An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

We say, of craft or power, 'tis hard to say which is most dangerous ⟨p. 293⟩or undesirable in an enemy. Where these two meet, where craft & power, ability and subtlety are joined, what will they not do? We may say of men, in whom these are united, as the Lord said concerning the men of the new world, soon after the Flood, who were united in heart and tongue (the people are one, and they have all one language) nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do (Gen. 11.6.) The devil is always like a Lion, both strong and subtle: He is so strong, that he sometimes hunts his prey (as I may say) in open field, and overcomes by fine force. He is so crafty, that at other times he knows 'tis best for him to abide in his covert, and lie in wait to catch souls. He goeth about like a roaring Lion (saith the Apostle Peter, 1 Epist. 5.8.) but he is craftier than to roar always like a Lion, when he goeth about seeking whom he may devour; he often fawns and flatters; he useth his wits, and puts tricks upon poor souls whom he would devour. We (saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 2.) are not ignorant of his devices. Christ adviseth all his Disciples to join the wisdom of the Serpent, with the innocency of the Dove; subtlety and honesty, craft and innocency, working together, work well, or make good work: But where there is the strength and craft of a Lion, without a dove-like integrity, what sad work do men make? Godly men, or men truly fearing God, sometimes have the wisdom of the serpent, together with their dove-like innocency; and when to both the former, the Lions strength is joined, what good may they not do? they may do (as we say) a world of good in an evil world.

We say, of craft or power, 'tis hard to say which is most dangerous ⟨p. 293⟩or undesirable in an enemy. Where these two meet, where craft & power, ability and subtilty are joyned, what will they not do? We may say of men, in whom these are united, as the Lord said concerning the men of the new world, soon after the Flood, who were united in heart and tongue (the people are one, and they have all one language) nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do (