Works, Verse 9
Verſ. 9. All theſe will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worſhip me,
NOw after the preparation, ſtanding in the choiſe of a fit place, and preſenting a glorious Viſion, we come to the dart or temptation it ſelf: in which there is, 1 A profer: All theſe will I give thee. 2 A reaſon: For they are mine, and to whomſoever I will, I give them. 3 The condition: If thou wilt fall down and worſhip me.
And firſt of the profer. Before he had ſhewed his Wares, now hee tells the price.
All theſe] here is no pinching, nor parting of the matter: but 1 Chriſt ſhall be an abſolute Monarch, none ſhall ſhare with him: There is the extent of the profer, he will part with all. 2 The quality of it; All theſe, the glory, beauty, wealth, and all that can be deſired in the world: all that he ſaw, and nothing elſe: he would give him unmixed and unblended glory and honour, without ſorrow, trouble, ſhame, or vexation: for he ſaw none of them. 3 I will give thee: but he will not barter or ſell theſe ſo dear to Chriſt as he would to another, but he will deal kindly with him, he will as good as give them to him, if he will but make a legge, and thank him for them.
Doct. Note here the nature of all the Devils promiſes: they ſeem to be liberal and very fair, whereas indeed they are miſerably foul and deceitful. Who could expect more frank and plain dealing than is here pretended? but look a little nearer, we ſhall ſee it vaniſhing into nothing but deceit and miſchief. For 1. What is this great all that he makes profer of? A great catch, juſt nothing, but ſhadows and repreſentations of things, in themſelves nothing at all but the ſhow he had made. 2 As this great all was but a ſhow, ſo it was but for a moment: for ſhadows cannot continue: and what were Chriſt the better if he had been put in poſſeſſion of the things themſelves, if they ſo ſuddenly vaniſh away before he can give a ſight of them? 3 His beſt and largeſt promiſes here are but in the tranſitory Kingdoms of this life, which all paſs away as a ſhadow, ſo as if he had offered and could have performed the things themſelves, it had been no great matter: he never offers and makes good any ſound grace, or the things of Gods Kingdom, which are things only worth harkning after. 4 Will he give all the Kingdoms, and all the glory of them to Chriſt alone? why, what righteouſneſs or juſtice could be herein? Will he rob and ſpoyl all other Kings, and Rulers in the world, of their right and ſoveraignty, which God had inveſted them in, and this all at once, and in a moment? 5 Whereas he pretends a gilt, he intends a dear bargain: and offering nothing but pure and unmixed glory, he would rob Chriſt our Head and all his members at once of all joy and happineſs both external and eternal. Of this kind are all his promiſes: he promiſed to Eve Deity; but it proved mortality and miſery: he promiſed Cain reſpect and love, if he could make Abel out of the way; but it proved the caſting of himſelf out from the face of God, and his Fathers family.
Reaſons. 1 He that means not in true dealing to perform any thing, may promiſe as much as he will. Satan meant not to give Chriſt one Kingdom, and he may as well promiſe all as one.
2 H…s enmity and hatred of God, and mans ſalvation, makes him large in his promiſes: he knows how ſlily temptations on the right hand ſteal into the heart, and that no enemy is ſo dangerous as he that comes in pretence of kindneſs. When he ſeeks to draw man to Hell with him, he takes on him to teach him how to become a God. When Chriſt was to ſuffer hee would have him to ſpare himſelf, to hinder mans ſalvation: he will offer Kingdoms, all Kingdoms, with all the wealth and pleaſure of them. Satan herein deals as Jacobs ſons with the Sichemites: they made very fair promiſes, that if they would be circumciſed, they would give their Daughters, and take their Daughters, and dwell together as one people, Gen. 34.16. But they talked deceitfully, verſ. 13. intending only revenge upon them, as they did when the Males were ſore by means of their circumciſing. Satan can promiſe a Victory to Ahab, but it is to chaſe him before his enemy to confuſion.
3 He knows mans credulity and folly, who is eaſily taken with fair words which make fools fain, their eyes being wholly upon things before them. Beſides, howſoever our bleſſed Lord here was fenced, that the leaſt inordinate affection could not faſten upon him, although he had all the objects in the world to move him, yet he commonly findes men and women fitted for his turn, doating upon the world, and needs no ſuch large offers as here are made to Chriſt, but for leſs commodity and glory than that in one Kingdom, will fall down and worſhip him.
4 Satan is ſo much the larger in his promiſes, to imitate God, whom hee ſees encouraging his ſervants by making covenant with them, and promiſing them all the good things of this life and that to come, as to Abraham, All that thou ſeeſt I will give thee. Now to draw men from Gods Covenant, if it were poſſible, and to diſgrace the ſame, Satan ſeeks to get men in league with him, by larger promiſes of the world than ever God made to one man, becauſe that carrieth their whole deſires: and as God for the ratifying of his Covenant hath appointed Sacraments and Seals, ſo the Devil hath certain words, figures characters, ceremonies, and charms for the confirmation of his league with them, and their faith in that league.
Vſe 1. Hence obſerve a difference between Gods promiſes and the Devils.
1 They differ in the matter. Satan profers earthly ſhadows, earthly Kingdoms, things that glance through the ſenſe, worldly things which may bee perceived, and thruſt into the eye and ſenſes all at once, the beſt of which is but a phantaſie; as Paul calls the great pomp of Agrippa and Bernice, Acts 25.23things of a moment for continuance, that laſt as long as the fulneſs of the Moon, ſcarce ſeen but vaniſhing. But the matter of Gods promiſes is the Kingdom, not of Earth, but of Heaven, and the glory thereof, to which all earthly things are but appendices: things which cannot be ſhadowed: for the eye cannot ſee, nor the ear hear, neither can it enter into the heart of an earthly man, to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him, 1 Cor. 2.9. The great promiſes of God are matters of faith, not of ſenſe; and for continuance, he promiſeth a Kingdom unſhaken, eternal, reſerved in the heavens; a glory not withering or fading, unlike the glory of fleſh: of all which the Prophet ſaith, it is like the flower of the field, Iſa. 40.6.
2 They differ in the ſcope and aime of them. Gods promiſes all ſerve to provoke and encourage men to lay hold upon the Covenant of life, to draw men nearer God in faith and obedience: 2 Cor. 7.1. Seeing wee have theſe precious promiſes, let us clenſe our ſelves from all filthineſs of fleſh and ſpirit, and grow up unto full holineſs in the fear of God. But Satans promiſes tend to fix men in the world, as here hee would make Chriſt the greateſt worldling in it, to with-draw men from God and their Covenant with him, to pull them from the ſervice of the God of Heaven, to worſhip himſelf, or ſerve their luſts, or embrace the world, or bow to any thing but the true God.
