A77614:455
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 first Reason is, that their hearts1 may be kept in an humble, praying,2 watching frame; oh! hath Satan so many devices to ensnare, and undo the souls of men? how should this awaken dull, drowsy souls, and make them stand upon their watch? A Saint should be like a Seraphim, beset all over with eyes and lights, that he may avoid Satan's snares, and stand fast in the hour of temptation. The Lord hath in the Scripture discovered the several snares, plots, and devices that the Devil hath to undo the souls of men, that so being forewarned, they may be forearmed, that they may be always upon their watch-tower, and hold their weapons in their hands, as the Jews did in Nehemiah's time, &c.
THe first Reason is, that their hearts1 may be kept in an humble, praying,2 watching frame; oh! hath Satan so many devices to ensnare, and undoe the soules of men? how should this awaken dull, drowsie soules, and make them stand upon their watch? A Saint should be like a Seraphim, beset all over with eyes and lights, that he may avoid Satans snares, and stand fast in the hour of temptation. The Lord hath in the Scripture discovered the several snares, plots, and devices that the Delill hath to undo the soules of men, that so being forwarn'd, they may be forearm'd, that they may be alwayes upon their watch-tower, and hold their weapons in their hands, as the Iewes did in N•hemiah's time, &c.
The second Reason is, from that malice,1 envy, and enmity that is in Satan,2 against the souls of men; Satan is full of envy and enmity, & that makes him very studious, to suit his snares and plots to the tempers, constitutions, fancies, ⟨p. 328⟩and callings of men, that so he may make them as miserable as himself. The Russians are so malicious, that you shall have a man hide some of his own goods in the house of him, whom he hateth, and then accuse him for the stealth of them: so doth Satan out of malice to3 the souls of men, hide his goods, his wares, as I may say, in the souls of men, and then go, and accuse them before the Lord, and a thousand, thousand other ways Satan's malice, envy, and enmity puts him upon, eternally to undo the precious souls of men, &c.
The second Reason is, from that malice,1 envy, and enmity that is in Satan,2 against the souls of men; Satan is full of envy and enmity, & that makes him very studious, to suit his snares and plots to the tempers, constitutions, fancies, ⟨p. 328⟩and callings of men, that so hee may make them as miserable as himself. The Russians are so malicious, that you shall have a man hide some of his own goods in the house of him, whom he hateth, and then accuse him for the stealth of them: so doth Satan out of malice to3 the soules of men, hide his goods, his wares, as I may say, in the soules of men, and then goe, and accuse them before the Lord, and a thousand, thousand other wayes Satans malice, envy, and enmity puts him upon, eternally to undoe the precious soules of men, &c.
The third Reason is drawn from that1 long experience that Satan hath had, he is a spirit of mighty abilities, and his abilities to lay snares before us, are mightily increased by that long standing of his; he is a spirit of above five thousand years standing; he hath had time enough to study all those ways, and methods, which tend most to ensnare, and undo the souls of men: And as he hath time enough, so he hath made it his whole study, his only study, his constant study to find out snares, depths and stratagems, to entangle, and overthrow the souls of men; when he was but a young Serpent, he did easily deceive, and out-wit our first Parents, but now he is grown that Old Serpent, as2 ⟨p. 329⟩John speaks, He is as old as the world, 3and is grown very cunning by experience.
The third Reason is drawn from that1 long experience that Satan hath had, he is a spirit of mighty abilities, and his abilities to lay snares before us, are mightily increased by that long standing of his; hee is a spirit of above five thousand yeares standing; he hath had time enough to studie all those wayes, and methods, which tend most to ensnare, and undo the souls of men: And as he hath time enough, so he hath made it his whole study, his only study, his constant study to find out snares, depths and stratagems, to entangle, and overthrow the soules of men; when he was but a young Serpent, he did easily deceive, and out-wit our first Parents, but now he is grown that Old Serpent, as2 ⟨p. 329⟩John speakes, Hee is as olde as the world, 3and is grown uery cunning by experience.
