The inseparable communion of a believer with God in his love being the substance of several sermons preached on Rom. VIII 38, 39 / by ... Mr. Thomas Mallery ...

ROM. 8.38, 39.

I am Perswaded—Nor Powers.

BY Powers I understand the Powers of Hell, the Devil and his Angels, cal∣led the Powers of Darkness.

Doct. Not all the Power of all the De∣vils in Hell shall be able to separate a Be∣liever.—

I. The Devil is a profest enemy to mankind, as Rev. 12.9. but he exerciseth his greatest enmity against those God hath gathered in Communion with him∣self in love through Christ. Therefore your Adversary, — 1 Pet. 5.8. your Ad∣versary above all others; This name Sa∣tan signifies an enemie, and not only the

Prince of Devils, but every Devil is a Satan, as that Text shews, Matth. 12.26.

First, for the exercise of this enmity he is furnished with great power; he is called a strong man arm'd, a mighty Go∣liah that comes forth to defie the whole Host of Saints, Luke 11.21. you read of the Power of Satan, Act. 26.18. the Power of darkness, Col. 1.13.

Secondly, great subtilty, therefore call'd a Serpent; the Serpent thus be∣guiled Eve, 2 Cor. 11.3. now an old Ser∣pent, Rev. 12.9.

Thirdly, great Malice, Rev. 12.12, 17. hence call'd a Lion, a roaring, devour∣ing Lion, 1 Pet. 5.8. A Dragon, a red bloody Dragon, and a great one with se∣ven Heads,— Rev. 12.3. to note his Power, Policy and Principality.

II. This Power, Policy, and Malice of devils is manifested and exercised in his Temptations: he is call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Tempter, Mat. 4.3.1 Thes. 3.5. as men are called Lawyers or Physicians from their Profession or Employment. It is his trade for this end he is said to have.

1. His 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or devices, 2 Cor. 2.11. a word that signifies Crasty Counsels, stratagems, witty and fallacious Conce∣ptions, composed on purpose to deceive; sophistical Argumentations, acute Di∣stinctions to elude the truth: Satan ma∣nageth his temptations with great sub∣tilty and dexterity.

Secondly, his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or wiles, Eph. 6.12. as Professors in Arts or Sciences use to bring all the Principles of that Art into a methodical Order. So hath Satan his tempting Art in a method, he hath reduced them into common places; he knows what temptations fit with eve∣ry temper, every degree of grace, every condition in Christianity.

Thirdly, his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, his Depths, Rev. 2.24. mysteries, profundities, hid under ground, not easily discerned; doctrines that have a shew of light, humility, knowledge, wisdom, holiness, learning, spirituality; as himself and his Ministers and doctrines appear as Angels of light, so his temptations. Thus he deceived Eve.

Secondly, in his Accusations, he is call'd The Accuser of the Brethren, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The word signifies an Accuser, an Impleader in some Court, Rev. 12.10.

I. He accuseth us in the Court of Gods Justice.

First, somtimes by way of Complaint and Narration of sins they have com∣mitted; he is the great tempter to sin, and the first Accuser, Zach. 3.1. This is call'd a drawing up of a thing against them, Rom. 8.33.

Secondly, somtimes by way of suspi∣cion and preconjecture, Job 1.9, 10 11. he charged him of hypocrisie.

II. He accuseth them in the Courts of men, as David, Psal. 35.11. Acts 25.7. Act. 24.5.

III. He accuseth them in the Court of their own Consciences, by making them to question their Pardon, by impleading their Evidences, by misrepresenting their states, by charging them as hypocrites, unsound Christians, thereby endeavoring to fill them with vexation, sorrow and discontent.

Thirdly, let us consider how much these Powers of darkness engage their power, policy, malice, by all their tem∣ptations, accusations to separate, —For we are said to wrestle— 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Eph. 6.12. about heavenly things; not that these Rulers of darkness abide yet in heavenly places, so it may be rendred, Eph. 1.3.

1. They oppose to the utmost the love of God to us, in which we have Com∣munion with God, that kindnesse and love of God to mankind, Tit. 3.4. is mat∣ter of everlasting envy and malice of de∣vils; that God should have love for fallen man, and none for Angels; That God shall restore man into Communion with himself, and separate devils with an everlasting curse from him, how must this needs torment and terrifie.

If devils envied Mans state in Com∣munion with God, in love before man fell from God, how much more to see man restored, and themselves cast off for ever.

Secondly, they oppose our inter∣est in Christ, through whom we have Communion with God again in love.

