A77614:207
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.
BY working them to make false inferences, from those blessed and glorious things that Christ hath done; As that Jesus Christ hath done all for us; therefore there is nothing for us to do, but to joy, and rejoice, he hath perfectly justified us, and fulfilled the Law, and satisfied divine Justice, and pacified his Fathers wrath, and is gone to Heaven to prepare a place for us, and in the mean time, to intercede for us; and therefore away with praying, and mourning, and hearing, &c. Ah! what a world of Professors hath Satan drawn in these days, from religious services, by working them to make such sad, wild, and strange inferences, from the sweet and excellent things, that the Lord Jesus hath done for his beloved ones.
BY working them to make false inferences, from those blessed and glorious things that Christ hath done; As that Jesus Christ hath done all for us; therefore there is nothing for us to doe, but to joy, and rejoyce, he hath perfectly justified us, and fulfilled the Law, and satisfied divine Justice, and pacified his Fathers wrath, and is gone to Heaven to prepare a place for us, and in the mean time, to intercede for us; and therefore away with praying, and mourning, and hearing, &c. Ah! what a world of Professors hath Satan drawn in these dayes, from religious services, by working them to make such sad, wilde, and strange inferences, from the sweet and excellent things, that the Lord Jesus hath done for his beloved ones.
The first Remedy against this device1 of Satan, is, to dwell as much on those Scriptures that show you the duties and services that Christ requires of you, as upon those Scriptures that declare2 to you, the precious and glorious things that Christ hath done for you. 'Tis a sad, and a dangerous thing, to have two eyes to behold our dignity, and privileges, and not one eye to see our duties, and services. I should look with one eye upon the choice and excellent things that Christ hath done for me, to raise up my heart, to love Christ with the purest love, and to joy in Christ, with the strongest joy, and to lift up Christ above all, who hath made himself to be my all. And I should look with the other eye upon those services and duties, that the Scriptures require of those, for whom Christ hath done such blessed things, as upon that of the Apostle; What, know ye not that your body 3is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: ⟨p. 160⟩therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods. And that 4therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. And that, And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due 5season we shall reap, if we faint not. And that of the Apostle, rejoice always, and pray without ceasing; and that in the Philippians: Work out your salvation with 6fear and trembling; and that, This do till I come; and that, Let us consider one another, to provoke one another to love, and to good works; not forsaking the assembling of our selves together, as the manner of some 7is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. Now a soul that would not be drawn away by this device of Satan, he must not look with a squint eye upon these blessed Scriptures, and abundance more of like import; but he must dwell upon them, he must make these Scriptures to be his chiefest, and his choicest companions, and this will be a happy means to keep him close to Christ, and his service in these times, wherein many turn their backs upon Christ, under pretence of being highly interested in the great and glorious things that have been acted by Christ, &c.
The second Remedy against this Device1 of Satan, is, to consider, that the great and glorious things that Jesus Christ hath done, and is a doing for us, should be so far from taking us off from religious services, and pious performances, that they should be the greatest motives and encouragements to the performance of them that may be, as the Scriptures do abundantly evidence. I2 will only instance in some, as that, That we being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies, might serve him without fear; in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our lives; Christ hath freed you from all your Enemies, from the curse of the Law, the predominant damnatory power of sin, the wrath of God, the sting of death, and the torments of hell; but what is the end and design of Christ in doing these great and marvellous things for his people? 'tis not that they should throw off duties of righteousness and holiness, but that their hearts may be the more free, and sweet in all holy duties, and heavenly services: So the Apostle; I will be their God, and they shall be my people: And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (mark what follows) Having therefore these promises (dearly beloved) let us cleanse our ⟨p. 164⟩selves from all filthiness of the flesh, and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. And again, The grace of God that 3bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us, that denying all ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious 4appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave him self for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Ah souls! I know no such arguments to work you to a lively and constant performance of all heavenly services, like those that are drawn from the consideration of the great and glorious things that Christ hath done for you; and if such arguments will not take ye, and win upon ye, I do• think the throwing of hell fire in your faces will never do it.
