A77614:146
Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices
Precious remedies against Satan's devices or, salve for believers and unbelievers sores. Being a companion for those that are in Christ, or out of Christ; that are high, or low, learned, or illiterate, staggering, or wandering; that slight, or neglect ordinances, under a pretence of living above them; that are growing (in spirituals) or decaying; that are tempted, or deserted, afflicted, or opposed; that have assurance, or that want assurance; that are self-seekers, or the common-wealths caterpillars; that are in love sweetly united, or that yet have their spirits too much embittered, &c. By Thomas Brooks, a willing servant unto God, and the faith of his people, in the glorious gospel of Christ, at Margarets fish-street hill.Precious remedies against Satans devices or, salve for believers and unbelievers sores. Being a companion for those that are in Christ, or out of Christ; that are high, or low, learned, or illiterate, staggering, or wandering; that slight, or neglect ordinances, under a pretence of living above them; that are growing (in spiritualls) or decaying; that are tempted, or deserted, afflicted, or opposed; that have assurance, or that want assurance; that are self-seekers, or the common-wealths caterpillars; that are in love sweetly united, or that yet have their spirits too much imbittered, &c. By Thomas Brookes, a willing servant unto God, and the faith of his people, in the glorious gospel of Christ, at Margarets fish-street hill.
London: printed by M. Simmons for John Hancock, 1653
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The fifth Remedy against this Device1 of Satan, is, solemnly to consider, that 'tis our duty, and glory, not to measure afflictions by the smart, but by the end. When Israel was dismissed out of2 Egypt, 'twas with gold, and ear-rings. So the Jews were dismissed out of Babylon, with gifts, jewels, and all necessary utensils. Look more at the latter end of a3 Christian, then the beginning of his affliction; consider the patience of Job, and what end the Lord made with him. Look not upon Lazarus lying at Dives 4door, but lying in Abraham's bosom; look not to the beginning of Joseph, who was so far from his dream, that the Sun and Moon should reverence him, that for two years he was cast where he could see neither Sun, Moon, nor Stars; but behold him at the last made Ruler over Egypt. Look not upon David, as there was but a step between him and5 death, nor as he was envied by some, and slighted and despised by others, but behold him seated in his Royal Throne, and dying in his bed of honour, and his Son Solomon, and all his glistering Nobles about him. Afflictions they are but as a dark entry into your Fathers house, they are but as a dirty lane to a ⟨p. 100⟩Royal Palace. Now tell me souls, whether it be not very great madness to shun the ways of holiness, and to walk in the ways of wickedness, because of those afflictions that do attend the ways of holiness.
The fift Remedy against this Device1 of Satan, is, solemnly to consider, that 'tis our duty, and glory, not to measure afflictions by the smart, but by the end. When Israel was dismisled out of2 Aegypt, 'twas with gold, and ear-rings. So the Jewes were dismissed out of Babylon, with gifts, jewels, and all necessary utensils. Look more at the latter end of a