Works, Sermon · Verse 6
And healed all that were oppreſſed of the Devil: for God was with him.
THe Apoſtle proceedeth to prove that Chriſt was anointed with the Holy Ghoſt, and with power; becauſe he was able to reſcue out of the hands of the Devil ſuch as he oppreſſed and played the tyrant over, God having in Juſtice put them under his power. Now although Chriſt did moſt powerfully ſpoyl Satan of his dominion which he had in the ſouls of men; this being the duplicate page duplicate page page missing of his power, but poſſeſſed and diſpoſed by him, and ruled at his will and pleaſure. For
Firſt, who would think him poſſeſſed that can fall down on his knees, make a ſolemn profeſſion and confeſſion of Jeſus Chriſt, that he is the Son of God, and the moſt high, Mark 5.7. and make loud prayers unto him, as acknowledging him to be the Lord of glory? and yet all theſe are the ſpeeches and behaviours of a man poſſeſſed, not with one or two, but with a Legion of Devils, Luke 8.28. What, doe the Devils honour Chriſt, who fear nothing more than that he ſhould be honoured, and hate nothing ſo much as he? No, but all this confeſſion and worſhip was by conſtraint; partly, becauſe they knew him a Prince and a Judge, whoſe power they could not reſiſt: and partly they flatter him, to obtain more gentle entreaty at his hands than they deſerved: ſo many a man profeſſeth Chriſt, but you ſhall obſerve, at leaſt he may himſelf, that many foul ſpirits breath in him: for although hee know Chriſt (as the Devils did) yet he obeyeth him not; he would fain reſiſt him if he were ſtrong enough to make his part good againſt him: which becauſe he cannot doe, he will give him fair words, and call him Lord and Maſter: he will pray to him in ſickneſs or diſtreſs, but it is but to get out of his hands, and keep his wonted hold ſtill.
If the power of Chriſts word come near him, he can begin to accuſe Chriſt, and Chriſtian profeſſion of unpeaceableneſs, and tormenting him before the time (for what time would pleaſe theſe that Chriſt ſhould come unto them?) he can ask Chriſt and his Miniſters what they have to doe with him, and Chriſt ſhall be blamed, becauſe he cannot be at peace for him, if he would let him alone, all ſhould be well and quiet, but the Miniſtery and Diſcipline are intollerable: let Chriſt preach, and he will preach him too, ſo it be ſuch a Goſpel as bringeth no repentance or amendment of life to himſelf, but he may remain where he was, even in the Graves, already lodged with death. When hee cannot doe the greater miſchief that he would, he would doe the leſſer if hee can: if he cannot hinder the Miniſtery, he can deprave it: wherein (as in all the reſt) he ſhews himſelf at the command of that wicked ſpirit, who when he could no longer torment the man, would drown the ſwine.
Secondly, although the Devil might be forced through the power of Chriſt to acknowledge him the holy one of God, ſo as themſelves might continue Devils ſtill; yet who would think him guided by any other than a good Spirit of God, that ſhould extol the ſervants of Chriſt, their perſons, their Miniſtery, their doctrin? for would any conceive that the Father of Lyes would praiſe the truth? and yet mark what a large teſtimony the Devil himſelf in the Maid gave of Paul and Silas, Theſe men are the ſervants of the moſt high God, which ſhew unto us the way of ſalvation: and this ſhe did many days, A ts 16.17. Why, did not the Devil know that they were the greateſt enemies he had upon earth? Yes, he did, but he muſt ſometimes transform himſelf into an Angel of Light, he muſt colour all his Lyes with ſome truth which is undeniable, hee can lay all his falſhoods upon appearance of truth; as his eldeſt Son Mahomet enlarged the praiſes of Chriſt, and his Diſciples, to overthrow Chriſtian religion withall: he hath his fetch to make men beleeve there is an agreement between Chriſt, and his Apoſtles, and himſelf, or that they needed his teſtimony; who therefore put him to ſilence, and would receive no commendation from him, but for praiſes returned ſharp rebukes. Even ſo, many men can praiſe good men and Miniſters before their faces, whom they know to bee deadly enemies to their vices: not for love of their vertues, but leſt they ſhould uſe them: and can call them honeſt men, to try if by that they can hinder them from doing the duty of honeſt men, as the Devils called Paul and Silas the Servants of God, leſt they ſhould ſhew themſelves ſo by diſpoſſeſſing them.
