in a multitude of vaine thoughts to diſturb and diſtract the ſoul in its waiting on God. There is nothing that will contribute ſo much to the keeping out of vaine thoughts, as to looke upon God as an omniſcient God, an p. 184omnipreſent God, an omnipotent God, a God full of all glorious perfections; a God, whoſe Majeſtie, purity, and glory wil not ſuffer him to behold the leaſt iniquity. The reaſon why the bleſſed Saints, and glorious Angells in Heaven have not ſo much as one vaine thought, is, becauſe they are greatly affected with the greatneſſe, holineſſe, majeſty, purity, and glory of God.

The ſecond Remedie againſt this Device2 Remedy. of Satan, is, to be peremptory in religious ſervices, notwithſtanding all thoſe wandering thoughts the ſouleIt is a rule in the civil Law, (nec videtur actum, ſiquid ſuperſit quod agatur) nothing ſeems to be done, if there remains ought to be done. is troubled with. This will be a ſweet help againſt them for the ſoul to be reſolute in waiting on God, whether it be troubled with vain thoughts, or not; to ſay, wel, I will pray ſtill, and heare ſtill, and meditate ſtill, and keep fellowſhip with the Saints ſtill; many precious ſoules can ſay from experience, that when their ſoules have been peremptory in their waiting on God, that Satan hath left them, and hath not been ſo buſie in vexing their ſoules with vaine thoughts; when Satan perceives that allSi dixiſti ſuffiſit periiſti, i… once thou ſayeſt 'tis enough, thou art undone, ſaith Auguſtin. thoſe trifling vain thoughts that he caſts into the ſoule, do but vex the ſoule into greater diligence, carefulneſſe, watchfulneſſe, and peremptorineſſe in holy and heavenly ſervices, and that the ſoul p. 185looſes nothing of his zeale, piety, and devotion, but doubles his care, diligence, and earneſtneſſe; he often ceaſes to interpoſe his triflles, & vain thoughts as he ceaſed to tempt Chriſt, when Chriſt was peremptory in reſiſting his temptations.

The third Remedie againſt this device3. Remedy. of Satan, is, to conſider this, that thoſe vaine and trifling thoughts that are caſt'Tis not Satans caſting in of vaine thoughts that can keepe merciemercy from the ſoule, or undoe the ſoul, but the lodging, and cheriſhing of vaine thoughts; oh Ieruſalem! how long ſhall vain thoughts lodg within thee ( …er 4. 14.) Heb. in the midſt of thee; they paſſe through the beſt hearts, they are lodged and cheriſhed only in the worſt hearts. into our ſoules, when we are waiting upon God in this or that religious ſervice, if they are not cheriſhed, and indulged, but abhorred, reſiſted, and diſclaimed; they are not ſins upon our ſoules, though they may be troubles to our mindes, they ſhall not be put upon our accounts, nor keep mercies and bleſſings from being injoyed by us; when a ſoule in uprightneſſe can look God in the face, and ſay, Lord, when I approach neer unto thee, there be a world of vain thoughts croud in upon me, that do diſturb my ſoule, and weaken my faith, and leſſen my comfort, and ſpirituall ſtrength; oh! theſe are my clog, my burden, my torment, my hell; oh! do juſtice upon theſe; free me from theſe that I may ſerve thee with more freeneſſe, ſingleneſſe, ſpiritualneſſe, and ſweetneſſe of ſpirit. Theſe thoughts may vexe that ſoule, but they ſhall not harm that ſoul, p. 186nor keep a bleſſing from that ſoule; If vaine thoughts reſiſted and lamented, could ſtop the current of merciemercy, and render a ſoule unhappy, there would be none on earth that ſhould ever taſt of mercy, or be everlaſtingly happy, &c.

