Captives bound in chains, made free by Christ their surety

Presently after the Creation of man, there was a spiritual war, conflict, and combat betwixt man and the Devil, the place where this war began was Paradise, in which fight the Devil overcame, and did prevail, not only against our first Parents, but their posterity also; then was man first carried captive, taken prisoner by the Devil, and doth remain so till he is rescued, redeemed, and delivered by Jesus Christ the Captain of our salvation. Thus wicked Men are said to be taken captive by the Devil at his will, 2 Tim. 2.26; and keepeth them in a peaceable, quiet subjection to him, Luk. 11.21; and dwelleth, worketh, and ruleth in their hearts, Eph. 2.2. The heart of an unregenerate sinner is the Devil's garrison, sort and strong-hold where he sits, and acts, and commands like an usurping […] and the poor sinner yieldeth obedience to him without opposition or resistance. Thus ⟨p. 16⟩are they also said to be bound fast in the bond of iniquity and sin, Act. 8.23. and are the servants of sin, and slaves to their own corruption and lusts, Rom. 6.16. and serve divers lusts, Tit 3.3. and are the servants of corruption, who being overcome by Satan and by sin, are brought into bondage by them, 2 Pet. 2.19.

Presently after the Creation of man, there was a spiritual war, conflict, and combat betwixt man and the Devil, the place where this war began was Paradise, in which fight the Devil overcame, and did prevail, not only against our first Parents, but their posterity also; then was man first carried captive, taken prisoner by the Devil, and doth remain so till he is rescued, redeemed, and delivered by Jesus Christ the Captain of our salvation. Thus wicked Men are said to be taken captive by the Devil at his will, 2 Tim. 2.26; and keepeth them in a peaceable, quiet subjection to him,