Beſides, they would ſeem herein to bee better than they are, and therefore will honour the Goſpel, and bringers, with their mouths, whereas in their hearts they cannot abide that the doctrin of it ſhould bee in ſincerity, either publiſhed or practiſed: the name of Chriſtianity and of the Goſpel pleaſeth them well enough, ſo as the power and fruit of it come not neer them. But as the Devil had no ſooner praiſed the Servants of God, but preſently hee changed his coppy, and never left perſecuting them till hee had caſt them into priſon, got them ſoundly beaten, ſet faſt in the ſtocks, and after ſent out of the City: even ſo, many who now commend the perſon and doctrin of the Servants of God, preſently (ſhewing what ſpirit guideth them) can accuſe them to bee mutinous, and ſeditious, troublers of their City and State; and raiſe up the whole City, and ſtir up the wrath of the Magiſtrates againſt them, that ſo under pretence of the W…rd, or Law, or Peace, or Order, the true Miniſters of God ſhall bee wrongfully condemned, and caſt out.
Thirdly, Who would think that hee could be haunted with a wicked ſpirit, that can ſee his ſin, 1 Sam. 24.17, 18. confeſs it with tears and indignation againſt himſelf, openly juſtify the righteouſneſs of Gods children? and yet in the example of Saul wee ſee that a ſoul poſſeſſed of Satan may do all this. For as it is in bodily poſſeſſion, though the Devils deſire is inceſſantly to hurt and vex the poor creatures, yet by Gods over-ruling power hee is forced to give them ſome reſpite, and though hardly, yet ſometimes departeth from them; and not alwaies, but ſometimes caſts them into the fire, and ſometimes into the water, Luk. 9. So is it in ſpiritual poſſeſſion, the Lord for the common good bridleth often the rage of the Devil in his inſtruments, that they cannot alwaies exerciſe it as they would; but they have their fits ſometimes, that is, ſome ſtrong luſts which Satan watcheth and putteth himſelf into (as Judas his Covetouſneſs invited the Devil to enter into him) and alſo ſometimes again they have their good moods, and ſeem to bee come to themſelves; but long ſtay they not here, but in a moment are changed and caſt into their fits again.
Thus in a good mood, Saul could confeſs his wickedneſs, and Davids innocency, and lift up his voice and weep; and David was now his good Son, and who but hee? but preſently the good ſpirit went, and the evil spirit came upon him, and hee became more tyrannous and furious than ever before: even ſo ſome there are who ſeem to have remorſe of conſcience for ſin, they will confeſs their wickedneſs with tears, pray for pardon, promiſe amendment, beg prayers of others (as Pharaoh) one would think them very penitent, themſelves think they are ſo alſo, but the Moon changeth not ſo often as theſe ſpiritual lunaticks: who hence may know that the evil ſpirit hath taken poſſeſſion of them, becauſe they are never long in a good minde. Theſe few notes, inſtead of many, I thought good to ſet down, to help men that are deſirous to ſee how ſecretly Satan worketh in their ſouls; and how hee can cunningly moſt forceably keep poſſeſſion, when hee ſeemeth moſt to diſclaim it: that thus they comming to perceive the diſeaſe, may run out of themſelves to ſeek for remedy. Which what it is, wee are now in the next point to declare.
The third point in the words to bee conſidered is, The mighty power of Jeſus Christ, who onelyonly could heal thoſe that were thus oppreſſed and enthralled by the Devil: and here conſider, 1 The ground; 2 The proof or manifeſtation of it. The ground was, becauſe God was with him.
How God was with his Son, and how with his Servants.It will bee objected that God is ſaid to have been with many of his ſervants who yet had not this power: as with Joſeph, Joſhuah, Moſes, and others.
Anſw. God was indeed with them onelyonly by manifeſting his preſence in ſome powerful or loving effect which hee wrought in, by, or for them. But duplicate page duplicate page never was God preſent with any of his Saints as hee was with his Son, who had not the vertue onelyonly and power of the God-head effectually and energetically working with him (which was all they had) but the god-head it ſelf was after a ſort bodily with him: yea, the fulneſſe of the God-head was not only with him, but in him bodily, Col. 2.9. as elſewhere God is ſaid, not onelyonly to bee with Chriſt, but in Christ, reconciling the world unto himſelf, 2 Cor. 5.19. So as hee of himſelf performed the works which proceeded from him (which they did not) and his actions as from himſelf were divine.
