Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

Secondly; His Methods and Wiles for this end are various.

1. He blinds the Minds of Men, and hardens them in Unbelief. This was his first and successful Temptation, and is the Pattern that he still follows. He told the Woman ⟨p. 254⟩she should not die; and the Restraint of Fear being taken away, the Pleasure of Taste and Curiosity soon prevailed with her to eat the forbidden Fruit. The Apostle gives this account of Mens rejecting the Truths of the Gospel: If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the God of this World hath blinded the Minds of them who believe not, lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, should shine unto them. His principal Design is to increase the natural Infidelity in the Minds of Men, who are so governed by Sense, that in Matters of Faith they require the Evidence of Sense: for he knows the powerful Efficacy of the Divine Doctrine where 'tis believed. Faith enters into the Conscience, opens the Heart, commands and captivates the Will and Affections, and brings the most stubborn Sinners from the Kingdom of Satan ⟨p. 255⟩into the Kingdom of Christ. He is in them, possesses all their Faculties, and by that advantage works effectually. He has the Monarchy of their Minds, and diverts their Thoughts from pondering the Arguments that would turn their Judgments, and induce the Belief of the Gospel: he excites those carnal Affections that blind the Mind: he enchants Men with enticing sensual Objects, that they neither can nor will believe what is contrary to their Lusts. Reason, Conscience, Faith, whereby Men are primarily and chiefly distinguished from the Brutes, are sacrificed to the Prince of Darkness. Then they are securely his own: for the most precious Promises have no attractive Influence upon those in whom there is reigning Infidelity: the sharpest Threatenings cannot pierce through the Armour of Obstinacy.

1. He blinds the Minds of Men, and hardens them in Unbelief. This was his first and successful Temptation, and is the Pattern that he still follows. He told the Woman