.456111211.3aagaaa A choice Bed of Spices. for his exemplary holinefs was worthy to be honoured above others, therefore he appeared unto him ; but,the goad old man readily anftvered him, that he defired not to fee his Sa- viour in this wildernefs, it fhould fuffice him to fee him hereafter in heaven, and withal added this pithy prayer : o let thy fight be my reward, Lord, in another life,ind !got in this; and fo he became viRorious over Satan, though he had trans- formed himfelf into a glorious Angel of light ; but fuch a a viaorious crown has not been fet upon every ones head to whom Satan has appeared as an Angel of glory. Cer- tainly, they that Rand fo much, fo mightily for an imme- diate teftimony, feem to open fuch a gap to Enthufiafm, as will not be easily shut ; yea, how will they be ever able to fecure to purpofe, poor fouls from fad delufions? for how eafie a thing is it for Satan (who is the father of lyes ? 8.48. who is an old deceiver, Gen. 3. 13. t Tim. 2. 14. who is the grand deceiver, Rev. 12. 9. Rev. 13. 14. Rev. 19. 20, Rev, 20. 10. who has his devices, C or. 2. a t . his wiles, Eph. 6.1/. his fnares, i Tim. 3.7 his depths, Rev. 2. 24.) to find various artifices to counterfeit this imme- diate teflimony, and bear witnefs in. the fpirits !lead; fo that, when poor fouls thinks that they have the Spirit of grace and truth to allure them that all is well, and shall be for ever well with them they have none but the father of lyes.to deceive them, they have none but the devil in &- mod s mantle, to put a foul-murdering cheat upon 1 amnot fond of advifing any poor fouls to lay the firefs of their ,hopes of heaven- and fa!vation, meerly upon imme- diate impreffions, lei} they fliould fubjea themfelves to in- finite delafions. 0 Sirs, the way of immediate Revelation is more fleeting, and inconflant, fuch aaings of the Spirit are like thofe .outward motions that came upon Sampfon, bldg. 13. 25. The Spirit came upon him at times ; and fo upon every withdrawment, new doubts and fcruples. arife ; but the trial of a mans eflate by grace is more conRant and durable, faving grace being a continual pledge of God's love to us ; flafhes of joy and comfort, are only fweet and de- lightfom whilR they are felt, but grace is that immortal feed that abided] for ever, r john 3.9. But, 71e See Dr. Cafaubon, and Dr. 2Vloere, concerning Bo. thuliafin.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=