Queſt. Why then doth not the Apoſtle more ſhortly and plainly ſay, that Chriſt was God, as that God was with him?
Anſw. Hee might indeed have ſo ſaid as truely: but for the time, ſpareth the weakneſs of his hearers, contenting himſelf to deliver Doctrin as they were able to receive it: in great wiſdome by little and little inſtilling into their minds the knowledge of Chriſt; and by degrees laying ſuch grounds and foundations, as whereby themſelves might more eaſily riſe to that high point of Divinity, which the Apoſtle calleth a great myſtery, namely, God manifested in the fleſh, 1 Tim. 3.26.
Secondly, For the proof or manifeſtation of this Divine power of Chriſt, Chriſt powerfully treadeth Satan under his feet.…n overthrowing the power of Satan, and treading him under his feet, is evident in the Scripture. The firſt promiſe that ever was made to man fallen, is. That this ſeed of the woman ſhould bruiſe the Serpents head. According to which prophecy, hee, not onelyonly put Satan to flight in his own perſon, Mat. 4. but took alſo his ſtrongeſt holds where hee had ſtrongly fortified himſelf in the perſons of others, as every where the Hiſtory of the Goſpel recordeth. Hee rebuked the unclean ſpirits, and made them cry for grief and anger, Mark. 9.25. Hee forced them to ſilence, and would not ſuffer them to confeſs him, Mar. 1.25. By his very word hee chained and bound them whom no bolts could hold, nor any other means ſubdue: ſuch was his power and glory (though men ſaw little of it) that the Devils could neither fly from him, nor yet abide his preſence. A whole legion of them, ran to meet him a far off, and worſhipped him, Mar. 5.6. moſt ſubmiſly intreated him that hee would not torment them; and earneſtly ſued unto him, that ſeeing they could no longer inhabit the man, they might have power over the ſwine. By all which examples, and many more that might bee added, appeareth what command Jeſus Chriſt hath over the Devils, and that by his onelyonly word hee healed all thoſe that were oppreſſed by them.
Queſt. It is true that Chriſt hath this power and glory in himſelf, How the power of Chriſt foyleth Satan for us.becauſe God is with him, but how commeth this power to bee ſo ſaving and ſoveraign unto miſerable creatures who are held under the power of the Devil, and that moſt juſtly?
Anſ. In healing all our diſeaſes, Mat. 8.16.17. (among which this cute is numbred) wee muſt knit and combine thoſe two things which in Chriſt were inſeparable, namely his glory and his grace, the latter of which makeeth the former ſoveraign unto us; and appeareth in two actions: in removing from us the next cauſes of all our diſeaſes, namely, our ſins. For as the Phyſician in working a cure, firſt removeth the diſtempered humours of his patient which are the matter of the diſeaſe: ſo doth our heavenly Phyſician imply, that this is the beginning of his cure, and therefore often his firſt word is, Thy ſins are forgiven thee, and his laſt word is, goe, and ſin no more, leſt a worſe thing befall thee. 2 By taking our diſeaſes upon himſelf, which … Phyſician doth or can do: but this Lamb of God taketh away the ſins of the world, by taking them upon himſelf: for he bare our infirmities, Col. 2.22. and carried our ſorrows and ſins in the body of his fleſh, even to the croſs, where they were faſtned with him, buried them in his grave, yea, caſt them into Hell, and there left them; by which moſt glorious triumph of his, the ſnares and letters wherewith wee were chained to death, and the Devil, are broken, and our ſouls (as a bird) are eſcaped.
Chriſt onelyonly by his P…opes power caſteth out Devils.Hence note, 1 That no man can cast a Devil out of a poſſeſſed party, or ever did, as a principal efficient cauſe, but as an inſtrument, and that onelyonly by this power of the Lord Jeſus, to whom all power in heaven and earth is given, and to whom all the honour of this power muſt bee aſcribed: for what power can countermand Satans, but onelyonly Gods? I grant, Satan may give place to beelzabub, and depart his habitation for his greater advantage, and forſake a body, to get faſter hold upon the ſoul, or to delude many beholders: but ſuch hoſtile conqueſt over Satan, argueth a mighty power of God, which all the Devils in hell cannot reſiſt.
