Lastly, Answ. 8 satan hath so great a power, that the same words that are given unto God, and unto the holy Ghost for good, in Scripture, are given also unto Satan for evil. The holy Ghost is said to enlighten a man: Satan is said for to blind him, The god of this world hath blinded their eyes; says the Apostle. The Spirit is said to Rule in us; Satan is said, To rule in the children of disobedience. The holy Chost is said, To work in us mightily, the same word is used for Him also. The holy Ghost is said, To fill the hearts of believers; They were filled with the holy Ghost: So are mens hearts said, To be filled with Satan: Says Peter to Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart? Indeed, there are three things especially, wherein he does fall short: for though Satan is able to discern what temptations would take best with a man, yet he don't know mans thoughts, for God only is the knower of ones thoughts; that is Gods prerogative. And though Satan may work very effectually in the children of disobedience, yet notwithstanding, he does not work with an Almighty power. When the Lord converts a man, he puts forth an Almighty power in mans conversion. The same power (says the Apostle) that raised up Christ from the dead, makes ye to believe. The Devil is Magnipotent (says Luther) but not Omnipotent: the Devil may be very powerful, but he is not Almighty: neither does he put forth an Almighty power in his temptations, as God does in the conversion of a sinner. And though he may suggest, and provoke unto what is evil, he cannot force, or determine any man to evil. And therefore says the Apostle Peter, why hath Satan filled thine beart? he asked Ananias that question, because Satan, though he did fill his heart, he could not have forced, or determined him without his own will thereunto. But very powerful Satan is. In the 6. chapter to the Ephesians, ⟨p. 245⟩you shall see the Apostle speaks thus much unto you there: at the 12. verse. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. He speaks concerning Satan, as you see in the former verse, Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, &c.
Lastly, Answ. 8 satan hath so great a power, that the same words that are given unto God, and unto the holy Ghost for good, in Scriptnre, are given also unto Satan for evil. The holy Ghost is said to enlighten a man: Satan is said for to blind him, The god of this world hath blinded their eyes; saies the Apostle. The Spirit is said to Rule in us; Satan is said, To rule in the children of disobedience. The holy Chost is said, To work in us mightily, the same word is used for Him also. The holy Ghost is said, To fill the hearts of beleevers; They were filled with the holy Ghost: So are mens hearts said, To be filled with Satan: Saies Peter to Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart? Indeed, there are three things especially, wherein he does fal short: for though Satan is able to discern what temptations would take best with a man, yet he don't know mans thoughts, for God only is the knower of ones thoughts; that is Gods prerogative. And though Satan may work very effectually in the children of disobedience, yet notwithstanding, he does not work with an Almighty power. When the Lord converts a man, he puts forth an Almighty power in mans conversion. The same power (saies the Apostle) that raised up Christ from the dead, makes ye to beleeve. The Devil is Magnipotent (saies Luther) but not Omnipotent: the Devil may be very powerful, but he is not Almighty: neither does he put forht an Almighty power in his temptations, as God does in the conversion of a sinner. And though he may suggest, and provoke unto what is evil, he cannot force, or determine any man to evil. And therefore saies the Apostle Peter, why hath Satan filled thine beart? he asked Ananias that question, because Satan, though he did fill his heart, he could not have forced, or determined him without his own will thereunto. But very powerful Satan is. In the 6. chapter to the Ephesians, ⟨p. 245⟩you shall see the Apostle speaks thus much unto you there: at the 12. verse. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickdness in high places. He speaks concerning Satan, as you see in the former verse, Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, &c.
