Milo

19 FEBRUARY

Satan’s subtlety

‘Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.’ Genesis 3:1
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Matthew 16:13–28

What I can observe to you may be gathered from Satan’s appearance, his address and his arguments. He appeared as a serpent, either in the likeness of a serpent or rather, as I suppose, he actually possessed a real serpent. If I was to tell you the conjectures of the learned upon this subject, it might be more for your amusement than edification. I would say as little as possible that is not founded upon the sure word. It is plain the serpent was degraded by the sentence and therefore was a more excellent creature before the Fall than since. It did not go upon its belly or feed upon dust; what other properties it might possess we know not. Satan’s principal reason for choosing this creature is assigned—he was the most subtle, and therefore Eve was the less liable to be surprised at the subtlety of Satan under such a form. From hence we may note in general that Satan knows how to avail himself of the fittest instruments. In all succeeding times, Satan’s work is carried on by subtle instruments. When he would oppose the commands of God, when he would deprave the doctrines of the gospel, when he would darken the glories of Christ and deny the operations and influences of the Holy Spirit, he does not ordinarily employ fools in these services, but men of parts and abilities, of genius and learning. We shall hardly find one dangerous or damnable error that had considerable prevalence in the church but what has been started and maintained by persons of this sort. Had they been ignorants and blockheads, as we say, their dreams might have been quickly despised and forgot.

FOR MEDITATION: Hence none should be proud of natural abilities, or a turn for reasoning, or the furniture of learning. The more of these things a man has, if they are not sanctified by grace, they make him but so much a fitter instrument for Satan, and qualify him for the greater mischief. Many wise men and great scholars who have admired themselves and been admired by the world for their ingenuity will one day wish they had been born idiots.

SERMON SERIES: GENESIS, NO. 5 [3/4], GENESIS 3:1

18 FEBRUARY

Arts and crafts

‘Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.’ Genesis 3:1
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: 1 Corinthians 10:1–13

The design of Satan was doubtless to dishonour and affront God and to destroy man, whose happiness he envied. But see how he was taken in his own craftiness: hereby occasion was opened for the revelation of God’s glory in justice and in grace, and man was raised from the misery into which Satan plunged him, to a nobler and more established happiness than that in which he was at first created. We may admire and say as Romans 11:33 [O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out!]
Observe his wiles. I doubt not but in this first temptation might be noticed the chief traces of all the arts he practises to this day upon Adam’s posterity and that the steps by which he prevailed show much of the workings of the hearts of all men under his influence. But I do not believe that the line of my experience is sufficient to sound the depths of this mystery of iniquity. It is a mercy if we can say, We are not altogether ignorant of his devices [2 Corinthians 2:11].
You that are seeking the Lord, wonder not that Satan is against you. Be humble and continue in prayer. But remember who has conquered him. Make the name of Jesus your high tower and take to you the armour of God.
FOR MEDITATION:
The castle of the human heart
But JESUS, stronger far than he,
Strong in its native sin;
In his appointed hour
Is guarded well, in every part,
Appears, to set his people free
By him who dwells within.
From the usurper’s power.

For Satan there, in arms, resides,
‘This heart I bought with blood,’ he says,
And calls the place his own;
‘And now it shall be mine’;
With care against assaults provides,
His voice the strong one armed dismays,
And rules, as on a throne.
He knows he must resign.

SERMON SERIES: GENESIS, NO. 5 [2/4], GENESIS 3:1

17 FEBRUARY

Beware your adversary

‘Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.’ Genesis 3:1
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: James 4:1–10

To the Word of God we are indebted for the knowledge we have of the first state of things. We have here the mournful account concerning the entrance of evil, which is given not to indulge our curiosity, but because it most highly concerns us to know it and to be suitably affected with it.
The serpent. Yet he was not a mere serpent, but that evil spirit who is called in Scripture (I suppose upon this account) the old serpent the devil (John 8:44; Revelation 12:9). The Scripture is very brief in the account it gives us of the invisible world. But this much is clear: that there is in the scale of God’s creatures an order of beings, superior to man in powers and knowledge, called angels, formed for the service and vision of God; that many of these angels kept not their first estate, but rebelled against God, were cut off from his light and holiness, and became fallen, apostate and hopeless spirits, or in other words, devils; that the word ‘devil’, singularly in Scripture, seems used sometimes collectively for the whole body and interest of these powers of darkness, and sometimes to denote one chief spirit or head amongst them who is called the prince of the bottomless pit and (from the advantages he gained over our first parents) the god of this world; that Satan and all his associates in misery are filled with malice, enmity and rage against God and his creatures. Their study is to defile and to destroy, and though they are chained by the power of God and cannot do all they would, yet they have a permissive liberty, which God by his holy wisdom makes subservient to his own glory. In brief we may collect from Scripture that Satan, or the head of these apostate angels, was suffered to tempt Adam to break God’s commands—force him he could not.

