A30242:327
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
That when the Devil cannot hurt the Church by a profane and sinful Ministry, then he labours to destroy it by abusing the names and esteem of those who are truly holy and eminent.
That when the Devil cannot hurt the Church by a prophane and sinfull Ministery, then he labours to destroy it by abusing the names and esteem of those who are truly holy and eminent.
The Devil hath his methods, Eph. 6.11. and he is the old Dragon for cruelty and craft; sometimes he is compared to a Lion roaring, and that is in times of persecution; sometimes to a glittering and curious Serpent, and that is in subtle pretences and colours. Now Bernard said, Timeo Serpentem magis quam leonem rugientem: yea he is said to have his depths, Rev. 2.24. his secrets, and mysteries of his state of darkness; and as they say of some witchery, that it comes by praising: Hence that phrase praefiscisne loquor, when we are about to praise any, so the Devil when he cannot destroy souls by stirring up wicked instruments, he will endeavour that men should think of good instruments more then they ought.1
- 1What is the common and most notorious way of Satans doing hurt to the Church of God? 1. By corrupting the lives and conversations of the Ministry.
To open this, First take notice, What is the common and most notorious way of Satan's doing hurt to the Church of God, by the Ministers and Officers in the Church, And this way he would always take, if he could.