A child of light walking in darknessA childe of light vvalking in darknesse

Thus we see how able Satan is to join with and assist carnal reason in us against our selves; we will now further consider what power and working he may exercise upon that other principle in us, our consciences; in joining with the filth and defilement thereof, in accusing us and laying particulars to our cha•ge; in which consisteth the greatest of his strength, even in an army of accusations of us to our selves; which in this warfare he musters up against us. This sort of temptations (we have in hand) consists either of false majors, or false minors; which are like the two wings of an army. His false majors, they are such, as misapprehensions of the ways and of the work of grace, or misunderstanding of sayings of Scripture, &c. which by reason of that darkness of ignorance, that is in us, he puts upon us wrested and perverted. As [That to relapse into the same sin again and again is not compatible with grace] and many the like. For the opinions whereby some do measure what strictness is essential to the being in the state of grace, are often too severe and rigid; as in others too loose: The measure of some is too scant, ⟨p. 71⟩not giving allowance to failings; as of others too large, taking in such gross corruptions, and the constant practise of them as cannot stand with grace. And Satan deceives with both: As the one sort of profane men to flatter themselves to be in a good condition when they are not, so the other of weak and tender consciences, that they are not in a good estate when they are. And in like manner places of Scripture misunderstood, do oft prove matter of great temptation to many, as that Hebrews 6. unto One, who having fallen from his first love, concluded he could never be saved, because it is there said, that they which are once enlightened, if they fall away, it is impossible they should be renewed to repentance: whereas it is only to be understood of a revengeful total Apostasy. ¹Thus as Elymas perverted the right ways of the Lord: So doth Satan also, Elymas being therefore there called child of the devil, because he did the work of his father therein. Now all such false reasonings as are founded upon such mistakes of the things, & of the rule it self whereby we should judge of our estates, false majors, do properly belong to the former head of Carnal reason.

THus we see how able Satan is to joyne with and assist carnall reason in us against our selves; wee will now further consider what power and working he may exercise upon that other principle in us, our consciences; in joyning with the filth and defilement thereof, in accusing us and laying particulars to our chage; in which consisteth the greatest of his strength, even in an army of accusations of us to our selves; which in this warfare hee musters up against us. This sort of temptations (we have in hand) consists either of false majors, or false minors; which are like the two wings of an army. His false majors, they are such, as misapprehensions of the wayes and of the worke of grace, or misunderstanding of sayings of Scripture, &c. which by reason of that darknes of ignorance, that is in us, he puts upon us wrested and perverted. As [That to relapse into the same sinne againe and againe is not compatible with grace] and many the like. For the opinions whereby some doe measure what strictnesse is essentiall to the being in the state of grace, are often too severe and rigid; as in others too loose: The measure of some is too scant,