IN combats even with flesh and blood we have especially to do with Satan: 1Flesh and blood is but Satan's instrument, he is the General, he the Captain, he setteth flesh and blood on work, he assisteth flesh and blood, so as he is the author and finisher of the evil which they do: they being but his vassals, though they seek to annoy us; yet we wrestle not with them, but with an higher power. bWhen the Serpent tempted Eve, she had to do with the Devil; and therefore thec Devil is said to be a murderer from the beginning. The Sabeans and Chaldeans robbed Job, yetd is the deed attributed to Satan. Though a maid and a man brought Peter to deny his Master, yet thereine Satan winnowed him.f Christ saith to Peter who tempted him, Go behind me Satan. The persecuting Jews hindered Paul from coming to the Thessalonians, yet he saithg Satan hindered him. hSatan is said to cast some of the Smyrnians into prison, yet men-persecutors did it. In this respect he is calledi the god of this world, kthe father of murderers, la spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience: and false Apostles are calledm ministers of Satan, That which is said of flesh and blood, in regard of others soliciting us to sin, or hindering us from good, may be applied to our selves in regard of our corruption and evil lusts, which provoke us to evil: Satan hath an hand in them; yea he is the author and finisher of the mischief which they do, so as in those temptations which arise from our flesh, we have to do with Satan. Therefore the Apostle dehorting us from anger saith,a Give no place to the Devil. When covetousness moved Ananias ⟨p. 57⟩to lye against his conscience, Saint Peter said,b Why hath Satan filled thine heart? When pride moved David to number the people, it is saidc Satan provoked him: for as the spirit of God stirreth us up to every good thing, so the spirit of the Devil suggesteth unto us every evil thing.
IN combates euen with flesh and blood wee haue especially to doe with Satan: 1Flesh and blood is but Satans instrument, he is the Generall, he the Captaine, he setteth flesh and blood on worke, he assisteth flesh and blood, so as he is the author and finisher of the euil which they doe: they being but his vassals, though they seeke to annoy vs; yet wee wrestle not with them, but with an higher power. bWhen the Serpent tempted Euah, shee had to doe with the Diuell; and therefore thec Diuell is said to be a murtherer from the beginning. The Sabeans and Chaldeans robbed Iob, yetd is the deed attributed to Satan. Though a mayde and a man brought Peter to deny his Master, yet thereine Satan winowed him.f Christ saith to Peter who tempted him, Goe behind me Satan. The persecuting Iewes hindred Paul from comming to the Thessalonians, yet he saithg Satan hindred him. hSatan is said to cast some of the Smyrnians into prison, yet men-persecutors did it. In this respect he is calledi the god of this world, kthe father of murtherers, laspirit that worketh in the children of disobedience: and false Apostles are calledm ministers of Satan, That which is said of flesh and blood, in regard of others soliciting vs to sinne, or hindering vs from good, may be applied to our selues in regard of our corruption and euill lusts, which prouoke vs to euill: Satan hath an hand in them; yea hee is the author and finisher of the mischief which they do, so as in those temptations which arise from our flesh, we haue to doe with Satan. Therefore the Apostle dehorting vs from anger saith,
- 1Doct. 5. Satan the principal in all conflicts.Doct. 5. Satan the principall in all conflicts.
- bGen. 3. 1.
- cJohn 8. 44.
- dJob. 1. 12.
- eLuke 22. 31.
- fMat. 16. 23.
- g1. Thes. 2. 18.
- hReu. 2. 10.
- i2 Cor. 4. 4.
- kJohn. 8. 44.Iohn. 8. 44.
- lEphes. 2. 2.
- m2. Cor. 11. 15
- aEphes. 4. 27.
- bActs 5. 3.
- c