The fourth Reason is, in Judgement1 to the men of the world, that they may stumble, and fall, and be ensnared for ever; wicked men that withstand the offers of mercy, and despise the spirit of grace; that will not open, though God knocks never so hard by his word, and rod; by his Spirit, and conscience, are given up by a hand of Justice, to be2 hardened, deceived, and ensnared by Satan to their everlasting ruin; and what can be more just, then that they should be taken, and charmed with Satan's wiles, who have frequently refused to be charmed by the Spirit of grace, though he hath charmed never so wisely, and never so sweetly, &c.
The fourth Reason is, in Judgement1 to the men of the world, that they may stumble, and fall, and be ensnared for ever; wicked men that withstand the offers of mercy, and despise the spirit of grace; that will not open, though God knocks never so hard by his word, and rod; by his Spirit, and consceience, are given up by a hand of Justice, to be2 hardned, deceived, and ensnared by Satan to their everlasting ruine; and what can be more just, then that they should be taken, and charmed with Satans wiles, who have frequently refused to be charmed by the Spirit of grace, though he hath charmed never so wisely, and never so sweetly, &c.
The fifth Reason is, That the excellency,1 and power of Gods grace may be the more illustrated, and manifested, by making man able to grapple with this mighty Adversary, and that notwithstanding all the plots, devices, and stratagems of Satan; yet he will make them victorious here, and crown them with glory hereafter; the greater, and the subtler the enemies of the children of Israel were, the more did divine power, wisdom, and goodness sparkle, ⟨p. 330⟩and shine; that notwithstanding, all their power, plots, and stratagems, &c. yet to Canaan he would bring them at last. When Paul had well weighed this, he sits down, and glories in his infirmities, 2and distresses, and Satan's buffetings, that the power of Christ might rest upon him.
The fifth Reason is, That the excellency,1 and power of Gods grace may be the more illustrated, and manifested, by making man able to grapple with this mighty Adversary, and that notwithstanding all the plots, devices, and stratagems of Satan; yet he will make them victorious here, and crown them with glory hereafter; the greater, and the subtiler the enemies of the children of Israel were, the more did divine power, wisdome, and goodnesse sparkle, ⟨p. 330⟩and shine; that notwithstanding, all their power, plots, and stratagems, &c. yet to Canan he would bring them at last. When Paul had well weighed this, he sits downe, and glories in his infirmities, 2and distresses, and Satans buffetings, that the power of Christ might rest upon him.
IF Satan hath such a world of devices,1 and stratagems to ensnare, and undo the souls of men, then instead of wondering that so few are saved, set down, and wonder that any are saved, that any escape the snares of this cunning fowler, who spreads his nets, and casts forth his baits in all places, and in all cases and companies, &c.
IF Satan hath such a world of devices,1 and stratagems to ensnare, and undo the soules of men, then instead of wondering that so few are saved, set down, and wonder that any are saved, that any escape the snares of this cunning fowler, who spreads his nets, and casts forth his baits in all places, and in all cases and companies, &c.
But this is not the main thing that I intend to speak to; my main business shall be, to set before you some special Rules, and helps against all his Devices, and the first is this.
But this is not the main thing that I intend to speak to; my main business shall be, to set before you some speciall Rules, and helps against all his Devices, and the first is this.
