Now this deadly few'd , mortall hatred , and bloudy cruelty which he practiseth against all the children of God , our Apostle hath most excellently , and to the full described in the words of my text , beginning first ( as I observed before ) with his name , The Devil .

Some do rightly stile him {αβγδ} , One full of names ; as Argos was of eyes . Ad Heli●●●rum ep . lib . 2 . ●p . 6. Persequitur me hostis , cui nomina mille , mille nocendi artes ( saith Hierome ) An enemie pursueth me , which hath a thousand names , a thousand subtill devices to annoy or hurt us . And indeed in the Scriptures , both in the Old and New Testament , we finde great varietie of names ascribed unto him : as when he is called , a Serpent , a Lion , a Dragon , a Fox , a Cockatrice , the Leviathan , the Evill one , the Tempter , the Envious man , the Accuser of the brethren , Satan , the Devil , &c. All which together with some others , do serve to expresse his rage and furie , either against God , or Man , or both of them .

But because the Apostle in this place hath layed down so full a description thereof , I will passe by that varietie of his names or titles , and confine my self onely to that which is in the words of my text , The Devil .

The originall word {αβγδ} is familiarly known to the learned to be derived of {αβγδ} , which ( as some , Aretius in Pro●● . and Aretius by name , affirm ) signifieth treacherously to take , or deceive by false and lying words . And so it should seem to point out his subtilty , falshood , manifold frauds and lies , which he sometime practised against our first Parents : Gen. 3.4 , 5 whereby he enticed them to disobey the commandment of God , by eating of the forbidden fruit , and thereby ruined both them and their posteritie . In which respect our Saviour Christ calleth him , John 8.44 . A murderer from the beginning , and also A lyar and the father of lies . But I must confesse that I finde that signification of the word onely in the aforesaid Authour alone . With all others , whom I have seen and observed , it signifieth in the second or Metaphoricall acception , to accuse falsely , or maliciously , to deprave , slander , or back-bite ; to cause envy against any person , or to make him become odious and hatefull . And so this name which he had given him by the Spirit of God , doth ( Serm . 2. sup . 2. Cer . cap . 1. as Chrysostome hath well observed ) excellently expresse his nature and his art , or practise ; that so he may be tam re quàm nomine Diabolus , A Devil both in word and deed . For he is ( according to the Etymologie of his name ) a false , and malicious accuser , slanderer , and backbiter : for he falsely accuseth or slandereth 1. God to man : 2. Man to God : 3. One man to another .

First he audaciously slandereth God to man : for so he accused him to our great Grand-mother Eve in a double manner :

1. Of a lie ; which he expressely fastened upon God , viz. That whereas God had said , Gen. 2.17 . In the day that thou eatest of the tree of knowledge of good and evill , thou shalt surely die : he told her in direct termes , Ye shall not surely die ; Gen. 3.4 . which is no lesse then to give God the lie .

2. He accused God of Envy , pretending that the cause why he did forbid them to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil , was not ( as God had said ) because they should die in the day wherein they did eat thereof ; but because he knew that when they did eat thereof , Gen. 3.5 . Their eyes should be opened , and they should be as Gods , knowing good and evill : and therefore that the true cause why God did forbid them to eat thereof , was , because he envied them so happy and glorious an estate . And he runneth still the same course in wicked and ungodly persons , teaching them to cast the aspersion of their horrible sinnes and nefarious lives upon God : for what is more common then to heare an ungodly person , being reproved for his hellish and stigmaticall villanies , belch out some execrable , or blasphemous speech or other against God , or his providence ? saying , It is my destinie ; I cannot help it : If God had made me otherwise , I would have done otherwise ; or some other such like cursed words .

