We are doing a continuation of the book, The Christian Warfare Against the Devil, the World, and the Flesh, by John Downam, 1609. Trade of Satan's Policy And thus much of the flesh, which is the second enemy that joins with Satan in working our destruction. And thus much also concerning the first part of our enemy's power, which consists in the strength either of himself or of his aides. Now we are to consider of the second part, which consists in the warlike policy and skill, in employing this as strength to his best advantage. If our enemy had great strength and yet wanted policy, he might the more easily be resisted, and the sooner vanquished. For strength without wisdom is like a giant without eyes. But as our enemy is exceedingly strong, so he is also no less subtle in politics. and employing all his strength to his best advantage. And therefore, as in regard of his strength, he is called in the Scriptures a lion and a mighty dragon. So, in respect of his subtlety and wiliness, he is called a serpent, yea, an old serpent, which, being the subtlest of beasts, has his craft redoubled by his age and experience. Revelation 12, 9. And hereof, in the Scripture, signifies his great knowledge. No marvel, therefore, though Satan should be an expert soldier, seeing his not only one of wonderful strength, but also of great knowledge by creation, which though in respect of good things was much decreased by his fall, yet in slights and stratagems it is much increased by his long experience from the beginning of the world. which has been almost six thousand years, which is sufficient to make one wise, that is by nature foolish and simple, and therefore much more Satan, who is by nature very politic, being also a spirit, and hereby fit to dive, as it were, into the secrets of nature, and with incredible swiftness to pass from place to place, ready to intrude himself into all companies secretly, and to learn the nature, qualities, and dispositions of all men against whom he fights. And though he cannot know our thoughts directly and certainly, for this is proper to God alone to be the searcher of hearts, yet he has such intelligence from our affections, lusts, inclinations, and outward actions, that he can shrewdly guess at them, if he do but a little while keep us company, and see our disposition and conversation. so that we cannot give Satan the least advantage, but he is ready to take it and make use thereof to our overthrow. We can lay no plot against him, but he discerns it and is ready to prevent it, and therefore in this respect our state is like the king of our arms. 2nd Kings 6 verse 12 for Satan our enemy knows all our counsels and consultations which we take and hold in our most secret chambers and thus you see what Satan's policy is against which we must oppose no less wisdom and skill if we will have the victory whereas therefore we are foolish by nature or wily to beguile ourselves that wisdom which we have naturally being worldly and carnal which is enmity against God, and therefore more fit to betray us into the hand of our enemy than to defend us from him. It behooves us to go out of ourselves into the Lord's treasury of wisdom, and there to furnish us with such spiritual saving wisdom as shall be fit to oppose against the subtle policy of our spiritual enemy. That is, we must continually hear and meditate in God's which will make us wise and skillful, in defying all Satan's stratagems, and also in preventing them being discovered. For howsoever in the dark night of ignorance and error we may easily fall into his ambushments, yet the light of God's word shining unto us will plainly disclose him to the eyes of the most simple. But besides the theoretical wisdom, Seated in the understanding there is also a practical or operative wisdom required in God's Word Which shows itself in our affections and actions and it consists in the fear of the Lord That is true godliness and sincerity of heart of this Job speaks in chapter 28 verse 28 the fear of the Lord is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding and So, Psalm 111.10, the fear of the Lord is a header beginning of wisdom, and Proverbs 28.7, he is called a wise son which keepeth the law. So that our chief wisdom consists in the fear of the Lord, and in a godly endeavor of performing obedience to the Lord's commandments. If therefore we would attain unto such spiritual wisdom that we may resist our spiritual enemy, we must be conversant in hearing and reading the word of God. meditating therein with the prophet David both day and night. And withal we must by all means seek the fear of the Lord, laboring to lead our lives in a constant course of true godliness. And though we are full of infirmities, yet at least let us have an holy endeavor to perform service unto God in truth, uprightness, and integrity of heart. And so we may assure ourselves that though we be never so simple and foolish by nature, Yet shall we be wise enough to withstand and overcome our spiritual enemies. For the Lord, who is wisdom itself, will direct us in our ways, and he will also so infatuate this cursed serpent, and turn his wisdom into