The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

§. 10. The Devil hath his hand in every temptation.

§. 10. The Diuell hath his hand in euery temptation.

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 the^c Devil is said to be a murderer from the beginning. The Sabeans and Chaldeans robbed Job, yet^d is the deed attributed to Satan. Though a maid and a man brought Peter to deny his Master, yet therein^e 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 saith^g 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 called^m 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 said^c 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 the^c Diuell is said to be a murtherer from the beginning. The Sabeans and Chaldeans robbed Iob, yet^d is the deed attributed to Satan. Though a mayde and a man brought Peter to deny his Master, yet therein^e 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 saith^g 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 called^m 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,^a Giue no place to the Diuell. When couetousnesse moued Ananias ⟨p. 57⟩to lye against his conscience, Saint Peter said,^b Why hath Satan filled thine heart? When pride mooued Dauid to number the people, it is said^c Satan prouoked him: for as the spirit of God stirreth vs vp to euery good thing, so the spirit of the Diuell suggesteth vnto vs euery euill thing.

1. 1Doct. 5. Satan the principal in all conflicts.Doct. 5. Satan the principall in all conflicts.
2. bGen. 3. 1.
3. cJohn 8. 44.
4. dJob. 1. 12.
5. eLuke 22. 31.
6. fMat. 16. 23.
7. g1. Thes. 2. 18.
8. hReu. 2. 10.
9. i2 Cor. 4. 4.
10. kJohn. 8. 44.Iohn. 8. 44.
11. lEphes. 2. 2.
12. m2. Cor. 11. 15
13. aEphes. 4. 27.
14. bActs 5. 3.
15. c1 Chr. 21. 1.

Use Learn wisdom of the men of Aram. In all combats whether against our own corruptions,¹ or against evil men, as persecutors, seducers, and the like, strive to drive the Devil away, and that by spiritual armour;² yea, pray to God to rebuke him. Assuredly flesh and blood cannot much annoy us, if Satan be resisted and withstood. Observe in all histories of all ages, the records of battles, and ye shall find that if the Generals and Captains have been conquered, the common soldiers have soon yielded, or been put to flight.

Vse Learne wisdome of the men of Aram. In all combates whether against our owne corruptions,¹ or against euill men, as persecutors, seducers, and the like, striue to driue the Diuell away, and that by spirituall armour;² yea, pray to God to rebuke him. Assuredly flesh and blood cannot much annoy vs, if Satan be resisted and withstood. Obserue in all histories of all ages, the records of battels, and yee shall finde that if the Generals and Captaines haue beene conquered, the common souldiers haue soone yeelded, or beene put to flight.

1. 1Fight principally against the Devil.Fight principally against the Diuell.
2. 21 Kings 22. 31.

Use 2 I might here lay forth the wretched estate of all that fight against Christians, and show how they fight under Satan's colours, and shall receive their wages of him, ^awhich is death: but hereof I shall have fit occasion to speak hereafter on this word, worldly-governors.

Vse 2 I might heere lay forth the wretched estate of all that fight against Christians, and shew how they fight vnder Satans colours, and shall receiue their wages of him, ^awhich is death: but hereof I shall haue fit occasion to speake hereafter on this word, worldly-gouernours.

1. aRom. 6. 23.

§. 11. Who cannot stand against flesh and blood, can much less stand against principalities and powers.

§. 11. Who cannot stand against flesh and blood, can much lesse stand against principalities and powers.

The affirmative part of the description of our assaulters followeth, which is joined to the other part with⟨p. 58⟩ an adversative particle but: ¹not with flesh and blood, but with principalities: whereby is further confirmed that which we have^b before proved, and shall yet more evidently be demonstrated in handling the particular branches of this description,³ that our enemies, with whom we are to wrestle, are much more terrible then flesh and blood. I will not stand to prove the Doctrine again in this place, only here observe one use.

THe affirmatiue part of the description of our assaulters followeth, which is ioyned to the other part with⟨p. 58⟩ an aduersatiue particle but: ¹not with flesh and blood, but with principalities: whereby is further confirmed that which we haue^b before proued, and shall yet more euidently be demonstrated in handling the particular branches of this description,³ that our enemies, with whom wee are to wrestle, are much more terrible then flesh and blood. I will not stand to prooue the Doctrine againe in this place, onely heere obserue one vse.

1. 1[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
2. bDoct 4.
3. 3Doct. 6.

Use 1 They who are quailed with that which flesh and blood can do, can never be able to stand against these spiritual enemies.¹ He that is terrified with the barking of a little whelp, will be much more with the roaring of a Lion: he that in faith cannot say,^d I will not fear what man can do, can never say, I will not fear what Principalities can do. Let this be noted of those who are turned out of the ways of righteousness, and made to fly by mans threatenings, reprochings, and evil entreatings, let them never look to overcome and reign with Christ. The Sabeans, Chaldeans, and all that flesh and blood could do, prevailed not against Job. Wherefore when flesh and blood maketh any assault, let us thus reason with ourselves, There are sorer enemies then these, with whom we must wrestle: if we shrink from these, how shall we stand against them? Let the consideration hereof make us the more bold and confident against all that flesh and blood can do.

