First, The Malice of Satan. Our Adversary is very watchful, and getteth advantage by nothing so much, as our security. Vigilat hostis, & dormis? 'Twas an old word; The Devil is neither dead nor asleep, and shall not we stand upon our guard? 1 Pet. 5.8. Be sober and watchful, for your adversary the Devil goeth about like a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour. Satan is a restless Adversary, full of Malice and Craft, his end is to destroy and devour Souls, and his diligence is answerable to his malice. Night and day we are in danger every one of us. There were but two Adams, and they were both tempted, though the one was made after Gods Image, and the other had the fullness of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily. Adam in Innocency, and Christ in humane nature were tempted, and can we hope to escape? Neglect your Watch, and you become a ready prey to the Devil: When the Servants slept, the Enemy sowed Tares, Math. 13.25. He observeth all our drowsy fits, and is waiting for some Advantage, or at least some Occasion. Sometimes we give him an Advantage by our folly and indiscretion: 2 Cor. 2.11. —lest Satan should get an advantage against us: Or if not, he taketh Occasion, as he tempted Christ when he was an hungry, Matth. 4.2. and 2 Cor. 7.5. —that Satan tempt you not. He can interpret the silent language of a blush, a smile, a frown, a look, the glance of a lustful eye, the most secret discovery of wrath, and discontent, and suiteth his Temptations to all the postures of spirit we are in.
First, The Malice of Sathan. Our Adversary is very watchfull, and getteth advantage by nothing so much, as our security. Vigilat hostis, & dormis? 'Twas an old word; The Devil is neither dead nor asleep, and shall not we stand upon our guard? 1 Pet. 5.8. Be sober and watchful, for your adversary the Devil goeth about like a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour. Sathan is a restless Adversary, full of Malice and Craft, his end is to destroy and devour Souls, and his diligence is answerable to his malice. Night and day we are in danger every one of us. There were but two Adams, and they were both tempted, though the one was made after Gods Image, and the other had the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily. Adam in Innocency, and Christ in humane nature were tempted, and can we hope to escape? Neglect your Watch, and you become a ready prey to the Devil: When the Servants slept, the Enemy sowed Tares, Math. 13.25. He observeth all our drowsie fits, and is waiting for some Advantage, or at least some Occasion. Sometimes we give him an Advantage by our folly and indiscretion: 2 Cor. 2.11. —lest Sathan should get an advantage against us: Or if not, he taketh Occasion, as he tempted Christ when he was an hungry, Matth. 4.2. and 2 Cor. 7.5. —that Sathan tempt you not. He can interpret the silent language of a blush, a smile, a frown, a look, the glance of a lustfull eye, the most secret discovery of wrath, and discontent, and suiteth his Temptations to all the postures of spirit we are in.
