Parris, Samuel . Sermon Notebook of Samuel Parris, 1689-1695
Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library

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   1. Prop: There are Devils as well as Saints in the Church of Christ: Here 3 things may be spoken to


1. Show you what is meant here by Devils

2. That there are such Devils in the Church

3. Last: That there are also true Saints in such Churches


   1. What is meant here by Devils. One of you is a Devil.

   An. By Devil is ordinarily meant any wicked Angel or Spirit: Sometimes it is put for the Prince or head of the evil Spirits, or fallen Angels. Sometimes it is used for vile & wicked persons, the worst of such, who for their villany & impiety do most resemble Devils & wicked Spirits. Thus Christ in our text calls Judas a Devil, for his great likeness to the Devil. One of you is a Devil i.e. a Devil for quality & disposition: not a Devil for Nature, for he was a man &c. but a Devil for likeness & operation. 8. Joh. 38. 41. 44. Ye are of your Father the Devil


   2. There are such Devils in the Church: Not only sinners but notorious sinners; sinners more like to the Devil than others. So here in Christs little Church. Text. This also Christ teacheth us in the Parable of the Tares. 13. Matth. 38. Where Christ tells us that such are the Children of the wicked one. i.e. of the Devil.

   Reason: Because Hypocrites are the very worst of men.



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   Corruptio optimi est pessima. Hypocrites are the sons & heirs of the Devil, the free-holders of hell, whereas other sinners are but Tenants. When Satan repossesseth a Soul he becomes more vile & sinfull. 11. Luke. 24. 25. 26. As the Goaler layes load of iron on him that hath escaped. None are worse than those that have been good, & are naught: & might be good, but will be naught.


   3. Last: There are also true Saints in the Church. The Church consists of good; & bad: as a Garden that has weeds as well as flowers: & as a field that has Wheat as well as Tares. Hince the Gosple is compared to a net that taketh good & bad. 13. Matt. 47. 48. 49. 50. Here are good men to be found, yea ye very best; & here are bad men to be found, yea ye very worst: Such as Shall have the hightest seat in glory; & such also as shall be cast into the lowest & fiercest flames of misery. Saints & Devils. Like Jeremiahs Basket of figs. 24. Jer. 1-4.