A09462:120
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 /…
Satan's sophistry answered by our Saviour Christ and in divers sermons further manifested / by that worthy man Master William Perkins ; to which is added, a comfort for the feeble minded, wherein is set down the temptations of a Christian.Satans sophistrie ansuuered by our Sauiour Christ and in diuers sermons further manifested / by that worthy man Maister William Perkins ; to which is added, a comfort for the feeble minded, wherein is set downe the temptations of a Christian.
London: printed by Richard Field for E.E., 1604
SATANS SOPHISTRY ANSWERED BY OUR SAVIOUR CHRIST.SATANS SOPHISTRIE ANSWERED BY OVR SAVIOVR CHRIST.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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.
Commaund] That is, as if Satan should haue said to Christ, Bid this, or do but speake the word and it shall be done. And herein appeareth the maruellous pollicy of Satan, who in these few words (the better to bring his purpose to passe) toucheth three especiall points of Diuinitie: First, that he which is the son of God, is true God equal to the Father, which many heretickes haue denied, and the Pharisies also did not graunt; for to worke a miracle, it is the proper and peculiar work of God alone. Secondly, the diuell confesseth, that God is able to make all things of nothing, and that without all meanes, matter or helpers, by his almightie power. Thirdly, he confesseth that God can effect a true miracle, and that is proper to God alone, neither can any creature whatsoeuer worke a miracle.
Now when the devil acknowledged all this, one would have thought he should have intended no harm in these words: but the truth is, we shall see that in the propounding ⟨p. 39⟩of these points, his policy was to overthrow the faith of Christ; and he in propounding of the truth, doth it not for any love or liking to it, but that he might more easily deceive our Saviour, to bring him to doubt whether he was indeed that Son of God or not.