Addresses to Old Men Young Men and Little Children, Doctrine 2

Addresses to Old Men Young Men and Little Children · Doctrine 2

p. 52DOCTRINE. The Wicked One is an Enemy, which 'tis the singular and special Honour of Religious Young Men to be victorious over.

p. 53Proposition I.

We are to look upon the Devils as a Wicked One. That there are Devils in the world, is unquestionable to all but those absurd Sadduces, that say, seeing is believing, and will believe nothing but what they see. And yet if even seeing would convince them, after their contemning of the Scriptural Evidence which may be read in Jude 6. and Mat. 18.16. and Luc. 4.33. and many other places, we have in a manner seen such Beings as Devils are. That is, we have seen such preternatural operations in some Enchantments and Possessions among us, as could never have been without the Existence of certain spiritual and rational Substances, as are full of all Wickedness against God, and enmity against man. Would you know what a Devil is? The Apostle gives a description of him, in Eph. 6.12. a spiritual wickedness, that is, a wicked Spirit. Hideous Droves of those wicked Spirits, being fallen Angels, are made prisoners within the Atmosphere of that Earth which we walk upon; the High-places of our Air, are, as the Apostle intimates, the Receptacles of those wicked Spirits, But now,

First, we may look upon all the Devils as ONE. On what account? Briefly, altho' as to their Induation they are several, yet they are One for their Ʋnanimity. It is their agreement and union in mischief, on the score of which they are to be called One.

p. 54The Devils are many for Number; their Troops amount unto many Legions. We read in Luc. 8.30. about a Legion of them, that kept a Garrison in one single person; though a Legion contained perhaps twelve thousand and five hundred in it. Very probably there are f…r more Devils than men in the world; and they swarm like the Frogs of Egypt in every one of our Chambers. Yet are they one in their design, one in their Interest; they make as it were one grand Enemy of Mankind, & one mystical body of Wickedness. They have their Devilish Confoederacies, and are not divided among themselves: there are no Mutinies in the Armies of Hell, for want of pay: nor do they complain of hard Marches, tho' they are always compassing of the Earth. They have one Commander over them; for there is a Government, a Monarchy in the infernal Regions, the Commander whereof is called in Mat. 12.24. Belzebub, the Prince of Devils. They have a grand Segniour among them, one of peculiar Dignity and Influence; this chief Devil we may call the Devil; but in the same term we likewise comprehend all the Slaves, and Officers, and Emissaries of that Hellish Tyrant.

Secondly, We may also look upon the Devils as a Wicked One. The Greek word here notes one who takes pains to do amiss. [ponesos from ponos] That is properly a Wickedness, to do an ill thing, with counsel and study, and labour in the doing of it; this is just like the Devil indeed! it is said, in 1. Pet 5.8. He walks about, seeking whom he p. 55may devour. The Devil is called, a wicked one, partly as an object for our hatred; it is to provoke our detestation of him, our indignation at him. As the H…ly One, is a Name of honour, so, the wicked one is f… a name of hatred set before us. He is also called a wicked one, partly, as an object for our contempt. Tho he be like a Lion, yet he has not Righteousness to make him as bold as a Lion. Wickedness is accompanied with Weakness; as one says, it would put a mettle into a Coward to fight with such a wic…ed one as the Devil is.

Proposition II.

The Devil, who is an Enemy to all men, is to yo…ng men a peculiar Enemy.

That the Devil is the Enemy of us all, is a thing very sensible unto us; and his power is called in the sacred Oracles, the power of the Enemy. If you ask, how the Devil is our Enemy, the Answer is obvious; he is our Accuser, and he is our Destroyer. The Devil does every day accuse us; 'tis his character, Rev. 12.10. the Accuser of our Brethren which accuses them before God, day & night. There is a Court some-where kept in the invisible world, at which the Devils prefer as many complaints as they can against us; it is in this Court that they represent us as do…ng the things for which the wrath of God should come upon the Children of Disobedience. The Devil would also very fain destroy us; as he urged against a good man, in Job 1.11. put forth p. 56thine Hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh. The Devils pray and plead, like so many Attornies, that a Judgment may be granted against us all; & they are not satisfy'd unless they themselves be made the Executioners thereof.

If you ask, why, the Devil is our Enemy, the Reply is likewise easy; 'tis from his malignant spite at God, and spleen at man. The Devils cannot endure that the Name of God should be owned in the world; now 'tis our priviledge that we both do the Service of God, and bear the Image of God; but because the Devil would be in the Throne of God, therefore he is unwilling that God should have any Children or Subjects upon the face of the Earth. Moreover, the Devils cannot brook it, that any should be above them; as 'tis intimated, that pride was the condemnation of the Devil. Because he sees man Saved, and himself Damned; man Advanced, and himself Degraded; hence he will do us all the Hurt he can.

But he that is thus an Enemy to all men, is to young men, more eminently so. As the Apostle speaks to Christians, thus I may to young men, in 1 Pet. 5.8. The Devil is your Adversary; young men, the Devil is remarkably ambitious to make a prey of your precious and immortal Souls. The Devil is an Abaddon and Apollyon; for to give him his due, to him does appertain the Name, which the Apocalypse justly puts upon a great Son of his. But young men do most of all find him such an one; that as our Lord said unto young Peter, in Luc 22. p. 5731. Behold, Satan hath desired to have you. So may it be said unto young persons, Behold, Satan is peculiarly desirous to have you in his ravenous, devouring Jaws. The Devil goes ranging, raging, roaring about the world; and young men are those whom he is most concerned for the catching and spoiling of. Some have observed, That most of the Temptations recorded in the Scripture, still fell upon younger men. Be sure the Tempter falls soul upon them with a particular eagerness, and energy. And this for two causes.

