He is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that wicked one, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and it implies.
1 That he excells in wickednesse, his Understanding most blind, his will most rebellious, his affections most corrupt.
2 It implies, he is the Father of all sin, Mat. 5.37. Joh. 13.2. Joh. 8.44. he is called the Father of Lyars.
3 It implies, That Satan takes pains to doe evill, is industrious to doe evill, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, labour, he traverseth the World, goes about continually do∣ing evill, 1 Pet. 5.8. Job 1.7. he is insigniter improbus.
But how comes it to passe, that he that was a glorious Angel is now become that wicked one? The causes of his deprivation were partly accidentall and outward, partly inward; accidental, as
1 God did not elect him to stand, as he did ordain some Angels, 1 Tim. 5.21. so that he was left to a possibility of falling, though not to a ne∣cessity.
2 His condition being a creature gave occasion to his fall. God being in∣finitely good, his will is the rule of good; now he being a creature, Gods Will is his rule, and he may not attend to the rule, and then he doth evil.
3 But thirdly, There was an inward cause that led him to sin, and that was the pride of his nature, not made so, but he exalted himself, 1 Tim. 3.6. which implies; that he saw man made after the Image of God, and he was a glorious creature attending on God himself, and was puft up with his glorious condition, and despised man, that was to live on the earth, and dresse the Garden.
Ʋse 1. May teach young Scholars, not to please themselves in any gifts of Nature though never so excellent, for even an Angel that excelled in Wisdome hath fallen away, and become that wicked one.
Ʋse 2. It may teach them to take heed how they enter into the calling of the Ministry in their young years, especially before they be humbled, it was the cause of Satans fall, that he was puft up with his office; it is a wonder to see, when Scholars are admitted into the Ministery in their young times, how they despise the people, think themselves unmeet to condescend to Peasants, but they will rather exercise their Gifts in the University, and so fall into the condem∣nation of Satan.
3. Hence you may see part of the Image of Satan, why was he called that wicked one? because he excells in wickednesse, and is the Father of sin, and takes pains to doe evill; so, do you see men excell in wickednesse, lead on o∣thers to sin, take pains in mischiefe? such a one bears the Image of Satan up∣on him. When Paul saw Elimas hardned in mischief, leading on others, and taking pains to keep the Deputy from the faith, he calls him, the childe of the Devil, Act. 13.10.
4 Hence we learn, If the Devil have got this Name by excelling in wic∣kednesse,