CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

2. As there have been such unsound hypocrites always in the Church, so it is the great endeavour of the devil to tempt and to set on those that are most eminent to throw them in the mire, for hereby he will promote his own kingdom; The scandals and stumbling-blocks of men reputed of in the Church are the greatest advantage to the devil, Luk. 22. Satan hath desired to winnow you; As Goliath challenged the stoutest Israelite thinking by vanquishing of him to dismay all the rest; Thus the devil if he can overcome an Apostle, a Disciple, then all the rest will easily yield; The devil desired to winnow them more then all others; Not only the high places in temporal respects but even in the Church are slippery and dangerous; Those that are lifted above others in Religion, in parts, in esteem, they are more in danger then ten thousand of other Christians, for if they fall they draw more with them: If a tall Tree fall, it beats down all the shrubs under it; If a pillar of the house fall, it endangers all the buildings; It is noted of the devil that he used the Serpent at first to entice Eve, because that was more subtle then any other Creature of the Field, and the devil still takes the same way, The subtlest and most notable Instruments he striveth to pervert them; Men of the best parts, the greatest learning, the hottest zeal, It is such as he looked after: Thus in Antiquity many of the Heretics were of great Learning, plausible Eloquence, subtle Insinuations, specious Piety, and thereby they did the more hurt; Therefore ⟨p. 379⟩the more reputed thou art in the Church of God, know thy Condition to be the more dangerous; The devil will never give over till one way or other he make thee a Scandal; Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall.

2. As there have been such unsound hypocrites alwaies in the Church, so it is the great endeavour of the devil to tempt and to set on those that are most eminent to throw them in the mire, for hereby he will promote his own kingdome; The scandals and stumbling-blocks of men reputed of in the Church are the greatest advantage to the devil, Luk. 22. Satan hath desired to winnow you; As Goliah challenged the stoutest Israelite thinking by vanquishing of him to dismay all the rest; Thus the devil if he can overcome an Apostle, a Disciple, then all the rest will easily yeeld; The devil desired to winnow them more then all others; Not only the high places in temporal respects but even in the Church are slippery and dangerous; Those that are lifted above others in Religion, in parts, in esteem, they are more in danger then ten thousand of other Christians, for if they fall they draw more with them: If a tall Tree fall, it beats down all the shrubs under it; If a pillar of the house fall, it endangers all the buildings; It is noted of the devil that he used the Serpent at first to entice Eve, because that was more subtle then any other Creature of the Field, and the devil still takes the same way, The subtlelest and most notable Instruments he striveth to pervert them; Men of the best parts, the greatest learning, the hottest zeal, It is such as he looked after: Thus in Antiquity many of the Heretiques were of great Learning, plausible Eloquence, subtle Insinuations, specious Piety, and thereby they did the more hurt; Therefore