The works of George Swinnock, M.A

but he knoweth what weeds will take best and thrive most in the soil of thy heart, & be confident he will help thee both to the seeds and plants of them. The subtle serpent that could wind himself into Paradise, knoweth surely how to wind himself into thee. If he were too crafty for man when he was perfect, much more is he for man polluted; And can such a strong politic foe be resisted, when thou art lazing upon thy bed of security? ⟨p. 738⟩3. His Industry; Your adversary the Devil goeth about. He is a diligent servant never from your elbow; As Joseph's Mistress, when denied, still solicited; and Samsons Harlot pressed him with continual importunity night and day, that his very soul was vexed unto death. So the Devil serveth men, he will never forsake them, but follow them with his darts and assaults, till they are safe in heaven from hi•, or safe in hell with him. He is called the Prince of the powers of the air, and his Angels, spiritual Wickednesses in high places; the air is the seat of his Empire; and truly as ravenous foul hover up and do•n in the air, to catch and kill little chickens, and though they be frighted away by any one, yet they lye near at the catch, and the person is no sooner gone, but they are descending to destroy them: So those infernal spirits are hovering up and down, walking too and fro to defile and destroy souls; and though they are resisted and foiled, yet they impudently continue their former endeavours to undo us. Now hath he any time for sleep that is every moment in such danger? 4. His Cruelty; As a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour. The Lions of the Forrest have no pity; Lest he tear my soul like a Lion, renting it in pieces, Psal. 7.2. The Lions brake the bones of Daniels accusers before they came to the bottom of the Den: But the Lions of hell have much less pity; his tender mercies are cruelties indeed; it is not the loss of thy life, but of thy soul, and thy God, and thy Christ, and that for ever which he looks after. The racking of thy body, and renting thy bones, is nothing to the flames, and whips, and torments which he makes ⟨p. 739⟩men suffer, and that not for a day, or week, or year, or age, but to all eternity.