Secondly, That whoſoever finde themſelves any way moleſted of Satan, muſt haſten themſelves to Jeſus Chriſt, who onelyonly can batter down the holds of the Devil, In all thy ſpiritual captivity, repair unto Chriſt.and work their deliverance. Feeleſt thou thy ſelf held under any ſpiritual captivity or bondage? doth the Law of evil preſent with thee, toyl thee with heavineſs, and unchearfulneſs to any thing that is good? ſeeſt thou in any meaſure Satans ſecret trains, working againſt thy ſalvation? Oh come unto Chriſt! not faintly, as the Father of the poſſeſſed child, Mark. 9.22. Maſter, if thou canſt do any thing help us: but with confidence, as the Leper, Maſter, if thou wilt thou canſt make mee whole, Matth. 8.2. or as the Centurion, onelyonly ſpeak the word: rebuke theſe dumb and deaf ſpirits within me: and thou who only canſt make the dumb to ſpeak, the deaf to hear, the blinde to ſee, and the lame to leap for joy, ſet mee at liberty, work my inlargement, chaſe away theſe ſpiritual enemies; and thou that art the Son, ſet mee free, and I ſhall bee free indeed.
In caſes of ſorcery and bodily oppreſſions by Satan, what to do.Again, art thou in any affliction of body, or mind, or goods, or name? yea, bee it in the caſe of Sorcery or Witchcraft, againſt thy ſelf, or any of thine, or whatſoever belongeth unto thee? look up unto Chriſt, hee can command Fire, Water, Windes, Seas, Diſeaſes, Death, the Devils themſelves: and if hee ſee it good for thee, he can check all thy grievances; hee is of no leſſe power now in his glory at his Fathers right hand, than he was in his humility upon earth: and yet when hee was at loweſt, hee could command Legions of Devils, nay Legions of Angels (as at his apprehenſion) much more can hee now command and rebuke the former, and pitch the latter round about them that fear him: ſo as without his will, all the Devils in Hell cannot make one hair of thy head to fall.
The ſuperſtitious ſorcery of ſuch as attempt by amulets and words to drive away Devils and Diſeaſes.Thirdly, Hence are overthrown ſundry ſuperſtitious and wicked opinions and practices, very rife in the world: As,
1 Such Popiſh minded perſons as think that by certain words and amulets, Devils may bee driven away, diſeaſes healed, &c. And for this they alleadge that in the New Teſtament, onelyonly by naming, Jeſus ſuch cures were effected.
To which I anſwer, that it is too groſs a conceit, to think that there can be any vertue in words to dive away diſeaſes, much leſs Devils: or to conceive that by the pronouncing of words, but by the vertue and power of Chriſt, working by the Apoſtles, and miraculouſly put forth with thoſe words, both diſeaſes and Devils gave place, and ſo the parties were healed.
Popiſh charming.2 Such as think that by the applying of conſecrated things (as they call them) Devils are ſcared away: as by holy Water, Salt, hallowed Candles, reliques of Saints, the ſign of the Croſs, Images faſhioned in ſuch or ſuch a place: All which howſoever very ordinary in the Church of Rome, yet indeed are no better than ſorcery and charming; and the very practices of thoſe who while they will drive the Devil from others, plainly prove that themſelves are ſpiritually poſſeſſed by him, in that they will caſt out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils. They object for theſe reliques, that a ſouldier that was to be buried, was revived by touching the dead bones of Eliſha, 2 King. 13.21. But this was a Miracle wrought by the finger of God, to confirm the truth preached by that worthy Prophet, and is not to be aſcribed to the touching of the bones, which in themſelves, nor at any other time, had any ſuch vertue.
