Sermons Preached from Luke 11:21-22, Sermon 2
SERMON, II.
IT was a bright and pleaſant MEDITATION we have been upon; which might well Engage and carry a Mans Tho'ts away a great Length: ſcil. That the Soul of Man is a Noble Palace which the Great GOD built for Himſelf. But I am now to paſs into as dark and melancholly a CONTEMPLATION, where a Mans Mind may well be as much clouded and Oppreſſed.
DOCTRINE, II. That the Soul of Man is now become as a Garriſon and Strong Hold which Satan keeps againſt GOD.
He the ſtrong Man armed keepeth the Palace, and calls it his. He has the preſent Poſſeſſion and Rule; he keeps it by force of Arms, as a Caſtle in Time of War.
Let us
1. Conſider the Fact, Satans poſſeſſion.
2. Whence that is?
3. That he keeps it by Arms, and as a Garriſon againſt GOD.
I. It is a ſorrowful Matter of Fact, of eaſy Proof, and the ſad Experience of the Children of Men, that Satan has and keeps poſſeſſion of their Souls in their Natural and Unregenerate State. I ſpeak of a Spiritual poſſeſſion of the Souls of Sinners, which is a Caſe really much more deplorable than a Bodily poſſeſſion by evil Spirits; but this laſt being leſs common, and falling under the Bodily ſenſes and being horrible to behold, is terrifying and affrighting to us; while the other being only a Spiritual miſery, is not apprehended or regarded by ſtupid Men, tho' it be of more fatal and laſting Conſequence.
In whomſoever Sin reigns, in and over them Satan rules, and has poſſeſſion of them. He that committeth ſin is of the Devil, for the Devil ſinneth from the beginning. In this the Children of God are manifeſt and the Children of the Devil; whoſoever doeth not Righteouſneſs is not of God: And whoſoever is not of God is a ſlave to Satan, 1 Joh. 3.8, 10.
He that is begotten of God keepeth himſelf, and that wicked one toucheth him not: Theſe we know are of God, while the whole World lyeth in Wickedneſs, 1 Joh. 5.18, 19. foreign, in the Wicked one; under his power and under his poſſeſſion.
We are born in Sin, and Satan has the firſt poſſeſſion in this State of Corruption and Apoſtacy; which remains thro' the whole Unregenerate Life. In the New Birth Satan is Ejected. If it be Enquir'd concerning any Perſon in that bleſſed hour, as it was concerning the poor Lad bro't to Chriſt, foaming and gnaſhing with an unclean and cruel Spirit; Mark 9.21. How long is it agoe ſince this came unto him? It muſt be anſwered — Even of Child; yea even from his Birth, and before.
The Habit of Sinful Actions, and the ungodly Courſes of wicked People, ſhows the poſſeſſion and Rule of Satan. They are acted by him. Joh. 8.44. Ye are of your Father the Devil, and the luſts of your Father ye do; Ye do the deeds of your Father. It is the Style of Satan, that he is the God of this wicked world, the Prince of the power of the Air, the ſpirit that now ruleth in the Children of Diſobedience, Eph. 2.2. And it is the wretched account of the State of the Ungodly, that they are in the ſnare of the Devil and taken Captive by him at his will, 2 Tim 2. ult.
To conclude, Some wicked Perſons are poſſeſſed and acted by Satan more Viſibly and Openly than others. The unclean Spirit ſhows it ſelf to the World in the abandoned Wretches, & in their ſcandalous Courſes which …e earthly, ſenſual, deviliſh. They are blinded and led blindfold by him: 2 Cor. 4.4. In whom the God of this world has blinded their eyes. As the Philiſtines of old put out Samſons Eyes and ſet him to grind; or as the Demoniacks of old were wont to run ſtaring over Rocks and Precipices, into the fire and into the water, whitherſoever the furious ſpirit drove them.
Moreover, Satan hardens them in Sin, and his poſſeſſion of them is to be ſeen in their Security & Fearleſneſs: for if the Devil were not in them, they would fear and tremble and be ſtruck with horror at their own Actions and Dangers. They ly among the Tombs and know not that the dead are there. They cut and gnaſh themſelves with Stones and feel it not, tho' they are ſo Cruel & Barbarous to their own Souls.
