An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Again, A mans trouble may arise in his soul, from the temptations and oppositions of Satan, who when he cannot hinder Gods people in the exercise of their graces, will in respect of their comforts. So that as the Spirit of God is the Comforter, one great work of his being to assure, to enable to call God Father: So the Devil he is the prince of darkness, and he counterworks Gods Spirit. As that is an holy Spirit, sanctifying his people; so he is an unclean spirit, provoking to all sin. Again, as Gods Spirit doth comfort and convince us of Christs righteousness, being the Spirit of Adoption within us, to deliver us from spiritual bondage and thraldom: So the Devil he worketh oppositely to all this; he filleth the heart with sad and unbelieving suggestions; he endeavours to divide between God and us, to make us afraid of him, as being that severe Judge, who will not in any wise be reconciled. Thus he would persuade us, that it is with us, as it is with him, and that there is no more hope for comfort and salvation for us, than for him. But this peace of God doth abundantly fortify against this temptation also; where this peace is, the Devil doth not find the house swept and garnished, but fortified and secured against him, so that he cannot have any entrance. This is the blessed effect of this spiritual peace, that it overcometh the Devil; he commonly entereth into the good tender heart by unbelief, by fears, by propounding doubtful and anxious scruples, and then draweth us into a wilderness far off from God: But this peace from God doth easily quench all his fiery-darts, doth presently stop his assaults, and maketh him not care for coming to us to grapple with us, while we have this spiritual armoury on.

Again, A mans trouble may arise in his soul, from the temptations and oppositions of Satan, who when he cannot hinder Gods people in the exercise of their graces, will in respect of their comforts. So that as the Spirit of God is the Comforter, one great work of his being to assure, to enable to call God Father: So the Devil he is the prince of darkness, and he counterworks Gods Spirit. As that is an holy Spirit, sanctifying his people; so he is an unclean spirit, provoking to all sinne. Again, as Gods Spirit doth comfort and convince us of Christs righteousnesse, being the Spirit of Adoption within us, to deliver us from spiritual bondage and thraldome: So the Devil he worketh oppositely to all this; he filleth the heart with sad and unbelieving suggestions; he endeavours to divide between God and us, to make us afraid of him, as being that severe Judge, who will not in any wise be reconciled. Thus he would perswade us, that it is with us, as it is with him, and that there is no more hope for comfort and salvation for us, than for him. But this peace of God doth abundantly fortifie against this temptation also; where this peace is, the Devil doth not find the house swept and garnished, but fortified and secured against him, so that he cannot have any entrance. This is the blessed effect of this spiritual peace, that it overcometh the Devil; he commonly entreth into the good tender heart by unbelief, by fears, by propounding doubtfull and anxious scruples, and then draweth us into a wilderness farre off from God: But this peace from God doth easily quench all his fiery-darts, doth presently stop his assaults, and maketh him not care for coming to us to graple with us, while we have this spiritual armoury on.