The Corruption of the Mind, Part 4
Doct. 2.
As Eve was beguiled by the ſubtilty of the ſerpent, ſo are mens mindes corrupted by falſe teachers from the ſimplicity of Chriſt; Falſe Doctors; Satanae lenones, ſaith one, they are Satans inſtruments, as the ſerpent was, the Devil his Pandors, worſting to the deflowering of Chriſts eſpouſed Virgins.
The wiſdome of the ſerpent is commanded and warranted to Gods people, the ſubtilty of the ſerpent is found in theſe ſubverters of the chaſtity of Doctrine; I cannot, I may not ſpend any time in this point, for I have no ſand left; onelyonly obſerve,
1 That the defection, the corruption of men principled with pure doctrine is feared. Goſpelprinciples are not ſo much to be ſcanned by curioſitie of reaſon, as received in ſimplicity of faith
2 The Apoſtle alledges the moſt ancient example of corruption of minde that is in the world; that which men call New Light is many times but ſome exploded errour furbiſht up, and old wayes are but acted once again. There is properly no new truth, but there may be new diſcoveries.
3 What a ſharp compariſon doth he uſe to reſemble falſe teachers? unto the devil his firſt inſtrument uſed by him; and therefore let no man temeraciouſly ſay, they are holy men, they aime at more refined degree of holineſſe then others: for it's no wonder, ſaith the Apoſtle, that if Satan be transformed into an Angel of light, his Miniſters alſo be transformed or diſguiſed, as the Miniſters of righteouſneſſe.
4 The Serpent took Eve at the beginning, and ſubtilly raviſht her of her integrity, we muſt look to our ſelves; it's the uſual time to ſet upon us in our infancy of knowledge, either to diſgrace the truth newly brought to light, or to diſplant it before it do take root.
5 That corrupters come with ſubtilty, and have their ſlights, Epheſ. 4. 14. they come with good words, Rom. 16. 17. they beguile with enticing words, Col. 2. 4. they ſpeak lies in hypocriſie: 1 Tim. 4. 2. they can wear the rough garment, and ſheeps cloathing.
Their ſubtilty may be obſerved in the Serpentine which they imitate.
1 The ſerpent ſet upon the weaker ſex, and the Apoſtle ſaith, they lead captive ſilly women.
2 They are ſubtil in being modeſt at firſt, mi… erroris ſunt verecunda, Hath God ſaid, Gen. 3. ſa… the ſerpent, the deceiver begins with queries rath… then down-right aſſertions.
3 They will take their riſe from Gods Word, and rather wreſt then deny it, as the ſerpent here perverted thoſe words, the knowledge of good and evil, to another ſenſe and meaning.
4 They promiſe magnificent and great things, they promiſe them liberty, ſaith Peter. 2 Pet. 2. 18. Ye ſhall be as gods, ſaith the ſerpent, what great bubbles are uſually ſpoken of glory, joy, familiarity with God, &c.
5 They comply with mans pride, with ſelf, &c. and fit the bait to the fiſh. They allure through the luſts of the fleſh, &c. 2 Pet. 2. 18.
6 They draw a man from practical obedience unto extrinſecal, and meer empty ſpeculations (for the theorie is pleaſant and eaſie, but the truth is bitter
7 They bring points of faith, to thebar & teſt of captious reaſon: God in the prohibition of this tree, had ſhewn much arbitrarineſs of will, to make probation of mans obedience, & therefore they ought not to have been arraigned coram non Judice, as neither the cleer points of faith.
The time puls me by the eare, and therefore for cloſe, as deceivers have the Serpents ſubtilty, ſo get you the Serpents wiſdom, and if I were to preſcribe prophylacticks or preſervatives I would exhort you, 1 To hold the head, and ſo to fortifie the vitals from this epidemick infection, Col. 2. 19. 2 To purſue practicall doctrine, ſolid meat, and let alone theſe ſweet meats; the tree of knowledge is fair to look on, the tree of life better to feed on. 3 Affect not things above the Word, a holineſs, a zeal, a knowledge, above what is written: Eve went ſome what further then Gods Word gave warrant when ſhe replied, neither ſhall ye touch it: ſo there are many will ſay, This is the holier way, this is the better, not having any Word for it. 4. Avoid the houſe of infection, the Fowlers net, From ſuch turn away, ſaith the Scripture, if the woman will confer with the Serpent; you ſee what comes on it, it's the itch and pride after novelties that expoſes us to temptations.
FINIS.
End of the text · Richard Vines, The Corruption of the Mind (1655)