3 They differ in the accompliſhment, God is ever as good or better than his word: Tit. 1.2. God who cannot lye hath promiſed. To David (as Nathan witneſſeth in his reproof, 2 Sam. 12.8.) he gave his Lords houſe, his Lords Wives, his Lords Kingdom, and if that had been little, he would have given him more. To Salomon he promiſed long life, or wealth, or wiſdome, and in the accompliſhment he gives him both life, and wealth, and wiſdom. But Satan is never ſo good as his word, but a Lier in all his promiſes. For, 1 Hee wants power to perform, when he promiſeth that which is none of his, as the Kingdoms of the world. Or, 2 He wants purpoſe and will to perform his promiſe: For, had he a purpoſe and mind to have given Chriſt the Kingdoms of the world, if he had had power? Doth not he envie to every man the fruition of any creature of God? Can hee willingly afford a good man a good moment? And did not he more malign Chriſts good and comfort than all other, becauſe he exceeded all other in grace and Gods Image? Or, 3 Wherein he hath power and purpoſe to be an honeſt Devil of his word, it is with a farre more miſchievous purpoſe: as here, if hee could have given the whole world, he would for Chriſts overthrow: for what cares he for the world, or what uſe can he make of it, but to make it a bait and train to catch man by it into his own deſtruction. The ground hereof is this; As every promiſe of God is a teſtimony of his love, ſo every promiſe of Satan is a token of his malice.
An example of the Devils faithfulneſs we have in our own Chronicles: In the reign of Edward the firſt, when the Welch-men rebelled, their Captain reſorted to a Conjurer for counſel, whether he ſhould goe on in the intended warre againſt the King, or no: yes (ſaid the Devil) goe on in thy purpoſe; for thou ſhalt ride through Cheap-ſide with a Crown on thy head: and ſo he did indeed, but it was cut off, and he was carried in triumph as a prey to the King.
This may juſtly reprove and ſhame many profeſſed Chriſtians, that will ſcarce give Gods promiſes of grace and life the hearing, though they are founded in Chriſt, in whom they are all yea, and amen, flowing from his love, and tending to our eternal happineſs with himſelf. Many will not bee brought to hear them; many hardly when they have nothing elſe to do; and many hear them as things not concerning themſelves; for then would they take more delight in them. But if Satan promiſe any earthly Kingdome or profit, hee hath our ears, our hearts at command, all our ſpeech runs upon the World, our deſires and hopes are for earth and earthly things: and being thus earthly-minded, how expoſe wee our ſelves to Satans aſſaults, and offer our ſelves to bee won by his moſt treacherous promiſes?
Vſe 2. This teacheth us what to think of that Doctrin and Religion, that teacheth men to be Promiſe-breakers: what may we think of it, but to bee a treacherous, unfaithful, Diabolical Religion? But ſuch is the Romiſh Religion, as wee may eaſily ſee in two or three inſtances.
1 In that Article of the Council of Conſtance, That Faith is not to bee kept with Hereticks, that is, Proteſtants: and ſo brake promiſe with John Hus, who had not the Emperours onelyonly, but the Popes ſafe-conduct. Againſt the Examples of good Joſhua, who kept Promiſe (though raſhly made) with the Gibeonites, and with the Harlot of Jericho; and of David, who kept Truth and Promiſe with Shimei, a ſeditious and curſing wretched Traytor.
2 The Church of Rome teacheth by the Doctrin of Equivocation, to break the Promiſe of a lawful Oath, before a lawful Magiſtrate, and teacheth the lawfulneſs thereof. But the Scripture condemneth a double heart, and the deceitful Tongue: and proclaimeth woe againſt them that truſt in lying words, In lib de fide cum haretic is ſervanda.Jer. 7.8. and that make falſhood their refuge. Yea, Molanus, a great and learned Papiſt, concludes, ſyncerè faedera & juramenta ſunt intelligenda, all leagues, and eſpecially Oathes, are ſincerely to bee underſtood, and condemns plainly ſuch mockeries and dalliance with Promiſes and compacts, by one or two inſtances; as of him that made truce with his enemy for thirty daies, and waſted his Enemies Countrey and Camps only in the night: and of Aurelianus the Emperour, who comming afore a Town Tijana, and finding the Gates ſhut, to animate his Souldiers, with great anger ſaid, I will not leave a Dog in the Town: they hoping for the ſpoil, beeſtirred themſelves to Ranſack the Town; but being won, hee would not give them leave to ſpoil it, but bad them leave never a Dog in it, and let the goods alone. This was but a dalliance, condemned by the Papiſt himſelf; and yet had more colour of truth than Popiſh Equivocation can have.
3 The Romiſh Church teacheth men to break Promiſes and Oaths with lawful and Chriſtian Princes, exempting ſubjects from obedience, and putting Swords, Dags, Daggers, Powder, and all deadly plots into their heads, and hands, againſt the Lords anointed. A treacherous and Devilliſh Doctrin.
Vſe 3. Wee ſee alſo what houſe treacherous and deceitful perſons deſcend of, ſuch as care not how much they promiſe, and how little they perform, men moſt unlike unto God, and reſembling their Father the Devil, who is moſt laviſh and prodigal in his promiſes, when hee knows hee hath neither power nor purpoſe to perform; men of great tongues, which ſwell as mountains, but of little hands, not performing mole-hills. Of theſe Solomon ſpeaks, Prov. 25.14. Hee that glorieth of a falſe gift (that is, ſpeaketh of great things that hee will do for his Neighbour, but failes in the accompliſhment) is like a cloud and wind without rain. A Cloud ſeems to offer and promiſe Rain, but the winde takes it away, and fruſtrates a mans expectations. And the ſame is true of all windy Promiſes. Which wee muſt carefully avoid, and uſe theſe rules againſt ſlipperineſs in promiſe.
1 If a man would bee like God, who cannot lye in his promiſes, hee muſt ſtrive againſt it. But Satan is a Lyar from the beginning, and the Father of Lyes and Lyars. 2 Faithfulneſſe in contracts is the ſinew of humane ſociety, which Satan would have crackt, that hee may bring all to confuſion. 3 The Heathens that were given up by God to a reprobate ſenſe, are branded with this mark, they are truce-breakers, Rom. 1.31. 4 It is a mark of a man in the ſtate of grace, who hath obtained remiſſion of ſins, that in his spirit is no guile, Pſal. 32.2. 5 A note of a man that ſhall dwell in Gods holy and heavenly mount, is this, hee speaks the truth from his heart, Pſal. 15.2. and Revel. 14.5. They onelyonly ſhall ſtand on Mount Sion, and ſing before the Throne, who have no guilt in their months.
