Required reading
A treatise on Satan's temptations by Richard Gilpin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 3 of Part 2.
My summary
Last week Gilpin began to show us how Satan improves advantages for introducing error by stratagems that directly work upon the understanding to delude and blind it.
We saw Satan's usual way of proceeding this case is by:
(i) giving an error some countenance or pretence from Scripture;
(ii) supposed mysteries;
(iii) astonishing men with strange language and affected expressions;
(iv) bold assertions that error is truth;
(v) deriving a credit and honour to error.
Now Gilpin gives us another four of Satan's methods:
(vi) pretending inspiration for his errors;
(vii) pretended and counterfeit miracles;
(viii) pleading for error, from the ease, peace, or other advantages which men pretend they have received since they engaged in such a way;
(ix) making lies his refuge.
What grabbed me
I liked this point about one of Satan's strategies: 'Having thoroughly prepared the mind with restless fears, he then advanceth forward with the proffers of peace and comfort in the way of error which he proposeth ; and in this case error will boast much, ' Come to me, and ye shall find rest for your souls.' How grateful and welcome the confident proffers of ease and satisfaction are to a tossed and disquieted mind, any man will easily imagine. It is usually thus : men that are tired out will easily embrace anything for ease. A man in this case may be wrought upon like wax, to receive any impression ; he will fasten on anything, true or false, that doth but promise comfort.'
Bodily comfort can quickly turn into an idol and encourage further error.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 4 of Part 2.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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