OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 179 rience. When the devil hath asked you the question, if you answer him, you will be ensnared; but if there- on you ask yourselves the question, and apply your- selves to your own experience for an answer to it, you will frustrate all his designs. There are arguments to be taken, as was said, from the light of nature, and reason in its proper exercise, sufficient to defeat all objections of that kind. But these are not our proper weapons in case of our own temptation, which alone is now under consideration. It requires longer and more sedate reasonings, than such a state will admit of; nor is it a sanctified medi- um for our relief, It is what is suited to suggestions on the occasion of our meditations that we inquire after. In them we are not to argue on such principles, but to take the shield of faith to quench these fiery darts. And if on such occasions Satan can divert us into long dis- putes about the being of God, he hath his end, by car- rying us off from the meditation on him which we de- signed, and after awhile he will prevail to make it a common road and trade, that no sooner shall we begin to think of God, but immediately we must dispute about his being. Therefore the way in this case for him who is re- ally a believer, is to retreat immediately to his own experience, which will pour shame and contempt on the suggestions of Satan. There is no believer who hath knowledge and time to exercise the wisdom of faith in the consideration of himself and of God's dealings with him, but hath a witness in himself of his eternal power and Godhead, as also of those other perfections of his nature, which he is pleased to mani- fest and glorify by Jesus Christ. Wherefore, on this
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