'Tis first, because the Devil sees a great likelihood of prevailing on young men. Young men have much matter in them, for the Devil to work upon; there is much folly in young men, 'tis said in Prov. 7.7. I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of Ʋnderstanding: there is much vanity in young men, 'tis said in Ecl. 11.10. Youth is vanity. Now the Devil beholds the natural folly and vanity of young men, as a very agreeable Tynder, for the sparks of his insinuations to fall upon. He thinks with himself, This rash young man will suspect none of my hooks and snares; nor will he consider his latter End. He thinks, This wild young man will take me at my word, and never consider the Chambers of death, which I am bringing him unto. For this cause he sets upon young men with greater expectation; and hence usually with greater frequency and industry than he does assault other Ages. The Lusts of young men after those three baits of the Devil, pleasures, profits, p. 56duplicate page p. 57duplicate page p. 58grandeur, are more lively and stirring; and hence a particular activity of Hell shall be bestowed upon them.

Secondly, 'Tis because the Devil sees a great advantage in prevailing on young men. The gaining of young men thereunto, is a thing m… signally useful to the Kingdom of the Devil. I… secures the Kingdom of the Devil in their own Souls. If men are converted unto God, it is usually in the morning of their days, if they do not then gather the Manna of Christ and Grace, 'tis a thousand to one but they miss of it for ever. God says in Eccl. 12.1. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy Youth; and the devil knows, that if the Creator be not then Remembred, it is likely that he'l be forgotten for ever. The strong armed one is very studious to get and keep a strong hold in the Soul of a young man; as being sensible, that in Age, it will be harder to cast him out. We read in the Gospel about a very painful Dispossession; but this was the reason of it, Marc. 9.21. This evil spirit came unto him of a child. If the devil make sure of a wretched sinner, till his youth be over, 'twill not be easy to ej…ct him; every new Act of sin, has given him a new hold of the Soul. The Devil haunts the soul of a young man, giving interruption to all the motions of the blessed Jesus, & howling, What have we to do with thee, Jesus thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before our time? But Alas, if the Devil been't shaken off, before the time that age grows upon us, he will p. 59ordinarily defie the holy Spirit upon him; and he will have a confidence that any blind and lame Devils will be strong enough to maintain the Castle, against our glorious David. It also promotes the Kingdom of the Devil among their neighbours. Young men have a special fi…ness for the Devils business; they lay themselves out with more fervour, and more success; they keep more company, and so they diffuse their poison further, than can be said of other people. When that Nebuchadnezzar had work to be done, we find in Dan. 1.4. he will have young men brought before him, skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge. Thus the furious Nebuchadnezzar of Hell, singles out young men, that their skill and their wit, and their vigour help to carry on his Affairs, the more effectually. Good old Austin therefore said unto a young Gentleman, Diabolus cupit abs te ornari; the devil would be glad if such Accomplishments as yours might be employed for him

From this 'tis, that all young men may have their hearts aking to think, how much they are exposed unto the devil; as 'twas cry'd unto that Champion. The Philistines be upon thee Sampson; so may it be alarm'd into the ears of young men, The Philistines of Hell are your peculiar Enemies, O young men, and those Enemies are upon you every day.

Proposition III.

Religious young men have the honour to be victorious p. 60over the Devil; some and such young men have the honour that unto them it may be said, Ye have overcome the Wicked One.

First, That Religious young men are victorious over the devil, is evident from the instanees of the victory. To instance a little,

First, Religious young men there are who overcome the devil, in respect of the general and natural Estates which they are escaped from. What is the condition of them that continue in their unregenerate Estate? Alas, 'tis that of Bond-slaves, and Captives to the devil. It may be said of unrenewed Sinners, as in 2 Pet. 2.19. They are overrcome and brought into Bondage; and it may be said of them, as in 2 Tim. 2.26. They are taken Captive, (and as it were carried away alive) by the Devil at his will. The devil has conquered all unrenewed Sinners, and he does horribly lead them, act them, rule over them; he is a sort of a Prince and a God unto them. But when a Sinner is Converted, he is brought out of this miserable state; he is, according to that in Acts 26.18. Turned from the power of Satan unto God. The devil does not any longer domineer over a Sinner, that is born again; he gets rid of his former Task-masters, like Israel escaped from Pharaoh and his Armies. Now 'tis the priviledge of some young men, that they are thus brought home to God. We read of one that could say in 1 King. 18.11. I fear the Lord from my youth; now to fear the Lord is to fight the devil, with a blessed victory indeed. p. 61There have been young Josiahs, that have sought the Lord while they were yet young; there have bin young Davids, that have had God for their Hope, their Trust, their Teacher from their youth; and there have been young Samuels, that have been waiting on God, and hearing from him, in their early days. As one says, Wisdom, gravity, prudence, temperance, are not always confined unto them that have wrinkled faces, furrowed Brows, dim eyes, palsey hands, leaning on a Staff. So may we say of this divine victory.

Secondly, Religious young men there are, who overcome the devil, in respect of the particular Trials that are made upon them. The devil makes these and those particular Batteries upon young men; he says, I'le now trip up the heels of this young man, and immediately applies all his Engines to draw the poor young man into some abominable thing. The devil is conquered in such Encounters, when he can't proceed and prevail in them; 'tis said in Jam. 4.7. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. The Devil is meerly overcome, when a tempted Soul, silences his Banters, with saying like our Lord, Get thee behind me Satan, or as Job answered a Fool, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. As on the other side, when David sends for a Mistriss, when Peter denies his Master, when Confessors come to Recant the Cause of God, then the Devil gets the day, and goes with flying colours out of the Field. But it is the priviledge of some young men, that they p. 62come off well in their spiritual Combates. We read of such a young man in Gen 39.9. who being sollicited unto sin, vanquish'd and extinguish'd the sollicitation, by ans…ering, How shall I do this wickedness, and sin against God? There are young men that won't be gull…d by the proposals of the Devil; but know how to slight them and scorn them all, and with an holy bravery, make him weary of tendring them. Some young men are before all the Devils of H…ll, as young Jeremiah was before those of Earth; Defenced Cities, Iron Pillars, Brazen Walls; the devils fight against them, but cannot prevail against them.

