ferved that the Devil is in Scripture reprefented to us, as Head or Prince of a number of Angels, who finned against God, (for probably All intelligent Creatures have their State of Probation,) and were caft down out of Heaven. What their Sin was in particular, is not clearly revealed, and therefore 'tis to no purpose to be curious in inquiring after it. Only this we may be very fure of, that it was not a Rebelling against God by way of open Force, as Some have weakly and injudiciously represented it. For nothing can be more abfurd, than to imagine that Any Creature or number of Creatures can in This Senfe poffibly rebel against God, who can withdraw from them (when he pleases) even their very Being; and in whofe hands the whole Univerfe is as Nothing, But 'tis reasonable to fuppofe They fell, as wicked Men do, by prefumptuously and foolishly venturing to tranfgrefs fome of God's Commands:. Only with This difference, that Their Sin was the greater and more unpardonable, because they had No Tempter, that we know of; and their Nature

was lefs frail. Neither Now do they withstand the Will of God, and fet up an oppofite Kingdom, by way of Force or Violence, as if they could do any thing absolutely against or in oppofition to Him: But as Criminals and condemned perfons, having no Hope for Themselves, they maliciously endeavour to draw Others likewise into the fame Condemnation. When therefore the Scripture speaks of War in Heaven, and of the Dragon and His Angels fighting against Michael and His Angels; we must by no means understand it literally, as if evil Spirits could fight against God, or against his Minifters; but only figuratively, that, in the moral sense, they oppose the Kingdom of Chrift, by indeavouring to feduce men into the Commiffion of Sin. The Devil therefore has no Power over men, neither is his Force at all to be feared: But he can tempt and feduce and deceive the unwary, as wicked Men alfo tempt one another; and is in the fame manner to be refifted,

THIS

THIS being premised in general, concerning the Devil who is to be renounced; it will easily be understood, that the Works of the Devil, his Works properly so called, as diftinguished from the Vanities of the World and from the Lufts of the Flesh; are Such Sins in particular, of which the Devil is principally an Example, to which he more immediately tempts, and which are more properly and strictly called Diabolical.

OF This fort is Lying, and especially in matters of Religion, to deceive and impose upon men knowingly with Falfe Doctrines. For the Devil is a Lyar, and Joh. viii. the Father of it. And hence in Scripture falfe Objects of religious Worship are frequently ftiled, Lies; and the fetters of them up, Lyars.

44.

IN the next place, Murder, Wars, Defolations, and particularly Perfecution upon Rev.xii. account of Religion. For the Devil is The Rev.ix. Deftroyer, and a Murderer from the begin- Joh. viii.

ning.

9, 13.

ALSO Pride, Hatred, Envy, Malice, falfe Accufation, and the like. For the Devil is (what the name Aiáßoxos figniRev.xii. fies) The Accufer of the Brethren.

10,

THEN Witchcraft, Aftrology, Fortunetelling, and all unlawful Arts, either real or pretended. For all things of This fort, whenever they have any reality in them, are evidently diabolical. And when they have no reality, they are Cheats and lying Impoftures; and fo likewife they are still the Works of Him, who was a Lyar from the beginning.

Lastly; IDOLATRY, is the principal of all the Works of the Devil, and the most immediate and direct oppofition to God. This was the great Enemy to Christianity, at the first planting of the Gofpel. And though now, under the name of Heathenism indeed, it be abolished in These parts of the world; yet there are, even among thofe that call themselves Chriftians, Some who (in direct oppofition to the Command of God) worship Images of Wood and Stone, and confecrated Elements,

Elements, and Other Imaginations of their own, instead of the Maker and Preferver of all things, even the One God and Father of All, who is Above all, and Through all, and In us all; and (in direct contradiction to the design of the Gospel) set up and pray to imaginary Interceffors, Angels and Saints and the Blessed Virgin, instead of praying in the Name of Him who is the One Mediator between God and Man, even our Lord Jefus Christ. All which Practises, are manifest Idolatry; Worship paid to Idol-Gods, and IdolMediators. And indeed every thing is Faulty of this kind, befide the Worship of Him alone, who created the world by his Power, who redeemed mankind by his Son, and who fanctifies all good perfons by his Holy Spirit.

2. WE are to renounce the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World. The Meaning of which, is; not that the World which God hath created, or any of its natural Injoyments, are Evil: But the things to be renounced, are, the Evil Cu

ftoms

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