A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

Thirdly, It lifteth up the heart to cry and complain unto God of the cruelty and malice of that spiritual Adversary: but suffers it not to muse upon his blasphemous temptations or to confer with them. If Rabshakeh revile the living God,¹ the people of Judah will hold their peace, and not answer him a word, least being enraged he should blaspheme the more. Direct opposition in such cases stirreth up the outrageous blasphemer to grow more furious. When the Devil requires of our Saviour to fall down and worship him, he reasons not the case, but repelleth him with detestation, Avoid Satan. ²Giving us to understand, that the blasphemous may not be reasoned with, if they should, it would make them but burst forth into greater outrage against the peerless wisdom of God. Wherefore if Satan buffet us with suggestions of this nature, it is our wisdom to turn from him, and to make our complaint unto the Lord. So Hezekiah spread the blasphemous letter of Sennacherib, ³before the Lord: And when the enemies of David insulted over him, as though there had been no help for him in his God, he crieth, Lord, how are mine enemies increased.⁴

Thirdly, It lifteth vp the heart to crie and complaine vnto God of the crueltie and malice of that spirituall Aduersary: but suffers it not to muse vpon his blasphemous temptations or to conferre with them. If Rabshakeh reuile the liuing God,¹ the people of Iudah will hold their peace, and not answere him a word, least being inraged he should blaspheme the more. Direct opposition in such cases stirreth vp the outragious blasphemer to grow more furious. When the Deuill requires of our Sauiour to fall downe and worship him, hee reasons not the case, but repelleth him with detestation, Auoid Satan. ²Giuing vs to vnderstand, that the blasphemous may not be reasoned with, if they should, it would make them but burst forth into greater outrage against the peerelesse wisdome of God. Wherefore if Satan buffet vs with suggestions of this nature, it is our wisdome to turne from him, and to make our complaint vnto the Lord. So Hezekiah spred the blasphemous letter of Sennacherib,