Secondly, That it is a singular and special Honour unto young men to be thus victorious, is evident from the qualities of the Enemy. It is said in Prov. 16.32, He that rules his own spirit, is better than he that taketh a City; and indeed there have been those great Plunderers and Murderers, whom we call Conquerors, in the world, that have taken Cities, when they could not subdue the passions & phrensies of their own Spirits.

Fortior est qui se, quam qui fortissima vincit Maenia —

But what is it then to be Conquerors over those vast throngs of Spirits which assail us from the world which is not seen, and is Eternal? Indeed the victory is not purely our own, it is said in Rom. 8.37. We are more than Conquerors, through him that p. 63has loved us. Nevertheless, the victo…y becomes ours, because he that hath loved us, makes us active in it; the Lo…d of Hosts emplo…'s the hands of the young David when 'tis He Himself that …ays the Goliah of Hell sprawling on the ground before us; and the victory makes for our Honour.

Young men, have you overcome the Wicked One? Then,

F…rst, you have overcome a potent Enemy. 'Twas said in Judg. 14 18. Wh…t stronger than a Lion? But you have been too hard for a stronger Lion, than that which Roared upon Sampson of old. Tho' they say, The Lion is not so fierce as he is painted, I am sure, 'tis imp…ssible to paint or speak what a Lion the D…vil is.

The Devils have us at a mighty disadvantage, upon this account; it is said in Eph. 6.12. We fight not against fl…sh and b…ood, but against principalities & powers, and spiritual wickednesses; the Devils are spiritual, and that renders them very powerful; they can smite us when we can't see them; they can attack us & surprise us, by undiscoverable stratagems. Add unto th…s, That the devils which fall upon us, may say, as they said in that poor man of old, We are many; and these many devils have our hearts on their par…s; there is in us a party for them. 'Tis a piece of most Heavenly Gallantry to overcome such an Enemy.

Secondly, Y…u have overcome a subtle Enemy. He has those things that are called in 2 Cor. 2.11. His Devices.

p. 64There are above twenty names put upon the Devil in the Scripture; and not a few of them are fetch'd from his Decei…fulness. Hence particularly, this Father of Lies, is called in Rev. 12.9. The old Serpent; he has not only the paw of the Lion, but also the head of the Serpent, and he has wiles as well as darts to molest us with. The devils have the experience of more than five thousand years to furnish them with skill; and you know who says, Multitude of years teaches Wisdom. How easily might these old Souldiers out-wit us, a company of raw, new, unexperienced little Folks, that are but of yesterday, and know nothing! how many Tricks, and Arts have they to manage their malicious Intreagues withal? For such a cunning Enemy to be overcome is wonderful!

Thirdly, you have overcome a restless Enemy. 'Tis said of him in 1 Pet 5.8. He goes about. Like his eldest Son, Cain, he is A Vagabond: he gave that account of himself, in Job 1.7. I came from going to and fro in the Earth. But it is to trepan and ruine us, that he goes about. This Prince goes in progress, rides a Circuit through his whole Dominions, to see how his business is carried on; and all his Vassals are also travelling in the prosecution of this devilish business. No Beasts of prey do toil with such a painful, watchful, indefatigable Industry, as the Devils do for the ruine of Souls; they lull others asl…ep what they can, but they never can take any sleep themselves; I may say of them, They wander up and down for p. 65Souls, and grudge if th…y be not satisfy'd. For such a busy Enemy to be overcome, how great a thing is it!

It remains that I entreat the younger men as Brethren, upon such Articles as these.

Application.

I. Brethren, do not by any means continue the Slaves of the Wicked One. You do not, you cannot conquer the Devil, as long as the Devil shall command you

Young men; There are too many of you, that are to this day in the Devils Vassalage; and that have the curse of Cham upon you, to be the Servants of servants. Let me tell you plainly, fairly, faithfully, who among you, are yet the Slaves of the Wicked One.

I am to tell you, That all worldly young men, are among those miserable slaves. The Devil is called in Joh. 12 31. The Prince of this world. Whe…fore you young men, that are meerly set upon this world; …ou that for the sake of this world, neglect God and Christ, and your own Souls; you that follow after no Riches, no Delights, no Honours but what this world affords; alas, the Devil, altho' he be but a chained Prisoner, is yet the Prince whom you yield the most Absolute Obedience to.

I am, again, to tell you, That all Ignorant young men, are under this wretched Slavery. The p. 66Apostle expresses it in Col 1.13. God has delivered us from the power of d…rknes…, and hath transpl…nted us into the Kingdom of his d…ar Son. Therefore you young men that are yet in dark…es…; you that are ignorant of God and Christ, whom to know as Life eternal: you that are ignorant of the evil that is in si…, which is an evil… and a bi…ter thing; be assured, that the Prince of darkness is the Ruler of your undone Souls.

