Chapter 2 is a rather long chapter. I will be breaking it up into each device and give the remedies, a brief discussion, and then a few notable quotes. These devices are particularly those that Satan uses to draw the soul to sin.

Device #1 and Remedies

"To present the bait and hide the hook"

In other words Satan presents the pleasure of sin but not the painful after affects. "There is an opening of the mind to contemplation and joy, and there is an opening of the eyes of the body to shame and confusion. He promiseth them the former, but intends the latter, and so cheats them--giving them an apple in exchange for a paradise, as he deals by thousands now-a-days." (29) For remedies:

• Keep at a great distance from sin, and from playing with the golden bait that Satan holds forth to catch you
• Consider that sin is but a bitter sweet
• Consider that sin will usher in the greatest and saddest losses that can be upon our souls
• Consider that sin is of a very deceitful and bewitching nature

Quick Thoughts:

This is a fitting first device because it seems to be the one that Satan most often employs. He makes sin look sweet and hides the destruction it brings. I have witnessed countless youth dabble with sin only to find themselves ensnared by it. Brooks' remedies are also helpful. If we would consistently remember to call sin what it is, remove the pretty looking bait, and observe the hook, then we would be less likely to fall into these traps Satan sets before us.

Extracted Elixir's (I know it's a stretch!)

"Adversity hath slain her thousand, but prosperity her ten thousand". (30)

"If there were the least real delight in sin, there could be no perfect hell, where men shall most perfectly be tormented with their sin." (32)

"Sin so bewitches the soul, that it makes the soul call evil good, and good evil..." (33)

"...a man bewitched with sin had rather lose God, Christ, heaven, and his own soul than part with his sin." (34)

The main observation that Brooks hopes to prove in this book is that, "Satan hath his several devices to deceive, entangle, and undo the souls of men."

In the first chapter Brooks aims to merely prove his point. To do this the author takes us to a few choice Scriptures. From Ephesians 6:11 we see the following observations taken from the word 'wiles':

• "It signifies such snares as are laid behind one, such treacheries as come upon one's back at unawares...the word signifies an ambushment or stratagem of war..."
• "It signifies such snares as are set to catch one in one's road."
• "It signifies such as are purposely...and craftily set for the taking of the prey....Satan doth more hurt in sheep's skin than by roaring like a lion."

From 2 Timothy 2:26 we observe:

• "The word for 'taken captive' signifies being taken alive...[it is] properly a warlike word..."
• Satan hath snares for all manner of people. The wise and simple, the hypocrite and the upright, the rich and the poor, etc.

From Revelation 2:24 we observe:

• That souls can be so deceived that they believe their opinions to be from the depths of God but they are really from the depths of Satan.

Next time we will begin looking at the several devices Satan uses to draw the soul to sin.

Ok, saying "Today" in blogworld is a bit deceptive but here are a few links for you to consider.

The audio for the Total Church Conference is now available. I may have linked to this before--but this appears to be more audio.

Here is a great offer for The Reformation Study Bible. Give any donation to Ligonier and get a free Leather Reformation Study Bible.

Jared Wilson gives us his 95 Theses for the American Church.

My favorite Christian rapper, Flame, gets a shout out from his college dean Denny Burk.

Abraham Piper gives 22 ways for new bloggers to improve.

John Piper reminds us that Bad Times are Good for Missions.

Great talk by Paul Washer:


HT: John

If I didn't put you to sleep with the title...I will be gone for the next few days to the MBC's Annual Meeting. I will provide some thoughts on it when I return. I won't be blogging for the next few days because my laptop is broken. Hope all is well.

UPDATE: The Annual Meeting was pretty uneventful. Others have better commentaries on the meeting than I do. As for me I'd rather listen to paint dry.

The latest 9Marks E-journal is now available. The topic is Counseling and the Local Church

How Does a Pastor Redeem the Time?: CJ interviews Jeff Purswell

Nathan White provides for us more quotes from Obadiah Sedgwick's Christ Counsel to His Languishing Church. (Man, I have got to get this book).

Timmy Brister provides the links to the Total Church Conference. (If you check these out before next week, drop me an e-mail and let me know what you think).

You can get a free copy of Sproul's Chosen By God by going here.

Are our churches filled with nominal Christians? (HT: Transforming Sermons)

What constitutes suffering for Christ? CJ and Lig Duncan Interview Piper.

Bob Kauflin tells us 10 Ways to Write Bad Worship Songs.

This Piper quote is going on my wall as soon as I get my laptop back. "If it is true, preach it with authority. If it is precious, preach it with passion." Read the rest.

You can't tell me you've never wanted to do this:

(HT: Douglas Wilson)

I will be giving away a free ESV Study Bible to anyone who goes here....buys three...and then gives me two. And what is better than all of those other offers this one will not expire. Anytime you buy three and give me two I will give you a free ESV Study Bible. Simple as that.

Or if you don't like my offer you can go to Abraham Piper's blog and and try to win one the hard way. My way is much easier though.

Some of my Reformed-minded readers may be wondering how the ESV Study Bible stands on issues such as monergestic regeneration. John Hendryx gives an outline and comes to this conclusion: the notes from editors of the ESVSB unambiguously affirm divine monergism in regeneration.

The Ligonier Pastor's Conference is providing free bilingual audio. (HT: Founders)

Sad news today. Christian aid worker Gayle Williams was gunned down in Kabul. (HT: Tullian)

Folks that admire the writing of John Piper will be happy to hear of these recent DG additions. Also resources are availabe from the recent Fall Conference on Job.

Mondays with Mounce: Translating the Imperfect.

J.I. Packer is a one-point Calvinist. Before you choke on your meal read the article first. (HT: Buzzard)

I am not a fan of Howard Stern (in fact very much opposed) but this is enlightening:

(HT: Brent)