Required reading
Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Chapter 4, Device 8; Chapter 5, Section I, Device 1 (His first device to destroy...).
My notes and thoughts
Device 8: '...by persuading them that their estate is not good...because they are so followed, vexed, and tormented with temptations.' A helpful affirmation from Brooks: 'It is as natural for saints to be tempted, that are dearly beloved, as it is for the sun to shine, or a bird to sin.'
I had never heard the quote before from Luther given in one of the footnotes: 'Luther said, there were three things that made a preacher - meditation, prayer and temptation.' Two weeks ago I was at a course with other ministers and a lot of time was spent on what makes a minister. I can assure you that temptation was not mentioned!
Now we move into a new section on devices 'to destroy and ensnare all sorts and ranks of men in the world'.
Two devices are against the 'great and honourable of the earth'. We'll look at one today and the second next time.
Device 1: 'By working them to make it their business to seek themselves...' I did enjoy this section. I love the argument that those who actively seek themselves end up abasing themselves, the exact opposite of what they were trying to do: 'Every self-seeker is a self-tormentor, a self-destroyer; he carries a hell, an executioner, in his own bosom.'
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