46 What are no Signs PART II. enough to lay hold on Chriff himfelf, and carry him hither and thither, into the Wildernefs, and into an high Mountain, and to a Pinnacle of the Temple, is not afraid to touch the Scripture, and abufe that for his own Purpofes : As he thew'd at the fame Ti he was fo bold with Chriff, he then brought one Scripture and another, to deceive and tempt him. And if Satan did presume, and was permitted, to put Chrift himfelf in Mind of Texts of Scripture to tempt Him, what Reafon have we to determine, that he dare not, or will not be permitted, to put wicked Men in mind of Texts of Scripture, to tempt and deceive them ? And if Satan may thus abufe one Text of Scripture, fo he may another. It's being a very excellent Place of Scripture, a comfortable and precious Promife, alters not the Cafe, as to his Courage or Ability. And if he can bring one comfortable Text to the Mind, fo he may a Thoufand ; and may choofe out fuch Scriptures as tend molt to ferve his Purpofe ; and may heap up Scripture Promifes, tending, according to the per - verfe Application he makes of them, wonderfully to remove the riling Doubts, and to confirm the falle Joy and Confidence of a poor deluded Sinner. We know the Devil's Inífruments, corrupt and heretical Teachers, can and do pervert the Scripture, to their own and others Damna- tion ; 2 Pet. 3. i6. We fee they have the free Ufe of Scripture, in every Part of it : There is no Te,o: fo precious and tiered, but they are permitted to abufe it, to the eternal Ruin of Multitudes of Souls : And there are no Weapons they make Ute of with which they do more Execution. And there is no Manner ot Reafon to determine, that the Devil is not permitted thus to ufe the Scripture, as well as his Inftruments. For when the Latter do it, they do it as his Inftruments and Servants, and thro' his Inftigation and Influence : And doubtlefs he does the fame he inffigates others to do : The Devil's Servants do but follow their Matter, and do the fame Work that he does himfelf. And as the Devil can abufe the Scripture, to deceive and deffroy Men, fo may Men's own Folly and Corruptions, as well. The Sin which is in Men, afs like it's Father. Men's own Hearts are de- ceitful like the Devil, and ufe the fame Means to deceive. So that 'tis evident, that Perfons may have high Affections of Hope and Joy, arifing on occafion of Texts of Scripture, yea pre- cious Promifes of Scripture coming fuddenly and remarkably to their Minds, as tho' they were fpoke to them, yea a great Multitude of fuch Texts, following one another in a wonderful Manner, and yet all this be no Argument that thefe Affections are divine, or that they are any other than the Effects of Satan's Delufions, And I would further obferve, that Perfons may have railed -end joy- M Affections, which may come with the Word of God, and not only fo, but from the Word, and thofe Affections not be from Satan, nor
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