I am once more, to tell you, that all unconverted young men are under this woful Slavery. To all that are not born from above, belongs the Description in Eph. 2.2: They walk according to the prince of the power of the Air. Young men, don't you walk as the Devil would have you to walk? If the devil say, Live without prayer, and without Christ and without God; an unconverted young man lives accordingly. If the devil say, Go and be wild and lewd and mad with vain companions; an unconverted young man does accordingly. If the de…il bid such a young man to scoff and puff at a…l the means of his good, there will be no witholding of him. Ah! poor young man; it may be said of you, as in Joh. 8.44 Ye are of your father [& Master] the devil, and the Lusts of your father you do. The Tyrannical Ceremonies which he has enjo…ned upon his wretched woful Vassals discover what a Tyger your Master is; horrible pilgrimages, whippings, cutting…, f…stings, and miserable Tortur…s we know to be the de…otions of the poor Pagans whom the devil is yet a Leader to; read Purchas's p. 67pilgrims, and be astonished. Yea, this Tyrant will be not content unless the very lif… and bl…od of men be sacr…ficed un…o h…m. 'Tis well known what was done this way among the cursed Athe… ans of old; and among the Romans afterwards. The poor Heathen could fall into no calamity, but presently there must be f…und men among …h…m to be made Katharmata f…r a publ…ck Expiation. The King of Mo…b must a…ter the …haenician manner make a sacr…fice of his own Son, and so must K…ng Ah…z do no less than burn the C…ldren of his Bowels; the Devil …as been a devouring Mol…ch to the world. Behold what y…ur Master is! But, ye inconsidera…e …ouths, what will become of you, if you continue thus …nsl…v…? Briefly, all the blows, and al… th… plagues …hat fall upon the Devils must …ls… fall upon your unhappy Sou…s. Your doom at last will be that in Matth. 25.41. Depart ye cu…sed, in… everl…s…ng fi, prepared for the Devil and his A…g…ls. As, the Devil and his Angels, thus the Dev l …nd his V…ss…s, must be together punished in E…e…l…sting Fire. In the Day of the Lord tha… shall burn as an Oven, the Lord Jesus Christ will say to the impenit…nt young man, since you like so well to be with …he Devil, you shall now go and be with him for ever.

O consider of it, and follow this one Counsel, Change your Service. Young men, are …ou not old enough to be bound unto some Servic… that may be for your future and endless benefit? Behold, such a Service I shall now set before you. I pray, p. 68duplicate page p. 69duplicate page p. 68leave the Service of the Devil; he is an hard master, and you shall have no wages from him, unless eternal vexation and confusion. 'Tis a bad counsel sometimes given unto young men, that they should Run away from their masters; but as to this master, 'tis a good counsel, O Run away from him. You beat him, if you leave him. Wherefore Tear and Break your Covenant with Satan, for he has made you his own, by Covenant as well as Conquest. Had you written and signed such a Covenant in your Blood, as the monstrous Witches use to do, there were yet room for the annulling of it; how much then may that which is less Explicit, be Lamented, Repented, Nullify'd? Well then, repair to that Rightful and Righteous Lord, unto whom you ow all manner of Service; Repair to God in Christ, and say as in Isa. 26.13. O Lord our God, other Lords besides thee, have had dominion over us, but by thee only will we make mention of thy Name. Even so, say unto him, Lord, I have hitherto been a Slave of the Devil and I mourn to think that so much of my youth has been lost in this unhappy Slavery; but behold I now return to my glorious Creator and Redemer; Lord, I desire that I may, I resolve that I will, for the time to come, approve my self thy Servant, wholly devoted unto thy Fear for ever.

O that such blessed Indentures were now made between the God of Heaven and the young people here.

II. Having so shaken off the Tyranny of the p. 69Wicked One, then, young men, endea…our to overcome him, in all your particular Encounters wi…h him; endeavour, that the Devil may fi…d …ou too str…g for him, when-ever he shall make his bloody Ass…ults upon your Souls.

There are two things that I am now to set before you: the first is, In what you sh…uld be; the second is, By what you may be, victorious over the Wicked One.

First, IN WHAT? There are many things, wherein you should overcome the Devil. In general, I would only say,

Let not the Devil overcome you, when he tempt… you to any sin whatever; and especially to the sins which your age is more peculiarly dispos d unto. Whenever the Devil urges you to an evil thing, rebuke and repel his Temptations, with such an Answer as our Sa…iour once ga…e unto him, in Mat. 16.23. Get thee beh…nd … Satan. Courageously reply, Satan, have done, and, Satan, be go…e! and make him turn his back upon you, by turning of yours upon him. But there are some sins, to which your age is more emin…ntly inclined, and by which 'tis most of all endangered. I pray, let These be the Objects of your more undoubted victory, and therefore of your more solicitous watchfulness. It was the Advice of the Apostle to that young man, whom old Chrysostom I remember, very justly styl'd, a wonderful youth, in 2 Tim. 2.22. Flee youthful lusts. As there are the Lusts of every place; the Prophet notes it about the Chaldeans, they were a p. 70bitter and hasty and furious people; and the Apostle notes it about the Cretians, they were a people grievously given to Lying: the Levity of France, the Haughtiness of Spain, the Revengfulness of Italy, and the Drunkenness of Germany, has been the Remark of us Engl…sh-men, who perhaps give too great Instances o… …ll those vices. Thus there are likewise the Lusts of every Age; and youth has its particular blemishes, which are called in Job 13.26. The Reproach of our youth. Young men, 'tis in and by those Lusts, that the Devil will have the most likely Locks for the throwing of you; O that you may be victorious here! Indeed, the best Fight with these, is a Flight from them; here, cedendo vincimus; these are the Enemies whereof the Captain of our Salvation has given us that word of Command, Flee! But what are they? what be the Names of them?

