Dæmonologia Sacra; or, A Treatise of Satan's Temptations: In Three PartsGilpin, Richard
Religion
Dæmonologia Sacra; or, A Treatise of Satan's Temptations: In Three Parts
Gilpin, Richard
Devil -- Early works to 1800; Temptation -- Early works to 1800
they had no enemies but these compassionate Samaritans, [Luke x. 33.]
How great is this mystery of darkness! Who shall be able to open
the depths of it? Who shall declare it fully to the sons of men, to
bring these ‘hidden things to light’? Especially seeing these hellish
secrets which are yet undiscovered, are double to those that have
been observed, by any that have escaped from his power. He only whose
prerogative it is ‘to search the hearts of men’ [Rev. ii. 23] can know,
and make known, what is in the heart of Satan; he views all his goings,
even those paths which the ‘vulture’s eye hath not seen,’ [Job xxviii.
7,] and can trace those footsteps of his, which leave no more print or
track behind them than ‘a ship in the sea, or a bird in the air, or a
serpent on a stone,’ [Prov. xxx. 19.]
Yet notwithstanding, we may observe much of his policies; and more
would God discover if we did but humbly and faithfully improve what we
know already. It is my design to make some discovery of those haunts I
have observed, if by that means I may be useful to you, to quicken and
awaken you. And first I shall set before you the strength and power of
your enemy, before I open his cunning and craft.
There are found in him whatsoever may render an adversary dreadful.
1. As, first, _Malice and enmity_: ὁ Αντίδικος is a law term, and
signifies an adversary ‘at law,’ one that is against our cause; and
the text, as some think, heightens this malice, (1.) By the article
ὁ, which denotes an arch enemy.[75] (2.) The name Διάβολος, which
signifies a slanderer or calumniator—for the word is twice in the New
Testament used for a slanderer—shewing his hatred to be so great that
it will not stick at lying and falsehood, either in accusing God to us
or us to God. Nay, it particularly hints that when he hath in malice
tempted a poor wretch to sin, he spares not to accuse him for it, and
to load him with all things that may aggravate his guilt or misery,
accusing him for more than he hath really done, and for a worse estate
than he is really in.[76]
2. Secondly, _His power_. Under the metaphor of a ‘lion,’ a beast of
prey, whose innate property is to destroy, and is accordingly fitted
with strength, with tearing paws, and a devouring mouth; that as a lion
would rend a kid with ease and without resistance, so are men swallowed
up by him as with open mouth, so the word καταπιῄ signifies, he can sup
them up at a draught, à καταπίνω.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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