he
Bible; for he quoted Scripture, in his temptation of our Saviour. And as
he has great experience in the world, he must have a great knowledge of
human nature, so to be able to suit his temptations to the peculiar
constitutions of individuals.

3. _He is wicked._ "The devil sinneth from the beginning." He is called
the _wicked one_; or, by way of eminence, "_The Wicked._" He is
altogether wicked. There is not one good quality in his character.

4. _He is crafty, and full of deceit and treachery._ He lays snares for
the unwary. That he may the more readily deceive the people of God, he
appears to them in the garb of religion. "Satan himself is transformed
into an angel of light." In consequence of his cunning and craft, he is
called the serpent.[C] He is also represented as deceiving the
nations.[D] Hence we are cautioned against the _wiles_ of the devil.[E]

[Footnote C: Gen. 3; Isa. 27:1; Rev. 12:9]

[Footnote D: Rev. 20:8.]

[Footnote E: Eph. 6:11.]

5. _He is a liar._ The first thing recorded of him is the lie which he
told our first parents, to persuade them to disobey God. Hence our
Saviour calls him a "liar from the beginning."[F]

[Footnote F: John 8:44.]

6. _He is malicious._ As Satan is the enemy of God, so he hates
everything that is good. He is continually bent on mischief. If his
power were not restrained, he would introduce general disorder, anarchy
and confusion, into the government of God. He loves to ruin immortal
souls; and he takes delight in vexing the people of God. Hence he is
called _Destroyer_,[G] _Adversary_, _Accuser_, _Tormentor_, and
_Murderer_.[H]

[Footnote G: _Abaddon_ signifies _destroyer_.]

[Footnote H: Rev. 9:11; I Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:10; Matt. 18:34; John 8:44.]

Now, since we are beset by an adversary of such knowledge and power, so
sly and artful, so false, and so malicious, it becomes us to be well
acquainted with all his arts, that we maybe on our guard against them.
The apostle Paul says, "For we are not ignorant of his devices." O, that
every Christian could say so! How many sad falls would be prevented! I
Will mention a few of the devices of Satan, which are manifest both from
the Holy Scriptures, and from the experience of eminent saints who have
been enabled to detect and distinguish his secret workings in their own
hearts. It is the opinion of some great and good men, that the devil can
suggest thoughts to our minds only through the _imagination_. Th