or Death are ascertained to us that he should delineate to our very eyes in plain and legible Characters the excellency of his Doctrine by the Piety and Innocency of his Life and so recommend his Precepts to our practice by his own Example set before us that he should convince and assure us of the Divinity of his Person and Doctrine by many and undeniable Miracles that he should seal the truth of what he delivered by his own bloud offer up his Life a Sacrifice to death to procure life to the sinful World that by his divine power he should rise out of the Grave gloriously ascend to Heaven intercede with his Father on our behalf and from thence send us another Comforter even the spirit of Truth which should inform our minds with the knowledge of all necessary truths and bring us to the love and practice of all Christian Vertues and Graces Certainly this method is abundantly able to destroy the works of the Devil and the prevail with sinners to lead godly and pious lives Which will most evidently appear if we proceed to consider the second Argument to illustrate the truth of the Apostles Assertion II. The Son of God hath in many remarkable instances already supplanted the Power of the Devil in delivering many Souls from the tyranny and dominion of that insulting Enemy notwithstanding the great disadvantages and discouragements that the Christian Religion hath met with in the World both from Jews and Gentiles from the first plantation of the Gospel until now For though the Jews were circumcised the eighth day and in their Childhood kept in cruel bondage under their Parents and Masters who constrained them to learn the Law of Moses and when they came to riper years were taught by the Scribes and Pharisees who sate in Moses Chair that their Religion was eternal and the Oeconomy thereof never to be altered and therefore were bound to reject any person that should broach any other Doctrine to discard him from their Synagogues to stop his mouth that he might not speak and their ears that they might not hear And 't is notorious that the Gentiles were no less fortified in their Heathen Rites and superstitious Customs every Nation having their respective Deities whom they constantly adored and offered Sacrifice to and some of them so careful to secure the honour of their Gods and all under their Authority in their Idolatrous observances that as Melanchton notes in his Epistle to his Comment upon the Romans every Athenian made a Vow at his admission to the Liberties and Franchises of the City se pugnare pro diis solum cum aliis not onely to fight valiantly in the front of an Army to defend and vindicate their Gods but like the Roman Scaeva to withstand whole Legions Adde to all this the Opposition that was to be expected without the Scoffs and Jears that Christians must expect from their Neighbours the Censures of their Laws and the displeasure of their Governours the meanness of Christ and the unworthiness of his Apostles the poverty and weakness of them both that they were utterly unable to supply the wants of their Disciples or defend them from the malice and cruelty of their Enemies But above all consider the corruption of their hearts and the contrariety of the Gospel to their former course of life forbidding the least Impurity and threatening vengeance against the smallest sin which they poor wretches were wholy immersed in and in honour of their Gods were not onely taught to practise but commanded to observe And yet notwithstanding such great contradictions the Gospel of Christ which is the power of God to salvation constrained both Jews and Gentiles with a holy violence to break asunder their unlawful Oaths to disclaim their former Religions to flie from the snares and delusions of the Devil and to become Proselytes to the Religion of Jesus For when that glorious Light the Sun of Righteousness appeared in the World the beams of his Majesty were immediately dispersed over the face of the Earth and his Glory in a short time dispelled that hideous darkness which had overspread the World and brought Life and Immortality to light For so the Evangelist tells us that by the miraculous instinct and conduct of a Star the news of his birth was revealed to the furthermost parts of the Earth as soon as ever he was born and the Princes thereof came to pay their Adoration to him and when they saw him fell down and worshipped him Mat. 2. And when he entered upon his Prophetick Office though he did not cry nor lift up nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets yet the Children of men slockt in abundance to hear him deservedly counting it their greatest honour to become the Disciples of so glorious a Master So great Worth they saw in his Person and such Excellency in his Doctrine such glorious Rewards he propounded to them such intolerable miseries he warn'd them to flie from that they made hast to deliver themselves from the bonds of sin by which they were detained Captives to the will of the Devil and without delay became the Followers of Christ glorying in nothing