and rage against SHADDAI, and against his Son, they could, I Pet. v. 8. Wherefore roving and ranging in much fury from place to place (if perhaps they might find fomething that was the King's), to revenge themselves on him, by fpoiling that; at laft they happened into this fpacious country of Univerfe, and fteered their course towards the town of Manfoul: and confidering that that town was one of the chief works and delights of king SHADDAI; what do they, but, after counfel taken, make an affault upon that. I fay, they knew that Manfoul belonged unto SHADDAI: for they were there when he built, and beautified it for himself. (a) So when they had found the place, they fhouted horribly for joy, and roared on it like as a lion on it's prey; faying, Now we have found the prize, and how to be revenged on king SHADDAI for A council of what he hath done to us. So they fat down, war held by and called a council of war; and confidered Diabolus, to with themselves, what ways and methods confider about they had beft engage in, for the winning to

winning the

town of Man

foul.

themselves this famous town of Manfoul: and these four things were then propounded to be confidered of.

First, Whether they had best all of them to fhew them. felves in this defign to the town of Manfoul?

Secondly, Whether they had beft to go and fit down against Manfoul, in their now ragged and beggarly guife?

Thirdly, Whether they had beft fhew to Manfout their intentions, and what defign they came about;

ΟΙ

(a) The rebel angels, as well as the elect ones, were prefent at that glorious difplay of the wifdom and goodness of God, in his laft, beft work, the formation of man in the divine image; for we read, Job xxxviii. 7, that when the work of creation was completed, and that accomplished creature man was produced as lord of the lower world, "the morning stars fang together, and all the fons of God fhouted for joy." Nor is the foul of man lefs dear in God's fight than ever; for our Lord tells us, Luke xv. 10, "There is joy in the prefence of the angels of God, over one finner that repenteth,"

or whether to affault it with words and ways of deceit?

Fourthly, Whether they had not beft give out private orders, to fome of their companions, to take the advantage, if they fee one or more of the principal townfmen, to fhoot them; if thereby they hall judge their cause and defign will the better be promoted.

It was anfwered, to the firft of these proposals, in the negative; to wit, that it would not be belt that all fhould fhew themfelves before the town, because the appearance of many of them might alarm and frighten the town; whereas a few, or but one of them, was not fo likely to do it. And to caufe this advice to take place, it was added further, that if Manfoul was frighted, Diabolus gives or did take the alarm, it is impoffible, faid his advice, Diabolus (for he fpoke now), that we fhould whichisadopted. take the town: for that none can enter into it without it's own confent. (a) Let therefore but a few, or but one, affault Manfoul, and, in my opinion, faid Diabolus, let me be he. Wherefore to this they all agreed: and then to the second propofal they came, namely,

II. Whether they had beft to go and fit down before Manfoul, in their now ragged and beggarly guife?

To which it was anfwered alfo in the negative, By no means; and that because, though the town of Mansoul had

(a) Satan could gain no advantage over Adam in para dife, without the concurrence of his judgment, and confent of his will; but these being weakened, and at length overcome, by liftening to the temptation, he became an caly prey to his fubtle and powerful enemy. Even fo it is now: fnafmuch as Satan cannot compel men to commit fin, but only tempt them to it; for, as the apoftle James remarks, ch. i. 4. "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own luft, and enticed:" the tempter works upon our corrupt nature, which is ever prone to, and fufceptible of evil; for, by reafon of that depravity inherent in, and ever cleaving to us, even believers themfelves are equally liable with the unregenerate, were it not for the reftraining power of divine grace, to yield to any temptation, as tinder is apt to catch the fpark.