foolishness, that we shall never thereby be heard or circumvented. But on the other side, though we be never so wise in carnal wisdom, and though our heads be a storehouse of politic stratagems, yet if we neglect God's word and voluntarily give ourselves over unto sin and disobedience, we shall be so besotted with folly that Satan will easily deceive and circumvent us. An example whereof we have in our first parents, who though they were more wise by creation than ever were any living, Christ accepted, Yet when they cast a word of God behind their back, giving more credit to Satan's suggestions, and by this transgressed God's commandment, their wisdom was turned into ignorance and folly, and they became an easy prey to their malicious enemy. And whereas they thought by that means to have gone beyond the Lord and policy, and to have obtained a far greater measure of knowledge and glory, they were instead thereof besotted with folly, and overwhelmed with ignominy and shame. by being made the bond-slaves of sin and Satan. Thus also the heathen, neglecting the true worship of God, and giving themselves to idolatry, became fools whilst they professed themselves very wise. as the Apostle witnesses, Romans 1.22. The Lord destroys the wisdom of the wise, and casts away the understanding of the prudent, as it is in 1 Corinthians 1.19. Seeing thin, our chief wisdom consists in the study of God's Word in an uprightness of heart, integrity, Christian sincerity, and simplicity. And in a holy care of performing obedience to God's will, let us therefore continually meditate in God's word, and with the prophet David make it our counselor. Psalm 119. And whensoever Satan does assault and tempt us to sin, let us have recourse to this our counselor, the word of God, there inquiring whether that were unto we are tempted be lawful or not. And if it tell us that it is a sin, let us with all care and conscience avoid it. For though Satan lay over it never so fair a gloss, and entice us to the committing thereof by offering unto us the greatest pleasures, riches, and honors of the world, yet let us assure ourselves that he thereby seeks to circumvent us, and to purchase worldly vanities, he entices to sell our souls, and therefore in Christian wisdom let us avoid his stratagems. of the Christian warfare, chapter 9, of the spiritual armor described, Ephesians 6. And thus have I showed the nature and quality of our enemy against whom we must fight, both in respect of his will, and also his power, consisting in his strength and policy. And also I have showed some means which, in our preparation against him, we must use carefully, that we may withstand him, namely by opposing against his malicious will, Christian against his strength, the omnipotent power of God's might, against his subtle policy, Christian wisdom consisting in the knowledge of God's Word, and true integrity and simplicity of heart. Now we are to speak of the last means which we are to use in our preparation immediately before our combat. That is, we are to arm ourselves against the encounter and to this end, because we are but fresh-water soldiers. In a small experience, let us take the counsel and advice of the Apostle Paul, one of God's chief champions and expert soldiers, as he sets it down in Ephesians 6, 10-14, and so on, where first he describes equality, and, as it were, the metal of our armor, in which respect he tells us that we must put on the armor of God which is spiritual, and that our weapons and armor must not be carnal. For being of this nature, though they were never so strong, they were to no purpose seeing our enemy as spiritual. Neither do we wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness, as it is in Ephesians 6.12. In vain, therefore, it were with the Papists to seek to defend ourselves with holy water, or crucifixes, or rags and relics of saints, from the violent assaults of this our enemy. or else with desperate hacksters to trust in our sword, buckler, and spear. For well is that verified of the spiritual Leviathan, which the Lord speaks of the earthly Leviathan, Job 41, 17, and 20. When the sword does touch him, he will not rise up, and he laughs at the shaking of the spear. And therefore, when we are to encounter this great Goliath, we are to lay aside the carnal weapons of Saul, which are altogether unfit for a Christian. serving rather to burden and so hinder him, than to defend and further him in the spiritual combat. And we are to go against him in the name of the Lord, strengthening the power of his might, putting on us the armor of God, that is, such divine and spiritual armor as the Lord has given and appointed us to use. For it is not sufficient that we prepare us this armor, if we let it lie by us. or suffer it, as it were, to hang upon the walls, there to rust without use. But we are to put it on, and keep it fast buckled unto us, both night and day, that we may be always in readiness to endure the assaults of our enemies. Neither is it enough that we put on one piece of the armour, and, like young soldiers, leave off the rest for lightness' sake, or else, through foolhardiness, to show