They alledge alſo the example of the Woman having the bloudy iſſue, who was cured by the touching of Chriſts garment: whereas that diſeaſe was cured, not by the Corporal touching of his skirt, but by the Spiritual touching of himſelf, which was by the hand of her faith: and therefore our Saviour ſaid, be it unto thee, not according to thy feeling, but according to thy faith. They alledge alſo, Acts 19.12. That from Pauls body were brought to the ſick, Napkins or Handkerchiefs, and the diſeaſes departed from them, and the evil ſpirits went out of them. Which things had no ſuch power in them, but only that it pleaſed God by ſuch weak means to produce Miracles, for the confirmation of that holy Doctrin preached by …aul. And therefore the text aſcribeth theſe Miracles, not to the garments of Paul, but to God himſelf; who by the hands of Paul wrought them, verſ. 11. W…ce we may conclude, that whoſoever uſe any ſuch means as theſe, ſhew th…mſelves, not only ſuperſtitious and wicked; but moſt fooliſh and ridiculous to think that any bodily ſubſtance whatſoever can work upon or violence a ſubſtance which is not bodily, ſuch as the Devils is. It will be alledged, that experience ſheweth that ſuch means as theſe prevail to theſe intents and purpoſes: which wee grant to bee true; but that is by Satans ſubtilty, who often diſſembleth a flight, as though he were forced by an exorciſt to depart: or elſe indeed goeth away, that men might be confirmed in their impiety, and grow more mad upon ſuch wicked and unlawful means.
3 Others, who when Gods hand is any way upon them or theirs, Againſt ſuch as leave him with whom God is, and run to the Witch with whom the Devil is.eſpecially if they conceive it (as they are prone enough) a caſe of Sorcery or Witchcraft, leave the help of him with whom God is; and run to one with whom the Devil is, that is, the Wizzard or Witch, commonly called, the Cunning man, and Woman; or the Wiſe man and Woman. Which becauſe it is ſo common a ſin, and ſo bold, as men and women doe not ſo much as Saul, who changed his garments that he might not bee known, I will by ſome reaſons prove this concluſion, that although a man knew that a Cunning man or Woman ſo called, or a Wizzard, could and would help him; yet ought hee not to ſeek or admit of ſuch help, were his caſe never ſo deſperate.
1 Beſides expreſſe places of Scripture againſt it, as Deut. 18.10. Levit. 19.31. Levit. 29.6. It is a departure from God to the Devil; Iſa. 8.19. Should not a people inquire at their God? from the living to the dead? 2 King. 1.16. Becauſe thou haſt ſent meſſengers to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, was is not becauſe there was no God in Iſrael? and indeed, the ſeeking to ſuch is a ſervice and homage to Satan; which he often and for moſt part (being very skilful in Natural things) recompenſeth with cure of the diſeaſe. Auguſtine.Hence did the ancient Fathers call this ſeeking unto them, a renouncing of Chriſtianity, and an Apoſtacy from God.
2 All help is to be ſought of God, and in thoſe lawful means which hee hath appointed, and promiſed bleſſing unto. But for words, Amulets, Characters (which are Diabolical Sacraments) or good prayers (as they call them) of the limbs of the Devil, whoſe warrant have they, or what power but from the Devil? for God never put any ſuch efficacy either into their nature by Creation, or by any Divine inſtitution ſince: and therefore their work is from the Devil; on his part by Satanical operation; and on the Seekers part by Satanical faith and illuſion.
Obj. But they uſe good means of Phyſick alſo.
Anſ. Seldome or never; but if at any time they doe, whence have they, being ſo ſimple and illiterate perſons, their skill, but from the Devil, or Diabolical tradition? And who made the Devil thy Phyſician? who if he ſhould miniſter nothing but Natural things, thou mighteſt not accept them from him.
3 This remedy is worſe and more deſperate than the diſeaſe, becauſe Gods curſe followeth it: who in his Law, hath commanded that whoſoever goe a whoring after ſuch, ſhould be ſtoned with ſtones: and if any turn after ſuch, he will ſet his face againſt them to cut them off, Levit. 20.6. And according to this threatning, he hath executed viſible Judgements againſt it, even againſt Kings themſelves (who think themſelves moſt free to doe their pleaſure) as 1 Chronicles 10.13, 14. Saul dyed for his tranſgreſſion that hee committed againſt the Lord, even againſt the word of the Lord which hee kept not, and in that he ſought and asked counſel of a familiar ſpirit: therefore the Lord ſlew him, and turned the Kingdome to David: Aſa never came oft his bed for this ſin, 2 King. 1.16. and more, not only Kings, but whole Nations were caſt out before his people for this ſin: and not only they, but even his own people were caſt among the Nations when they followed theſe waies of theirs, Iſa. 2.6. Better w… …t therefore to dye of a diſeaſe in the hand, than be recovered by the hand of …e Devil.