I might be more particular and ſay,
He is a Deaf Spirit in them and they wont hear, a Dumb Spirit and they cant Pray, a Profane Spirit & they Blaſpheme God. Yea like the poſſeſſed in their Fits they are Inſenſible, and you would think 'em quite dead. The thunders from Sinai are not heard by 'em, nor the flaſhes of lightning ſeen, nor the ſhaking Earth felt. Were they not in ſome ſtrange Preternatural State they would exceedingly fear and quake: Their Senſes and their Reaſon are lock'd up as in a Swoon, and it is very hazardous whether they will ever come to themſelves again and to a right Mind; or if they do it is to be feared that it will be by dreadful Convulſions, which may be terrible, if not equally dangerous as their preſent Stupidity.
II. Whence is it that Satan has poſſeſſed himſelf of the Souls of Men? The Palace was Gods, built for Himſelf and actually his Dwelling and Reſidence: How then came Satan into it?
Not to be ſure by any Legal Right, but by Tyranical Ʋſurpation: Not by any power againſt God, or any freedom from his Power and Juſtice, but by the righteous permiſſion of a holy God, in Judgment and Puniſhment for our Sin. The ſorry Traitor, the foul and falſe Uſurper boaſts of a Right and Title, All theſe, and all this Power and Glory is mine; for to me they are delivered, and whatſoever I will I do with them. He claims as by Victory and Conqueſt over God, when as he only prevailed over weak Man by Subtlety and Fraud, and by the Judgment of a holy God is permitted to Poſſeſs and Tyrannize.
Wherefore,
The Palace was betray'd into Satans hands by Mans Sin. Man delivered up himſelf to the Devil by a baſe and voluntary diſloyal yielding to his Temptation. Sin was the curſed thing that made God forſake his Palace, for he cannot dwell with it; and this gave Satan his poſſeſſion. The firſt Order and Command of God was, that Sin ſhould not be permitted to enter into and defile his Palace, on pain of his Departure in Wrath. God made Man Holy, Inclin'd him well, diſpoſed him only to that which is good, and to all that is ſo! He gave him an expreſs Warning and Commandment, with a ſevere and dreadful Threatning in caſe of Tranſgreſſion. The penalty was preſent Deſertion and utter Deſtruction. Nevertheleſs the Devil by craft and ſubtlety beguiled and ſeduced Man into Sin. Man weakly, ungratefully, wilfully complied with Satans Motion. He treacherouſly gave him the Keys of the Palace, and receiv'd him into his own heart. The Holy God then forſook his Earthly Tabernacle and Reſidence. He loath'd and abhorred the defiled Place. He left miſerable Man in thoſe cruel and filthy hands which he had put himſelf into. The Traitor ſurrendred himſelf into a Tyrants hand, and renounced God his righful Proprietor, and Gracious LORD. He revolted to the Devil at his firſt Motion, from God that made him. It was a voluntary Reſignation to the declared Enemy of God, who had appear'd to him bare fac'd, giving God the lye, and accuſed him of Envying the Felicity of his Creature. He tranſgreſſed in a defying manner to God, and inſolently dar'd his Vengeance. God was far from willing or allowing Mans fall and ruine; He did all that was proper and reaſonable to have reſtrained and prevented him: He forbid it under the pain of Death, his higheſt Diſpleaſure and an Everlaſting Exciſion from himſelf. This is the Rice and Support of Satans Kingdom here on Earth and his Dominion over Men. He tempted and Man yielded. God forſook and Satan uſurped. Man renounced God, revolted to Satan, and God left him to the wretchedneſs and Curſe he choſe.
