The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emanuel College in CambridgeThe works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge

He is not only able thus; but he is able also, Answ. 6 to bemire the fancy, to raise storms in that lower region: A mans soul (ye know) it works by organs, it works by the body, and by the fancy: now Satan being able to disturb the fancy of a man, is thereby able also, to hinder the very operation of the soul.

He is not only able thus; but he is able also, Answ. 6 to bemire the phansie, to raise stormes in that lower region: A mans soul (ye know) it works by organs, it works by the body, and by the phansie: now Satan being able to disturbe the phansie of a man, is thereby able also, to hinder the very operation of the soul.

He is able to hold down a mans mind unto that particular thing, Answ. 7 and to cut off all relief to the soul; so to besiege it, that unless relief comes immediately from Heaven, he is able to bow down a mans mind, and to hold it down unto that particular.

He is able to hold down a mans mind unto that particular thing, Answ. 7 and to cut off al relief to the soul; so to befiege it, that unless relief comes immediately from Heaven, he is able to bow down a mans mind, and to hold it down unto that particular.

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,