First, By hastening to quench convictions betimes, and nip them in the bud. Satan knows how danges-uiis a thing it is, and de- structive to his interest, to suffer convictions to continue long ; and therefore it is said of him, Matth. xiii. 19. When any " one " heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then " cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown 16 in his heart." Satan is compared in this scripture to the fowls in the air, which pick up the seed before it take any root in the earth. The devil is very jealous of this, and therefore labours all he can to destroy the word before it comes to operate upon the heart ; which he doth sometimes by the cares of the world, and sometimes by vain companions, who prove mere quench coals vinto the beginning con- victions. One sinner destroyeth much good.
Secondly, No sooner doth the god of this world observe the light of truth begin to operate upon the heart, but he obstructeth that design by procrastinations and delays, which delude and baffle con- vinced souls ; he persuades them if they will alter their course, it will be time enough hereafter, when such encumbrances and trou- bles in the world are over ; if he prevail here, it is a thousand to one but the work miscarries. James i. 13, 14. If the hearer of the
SERM. XXXIV. THE METHOD OF GRACE. 461
word be not a doer, i. e. a present doer, while the impressions of it are fresh upon the soul, he doth but deceive himself. For it is with the heart, as it is with melted wax ; if the seal be clapped to it presently, it will receive a fair impression ; but if it be let alone, but for a little while, you can make none at all ; it was therefore David's great care and wisdom to set about the work of religion under the first impetus, or vigorous motion of his heart and affec- tions. Psal. cxix. 60. " I made haste, and delayed not to keep " thy commandments." Multitudes of souls have perished by these delays. It is a temptation incident to all that are under beginning convictions, especially young persons, whom the devil persuades that it were no better than madness in them to abridge and deny them- selves so much delight and pleasure, and steep their youthful thoughts in such a melancholy subject as religion is.
Thirdly, If all this will not do, but convictions still continue to get ground in the conscience, then he endeavours to scare and fright them out of their convictions, by representing to them the inward terrors, troubles, and despairs into which they are about to plunge themselves, and that henceforth they must never expect a pleasant day, or comfortable hour. Thus doth the god of this world blind the minds of them that believe not, both by hindering the access of light to the mind, and the influence of it upon the heart.
Thirdly, There is yet one policy of Satan to keep souls in dark- ness, and that is, by the misapplication of truth ; persuading them, that whatsoever they read or hear of the misery and danger of christ- less and unrcgenerate persons, doth not in the least touch or concern them, but the more notorious and profane part of the world ; and by this policy he blinds the minds of all civil and moral persons. Thus the " Pharisees trusted in themselves that they were righteous, " and despised others." And so the Laodiceans thought themselves rich, and increased with goods ; that is, in a very safe and good condition *. Now there are divers things notably improved by Satan's policy, in order to these misapplications of truth. As,
First, The freedom of their lives from the most gross pollutions of the world, Mat. xix. 20. " All these things have I kept from my " youth up.11 A civil, sober course of life is a most effectual blind before the eyes of many a man's conscience.
Secondly, It is the policy of Satan to prevent convictions by con- viction ; I mean effectual convictions, by convictions that have been ineffectual, and are now vanished away. Thus the troubles that some persons have been under, must pass for their conversion,
See my Touchstone of Sincerity upon Rev. iii. 17, IS.
462 THE METHOD OF GRACE. SERM. XXXIV,
though the temper of their heart be the same it was : Their inef- fectual troubles are made use of by the devil to blind them in the true knowledge and apprehension of their condition. For these men and women can speak of the troubles they have had for sin, and the many tears they have shed for it ; whereby thorough con- viction is effectually prevented.
Thirdly, Gifts and knowledge are improved by the policy of Satan against the true knowledge of Jesus Christ, and our own es- tate by nature. As conviction is improved by Satan's policy against conviction, so is knowledge against knowledge. This was the case of them in Rom. ii. 17, 18. " Thou art called a Jew, and restest " in the law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his will, " and approvest the things that are excellent ; being instructed out " of the law, and art confident that thou thyself art a guide to the " blind," &c. And this is the temptation and delusion of knowing persons, who are so far from being blind in their own account, that they account themselves the guides of the blind : Yet who blinder than such men ?
Fourthly, External reformation is improved by the policy of Sa- tan against true spiritual reformation, and passes current up and down the world for conversion ; though it serve only to strengthen Satan's interest in the soul, Matth. xii. 44. and for want of a real change of heart, doth but increase their sin and misery, 2 Pet. ii. 20. This is the generation that is pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their filthiness. The cleanness of their hands blinds them in discovering the Jbulness of their hearts.
Fifthly, The policy of Satan improves diligence in some duties, against the convictions of neglect in other duties. The external duties of religion, as hearing, praying, fasting, against the great du- ties of repenting and believing. This was their case, Isa. lviii. 2, 3. ** Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a fi nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinances of " their God. They ask of me the ordinances of justice, they take " delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say *' they, and thou seest not ? Wherefore have we afHicted our souls, " and thou takest no knowledge r* Thus duty is improved against duty, the externals against the internals of religion, and multitudes are blinded this way.
Sixthly, The policy of Satan improves zeal against zeal ; and thereby blinds a great part of the world : he allows men to be zea- lous against a false religion, if thereby he may prevent them from being zealous in the true religion. He diverts their zeal against their own sins, by spending it against other men's. Thus Paul was once blinded by his own zeal for the law, Acts xxii. 8. And many men, at this day, satisfy themselves in their own zeal