Eſpecially wee muſt bee careful of two promiſes, whereof God and the Congregation have been witneſſes: as 1 That of Baptiſm, which wee muſt have a ſpecial care to look unto: for, if wee fail in keeping touch with God, no marvail if wee fail with men. 2 That of Marriage, which the Prophet calls the Covenant of God, Mal. 2.14.
THE ſecond thing in this profer, is the reaſon annexed, Luk. 4.6. For it is delivered unto mee, and to whomſoever I will, I give it.]
The Devil, like a deſperate man, that is ſure in this bout to kill or bee killed, laies about him with all the skill and ſtrength hee hath, yea, hee is put to his ſhifts, ſo as no baſe or miſchievous deviſe comes amiſs, by which hee may either in fair combat, or cowardly attempts oppreſs his adverſary: and that which hee cannot do by ſtrength and power, hee will attempt by falſhood and lies; which hee heaps up here together moſt like himſelfe, the Father of lies that ſtood not in the truth.
And here he challengeth the power and glory of the World to bee his, 1 In Poſſeſſion: 2 In diſpoſition.
Firſt, Hee affirmeth it to bee his, but not directly, but indirectly: by Gift, It is delivered unto mee. But this is a moſt notorious lye: for the earth is the Lords, and all that therein is, the world, and all that dwell therein, Pſal. 24.1. and Deut. 10.14. Behold, the Heaven of Heavens is the Lords thy God, and the earth, with all that therein is. And where read wee that ever hee committed theſe into the hand of the Devil?
Object. 1. Joh. 14.30. Hee is called the Prince of the World; therefore hee speaks true.
Anſw. 1 Hee is called the Prince of the World, not ſimply, but as it is corrupted: the Prince of this World, ſaith the Text; which world? this, which lyeth in malice and hoſtility againſt the Son of God, and the means of ſalvation. 2 Hee is not ſo a Prince, as having any right unto any creature: for hee cannot poſſeſs a Pig without leave: but by tyranny hee forceeth and commandeth as a Prince, the wicked World unto his obedience: for the World departing from God to his Adverſary, God in juſtice giveth Satan leave to prevail, and rule in the Sons of diſobedience. But will it follow, that becauſe hee ruleth in the world by ſin and death, being the prince of darkneſs, and having the power of death, therefore the parts of the world muſt needs bee his?
Object. 2 He is called the God of the World, 2 Cor. 4.4.
Anſ. True, not in reſpect of dominion over things created; but, 1 In reſpect of Corruption: for hee is the God of the evil in the world, the Author, Ringleader, and Nouriſher of all evil. 2 In reſpect of Seduction; for hee is bold to uſe all earthly things, which are made to Gods glory, to ſerve to ſet forward his temptations, and wicked mens luſts, and ſo to ſet up his own kingdom. 3 In reſpect of opinion or eſtimation, becauſe the people of the world make the Devil their God. But this no more proves him to bee indeed the God of the World, than an Idol is proved to bee a true God, onelyonly becauſe Idolaters ſo eſteem and make it.
Secondly, The Devil affirms it to be in his diſpoſition, that hee may give it to whom hee will; which muſt needs bee another lye, becauſe it is not his in poſſeſſion: for nothing can give that which it hath not. 2 The Scriptures aſcribe this to God, as a perogative, and peculiar to him; By him Kings reign, Prov. 18.15. All powers that are, are ordained of God, Rom. 13.1. Hee maketh low, and hee maketh high. It is the moſt high that beareth rule over the Kingdomes of men, Dan. 4.22. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, Job 1.21. 3 Another notorious lye is, that having them to diſpoſe of, hee will diſpoſe them to Chriſt, which is impoſſible, ſeeing Chriſt had them already diſpoſed unto him, and had received them of his Father, ſo as he only could ſay, Matth. 11.23. All things are given to mee of the Father: and, Joh. 3.35. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hands. Therefore the Devil offering him the Kingdomes of the World, muſt needs lye. Pſalm 2.8. Ask of mee, and I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for thy poſſeſſion. If then Satan ſay, All this power will I give thee, it is a lye: for all power was given him in Heaven and in earth of his Father, Matth. 28.18. So as in this profer hee belies the Fathers gift, and the Sons right, and derogates from the glory both of the Father and of the Son. 4 Another lye is his falſe boaſting, making himſelf Lord and Caſar of all, when hee hath not one foot of all hee ſpeaks of, like Solomons Bragadocio, There is one that maketh himſelf rich when he hath nothing, and when hee pretends his unjuſt uſurpation in the World, to bee a juſt poſſeſſion and title to the World.
And thus wee have examined the ſubſtance and truth of this Reaſon, and have found neither ſubſtance, truth, nor reaſon in it. Here note; that,
Doct. Bad cauſes muſt ever bee thruſt forward by bad means. Satan had a naughty matter in hand (as no better can beſeem him) namely, the overthrow of the Son of God, and all the ſalvation of mankinde; and the means by which hee would effect his purpoſe is ſuitable, lying, and falſhood, and boaſting: and hee is no changeling, never a true word comes out of his mouth. 1 King. 21. Jezabel had a wicked end to bring to paſſe, namely, the diſ-inheriting of Naboth, and ſetting Ahab into his poſſeſſion: and what means doth ſhee uſe but bribery, perjury, and murther of Naboth and his Children; and all this under a colour of Religion, and revenge of Gods cauſe, a faſt being proclaimed before it. Matth. 26. the Jews had as wicked a cauſe as ever was undertaken, viz. the oppreſſing and murther of the Son of God: and what means muſt they uſe? for what had the juſt man done? They muſt accuſe falſly, and ſuborn falſe witneſſes, and deprave his words, and make him ſpeak what they liſt. And what other means uſed they to falſify and ſuppreſs the truth and glory of his reſurrection? In this place, Satan aims to bring Chriſt to Idolatry, and the means is covetouſneſs. Peter had an ill cauſe in hand, to hinder Chriſt from being apprehended, and his means was bad, unwarrantable ſtriking.
Reaſons. And this muſt needs bee: 1 In reſpect of God: when a bad action is undertaken, hee leaves it, and as hee permits the action onelyonly, ſo hee permitteth bad means, but never appoints or approves any means to bad and VVicked purpoſes; which therefore muſt bee Wicked and Unhappy.
2 In reſpect of Satan, who ſeeks to make every action as ſinful as poſſibly may bee: hee knows that all inſtruments of falſhood are hateful to God, and therefore the more wicked means are uſed, the more deteſtable and damnable the action is.
3 In reſpect of men themſelves: for thoſe that make no conſcience of bad ends, ma…e none of the m…ans; as we may ſee in David himſelf, whoſe conſcience being ſo ſleepy as to take another mans wife, he will make no bones to hide it by murther of his faithful Captain.
