A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

2 It implies, he is the Father of all sin, Mat. 5.37. Joh. 13.2. Joh. 8.44. he is called the Father of Liars.

2 It implies, he is the Father of all sin, Mat. 5.37. Joh. 13.2. Joh. 8.44. he is called the Father of Lyars.

3 It implies, That Satan takes pains to do evil, is industrious to do evil, [Greek or Hebrew] a [Greek or Hebrew], labour, he traverseth the World, goes about continually doing evil, 1 Pet. 5.8. Job 1.7. he is insigniter improbus.

3 It implies, That Satan takes pains to doe evill, is industrious to doe evill, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 a 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, labour, he traverseth the World, goes about continually doing evill, 1 Pet. 5.8. Job 1.7. he is insigniter improbus.

But how comes it to pass, that he that was a glorious Angel is now become that wicked one? The causes of his deprivation were partly accidental and outward, partly inward; accidental, as

But how comes it to passe, that he that was a glorious Angel is now become that wicked one? The causes of his deprivation were partly accidentall and outward, partly inward; accidental, as

2 His condition being a creature gave occasion to his fall. God being infinitely good, his will is the rule of good; now he being a creature, Gods Will is his rule, and he may not attend to the rule, and then he doth evil.

3 But thirdly, There was an inward cause that led him to sin, and that was the pride of his nature, not made so, but he exalted himself, 1 Tim. 3.6. which implies; that he saw man made after the Image of God, and he was a glorious creature attending on God himself, and was puffed up with his glorious condition, and despised man, that was to live on the earth, and dress the Garden.

3 But thirdly, There was an inward cause that led him to sin, and that was the pride of his nature, not made so, but he exalted himself, 1 Tim. 3.6. which implies; that he saw man made after the Image of God, and he was a glorious creature attending on God himself, and was puft up with his glorious condition, and despised man, that was to live on the earth, and dresse the Garden.

Use 1. May teach young Scholars, not to please themselves in any gifts of Nature though never so excellent, for even an Angel that excelled in Wisdom hath fallen away, and become that wicked one.

Ʋse 1. May teach young Scholars, not to please themselves in any gifts of Nature though never so excellent, for even an Angel that excelled in Wisdome hath fallen away, and become that wicked one.

Use 2. It may teach them to take heed how they enter into the calling of the Ministry in their young years, especially before they be humbled, it was the cause of Satan's fall, that he was puffed up with his office; it is a wonder to see, when Scholars are admitted into the Ministry in their young times, how they despise the people, think themselves unmeet to condescend to Peasants, but they will rather exercise their Gifts in the University, and so fall into the condemnation of Satan.

Ʋse 2. It may teach them to take heed how they enter into the calling of the Ministry in their young years, especially before they be humbled, it was the cause of Satans fall, that he was puft up with his office; it is a wonder to see, when Scholars are admitted into the Ministery in their young times, how they despise the people, think themselves unmeet to condescend to Peasants, but they will rather exercise their Gifts in the University, and so fall into the condemnation of Satan.

3. Hence you may see part of the Image of Satan, why was he called that wicked one? because he excels in wickedness, and is the Father of sin, and takes pains to do evil; so, do you see men excel in wickedness, lead on others to sin, take pains in mischief? such a one bears the Image of Satan upon him. When Paul saw Elimas hardened in mischief, leading on others, and taking pains to keep the Deputy from the faith, he calls him, the child of the Devil, Act. 13.10.

3. Hence you may see part of the Image of Satan, why was he called that wicked one? because he excells in wickednesse, and is the Father of sin, and takes pains to doe evill; so, do you see men excell in wickednesse, lead on others to sin, take pains in mischiefe? such a one bears the Image of Satan upon him. When Paul saw Elimas hardned in mischief, leading on others, and taking pains to keep the Deputy from the faith, he calls him, the childe of the Devil, Act. 13.10.

4 Hence we learn, If the Devil have got this Name by excelling in wickedness, ⟨p. 97⟩and drawing on others to sin, and taking pains to do mischief; then on the contrary, b• how much the more any excel in goodness, strive to draw on others to God, and take pains in it, they are the more like God their Father.

4 Hence we learn, If the Devil have got this Name by excelling in wickednesse, ⟨p. 97⟩and drawing on others to sin, and taking pains to doe mischief; then on the contrary, b• how much the more any excell in goodnesse, strive to draw on others to God, and take pains in it, they are the more like God their Father.

Because ye have overcome the wicked one.

All overcoming implies a fight, so that when you read of their overcoming, it implies that young men have strong wrestlings with Satan.

Doct. Satan, as he is an enemy to all mankind so especially to young men.

He doth not write to Fathers or Babes, that they have overcome the wicked one, as if it were not so proper to them, but he chiefly encourages young men, I write unto you young men, implying, it was a proper work for them. Observe all the temptations of Satan in Scripture, and where you shall read of one old man tempted by Satan, you shall read of ten young men; when did Satan set upon Eve, was it not presently after her first creation? our Saviour was not above thirty years old when Satan tempted him; Peter when he was tempted was young: we shall find few falls of Gods Saints, but it was in their young days, except two, Noah and Solomon, who fell in their old days; and less shall we read of Children, 2 Kings 2.22. but Satan, chiefest assaults have always been against young men.

He doth not write to Fathers or Babes, that they have overcome the wicked one, as if it were not so proper to them, but he chiefly incourages young men, I write unto you young men, implying, it was a proper work for them. Observe all the temptations of Satan in Scripture, and where you shall read of one old man tempted by Satan, you shall read of ten young men; when did Satan set upon Eve, was it not presently after her first creation? our Saviour was not above thirty years old when Satan tempted him; Peter when he was tempted was young: we shall finde few falls of Gods Saints, but it was in their young dayes, except two, Noah and Solomon, who fell in their old dayes; and lesse shall we read of Children, 2 Kings 2.22. but Satan, chiefest assaults have alwayes been against young men.

Reas. 1. Why Satan chiefly sets upon young men, it is from the vigour of their nature and parts which God gives them, their courage, their strength, and fervency; therefore Satan strives to draw them on, and he knows, that if they get loose from him, they will do him least and do God most service, more than either old men or Children; therefore he strives chiefly to draw them on; indeed God sometimes makes use of the weakest, but Satan always makes use of the stirring, quickest spirits among men.

Reas. 1. Why Satan chiefly sets upon young men, it is from the vigour of their nature and parts which God gives them, their courage, their strength, and fervency; therefore Satan strives to draw them on, and he knows, that if they get loose from him, they will doe him least and doe God most service, more than either old men or Children; therefore he strives chiefly to draw them on; indeed God sometimes makes use of the weakest, but Satan alwayes makes use of the stirring, quickest spirits among men.

2. Because he hath most advantage to surprise them; no age so subject to temptation, 2 Tim. 2.22. Fly youthful lusts, yet he was not more subject to lusts than others, nay, he was of a weak abstemious nature, 1 Tim. 5.23. yet Paul charges him to take heed of youthful lusts; if such a weak abstemious nature was subject to youthful lusts, then it implies, that no age is so subject to be led into lusts, as youth.

2. Because he hath most advantage to surprize them; no age so subject to temptation, 2 Tim. 2.22. Fly youthfull lusts, yet he was not more subj•ct to lusts than others, nay, he was of a weak abstemious natu•e, 1 Tim. 5.23. yet Paul charges him to take heed of youthfull lusts; if such a weak abstemious nature was subject to youthfull lusts, then it implies, that no age is so subject to be led into lusts, as youth.