When Christ came into the world to redeem men into Communion with God again and his love, what mighty strong opposition did he make against him, he mustered up all the Powers of the world, and all the Powers of H••ll, and darkness against him; and will he not endeavour to the utmost to separate us from this interest, 2 Cor. 11.2, 3.

Thirdly, they mightily oppose our A∣doption, or being the sons of God, which is the greatest manifestation of that love of God through Christ. No sooner was Christ declared the Son of God, Mal. 3.17. but the first temptation where∣with the Devil assaulted him, Matth. 4.3. was concerning this, when the Spirit of Adoption hath secured our Son∣ship, how many Arguments will the devil draw from our spiritual wants, weakness,

infirmities, temptations, afflictions to disprove it; what faith he, such as you the sons of God.

Fourthly, they mightily oppose that faith by which we apprehend the love of God in Christ, and by which we are brought into blessed Communion with God; see 1 Thes. 3.5. Luke 22.31.32.

Fifthly, they make strong opposition against that righteousness by which we are justified, which is the life of faith, and our nearest fitness for Communion with God. In this case he is said to have be∣witched the Galatians, chap. 3.1. the truth then is, the doctrine of Justification by faith in the righteousness of Christ, in opposition to the righteousness of the Law; the devil knows the righteousness of the Law will condemn us.

Sixthly, they make mighty opposition against that grace and holiness in which we continue our Communion with God, 1 John 1.6, 7. If a childe of the devil be such an enemy to all grace, what is the father, Act. 13.10.

Fourthly, let us consider what great

advantages the Powers of Hell have a∣gainst believers in Communion.—

First, there is yet remaining much darkness in them: darkness of sin, cor∣ruption, unbelief, unmortified lusts and affections, and the devil is the Ruler o∣ver the darkness of this world.

Secondly, the impotency of their gra∣ces, by reason of which he can more ea∣sily prevail with Saints, then formerly with Eve, 2 Cor. 11.3. it was but a buf∣feting, and but from a Messenger of Satan, yet all Pauls grace was too weak to resist, 2 Cor. 12.8.

Fifthly, yet we shall shew, that all the Powers of Devils, and all the Rulers of the Kingdom of Hell and Darkness shall not be able to separate—

First, his Power, Malice, Policy, and ••tmost Agency, is limited to their feet, Gen. 3.15. cannot reach their heart nor head.

Secondly, Christ hath stated their se∣curity in himself, on himself, Matth. 16.18.

Thirdly, none of his remptations shall

do it. Christ hath first overcame him in himself, and hath learnt thereby to suc∣cour and commiserate us, Heb. 4.15. Heb. 2. ult.

Fourthly, none of his accusations shall be able; none in the Court of God, there Christ is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, our Advocate, 1 John 3.1. to be our second, to rebuke Satan, to present a Propitiation for their sins, Zach. 3.2.

None in the Court of our own Con∣science, we have the Spirit of Adopti∣on, a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is in direct opposition to Sa∣tan, the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to bear witness to our Conscience, to help our infirmities, to clear our Evidences, and to come to the Th••one of grace boldly for mercy and grace.

Fifthly, because greater is he in Saints then,— 1 Iohn 4.4. is the devil a strong man, Christ is stronger, Luke 1, 22. is he a lion, so is Christ. Rev. 5.5. is he a Ser∣pent, so is Christ, Iohn 3.14.

1. Use. Sinners who are yet in your unregeneracy look about, you are yet under the power, policy, malice of Sa∣tan:

The devil hath full possession of you, ye know not how many. Ye are in darkness, which is the Kingdom of the devil, led captive by him at his pleasure; every sinner (saith one upon that text) is the Devils Pack-horse, whom he rides and rules at pleasure.

You will say, but all is at peace with us.

An Argument the devil still holds possession, Luke 11.21. Make haste to Christ, who alone can cast him, though a Legion, in one man, Mar. 5.8. he made the devils to cry, roar, tremble, he cast them out of mens bodies souls unto swine.

2. Use. Give thanks,— who hath de∣livered you,— Col. 1.12, 13. who hath turn'd you from— the power of Satan to God,— Act. 26.18.

3. Use. Hath God gathered you into Communion.—

Here is matter of great Comfort that you are always, and everlasting∣ly secured in this blessed state, from the

power, policy, malice of Hell; from all the temptations, accusations of devils, how many devices, wiles, depths soever they be managed withal.

Live comfortably, but not securely, 1 Pet. 5.8.

Secondly, resolve to make resistance, Iam. 4.7.

Thirdly, your we apons against spiritual enemies must be spiritual, the Sword of the Spirit, and the Shield of faith, Eph. 6. 1 Pet. 5.9.