Baptist History, Heritage& Distinctives \u2013 Christmas Evans \u2013 When the Devil Comes to Church \u2013 PART SIX of TEN<\/strong><\/p>\n The famous Welsh preacher, Christmas Evans, once vividly described what he imagined Satan would look like if he came to church: If one day, then, in human form he took his place amongst the hearers of the everlasting Gospel, we may fancy that, in order to hinder and annoy as much as possible, he would take his seat in a conspicuous place, either under the pulpit or in front of the gallery, before the eyes of all. Then he would pull ugly faces and close his eyes, and appear as if asleep. He would most anxiously guard against giving the slightest indication of being touched by what was said. Not a trace of conviction, submission, peace and joy should on any account ever appear. He would scowl and knit his brows and shake his head, and show every disapproval of the Gospel he hears, as if he would change every man in the place into the same devilish disposition. Such, I say, would be the deportment of the arch-enemy as a hearer of the Word of God.<\/p>\n But have we not seen many that have the name of Christ upon them an exact picture of this?<\/p>\n Thomas E. Kresal \u2013 Quoted in Owen Jones, Some of the Great Preachers of Wales (Stoke-on-Trent, UK: Tentmaker Publications, 1995), 179.<\/p>\n Share<\/p>\n MeWe \u2013 The Next-Gen Social Network<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nThe way in which a man hears the Gospel is an index to the state of his heart and the nature of his affections and desires. If we were to suppose that Satan came into the congregation, what kind of hearer would he be? He is the inveterate enemy of all truth, righteousness and godliness; and the sanctification of the soul, devotion, and spiritual affections in the worshippers of the house of God vex [annoy] him sorely [greatly].<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n