4 In reſpect of the means themſelves which are near enough at hand: bad means are eaſily ſound and attempted. What might be more difficult than to pick matter againſt the Son of God, to bring him not only under diſgrace, but unto death? Yet the Jewes could eaſily find a Law, by which Law he was to dye: or if they had had none, they could eaſily make one. If they wanted true witneſs, they could ſuborn falſe. If they wanted witneſs from others, they could make uſe of his own, We our ſelves have heard him, what need wee any other witneſs?
Vſe 1. This teacheth us to ſuſpect thoſe cauſes and actions that are brought about by bad means: as, 1 When men run out of Gods Ordinances, and will not live by ſome honeſt calling and means of life, but by Cards, Dice, Bowls, Bets Couſnage, and ſuch inſtruments and means of injury and wrong, they are convinced to live a lewd and wicked life: for a good and honeſt life is bleſſed by God, and carried by good, and lawful, and honeſt means, ſuch as theſe be not. 2 All ſuch goods as are gotten by lying, ſwearing, deceiving, Sabbath-breaking, over-reaching, or helping forward ſin in any man, are here not only to be ſuſpected, but condemned, and ſentence paſſeth againſt them, as ſuch which the Devil hath taught to bring them in by evil means, both of them accurſed by God, and the gainer for them. 3 All actions which are brought to paſs by unwarrantable means, are likewiſe to bee ſuſpected not to bee of God, who ordereth due and lawful means to good and lawful ends, and hath as many pipes to convey good unto us, Zach 4 2.as eyes to provide for it.
Saul muſt needs know his condition was unhappy, and his buſineſs unproſperous, when he muſt run to the Witch to help himſelf. So their cauſe is worſe than naught that run to the Wizard for help in diſeaſes and loſſes: G…d is gone from them, and the remedy is farre worſe than the diſeaſe. Yet h…w common is, not to ſeek to them by night as Saul did, but even by day, as n…t aſhamed of it? Herod he would not break his oath, no, that was not for his credit: but he might well know it to be a wicked one, which could not bee kept but by murther of John Baptiſt.
Obj. Why, what would yee have him forſworn?
Anſ. He had brought himſelf into ſuch a ſnare, as either he muſt bee forſworn, or a murther: Now of theſe, to have broken a cruel and wicked oath, ſhould have hindred murther, which is a ſin in an higher degree againſt God and man; and to keep a wicked oath is worſe than to make it. This is rather to be thought of, becauſe even godly men themſelves are too ready to effect good things by bad means: as Jacob will get the Bleſſing by lying, Rahab will ſave the Spies by a lye, Lot will ſave his Gueſts by proſtituting his own Daughters: In which, how ever the Lord ſometime commends the fact and faith of the parties, yet he never commends the manner, which blemiſhed both the doers, and the actions. The rule that wee muſt walk by, is in Rom. 3.8. We muſt not doe the leaſt evil, for the greateſt good. Therefore let us take heed of theſe baſe tricks of the Devil, to effe…t our deſires by wicked means. Many condemn good men, becauſe they ſtand nicely upon ſome ſmall things, which if they would yeeld unto, they might doe themſelves and others great good; but they have learned another leſſon, not to doe the leaſt thing againſt their Conſcience to procure themſelves the greateſt good. God need not their error to glorifie himſelf, and doe his people good by.
4 That religion which is ſet forward by bad and wicked means, is to be ſuſpected and condemned: true religion was ever maintained by truth, ſimplicity, humility, patience, mercy, love, meekneſs, &c. But the Church of Rome muſt needs defend a bad cauſe, the means are ſo extreamly wicked, as violence and power, trechery and ſubtilty, fire and ſword, murthers and Maſſacres, King-killing and Powder-plots, lyes and equivocations, and what not? It was once ſaid, Omnia venalia Romae, at Rome all things are ſaleable; and now it may be ſaid, Romae omnia venialia, at Rome all things are pardonable.
One demonſtration for memory ſake: That religion which upholds it ſelf, 1 By ignorance, as the Mother of devotion. 2 By diſgracing and reproaching the holy Scriptures, abhorring them no leſs than a Thief doth a pair of Gallows, and warning men to take heed of them. 3 By upholding Images and Image-worſhip. 4 Perjury, by freeing ſubjects from the Oath of Allegiance. 5 Diſobedience, yea rebellion to Princes and Parents. 6 Murder, and Maſſacres of all Princes and people, Kings and Kingdoms, by ſword, fire, poyſon, powder, ponyard, openly or trecherouſly. 7 Adulteries and fornication by their Stews and Sheet-puniſhments, yea with large revenues by them. 8 By Lies, Legends, lying and Straw-miracles, notable tricks and colluſions, as once in the Images of the Heathens the Devil often ſpake; but the Prieſts in ſtead of the Devil ſpeak through Images, and make them move, ſweat, nod, &c. to deceive ſimple people. I ſay ſuch a religion cannot bee of God, becauſe the means of advancing it are from the Devil. But the Romiſh is ſuch a religion: therefore, &c.
Vſe 2. Here is a glaſs for liars and boaſters to ſee their faces in, and their reſemblance to their father the Devil. He promiſeth an whole world, when all ptoves but a ſhadow and image. He takes upon him to diſpoſe all things in the world, as though they were his, whereas we muſt goe to our heavenly Father, the Father of lights, for every morſel of bread. Wherefore whoſoever would any way advantage himſelf by lying or deceiving, it is manifeſt the ſpirit of the Devil ruleth in him. And therefore caſt off lying as a ragge and relick of natural corruption, and ſpeak every man the truth to his neighbour, Epheſ. 4.25.
It is a received opinion in theſe days, that Qui neſcit diſſimulare, neſcit vivere, No diſſembler, no man, and plain-dealing is a jewel, but he that uſeth it ſhall dye a beggar, and ſome men are too honeſt to thrive in the world: ſuch common ſpeeches argue the common breach of this Commandement. But know: 1. How farre are we degenerate from our fore-fathers: they lived ſimply by their hands according to Gods Ordinance: but now many live by their wits; whence it is that Trades are called Crafts and Myſteries, becauſe more live by craft and the ſin of their trade than the trade it ſelf. 2 The Lord is the avenger of all ſuch wrong by ſecret couſnage and lying: for he ſees that thou deceiveſt him that truſteth thee; and becauſe it is hidden from men, his own hand muſt revenge it. 3 What a ſhame is it and ſlander to Chriſtian profeſſion, that men profeſſing ſalvation by Chriſt, ſhould ſo carry their trades as a man that comes to deal with them, muſt come ſo ſuſpitiouſly as if he were to fall into the hands of ſo many Theeves; and having dealt with them hath juſt cauſe to ſay, that he might find more juſt dealing with Turks and Infidels? Whereas if this vice were put off, a childe might traffique in the dark without deluſion.
