Satan’s Devices to Destroy and Ensnare All Sorts and Ranks of Men in the World. –Part 2 of 4
II. Device Against the Learned and the Wise
By moving them to pride themselves on their parts and abilities, and to despise men of greater grace but inferior abilities:
For remedies, consider that
A. Men have nothing but what they have received, gifts as well as saving grace coming alike from Christ
B. Men’s trusting to their parts and abilities has been their utter ruin
C. You do not transcend others more in parts and abilities than you do in grace and holiness
D. Men who pride themselves on their gifts and set themselves against the saints will find that God blasts and withers their gifts
-Thomas Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices, 1652.