The new birthThe nevv birth

Neither yet will Satan rest here, but is further troublesome unto him, by stirring up innumerable vile suggestions, to draw him to the committing of some most notorious sins, perhaps worse then ever in all his life before; and for his old corruptions, he ceaseth not to provoke and incense them, with all vehemency, that he may drive him into lewd and hateful practises of sin. But against these suggestions also, he fighteth resolutely, much indeed vexed and disquieted with them, but still rejecting & abhorring them, and beating them back by the word of God (which is his sword), & by constant supplications; whereby still he settles his soul firm and fast in his holy purposes of obedience. I confess, that the devil is a common enemy to all mankind, both sanctified and unsanctified: and therefore the unregenerate also are much molested with him oftentimes, when he grows exorbitant, and seeketh to pull them (by the strength of utter despair), as it were quick into hell, and to make them kill themselves, or do some other most gross and unnatural crime. But Satan is not willing to deal so roughly with them, if he could choose; for he stands ever in most ⟨p. 43⟩danger of losing them, when he carries himself towards them, in so hard a fashion. Wherefore he rather flatters, and fauns, endeavouring to rock them asleep still, if he can, in the cradle of security and presumption. Neither will he storm thus, but when he sees his advantage in regard of some bodily cross or distemper; or that he sees the Lord will needs awaken their sleepy consciences. But for the poor Christian, he would not give him rest, no not for a day or two, from the most horrible fears, and from the foulest tentations, whereto his corruption gives any passage, or from others more hideous; especially if he see him weak, scrupulous, and injudicious, then he makes use of such ignorance and weakness; and will never find time to make an end of vexing him, but that the Lord himself doth please to sound a retreat. Indeed the Lord, by this means to keep down his pride, and over-master his strong corruptions, doth give much way to Satan's rage: but so still, that he forgets not to refresh him, with seasonable aide of his spirit of prayer, and with the strength and comfort of his holy word and promises.

Neither yet will Satan rest here, but is further troublesome vnto him, by stirring vp innumerable vile suggestions, to draw him to the committing of some most notorious sinnes, perhaps worse then euer in all his life before; and for his old corruptions, he ceaseth not to prouoke and incense them, with all vehemency, that he may driue him into lewd and hatefull practises of sinne. But against these suggestions also, he fighteth resolutely, much indeede vexed and disquieted with them, but still reiecting & abhorring thē, and beating them back by the word of God (which is his sword), & by constant supplications; whereby still he settles his soule firme and fast in his holy purposes of obedience. I confesse, that the diuell is a common enemie to all mankinde, both sanctified and vnsanctified: and therfore the vnregenerate also are much molested with him oftentimes, when hee growes exorbitant, and seeketh to pull them (by the strength of vtter despaire), as it were quicke into hell, and to make them kill themselues, or doe some other most grosse and vnnaturall crime. But Satan is not willing to deale so roughly with them, if he could chuse; for he stands euer in most