First, Overcome the Devil, when he Tempts you to the youthful sin of Evil-company-keeping. Where may you look to see a carnal young man? The wise man ha… told us, in Prov. 7.7. I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man. The Devil would fain de…oy young men, into the Knots, and Bouts of what they call, Good Fellowship; he would perswade them to Merry-Meetings, and link them with such Associates as will Drink and Drab and Game, and be infinitely wicked, and help to drown one another in perdition▪ But when you are thus tempted, by the Devil, forget not the caution of your Saviour, My p. 71Son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If you have been seduced into a Society and Intimacy with ungodly persons, imagine that you hear that Counsel from on High un…o you, Depart from the Tents of those wick…d ones, lest you perish in all their sins! and that you hear that Thunder of Heaven over you, A Companion of Fools shall be destroy…d! Think wi…h your selves, whether you would be willing to spend your Eternity with such Companions; and whether it be not convenient for you now to say, Depart from me, ye evil-doers, for I will k…ep the Commandments of my God! unto those wild Creatures, unto whom the Lord Jesus will one day say, Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting Fire? O let not the Devil cause …ou now to be Familiar with the Robbers and the Cut-throa…s of your Souls; and wi…h …hose of whom your Death-bed Groans will be, Lord, gather not my soul with such unhappy sinners.

Secondly, Overcome the Devil when he tempts you to the youthful sin of Ʋncleanness. It is a passage relating probably to the young men of Sodom, in Job 36.14. They dy in youth, their life is among the unclean. The Ʋncleannesses into the Quagmires whereof young men too often plunge themselves, to use the Apostles cleanly Language, 'tis a shame to speak of them. 'Tis a monstrous and a cursed wantonness, wherein young people too often indulge themselves; and some things that are counted the parts of a gentile breeding do but cast oyl into the Hellish Flames of that wantonness: I mean particularly p. 72promiscuous Dancings, against which the faithful Servants of God in all Ages have born their very zealous Testimonies. The Apostles in Rom. 13 13. and in 1 Pet. 4.3. condemn, that which we translate Rioting and Revelling, and they joyn it with Ʋncleanness; now the most accurate and renowned Criticks in the Greek Tongue, affirm Dancings to be intended by the word that is used there. Hence Chrysostom calls a Dance, a Diabolical practice; and says, The Devil is one of the Company where 'tis made. Austin made no stick to say, The miserable D…ncer knoweth not, that as many paces as he makes in Dancing, so many steps he takes to Hell. And the Ancients with one mouth call a Dance, a work of Satan, which all Baptised persons are bound unto the Renunciation of. Yea, whole Councils and Synods in the primitive Times have bitterly stigmatized promiscuous D…ncing…; and in later Ages the Waldenses declaimed against them as, The processions of the Devil.

The Reformed Churches in France made this an Article of their Discipline, Dancing is to be suppress…d, and those who take the liberty to dance, after they have been several times admonished, shall be Excommunicated. The Reformed Churches of Holland have made it an Article of theirs, They that go to dances shall be Reproved; and if after divers Admonitions they persist, they are to be Excluded from Communion. And whole Armies of Protestant and Judicious Divines have spent their Arrows upon this Debauching Levity. Yea, a sober Papist, having the devotion of p. 73a Drexelius has not stuck to say, A dance is a Ring, whereof the Devil is the Center, and all his Angels the Circumference. Yea, a civil Pagan, having the discretion of a Cicero has plainly said, It is only for a Drunkard, or a Madman to be a Dancer. I desire young people to come away from all promiscuous dancings, lest the same Devils which usually fetch away alive one of the Crew in the Dances of our Indians, do as terrible a thing to your Immortal Souls. But herewithal,

Avoid all Ʋncleanness whatsoever; and particularly, beware of having light thoughts about some sorts of Ʋncleanness wherein many young people have been so infatuated as to excuse themselves. There are abominable self-pollutions which many that would be loath to commit other kinds of Ʋncleanness, look upon as little, venial, easy peccadillo's; albeit these are the Effeminacies, whereof we are assured, in 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. They that live in them, shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. O study a spotless and gracious chastity; make not your hearts the Ovens that have the impure Flames of Hell constantly flaming there; if an unclean Devil would solicit you to any Filthiness, reply upon him as the young Joseph did, How shall I do this wickedness, and sin against God? and with the famous young Nicetas, even spit your very Tongues in the face of any that shall urge you to throw your selves into the deep ditch, into which they fail that are abhorred of the Lord.

Thirdly, Overcome the Devil, when he tempts p. 74you to the youthful sin of Drunkenness. 'Tis a sharp Irony in the Speech of the Wiseman to the young man, Eccl. 11.9. Rejoice, O young man in thy youth, and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy youth. And the Devil perswades many a foolish young man, to think or act, as if this were a liberty in good earnest allow'd unto him. Alas, how common is it for young persons to be at merry Bouts, and there to disguise themselves by a sin so much worse than Beastly, that the very Bruits themselves cannot be frequently or easily compelled into it! But I beseech all y…ung people to beware of thi… pernicious vice, from which I had almost said, None returns to take hold on the path of life. The careful Father that heard his young Son was given to Gaming and Whoring, and some such things, yet encouraged himself with hopes that Age would Cur… him: but when he heard he was become addicted unto Drunkenness, with despair he cry'd out, Nay then, I have no hope concerning him. Diligent Enquirers have been able to find but one or two Notorious Drunkards in an Age, made sober men; Drunkenness is Vitium maximae adherentiae; it is rare that any leave it off; see deut. 21.18, 19, 20, 21. The devil gains and keeps a strange hold of men, by this Iniquity; and hence those Barbarous Nations which have not our liquid ways of Intoxication, yet have other modes of drunkenness; by which the devil retains his possession of them. But O Remember p. 75the Reckoning that is to come at the last! Of Drunkenness we are told in Prov. 23.32. At the last, it bites, it stings; and indeed how should it otherwise? for it breaks not one, but all of the Commandments; Ebrietas in se culpas complectitur omnes. Hence, how many Drunkards have at the last roared out, Ale-houses are Hell-houses! Know it, that at the last, you shall for every cup of pleasure here (as one expresses it) receive a gallon of Wo. Let all young people take up a just prejudice against this youthful, but woful vice; and bear in mind that word of God in Isa 28.1. Wo to Drunkards. Young men, 'twill bring a wo upon your Names; your Credi… irreparably falls and breaks every time you Reel with Drink. 'Twill bring a wo upon your Estates; they'l be quickly melted at the Tavern, and you must be left without both Friends to assist you and Cloaths to cover you. 'Twill bring a wo upon your Bodies; Crudities and Obstructions that are the parents of all Diseases, are the hasty offspring of this Excess. But above all, 'twill bring a wo upon your Spirits; 'twill besot the Reason with a foaming madness; 'twill enflame the Conscience more than if you had swallow'd flaming Sulphur; 'twill plunge the Soul into intollerable and interminable Miseries. 'Tis a thousand to one, but you may dy Drunk like Ammon and Elah at last, if you live so, and yet I can hardly say you live, inasmuch as you are dead while you live. 'Tis a profane and lying Speech sometimes used, That a drunken man gets no Harm; we often see such woful p. 76creatures drowned, which is indeed but a proper vengeance on them, for a Dr…ken is an old English word for a …owned man. Yea, sometimes we see them also horribly …n…d unto Death; scarce two weeks are past since we saw two …uch Tragical Accidents. However, the irrec…mable Drunkard cannot escape the v…ngeance of ete…l F…r…, he must be Tormented f…r-ever in those Fires, from whence his vain and sad cries w…ll be c…ntinually going up, O f…r a d…p of w…er to … …ng…e! We pity that King who of old …t a K…ngd…m for a cup of drink; bu… the drunkard will do a more lamentable thing; he loses a Soul for a cup of d…ink, a loss which the gain of the whole wo…ld would not compensate; and he procures himself a banishment and an exclusion from the Kingdom of Heaven for ever.