The third Remedy against this device1 of Satan, is, solemnly to consider, that those precious souls which Jesus Christ2 hath done, and suffered as much for, as he hath for you, have been exceeding active and lively in all religious services, and heavenly performances; he did as much, and suffered as much for David, 3a• for you, and yet, who more in praying, and praising God then David? seven ⟨p. 165⟩times a day will I praise the Lord; who more in the studying, and meditating on the word, then David. Thy law is my meditation day and night. The same truth you may run, and read in Jacob, Moses. Job, Daniel, and in the rest of the holy Prophets, and Apostles, for whom Christ hath done as much for, as for you; ah! how have all those Worthies abounded in works of righteousness, and holiness, to the praise of free grace? Certainly Satan hath got the upper hand of those souls, that do argue thus;4 Christ hath done such and such glorious things for us: therefore we need not make any care or conscience of d• ing such and such religious services, as men say the word calls for; if this Logic be not from Hell, what is? ah! were the holy Prophets and Apostles alive, to hear such Logic come out of the mouths of such as profess themselves to be interested in the great and glorious things that Jesus Christ hath done for his chosen ones; how would they blush to look upon such souls? and how would their hearts grieve, and break within them, to hear the language, and to observe the actings of such souls.
The third Remedie against this device1 of Satan, is, solemnly to consider, that those precious souls which Jesus Christ2 hath done, and suffered as much for, as he hath for you, have been exceeding active and lively in all religious services, and heavenly performances; he did as much, and suffered as much for David,
The fourth Remedy against this device1 of Satan, is, seriously to consider this, ⟨p. 164⟩that those that do not walk in ways of righteousness and holiness (that do not wait upon God in the several duties and services that are commanded by him) cannot have that evidence to their own souls of their righteousness before God, of their fellowship and communion2 on with God, of their blessedness here, and their happiness hereafter, as those souls have, that love and delight in the ways of the Lord, that are always best, when they are most in the works and service of the Lord. Little children (saith the Apostle) let no man deceive you; he that doth righteousness, is righteous even as he is righteous. In this (saith the same Apostle) the children of God are manifest, and the children of the Devil; whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God, neither he 3that loveth not his brother. If ye know that he is righteous (saith the same Apostle) ye know that every one that doth righteousness is born of him. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But who soever keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected, hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk, even as he 4walked. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk i• darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; but if we walk in the light ⟨p. 165⟩as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another; and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin, saith the same Apostle. So James in his second chapter; What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have no works, can faith save him? i. e. it cannot; for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead. To look after holy and heavenly works, is the best way to preserve the soul from being deceived, and deluded by Satan's delusions, and by sudden flashes of joy and comfort, holy works being a more sensible and constant pledge of the precious spirit, begetting and maintaining in the soul more solid, pure, clear, strong and lasting joy. Ah souls! as you would have in your selves a constant, and blessed evidence of your fellowship with the Father, and the Son; and of the truth of grace, and of your future happiness;
look that you cleave close to holy services, and that you turn not your backs upon religious duties.
look that you cleave close to holy services, and that you turne not your backs upon religious duties.
The fifth Remedy against this device1 of Satan, is, solemnly to consider, that2 there are other choice and glorious ends for the Saints performance of religious duties, then for the justifying of their persons before God, or for their satisfying of the Law, or justice of God, ⟨p. 168⟩or for the purchasing of the pardon of sin, &c. viz. to testify their justification; a good tree cannot but bring forth good fruit, to testify their love to God, and their sincere obedience to th• commands of God, to testify their deliverance from spiritual bondage, to evidence the indwellings3 of the spirit, to stop the mouths of the worst of men, and to glad those righteous souls, that God would not have sadded. These, and abundance of other choice ends there be, why those that have an interest in the glorious doings of Christ, should notwithstanding that, keep close to the holy duties, and religious services that are commanded4 by Christ. And if these considerations will not prevail with you, to wait upon God in holy and heavenly duties, I am afraid, if one should rise from the dead, his arguments would not win upon you, but you would hold on in your sins, and neglect his service, though you lost your souls for ever, &c.
