A30242:334
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.
1Let us consider, How many ways even by godly eminent men, he may hurt the Church? And
1Let us consider, How many wayes even by godly eminent men, he may hurt the Church? And
- 1How the devil hurts the Church by godly men. 1. When he tempts them away into any error.How the devil hurts the Church by godly men. 1. When he tempts them away into any errour.
First, When he doth tempt and draw them away into any error or falsehood, than their example draweth many after them. The godliness and learning they have, makes a way for an universal reviving of their falsehoods. We see this in Peter, when he, out of fear, complied too much with the Jews, confirming them in their superstition; it's said, He compelled others to live as Jews, Gal. 2.14. How did he compel them? He did not threaten and use violence, as Paul compelled Christians to blaspheme; but his example merely was so potent, none dared do otherwise than Peter, a Pillar of the Church; yea, Insomuch that Barnabas also was led aside by this dissimulation. So that the Devil, if he can no longer by the Chief-priest endanger the Church, he will by the errors of one of the chief Apostles. We might clear this in after ages by several instances, especially Origen, a man so famous for godliness, learning, and suffering for the faith of Christ, that men thought it safer to err with Origen, than be in the truth with others. What a great temptation did he prove to the Church? as Lyrinensis doth excellently amplify it? He could do more hurt by one Origen, than by many Marcionites or Manichees.
First, When he doth tempt and draw them away into any errour or falshood, than their example draweth many after them. The godlinesse and learning they have, makes a way for an universal reviving of their falshoods. We see this in Peter, when he, out of fear, complied too much with the Jews, confirming them in their superstition; it's said, He compelled others to live as Jews,