III. Satan now holds and keeps the wretched Soul as a Garriſon in a time and ſtate of War against the bleſſed God. The ſtrong man Armed keepeth the Palace. We read of the Powers of Darkneſs, the Powers of the Air, Principalities and Powers and ſpiritual Wickedneſſes. The Devils Empire is large and his Kingdom ſtrong. The Hoſts of Evil Spirits are many, and every ſingle fallen Spirit is of Great Might. Their Name is Legion, for they are many; and any one of them can do dreadful things if God permit them. Satan and his Angels are the Great Enemy of God and in Arms againſt Him. They never laid down their Arms of Rebellion unto this day. From the day they left Heaven, from the day that God caſt them down from it, they declar'd and ſtill wage an Everlaſting War with it, for they have an Irreconcilable Enmity, and a Rage which they can't ſuppreſs. Rev. 12.7. And there was War in Heaven; Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon; and the Dragon fought and his Angels.
Tyrants have their Palaces as well as rightful Princes; but they rule by force of Arms; by standing Armies. Uſurpers and Rebel… have no other Security of their unjuſt poſſeſſion.
God Arms for the Recovery of the Soul out of Satans hands. As the Captain of the Hoſts of the Lord CHRIST has appear'd in his Church. The Eternal and Almighty Spirit of Grace has proceeded from Him, with his Sword drawn, His Bleſſed Word in the Miniſtry thereof. His Miniſters have received their Commiſſions from Him to Inliſt others in his Cauſe; with whom they are to War a good Warfare, as good Souldiers of Jeſus Chriſt: Whom that they may ſerve faithfully they are called off from Entangling themſelves with the Affairs of this World. The Weapons put into our hands are not Carnal but Mighty thro' God, to the pulling down of ſtrong holds: 2 Cor. 10.4. The whole Armour of God is provided for us, wherein to go forth againſt the Goliah of Hell; and it fits every gracious Soul, for he has prov'd and tried it and been exercis'd therein; being skilful in the word of Righteouſneſs, and experienced in Spiritual Graces & Duties. The Spirit of God Himſelf puts them on, and is in them that go forth in his Name to Animate, Strengthen and Proſper 'em. His Preſence in his Word appears in Showers of Arrows, and darts thrown with a ſtrong hand, that Peirce the hearts of his Enemies; and ſubdue them to be his willing People, while their Enmity is ſlain in the day of his Power. The Stars of Heaven alſo in their Courſes fight againſt Siſ…a, and Inviſible Hoſts of Angels Engage in the Cauſe of Chriſt, and for the Deſtruction of Satans Kingdom.
Thus more are with us than there are againſt us. Nevertheleſs the Rebels are Obſtinate and Deſperate; for they are never to be pardoned nor to find any Mercy. They hold on the fight, and renew the War, amidſt all their Defeats, with impotent Spite and Malignity. They fall and are wounded and broken, and bite the ground, and gnaſh with their teeth, while they ſee a happy Number recovered to God, after whom nevertheleſs they caſt their fiery darts, & give them many a painful wound. The Convictions of others they quench, and keep poſſeſſion of them by prevailing with them to Confederate with them againſt God. Sinners ſide with the Devil, conſent to his Motions, ſubmit to his Rule, reſiſt the Holy Ghoſt, and are found to fight againſt God. They have a Diabolical Nature of their own, which is Enmity to him, and naturally ſides with the powers of Darkneſs. They are Seconds in the War, and count themſelves Principal in it. It is the cauſe of their Luſts, whom they love and like, and can even fight and die for, rather than part with them. They are haters of God, and deſpiteful as well as He under whoſe Banner they appear. Alienation from the life of God & Averſion to it in the Corrupt Nature of Man, is the foundation of his Agreement and League with Hell. 'Tis the Seed of the Serpent: A Serpentine Nature, which loves its like, but hates God as its Oppoſite. The Law is Spiritual, but this corrupt Nature is carnal, Sold under Sin, Sold to do evil.
Hence is it that the Soul becomes ſuch a Strong hold againſt God. The corrupted Soul is it ſelf Enmity to God. There is a ſtrong hold of Sin.
