Well then, be he more fearful to us then Goliath to the army of Israel; be it that he be as a roaring Lyon, at whose voice all the silly beasts stand trembling; be it that he so astonish & terrify our conscience, that we know not what to think or to speak: yet all is to the terror of the wicked. But behold, besides his strength, Satan is spiritual, invisible, not to be discerned, and therefore more dangerous, in that we can not prevent him nor his temptations, being above nature and above reason, cannot be descried, ⟨p. 312⟩unless above nature and reason we be either very well taught of the Devil, or of God. To this unsearchable nature he is occupied in heavenly things, but as a spiritual wickedness, not goodness. To show how he is spiritual, we see in this, in that he is an Angel of light, he tempted Christ with scripture, he set the Pharisees in devilish wisdom against Christ, he suborns false heretics; yea, his subtleties shall be such, by Christ his own testimony, that even the elect, if it were possible, should be deceived. And Paul speaking but of the child of Satan the Antichrist, reports, that he shall be mighty in power, in miracles, &c. Only this is our comfort, that this wisdom is but wickedness, which is the only thing wherein they be distinguished from the good Angels, with whom in wisdom and strength Satan is equal. Here ought we to blush, in that we desire rather learning, wisdom, and power, wherein Satan and wicked men have not only been equal to us, but above us, and we less desire goodness, wherein we are like to God, to good Angels, and the children of God. For this may be a special mark that we belong to God, when we rather desire goodness than those other qualities wherein we are equal but to the Devil. Be we never so learned, he is more learned, be we never so strong, he is stronger. For is not he mighty in power that can so trouble the air, as he did to Job, and as oft as he doth in that boisterous manner, that no natural Philosopher can give a reason of it? In Exodus we know that the Lord used evil Angels to trouble the Seas. Psal. 78. the Lord is said to send evil Angels to trouble them. And as godliness is a mystery, so there is a mystery of iniquity, and the Lord sending an effectual illusion, (2. Thess. 1.) on them that received not the word in love, is said to do it by the operation of Satan;
Well then, be he more fearfull to vs then Goliah to the army of Israel; be it that he be as a roaring Lyon, at whose voyce all the silly beasts stand trembling; be it that hee so astonish & terrifie our conscience, that we know not what to thinke or to speake: yet all is to the terrour of the wicked. But behold, besides his strength, Satan is spirituall, inuisible, not to be discerned, and therefore more dangerous, in that wee can not preuent him nor his temptations, being aboue nature and aboue reason, cannot be descried, ⟨p. 312⟩vnlesse aboue nature and reason we be either very well taught of the Diuell, or of God. To this vnsearchable nature hee is occupied in heauenly things, but as a spirituall wickednes, not goodnes. To shew how hee is spirituall, we see in this, in that he is an Angell of light, he tempted Christ with scripture, he set the Pharises in diuelish wisedome against Christ, he subornes false heretikes; yea, his subtilties shalbe such, by Christ his owne testimonie, that euen the elect, if it were possible, should be deceiued. And Paul speaking but of the childe of Satan the Antichrist, reports, that hee shall be mightie in power, in miracles, &c. Only this is our comfort, that this wisedome is but wickednes, which is the only thing wherein they be distinguished from the good Angels, with whome in wisedome and strength Satan is equall. Here ought wee to blush, in that wee desire rather learning, wisedome, and power, wherein Satan and wicked men haue not only bene equall to vs, but aboue vs, and we lesse desire goodnes, wherein we are like to God, to good Angels, and the children of God. For this may be a speciall marke that wee belong to God, when wee rather desire goodnes than those other qualities wherein we are equall but to the Deuill. Be we neuer so learned, he is more learned, be we neuer so strong, he is stronger. For is not he mightie in power that can so trouble the aire, as he did to Iob, and as oft as he doth in that boysterous manner, that no naturall Philosopher can giue a reason of it? In Exodus wee know that the Lord vsed euill Angels to trouble the Seas. Psal. 78. the Lord is said to send euill Angels to trouble thē. And as godlines is a mysterie, so there is a mystery of iniquity, and the Lord sending an effectuall illusion, (2. Thess. 1.) on thē that receiued not the word in loue, is said to do it by the operation of Satan;
