An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…

The Devil is the tempter. His strength and practise is not always by force of arms, but by subtle persuasions & other sleights. He reasoneth with Eve, why she would not taste of the apple, which was sweet, pleasant & delicate. Telleth the poor woman: god did nothing but mock her. ⟨p. 96⟩For God knew, what day they should eat• thereof, their eyes should be opened, and they should know as much as God. He came to Christ, and said, Command that these stones be made bread, and cast thy self down, if thou be the Son of God: then thou shalt be worshipped, and taken for a great Prophet. He tempted David after this sort, why wilt thou serve God? he hath advanced thine enemies, and hath forsaken thee, and left thee in misery, I fretted (saith David) at the foolish: ¹These are the wicked, yet prosper they alway and increase in riches. Certainly I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency, for daily have I been punished, and chastened every morning. Mine heart was vexed: so foolish was I and ignorant. I was a beast before thee. He tempted Job the faithful servant of God, and told him, that he was righteous and holy, and gave alms in vain: that God had no regard to his prayers, and would not hear.

The Diuel is the tempter. His strength and practise is not alwaies by force of armes, but by suttle persuasions & other sleights. He reasoneth wt Eue, why she would not tast of ye apple, which was swéete, pleasant & delicate. Telleth ye poore woman: god did nothing but mocke hir. ⟨p. 96⟩For God knewe, what day they shoulde eat• thereof, their eies should be opened, and they should knowe as much as God. Hee came to Christ, and sayd, Commaund that these stones be made breade, and cast thy selfe downe, if thou be the sonne of God: then thou shalt be worshipped, and taken for a great Prophet. He tempted Dauid after this sort, why wilt thou serue God? he hath aduaunced thine enemies, and hath forsaken thée, and left thée in miserie, I fretted (sayth Dauid) at the foolish: ¹These are the wicked, yet prosper they alway and encrease in riches. Certainely I haue clensed my heart in vaine, and washed my handes in innocencie, for dayly haue I beene punished, and chastened euerie morning. Mine heart was vexed: so foolish was I and ignoraunt. I was a beast before thee. He tempted Iob the faithful seruaunt of God, and tolde him, that he was righteous and holy, and gaue almes in vaine: that God had no regard to his prayers, and would not heare.