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 /…

Again, in that the devil seeks to persuade §2Christ that he is not the son of God, (though God by his own voice from heaven had immediately before proclaimed him to be his Son:) hence we may perceive the impudent malice of Satan, who seeketh in all things to contradict God himself. For if the Lord pronounce a blessing upon any man, the devil he will presently pronounce cursing and damnation. If God testify to a mans soul that he is the child of God, the Devil he will labour to persuade him that he is not the child of God. ⟨p. 38⟩If the Lord affirm a wicked man to be out of Gods favour, and no child of God; the devil will labour on the contrary, to persuade him that he is in good estate, & shall be saved, and so fills his heart with extreme presumption, & maketh him more bold then he ought to be.

Again, in that the diuel seekes to perswade §2Christ that he is not the son of God, (though God by his owne voice from heauen had immediatly before proclaimed him to be his Son:) hence we may perceiue the impudent malice of Satan, who seeketh in all things to contradict God himself. For if the Lord pronounce a blessing vpon any man, the diuell he wil presently pronounce cursing and damnation. If God testifie to a mans soule that he is the child of God, the Diuell he wil labour to perswade him that he is not the child of God. ⟨p. 38⟩If the Lord affirme a wicked man to be out of Gods fauor, and no child of God; the diuel will labour on the contrary, to perswade him that he is in good estate, & shal be saued, and so fils his heart with extreme presumption, & maketh him more bold then he ought to be.

Command] That is, as if Satan should have said to Christ, Bid this, or do but speak the word and it shall be done. And herein appeareth the marvellous policy of Satan, who in these few words (the better to bring his purpose to pass) toucheth three especial points of Divinity: First, that he which is the son of God, is true God equal to the Father, which many heretics have denied, and the Pharisees also did not grant; for to work a miracle, it is the proper and peculiar work of God alone. Secondly, the devil confesseth, that God is able to make all things of nothing, and that without all means, matter or helpers, by his almighty power. Thirdly, he confesseth that God can effect a true miracle, and that is proper to God alone, neither can any creature whatsoever work a miracle.