needless valour. We must not put on the helmet of salvation, and leave off the breastplate of righteousness. nor take unto us the girdle of verity and the shield of faith, and cast away from us the sword of the Spirit. But we are to put on the whole armour of God, and like valiant soldiers who mean indeed to stand to it, we are to arm ourselves at all points in complete armour of proof, which will keep us from fleeing, and our enemy from overcoming. For if we take none of the Christian armor, or but some of the lightest parts, if we take the shield of faith, and leave behind us the breastplate of righteousness, we shall either desperately fight and be overthrown in the battle, or else cowardly run away and forsake the field. But on the other side, if we buckle unto us the whole armor of God, we shall not need to flee away for fear, being so well defended, not to doubt a victory, for we shall surely overcome. the Lord having given, and we having received this armor to this end. So the apostle notes unto us in these words that you may be able to stand against the assaults of the devil, or his treacherous ambushments, as the word here used signifies. So that the Lord has given us this armor, and we are to put it on to the end that we may be enabled to resist Satan. And therefore, seeing it is armor of God's own making and bestowing, we may assure ourselves that we will not suffer His workmanship and gift to be so much disgraced as that Satan should pierce through it and wound us. For the Lord knows a force of Satan's darts and bullets of temptation, and He has made His armor high proof, and therefore strong enough to repel all the battery of Satan's suggestions. that we may the rather be stirred up with all care and diligence to provide and buckle fast to us the armor, which he after describes, he shows the necessity of it, by describing the dangerousness of our enemies, who, being not flesh and blood, but principalities, powers, world governors, princes of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickednesses, which are in high places, cannot possibly be resisted by our own strength and means. And therefore, for this cause, he wills us to take unto us the whole armour of God, that we may be able to resist in the evil day. That is, a time of temptation, which is therefore called the evil day, partly because therein Satan tempts us unto evil, and partly because it is a time of double adversity and affliction. when Satan sifts us with his temptations. Thus the evil day is taken, Psalm 41.1, the Lord will deliver him in the evil day, that is, as our translation also reads it, in a time of trouble. Thus also it is used in Ephesians 5.16, redeeming the time because the days are evil, that is, full of troubles and afflictions. By which we learn not to esteem our spiritual fight as a may-game, but as a time of trouble and adversity, in which we are assaulted by mighty enemies, and oftentimes foiled and wounded. And therefore we must not voluntarily run into temptation, seeing the time of them as evil and full of trouble, but rather fervently pray unto the Lord that he will not lead us into temptation, considering our own weakness and our enemy's power. Or if it please him to make trial of us, that he will not suffer us to fall therein, but that he will deliver us from evil, for as much as the kingdom and power and glory is his alone, and therefore he is of power sufficient to save and deliver us. But as we are not securely to rush into the field of temptation against our spiritual enemies, so we are not, when our enemies sound the alarm to battle and assault us, cowardly to cast down our weapons and to run away. For the Apostle would not take away from us true valor and Christian fortitude, but carnal security and wretchlessness. And therefore, though our enemies be mighty in a time of temptation full of trouble, yet he bids us not to cast off our armor and to run away, wholly despairing of victory, but he exhorts us for this cause, to take unto us the whole armor of God, that we may be able to resist in the evil day. And having finished all things may stand fast. That is, having put our enemies to flight and obtained the victory, we may, like conquerors, stand fast in the field, as it were triumphantly insulting over them. whereby he intimates thus much, that if we will take unto us the whole armour of God, how weak soever we be in ourselves, yet shall we be enabled to resist our spiritual enemies in the evil day, and not only so, but also obtain victory and triumph over them. And therefore he wills us not to be dismayed, neither with our enemy's power, nor our own trouble, but to stand to it saying in verse 14, Stand therefore by which word he intimates unto us a number of duties. First, as in the camp every man has his place appointed him, and his proper colors under which he is to keep him, so also Christian soldiers have their stations, that is, their vocations, whereunto they are called of God, within the limits of which they are to contain themselves. And these are first their general calling, in which they are entertained into the church militant, which is God's camp or