1. In the corrupt Mind and carnal Reaſonings.
2. In the Will and Affections.
3. In the defiled and corrupted Conſcience.
4. Sin has deeply Intrenched about & ſtrongly fortified it ſelf with many Outworks. And to finiſh all,
5. Sometimes the foul Moat of Judicial Blindneſs and Obduracy encloſes all.
1. There is a ſtrong Hold of Sin in the corrupt Mind and carnal Reaſonings of Men. Ignorance of God, affected blindneſs, ſtupidity, Pride, Conceit, Vanity, Unbelief and Infidelity are natural to Sinful Man. In theſe Conſiſt the Kingdom of Darkneſs and the Power of darkneſs. Satan is the Ruler of the Darkneſs of this World, and as the God of this World, (i. e. the Tyrant over it.) he blindeth the Mind of them that believe not, leſt the light of the Glorious Goſpel ſhould ſhine into them. The natural State of Man is Darkneſs: Eph. 5.8. Ye were ſometimes darkneſs. The Underſtanding is both diſabled and depraved by the Fall, the Mind is defiled: if that be Evil the whole Soul muſt be full of darkneſs; if the light that is in us be darkneſs, how great is that Darkneſs? We read of the Chains of Darkneſs; and indeed chains are not more to the Liberty of the Body, than Darkneſs is to the noble Powers of the Mind: as the one are in the Impriſonment and Captivity of the Body, ſo is the other the Thraldom and Slavery of the Soul. What a dark Dungeon is to the Body, that is Spiritual Darkneſs to the Mind.
Well therefore when the Apoſtle ſpeaks of the Weapons of our Warfare mighty thro' God to the pulling down ſtrong Holds, the firſt of theſe Holds that he mentions is our Tho'ts and Imaginations, and every high thing that exalts it ſelf againſt the Know…edge of God. 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. The Corruption of the Angelick and Humane Mind is much alike: Angels and Men both fell by Pride, and Pride faſtens the Chains of darkneſs on them. Vain Man will yet be wiſe, and wiſer than God, tho' he be born like the wild Aſſes Colt. Are we blind alſo? Said the diſdainful Phariſees; and therefore they were left in wilful Ignorance and Unbelief. The Mind of Man likes not to retain God in its knowledge. And its own natural Notions, Fancies, Prejudices, it ſets up in Oppoſition to the Revelation of God. Neither is there any ſtronger hold of Satan in Us than this Evil Heart of Unbelief in departing from the living God. Or when Men from the perverſs reaſonings of their own Mind, corrupt Opinions, Phyloſophy & vain deceit fortifie themſelves againſt the Convictions of the Word. Hence has aroſe the Infidelity, Atheiſm, Profaneneſs and Licentiouſneſs of the preſent Ages. The deſires of the Mind are Oppoſite to God as well as thoſe of the F…ſh. Eph. 2.3. Carnal Wiſdom is deviliſh. Jam. 3.15. And therefore the Soul by Sanctifying Grace is Renewed in the Spirit of the Mind. Rev. 12.2. The other Faculties of the Soul fight, like common Souldiers, for the Prey, (ſayes one) but the Mind as the Leader of the Army fights for Vict…ry, and Superiority; freedom from the power of God, or for the Conqueſt of him. We are alienated and Enemies in our Minds, Col. 1.21. We are averſs to the Knowledge of God, and ſay to him, Depart from us for we deſire not the Knowledge of thy wayes. Converſion therefore begins in Illumination and the Opening Mens eyes, and they are transformed by the Renewing of their Mind. It was the Pride of Jews and Greeks that hindred them from ſubmitting to the Goſpel of Chriſt; 1 Cor. 1.23. We Preach Chriſt Crucified, to the Jews a ſtumbling Block and to the Greeks Fooliſhneſs. A Crucified Saviour was a Stone of ſtumbling and a Rock of Offence to them; they fell on it and were broken to pieces. And ſo do many in our own dayes, in whoſe wiſe Eyes the Goſpel is yet fool…neſs, and they cannot ſtoop to the Simplicity, Humility and Self-dental of its pure Laws, nor to the Righteouſneſs which is of faith. Hence as it was from the beginning it yet is, Not many wiſe Men after the fleſh are called. They teſt in Natural Religion after their ſtudy of Nature. But this Pride and Arrogance and high look God hates. This Pride of reaſon is Odious to God, as well as Averſs to him, Not only does it turn from God, but God reſiſts that. So that it brings a kind of Impoſſibility to be ever convinced; How can ye believe that receive honour one of another? and ſeeſt thou a Man wiſe in his own eyes there is more hopes of a fool than of him. God reſiſteth the proud and giveth Grace to the lowly. The want of a Spiritual Diſcerning, and the power of carnal Apprehenſion, is an effectual hindrance of Mens Salvation; and a ſtrong Wile and Snare of the Devil. So he began with Man, and ſo he holds on, and the Effect is the ſame now that it was at firſt; i. e. his Poſſeſſion and Dominion is Eſtabliſht by it: Ye ſhall be as GOD's to know Good and Evil.