more than in being Christians And as our Lord himself did so miraculously rescue the Souls of men from their subjection to Sin and Satan so that life and vigour which continually attends the dispensation of the Gospel hath been illustriously manifest in opposition to all the Powers of Darkness and the Malice of Hell it self For as his Apostles went up and down preaching the Gospel the Lord added to the Church dayly such as should be saved Three thousand Souls became Converts to the Christian Faith at one Sermon of St. Peter's Acts 2.41 In the Roman Empire and the Province of Judea multitudes multitudes thronged into the Kingdom of Christ and not onely the weak and impotent people but the great ones and wise men of the Earth cheerfully embraced this divine Religion accounting their Strength weakness and their Wisdom folly until then Cornelius a Centurion became a Proselyte to it Nero's Family had some Saints Sergius Paulus a Proconsul and Dionysius the famous Areopagite at Athens became Converts to the Christian Faith And the Histories of the Church present us with many and many excellent Persons of great esteem for their admirable Learning and vast Endowments who in a short space of time voluntarily forsook the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World and sincerely devoting themselves to the service of Christ were deservedly famous in their Generations for Piety and Devotions Which very Argument Arnobius insists upon when he reasoned with the Heathen to perswade them to receive the Faith of Christ that men of the greatest Wits and Parts Tam magnis Ingeniis paediti Oratores Grammatici Rhetores Consulti Juris ac Medici Philosophie etiam secreta rimantes Magisteria hec expetunt spretis quibus paulò antè fidebant c. Arnob. cont Gent. l. 2. p. 44.
to violate what he had commanded And when this first Stratagem too fatally succeeded in the world and to the ruine of man directly answered the designe and expectation of the Devil it inspired a new life into that old Serpent and encouraged him with the greater vigour to range up and down the world seeking whom he might devour and destroy that he hath long since usurpt a principality and dominion over the Souls of men and to this day continues the Prince of the power of the Air nay the God of this World working in the Children of disobedience and leading them captive at his will But the All-compassionate God pitying the Shipwrackt condition of Man did not as in justice he might totally abhor and eternally reject him for since by his fall he had divested himself of his primitive Integrity proved a Rebel to his Lord and Maker listed himself into the service of the Devil and so stood at open defiance with Heaven it self God Almighty by the most signal instance of Wisdom Power and Goodness hath at once manifested his unspeakable Love to Mankind and his implacable Enmity to those accursed Spirits by sending his Son into the World as the Captain of man's Salvation who solemnly proclaimed open War with the Devil bid defiance to him at his entrance into the World and by Almighty power will overcome his aspiring Pride and desperate Malice rescue men from the hands of that roaring Lion and so at once demolish his usurped Kingdom and destroy his works from off the face of the Earth All which as it was represented to man immediately after his fall Gen. 3.15 that the Seed of the woman should bruise the Serpents head and that Promise frequently renewed in succeeding Ages so in the fulness of time it was happily begun by the Incarnation of the Son of God who came to deliver men from the tyranny of the Devil to invest them with the liberty of the Sons of God and to bring everlasting Righteousness into the World is still continued by his prevalency over the Devil in confronting his Power restraining his Malice weakening his Interest in the World and dispossessing those evil Spirits from the heart of man and when time shall be no more shall be perfectly accomplished to the eternal horrour confusion and amazement of the Devil and his Angels Which is the just designe and proper import of these words For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil By the works of the Devil is here meant all manner of sin v. 5. for as he was the first Author so he is the continual Promoter of that Corruption which resides in the breast of men and that Impiety which reigns in the World So that all sin of what nature or quality soever it be is the Brat and Off-spring of that diabolical Spirit the proper effect of his spleen and malice to mankind and in the expression of our Apostle the works of the Devil for he that committeth sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinn'd from the beginning The Son of God is the second person in the blessed Trinity God coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Holy Ghost Who was manifest in the flesh became man dwelt among us and died for us that he might destroy the works of the Devil i. e. to teach and enable men to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world