The fourth Remedy againſt this device4 Remedie. of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that watching againſt ſinfull thoughts, reſiſting of ſinfull thoughts, lamenting and weeping over ſinfull thoughts, carriesPſal. 139. 23. Thoughts are the firſt born, the bloſſomes of the ſoul, the beginning of our ſtrength, whether for good or evill, and they are the greateſt evidence for, or againſt a man that can be.Ps 139:23 with it the ſweeteſt, and ſtrongeſt evidence of the truth, and power of grace, and of the ſincerity of your hearts, and is the readieſt and the ſureſt way to be rid of them; many low and carnal conſiderations may worke men to watch their words, their lives, their actions; As hope of gaine, or to pleaſe friends, or to get a name in the world, and many other ſuch like conſiderations; oh! but to watch our thoughts, to weep and lament over them, &c. this muſt needs be from ſome noble, ſpiritual, and internal principle, as love to God, a holy fear of God, a holy care and delight to pleaſe the Lord, &c. The Schools do well obſerve, that outward ſinnes are of greaterMajoris infamiae. Majoris reatus. infamy; but inward heart ſinnes are of greater guilt, as wee ſee in the Devills. There is nothing that ſpeaks out a man to be throughly, and kindly wrought p. 187upon, as his having his thoughts to be2 Cor. 10. 4, 5.2 Cor 10:42 Cor 10:5 brought into obedience, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Grace is growen up to a very great height in that ſoule, where it prevailes, to the ſubduing of thoſe vaine thoughts that walk up and down in the the ſoule; well, though you cannot bePſal. 139. 2. Iſa. 59. 7. ch. 66. 18. Mat. 9. 4. ch. 12. 25. Zen… a wiſe heathen affirmed, that God even beheld the thoughts, Mat. 15. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.Ps 139:2Isa 59:7Matt 9:4Matt 15:15Matt 15:16Matt 15:17Matt 15:18Matt 15:19 rid of them, yet make reſiſtance and oppoſition againſt the firſt riſings of them; when ſinfull thoughts ariſe, then thinke thus; the Lord takes notice of theſe thoughts, he knows them afar off, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks; he knew Herods bloody thoughts, and Judas his betraying thoughts, and the Phariſees cruell and blaſphemous thoughts afarre off; oh! think thus, all theſe ſinfull thoughts, they defile and pollute the ſoule, they deface and ſpoyle much of the inward beauty, and glory of the ſoule; if I commit this or that ſinne, to which my thoughts incline me, then either I muſtTears in ſtead of Gems were the ornaments of Davids bed, when he had ſinned, & ſo they m…ſt be thine, or elſe thou muſt lie downe in a bed of ſorrow forever. repent, or not repent; if I repent, it will c…ſt me more griefe, ſorrow, ſhame, heart-breaking, and ſoul-bleeding, before my conſcience will be quieted, divine Juſtice pacified, my comfort and joy reſtored, my evidences cleared, and my pardon in the Court of Conſcience ſealed, then the imagined profit, or ſeeming ſenſuall pleaſure can be worth; What fruit had you in thoſe things whereof you are now aſhamed?

p. 188If I never repent, oh then my ſinfullInward bleeding kils many a man; ſo will ſinfull thoughts, if not repented of. thoughts will be the Scorpions that wil eternally vex me; the rods that will eternally laſh me; the thorns that will everlaſtingly prick me; the dagger that will be eternally a ſtabbing mee; the worme that will be for ever a gnawing me; oh! therefore watch againſt them, be conſtant in reſiſting them, an… in lamenting and weeping over them, and then they ſhall not hurt thee, though they may for a time trouble thee, and remember this; he that doth this, doth more then the moſt gliſtering and bluſtering Hypocrite in the world doth.

The fifth Remedie againſt this device5. Remedy. Epheſ. 3. 19. The words are an hebraiſme; the Hebrews when they would ſet out many excellent things, they add the name of God to it, City of God, Cedars of God, wreſtlings of God, ſo here, that ye may be filled with the fulneſſe of God.Eph 3:19 of Satan, is, to labour more and more to be filled with the fulneſſe of God, and to be inriched with all ſpirituall and heavenly things; what's the reaſon that the Angells in heaven have not ſo much as an idle thought? 'tis becauſe they are filled with the fulneſſe of God; take it for an experienced truth, the more the ſoule is filled with the fulneſſe of God, and inriched with ſpirituall and heavenly things, the leſſe room there is in that ſoule for vaine thoughts. The fuller the veſſel is of wine, the leſſe room there is for water; Oh! lay up much of God, of Chriſt, of precious promiſes, and choiſe experiences in your hearts, and p. 189then you wil be leſſe troubled with vain thoughts; A good man out of the good treaſure Mat. 12. 3.Matt 12:3of his heart bringeth forth good things.6. Remedy.

The ſixth Remedie againſt this device of Satan, is, to keep up holy and ſpirituall affections; for ſuch as your affections are, ſuch will be your thoughts; Oh! Pſal. 119. 97. Pſal. 139. 8.Ps 119:97Ps 139:8how I love thy law, 'tis my meditation all the day; what we love moſt, we moſt muſe upon; when I awake, I am ſtill with thee. That which wee much like, wee ſhall much mind; them that are frequent in their love to God and his law, wil be frequent in thinking of God, and hisSimile. law; a childe will not forget his mother.

The ſeventh Remedie againſt this device7. Remedie. 2 Tim. 2. 4. foreign, is entangled, it is a compariſon which St Paul borroweth from the cuſtome of the Roman Empire, wherein ſoldiers were forbidden to be proctors of other mens cauſes, to undertake huſbandry or Merchandize.2 Tim 2:4 of Satan, is, to avoid multiplicity of wordly buſineſſe; oh! let not the world take up your hearts & thoughts at other times; ſoules that are torne In pieces with the cares of the world, will be alwayes vexed and tormented with vain thoughts in all their approaches to God; vain thoughts will be ſtill crouding in upon him that lives in a croud of buſineſſe. The ſtars which have leaſt circuit, are neereſt the Pole; and men that are leaſt perplexed with buſineſſe, are commonly neareſt to God.

p. 190The eighth Device that Satan8 Device. hath to keepe ſoules from religious ſervices, from holy performances, is,

BY working them to reſt in their performances, to reſt in prayer, and to reſt in hearing, reading, and the communionIſa. 58. 1, 2, 3. Zech. 7. 4, 5, 6. Mat 6. 2. Rom. 17.Isa 58:1Isa 58:2Isa 58:3Zech 7:4Zech 7:5Zech 7:6Matt 6:2 of Saints, &c. and when Satan hath drawn the ſoul to reſt upon the ſervice done; then he will help the ſoul to reaſon thus; why, thou wert as good never pray, as to pray, and reſt in prayer; as good never heare, as to heare, and reſt in hearing; as good never be in the communion of Saints, as to reſt in the communion of Saints; and by this device he ſtops many ſoules in their heavenly race, and takes off poor ſoules from thoſe ſervices that ſhould be their joy and Crown.

p. 191Now the Remedies againſt this device of Satan are theſe that follow.

