A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

SECT. XIX.

They readily receive the Devils Temptations.

Lastly, In that they are so readily receptive of the Devils temptations. Herein doth appear the pollution of them; The Devil did not more powerfully possess the bodies of some men, then he doth the affections of men by nature; Are not all those delusions in religious ways, and in superstitious ways, because the Devil is in the affections? Hath not the Devil exalted much error, and much false-worship by such who have been very affectionate? Many eminent persons for a while in Religion, as Tertullian, have greatly apostatized from the truth, by being too credulous to such women who have great affections in Religion; So that it is very sad to consider, how greatly our very affections in religious things may be abused, how busy the Devil is to tempt such above all into error, because they will do him the more service; affections being among other powers of the soul like fire among the elements; They are the Chariot-wheels of the soul, and therefore the more danger of them, if running into a false way. The Devil hath his false joy, his false sorrow, and by these he doth detain many in false and damnable ways: Hence the Scripture observeth the subtlety of the Devils instruments, false teachers, how busy they are to pervert women, as being more affectionate, and so the easilier seduced, Matth 23. 14. The Pharisees devoured widows houses by their seeming devotions. Thus false teachers (1 Tim. 3. 6.) did lead captive filly women; by which it appeareth how dangerous our affections are, what strong impressions Satan can make upon them; So that it is hard to say whether the Devils kingdom be more promoted by the subtlety of learned men, or the affections of weak men.