Secondly , he is no lesse malicious in slandering and accusing of man also unto God ; for he it is that is alwaies ready ( when we have sinned ) to cry out against us , and accuse us , requiring of God ( according to the strict rule of his justice ) not to spare us being offenders , but to poure down vengeance upon our heads , having justly deserved punishment . And of this we have sufficient proof , from the testimony , or confession of his own mouth in the first chapter of Job ; where he acknowledged unto the Lord , that he had been Job 1.7 . compassing the earth , going to and fro , and walking up and down in it , like a Promoter , or Informer , to spie out faults and offences , whereof he might accuse them unto God . But if his own confession be not sufficient , we have also the expresse testimony of the Spirit of God , to confirm it . For so in the Revelation of S. John , we finde that he being overcome by Michael and his Angels , and cast out of heaven , there was a loud voice heard , saying in heaven , Revel . 12.7 , 5. Now is come salvation , & strength , and the kingdome of our God , and the power of his Christ : for the Accuser of our brethren is cast down , which accused them before our God day & night . Nay , he is not onely an Accuser of us , but also ( according to his name ) a false slanderer , and malicious back-biter : for he doth not onely accuse us for the sinnes which we have indeed committed , but also wresteth our good actions , and exclaimeth against us for them , pretending that they are done either in hypocrisie , or for some by ; and sinister respect , &c. Yea , if he can espie but an appearance of evil in us , he will not stick to accuse us , that we have already committed that evil , whereof he doth but suspect us : so wresting and misconstruing all our actions to the worst sense , and making of every molehill an huge mountain . Thus wrongfully did he slander Job , that he served God for that same end , for which Demetrius Acts 19.24 served his Goddesse Diana : viz. for advantage , for gain , or profit , saying , Job 1.9 , 10 , 11. Doth Job fear God for nought ? hast thou not made an hedge about him , and about his house , and about all that he hath on everyside ? Thou hast blessed the works of his hand , and his substance is increased in the land : But put forth thine hand now , and touch all that he hath , and he will curse thee to thy face . Thus doth he accuse and slander Man to God .

Thirdly , he practiseth the same course likewise between Man and Man , by his calumnies , slanders , and false lies , sowing the seeds of all manner of discord , strife , contention , sedition and warre between them : and by that means many times he causeth those that before were intire friends , to become mortall enemies . And that is indeed {αβγδ} , to play the Devil : for so the Aristot . Top . lib . 4. 5. 5. Philosopher maketh those two to imply the same thing , {αβγδ} . falsely or maliciously to slander , and to make friends become foes . Princes , and Potentates many times break forth into mutuall discord , and unjust warres : Private persons rage one against another with envie , hatred , and malice , &c. but in them all the Devil blows the coal , and increaseth the flame of their fury by his secret practises of malice , slander , &c. whereby he bringeth to passe , that small sparks of discord in the beginning , do end in bloud and murder . Thus doth he maliciously deprave and slander God to Man , Man to God , and one Man unto another : and therefore he is rightly called {αβγδ} , the Devil .

Secondly , The second part of the Apostles description is taken from his Nature or disposition ; not simply as he is in himself , but with relation to us , or in respect of mankinde . The originall word is {αβγδ} , here translated an Adversary ; but it properly signifieth Eschines . adversarium in causa vel lite ; it is a Law terme , and signifieth one that is an Adversary to another in his cause , suit , or action in the law . And such an enemie or Adversary the Devil indeed is to all the children of God in the cause or action concerning their salvation : opposing himself against it , and bending all his force with might and main to hinder it . As Christ is our Advocate making intercession for us , and pleading our cause unto God , according to that of the Apostle , 1. John 2.1 If any man sinne , we have an Advocate with the Father , Jesus Christ the righteous : So Satan on the other part is a Sergeant , Counsellour , or Proctour , with all earnestnes and virulency pleading against us , and our salvation . And because he is not as a Counsellour retained by another against us , or pleading for his fee ; but is his own Proctour in his own cause : he is rightly here called our Adversary , viz. which in his own cause pleadeth in his own person against us , seeking by all means to hinder our salvation , and to procure the sentence of condemnation from the mouth of the Judge against us . And Beza In Annot . majoribus . well observeth , that the force of the Greek article here is not to be omitted , {αβγδ} Ille Adversarius , that your Adversary : Because though we have many adversaries , yet he is ( as one saith ) {αβγδ} , the most warlike and malicious ; as it were the Coripheus or arch-enemie of our souls and salvations . Or else , because that though there be many Devils , yea Mark 5.9 Legions of Devils , and all of them our adversaries : yet the Apostle here aimeth at Matt . 9.12.34 . Beelzebub the Prince of Devils , under whose banner all the rest of those infernall Spirits do fight against us .

