Against Principalities

Against principalities.

           The devil or whole pack of them are here des­cribed by their government in this world —principalities.  The term principalities is here used in the abstract for the concrete; that is, such as have a principality.  So, Titus 3:1, we are bid to be subject to principalities and powers, that is, princes and rulers; so the Vulgate reads it.  We wrestle against princes, which some will have to express the eminency of their nature above man’s; that as the state and spirit of princes is more raised above others—great men have great spirits—as Zebah and Zalmunna to Gideon, asking who they were they slew at Tabor; ‘As thou art,’ say they, ‘so were they, each one resembled the children of a king,’ that is, for majesty and presence beseeming a princely race; so they think, the eminent nature of angels here to be intended, who are as far above the highest prince, as he above the basest peasant.  But because they are described by their na­ture in the fourth branch, I shall subscribe to their judgment, who take this for their principality or gov­ernment, which the devil exerciseth in this lower world; and the note shall be,

[What a principality Satan hath.]

           Doctrine.  That Satan is a great prince.  Christ himself styles him the 'prince of this world,’ John 14:30.  Princes have their thrones where they sit in state; Satan hath his—Thou dwellest where Satan hath his throne, Rev. 2:13; and that such a one, as no earthly princes may compare [with].  Few kings are enthroned in the hearts of their subjects; they rule their bodies and command their purses, but how oft in a day are they pulled out of their thrones by the wishes of their discontented subjects.  But Satan hath the heart of all his subjects.  Princes have their hom­age and peculiar honour done to them.  Satan is served upon the knee of his subjects; the wicked are said to worship the devil, Rev. 13:4.  No prince expects such worship as he; no less than religious worship will serve him.  Jeroboam is said to ordain priests for devils, II Chr. 11:15; and therefore he [Satan] is called not only the prince, but the god of this world, be­cause he hath the worship of a god given him. Princes, such as are absolute, have a legislative power, nay, their own will is their law, as at this day in Turkey, where their laws are written in no other tables than in the proud sultan’s breast.  Thus Satan gives law to the poor sinner, who is bound and must obey, though the law be writ with his own blood, and the creature hath nothing but damnation for fulfilling the devil's lust.  It is called a ‘law of sin,’ Rom. 8:2, be­cause it comes with authority.  Princes have their ministers of state, whom they employ for the safety and enlargement of their territories; so Satan his, who propagates his cursed designs, [and] therefore we read of ‘doctrines of devils,’ I Tim. 4:1.  

Princes have their secrets of government, which none knows but a few favourites in whom they confide.  Thus the devil hath his mysteries of iniquity, and depths of Satan we read of, which all his subjects know not of, Rev. 2:24; these are imparted to a few favourites, such as Elymas, whom Paul calls ‘full of subtlety, and child of the devil;’ such, whose consciences are so debauched, that they scruple not the most horrid sins; these are his white boys.  I have read of a people in America that love meat best when it is rotten and stinks.  The devil is of their diet.  The more corrupt and rotten the creature is in sin, the better he pleaseth his tooth. Some are more the children of the devil than others.  Christ had his beloved disciple; and Satan those that lie in his very bosom, and know what is in his heart.  In a word, princes have their tribute and custom; so Satan his.  Indeed he doth not so much share with the sinner in all, but is owner of all he hath; so that the devil is the merchant, and the sinner but the broker to trade for him, who at last puts all his gains into the devil's purse.  Time, strength, parts, yea, conscience and all, is spent to keep him in his throne.