The Christian in Complete Armour

Secondly, he employeth persons of parts and policy, if any hath more pregnancy of wit, and depth of reason then other, he is the man Satan looks upon for his service: and so far he prevails that very few of this rank are found among Christs disciples, Not many wise. Indeed, God will not have his Kingdom, either in the heart or in the world, maintained by carnal policy, 'tis a Gospel-command that we walk in godly simplicity, sine plicis; though the Serpent can shrink up into his folds, and appear what he is not, yet it doth not become the Saints to juggle or shuffle with God or men; and truly when any of them have made use of the Serpents subtlety, it hath not followed their hand; Jacob got the blessing by a wile, but he might have had it cheaper with plain dealing. Abraham and Sarah both dissemble to Abimelech, God discovers their sin, and reproves them for it by the mouth of an Heathen. Asa out of State-policy joins league with Syria, yea, pawns the vessels of the Sanctuary, and all for help, and what comes of all this? Herein thou hast done foolishly, saith God, from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Sinful policy shall not long thrive in the Saints hands well, but Satan will not out of his way, he enquires for the subtlest-pated men, a Balaam, Ahithophel, Haman, Sanballat, men admired for their ⟨p. 106⟩counsel and deep plots, these are for his turn. A wicked cause needs a smooth Orator, bad ware a pleasing Chapman, as in particular, his instruments he useth to seduce and corrupt the minds of men are commonly subtle-pated men, such, that if it were possible should deceive the very elect. This made the Apostle so jealous of the Corinthians, whom he had espoused to Christ, lest as Eve by the Serpent, so their minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. He must be a cunning devil indeed, that can draw off the Spouses love from her beloved, yet there is such a witchery in Satan's instruments, that many have been brought to fly on the face of those truths and ordinances, yea, Christ himself to whom they have seemed espoused formerly. Now in three particulars this sort of Satan's instruments show their Masters subtlety.

Secondly, he employeth persons of parts and policy, if any hath more pregnancy of wit, and depth of reason then other, he is the man Satan looks upon for his service: and so far he prevails that very few of this rank are found among Christs disciples, Not many wise. Indeed, God will not have his Kingdome, either in the heart or in the world, maintained by carnal policy, 'tis a Gospel-command that we walk in godly simplicity, sine plicis; though the Serpent can shrink up into his folds, and appear what he is not, yet it doth not become the Saints to juggle or shuffle with God or men; and truly when any of them have made use of the Serpents subtilty, it hath not followed their hand; Jacob got the blessing by a wile, but he might have had it cheaper with plain dealing. Abraham and Sarah both dissemble to Abimelech, God discovers their sin, and reproves them for it by the mouth of an Heathen. Asa out of State-policy joynes league with Syria, yea, pawns the vessels of the Sanctuary, and all for help, and what comes of all this? Herein thou hast done foolishly, saith God, from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Sinful policy shall not long thrive in the Saints hands well, but Satan will not out of his way, he enquires for the subtilest-pated men, a Balaam, Achitophl, Haman, Sanballat, men admired for their