2. All sin in its nature is the despoiling God of his sole sovereignty, which was probably the first thing the Devil aimed at. That pride was the sin of the Devil, the Scripture gives us some account of, when the Apostle adviseth not a novice, or one that hath but lately embraced the Faith, to be chosen a Bishop. 1 Tim. 3.6. Least being lifted up with Pride, he fall into the condemnation of the Devil; Least he fall into the same sin, for which the Devil was condemned. But in what particular thing this pride was manifest, is not so easily discernible; the ancients generally conceived it, to be an affecting the Throne of God, grounding it on Isaiah 14.12. How art thou fallen, O Lucifer, Son of the morning! for thou hast said in thy Heart, I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my Throne above the Stars of God. 'Tis certain the Prophet speaks there of the King of Babylon, and taxeth him for his pride, and gives to him the title of Lucifer, perhaps likening him in his Pride to the Devil, and then it notes plainly the particular sin of the Devil, attempting a share in the sovereignty of God; and some strengthen their conjecture from the Name of the Arch-Angel who contended against Satan. Jude 9. which is Michael, which signifies, who as God? or, who like God? The Name of the Angel giving the superiority to God, intimating the contrary disposition in the Devil, against whom he contended. 'Tis likely his sin was an affecting an equality with God in Empire, or a freedom from the sovereign Authority of God: Because he imprinted such a kind of persuasion on man at his first Temptation, Ye shall be as Gods, Gen. 3.5. and though it be restrained to the matter of knowledge, yet that being a fitness for Government, it may be extended to that also. But it is plainly a persuading them, that they might be in some sort equal with God, and independent on him as their Superior. What he had found so fatal to himself, he imagined would have the same success in the ruin of man. And since the Devil hath in all ages of the World usurped a Worship to himself, which is only due to God, and would be served by man, as if he were the God of the World.
2. All sin in its nature is the despoyling God of his sole soveraignty, which was probably the first thing the Devil aim'd at. That pride was the sin of the Devil, the Scripture gives us some account of, when the Apostle adviseth not a novice, or one that hath but lately embraced the Faith, to be chosen a Bishop. 1 Tim. 3.6. Least being lifted up with Pride, he fall into the condemnation of the Devil; Least he fall into the same sin, for which the Devil was condemned. But in what particular thing this pride was manifest, is not so easily discernable; the ancients generally conceived it, to be an affecting the Throne of God, grounding it on Isaiah 14.12. How art thou fallen, O Lucifer, Son of the morning! for thou hast said in thy Heart, I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my Throne above the Stars of God. 'Tis certain the Prophet speaks there of the King of Babylon, and taxeth him for his pride, and gives to him the title of Lucifer, perhaps likning him in his Pride to the Devil, and then it notes plainly the particular sin of the Devil, attempting a share in the soveraignty of God; and some strengthen their conjecture from the Name of the Arch-Angel who contended against Satan. Jude 9. which is Michael, which signifyes, who as God? or, who like God? The Name of the Angel giving the superiority to God, intimating the contrary disposition in the Devil, against whom he contended. 'Tis likely his sin was an affecting an equality with God in Empire, or a freedom from the soveraign Authority of God: Because he imprinted such a kind of perswasion on man at his first Temptation, Ye shall be as Gods, Gen. 3.5. and though it be restrained to the matter of knowledge, yet that being a fitness for Government, it may be extended to that also. But it is plainly a perswading them, that they might be in some sort equal with God, and independent on him as their Superior. What he had found so fatal to himself, he imagined would have the same success in the ruine of man. And since the Devil hath in all ages of the World usurpt a Worship to himself, which is only due to God, and would be served by man, as if he were the God of the World.