The fifth Remedy against this device1 of Satan, is, solemnly to consider, that2 there are other choice and glorious ends for the Saints performance of religious duties, then for the justifying of their persons before God, or for their satisfying of the Law, or justice of God, ⟨p. 168⟩or for the purchasing of the pardon of sin, &c. viz. to testifie their justification; a good tree cannot but bring forth good fruit, to testifie their love to God, and their sincere obedience to th commands of God, to testifie their deliverance from spirituall bondage, to evidence the indwellings
BY presenting to them the paucity, and poverty of those that walk in the ways of God, that hold on in religious practices; saith Satan, do not you see that those that walk in such and such religious ways, are the poorest, the1 meanest, and the most despicable persons in the world; this took with them in that seventh of John. Then answered the Pharisees, are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
BY presenting to them the paucity, and poverty of those that walk in the wayes of God, that hold on in religious practices; saith Satan, do not you see that those that walk in such and such religious wayes, are the poorest, the1 meanest, and the most despicable persons in the world; this took with them in that seventh of John. Then answered the Pharisees, are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees beleeved on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
The first Remedy against this Device1 of Satan, is, to consider, that though they are outwardly poor, yet they are inwardly rich; though they are poor in temporals, yet they are rich in spirituals; the worth and riches of the Saints is inward: The Kings daughter is all glorious within. Hearken my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom, which he hath promised to them that love him, saith James. I know thy poverty, but thou art rich, saith John to the Church of Smyrna. What though they have little in possession, yet they have a glorious Kingdom in reversion. Fear not little flock, 'tis your Fathers pleasure to give you a Kingdom. Though Saints have little in hand, yet they have much in hope; you count those happy in a worldly sense, that have much in reversion, though they have but little in possession; and will you count the Saints miserable, because they have little in hand? little in possession? though they have a glorious Kingdom ⟨p. 171⟩in reversion of this. I am sure, the poorest Saint that breaths will not exchange (were it in his power) that which he hath in hope, and in reversion, for the possession of as many worlds, as there be stars in Heaven, or sands in the Sea, &c.
THe first Remedie against this Device1 of Satan, is, to consider, that though they are outwardly poor, yet they are inwardly rich; though they are poor in temporalls, yet they are rich in spiritualls; the worth and riches of the Saints is inward: The Kings daughter is all glorious within. Hearken my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heires of the Kingdome, which he hath promised to them that love him, saith James. I know thy poverty, but thou art rich, saith John to the Church of Smyrna. What though they have little in possession, yet they have a glorious Kingdome in reversion. Feare not little flocke, 'tis your Fathers pleasure to give you a Kingdome. Though Saints have little in hand, yet they have much in hope; you count those happy in a worldly sense, that have much in reversion, though they have but little in possession; and wil you count the Saints miserable, because they have little in hand? little in possession? though they have a glorious Kingdome ⟨p. 171⟩
The second Remedy against this device1 of Satan, is, to consider, that in all ages God hath had some that have been great, rich, wise, and honourable, that have chosen his ways, and cleaved to his service in the face of all difficulties,2 though not many wise men, yet some wise men have; and though not many mighty, yet some mighty have; and though not many noble, yet some noble have; witness Abraham, and Jacob, and Job, and several Kings, and others that the Scriptures speak of; and ah! how many have we among our selves, whose souls have cleaved to the Lord, and who have swum to his service, through the blood of the slain, and who have counted their lives dear unto them, that they and others might enjoy the holy things of Christ, according to the mind and heart of Christ, &c.
The second Remedie against this device1 of Satan, is, to consider, that in all ages God hath had some that have been great, rich, wise, and honourable, that have chosen his wayes, and cleaved to his service in the face of all difficulties,2 though not many wise men, yet some wise men have; and though not many mighty, yet some mighty have; and though not many noble, yet some noble have; witnesse Abraham, and Jacob, and Job, and severall Kings, and others that the Scriptures speak of; and ah! how many have we among our selves, whose soules have cleaved to the Lord, and who have swum to his service, through the blood of the slain, and who have counted their lives dear unto them, that they and others might injoy the holy things of Christ, according to the mind and heart of Christ, &c.
