Chapter 4. In Which This Point of Satan's Subtlety, as a Tempter to Sin, Is Briefly Applied

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Use 1 First, affect not sinful policy and subtilty, it makes you but like the devil. There is the wisdom of the Serpent, which is commended, and that is his perfection as a creature, in which both the literal and the mystical excel, the one in an ingenious observing nature above the beasts of the field, and the other in knowledge as an Angel above men; but as the subtilty of the one, and knowledge of the other is degenerate, and makes them more able to do mischief, the one to the bodies, the other to the souls of men, this kinde of wisdom and subtilty is to be abhorred by us: The Serpents eye (as one says) does well only in the Doves head.

First, affect not subtilty in contriving any sin. Some are wise to do evil, Jeremiah 4:22. Masters of this craft, who can as they lie on their beds, cast their wicked designes into an artificial method, showing a kinde of devillish wit therein, as the Egyptians who dealt wisely (as they thought) with the Israelites and Jezabel, who had printed her bloody design in so faire a letter, that some might reade her Saint while she was playing the devil. This is the black Art indeed, and will make the soul black as hell that practiss it. It is not hard for any (though a fool) to learn. Be but wicked, and the devil will help you to be witty; Come but a while to his school, and you may soon be a cunning man. No sins speak a higher attainment in wickedness, then those which are the result of deliberate counsel and deep plottings. Creatures, as they go longer with their young, so their birth is more strong and perfect, as the Elephant above all others. The longer a sin is a forming and forging within, and the oftner the head and heart meet about it, the compleater the sin. Here are many litters of unform'd sins in one, such I mean, that are conceived and cast forth in the hurry of an extemporary passion, such sudden acts show weakness, these other deep wickedness.

Secondly, take heed of hiding sin when you have committed it. This is one of the devices that are in mans heart, and as much Art and cunning is shewen in this, as in any one part of the sinners trade. What a trick had the Patriarchs to blinde their fathers eye with a bloody coat? Josephs Mistresse to prevent a charge from Ioseph, accuss him for what she is guilty, like the Robber who scap't by crying Stop the Thief. God taught man to make coats to cover his naked body, but the devil learnt him to weave these coverings to hide the nakednesse of his soul; the more subtile you seemest in concealing your sin, the more egregiously you playest the fool. None so sham'd as the liar when found out, and that you are sure to be. Your covering is too short to hide you from Gods eye, and what God sees, (if you doest not put your self to shame) he will tell all the world of hereafter) however you escapest in this life.

Thirdly, take heed of subtilty and sinful policy, in compassing that which is lawful in it selfe; 'tis lawful to improve your estate and husband it well for your posterity, but take not the divels counsel, who will be putting you upon some tricks in your trade and slights in your dealing; such may go for wise men a while, but the Prophet reads their destiny, Ier. 17.11. At his end he shall be a fool. 'Tis lawful to love our estate, life, liberty, but beware of sinful policy to save them. 'Tis no wisdom to shuffle with God, by denying his truth, or shifting of our duty to keepe correspondence with men; he is a weak fencer that layes his soul at open guard to be stabbed and wounded with guilt, while he is lifting up his hands to save a broken head, Our fear commonly meets us at that door by which we think to run from it. He that will save his life shall lose it As you love your peace, Christians, be plain-hearted with God and man, and keep the Kings high-way; go the plain way of the command to obtain your desire, and not leap over hedge and ditch to come a little sooner to the journeys end; such commonly either meet with some stop that makes them come back with shame, or else put to venture their necks in some desperate leap. He is sure to come safer (if not sooner) home, that is willing to go a little about to keep God company. The Historians observation is worth the Christians remembrance: Consilia callida primâ specie laeta, tractatu dura, eventu tristia, Livius. Crafty counsels promise faire at first, but prove more difficult in the managing, and in the end do pay the undertaker home with desperate sorrow.

