3. Let us consider him in his subtlety. He is not only strong and malicious (which doth strengthen his strength) but he is subtle too, which doth strengthen his malice. He is the subtle Serpent; and if he were so subtle, when he was but young, as to deceive Eve and Adam in innocency, Gen. 3. with 2 Cor. 11.3. what is he now he is grown old? the old Serpent (which hath deceived the whole world in all Ages) Rev. 12.9,—11. he is improved in subtlety by long practice: he is a Proteus and Chameleon that can turn himself into any shape and colour; rather than fail, he will (though he cannot endure the light) turn himself into an Angel of Light, and hath got the knack and faculty of speaking Scripture, he will cant in Scripture language, and fill his mouth full of good words and fair speeches to deceive. He goes about ([Greek or Hebrew]) to circumvent and get advantages by the ([Greek or Hebrew]) many devices which he hath, 2 Cor. 2.11. the many fetches and catches which he hath studied and practised these many years. He hath windings and turnings, methods of wiles, he is an old Fox, hath arts and tricks not a few, Ephes. 6.11. He is a crafts-master; though an enemy, yet he pretends friendship and good will, 2 Cor. 11.2, 3. He will pretend himself much concerned for us, yea more than we are for our selves (as he did at first) and as if he were troubled with scruples of conscience for our sakes, he will propound Queries, and ask us if we do not mistake ⟨p. 366⟩God, and so take less liberty and enjoy less good, than God allows us, or at least than may be attained to, by but taking a step in the way that he will show us, that we may be Gods forsooth; but he means such Elohim as himself and fellows, i.e. Devils. He hath lying wonders in readiness to ape Gods true miracles, as in Egypt and Rome. He can juggle and play Legerdemain to purpose, 2 Thes. 2.9. In short, he is a deep Politician, for we read of the depths of Satan, Rev. 2.24. Now to conquer such an one requires strength, Ephes. 6.10, 11. and the Young men are they who conquer him; and 'tis a great victory!
3. Let us consider him in his subtlety. He is not only strong and malicious (which doth strengthen his strength) but he is subtle too, which doth strengthen his malice. He is the subtle Serpent; and if he were so subtle, when he was but young, as to deceive Eve and Adam in innocency, Gen. 3. with 2 Cor. 11.3. what is he now he is grown old? the old Serpent (which hath deceiv'd the whole world in all Ages) Rev. 12.9,—11. he is improved in subtlety by long pratice: he is a Proteus and Chamelion that can turn himself into any shape and colour; rather than fail, he will (though he cannot endure the light) turn himself into an Angel of Light, and hath got the knack and faculty of speaking Scripture, he will cant in Scripture language, and fill his mouth full of good words and fair speeches to deceive. He goes about (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) to circumvent and get advantages by the (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) many devices which he hath, 2 Cor. 2.11. the many fetches and catches which he hath studied and practised these many years. He hath windings and turnings, methods of wiles, he is an old Fox, hath arts and tricks not a few, Ephes. 6.11. He is a crafts-master; though an enemy, yet he pretends friendship and good will, 2 Cor. 11.2, 3. He will pretend himself much concern'd for us, yea more than we are for our selves (as he did at first) and as if he were troubled with scruples of conscience for our sakes, he will propound Queries, and ask us if we do not mistake ⟨p. 366⟩God, and so take less liberty and enjoy less good, than God allows us, or at least than may be attain'd to, by but taking a step in the way that he will shew us, that we may be Gods forsooth; but he means such Elohim as himself and fellows, i.e. Devils. He hath lying wonders in readiness to ape Gods true miracles, as in Aegypt and Rome. He can juggle and play Legerdemain to purpose, 2 Thes. 2.9. In short, he is a deep Politician, for we read of the depths of Satan,