2. Satan finds a ſtrong hold in the Corrupt Will and Affections of Men. They are his by Conſent, and they are obſtinate in their choice of ſinful wayes, they delight in ſome or other luſt under the power and rule whereof they live, and all expreſſes and iſſues in more and more Averſion to God, and their hatred of his wayes increaſes continually. The love and liking of Sin is the Eſtabliſhment of Satans Throne. The ſlave loves his cruel Maſter and will not go free, but will fight for the Tyrant. Such is the baſeneſs of the once noble and free Soul.
There needs no more to give Satan a full and entire poſſeſſion of our Souls than our own Conſent to him. And indeed nothing but that can give him poſſeſſion. The Soul is yet ſo free that he rules in none but by their own Will. In the day when their heart and will is changed, Satans throne is caſt down and he is ſpoil'd of all his Armour. He enter'd by our conſent, and he reigns by our tame ſubmiſſion and conſent. And ſo long as thou art willing it is impoſſible but he ſhould keep the Palace. Thy will is the Palace which he prides in, and gives him all his power. He would if he could keep his poſſeſſion of the convinced Sinner againſt his will, but all the Devils in Hell can't do that. Every Sin (ſayes one) is an Election of the Devil to be our Lord; ſo far as it has a voice it gives it ſuffrage or vote for him. Joh. 8.44. His Luſts ye will do. While the w… …ubbornly perſiſts in its Diſobedience … …od and to rebel againſt Him; the poſſeſſion of Satan is ſecure. The Souls affections are his Guard while he ſleeps within in peace and quiet. He has no trouble to keep the Palace, we keep it for him. Our love of Sin is all the Hold that Satan deſires of us. Let that abide and he is ſure of us. On this his Kingdom ſtands, for Satan can never caſt out Satan. The two are agreed and can dwell together well. While God is hated as a Soveraign and as a Lawgiver; Satans dominion is Eſtabliſh'd as much as it is in our power to do it. We are loyal to him and zealous Aſſertors of his right.
Here then is Satan power againſt God and over thee; thy own Will, choice, love and likeing. This is Invincibly ſet for Sin. God won't force thee to be his againſt thy will, nor accept of thee without thy Will, nor rule thee but by thy own Conſent; Tho' he will judge and puniſh thee at laſt without it. And this is thy Guilt, and the Condemnation: you will not be rul'd and ſav'd by Chriſt, and you love darkneſs rather than light. You have not the love of the Truth that you may be ſaved
3. Conſcience is corrupted and perverted, and becomes another ſtrong hold of Satan, whereby he keeps poſſeſſion of us. Tit. 1.15 The Mind and Conſcience is defited. This Subſtitute and Vicegarent which God ſet up within us to govern and to judge … is himſelf debauched into Satans Intereſ…. No wonder then that the Fortreſs he was to have defended is betrayed and delivered up and that Satan has ſo quiet a poſſeſſion. It is the Office, and only in the power of Conſcience to diſturb and diſquiet him in his Tyranny. This ſhould proteſt againſt the Uſurpation, this ſhould exclaim under the Oppreſſion, this ſhould draw up the Charge of Treaſon and Rebellion, this ſhould judge and paſs Sentence, this ſhould Awaken Reaſon to its juſt Exerciſe, and ſummon the Will to ſubmit again to God. But if this be Silent, if this be Brib'd by the Tyrant in poſſeſſion, or if it be Aw'd and cow'd; If Conſcience ſide with the Inclination to Sin, and judge in its favour from Partiality and Affection, if the Judge takes bribes and cryes Peace to the Inſlaved Soul; or if it be tame and cowardly, ſneaking and fordid, as a corrupt Judge is eaſily found in vicions Reigns, ſervile to the Tyrants Luſt and Will; no wonder that Satan keeps poſſeſſion then and his dominion ſtands. The Foundations are out of courſe, and there's all the Confuſion and Iniquity proper to the Reign of the Devil.
