275 Chap: S. An Expoftion upon the Book of J O $. Verf. 12 mailers ; To devift devices, notes mote then ordinary skill in that black art ; asto worka work, (3ob. d. 28. ) notes great in- duliry and intention of the mind in working. Some play their works rather then work their works : I muff work the works of him that fens me, faith our Lord Jefus Chrifi, fob.9.4. None ever laboured as Christ laboured,therefore hiswas wokrg a mo>k. As ( I fay ) to works work, notes great industry in working ; fo to 'mite a device, implies much cunning and skill laid out in devi- fing. N6w as these men would be witty above others in dc- vifrrg evil, fo they are curled aboveothers in bearing evil. The Propnct gives them their load , ver. 21, 22. Therefore deliver up their children to the Famine , and powre out their blood by the force of the Sword , and let their wives be bereaved, &c. And it is mot} WI, that they should bedeepefl in thecurie , who are deepc fi in filch craft ; for the truth is , that, Every fitful all-, the more skill there join it, the more (în there id in it ; it is the belt to be a dul- head, a very bungler in doing mijchief : Wit commends and sets ofother things, but it makes fen the more finful and defarm*d. Secondly ob- ferve ; That Satan makes ate of (noble , crafty men, andabufetb their parts Jr i bid own purpfer. He difappointeth the devices of the crafty. God never difappointeth thole, whom he Pets awork : It God dif- appoints the devices of men, thefe devices were not of God: Satan lets thole awork , wholework God spoils. The Lord loves to break Satans engines, tools, and inflruments. Chrift cama to dcflroy the works of the Devil,both bis works within us, and his works againfl us. All Satans works and workmen flail rue it, when Quiff pleases. And herewe fee whom Satan fers awork, even men of the finch wits, of the mofi reaching brains,of the deepc fl judgments and richefi endowment : these he draweth into his pay, andmakes serviceable for his ends; that's Satans defign ; such as are amongtl men,as theSerpent a- rnongft'the beafts, the fubtill of all, these Satan makes nfe of: The deep pol cy of an Arkiropbel, the Great Oracle of his times for counfel, hedefiresto improve againfla David; The high parts and Learning of a Jafsan, he &Gres ro improve and bnylc up againfl the Chrifiians ; such a one will not only Firs and Sword, but set bard to jear and wit them out of their profefon of the Go/pel. And it is obi the feedsof the greaten herefies and crrours.
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