Fourthly, Overcome the devil when he tempts you to the youthful sin of Haughtiness. We read concerning a Novice, in 1 Tim. 3.6. there is danger least being lifted up with P…ide, he fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Truly, young people are but Novices; whatever good they have or do, they are but newly come to it; it will be a wonder if the devil do not hock them, as he did Rehoboam into Ruine, by their Pride, unto which they are too naturally disposed by their self-ignorance and their small experience. In many Obsessions we see the devil hideously Tympanizing the Bodies, which he has got into; he swells them most unreasonably. But O let not the devil cause p. 77you to swell with any proud Apprehensions of your selves; be not proud of your own Abilities, your own Excellencies, your own performances; but let a most humble modesty accompany your whole Behaviour. The Devil will …p …ou into some grievous fall, when once he has got you lifted …p with pride. But, there is also a more childish kind of pride, which the airy minds of young people, are too prone unto; and that is, A pride in Apparel. There is a certain flant of Gayety and Vanity in Attire, wherein young people do too often manifest their inward inclinations to Extravagancies; and sometimes they go so far as to transgress the seventh Commandment in it. We that are Protestants may blush to read what rebukes the graver sort of Roman Catholicks themselves have bestow'd upon such Exorbitancies. One of them has written a whole Book of Reprehensions to Naked Breasts and Shoulders; and others of them have published whole Discourses, Contre les vains Ornemens des femmes, against the vain Ornaments of the Femal… Sex. Young People, would you have O…naments? The Apostle says in 1 Pet. 5 5. Be Adorned with Humility; Humility it self is represented there as the most comely knot of Ribons in the world. Let your Garments not want any Decency, but let your vertues be your chiefest Ornaments [study 1 pet. 3.3, 4, 5.] To use the Expressions of an Ancient; I pray, ponder, whence you came; th…t will make you blush; ponder, what you are; tha… will make you sigh; ponder, what you go; that p. 78will make you shake. Mortify your Pride with all humbling Thoughts; and be able to say with young David, in Psal. 131.1. Lord, my Heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty.

Fifthly, Overcome the Devil, when he tempts you to the youthful sin of Inconside…ateness. It is mentioned as the rashness of many a young man, in Prov. 7.23. He is as a Bird hastning to the snare, and he knows not that it is for his life. How few young persons are there, that ever trouble themselves about, wherefore's? and what if's? and the greatest consequences? For the most part they put none of their concerns into Ballances, and they come under that reproof, My people do not consider.

But let young people now consider, that the God of Heaven is uttering over them such a wish as that in Deut. 32.29. O that they we…e wise, that they would consider their latter end? We read about a young Isaac, that it was his manner, to walk in the Fields for Meditation. O that young persons were so wise, as to Retire and Consider upon the circumstances of their Souls! Retire and look upward; consider who made you, and what he has prepared for you, if you seek Him. Retire, and look downward; consider the Everlasting Fire and the Never-dying worm, which is reserved for the Torture of all impenitent Unbelievers. Retire, and look backward; consider the sin in which you were born, and the many Follies and Errors which you have lived in. Retire, and look forward; consider the death, and the Judgment, and the Eternity, into which you are p. 79hastening apace every day. Retire, and look inward; consider, whether you have yet made your peace with God, and whether you are yet arriv'd unto a blessed Ʋnion and Communion with the Lord Jesus Christ. Let every young person become like that Ephraim, and that Prodigal, whom in the Bible we find considerately bemoaning of themselves. If the Devil offer you at any time a Bait, presently consider whether some cruel Hook be not covered with it; and be able to say like that young Saint, in Psal. 119.59. O Lord, I thought on my ways, and I turned my feet unto thy Testimonies.