Indeed Natural Conſcience has not power now to govern a blind Mind and an obſtinate Will. The will often carries it againſt the judgment of Reaſon and the Convictions of Conſcience. Conſcience is not hearkned to, but hector'd and Inſulted, oppos'd and reſiſted when he does condemn. But how often is Conſcience aſleep, or dumb and conniving at the …penitence Men live in; and ſo the hands of Sin and Satan are ſtrengthned. Sometimes it Eſtabliſhes Iniquity by a Law and gives that for law that is not; calls evil good & good evil, and puts darkneſs for light and light for darkneſs, ſometimes it covers, excuſes, palliates, and appears an Advocate for wickedneſs and Villany. Sometimes it holds its peace & bears no Teſtimony at all. By all this the power of Sin…nd its Rule is upheld in the Soul.
Indeed Conſcience muſt needs ſuffer together with and by the corruption of the Underſtanding and the Will: it wants the clea… light of the One to judge by, and violence is done it by the Other. But alas one Faculty is corrupted as well as the other. Conſcience … both weak and falſe. It holds the Truth in Unrighteouſneſs, the fall has made Shipwreck of it, and ſenſual Men drown it with their Souls in the Sea of Luſt. The Chancellor falls in with the wicked Miniſtry, and involves himſelf in their Crimes.
4. I might add, if you will not think that I ſtretch the Alluſion too far, That there are many Outworks, by which Satan has deeply Intrench'd and …ortified about the Palace which he keeps: and every one of theſe lines he diſputes and defends, that he may keep the Fort. Such are Evil Cuſtoms, worldly Principles and Maxims, evil Examples and wicked Tempters about us; the Errors and Prejudices of Education, evil Habits, and ſometimes even Lawful Liberties; but above all the baits of Senſual Pleaſures, worldly Riches, and Earthly Honours; the Luſt of the Eye, the Lust of the Fleſh and the Pride of Life; all which are that friendſhip of the World which is Enmity to God, and whereby Satans Seat and Empire is Enlarged and Eſtabliſhed. The God of this World has with much helliſh wiſdom for himſelf, and malice againſt God, thus formed as he could a corrupt World for his own poſſeſſion. He has filled it with Snares for Souls, and Inticements to Sin, fooliſh and hurtful Luſts, that we may be taken captive by him at his will, and may never recover out of his hands. How many are his Stratagems and devices, and how ſubtle and very hidden his Arts! He is ſtill the Serpent and an old one, and folds and twines, and ſhows himſelf in a thouſand poſtures and forms; and we the poor Children of Eve are taken with his ſhining Skin, and glaring lies and promiſes; and take and eat and die. This preſent evil World is a ſtrong Confederate with Satan, and joyns all its forces againſt God and our Souls.
