A77614:475
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.
Tenthly, and lastly, If you would not be taken in any of Satan's snares, then be much in prayer; prayer is a shelter to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to the Devil; Davids heart was oft more out of tune, then his Harp; he prays, and then, in spite1 of the Devil, cries, return unto thy rest oh my soul. Prayer is (Porta coeli, clavis Paradisi) the gate of Heaven, a key to let us into Paradise; there is nothing that renders plots fruitless like prayer, therefore saith Christ, watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; you must watch and pray, and pray, and watch, if you would not enter into temptation. When Sennacherib and Haman had laid plots and snares to have destroyed the Jews, they prayed, and ⟨p. 342⟩their souls were delivered, & Sennacherib and H•man destroyed. David had many snares laid for him, and this put• him upon prayer; Keep me (saith he) from the snare which they have laid for me, 2and the grins of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I escape. The proud saith he, hath hid a snare for me, and cords, they have spread a net by the way side, they have set grins 3for me, Selab. I said unto the Lord, thou art my God, hear the voice of my supplication 4oh Lord. Saul and many others had laid snares for David, and this puts him upon prayer, and so the snares are broken, and he is d•lived; ah souls! take words to your selves, and tell God that Satan hath spread his snares in all places, and in all companies; tell God that he digs deep, and that he hath plot upon plot, and device upon device, and all to5 undo you; tell God, that you have neither skill, nor power to escape his snares; tell God, that 'tis a work too high, and too hard for any created creature to work your deliverance, unless he puts under his own everlasting arms; tell God how his honour is engaged to stand by you, and to bring you off, that you be not ruined by his plots; tell God how the wicked would triumph, if you should fall into Satan's snares;