The ſame of Boaſters, who brag of things they have not. As Job ſpeaks of the Leviathan of the Sea, ſo may we of the helliſh Leviathan, He is the King of all the ſons of Pride. As, 1 Many bear themſelves out in fine apparrel and bravery, when indeed nothing is their own, if their debts were paid. And if every Bird had his own feather, they might well goe naked. 2 Others, to raiſe themſelves, make no bones to lye and magnifie their eſtate, as the often experience of the world ſhews, that Widows and Widowers promiſe great things of themſelves, and much wealth, whereas the greateſt wealth prove debts. 3 But if you will ſee the very natural portrayture of the father the Devil, if yee will hear his very voyce, look upon the Biſhop and Pope of Rome. For,
1 He hath engroſſed all the Kingdoms of the earth into his own hands, ſaying, All theſe are mine, yet not directly, but in ordine ad Deum. 2 I give them to whom I will, I can ſet up and thruſt down, I can binde and looſe ſubjects from their obedience at my pleaſure. 3 I will give thee all theſe, if thou wilt fall down and worſhip me; if thou wilt be my vaſſal, and a ſound Catholick, let my Laws bind thy Conſcience, and perſecute with Fire and Sword theſe Hereticks, thus thou ſhalt hold thy Kingdom, elſe not. 4 But this is a ſmall thing to challenge the Kingdoms of the world, and therefore hee challengeth to be Lord of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory, to open and ſhut at his pleaſure, as his three Crowns imply. Here is a brag that puts down the Devil quite: never was the Devil overmatched in boaſting and lying but by the Pope his eldeſt ſon, that in him wee might have a plain demonſtration of Antichriſt, whom the Papiſts themſelves ſay muſt bee begotten by the Devil.
If thou wilt fall down and worſhip me.]
NOw follows the condition of Satans large and prodigal profer, which is the third thing conſiderable in the dart. In it are two things: 1 The matter he requires, Worſhip. 2 The manner, fall down and worſhip me. The thing he deſireth is worſhip and honour due to God: for ſo our Saviours anſwer implyeth, that hee muſt worſhip God only. And for the manner of this worſhip, he muſt outwardly bow and bend unto him, or proſtrate his body in way of homage unto him. Wherein we ſee marvellous cunning and malice combined. 1 His cunning, in making it appear ſo ſmall a moat: for being a worſhip proper to God, as we ſee by comparing our Saviours anſwer with it, 1 He would make it in ſhow and appearance, but a bowing of the body, a ſmall thing, a geſture which God greatly regards not; as if hee had ſaid, as Bathſheba to her Son, 1 King. 2.10. I have a ſmall ſute unto thee, deny me not: which ſmall ſute if Salomon had hearkned unto, it had coſt him the loſs of his Kingdom. And the ſame did our Salomon by his wiſdome diſcern in this place. 2 In making it ſo neceſſary a thing to worſhip him: mee, with emphaſis: mee, of whom thou muſt have the world if thou haſt it: me, who am ſo able and willing to reward ſo ſmall a ſervice towards me: God doth not ſo reward his worſhippers.
2 His extream malice: in that, 1 He would rob and deprive God of his honour, which is due to him alone, and to no Creature elſe. 2 Hee would have it conferred upon himſelf, Gods greateſt enemy. 3 Hee would have none doe it him but Jeſus Chriſt the Son of Gods love, thus to wrong his Father the more: whereas God expects no other of his enemies, foreign. 4 He implies how little God regards or rewards his worſhippers.
The Connexion of this condition with the premiſſes ſheweth; That,
Doct. 1. Satans profers are never free, but upon ſome wicked condition or other. He ſaid he would give all the world and the glory thereof to Chriſt, but now he adds a condition, which makes it a dear bargain. He offers freely, he will give all the world, and the glory of it, but the condition is dangerous; if Chriſt will fall down and worſhip him. The Devil offered to put our firſt Parents in poſſeſſion of further knowledge, and no leſs a gift than Deity: he makes as though he would out-give God, but all upon this dangerous condition; if they would eat the Apple which God had commanded them not to touch. He would help Cain to the favour of God, and all the love of his Parents; but upon condition, he would kill his brother Abel: for when there was none elſe to be loved, or to doe ſacrifice, he ſhould obtain all. Judas comes to the High Prieſts, and ſaith, What will yee give mee? Matth. 26.15. and they appointed him thirty peeces of ſilver: but upon his own condition, to betray his Lord and Maſter: an heavy condition for ſo light a ſin. Petiphars wife proffe…ed Joſeph great honour and rewards, but upon a foul condition, of committing whoredome with her.
Reaſon. 1 As Solomon ſaith of the Harl…t, She hunteth for the pretious life of a man, ſo doth Satan inceſſant…y, and therefore can give nothing freely: for a free g… is a pledge of love between parties; but hee carries a mortal hatred towards mankind, ſeeking by all means to devour us, 1 Pet. 5. v. 8. Seeing therefore … love is like that of a ravening Lyon to a Lamb, no marvel though he beſtow nothing freely.
2 The end and ſcope of all Satans gifts is diſcovered in our Text viz. to pluck men from God, and ſo bring them to damnation; and indeed they are not gifts, but wages paied for doing ſome work. 2 Pet. 2.15. Balaam loved the wages of unrighteouſneſſe. Now, if wee look into the Hiſtory, Numb. 22.17. theſe were great gifts and honours promiſed, upon condition of curſing the people of God. So as by the judgement of the Holy Ghoſt, all … taken upon ſuch dangerous conditions, are wages of unrighteouſneſs. And as a General never gives pay but to ſuch as fight under his colours, ſo Satan never gives pay of worldly preferment, but to ſuch as fight his battels.
3 Never man gets any thing from Satan, but by way of contract or bargain where the concluſion ſhall bee for himſelf: and being the arch-enemy of all charity, hee will never make an exchange but for the better. Hee gives Adam an apple, but it was dear bought with the loſs of Gods image, and all his happineſs. Hee offers the ſecond Adam the whole earth, but with ſuch a condition, as hee muſt for it forſake heaven.
Queſt. But is there any man ſo extream wicked, that will contract with the Devil, or receive any thing upon any condition at his hands?
Anſw. The Devil will do nothing for any man but by vertue of a compact, and why ſhould hee bee at any mans command, but in hope of his reward, no more than any man would bee at his, but in the ſame hope? But this compact is either, 1 more open: 2 more ſecret.
A more expreſs and ſolemn contract is that of Witches, Conjurers, and Sorcerers, wherein there is a mutual promiſe of ſervice between the Devil and the Witch. And this promiſe is not onelyonly made by ſolemn words, but by deeds and ſeal…; as ſome diabolical ſignes figures, or Ceremonies, for the ratification of this league and compact. And this is evident by the confeſſion of all Witches at this day, and by the Scripture. Of this kinde was this in out Text; Satan offers to compact with our Saviour Chriſt, and there wanted nothing but the free conſent of our Saviour to the condition.