5. And laſtly, Sometimes there is the foul Moat of Judic… Blindneſs and Obduracy incloſing all. A line of Gods drawing in his Wrath and feirce Anger, and a deep ditch of the Sinners digging about himſelf. A great Gulph fixed of an Everlaſting Separation between God and the Soul. A righteous Sentence of Reprobation paſs'd, which can never be revok'd. The tree Curſed before it is cut down, and from that Moment drying up at the root. An utter and final Rejection from God, and a delivery of the wretched Soul over to Satan as his for ever. So Satan enter'd with the Sop into Judas, and his heart Petrify'd within him, and turn'd into a Stone, and at laſt diſſolv'd in deſpair, in the fire of Gods wrath. God ſayes concerning the loſt Soul, Let him be filthy ſtill. God gives him up to vile affections, and unto ſtrong deluſions, that he may be damned, becauſe he believed not the Truth, but had pleaſure in Unrighteouſneſs. The Sinner becomes paſt feeling, and gives himſelf over to work all Uncleanneſs with Greedineſs, as if his Conſcience were ſeared with a hot Iron. From henceforth Satan has a ſure poſſeſſion of the miſerable Soul, as ſure as if he were already in Hell, and the bars of the pit about him for ever. No place can be found for Repentance, ſhould he ſeek it carefully with Judas his Tears & Remorſe; but he haſtens to his own Place.
And thus I have endeavoured to repreſent the poſſeſſion that Satan keeps of Impenitent Sinners; as a Garriſon and ſtrong Hold in a ſtate of War againſt God.
USE.
Give me leave to make a Reflection or two on this deplorable Account of the matter.
1. See the lamentable Change that is come upon us by Sin. In the change of the Inhabitant, and in the change of State conſequent there-upon. Once the Dwelling of God, now the Habitation of Devils & of every unclean thing. From a Princely Palace turn'd into a Garriſon: From a Paradiſe of Pleaſure, Peace and Liberty, driven into Captivity, Bondage and Miſery: from the gentle Rule of a Rightful Gracious Prince, now the Uſurpation of a Cruel Enemy. Into what Evil Hands, and into what a forlorn Condition has our Apoſtacy from God bro't us?
2. See what Satans Motion to thee is in every Temptation unto Sin. It is this — Renounce God and Give thy ſelf to me both Soul and Body, to be mine for ever. With this horrid Motion the Sinner complies, tho' he only thinks of Gratifying and Indulging himſelf. So Souls are kidnapt by the Devil; Entic'd over into the Gardens of ſin & ſenſe, as into ſome promis'd Paradiſe; but truly in the Event find themſelves Sold into the vileſt Slavery. If the Devil ſhould appear to the Sinner and make the barefac'd Motion to him; "Soul, ſell thy ſelf unto me; come, Seal a Contract to be mine for ever; Let me Enter into thee and poſſeſs and act thee; — would the Soul Conſent? No, but with Infinite horror would ſcream out and die away at the Motion. O believe it, Every Temptation to Sin, and unto Impenitence therein, is nothing better than this Curſed Motion: and this is thy State, and this thy Miſery, while you…ly under the Power and Rule of any known Luſt.
3. See the Curſed Nature of Satan and of Sin: His Enmity againſt us, and the Miſchiefs he has bro't upon us: How he is to be hated and deteſted by us, and his Motions to be loath'd, abhorred and trembled at: what madneſs as well as how Impious it is to ſide with him, comply with him, and fight againſt God: But alas! What Homage, Obedience and Service has he? He ſends his Imperious Meſſage like ſome Haughty Benhadad to ſome Servile Ahab, "Thou and thy Riches and all that thou haſt is Mine: and the Sinner tamely returns anſwer,— "True Satan, I am thine and all that I have; and all ſhall be imployed for thee, and according to thy Will.
4. See then what a Mighty Saviour Sinners need, to deliver them from the Power and Poſſeſſion of Satan. And a Mighty One God has raiſed up for us, (as if God will we may hear hereafter) even an Almighty One, His own Son in our Nature. He is manifeſted to deſtroy the works of the Devil, to break the Serpents head; to deliver us from the power of Satan unto the glorious Liberty of the Kingdom of God. He is able to ſave unto the uttermoſt, able to bruiſe Satan under our feet: The Devils tremble before him, confeſs him, and beſeech him not to torment them; and they fly at his Preſence and his Word. By Him all Devils ſhall be judged at the laſt day, and receive their Doom from his Lips to an Eternal Torment. He was tempted and is able to ſuccour us; He has Aſcended on High and has led Captivity Captive. He commandeth the unclean spirits and they obey him, and the very Devils are ſubject to us thro' His Name. What manner of MAN is this!
