For the fuller opening of the Doctrine of Influences: some influences are from Satan, some from God. Influences from God are both moral, when he commands good, and forbids evil; and real and physical, in that all move ⟨p. 190⟩in him, as the first cause and mover in operations of nature. 2. of grace. 3. of glory. But Satan being no Master or Lord of providence, hath no real stirring in second causes; his actings upon angel or mens souls are not physical, but only moral or tempting actings, or hellish inspirations inductive to sin; and it's no small mercy that the Prince and God of a lost world, who by permission acteth really on the air, earth, and waters, yet hath no power of immediate,1 real, or physical acting upon mind, will, affection, and conscience, he having only a borrowed key, and at the second hand power to suit the heart, by fancy, senses, and outward objects, 1 Kings 22. 22. John 13. Acts 5. 3. Some one way or other the court-gate of Achabs heart, of Judas, of Ananias and Sapphira, lie open to Satan's scout-watches. It were safer to watch and fear, then to dispute how that subtle Spirit can blow up the lock and get in; for he knows not what is in a mans spirit. The spirit of a man is under God, the only keeper of this castle, and knows rooms, doors, and what is within, 1 Cor. 2. 11. But devils lying about the out-works, the senses, the fancy, and the imagination, which is a material house, and hath doors, windows, and entries passible to devils; he can here blow the bellows, and kindle iron works.
For the fuller opening of the Doctrine of Influences: some influences are from Satan, some from God. Influences from God are both moral, when he commands good, and forbids evil; and real and physical, in that all move ⟨p. 190⟩in him, as the first cause and mover in operations of nature. 2. of grace. 3. of glory. But Satan being no Master or Lord of providence, hath no real stirring in second causes; his actings upon angel or mens soules are not physical, but only moral or tempting actings, or hellish inspirations inductive to sin; and it's no small mercy that the Prince and God of a lost world, who by permission acteth really on the air, earth, and waters, yet hath no power of immediate,1 real, or physical acting upon minde, will, affection, and conscience, he having only a borrowed key, and at the second hand power to suit the heart, by fancy, senses, and outward objects, 1 Kings 22. 22. John 13. Acts 5. 3. Some one way or other the court-gate of Achabs heart, of Judas, of Ananias and Sapphira, lie open to Satans scout-watches. It were safer to watch and fear, then to dispute how that subtle Spirit can blow up the lock and get in; for he knows not what is in a mans spirit. The spirit of a man is under God, the onely keeper of this castle, and knows rooms, doors, and what is within, 1 Cor. 2. 11. But devils lying about the out-works, the senses, the fancie, and the imagination, which is a material house, and hath doors, windows, and entries passible to devils; he can here blow the bellows, and kindle iron works.
- 1How Satan knows the actings of the heart.
