A77614:213
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 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.