army, where they are to fight under the standard of their Captain Christ. And secondly, their special callings, in which there is appointed to every member of the militant church a certain standing and particular and proper duties and functions, which he is to execute, as it is in the armies of earthly princes. First, therefore, we must contain ourselves within our general vocation and station. That is, we must keep us in God's army and camp, the church militant. For as those straggling soldiers who depart from the army and range abroad to forage or get some booty are easily vanquished by their enemies, so those who depart and make an apostasy from God's church to gain or retain their pleasures and worldly performance, are easily overthrown, falling into Satan's ambushments. And secondly, everyone is to contain himself within the limits of his special vocation, and to keep his peculiar standing appointed him by God. For as there is nothing more pernicious to an army than disorder, when some intrude themselves into others' place, as when the common soldier will be an officer, the lieutenant-captain and the captain-general of the army. So nothing is more hurtful for the church militant than when disorderly one usurps another place and office, as when the ministers will be magistrates and the magistrates ministers, and when the common people usurp the office of them both. Secondly, when as he bids us stand in our places he restrains us from two extremes. The one that we do not willfully thrust ourselves into the combat of temptations before we be assaulted, and so as it were run out of our standings to seek an enemy. And secondly, that when we are assaulted we do not flee away, but stand to it valiantly and endure the violence of the assailants. Lastly, he exhorts us to watchfulness and painful diligence, for we must not drowsily and securely lay us down and give ourselves to sleep. Nor to sit idly, as though we had nothing to do, but we are to stand upon our guard and to watch continually, that we may always be in readiness to withstand the assaults of our enemies. Otherwise, if we sleep in security, they will suddenly set upon us and surprise us in unawares. Chapter 10 Of the Particular Parts of the Christian Armor and First of the Girdle of Truth And thus the Apostle, having taken away all wretchless security and foolhardiness, and also strengthened us with true valor and Christian fortitude, in the next place he describes the armor of God which we are to buckle unto us, where first we are generally to observe that we are not curiously and scrupulously to search out the reason why such and such virtues are likened to these or those pieces of armor, as for example while he calls truth a girdle, righteousness a breastplate, faith a shield, and so on. For it was not the Apostle's purpose exactly to fit the similitudes, as may appear in 1 Thessalonians 5.8, where he indifferently ascribes the name of breastplate both to faith and charity, by which here he understands righteousness, but only briefly and generally to show what virtues and graces of God's Spirit are most necessary for a Christian. wherewith he may be enabled to resist his spiritual enemies, continuing his former allegory taken from war. But let us come to the armor itself, which is both defensive and offensive. The first part is a girdle of truth. The word here used signifies a broad studded belt, used in war in ancient time, in which the joints of the breastplate and that armor, which defended the belly, loins and thighs were covered. And by this truth is resembled, whereby some understand the truth of religion, and of the doctrine which we profess. Others understand by this truth and uprightness of heart, or the integrity of a good conscience, in which we perform all duties of religion belonging to God and our neighbour in simplicity, without all hypocrisy and dissimulation. But because both are notable and necessary parts of our Christian armor, I see no reason why we may not take it in both senses, seeing the Apostle does of purpose set down, under these metaphorical words, the chief virtues and graces in which we are to arm ourselves against our spiritual enemies. First, therefore, here is the required truth of our religion which we profess. And secondly, that we profess it truly, that is, with upright and simple hearts. For the first, it is the foundation upon which all other duties to God or man are to be built. For if they be not grounded on God's truth, but devised by man's brain, there but human dottages which the Lord will not accept. Neither is it to any purpose that we show ourselves earnest and forward in religion, unless it be true and constant. in God's Word. For as the faster that those travel which are out of the way, the further they are from their journeys in. So the more earnest and forward that we are in traveling the by-paths of error, the further we are from God's kingdom. And therefore Satan cares not greatly whether we be of no religion or of a false religion, whether we worship no god at all or a false god, or at least a true god after a false manner. whether we perform no duties unto God, or such