5. Let Sinners earnestly be Exhorted to ſeek and get Deliverance from the Poſſeſſion & Power of Satan. Recover your ſelves out of the ſnare of the Devil, and be not led Captive by him at his Will. Now you muſt ſeek Deliverance,
1. By Faith in Chriſt. Believe His Power and His Readineſs to Save thee from all thy Spiritual Enemies and from the Hand of them that hate thee. Legions of Devils are nothing in His Hands. Beelzebub and all his Hoſts are but as a ſwarm of flies which a Mans hand will drive away.
2. By Repentance. This Spues out the Unclean Spirit, when you loath your ſelf for Sin before the Holy God. He cannot bear the Moans and Agonies of a repenting Soul. The broken Spirit which is Gods Sacrifice, is Satans Abomination. Thy deepeſt Humiliation is his ſureſt Ejection.
3. By Prayer. This alſo he abhors from. If he keeps thee from Prayer he will keep his Hold of thee, but by Prayer you bind him and carry him to Chriſt, and his Strength is gone. He may tempt and hurry you, but he does not poſſeſs you, if you are ſincere and earneſt in daily Prayer. Formality in it he bears well eno', and Indulges thoſe in it whom he poſſeſſes; but Pray thou in Spirit and in Truth, with Conſtancy, holy Importunity and Fervency, and he can never endure it. Prayer has power with God; and is has power over Satan. It obtains help againſt him and power to reſiſt him. God gives his Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, and He drives away the Evil Spirit. This is a ſingular part of our Spiritual Armour, and a weapon of our Warfare mighty thro' God to the pulling down ſtrong holds, even —Praying alwayes with all Prayer, Eph. 6.18.
Pray for a Pure and Enlightned Mind; Pray for a Soft and Tender Heart. Pray for a Free and Faithful Conſcience. Pray for a Conquer'd and Obedient Will. Pray for Spiritual and Holy Affections. Pray to be Saved from this E…il World. And Pray that God would never caſt you from his Preſence, nor take away his Holy Spirit from you.
Say unto God, O Lord I beſeech thee deliver …y Soul. Yea carry your poor Soul … Chriſt, as ſhe did her poor Daughter of old grievouſly vexed with a Devil, Matt. 15.22. Have Mercy on me O Lord, thou Son of David.
4. Another means of Satans Ejection is the reverent and diligent Study and Entertainment of Gods Word. The Devils Throne and Kingdom Shakes before the Preached Goſpel, and Millions of poor Souls have been delivered from his poſſeſſion under the Miniſtry of the Word. This is the Sword of the Spirit, whereby he puſhes and peirces the Enemies of our Salvation; and alſo ſlayes Sin in the Soul by wounding it. It is given us to wear about us, for our own Defence, and for the Offence of them that aſſault us in our way to Hea…en. It is Written, ſaid our Saviour, and ſo put by the fiery darts of the Tempter, and he … from Him. If we did better Improve Gods Sabbaths and his Holy Ordinances, it would ſtrangely weaken and break the power of Satan, and give us new ſtrength and Supplies of Grace againſt Him. Theſe are the Means of thy Deliverance.
The Laſt USE ſhould have been a Word of Comfort to the Godly, and to the Tempted. But this will properly belong to the Af…e…-Propoſition, when I come to conſider, how the Victorious Saviour reſcues whom He pleaſes, and will reſcue all his Choſen, from Satant Power and Tyranny. If he has already done this for you, Rejoyce becauſe your Name is written in Heaven. O thy Happineſs, — while you look with ſo much Commiſeration o… the Miſeries of others. Such was your … once, but the Holy and Mighty One has … Great things for you. You once had the Legion in you, but they remain now only in the Swine and in the Abyſſe… Now you Sit at Jeſus feet, clothed and in a right Mind. Entreat Him to keep thee with him. Go home and tell how Great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had Compaſſion on thee.