1IT now remaineth in the next place, having seen the power of the Flesh, that we also consider of the policy of this enemy. The which as it is great in it self, so also most dangerous and pernicious unto us. For howsoever the strength of the flesh be very great, yet the policy thereof doth far exceed it; for being not a possessed enemy, but a secret traitor, it is more exercised in cunning undermining of our safety with subtle sleights and politic stratagems, then in assaulting us after an open and hostile ⟨p. 68⟩manner with strength and violence. Hence it is that the Lord telleth us by the Prophet, that the heart (whereby he understandeth the soul of man, or that part of the soul which remaineth unregenerate) is deceitful above all things, and so desperately wicked in this depth of fraud, that none can 2know it but the Lord, who is omniscient, and knoweth all things. For howsoever Satan the old Serpent in respect of his natural abilities and long experience, may be more cunning and politic in himself, yet his deceit is not so great, in abusing and wronging us, as is the deceit of our own flesh. For this being a part of our selves, yea of every power, faculty and member of our souls and bodies, it is of the privy counsel of all our thoughts, and knowing our most hidden imaginations and secret intentions, it can take advantage of them to work our own overthrow; where as Satan being ignorant of them, cannot by all his craft and subtlety so much endamage us. And in this respect Satan cannot deceive us, unless our own flesh assisting him do first deceive us, whereof it is that our Saviour, being pure from all fleshly corruption, and most free from this carnal guile, could not possibly be deceived with Satan's policies and most subtle stratagems. Whereas on the other side our own flesh can easily abuse and cozen us, though it have no help at all from the arch-enemy of our salvation. And hereof it is that the flesh in the Scriptures is called the old man, to note unto us, that as men in this age, grow by their long experience very politic, and unless they be sanctified with Gods grace and holy Spirit, very subtle, crafty and full of fraud, so the flesh exceedeth and aboundeth in fraud and treachery.
1IT now remaineth in the next place, hauing seene the power of the Flesh, that wee also consider of the policie of this enemy. The vvhich as it is great in it selfe, so also most dangerous and pernicious vnto vs. For howsoeuer the strength of the flesh be very great, yet the policy thereof doth farre exceede it; for being not a possessed enemy, but a secret traytor, it is more exercised in cunning vndermining of our safety with subtle sleights and pollitique stratagems, then in assaulting vs after an open and hostile ⟨p. 68⟩manner with strength and violence. Hence it is that the Lord telleth vs by the Prophet, that the heart (whereby he vnderstandeth the soule of man, or that part of the soule which remaineth vnregenerate) is deceitfull aboue all things, and so desperately wicked in this depth of fraude, that none can 2know it but the Lord, who is omniscient, and knoweth all things. For howsoeuer Sathan the old Serpent in respect of his naturall abilities and long experience, may be more cunning and politique in himselfe, yet his deceit is not so great, in abusing and wronging vs, as is the deceipt of our owne flesh. For this being a part of our selues, yea of euery power, facultie and member of our soules and bodies, it is of the priuy counsell of all our thoughts, and knowing our most hidden imaginations and secret intentions, it can take aduantage of them to worke our owne ouerthrow; where as Sathan being ignorant of them, cannot by all his craft and subtiltie so much endamage vs. And in this respect Sathan cannot deceiue vs, vnlesse our owne flesh assisting him doe first deceiue vs, whereof it is that our Sauiour, being pure from all fleshly corruption, and most free from this carnall guile, could not possibly be deceiued vvith Sathans pollicies and most subtle stratagems. Whereas on the other side our owne flesh can easily abuse and cozen vs, though it haue no helpe at all from the arch-enemy of our saluation. And hereof it is that the flesh in the Scriptures is called the old man, to note vnto vs, that as men in this age, grow by their long experience very pollitique, and vnlesse they be sanctified with Gods grace and holy Spirit, very subtill, craftie and full of fraude, so the flesh exceedeth and aboundeth in fraude and treacherie.
- 1§ Sect 1. […].§ Sect 1. 〈…〉.
- 2Jer. 17. 10.Ier. 17. 10.