Sixthly, Overcome the Devil, when he tempts you to the you…hful sin of Apostasy. Of many young persons may that complaint be made, in Hos. 6.4. your Goodness is as the morning cloud, and as the early Dew it goeth away. 'Tis not unusual for persons in their youth to have many Convictions on their minds; they have some troubles, O what shall I do to be Saved? and they have some wishes, O that I may dy the death of the Righteous: But what comes of all? They frequently vanish l…ke the morning cloud, and the early Dew; tho these people never could be really young Saints, yet from being seemingly such, they become old devils, as a wretched Proverb has expressed it; and this is from the Seduction of that old Devil, who is himself the first and worst Apostate that ever was. But, young men, if you have left off any of your old sinful ways, tremble to return like a Dog to that vomit, like a Swine to that quagmire, any more. Let not p. 80the foul Spirit which will cause you to leave off the thing that is good, Renew his Interest in you; it will q…ickly render you seven times worse than you were be…ore. Tremble at forsaking of those Devotions and Societies whereat you have sometimes had your Hearts burning within you; Tremble at Embracing any more those Abominable things, which you have pretendedly given a bill of Divorce unto; such Backslidings will endanger your hearing that voice from Heaven, which thunderstruck the miserable Spira upon his Apostasy, Hence! Hence! thou vile Apostate! and carry away the Sentence of thy Eternal Damnation in thy Soul! Forget not that word of the Lord Jesus, in Luc. 9.62. No man having put his hand to the Plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of H…aven. And forget not that word of the Lord Jesus, in Heb. 10.38. If any man draw back my Soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Lastly, Overcome the Devil, when he tempts you to the youthful sin of Mispending precious time. We are told of some young men, in Job 30.2. In whom old age is perished, or, as it may be rendred, In whom time is perished. Little do the most of young people know or weigh the worth of Time; it lies like a dead Commodity on their hands, and because they have so much of it they contrive that monstrous thing which they call, pastime, to get it off. But God forbid, that you should any more allow your selves in such a transcendent madness, as the ill husbandry of Time. O this invaluable p. 81Jewel! Time! this Treasure, the Enjoyment whereof is of all things the most uncertain, this Treasure, the Improvement whereof is of all things the most important; be no more spend thrifts of it; but be always either doing or getting of some good while you have …ime b… the Forelock. Young people, you reckon upon a long time; but you must reckon again. It has been said, The old man has death before his Face, but the young man has death behind his back; Death may be as near to you, as to your Grand father. Besides, were you to live unto Gray-hairs, how fast will one year after another sl…p away! no Post, no Ship, no Eagle, moves with such velocity. Be assured, let the Devil tell you what he will, it wont be long before your time will all be flown away; I may say as in 1 Cor. 7.29. The time is short. But when this time is gone, there will be two dismal issues of your mispending it. First, you must be accountable; it is a warning of Heaven to every young man, Know thou, that God will for this bring thee into Judgment. The great God will make that solemn demand, What have you done with the time that I lent you? And then also, it will not be recoverable; what the Wiseman says of Love, may be said of this, when once 'tis gone from us, If a man would give all the substance of his House for it, it would utterly be contemned. Then tho' we cry never so bitterly, Lord, Lord, for a little of the time that we have l…st, no tears of blood will fetch back one hour of it. Wherefore, make much of your little Time, say of every day as one p. 82used of a fair day, 'Tis pity such a day should be lost; squander none of your life away in Diversions wholly impertinent: prize your Time now, as you will when 'tis just expiring; and follow the Divine Counsel in Eph. 5.15. Walk not as Fools, but as Wise, Redeeming of the Time.

These are some of the things In what you are to overcome the Wicked One. But,

Secondly, BY WHAT? And in general, the direction for us, is that of the Apostle, in Eph. 6.11. Put on the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. For a Belt, let the truths of God, be unto you as the girdle of your Loins; and unto the knowledge of divine Truths, add Sincerity of Heart and Integrity of Life before the Lord. For a Breast-plate, put on Righteousness; preserve the vitals of your inner-man harmless by a thorough work of Sanctification, and a Conscience void of offence towards God and Man. For a pair of Shoes, go to the Gospel, which declares and settles a peace between God and us; that the Counsels and Comforts thereof, may prepare us for all our Trials. For a shield, hold up your Faith against the venemous darts of Hell that may be hurled at you; let that put you under the conduct of the Lord Jesus and be to you the Evidence of things not seen. For an Helmet, get a lively Hope that you shall be saved for-ever; and hereby let your Heads be guarded against all hard thoughts of God, and of his Grace: p. 83This is a defensive Armour against the Devil, which better befits every young person, than that of Saul did the young David of old. But there is one offensive weapon, with which we are to manage our Combate against the Devil; and there are two Stratagems to be annexed thereunto.

In short, there are two particular Directions, for our Encounters with the Wicked One; and the quoting of two Texts may lay them sufficiently before us.

The first proper Direction for us, is that in Eph. 6.17. Take the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Compare our Context, 1 Joh. 2.14. If young men would overcome the wicked one, they must have the word of God abiding in them.

The Bible is a spiritual sword shaped and formed by the Inspirations of the Eternal Spirit; and for a Conflict with the Infernal Spirit, it is a sword whereof I may say as David of Goliah's, There is none like it. When the blackest and fiercest of all the devils made an Onset upon our blessed Saviour, and this with all the three Batteries which he once fatally overthrew the first Adam withal, how did our Lord overcome the wicked one? It was by replying upon him, It is written, and by holding up against him the Scripture of God. It is remarkable, that all the swords or words used by our Lord for the overcoming of the devil were fetched from that one Book of Deuteronomy; but how rich a Magazine, p. 84may the whole Bible then be unto us?