If you would not be taken by any of §1Satan's Devices, then walk by rule; he that walks by rule, walks most safely,1 he that walks by rule, walks most honourably; he that walk by rule, walks most sweetly; when men throw off the ⟨p. 331⟩word, then God throws off them, and then Satan takes them by the hand, and leads them into snares at his pleasure; he that thinks himself too good to be ruled by the word, will be found too bad to be owned by God; and if God do not, nor will not own him, Satan will by his stratagems overthrow him. Them that keep to the rule, they shall be kept in the hour of temptation. Because 2thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
If you would not be taken by any of §1Satans Devices, then walk by rule; hee that walks by rule, walks most safely,1 he that walks by rule, walks most honourably; he that walke by rule, walks most sweetly; when men throw off the ⟨p. 331⟩word, then God throws off them, and then Satan takes them by the hand, and leads them into snares at his pleasure; he that thinks himselfe too good to be ruled by the word, will be found too bad to be owned by God; and if God doe not, nor will not owne him, Satan will by his stratagems overthrow him. Them that keep to the rule, they shall be kept in the hour of temptation. Because 2thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
2. As you would not be taken with any of Satan's devices, take heed of vexing,1 & grieving the holy Spirit of God; 'tis the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ that is best able to discover Satan's snare unto us; 'tis only he that can point out all his plots, and discover all his methods, and enable men to escape those pits that he hath digged for their precious souls; Ah souls! if you set that sweet and blessed spirit a mourning, that alone can secure you from Satan's depths by whom will you be secured? man is a weak creature, and no way able to discover Satan's snares, nor to avoid them, unless the spirit of the Lord gives skill & power; therefore who ever be grieved, be sure the spirit be not grieved ⟨p. 332⟩by your enormities, nor by your refusing2 the cordials, and comforts that he sets before you; nor by slighting, and despising his gracious actings in others,3 nor by calling sincerity, hypocrisy; faith, fancy, &c. nor by fathering those things upon the spirit, that are the brats, and fruits of your own hearts. The spirit of the Lord is your counsellor, your comforter, your upholder, your strengthener. 'Tis only the spirit that makes a man too great for Satan to conquer. Greater is he that is in you, 4then he that is in the world.
2. As you would not be taken with any of Satans devices, take heed of vexing,1 & grieving the holy Spirit of God; 'tis the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ that is best able to discover Satans snar'e unto us; 'tis only he that can point out all his plots, and discover all his methods, and inable men to escape those pits that he hath digged for their precious souls; Ah souls! if you set that sweet and blessed spirit a mourning, that alone can secure you from Satans depths by whom will you be secured? man is a weake creature, and no way able to discover Satans snares, nor to avoyd them, unles the spirit of the Lord gives skil & power; therfore who ever be grieved, be sure the spirit be not grieved
Thirdly, if you would not be taken with any of Satan's devices, then labour for more heavenly wisdom: Ah souls!1 you are much in the dark, you have but a little to that others have, and to that you might have had, had you not been wanting to your selves. There are many knowing souls, but there are but a few wise souls; there is oftentimes a great deal of knowledge, where there is but a little wisdom to improve that knowledge; knowledge without wisdom2 is like mettle in a blind horse, which is often an occasion of the Riders fall, and of his bones being jostled against the walls. 'Tis not the most knowing Christian, but the most wise Christian, that sees, avoids, and escapes ⟨p. 333⟩Satan's snares. The way of life is above to 3the wise (saith Solomon) that he may depart from hell beneath. Heavenly wisdom makes a man delight to fly high; and the higher any man flies, the more he is out of the reach of Satan's snares; Ah souls! you had need of a great deal4 of heavenly wisdom, to see where, and how Satan lays his baits, and snares; and wisdom to find out proper Remedies against his Devices, and wisdom to apply those Remedies seasonably, inwardly, and effectually to your own hearts, that so you may avoid the snares which that evil one hath laid for your precious souls.
Thirdly, if you would not be taken with any of Satans devices, then labour for more heavenly wisdome: Ah souls!1 you are much in the dark, you have but a little to that others have, and to that you might have had, had you not been wanting to your selves. There are many knowing soules, but there are but a few wise soules; there is oftentimes a great deale of knowledge, where there is but a little wisdome to improve that knowledge; knowledge without wisdome2 is like mettle in a blind horse, which is often an occasion of the Riders fall, and of his bones being justled against the walls. 'Tis not the most knowing Christian, but the most wise Christian, that sees, avoids, and escapes
4. If you would not be taken with any of Satan's devices, then make present resistance against Satan's first motions; 'tis safe to resist, 'tis dangerous to dispute; Eve disputes, and falls in Paradise;1 Job resi•te, and conquers upon the dunghill. He that will play with Satan's bait, will quickly be taken with Satan's hook. The promise of conquest is made over to resisting, not to disputing; Resist the Devil, and he shall file 2from you. Ah souls! were you better at resisting, then at disputing (though happily you are not very expert at either) your temptations would be fewer, and your strength to stand would be greater then now it is, &c.
