Expository notes, with practical observations; towards the opening of the five first chapters of the first book of Moses called Genesis. Delivered by way of exposition in several lords-dayes exercises.: By Benjamin Needler, minister of the gospel at Margaret Moses Friday-Street, London.

Quest. 3. verse 1.

Why did not Satan rather appear in the shape of a man, or woman, for so he might have gained an opinion with Eve of more excellency and knowledge, then ap∣pearing in the forme of a Serpent?

'Tis answered by Learned men, that the [Resp.] Devil could not appear in humane shape, whilest man was in his integrity, because he was a spirit fallen, and therefore God would not suffer him to appear in any shape, but that which might argue his imperfection, and abasement, which was the shape of a beast: it is observed, that the good An∣gels can take upon them no other shape, then the shape of a man, the shape of an infe∣riour creature would be unsuitable to their excellent and glorious state: so the De∣vill could not appear in the shape of a man, because he was fallen from that state wher∣in he was created. 'Tis true, since the fall of man the case is altered, yet it is said, the Devill cannot take upon him the shape of a compleat man, but appears with some deformity or other.