Let all young people then study the Word of God; we read in Psal 119 9. Of a young man thus cleansing of his way. There was once a young Gentlewoman, that before he was Nine years old could say, all the New Testament by Heart. O that all young persons would every day seriously and pensively Read the Bible, till their Hearts were become, as Jerome call'd his Friends, The Libraries of the Lord Jesus Ch…ist. Young people, see that you become ready at Scripture; and learn to Fence with a sentence of Scripture against all the passes that the devil is making at you. All the Commandments, all the Promises, all the Threatnings of the Bible, will be like so many swords all-edge, for your service against the wicked one. Let the devil see, that you bear in mind what is written in Eccl. 11.9. in Gal. 5.19, 20, 21. and other such awful places. These Writtens will be more terrible to the Devil, than the Hand-writing on the wall, was to the Babylonian Emperour; such is his Antipathy to them, that if you thus Resist the Devil, he will flee from you.

The second proper Direction for us, is in Mat. 26.41. Watch and Pray, that ye enter not into temptation.

When the Devil is busy with us, 'tis by these two Duties that we may overcome him and his Temptations.

First, Be watchful. Or, in Solomons Dialect, Be fearful. Here, quite contrary to what is in other Warfares, The best Souldier is he that feareth always. p. 85Be always on your guard; and continually suspect that the wicked one has an ill design upon you. Be so watchful, as to keep an Eye upon the Season which the devil may be most likely to make an Hour of temptation. Is it with you a time of Security? Are you grown formal, slighty, weary in Religion? Are your Graces in a slumber? Then wake presently; if you ben't now very watchful, the Devil will serve you, as the Watchmen did the sleepy Soul, in Cant. 5.7. Smite you, wound you. Or, are you very confident of …our selves? are you ready to say, I shall never be moved? Then also wake presently; for if you be not now watchful, the devil will break your bones, as much as he did presumptuous Peters, when our Lord said unto him, in Luc. 22.31. Satan has desired to have you. Or, Is it with you a time of prosperity? Are you Outwardly under the smiles of God? Do Riches and Honours come in upon you? Be sure the Devil will now have a blow at you, if you be not very watchful: this was wise Agu's apprehension. For this cause 'tis said in Prov. 1.32. The prosperity of Fools shall destroy them; it furnisheth the Devil with opportunities. When we have an high Sail, he will try to overset us. Or, are you Inwardly happy in the Light of Gods Countenance? Have you newly been sealed with Assurances of his Favour? Be sure you shall now also find that the Devil will not let you alone. When Paul had been in Raptures, we find in 2 Cor. 12.7. he is not long free from the Buffetings of the Devil. If we have been p. 86in the Mount with God, it is well if you been't quickly pushed upon breaking both Tables of the Law. And yet also perswade your selves that in a time of Adversity too, you shan't be free from Temptation. He that fell upon our Lord, when he was hungry, will fall upon us when we are troubled. You had now need beware lest you either despise the chastening of the Lo…d, or faint, when rebuked of H…m; for you will be shrowdly tempted unto both of these.

Be so watchful as likewise to mind the Subject which the devil visits with his Temptations. 'Tis the Heart, that the devil falls upon; wherefore, as the wise man says in Prov. 4.25. Keep thy heart with all diligence. Be vigilant about the tempers & postures of your own hearts, take notice of the Biass which is upon them. Know what part you are most vulnerable in; and be not like those to whom our Saviour said, Ye know not what spirit you are of. That part of your disposition, which like a Dlilah, is most likely to betray you into the hands of the hellish Philistines, be most exact in your observations of; and let not the devil therein circumvent you, and entangle you.

Finally, Be wa…chful as to keep always alive within you, a sense of the Love of God in Christ. That is the peace of which we are told in Phil. 4.7. It shall keep our hearts; 'tis a military word, To keep as in Garrison. O get a rellish of the divine Love in the Mission and Passion of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in our admission to the saving benefits p. 87thereof; this will be a sort of a garrison for our Souls, and free us very much from the disturbance of our Temptations: it will not be easy for the devil now to disturb the serenity and satisfaction, and holy inclinations of our minds. If we begin at any time …herefore to lose the lively sense of this Love, be so watchful as immediately to recover it; and so, tho' the Archers of Hell may sorely grieve us, yet like young Jo…eph, we may have our Bow abide in strength.

Secondly, Be prayerful; and like Paul, beseech the Lord thrice. He that would be little in Temptation, let him be much in Supplication. When the devil is galling of you, do like those Warriours in 1 Chron. 5.20. Cry to God in the Battel. Keep continually praying unto God, that he would gird you with st…eng…h unto your Battels, and subdue under you the Devils that rise up against you. The Trumpets of Gideon did not more fright the Midianites, than your prayers will the Devils that are vexing you. The woful day wherein the Devil gave poor Origen such a bloody overthrow was a day wherein his prayers had not been carefully enough attended. The best posture to fight the Devil in, is upon our knees. There was a woman once in this Land, very strangely possessed with divers devils who would audibly speak within her; while her self knew nothing of it; these Devils very audibly spo…e of divers mischiefs they would inflict upon her, but still they made this answer to one another. Ah! the runs to the Rock, she runs to the Rock! and they p. 88could not hurt her there. Why, see to it, that by your daily prayers you Run to the Rock; a Dove in the clefts of that Rock, will be defended against all the Vultures of Hell that would seize upon it. But unto Prayer, joyn a true Faith in the Blood of Christ; look upon that as the meritorious and also as the exemplary cause of all your Successes against the Devil. A silly Papist, will sign himself with a Cross, that the devil may have no power over him. Behold, the right way of signing our selves with the Cross. Encourage our selves from the view of the Lord Jesus hanging there.

And let this be accompanied with a strong Faith in the Grace of Christ. Let that be the Fountain from whence we derive all our strength against the devil. A good woman troubled by a devil, said unto him, Satan, don't meddle with a poor silly woman, but if thou hast any thing to say, speak it unto my Advocate, the blessed Jesus, and see whether he cannot answer thee. O let us beg the Lord Jesus to give us a little of that Grace, by which he did himself once beat the devil here; and let us hope in Him as in that Redeemer, Who knows how to succour the Tempted,