That the Son of God was thus manifest to destroy the works of the Devil will most evidently appear from the consideration of three very material instances 1. That the Son of God hath used those means and taken that course which does directly tend and is abundantly able to subvert the power of the Devil 2. That in many remarkable instances he hath already supplanted his Power in the World 3. That he will certainly obtain a most perfect Victory over the Devil before he resigne up his Commission to his Father I. The Son of God hath used those means and taken that course which does directly tend and is abundantly able to subvert the power of the Devil The truth of which Proposition will be fully illustrated from the consideration of four things 1. From the whole course and frame of his Life whilst manifest in the World wherein he was so far from complying with that he did utterly discountenance the works of the Devil The Generation of Mankind according to the course of Nature is too much attended with the heat of Lust and the propagation of Original Corruption into the Embryo at its first conception therefore the ever-blessed Jesus coming into the World was conceived by a most stupendous and admirable manner the power of the Holy Ghost overshadowing a pure Virgin that she became great with Child of the Son of God and when the number of her months were accomplished she brought him forth into the World as richly adorned with divine and supernatural Graces as he was poor in respect of outward appearance When his Infancy was past that he came to the use of Reason and Understanding a time wherein other men begin to discover the natural corruption of their hearts by their actual rebellion against God the Son of God truly so called from his divine-like nature and holy life as well as his miraculous and happy birth begins his Conversation with an even and a regular Piety free from those sinful passions though attended with the natural infirmities which mankind labours under and accordingly regulates them according to the Laws of Nature and the Pleasure of his heavenly Father His Charity was truly Christian and diffusive such as extended to all orders and degrees of men His meek and sweet disposition with his humble and modest Spirit such as appears in Infants before they can discern between good and evil His conversing with men was free and familiar easie and unaffected His dutiful respects toward his Friends and Relations transcending that of the most ingenuous disposition though cultivated by the early advantages of a pious Education Neither did he suffer his Religion to decline as some men do when their years increase but as he multiplied days and grew in stature he increased in wisdom and favour with God and man Luke 2.52 He was careful to omit no duty and so desirous to give no offence that where he might lawfully conform to the Customs of his Nation and Kindred he did not with a morose and churlish disposition like the men of our Age depart from them but with great freedom and a cheerful spirit comply with and conform to them Witness his Circumcision the eighth day his being baptized by John his paying Tribute c. But where the sacred Bonds of Religion required and commanded his obedience neither the violent assaults of Satan Mat. 16.22 23 nor the courteous compellations of Friends could constrain him to violate the dearest Heaven He esteemed Obedience the
best Sacrifice to his Father and preferred the service of God before the love and kindness of his dearest Friends Heb. 10.7 chusing rather to die than to sin against God For when his Enemies were most furiously inraged against him and consulted to put him to death he makes no evasion nor unjust excuses he denies not the truth nor distrusts his Father but committing his Case to the providence of God Mat. c. 26. c. 29. he meekly endures their affronts and injuries and when their malice was so great as to put him to death he patiently bears their indignation their fury and their wrath like a good man and a glorious Martyr praying for his Enemies till he gave up the Ghost Behold here a Mirrour of Piety the Wonder of the world for his Devotion and Charity Was there any action of his life or the least circumstance attending his actions that might justly bear the charge of sin None certainly for from his birth to his death he was a most virulent Enemy to that wicked One and a perfect hater of his works The Devils themselves confess he was the holy One of God His most malicious Enemies could not but say he did all things well Mark 5.7 Pilate that sate in Judgment upon him could find no evil in him and therefore according to his Wife's admonition Mat. 27.19 23 24. proclaims him before a full Assembly of Scribes and Elders to be a just person So that his whole Life was but one continued Series of actions perfectly designed against that wicked One. His Baptism was his solemn inauguration into this Office His Conversation the most plain and easie Mat. 11.28 29. the most full and comprehensive the most encouraging and authentick