But the more ſecret compact is the more general, and no leſs dangerous, though Satan bee leſſe ſeen in it. And of this kinde the Devil makes many Covenants in the World, and innumerable perſons contract with him underhand, perhaps not thinking they do ſo. And this two waies, 1 By a ſecret Faith in the Devil. 2 By a ſecret conſent unto the Devil.
Secret faith in the Devil is when a man uſeth any ſuperſtitious or diabolical means for the effecting of his deſire, which hee knows, neither in themſelves, not from Gods inſtitution, have any ſuch power to effect things, but from the power of the Devil: a… the uſe of Charms, or ſpells, figures, character, An…ie…, S…atching of a Witch, or the like: which having no power in themſelves, not by Gods Ordinance, can do no good, but by a ſecret ſaith in the Devil, who by Gods permiſſion puts power in them to heal men for their deluſion.
Secret conſent unto the Devil, is yet more common than the former, though the former bee the common cure of common people: namely, when Satan ſecretly ſuggeſteth and offereth to make a Covenant and bargain with a man, without any expreſſe form of contract, but by inward temptation putteth the motion into the heart (as of Judas) that if he will uſe ſuch an unlawfull means, or upon ſuch a condition, hee will effect his purpoſe, which hee earneſtly deſireth to attain: now the party blinding his own judgement by the eagerneſs of his affection, gives his conſent to Satan, and accepts the condition: which mutual and ſilent conſent of party with party, is a real bargain and covenant. Satan ſolicites the heart, and the heart conſents to Satan: here is a ſecret compact, by which numbers of men are in league with the Devil, that would bee loath to bee thought ſo to bee. Yea, numbers there are that receive the greateſt part of their earthly portion at the hands of the Devil, by vertue of this compact, ſecretly beleeving or conſenting unto him.
Vſe 1. This ſerves to let us ſee the difference between Gods gifts and the Devils, in four things: 1 Gods gifts come all from Grace and Love, hee freely beſtows his bleſſings: for his love is everlaſting before our own being, and our inheritance is eternal above our merit, and in the Heavens above our reach. But Satans gifts proceed out of his endleſs hatred, and are wages of unrighteouſneſs. 2 Gods gifts are derived to us by good and warrantable means, diligence, labour, prayers: Satans, for the moſt part by wicked means. Gods conditions are profitable and ſafe: Satans hurtful and dangerous, by the breach of ſome Commandement, by impiety or injuſtice. 3 Gods gifts are firſt beſtowed upon us, and then obedience is required as a teſtification of Thankfulneſs, not as merit: Satans are after our work, as a merit and wages of ſin; firſt fall down and worſhip mee, and then I will give thee all theſe things. 4 Gods gifts are in mercy, for our ſalvation and comfort, and incouragement in his ſervice: Satans, to draw us from his ſervice, and to drag us to deſtruction.
Uſe 2. Let this Doctrin make us afraid to receive any thing from the hand of the Devil, and accept of nothing but God offers. For, 1 God is more able and willing to do us good than the Devil is, unleſs wee think with thoſe wicked ones, that it is in vain to ſerve the Lord. 2 An enemy is never ſo dangerous as when hee flattereth and fawneth: hee never kiſſeth but killeth, with Joab, or betrayeth with Judas: his gifts are dear bought, his conditions are intollerable: hee will have a better thing for it, even our pretious ſouls. 3 A little from Gods hands is far better than if wee could receive all the World, and the glory of it, at the Devils: for this comes with bleſſing, with Promiſe, with Contentment, with good conſcience; ſo doth not the other. Therefore bee the juſt mans portion ſmall or great, it is ever pretious: it hath no ſorrow added to it, as Solomon ſpeaketh.
Queſt. How may I know I receive any thing from the Devil?
Anſw. When any thing is gotten by the breach of any Commandement of God, as by Swearing, Lying, Deceit, Oppreſſion, and the like, this is a gift of the Devil, and the wages of unrighteouſneſſe.
Uſe 3. Note here how like the Uſurer is to the Devil: the Devil ſaith, hee will give, ſo the Uſurer ſaith hee will lend, which ſhould bee free as gift: but then comes a condition of ten in the hundred, which is more than the lending is worth. Satan is an enemy to all charity, and ſo is hee. The like may bee ſaid of Covetous men, who will do no good, but where they look for return of the like or more, as like the Devil as may bee, and altogether unlike to God, who doth good where hee can receive none, ſowes where hee reaps not.
Uſe 4. See the miſery of men who accept of Satans profers. 1 Such as are in open league with him, as Wizzards, who bind themſelves to renounce God, and their Baptiſm, and Redemption by Chriſt, and to beleeve in the Devil, to expect aid from him, and give him Body and Soul for that help; which is the ſubſtance of the ſolemn Leagues made by ſuch limbs of Satan; hee is of the ſure ſide with them, they can gain nothing by him, unleſs hee gain themſelves firſt. And ſuch by Gods Law ought not to live. 2 Worldly-minded men, with whom hee deals as with Eſau, hee gives them a meſſe of pottage, but on condition to ſell their birth-right; a ſilly match is made preſently, an exchange of Earth for Heaven. 3 Men impatient in Loſſes or ſickneſſe, who run to the Witch, as not knowing what to do with themſelves. But Satan never eaſeth the body of temporal pains, but to caſt the Soul into eternal. 4 Ambitious and diſcontented perſons, that take preferments of Satan upon baſe conditions: Abſolom ſhall have a Kingdome, on condition hee will rebell againſt his own Father. Zimri a Captain under Baaſha, 1 King. 16.10. ſhall have the Kingdome of Iſrael, if hee will rebell and ſlay his Maſter. Diſcontented Papiſts ſhall divide the Land among themſelves, if they will blow up the Parliament-Houſe.
Now if wee would avoid the dangerous compacts with Satan, let us obſerve theſe rules. 1 Beware of prophaneneſſe, which is a ſin, where men careleſly loſe Heaven and the joies thereof for theſe lower and earthly things, as Eſau to ſatisfy his luſts despiſed the bleſſing, Heb. 12.16. Let there bee none ſuch amongſt us. 2 Beleeve the truth of Gods profers and promiſes, to relye on them, and thou ſhalt bee ſenced from Satans lies, 2 Theſſ. 2.10. 3 Conſider how eaſily men pour out themſelves for Balaams wages: Covetouſneſs carries away their whole heart, and yet in the end they are deceived as hee was: inſtead of his reward he was ſlain in his return homeward, Numb. 31.8. 4 Conſider how little joy there is in that which is received at the Devils hand: neither Ahab nor his poſterity injoyed Naboths Vineyard. Judas brought back his thirty peeces, and hanged himſelf. According to that of Solomon, The wicked reſteth not that which hee taketh in hunting. 5 Moderate thy affections, not to deſire the Kingdomes of this World and the glory of them, but a far more glorious Kingdome in the World to come, and all theſe tranſitory matters onelyonly to help thee forward to that.