as be not agreeable to God's truth, or abominable unto Him. First, then, we must contain all our actions within the compass of God's word. And whatsoever we profess and practice, it must have his ground and warrant from this truth, if we will be accounted true members of God's militant church, which is therefore called the pillar of truth, 1st Timothy 3.15. Because, contemning all errors and doctrines of men, it faithfully keeps the truth of God's Word. And its soldiers were girt about with that strong and broad studded belt, in which their loins were strengthened, and so enabled to sustain the fight without weariness. So we are to compass ourselves about with truth, in which we may be strengthened, when we know that we fight in a just quarrel. Neither shall we easily be deceived with Satan's temptations and false suggestions. if we be girt about with the girdle of verity. And by this appears the necessity of this piece of armor. For seeing Satan as a liar from the beginning, it behooves us to be compassed about with truth, that the bright beams of it may discover and disperse all the foggy mists of Satan's errors and lies. But it is not sufficient that we profess the truth unless it be in truth, that is, in integrity and simplicity of heart. without all hypocrisy and dissimilation. For how glorious soever our profession, even of the true religion, be before men! Yet it is abominable, even in the eyes of God, if it be not in truth, and from an upright heart, but counterfeit and hypocritical. Whatsoever duties and good works we perform, though never so excellent in themselves, yet they are not acceptable in God's sight, if they be not joined with integrity and simplicity. For example, prayer is a notable part of God's worship. But if we do not call upon God in truth, but with feigned and deceitful lips, then we may have the praise of men, our prayers are odious and pharisaical. Matthew 6. Thanksgiving is an excellent duty, but if with the Pharisee we give thanks rather to boast of our gifts than to show true thankfulness to the giver, we shall not be approved of God. Giving of alms is a work acceptable unto God, for it is a sacrifice, in which He is well pleased. But if they be not given in simplicity of heart, but in hypocrisy, that we may be seen of men, it shall have the hypocrites a reward. And a wordless truth and simplicity of heart is so necessary, that without it whatsoever we do is not regarded. For God is a spirit, and he will be worshipped in spirit and in truth. John 4.24 So also it is said in Joshua 24.14 Fear the Lord, and serve him in uprightness and in truth. Which if we perform our service of God will be acceptable in a sight. though performed in great weakness, and mingled with many imperfections. Otherwise, though we offer thousands of rams, and whole rivers of oil, that is, omit no outward cost and labor in God's worship, yet will it be abominable in His eyes. Micah 6, 7, and 8. Let us, therefore, with our Saviour pray unto God, that we may be sanctified with His truth. that not only whatever we do may be grounded on God's truth, but that we may do it in truth and a brightness of heart. Still Waters Revival Books is now located at PuritanDownloads. com. It's your worldwide online Reformation home for the very best in free and discounted classic and contemporary Puritan and Reformed books, MP3s, and videos. For much more information on the Puritans and Reformers, including the best free and discounted classic and contemporary books, mp3s, digital downloads and videos, please visit Still Waters Revival Books at PuritanDownloads.com. Stillwater's Revival Books also publishes The Puritan Hard Drive, the most powerful and practical Christian study tool ever produced. All thanks and glory be to the mercy, grace, and love of the Lord Jesus Christ for this remarkable and wonderful new Christian study tool. The Puritan hard drive contains over 12,500 of the best Reformation books, MP3s, and videos ever gathered onto one portable Christian study tool. An extraordinary collection of Puritan, Protestant, Calvinistic, Presbyterian, Covenanter, and Reformed Baptist resources, it's fully upgradable and it's small enough to fit in your pocket. The Puritan hard drive combines an embedded database containing many millions of records with the most amazing and extraordinary custom Christian search and research software ever created. The Puritan Hard Drive has been produced to assist you in the fascinating and exhilarating spiritual, intellectual, familial, ecclesiastical, and societal adventure that is living the Christian life. It has been specifically designed so that you might more faithfully know, serve, and love the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as to help you to do all you can to bring glory to His great name. If you want to love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind, then the Puritan Hard Drive is for you. Visit PuritanDownloads.com today for much more information on the Puritan Hard Drive and to take advantage of all the free and discounted Reformation and Puritan books, mp3s and videos that we offer at Still Waters Revival Books.