And indeed he may well he called our Adversary pleading against us ; because he is still ready to hinder and crosse us in all our suits and prayers which we send up unto God , and in all other our godly purposes and proceedings . So , when Jehoshuah the High Priest stood before the Angel of the Lord ready to make intercession on the behalf of the people , Satan Zach. 3.1 . stood at his right hand , to resist him , or as it is in the originall , to be his Adversary : which agreeth directly to the terme or title here given unto the Devil by the Spirit of God . And again , we reade that 1. Chron . 21.1 . Satan stood up against Israel , and provoked David to number the people : whereby he procured Gods heavy displeasure against them , by the devouring pestilence , whereby there fell of Israel seventy thousand men . And so likewise when a good Angel was sent from God unto Daniel , Daniel 10.13 . He was withstood by an evill Angell , one and twenty dayes , till Michael came and helped him . And Saint Paul writing to the Thessalonians , saith , 1. Thess. 2.18 . We would have come unto you ( even I Paul ) once and again , but Satan hindred us . Thus doth Satan appeare to be truely called our Adversary : viz. as opposing himself alwaies against us , both in the cause of our salvation , and also in all other holy actions , and godly endeavours . Which was the reason why Saint Paul used those words to Elymas the sorcerer when he withstood Paul and Barnabas preaching the word of God at Paphos , and sought to turn away the Deputy from the faith , saying , Acts 13.6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , ● O full of all subtiltie , and all mischief , thou childe of the Devil , thou enemie of all righteousnesse , &c. The proverb is , Such a father , such a sonne : and as the Grecians say , {αβγδ} . From an evill bird springs an evill egge : which was truely verified in him ; for being the childe of the Devil , he shewed himself like his father , an enemie of all righteousnesse . For such a one doth the Devil in all things shew himself . If we pray , he laboureth to distract us by wandering imaginations ; if we heare the word , Matt . 13.19 . He cometh and catcheth away that which was sown in the heart , that it may not bring forth fruit in the life and conversation . And the like course he practiseth in all other holy actions , shewing himself to be truely ( as the Apostle calleth him ) our Adversary .

Again , he is in the next place described unto us by his continuall practise against us , in those words , As a roaring lion walketh about . Wherein observe with me two things .