The condition of Satans profer teacheth us further; that,
Doct. 2. All his drift in his temptations, is to draw men from Gods ſervice to his own. An example whereof wee have in Saul, whom hee drew from his hope and truſt in God, to ſeek and ſue to himſelf for help. Hee entered alſo into Judas to draw him from his Maſters ſide and ſervice to his own, to make him a Leader and Captain againſt Chriſt, Luke 22.3. Neither faileth hee of his purpoſe and ſcope, but effectually prevaileth in the World, and in the Children of Diſobedience, Eph. 2.2. For if we look to that part of the World, which is indeed the World, not viſited by the light of Grace, and the Goſpel, they in general are vaſſals to Satan, and profeſs homage and ſervice to him in Ceremonies and Rites, as Gods people to God himſelf. 1 Cor. 10.20. Thoſe things which the Gentiles ſacrifize, they ſacrifize unto Devils, and not unto God: Which is ſpoken not in reſpect of the intention of the Worſhippers, but of the myſtery in that Idol Worſhipped, which indeed tended to the Worſhip of the Devil, the deviſer and ſetter forward of the ſame. And at this day in thoſe new-found Countries, experience ſhews, how thoſe Heatheniſh and barbarous people, not having the true knowledge of the true God, do therefore eſteem the Devil as God, and the Devil appearing to them in viſible ſhapes, they fall down and worſhip him, and offer many ſervices and ſacrifices unto him; upon this ground, becauſe God is merciful and amiable, and will not hurt them, Non eſt nocent natura Deus. Cic.and therefore they need not bee ſo obſequious to him, but the Devil is terrible, and fearfull, and churliſh, and therefore muſt bee pleaſed and worſhipped, No noceat.
Nay, Gods own people and children are often drawn from the worſhip of their God, to the worſhip of the Devil, in the moſt baſe and ſubmiſs kind of worſhip. The Jewes themſelves offered unto Devils, and not unto God, Deut. 32.17. and what did they offer but their deareſt things? as Pſa. 106.37. They offered their ſons and daughters unto Devils: A marvellous high wickedneſs, wherein the Iſraelites themſelves imitated the barbarous Heathens, among whom Satan had brought in this unnatural cruelty, to kill their little children, and offer them to Molech in the valley of Hinnom, verſ. 38. Thus they ſhed innocent bloud by a Diabolical fury, and polluted their Land at the Devils inſtigation. Thus it was in the time of Ahaz, and of Manaſſeh; againſt which the Lord ſhewed great indignation and vehemence, Jer. 7. and 19. and Ezek. 16. And the rather, becauſe it was againſt a ſpecial Law enacted for this purpoſe (which we would think Gods own people ſhould not need) Levit. 17.7. They ſhall no more offer to Devils, after whom they have gone a whoring; and the ſanction follows, This ſhall be an ordinance for ever. Yet Gods people forgat Gods inſtitution, and natures inſtinct, and ſo put off all religion and natural affection.
Reaſons. And this comes to paſs: 1 Becauſe of Satans pride and ambition, who will not content himſelf with any thing but that honour that is due to God. He being the Prince of the world, and the god thereof, Joh. 14.31. 2 Cor. 4.4. will be worſhipped by the world as a God, and takes upon him as if he were ſo indeed: whereas he is ſo only by his own uſurpation and affectation, and the wickeds deluſion and acceptation.
2 Becauſe of his malice to God, to whom he is moſt contrary. God hath by the Law of Creation, of Nature, the Moral Law, yea by the law of faith, and all other bonds, tied man to his own ſervice: now Satan ſeeks contrarily to deprive God of his due homage, and drawes men from the knowledge and practice of Gods Will, that hee may rule them after his own will, 2 Tim. 2.26.
3 Becauſe of his hatred to Mankind, to draw men into the greateſt offence and diſpleaſure of God. It is an evil thing and bitter, to depart from God and his ſervice: but to give this to Gods deadly enemy, is a ſin moſt hateful and dangerous.
4 It is all the buſineſs that Satan hath in the world, for which he leaves no ſtone unturned, no means unattempted, to ſet up his own kingdom above and againſt Gods Kingdom; a compendious way whereof is to hinder, corrupt, or deſtroy the true worſhip of God. 1 Theſſ. 2.18. Satan hindred mee: namely, the true worſhip which Paul ſought to eſtabliſh. Hee corrupted the worſhip of God among the Sons of God by the Daughters of men, Gen. 6. And hee ſought to deſtroy all Gods worſhip in the poſterity, by deſtroying Abel.
Queſt. But is it poſſible that Satan can ſo prevail to draw men to worſhip himſelf in ſtead of God? And what means uſeth he to effect it?
Anſ. Yea it is plain and uſual, as we ſhall eaſily ſee, if we conſider, 1 The ways that a man worſhippeth the Devil: 2 The means how he bringeth men thereunto.
I The ways are laid down in theſe four concluſions:
Concluſ. 1. Whoſoever worſhippeth for God that which is not God, he worſhipeth the Devil for God. Deut. 32.17. They offered unto Devils, that is, to gods whom they knew not. In all Divine worſhip, whatſoever is not performed to God, is performed to the Devil, there being no mean between them in worſhip. But how hath the Devil drawn Pagans and Heathens to ſet up and worſhip falſe gods, Devils indeed, Mars, Jupiter, &c? yea and Gods own people to worſhip Dag…n, and Baal, and Molech? At this day all the Eaſtern people of Turks and Saracens worſhip Mahomet, a god of their own making. And the Papiſts all give Divine worſhip to Stocks and Stones, the work of mens hands, to Raggs and Reliques, to their Breaden and baked god in the Sacrament; as baſe an Idolatry as can be found among the Heathens: in all which they have fallen down to the Devil, and worſhipped him.
Concluſ. 2. Whoſoever worſhippeth God in any other means than himſelf hath appointed, he worſhippeth the Devil, and not God. If the manner of Gods worſhip preſcribed by himſelf in the Scripture be refuſed, that cannot bee Gods worſhip, becauſe the manner is deviſed by the Devil. Thus doe they who profeſs the true God diſtinct in three Perſons, but worſhip him according to their own deviſes and humane traditions; as the Papiſts that worſhip God in Images, Pilgrimages, and a thouſand deviſes, meer ſtrangers to the Spirit of God in Scripture, thruſt in by Satan for his own ſervice.
