The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

¹Secondly, If he cannot corrupt their minds, then he tempts eminent instruments in the Church to some failing in their lives, to some unjustifiable practices, that so their whole Doctrine may be condemned. How circumspectly and warily did Paul walk, that the enemies of the Gospel might not have wherewith to blaspheme? Therefore our Saviour said, The Devil had desired to winnow the Apostles, Luke 22.31. In winnowing there is the purging of the wheat, and the driving away of the chaff. Now the Devil hoped for the later, to find them but chaff; as he thought by his temptations to make it appear, Job was but an hypocrite, and served God only for carnal ends. And thus the Devil he labours to stir up flesh and blood in them; as it was woeful in Peter to deny his Master, whereby profane persons might say, who would care what Peter saith, he in danger will lie and forswear his own Master? Especially Judas was a fit instrument for him, he used him, to bring about the death of Christ; so that Judas did as much hurt, as all the Priests; for he was one of Christs followers, knew his way, and for him to become Satan's instrument, this made much for the kingdom of Satan. Not that Judas was once truly godly, as some plead alate, thereby proving the Apostasy of the Saints; but in esteem and appearance he was for a while (at least) reputed of as a Saint.

¹Secondly, If he cannot corrupt their minds, then he tempts eminent instruments in the Church to some failing in their lives, to some unjustifiable practices, that so their whole Doctrine may be condemned. How circumspectly and warily did Paul walk, that the enemies of the Gospel might not have wherewith to blaspheme? Therefore our Saviour said, The Devil had desired to winnow the Apostles, Luke 22.31. In winnowing there is the purging of the wheat, and the driving away of the chaff. Now the Devil hoped for the later, to find them but chaff; as he thought by his temptations to make it appear, Job was but an hypocrite, and served God only for carnal ends. And thus the Devil he labours to stirre up flesh and bloud in them; as it was wofull in Peter to deny his Master, whereby prophane persons might say, who would care what Peter saith, he in danger will lie and forswear his own Master? Especially Judas was a fit instrument for him, he used him, to bring about the death of Christ; so that Judas did as much hurt, as all the Priests; for he was one of Christs followers, knew his way, and for him to become Satans instrument, this made much for the kingdome of Satan. Not that Judas was once truly godly, as some plead alate, thereby proving the Apostasie of the Saints; but in esteem and appearance he was for a while (at least) reputed of as a Saint.