The dying man's testament to the Church of Scotland, or, A treatise concerning scandal…

3. We say, although the Lord be not, neither can be accessory to this delusion, as it is sinful, (for this impossibility belongeth to His infinite and blessed perfection) yet hath He a just hand in the complexed design, which doth add exceedingly to the strength of the delusion. As, 1. He may justly give the devil way to set on with his tentations, at one time, and on one person, more than at another time, or in reference to an other person, as by proportion we may gather from the case of Job. 2. He may furnish men with gifts that are of themselves good, and justly permit them to use the same, for the promoving of error; this hath been often exceedingly instrumental, in the furthering of Satan's design in all ages, wherein he hath made use of some great Scholars, and men of subtle wits to oppose the truth, and to pervert the Scriptures of God, as is clear in all the heresies that ever have been; and this is no less just in God, to furnish with parts, an instrument of a spiritual plague, than to give strength and power to some whom he employeth, in temporal judgements, who also may be found guilty before him, for abusing ⟨p. 173⟩of the same. Hence it is said, 2 Thess. 2. 2. that there is not only a word and letter to shake the minds of people at such a time, but there is also a Spirit or gift in an eminent degree, and therefore it is called, ver. 10. All deceivableness; and, no question, these that called themselves Apostles, 2 Cor. 11. 13. and made Paul's gifts to be accounted weak in respect of theirs, had more than ordinary gifts; and in this respect, sometime the Lord saith, a false Prophet might foretell something that was to come to pass; and so truly have an extraordinary gift, when yet the Lords design is by such, to try the peoples adherence to him, Deut. 13. 1, 2, 3. Thus often promovers of error may be gifted with ability to reason, make queries, shift arguments and places of Scripture, preach well, pray well with a great deal of eloquence, and liberty of plausible expressions, yea, they may possibly not want, as it were, signs and wonders (as in the place formerly cited) and yet the Lords end be to try, as is said: of this sort are such as are spoken of,