Secondly, Satan. Conversion binds the strong man, spoils his armour, casts out his goods, turns men from the power of Satan unto God, Acts 26. 18. Before, the Devil could no sooner hold up his finger to the sinner, to call him to his wicked company, sinful games, filthy delights, but presently he follows, like an Ox to the slaughter, and a fool to the correction of the stocks, as the bird that hasteth to the prey, and knoweth not that it is for his life. No sooner could Satan bid him lie, but presently he had it upon the top of his tongue, Act. 5. 3. no sooner could Satan offer a wanton object, but he was stung with lust. The Devil could do more with him than God could. If the Devil say, away with these family duties, be sure they shall be rarely enough performed in his house. If the Devil say, away with this strictness, this preciseness, he will keep far enough from it. If he tells him there's no need of these closet duties, he shall go from day to day and scarce perform them. But now he is converted, he serves another master, and takes quite another course, 1 Pet. 4. 4. he goes and comes at Christs beck. Col. 3. 24. Satan may sometimes catch his foot in his trap; but he will no longer be a willing captive. He watches against the snares and baits of Satan, and studies to ⟨p. 43⟩be acquainted with his devices. He is very suspicious of his plots, and is very jealous, in what comes athwart him, lest Satan should have some design upon him. He wrestles against principalities and powers, Eph. 6. He entertains the messenger of Satan as men do the messenger of death. He keeps his eye upon his enemy. 1 Pet. 5. 8. and watches in his duties, lest Satan should put in his foot.
Secondly, Satan. Conversion binds the strong man, spoils his armour, casts out his goods, turns men from the power of Satan unto God, Acts 26. 18. Before, the Devil could no sooner hold up his finger to the sinner, to call him to his wicked company, sinful games, filthy delights, but presently he follows, like an Ox to the slaughter, and a fool to the correction of the stocks, as the bird that hasteth to the prey, and koweth not that it is for his life. No sooner could Satan bid him lie, but presently he had it upon the top of his tongue, Act. 5. 3. no sooner could Satan offer a wanton object, but he was stung with lust. The Devil could do more with him than God could. If the Devil say, away with these family duties, be sure they shall be rarely enough performed in his house. If the Devil say, away with this strictness, this preciseness, he will keep far enough from it. If he tells him there's no need of these closet duties, he shall go from day to day and scarce perform them. But now he is converted, he serves another master, and takes quite another course, 1 Pet. 4. 4. he goes and comes at Christs beck. Col. 3. 24. Satan may sometimes catch his foot in his trap; but he will no longer be a willing captive. He watches against the snares and baits of Satan, and studies to ⟨p. 43⟩be acquainted with his devices. He is very suspitious of his plots, and is very jealous, in what comes athwart him, lest Satan should have some design upon him. He wrestles against principalities and powers, Eph. 6. He entertains the messenger of Satan as men do the messenger of death. He keeps his eye upon his enemy. 1 Pet. 5. 8. and watches in his duties, lest Satan should put in his foot.
