Use 3. — Study his wiles, and acquaint thyself with Satan's policy. Paul takes it for gi-anted, that every saint doth in some measure understand them : ' We are not ignorant of his devices,' 2 Cor. ii. 11. He is but an ill fencer that knows and observes nothing of his enemy's play; many particular stratagems I have laid down already w^hich may help a little ; and for thy direction in this study of, and inquiry into, Satan's wiles, take this threefold counsel.
First, Take God into thy counsel : heaven overlooks hell. God at any time can tell thee what plots are hatching there against thee. Consider Satan, as he is God's creature, so God cannot but know him. He that makes the watch, knows every pin in it. He formed this crooked serpent, though not the crookedness of this serpent; and though Satan's way in tempting be as wonderful as the way of a serpent on a rock, yet God traceth him ; yea, knows all his thoughts together. ' Hell itself is naked before him,' and the destroyer hath no covering. Again, consider him as God's prisoner, who hath him fast in chains ; and so the Lord, who is his keeper, must needs know whither his prisoner goes, who cannot stir without liLs 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 thee what it is. Go then, and plough with God's heifer ; improve thy interest in Christ, who knows what his Father knows, and is ready to reveal all that concerns thee, to thee, John xv. 15. It was he who foretold the devil's coming against Peter and the rest of the apostles, and faithfully revealed it to them, Luke xxii., before they thought of any such matter. Through Christ's hands pass 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 anything to purpose of Satan's design 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 hath prepared for them in heaven, 1 Cor. ii. 10 ; and therefore much less will he conceal any destructive plot of Satan from them.
Secondly, Be intimately acquainted with thy own heart, and thou wilt the bet- ter know his design against thee, who takes his method of tempting, from the inclination and posture of thy heart. As a general walks about the city, and views it well, and then raiseth his batteries where he hath the greatest advantage : so doth Satan compass and consider the Christian in every part before he tempts. Lastl}', Be careful to read the word of God with observation. In it thou hast the history of the most remarkable battles that have been fought by the most eminent worthies in Christ's army of saints, with the great warrior Satan : here thou mayest see how Satan hath foiled them, and how they have recovered their lost ground. Here you have his cabinet councils opened. There is not a lust which you are in danger of, but you have it described ; not a temptation which the word doth not arm you against. It is reported that a certain Jew would have poisoned Luther, but was happily prevented by his picture that was sent to Luther, with a warning from a faithful friend, to take heed of such a man when he saw him ; by which he knew the murderer, and escaped his hands. The word shews thee, O Christian, the face of those his s which Satan employs to butcher thy precious soul ; * By them is thy servant warned,' saith David, Psa. xix. 11.
CHAPTER V.
WHEREIN IS SHEWED THE SUBTILTY OF SATAN, AS A TROUBLER AND AN AC- CUSER FOR SIN ; WHERE MANY OF HIS WILES AND 'POLICIES TO DISQUIET THE saints' SPIRITS ARE DISCOVERED.
The second general in which Satan appears such a subtile enemy, is, in molesting the saints' peace, and disquieting the saints' spirit. As tire Holy
AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL. 57