THe firſt Remedie againſt this device1 Remedie. of Satan, is, to dwell much upon the imperfections, and weakneſſes thatPride and high confidence is moſt apt to creep in upon duties wel done, ſaith one. doe attend your choiſeſt ſervices; oh the ſpots! the blots! the blemiſhes, that are to be ſeen upon the face of our faireſt duties! when thou haſt done all thou canſt, thou haſt need to cloſe up all with this; Oh! enter not into judgement with thy ſervant oh Lord; for the weakneſſes that cleave to my beſt ſervices, we may allIſa. 64. 6.Isa 64:6 ſay with the Church; All our righteouſneſſes are as a menſtruous cloath. If God ſhould be ſtrict to marke what is done amiſſe in our beſt actions, wee were undone. Oh! the water that is mingled with our wine, the droſſe that cleaves unto our Gold.

The ſecond Remedie againſt this device2 Remedie. of Satan, is, to conſider the impotency, and inability of any of your b…ſt ſervices, divinely to comfort, refreſh, and beare your ſoules up from fainting, and ſinking in the dayes of troubles, p. 192when darkeneſſe is round about you; when God ſhall ſay to you, as he did10. 14. once to the Iſraelites, Goe, and cry unto the gods that you have choſen, let them ſave you in the time of your tribulation: So when God ſhall ſay in the day of your troubles, goe to your prayers, to your hearing, and to your faſting, &c. and ſee, if they can help you, if they can ſupport you, if they can deliver you; if God in that day doth but with-hold the influence of his grace from thee, thy former ſervices will be but poore cordiall… to comfort thee; and then thou muſt, and wilt cry out, oh! none but Chriſt, noneOmne bonum in ſummo bono, all good is in the chiefeſt good. Nec Chriſtus nec coelum patitur hyperbolen. but Chriſt; oh! my prayers are not Chriſt, my hearing is not Chriſt, my faſting is not Chriſt, &c. oh! one ſmile of Chriſt, one glimps of Chriſt, one good word from Chriſt, on nod of love from Chriſt in the day of trouble and darkneſſe, will more revive, and refreſh the ſoule, then all your former ſervices, in which your ſoules reſted, as if they were the boſome of Chriſt, which ſhould be the only center of our ſoules. Chriſt is the Crowne of Crownes, the glory of glories, and the heaven of heaven.

The third Remedie againſt this device3 Remedie. of Satan, is, ſolemnly to conſider, that good things reſted upon, will as certainly undoe us, and everlaſtingly deſtroy p. 193us, as the greateſt enormities that can be committed by us; thoſe ſoules that after they have done all, doe not look up ſo high as a Chriſt, and reſt, and center alone in Chriſt, laying downe their ſervices at the foot-ſtool of Chriſt, muſt lie down in ſorrow, their bed is prepared for them in hell. Behold, all Iſa. 50. ult.Isa 50yee that kindle a fire, and compaſs your ſelves with the ſparks, and walk in the light of your fire, and in the ſparks that yee have kindled, this yee ſhall have at mine hand, yee ſhall lye down in ſorrow; Is it good dwelling with everlaſting burnings? with a devouring fire? if it be, why then reſt in your duties ſtill; if otherwiſe, then ſee that you center only in the boſome of Chriſt.

The fourth and laſt Remedie againſt4 Remedie. this device of Satan, is, to dwell much upon the neceſſity and excellency of that reſting place that God hath provided for you, above all other reſting places; himſelfe is your reſting place, his free mercy and love is your reſting place; the pure, glorious, matchleſſe, and ſpotleſſe righteouſneſs of Chriſt is your reſting place; ah! 'tis ſadd to thinke, that moſt men have forgotten their reſting place, as the Lord complains; My people have been as loſt ſheep, their ſhepheards have cauſed them Jer. 50. 6.Jer 50:6to goe aſtray, and have turned them away to the mountaines, they have gone from mountaine p. 194to hill and forgotten their reſting place. So poor ſouls that ſee not the excellency of that reſting place that God hath appointed for their ſouls to lye down in; they wander ftom mountaine to hill, from one duty to another, and here they will reſt, and there they will reſt; but ſoules that ſee the excellency of that reſting place that God hath provided for them, they will ſay, farewel prayer, farewel hearing, farewel faſting, &c. I will reſt no more in you, but now will reſt only in the boſome of Chriſt, the love of Chriſt, the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt.