The works of George Swinnock, M.A

2. Faith enableth the Christian to conquer Satan; Though the wicked one be full of power and policy, yet Faith makes him flee like a Coward. Its said of the Crocodile, that he flieth if resisted, but followeth those that fear and flee from him; Truly so doth Satan, Jam. 4. 8. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. But how must he be resisted? the Apostle Peter answers that question, whom resist steadfastly in the Faith, 1 Pet. 5. 9. The Crocodile cannot endure the sight or smell of saffron, therefore in Egypt they sow saffron to keep him away. Faith is this saffron, Cant. 4. 14. which drives away the Devil. Faith like little David, wounds the great Goliath of Hell. They overcame him (meaning the Devil) by the blood of the Lamb. The Wild Bull, say Naturalists, cannot endure a red colour, therefore the Hunter putteth on red garments, and standeth before a Tree, which the Bull runneth against with all his might, and the Hunter stepping aside, his horns stick fast in the tree, whereby he is taken. The Christian by Faith in the blood of Christ, overcometh those infernal spirits who thought to overcome him. ⟨p. 721⟩This is the only holy water, that will fright away the Devil. Our blessed Saviour in his speech to Peter, acquaints us how to subdue Satan; Peter, Peter, Satan hath desired to winnow thee as Wheat is winnowed, but I have prayed for thee, that thy Faith fail not. Which words imply, that whilst Peters Faith stood firm, he should not forsake Christ; whilst that was up, he could not be down; His Faith flagged before his courage failed, or he himself fell so foully. A Tree is soon felled when the Root is once loosened; Faith roots the soul in Christ, and therein his safety consists; but as his Faith fails, so he is loosened from Christ, and thereby in danger of falling. The Christians strength lieth in his Faith, as Samsons in his Hair; if the uncircumcised one can deprive us of this, he may make sport enough with us. Hence it is that Satan's chiefest Guns are shot against the Royal Fort of Faith, knowing that that commandeth all; and if •e can make a breach there, he fears not but to enter with success. The first mine which he ever sprang, to blow up the first Adam and his Wife, and in them the whole race of mankind, was by weakening their faith; Hath God said, In the day ye eat thereof, ye shall dye?