Vse 1 They who are qualed with that which flesh and blood can doe, can neuer be able to stand against these spirituall enemies.¹ He that is terrified with the barking of a little whelpe, will be much more with the roaring of a Lion: he that in faith cannot say,^d I will not feare what man can doe, can neuer say, I will not feare what Principalities can doe. Let this be noted of those who are turned out of the wayes of righteousnesse, and made to flie by mans threatnings, reprochings, and euill intreatings, let them neuer looke to ouercome and reigne with Christ. The Sabeans, Chaldeans, and all that flesh and blood could do, preuailed not against Iob. Wherefore when flesh and blood maketh any assault, let vs thus reason with ourselues, There are sorer enemies then these, with whom we must wrestle: if we shrinke from these, how shall we stand against them? Let the consideration hereof make vs the more bold and confident against all that flesh and blood can doe.

1. 1Who are qualed by flesh and blood cannot stand against principalities.Who are qualed by flesh and blood cannot stand against principallities.
2. dPsal. 118. 6.

§. 12. Exposition of words.

Now consider we the particular branches of this description of our enemies. There are four distinct branches distinguished by this particle against. ¹Much ambiguity and obscurity is in this description. I will therefore as plainly as I can clear the meaning of the words.

NOw consider we the particular branches of this description of our enemies. There are foure distinct branches distinguished by this particle against. ¹Much ambiguitie and obscuritie is in this description. I will therefore as plainely as I can cleare the meaning of the words.

1. 1[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.

From these several branches many collect divers and distinct orders of Devils, one subordinate to another: as among men there be divers orders, some Kings, some Dukes, Earls, Barons, &c. Thus they make the Devil, mentioned^b before, the head and Monarch of all the rest: Principalities under him: powers under them, and so in the rest. For my part, I think these distinctions in this place over-curious: I deny not an order to be amongst Devils, even as amongst thieves, pirates, connycatchers, &c. There is an head and^c Prince of them. For mention is made of the^d Devil and his angels. There may be also distinct and several offices among them (as among the forenamed pirates) as some to tempt, some to accuse, some to execute vengeance, &c. For if all should do the same thing, how should the other things be done? but that certain be always tied to one place, person and function, is both uncertain and unlikely. Further, that here in this place there should be so many orders and ranks of Devils, as are distinct branches, is also uncertain; neither can any such thing by any just consequence be collected.

From these seuerall branches many collect diuers and distinct orders of Diuells, one subordinate to another: as among men there be diuers orders, some Kings, some Dukes, Earles, Barons, &c. Thus they make the Diuell, mentioned^b before, the head and Monarch of all the rest: Principallities vnder him: powers vnder them, and so in the rest. For my part, I thinke these distinctions in this place ouer-curious: I deny not an order to be amongst Diuels, euen as amongst theeues, pirats, connycatchers, &c. There is an head and^c Prince of them. For mention is made of the^d Diuell and his angels. There may bee also distinct and seuerall offices among them (as among the forenamed pirats) as some to tempt, some to accuse, some to execute vengeance, &c. For if all should doe the same thing, how should the other things bee done? but that certaine bee alwayes tyed to one place, person and function, is both vncertaine and vnlikely. Further, that heere in this place there should be so many orders and ranckes of Diuels, as are distinct branches, is also vncertaine; neither can any such thing by any iust consequence be collected.

1. bVers. 11.
2. cMat. 9. 34.
3. dMat. 25. 41.

I rather take these titles to be used by the Apostle, to set forth their conditions and effects.

I rather take these titles to bee vsed by the Apostle, to set forth their conditions and effects.

The first title is Principalities, or governments: so termed, because they have great rule, power, and dominion, not so much over other Devils, as over wicked men.

The first title is Principallities, or gouernments: so termed, because they haue great rule, power, and dominion, not so much ouer other Diuells, as ouer wicked men.

The second is powers, to show that their principality is not a mere titular matter, but is armed with power, so as with their powerful government, they are able to do great matters.

The second is powers, to shew that their principallitie is not a meere titular matter, but is armeed with power, so as with their powerfull gouernment, they are able to doe great matters.

These two titles, principalities and powers, are^a thus set down, rather then^b powerful governors, to amplify both the one, and the other.

These two titles, principallities and powers, are^a thus set downe, rather then^b powerfull gouernours, to amplifie both the one, and the other.

1. aIn abstracto.
2. bIn concreto.

The third is worldly Governors. This I take to be added as an exposition of the first, or rather as a limitation thereof, showing over whom the Devils are governors: not over the chosen and called of God; but over the world (For^c Christ maketh a direct opposition betwixt these:) therefore the Apostle useth a compound word, which expresseth not only their government, but also their subjects.

The third is worldly Gouernors. This I take to be added as an exposition of the first, or rather as a limitation thereof, shewing ouer whom the Diuels are gouernours: not ouer the chosen and called of God; but ouer the world (For^c Christ maketh a direct opposition betwixt these:) therefore the Apostle vseth a compound word, which expresseth not onely their gouernement, but also their subiects.

1. cJohn 17. 9. [Greek or Hebrew].John 17. 9. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.