Pattern for his Followers to imitate in their Christian course of life in defiance to that grand Impostor that while they behold him as the Captain of their Salvation despising the World confronting the Devil bearing Afflictions with patience Persecutions with cheerfulness resisting and overcoming Temptations forgiving and loving his Enemies willing to live so long as God pleased yet ready to die the most ignominious accursed death since it was the determinate counsel of God Whilst his Disciples thus consider his regular Piety his undaunted Courage they may learn to do likewise and in opposition to the Prince of Darkness be encouraged to do to suffer and to be whatever God shall be pleased to call them to 'T was Plato's opinion as Tully reports that if Vertue could but admit herself to view she would appear so amiable in the eyes of all men that Vice in the most costly dress and gorgeous array would appear most contemptible and bare if compared with her If incorporated Vertue in the Philosophers judgment would be so attractive of mens affections certainly the unspotted innocency of an incarnate Deity should be much more powerful to invite and perswade his Followers to the love and practice of Piety and Goodness than the former conceit would be to engage men to the love and practice of Vertue So that if men would consider that grand Exemplar of Piety the life of the holy Jesus his Example must needs inspirit their minds with the most active diligence undaunted courage to fight manfully under his Banner â—eb 12.1 2 3. as the Captain of their Salvation against the World the Flesh and the Devil to run with patience the race that is set before them and to continue in that spiritual Combat his faithful Servants and Souldiers unto their lifes end 2. From some remarkable actions of his Life and especially the bitter passions of his Death whereby he hath given a fatal blow to the power and designes of the Devil The Son of God is not to be considered onely as a meer man though just and innocent but in reference also to that grand undertaking The Redemption of the World from its slavery to Sin and subjection to Satan the Saviour of the World the Redeemer of Mankind His very Birth struck a terrour to those evil Spirits his Life shone with so glorious a light that it confounded the Kingdom of Darkness But the most signal Conquest he obtained over Death Eph 2.13 c. and the Devil that had the power of it was by his meritorious Death and powerful Resurrection For when the Jews had crucified the Lord of Life and laid him full low even in the dust that they began to triumph and applaud themselves in their supposed Victory the Devils also rejoyced as if they had vanquished the power of God How miraculously did the Counsels of Heaven defeat the carnal policy of men and the malicious designes of the Devil too That death which they executed upon the Lord 's Anointed was converted to their own destruction and contrary to the Devils expectation most happily proved the greatest Engine to rout his Forces and destroy his Kingdom For can God die or his holy One see corruption No the price of man's Redemption being paid by the Sufferings of the Son of God Rom. 6.9 10 he broke through the powers of the Grave and in despight of the Devil Hell and Death arose a mighty Conquerour over them all and as a Trophey of Victory led captivity captive and treated them as he pleased And when he had given sufficient demonstration of his Resurrection Acts 1.9 he ascended gloriously into Heaven from whence immediately he sent down the Holy Ghost upon his Disciples and prevalently interceding with his Father received power and authority to demolish the Kingdom of Satan Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. and by delivering men from his insulting Tyranny to constitute a Kingdom of his own and to preserve and keep it from the furious assaults of the Devil by the power of his Providence and the conduct of his Spirit And now he is set down at the right hand of God he continueth for ever and having an unchangeable Priesthood is able to save his Church and People to the utmost seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7.24 25. By which and other such remarkable passages preceding accompanying and following his death he hath obtained a considerable interest in the very Forts and Dwellings of the Prince of this World by turning many souls from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God 3. From the grand intent and designe of his Doctrine which is most aptly contrived to destroy the works of the Devil to deliver men from the power and dominion of sin and to direct and encourage them to Righteousness and true Holiness For First The Christian Religion delivers the strictest Precepts for the rule of good living with the greatest Majesty and Authority conceivable In general it commands men to love the Lord their God with all their heart Mat. 22.37 38 39. and with all their soul and with all their mind and their neighbours as themselves Mat. 7.12 to do as they would be done unto to