4. If you would not be taken with any of Satans devices, then make present resistance against Satans first motions; 'tis safe to resist, 'tis dangerous to dispute; Eve disputes, and falls in Paradise;1 Job resi•te, and conquers upon the dunghill. He that will play with Satans bait, will quickly be taken with Satans hook. The promise of conquest is made over to resisting, not to disputing; Resist the Devill, and hee shall file 2from you. Ah souls! were you better at resisting, then at disputing (though happily you are not very expert at either) your temptations would be fewer, and your strength to stand would be greater then now it is, &c.
Fifthly, if you would not be taken with any of Satan's Devices, then labour to be filled with the spirit; the spirit of the Lord is a spirit of light and power, and what can a soul do without light, & power against spiritual wickednesses 1in high places. 'Tis not enough that you have the spirit, but you must be filled with the spirit, or else (Satan) that evil spirit will be too hard for you, and his plots will prosper against you. That's a sweet word of the Apostle,2 be filled with the Spirit, i. e. labour for abundance of the spirit; he that thinks he hath enough of the holy Spirit, will quickly find himself vanquished by the evil spirit. Satan hath his snares to take you in prosperity & adversity, in health & sickness, in strength and weakness; when you are alone, and when you are in company; when you come on to spiritual duties, and when you come off from spiritual duties, and if you are not filled with the Spirit, Satan will be too hard, and too crafty for you, and will easily, and frequently take you in his snares, and make a prey of you in spite of your souls; therefore labour more to have your hearts filled with the Spirit, then to have your heads filled with notions, your shops with wares, your chests with ⟨p. 325⟩silver, or your bags with gold, so shall you escape the snares of this fowler, and triumph over all his plots, &c.
Fifthly, if you would not be taken with any of Satans Devices, then labour to be filled with the spirit; the spirit of the Lord is a spirit of light and power, and what can a soule doe without light, & power against spiritual wickednesses 1in high places. 'Tis not enough that you have the spirit, but you must be filled with the spirit, or else (Satan) that evill spirit will be too hard for you, and his plots will prosper against you. That's a sweet word of the Apostle,2 be filled with the Spirit, i. e. labour for abundance of the spirit; hee that thinks he hath enough of the holy Spirit, will quickly find himselfe vanquished by the evill spirit. Satan hath his snares to take you in prosperity & adversity, in health & sickness, in strength and weakness; when you are alone, and when you are in company; when you come on to spirituall duties, and when you come off from spirituall duties, and if you are not filled with the Spirit, Satan will be too hard, and too crafty for you, and will easily, and frequently take you in his snares, and make a prey of you in spight of your soules; therefore labour more to have your hearts filled with the Spirit, then to have your heads filled with notions, your shops with wares, your chests with
Sixthly, if you would not be taken in any of Satan's snares, then keep humble;1 An humble heart will rather lie in the dust, then rise by wickedness; and sooner part with all, then the peace of a good conscience. Humility keeps the soul free from many darts of Satan's casting, and snares of his spreading; as the low shrubs are free from many violent gusts, and blasts of wind, which shake and rend the taller trees. The Devil hath least power to fasten a temptation on him, that is most humble; he that hath a gracious measure of humility, is neither affected with Satan's proffers, nor terrified with his threatenings. I have read of one, who seeing in a vision many snares of the Devil spread upon the earth, he sate down, & mourned, and said in himself (Q•is pertransiet ista) who shall pass through these? whereunto he heard a voice answering (humilitas pertransiet) humility shall; God hath said, that he will teach the humble, 2and that he will dwell with the humble, and that he will fill and satisfy the humble; And if the teachings of God, the in-dwellings of God, if the pourings in of God will not keep the soul from falling ⟨p. 336⟩into Satan's snares, I do not know what will: And therefore as you would be happy in resisting Satan, and blessed in triumphing over Satan, and all his snares keep humble, I say again, keep humble, &c.
