Secondly,1 as he hath thus throughly studied this controversy,2 and knows all the windings and false reasonings in it: So withal, by his daily studying and considering Men, he knows how best to suit, and make use of those reasonings, both to persons and seasons. It is the sole business of those evil spirits to study men; for this end they go up and down the earth; and he hath common places of men, and their several frames and temper of spirit, as well as of temptations; he knows all the several ranks and classes of men in the state of grace; and according to their ranks, with what sort of temptations to encounter them. For mens temptations are various and manifold, 1 Pet. 2. 6. even as the gifts and operations of the Spirit are, 1 Cor. 12. 4, 5. Now he having beaten out this controversy with all sorts, knows how to lay the dispute, how to order, and marshal, and apply objections, and wield his blows with most success and advantage. That as Physicians, having observed the several workings of medicines of all sorts, upon several ages, & constitutions; & what several issues and effects they have had, do therefore accordingly prescribe and apply several medicines, according to the several and differing conditions of their patients, though sick of the same disease: Thus Satan, ⟨p. 60⟩he by observation finding the hearts of some men answering to some others, even as face to face in water, as Solomon says, and more alike, and withal remembering what reasonings have always taken most with such a sort or strain of Christians, whose corruptions and whose graces were much alike unto those in this or that man he hath now to deal with; accordingly he makes use and application of these reasonings again.3 1 The temper of mens spirits we know is divers, and so is capable of diversity of suggestions. Men of melancholy and jealous spirits, he plies with reasonings and suggestions that will most take with their spirits. And again 2 the operations of graces, as of sin, are various in those several tempers. And 3 Gods dealings with, and workings upon his children are as various as either: some he humbleth much, some are led on with comfort; some he works on with a sudden and marvellous light, as if the Sun should rise on the sudden, at midnight; and on others, insensibly and by degrees, as when the dawning steals upon the day;
Secondly,1 as he hath thus throughly studied this controversie,2 and knowes all the windings and false reasonings in it: So withall, by his daily studiing and considering Men, he knowes how best to suit, and make use of those reasonings, both to persons and seasons. It is the sole businesse of those evill spirits to study men; for this end they goe up and downe the earth; and he hath common places of men, and their severall frames and temper of spirit, as well as of temptations; he knowes all the severall rankes and classes of men in the state of grace; and according to their rankes, with what sort of temptations to encounter them. For mens temptations are various and manifold, 1 Pet. 2. 6. even as the gifts and operations of the Spirit are, 1 Cor. 12. 4, 5. Now he having beaten out this controversie with all sorts, knowes how to lay the dispute, how to order, and marshall, and apply objections, and weild his blowes with most successe and advantage. That as Physitians, having observed the severall workings of medicines of all sorts, upon severall ages, & constitutions; & what severall issues and effects they have had, doe therefore accordingly prescribe and apply severall medicines, according to the severall and differing conditions of their patients, though sicke of the same disease: Thus Satan, ⟨p. 60⟩he by observation finding the hearts of some men answering to some others, even as face to face in water, as Solomon sayes, and more alike, and withall remembring what reasonings have alwayes taken most with such a sort or strain of Christians, whose corruptions and whose graces were much alike unto those in this or that man hee hath now to deale with; accordingly he makes use and application of these reasonings againe.3 1 The temper of mens spirits we know is divers, and so is capable of diversity of suggestions. Men of melancholly and jealous spirits, he plyes with reasonings and suggestions that will most take with their spirits. And againe 2 the operations of graces, as of sinne, are various in those severall tempers. And 3 Gods dealings with, and workings upon his children are as various as either: some he humbleth much, some are led on with comfort; some he workes on with a sudden and marvellous light, as if the Sun should rise on the sudden, at midnight; and on others, insensibly and by degrees, as when the dawning steals upon the day;
- 1§. 2.
- 2Satan knows how best to suit his false reasonings to all sorts of believers.Satan knowes how best to suit his false reasonings to all sorts of beleevers.
- 3The conditions of men are exceeding various, and so are capable of several sorts of temptations.The conditions of men are exceeding various, and so are capable of severall sorts of temptations.
