Device 1 - Satan's Device to Keep Saints in Sad Condition by Thomas Brooks

Device 1

By presenting the WORLD in such a dress, and in such a garb to the soul, as to ensnare the soul, and to win upon the affection of the soul.

He represents the world of them in its beauty and finery, which proves a bewitching sight to a world of men. (It is true, this deceived not Christ, because Satan could find no matter in him for his temptation to work upon). So that he can no sooner cast out his golden bait - but we are ready to play with it, and to nibble at it; he can no sooner throw out his golden ball - but men are apt to run after it, though they lose God and their souls in the pursuit!

Ah! how many professors in these days have for a time followed hard after God, Christ, and ordinances; until the devil has set before them the world in all its beauty and finery, which has so bewitched their souls that they have grown to have low thoughts of holy things, and then to be cold in their affections to holy things, and then to slight them, and at last, with the young man in the Gospel, to turn their backs upon them. Ah! the time, the thoughts, the hearts, the souls, the duties, the services - which the inordinate love of this wicked world eats up and destroys!

Where one thousands are destroyed by the world´s frowns - ten thousands are destroyed by the world´s smiles! The world, siren-like, sings to us, then sinks us! It kisses us, and betray us, like Judas! It kisses us and smites us under the fifth rib, like Joab. The honors, splendor, and all the glory of this world, are but sweet poisons, which will much endanger us, if they do not eternally destroy us. Ah! the multitude of souls that have glutted on these sweet baits and died forever!

The inhabitants of Nilus are deaf from the noise of the waters; so the world makes such a noise in men´s ears, that they cannot hear the things of heaven. The world is like the swallows´ dung that put out Tobia´s eyes. The champions could not wring an apple out of Milo´s hand by a strong hand - but a fair maid, by fair means, got it presently. P. 70.

Source: Precious Remedies Against Satan Device, Thomas Brooks.