and as far as they are able hinder our work: seeing it does not appear to them to be the work of God, but either of man or of the devil. He that thinks, speaks and acts in such a manner as this, in the highest sense, followeth not us.
7. I do not indeed conceive, That the person of whom the apostle speaks in the text (altho' we have no particular account of him, either in the context, or in any other part of holy writ) went so far as this. We have no ground to suppose, That there was any material difference between him and the apostles; much less that he had any prejudice either against them or their Master. It seems we may gather thus much from our Lord's own words, which immediately follow the text, There is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. But I purposely put the case in the strongest light, adding all the circumstances which can well be conceived: that being forewarned of the temptation in its full strength, we may in no case yield to it, and fight against God.
III. 1. Suppose then a man have no intercourse
with us, suppose he be not of our party, suppose
he separate from our church, yea, and widely
differ from us, both in judgment, practice, and
affection; yet if we see even this man casting
out devils, Jesus saith. Forbid him not. This important
direction of our Lord, I am, in the third
place, to explain.
