A77614:473
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.
Eighthly, if you would not be taken with any of Satan's snares, and devices, then keep up your communion with God; your strength to stand, and withstand1 Satan's fiery darts, is from your communion with God; a soul high in communion with God may be tempted, but will not easily be conquered, such a soul will fight it out to the death; Communion with God furnisheth the soul with the greatest, and the choicest arguments to withstand Satan's temptations; ⟨p. 339⟩Communion is the result of union; communion is a reciprocal exchange between Christ, and a gracious soul; Communion is Jacobs ladder, where you have Christ sweetly coming down into the soul, and the soul by divine influences sweetly ascending up to Christ. Communion with Christ is very inflaming, raising, and strengthening; while Sampson kept up his communion2 with God, no enemy could stand before him, but he goes on conquering, and to conquer; but when he was fallen in his communion with God, he quickly falls before the plots of his enemies; 'twill be so with your souls, so long as your communion with God is kept up, you will be too hard for spiritual wickednesses in high places; but if you fall from your3 communion with God, you will fall as others before the face of every temptation. David, so long as he kept up his communion with God, he stands, and triumphs over all his enemies; but when he was fallen in his communion with God, then he falls before the enemies, that were in his own bosom, & flies before those that pursued after his life; 'Twill be so with your souls, if you do not keep up your communion with God. Job keeps up his communion with God, and conquers Satan upon the dunghill. ⟨p. 340⟩Adam looses his communion with God, and is conquered by Satan in Paradise. Communion with God is a shield upon land, as well as an anchor at sea; 'tis a sword to defend you, as well as a staff to support you; therefore keep up your communion.
Eightly, if you would not be taken with any of Satans snares, and devices, then keep up your communion with God; your strength to stand, and withstand