Concluſ. 3. Numbers will not be perſwaded they worſhip the Devil, when indeed they doe. For as then we worſhip God actually, when we ſerve and obey him, ſo then men worſhip the Devil, when they doe the works of the Devil, Joh. 8. He that is a ſlave, a vaſſal to the Devil, is an apparent worſhipper of him. Yea, ſo near a ſervice is between them, that the Devil is ſaid to beget many ſons in the world, Joh. 8.41. now every ſon honours his father. Thus doe all they that are ſubtile to pervert the ſtraight ways of God, as Elymas, therefore called by Paul the child of the Devil, Acts 13.10. becauſe he ſought to hinder the word and work of God. Thus doe all thoſe tares, the children of that wicked one, Matth. 13.38. which grow up in Gods field to the moleſting and anoyance of the Lords wheat. Thus doe all they who when they ſhould ſpend the Lords Sabbaths in his worſhip, they worſhip and ſerve the world in buying and ſelling, or the Devil in play and gaming in their own houſes, falling down to the worſhip of the Devil, when true worſhippers are in Gods houſe, performing their homage and ſervice to him.
Concluſ. 4. Satan prevails againſt numbers, by drawing the affections of their hearts from the true God, to ſomething beſides him, to love, truſt, and follow it more than God: as the voluptuous perſon, that makes his belly his god, and ſo is a lover of pleaſure more than of God: and the covetous perſon making his wealth his god, whom Paul therefore calls an Idolater. All theſe and many more are worſhippers of the Devil, and fallen down to him, and cannot poſſibly worſhip the true God.
II. How and by what means Satan doth thus prevail. And the means are theſe:
1 He hath often the Secular arm, and Human authority, 2 Chron. 11.15. Rehoboam ordained Prieſts for the high places, for the Devils, and for the Calves that he had made. Thus Antichriſt, the Beaſt of Rome, Revel. 13.16. by power made all both ſmall and great, rich and poor, bond and free, to receive his mark in their hands and fore-heads. So he did in our Country by fire and faggot in Queen Maries days. 2 Sometimes he draws men to his own worſhip by policy; for he can transform himſelf into an Angel of Light, he can preach Chriſt for a need, to overthrow the preaching of Chriſt, Mark 1.34. he can be a lying ſpirit in the mouthes of four hundred falſe Prophets, 1 King. 21. at once: and can put on the ſhape of Samuel, being ſtill a Satan. 3 Sometimes by fair promiſes, as in our text, he will give a whole world to bring Chriſt to one ſin: Thou ſhalt have caſe, pleaſure, wealth, credit; in a word, thy hearts deſire, if thou wilt fall down and worſhip me. 4 By perſwaſion, that it is a vain thing to ſerve God, Mal. 3.14. no joy for the preſent, no recompence hereafter: thus he carries with him innumerable companies with things preſent, not conſidering the time to come. 5 By threatning of croſſes, loſſes, diſfavour, as Balac ſaid to Balaam, Thy God hath kept thee from preferment. By violent perſecutions, Revel. 12.13.15. the red dragon perſecuted the woman which had brought forth the Man-child; the Serpent caſt out of his mouth waters like a floud, to cauſe the woman to be carried away. 6 By effectual deluſion by means of Signs, Wonders, falſe Miracles and ſlights, which Satan putteth forth to give credit to falſe worſhip, as it is ſpoken of the great Antichriſt, 2 Theſſ. 2.9, 10. that he ſhall come by the working of Satan, with power, ſigns, and lying wonders, and in all deceiveableneſs of unrighteouſneſs among them that periſh: and thus ſhall the beaſt deceive all thoſe, whoſe names are not written in the Book of life.
Thus many are deceived in Popery, by the jugling and crafty conveyances of the Prieſts, and often by Magick, making their Images appear to ſweat, to nodde, to roll their eyes, to paſs voyces through them, and make bloud appear in the Hoſt; which they would have their people beleeve: and thus Satan mightily draws them to the worſhip of himſelf.
Vſe 1. Here let us learn to bewail the miſery of men ſeduced by the Devil, and thruſt from their God, whether more openly, or more ſecretly: as, 1 Such as joyn to Popery, renouncing the worſhip of the true God, and fall down to the Devil to worſhip him. Revel. 13.4. and they worſhipped the Dragon and the Beaſt: noting that the worſhip of the Beaſt, is the worſhip of the Dragon. Now they worſhip the Beaſt that give him power over the Scripture, over the Conſciences of men, to make laws to bind them, to pardon ſins, to open Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, and receive his Bulls and Canons before the Canonical Scripture. A lamentable thing, that Satan gets ſuch great ones daily to fall down, and worſhip him.
2 Such as get livings by bribery, ſymony, chopping and changing, and ſuch indirect courſes: here the Chaplain hath fallen down to the Devil, and worſhipped him, and he hath beſtowed the benefice.
3 Such as ſeek to Witches for help, or cunning men and women: a plain and open ſervice of the Devil, by vertue of a league and compact, at leaſt ſecret. Should not a people ſeek to their God? or can all the Devils in Hell remove the hand of God?
4 Such as by flattery, diſſembling, injuſtice, lying, ſwearng, or breaking the Sabbath, obtain wealth, or profit. All this the Devil hath given thee, becauſe thou haſt fallen down and worſhipped him. Whatſoever a man doth againſt the Word, againſt his Oath, or Conſcience, is a falling down to the Devil, and a worſhipping of him.
Vſe 2. Take heed of coming under the power and ſervice of the Devil: and to that end obſerve theſe rules: 1 Hold thee to Gods Word and Will in all duties of piety and juſtice, both for matter and manner. For wee muſt not only doe our Maſters will, but alſo according to his will. 2 Hear and foſter the motions of Gods Spirit, which are ever according to the Word. It is a note of a man given up to Satan, to have continual diſobedience breathing in him, Epheſ. 2.2. The foul ſpirit ſavours nothing but the fleſh. 3 Renounce the world daily, be not a ſervant to any luſt, neither take pleaſure in it. For when Satan findes a man ſerving pleaſures, he halters him with them, and clogs him with cares of riches and voluptuous living, Luk. 8.14. 4 Walk in the light, love it and ſuch as walk in it. It is a ſign of a man in Satans ſnare, to deſpiſe them that are good, 2 Tim. 3.3. to make a ſhew of godlineſs, denying the power thereof, ver. 5. Satan himſelf pretends light, but walks in darkneſs, and leads ſuch as he rules in the ſame path. 5 Contend for the faith, Jud. 3. and Gods pure worſhip, ſtand for God, be at warre with thy ſin, keep an inward conflict and combate; for, not to be tempted of Satan, is to be poſſeſſed by him: Luk. 11.21. When the ſtrong man keeps the hold, all is at peace.