§. 141. Of Christs destroying the Devil.
THe end of Christs assuming his humane nature is thus set down, That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death.
The generall end is implied. That which is expressed is an end of that end, or a mighty effect that followed thereupon: which was to destroy the devil.
That generall end was to die. For if he had not been flesh and blood he could not have died.
This generall end is implied under this phrase, through death, as if he had said, that he might die and by death destroy the devil.
Of Christs being man that he might die, See §. 75.
The powerfull effect which was accomplished by Christs death (which was also a speciall end why he died) was the destruction of him that had the power of death.
The primary root whence the word translated destroy, is derived, is a Noun, that signifieth a a 1.1 work: as where it is said that the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy b 1.2 the works of the devil, 1 Ioh. 3. 8. Thence is derived a Verb which signifieth to work. c 1.3 He worketh the work of the Lord, 1 Cor. 16. 10. But a priva∣tive particle being added, the Nown signifieth not working or d 1.4 idle, Matth. 20. 3. And another compound added thereunto signifieth to make void, Rom. 3. 31. Do we e 1.5 make void the Law? or to make of none effect, Rom. 4. 14. The promise f 1.6 made of none effect. And thereupon to bring to naught, 1 Cor. 1. 28. g 1.7 To bring to nought things that are. And h 1.8 to destroy, 1 Cor. 6. 13. God shall de∣stroy, &c.
By the aforesaid derivation and various signification of the word, it appeareth that it doth not alwaies signifie to annihilate a thing, and bring it utterly to nought; for the devil that is here spoken of, still retains his being and substance, and ever shall retain it, both for the greater terror of the wicked and also for his own great∣er misery. But it implieth that he is so vanquished as he shall never prevail against the members of Christ. In this sense is this very word used, where the Apostle saith, that the body of sinne is i 1.9 destroyed, Rom. 6. 6. It cannot be denied but that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 devil, like a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5. 8. and that many of Gods children are so busfited and insnared by him, as they may se•…•… to be overcome of him: which cometh to passe partly by their own fault in that they do not manfully stand against him, but too slavishly yield unto him: and partly by Gods wise ordering the matter, for the better proof of the graces whi•…•… he bestoweth on his children: but yet this ever hath been and ever shall be the issue, that he never prevaileth against Gods children: but that they in all assau•…•… remain conquerours. This was foretold of old, where speaking to the devil 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ, the seed of the woman, the Lord saith, it shall bruise thy head, Gen. 3. 1•…•… The devil assaulted Christ himself but prevailed not. For after Christ had said 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thee hence Satan, the devil left him, Matth 4. 10, 11. It appears afterwards, abo•…•… the time of Christs last sufferings, that the Prince of this world came again 〈◊〉〈◊〉 assault Christ, but saith Christ, He hath nothing in me (John 14. 30.) that phrase sheweth, that the devil could not prevail against Christ. Neither could he prev•…•… against Iob, though he had liberty to do what he could against Iob himself and a∣gainst all that Iob had (Iobs life only excepted) Iob 1. 12. & 2. 6. He desired to 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Peter as wheat: but yet he could not make Peters faith to fail, Luk. 22. 31, 32. T•…•… this tends this phrase, the Prince of this world is judged, Joh. 16. 11. And this, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Prince of this world shall be cast out, John 12. 31. And this, Christ led captivity •…•…∣ptive, Eph. 4. 8. And this, He hath spoiled principalities and powers, &c. Col. 2. 1•…•… For such is Satans might, compared unto men, such his malice, as if he 〈◊〉〈◊〉