Satan's sophistry answered by our Saviour Christ and in divers sermons further manifested /…Satans sophistrie ansuuered by our Sauiour Christ and in diuers sermons further manifested /…

Now then seeing the devil takes occasion to tempt Christ, even from the infirmity of his humane nature, as he was man: hence we learn whence the devil hath the ground of all his temptations, namely from our selves▪ and from our own nature, and we our selves afford him the matter of his temptations; h• brings the fire and bloweth it, but we afford him the fuel to set it a work. The devil observeth the nature of men, their dispositions ⟨p. 31⟩inclinations and behaviours, and continually prieth into their dealings, and like unto a prudent Captain, who besieging a city, marketh where it is most weak and of least resistance, and there he bends all his forces, and placeth his greatest ordinance, Even so the devil watcheth us and our behaviours, to observe unto what sin we be most addicted, and by nature most inclined, & then he follows our humour and feeds us in our own vain. As if a man be impatient of poverty, he will egg him to stealing, and to unlawful shifts to help himself: if a man be covetous, he will help to prick him forward that way, that he may by hook or crook enrich himself: and so in other sins according as he finds men affected, he will fit his temptations.

Now then seeing the diuell takes occasion to tempt Christ, euen from the infirmitie of his humane nature, as he was man: hence we learne whence the diuell hath the ground of all his temptations, namely from our selues▪ and from our own nature, and we our selue• affoord him the matter of his temptations; h• brings the fire and bloweth it, but we affoord him the fewell to set it a work. The diuell obserueth the nature of men, their dispositions ⟨p. 31⟩inclinations and behauiours, and continually prieth into their dealings, and like vnto a prudent Captain, who besieging a citie, marketh where it is most weake and of least resistance, and there he bends all his forces, and placeth his greatest ordinance, Euen so the diuel watcheth vs and our behauiours, to obserue vnto what sin we be most addicted, and by nature most inclined, & then he followes our humor and feeds vs in our owne vaine. As if a man be impatient of pouertie, he will egge him to stealing, and to vnlawfull shifts to helpe himself: if a man be couetous, he wil help to prick him forward that way, that he may by hook or crooke inrich himselfe: and so in other sins according as he finds men affected, he will fit his temptations.