Use 2 Is Satan so subtile? O then think not to be too cunning for the devil, he'll be too hard for you at last, sin not with thoughts of an after-repentance; it is possible you meanest this at present: but doest you think who sits down to play with this cheater, to draw out your stock when you pleasest? alas, poor wretch, he has a thousand devices to carry you on, and engage you deeper, 'till he has not left you any tenderness in your conscience. As some have been served at play, intending only to venture a shilling or two, yet have by the secret witchery in gaming, played the very cloathes off their back before they had done; O how many have thus sinned away all their principles, yea, Profession it self, that they have not so much as this cloak left, but walk naked to their shame? Like children, who got into a boat, think to play near the shore, but are unawares by a violent gust carried down to the wide sea. O how know you that dallie with Satan, but that at last you may (who begin modestly) be carried down to the broad sea of prophanenesse? Some men are so subtile to over-reach, and so cruel when they get men into their hands, that a man had better beg his bread then borrow of them. Such a Merchant is Satan cunning to insinuate, and get the creature into his books, and when he has him on the hip, no more mercy to be had at his hand, then the Lambe may expect from the ravenous Wolfe.

Use 3 Study the wiles, and acquaint your self with Satans policy. Paul takes it for granted, that every Saint does in some measure understand them; We are not ignorant of his devices, 2 Corinthians 2:11. He is but an ill fencer that knows and observes nothing of his emies play; many particular stratagems I have laid down already, which may help a little, and for your direction in this study of, and enquiry into Satans wiles, take this threefold counsel.

First, take God into your counsel. Heaven over-looks hell. God at any time can tell you, what plots are hatching there against you. Consider Satan as he is Gods creature, so God cannot but know him. He that makes the Watch, knowes every pin in it. He formed this crooked Serpent, though not the crookednesse of this Serpent, and though Satans way in tempting is as wonderful as the way of a Serpent on a rock, yet God tracs him; yea, knowes all his thoughts together. Hell it self is naked before him, and this destroyer has no covering. Again, consider him as Gods Prisoner, who has him fast in chaines, and so the Lord, who is his Keeper, must needs know where his Prisoner goes, who cannot stir without his leave. Lastly, consider him as his messenger, for so he is, An evil spirit from the Lord vexed Saul, and he that gives him his errand, is able to tell you what it is. Go then and plough with Gods heifer, improve your interest in Christ, who knows what his Father knows, and is ready to reveal all that concernes you to you, Joh. 15.15. It was he who descried the devil coming against Peter and the rest of the Apostles, and faithfully revealed it to them, Luke 22. before they thought of any such matter. Through Christs hands passe all that is transacted in heaven and hell. We live in days of great actions, deep counsels, and plots on all sides, and only a few that stand on the upper end of the world know these mysteries of State, all the rest know little more than Pamphlet-Intelligence: Thus it is in regard of those plots which Satan in his infernal Conclave is laying against the souls of men, they are but a few that know any thing to purpose of Satans designes against them; and those are the Saints from whom God cannot hide his own counsels of love, but sends his Spirit to reveal unto them here, what he has prepared for them in heaven, 1 Corinthians 2:10. and therefore much lesse will he conceal any destructive plot of Satan from them.

Be intimately acquainted with your own heart, and you will the better know his design against you, who takes his method of tempting, from the inclination and posture of your heart. As a General walks about the City, and viewes it well, and then raiss his Batteries, where he has the greatest advantage: So does Satan compasse, and consider the Christian in every part before he tempts.

Lastly, be careful to reade the Word of God with observation. In it you have the History of the most remarkable battels that have been fought by the most eminent Worthies in Christs Army of Saints, with this great Warriour Satan; Here you may see how Satan has foiled them, and how they have recovered their lost ground. Here you have his Cabinet-counsels opened, there is not a lust which you are in danger of, but you have it descried, not a temptation which the Word does not arme you against. It is reported that a certain Jew should have poisoned Luther, but was happily prevented by his picture which was sent to Luther, with a warning from a faithful friend, that he should take heed of such a man when he saw him, by which he knew the Murderer, and escaped his hands. The Word shewes you, O Christian, the face of those lusts, which Satan employes to butcher your precious soul; By them is your servant warned, says David, Psalms 19:11.

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