Sixtly, if you would not be taken in any of Satans snares, then keep humble;1 An humble heart will rather lie in the dust, then rise by wickednesse; and sooner part with all, then the peace of a good conscience. Humility keepes the soul free from many darts of Satans casting, and snares of his spreading; as the low shrubs are free from many violent gusts, and blasts of wind, which shake and rend the taller trees. The Devil hath least power to fasten a temptation on him, that is most humble; hee that hath a gracious measure of humility, is neither affected with Satans profers, nor terrified with his threatnings. I have read of one, who seeing in a vision many snares of the Devil spread upon the earth, he sate down, & mourned, and said in himself (Qis pertransiet ista) who shal pass through these? wherunto he heard a voyce answering (humilitas pertransiet) humility shall; God hath said, that he will teach the humble,
7. If you would not be taken in any of Satan's snares, then keep a strong, close, and constant watch; a secure1 soul is already an ensnared soul: That soul that will not watch against temptations, will certainly fall before the power of temptations; Satan works most strongly on the fancy, when the soul is drowsy. The souls security is Satan's opportunity to fall upon the soul, and to spoil the soul, as Joshua did the men of Ai. The best way to be safe and secure from all Satan's assaults, is with Nehemiah, and the Jews, to watch and pray, and pray, and watch; by this means they became too hard for their enemies, and the work of the Lord did prosper sweetly in their hands. Remember how Christ chid his sluggish Disciples, what, could you not watch with 2me one hour? what, cannot you watch with me? how will you then dye with me? If you cannot endure words, how will you endure wounds, &c. Satan always keeps a crafty, and malicious watch, seeking whom he may devour (katapie) or3 ⟨p. 237⟩whom he may drink, or sip up, as the4 Apostle speaks in that 1 Pet. 5. 8. Satan5 is very envious at our condition, that we should enjoy that Paradise out of which he is cast, and out of which he shall be for ever kept.
7. If you would not be taken in any of Satans snares, then keep a strong, close, and constant watch; a secure1 soule is already an insnared soul: That soul that will not watch against temptations, will certainely fall before the power of temptations; Satan workes most strongly on the fancie, when the soule is drowsie. The soules security is Satans opportunity to fall upon the soule, and to spoil the soule, as Joshua did the men of Ai. The best way to be safe and secure from all Satans assaults, is with Nehemiah, and the Iews, to watch and pray, and pray, and watch; by this meanes they became too hard for their enemies, and the work of the Lord did prosper sweetly in their hands. Remember how Christ chid his sluggish Disciples, what, could you not watch with
Shall Satan keep a crafty watch, and1 shall not Christians keep a holy spiritual watch? our whole life is beset with temptations, Satan watches all opportunities to break our peace, to wound our consciences, to lessen our comforts, to impair our graces, to slur our evidences, and to damp our assurances, &c. Oh! what need then have we to be always upon our Watch-Tower, lest we be surprised by this subtle Serpent. Watchfulness includes a waking, a rousing up of the soul; 'Tis a continual, careful observing of our hearts and ways, in all the turnings of our lives, that we still keep close to God, and his word.
Shall Satan keep a crafty watch, and1 shall not Christians keep a holy spirituall watch? our whole life is beset with temptations, Satan watches all opportunities to break our peace, to wound our consciences, to lessen our comforts, to impaire our graces, to slur our evidences, and to damp our assurances, &c. Oh! what need then have we to be alwayes upon our Watch-Tower, lest we be surprized by this subtle Serpent. Watchfulnesse includes a waking, a rousing up of the soule; 'Tis a continuall, carefull observing of our hearts and wayes, in all the turnings of our lives, that wee still keep close to God, and his word.