THe first Remedie against this device1 of Satan, is, to dwell as much on those Scriptures that shew you the duties and services that Christ requires of you, as upon those Scriptures that declare2 to you, the precious and glorious things that Christ hath done for you. 'Tis a sad, and a dangerous thing, to have two eyes to behold our dignity, and priviledges, and not one eye to see our duties, and services. I should look with one eye upon the choise and excellent things that Christ hath done for me, to raise up my heart, to love Christ with the purest love, and to joy in Christ, with the strongest joy, and to lift up Christ above all, who hath made himself to be my all. And I should look with the other eye upon those services and duties, that the Scriptures require of those, for whom Christ hath done such blessed things, as upon that of the Apostle; What, know yee not that your body 3is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your owne? For ye are bought with a price: ⟨p. 160⟩therefore glorifie God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods. And that 4therefore my beloved brethren, be yee stedfast, unmoveable, alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord. And that, And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due 5season we shall reape, if we faint not. And that of the Apostle, rejoyce alwayes, and pray without ceasing; and that in the Philippians: Worke out your salvation with 6feare and trembling; and that, This doe till I come; and that, Let us consider one another, to provoke one another to love, and to good workes; not forsaking the assembling of our selves together, as the mannor of some 7is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. Now a soule that would not be drawn away by this device of Satan, hee must not look with a squint eye upon these blessed Scriptures, and abundance more of like import; but he must dwell upon them, he must make these Scriptures to be his chiefest, and his choisest companions, and this will be a happy meanes to keep him close to Christ, and his service in these times, wherein many turn their backs upon Christ, under pretence of being highly interested in the great and glorious things that have been acted by Christ, &c.
The second Remedie against this Device1 of Satan, is, to consider, that the great and glorious things that Jesus Christ hath done, and is a doing for us, should be so far from taking us off from religious services, and pious performances, that they should be the greatest motives and encouragements to the performance of them that may be, as the Scriptures do abundantly evidence. I2 will only instance in some, as that, That we being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies, might serve him without feare; in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our lives; Christ hath freed you from all your Enemies, from the curse of the Law, the predominant damnatory power of sin, the wrath of God, the sting of death, and the torments of hell; but what is the end and design of Christ in doing these great and marvellous things for his people? 'tis not that they should throw off duties of righteousnesse and holinesse, but that their hearts may be the more free, and sweet in all holy duties, and heavenly services: So the Apostle; I will be their God, and they shall be my people: And I will be a Father unto you, and yee shall be my sonnes and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (mark what follows) Having therefore these promises (dearly beloved) let us cleanse our ⟨p. 164⟩selves from all filthinesse of the flesh, and spirit, perfecting holinesse in the feare of the Lord. And againe, The grace of God that 3bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us, that denying all ungodlinsse, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious 4appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave him selfe for us, that he might redeeme us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himselfe a peculiar people, zealous of good workes. Ah soules! I know no such arguments to worke you to a lively and constant performance of all heavenly services, like those that are drawn from the consideration of the great and glorious things that Christ hath done for you; and if such arguments will not take yee, and win upon yee, I do• think the throwing of hell fire in your faces will never do it.
The fourth Remedy against this device1 of Satan, is, seriously to consider this, ⟨p. 164⟩that those that doe not walk in ways of righteousnesse and holines (that do not wait upon God in the several duties and services that are commanded by him) cannot have that evidence to their own soules of their righteousnesse before God, of their fellowship and communion2 on with God, of their blessednesse here, and their happinesse hereafter, as those soules have, that love and delight in the wayes of the Lord, that are always best, when they are most in the works and service of the Lord. Little children (saith the Apostle) let no man deceive you; he that doth righteousnesse, is righteous even as he is righteous. In this (saith the same Apostle) the children of God are manifest, and the children of the Devill; whosoever doth not righteousnesse is not of God, neither hee 3that loveth not his brother. If ye know that he is righteous (saith the same Apostle) ye know that every one that doth righteousnes• is born of him. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandements, is a lyer, and the truth is not in him. But who soever keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected, hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him, ought himselfe also to walke, even as he 4walked. If wee say that we have fellowship with him, and walk i• darknesse, we lie, and doe not the truth; but if we walk in the light ⟨p. 165⟩as he is in the light, wee have fellowship one with another; and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin, saith the same Apostle. So James in his second chapter; What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have no workes, can faith save him? i. e. it cannot; for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead. To looke after holy and heavenly works, is the best way to preserve the soule from being deceived, and deluded by Satans delusions, and by sudden flashes of joy and comfort, holy works being a more sensible and constant pledge of the precious spirit, begetting and maintaining in the soule more solid, pure, clear, strong and lasting joy. Ah souls! as you would have in your selves a constant, and blessed evidence of your fellowship with the Father, and the Sonne; and of the truth of grace, and of your future happinesse;