1. The Matter or Action ; He walketh about

2. The Manner how he doth it ; As a roaring lion .

1. If you desire to know what he doeth ; the Apostle tells you that He walketh about . And this phrase sheweth his indefatigable pains in tempting and assaulting us : for he never ceaseth or taketh rest , but still night and day walketh about , seeking to destroy us . And some Expositors conceive this phrase of walking about , to be a Metaphor taken à rebus bellicis , from warlike affairs , thus : Like as a wise and politick Captain or Generall , besieging some citie or castle , fetcheth his compasse about , and diligently vieweth each part thereof , to the end that discovering the weakest part , he might take his advantage , planting his ordinance for battery ; and after a breach made give an assault there : So also the Devil , the grand captain of all those hellish troups and forces which fight against our souls , laying continuall siege against the Church of God , and every faithfull soul therein , in a subtill and politick manner walketh about to and fro with uncessant pains and vigilancy , to spie and discover when and where we are weakest : that so taking the opportunitie and advantage , he may suddenly with all violence and fury charge upon us , and so discomfit us , to our utter ruine and destruction . And this is his practise night and day . As Psal . 121.4 . he that keepeth Israel doth neither slumber nor sleep : so neither doth the Adversary of Gal. 6.16 . the Israel of God wax weary , or grant sleep to his eyes , or slumber to his eye-liddes ; but with perpetuall vigilancy watcheth for his opportunitie to vanquish and destroy them . This is evident by his own confession formerly mentioned : wherein he acknowledged to God , demanding whence he came , that he returned Job 1.7 . from going to and fro in the earth , and from walking up and down in it : whereby it appeareth that he omitteth no pains nor labour in seeking our destruction . He will up before God to accuse , and down again with men to tempt ; and there no corner shall escape him : for he every where spreads his snares to catch our souls , as Augustine hath excellently well observed ; Soliloq . cap . 16. Ecce ! tetendit ante pedes nostros laqueos infinitos , & omnes vias nostras variis replevit decipulis ad capiendas animas nostras : & quis effugiet ? Laqueos posuit in divitiis , laqueos posuit in paupertate , laqueos tetendit in cibo , in potu , in voluptate , in somno & vigilia : laqueos posuit in verbo , in opere , & in omni vita nostra . That is , Loe ! he spreadeth infinite snares before our feet , and hath filled our wayes with divers traps to catch our souls : and who shall escape ? he placeth snares in our riches , he spreadeth snares in our povertie , he layeth snares in our meat , in our drink , in our pleasure , in our sleeping , in our waking : he useth his snares in our words , in our deeds , and in our whole life . He spareth no time from tempting us , but that which he imployeth either in accusiing us unto God , or else in inflicting those punishments which it pleaseth God to permit him to lay upon us . He is full of agility in changing his place , and of subtilty in framing his ginnes : Cap. 1● . Versutus est enim , Domine , iste hostis , & tortuosus ( saith Augustine ) nec facilè deprehendi possunt circuitus viae ejus , nec cognosci species vultûs ejus , nisi tu illumines ; that is , Lord , this is a subtle enemy indeed , winding and turning himself many wayes , neither can the circuits and compasses of his way be easily found out , nor the form of his countenance be discerned , except we be enlightened by thee . There is no place in the whole earth without the compasse of his walk ; for he compasseth the earth , and searcheth out all the corners thereof . He is here and there and every where in various shap●s and forms , that he might shew himself the more subtill in deceiving . U●i su●rà p●●● p●si . Nunc hic , nunc illic , nunc agnum , nunc lupum , nunc tenebras , nunc lucem in se ostendit , & singulis quibuslibet qualitatibus , locis & temporibus , secundum varias rerum mutationes , varias exhibet tentationes ( saith the same Father ) He is now here and then there , he now sheweth himself a lambe , and by and by a wolf , he sometime exhibiteth himself in the shape of darknesse , and sometime clad with light , and according to the various mutations of things , he sitteth his severall tentations , to all severall qualities , places , and times . I●●●● . Nam ut tristes decipiat , tristatur & ipse ( saith he ) ut gaudentes illudat , singit se & ipse gaudere : ut spirituales defraudet , in angelum lucis se transfigurat : ut fortes comprimat , apparet agnus : ut mites devoret , apparet lupus : that is , For that he may deceive the sorrowfull , he himself will expresse sorrow : that he may delude those that rejoyce , he will feigne himself also to rejoyce : that he may defraud them that are spirituall , he transformeth himself into an Angel of light : that he may stay or restrain the valiant , he appeares as a lambe : and that he may devoure the meek , he appeares as a wolf . He is not onely in the publique market places , among the shambles , and in the shops , but also he followeth us into our private houses , yea , into our secretest bedchambers and closets ; watching there for his best advantage against us . And in a word , in the very churches of God , and at these sacred assemblies , you shall have him as busie in distracting mens hearts and mindes , as the Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is in informing their souls ; as busie to hinder the fruit of the word , as he is in sowing the seed thereof in their hearts ; as busie to work their destruction , as he is to build them up unto salvation : Yea heaven , earth , and paradise seem all to be within the compasse of his walk and circuit . Which moved Augustine to say ; In ser . ●●m . s●r . 4. Posuit in coelo bellum , in Paradiso fraudem , odium inter primos fratres , & in omni nostro opere zizania seminavit : that is , He made warre in heaven , used fraud in paradise , he sowed discord between the two first brethren , and sowed tares in all our works and labours . And though he cannot overcome us at the first , but be beaten , foiled , and forced to retire ; yet will not like a base coward , desist , and fight no more , but like a true souldier , and valiant captain , he will gather up his forces , fetch his compasse , walk about , and upon the first advantage incessantly give a new charge , and set upon us again . Thus much appeareth plainly from the words of our Saviour Christ ; Matt . 12.43 , 44. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man , he walketh through dry places , seeking rest and findeth none . Then he saith , I will return into my house from whence I came out ; and when he is come , he findeth it empty , swept , and garnished . Then goeth he and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked then himself , and they enter in and dwell there , and the last state of that man is worse then the first . And thus you have now seen the Practise set forth according to the Matter , or Action performed by him ; He walketh about .