FOR MEDITATION: Be sober—be vigilant. You have an adversary. Did he attempt thus against Adam in Paradise and shall you escape? If you do not find him assaulting and endeavouring to deceive you, it is because you are asleep in his hands. He thinks he has you sure—he has blinded your eyes and stopped your ears and is leading you captive at his will.

SERMON SERIES: GENESIS, NO. 5 [1/4], GENESIS 3:1

16 FEBRUARY (PREACHED 13 FEBRUARY 1774)

Hope in him

‘The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.’ Lamentations 3:24
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 130:1–8

Consider to whom he is a portion. Those who have the Lord for their portion are:
(i) humble. They have abasing thoughts of themselves, admiring thoughts of his grace and condescension. They say as Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 19:28.
(ii) spiritual. A carnal principle indeed still cleaves to them, but their prevailing desire is towards their portion.
(iii) obedient. A sense of his love constrains them; they acknowledge that they are not their own.
If so, does not the Word of God assure some of you that as yet you have no part or lot in this portion? What can the self-righteous, the worldly and the self-willed claim here? Which of us may not take up a lamentation and say, my leanness [Isaiah 24:16]? If we have the beginnings of these gracious principles, yet how weak and faint. However, there is a comfortable and safe conclusion. If the Lord is your portion, your desire, you may hope in him:
(i) for that renewed pardon you want.
(ii) for a clearer manifestation of your interest.
(ii) for increase of grace.
(iv) that he will not cast you off for ever.
FOR MEDITATION: [prompted by Betty Abraham’s death]
His person fixes all my love,
For him I count as gain each loss,
His blood removes my fear;
Disgrace, for him, renown;
And while he pleads for me above,
Well may I glory in his cross,
His arm preserves me here.
While he prepares my crown!

His word of promise is my food,
Let worldlings then indulge their boast,
His Spirit is my guide;
How much they gain or spend!
Thus daily is my strength renewed
Their joys must soon give up the ghost,
And all my wants supplied.
But mine shall know no end.

SERMON: LAMENTATIONS 3:24 [4/4] [FOR BETTY ABRAHAM’S FUNERAL]

15 FEBRUARY (PREACHED 13 FEBRUARY 1774)

What a portion!

‘The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.’ Lamentations 3:24
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Lamentations 3:19–24

What a portion! The word implies two things:
(i) excellence. None account anything a portion but what is (in their esteem at least) valuable.
(ii) propriety. However excellent a thing may be, if it is not ours, or if we have no hope of attaining it, we cannot look on it as our portion.
Now the Lord is deservedly a portion to believing souls, for he is most excellent in himself, and he gives them a right to call him their own. Compare this with the portions and desirable things of this life. They are:
(i) hard to get.
(ii) unsatisfactory when obtained. The want of one thing will spoil the sweetness of many, as Haman [in Esther].
(iii) hard, nay impossible, to keep.
But the Lord is:
(i) a free portion. None that sincerely desire him shall be rejected. Grace reigns, and sinners, though vilest and most unworthy, are welcome.
(ii) an all-sufficient portion, exceeding all their capacities, wants and desires.
(iii) an everlasting portion: in life, in death and for ever.
FOR MEDITATION: We had a full house and I hope a good time in the evening. The subject, death—it being the first time of our meeting there since Betty Abraham was removed; I had made a hymn upon the occasion.
Diary, Sunday evening 20 February 1774

From pole to pole let others roam,
JESUS, who on his glorious throne
And search in vain for bliss;
Rules heaven and earth and sea;
My soul is satisfied at home,
Is pleased to claim me for his own,
The LORD my portion is.
And give himself to me.

[hymn prompted by Betty Abraham’s death; first used 20 February 1774]

SERMON: LAMENTATIONS 3:24 [3/4] [FOR BETTY ABRAHAM’S FUNERAL]