Chapter VIII
That Satan is able to work upon that other corrupt principle in us, guilt
of conscience : both how far he is able to know matter by us, in ob
jecting against us ; as also, to set on, and work upon the guilt and erroneousness of the conscience, . . . . 268 A difference between Satan s sifting us in temptation, and the Holy Ghost s searching us, . . . .269 How Satan is an accuser by charging the guilt of sin upon the
conscience, . . . . . .270 And works upon the injudiciousness of the conscience,
. 271 This qucere discussed, How Satan may know matter against us to
accuse us of ? . . . . .271 A caution premised, That it is God s sole prerogative to know the
heart, . . . . . .271
1. In general, Satan might lay to our charge, though in particular he know little by us
(1.) In that he knows what corruptions are in all men s
hearts, he might by guess object them to every one, 274
(2.) By casting in a jealous thought from some one par
ticular, he knows he might set the heart a-work to examine all the rest, . . . 275
2. More particularly, he may know all that another man can know of us
(1.) As all corporal acts done by bodily substances, . 275
(2.) He sets himself to know what he can of us by study and diligence, . . . 275
(3.) He is or can be privy to all our vocal confessions of our sins to God, . . . . 275
(4.) He is or can be present at all times and places, and so can accuse us
XU CONTENTS.
PAGE Of all gross sins outwardly committed, . 276 Of neglect and deadness in duties,
. . 276 Of a man s bosom-sin, . . . 276
(5.) From what he sees outwardly, he can guess at inward
. . . . .276
body, ..... 277 How, notwithstanding, his knowledge falls short of knowing the heart, . . . .277
corruptions,
(6.) He may further view the images in the fancy and the
passions, and perturbations of our affections in the
CHAPTER IX. How able Satan is to work upon that third principle, the passions and
1. That Satan can raise terrors, . . . .279 A caution, ...... 280
corrupt affections, and bring home his false conclusions with terrors, 279
2. That though he cannot immediately wound the conscience, yet
(1.) He can rake in those wounds the Spirit hath made, 282
(2.) From the renewing the remembrance of those terrors
impressed by the Spirit, he can amaze the soul afresh with fears of worse, . . . 282
(3.) He can bring home all the threatenings made against
hypocrites, &c., . . . . 282
(4.) When he goes about to do this, he can excite the pas
us, . ... 284
sions of fear and trembling of spirit,
. . 283 Which, when stirred, all suggestions strike deeper into