A09462:179
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.
And in this second temptation we may observe one especial thing,1 which the Devil aims at in his temptations, namely, to persuade him to a vain presumption of Gods mercy. And surely we see the devil prevails much in these days by this argument: for we see how some men cry, God is merciful, God is merciful, and so presume & grow secure in sin, and take occasion of Gods mercy to sooth themselves in their sins. Others, they say, I am either elected or rejected, ⟨p. 66⟩and if I be elected, I am sure I shall be saved howsoever I live; if I be rejected I am sure I shall perish, though I live never so well: and thus men live as they list. Others say, I know the Lord will provide for me, and therefore refuse to live in any calling. And as for those which make profession of the Gospel, the Devil he labours to persuade them, that it is sufficient to profess religion, though they practise not the duties of religion: as the five foolish virgins, who held out their blazing lamps, yet wanted the vessel of oil to maintain their lamps.
And in this second temptation we may obserue one especial thing,1 which the Diuel aimes at in his temptations, namely, to perswade him to a vaine presumption of Gods mercy. And surely we see the diuel preuails much in these days by this argument: for we see how some men crie, God is mercifull, God is mercifull, and so presume & grow secure in sinne, and take occasion of Gods mercie to sooth themselues in their sins. Others, they say, I am either elected or reiected, ⟨p. 66⟩and if I be elected, I am sure I shal be saued howsoeuer I liue; if I be reiected I am sure I shall perish, though I liue neuer so well: and thus men liue as they list. Others say, I know the Lord will prouide for me, and therefore refuse to liue in any calling. And as for those which make profession of the Gospell, the Diuell he labours to perswade them, that it is sufficient to professe religion, though they practise not the duties of religion: as the fiue foolish virgines, who held out their blazing lampes, yet wanted the vessel of oile to maintaine their lampes.