4 Mark how the Devil hath circumvented ſuch a party. 1 He hath robbed him of his faith in God, becauſe he maketh haſte. 2 Of his fealty and ſubjection to God, becauſe he either denieth Gods government, or the equity of it. 3 He hath got in him what he deſired to win from Chriſt, but could not, namely, to take up another means of ſafety than God had appointed. 4 He having thus ſet up himſelf for ſuch a mans God, hee maketh him commit execrable Idolatry, in aſcribing to the Devil himſelf that which is proper to God and Jeſus Chriſt.
Firſt, a power of healing, which the Devil hath not further than God permitteth him, to the juſt blinding of the ſinner.
Secondly, a faith and perſwaſion in that power, that it ſhall be available to him: which is nothing elſe but a ſecret confederacy and league with the Devil, without which nothing can be done. This the Lord implyeth in the bounding of his Laws, as Lev. 19.31. Ye ſhall not ſeek, &c. for I am your Lord: as if he had ſaid, you ought to depend upon me and not upon the enemy of Mankind, Levit. 20.6. Yee ſhall not goe a whoring —but be holy: as if he had ſaid, have nothing to doe with ſuch an impure ſpirit, if you would bee an holy people.
Why God permitteth a power of curing to them of whom we may not ſeek cure.Queſt. But if God would not have them to help, why doth hee give them ſuch power of curing, of fore-telling things to come, and revealing hidden things?
Anſ. 1. The power of curing is from Satan, God juſtly permitting him, to the further deluding of unbeleevers.
2 Neither doth the Wizzard fore-tell things to come, but the Devil by them ſuch things as he by the quickneſs of his ſpiritual nature ſeeth preſent in the cauſes; or which God permitteth himſelf to be the worker of: and caſie it is for him to diſcover the Thief which himſelf tempted to ſteal.
3 The Lord permitteth all this, not that we ſhould truſt him or uſe him, but to try whether we will depart from our God: the caſe here is the ſame with that of the falſe Prophet, who muſt not bee beleeved when hee fore-telleth things that come to paſs.
Why then, may ſome ſay, doth God ſuffer them to fore-tell ſuch things? The text anſwereth, The Lord thy God tempteth thee, whether thou wilt cleave unto him or no, Deut. 13.3. Let all ſuch perſons as have ſought to them, conſider betime how they have broken Covenant with God, betaken themſelves to Satans help, broken priſon to their greater puniſhment, and made ſtones bread: let theſe bewayl the ſin and renounce it: never was Saul in ſo fearful a caſe as when he run unto the Witch; by his own confeſſion God was departed from him. Let no man leſſen this ſin, or dare to defend ſuch limbs of the Devil under titles of good, wiſe, or cunning perſons; ſeeing theſe curſed bleſſers draw Towns and Countries after them into their own damnation. Let none think it a ſlight matter to counſel others to this ſin, and remember, that by the Law of God they ought to dye, that ſeek to thruſt people from their God, and drive them to the Devil: a farre greater ſin is this, than that which the Lord maketh capital.
Fourthly, here we have alſo ſtrong conſolation, The comfort of the Church is, that Chriſt is ſtronger than all.that Chriſt is ſtronger than the Devil, 1 Joh. 4.4. ſtronger is he that is in us, than he that is in the world: look how ſtrong the Father is, ſo ſtrong is the Son, Joh. 10.29 and therefore his ſtrength is as farre above Satans, as the Creators is above the Creatures. Hence we are ſure none can take us out of his hands: not the World; Be of good comfort I have overcome the world: not the Devil; The Prince of this world is caſt out: not ſin, not death; both which are caſt into the Lake: not temptation, nor perſecution: for by Chriſt, we are more than conquerours. All theſe may moleſt us, but cannot hurt us: they may make warre upon us, but we may pluck up our hearts, ſeeing we fight againſt conquered enemies. and are, through his ſtrength that hath loved us. ſure of victory before wee ſtrike a blow. Let not us forget the conſolation, in that although our enemies may nible at our heels, yet the ſeed of the Woman hath broken their heads for us.