Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the…Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the…

3d. Snare is to Colour over sin with the Pretence of Virtue. Alcibiades hung a Curtain curiously embroidered over a foul Picture full of Owls and Satyrs. Satan puts Good names on sin, as Physicians call that Film in the eye which hinders the sight, a Pearl in the eye. Satan Coloured over Jehu's Ambition with the Name of Zeal, 2 Kin. 10.16. He makes men believe Revenge is Valour, Covetousness Frugality: as if one should write balm-water upon a glass of Poison.

3d. Snare is to Colour over sin with the Pretence of Vertue. Alcibiades hung a Curtain curiously embroidered over a foul Picture full of Owls and Satyrs. Satan puts Good names on sin, as Physitians call that Film in the eye which hinders the sight, a Pearl in the eye. Satan Colour'd over Jehu's Ambition with the Name of Zeal, 2 Kin. 10.16. He makes men believe Revenge is Valour, Covetousness Frugality: as if one should write balm-water upon a glass of Poyson.

4th. Snare of Satan is, to carry on his mischievous designs under a pretence of Friendship. He puts off his Lions Skin, and comes in Sheeps Clothing^†. Thus Satan came to Christ; Command that these Stones be made bread, Mat. 4.3. As if he had said, I see thou art Hungry, I therefore out of Pity Counsel thee to get something to eat, turn stones to bread that thy hunger may be satisfied: but Christ ⟨p. 61⟩spied the Serpent in the Temptation and repulsed him. Thus Satan came to Eve under the Notion of a Friend. Eat, saith he, of the Tree in the midst of the Garden, Ye shall not dye, ye shall be as Gods,