A Golden Chain

And thus much for the communication. Now followeth Judas his treason: wherein we are to observe these things. I. the qualities and conditions of the man that did the treason. He was by calling a disciple chosen to be an Apostle, which is the chiefest in Ecclesial callings: and among the disciples he was in some account; because he was as it were a steward in Christs family, and bare the bag: but yet he was a traitor, and did more against Christ then all the Jews did. For he brought them to the place where they might apprehend him: and when they were come did point him out unto them, and delivered him into their hands: nay he gave them a sign and token, saying, Whom I kiss, he it is: take him and lead him away warily. Here we see the cause why Christ called Judas a Devil:¹ for he said. Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil. ²He became to be a devil and a traitor by nourishing a wicked and a covetous heart. And hear we are taught that the ministers of the word, if they make no conscience of sin, by the just judgement of God do prove devils incarnate: this example of Judas doth manifest the same: and the reason is plain, for the more knowledge a man hath, the more wicked he is if he want grace. They are like in this case unto a man that hath meat and drink enough, but no stomach to digest meat: whereby the more he eateth, the more it turneth to his hurt. This I speak not to deface the callings of ministers; but that those which preach Gods word, should not do it with impenitent hearts, living in their own sins. For it is a fearful thing for a man to speak unto the people of the pardon of their sin, and yet himself not to apprehend the same by faith. A lump of wax if you keep it from heat,³ or from the fire it keeps his own form still, but if it be held to the fire, it melts and runs abroad: so ministers who by reason of their callings come near God, if they be lumps of iniquity and live in their sins, they shall find that the corruptions of their hearts will melt abroad as wax at the fire. And therefore every one that is designed to this calling, must first purge himself of his own sins,⁴ or else Gods judgements shall fall upon him, as they did on Judas that betrayed Christ.