A09462:182
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.
Cast thy self down.] He would have Christ not to show by his doctrine, but to work a miracle, that he may know him to be the son of God. This shows the nature of all wicked men; they care not for the doctrine of God, but they cry out for miracles: as we may see in Herod, he desired to see our Saviour Christ work some miracle, but he contemned his word and doctrine. And the Jews who persecuted Christ and his Gospel, yet when he was upon the cross, ⟨p. 68⟩they would have him work a miracle, to come down when he was nailed hand and foot. And all wicked men are of the same nature, more to regard and desire a miracle, then to hear the blessed doctrine of Jesus Christ.
Cast thy selfe downe.] He would haue Christ not to shew by his doctrine, but to worke a miracle, that he may know him to be the son of God. This shewes the nature of all wicked men; they care not for the doctrine of God, but they crie out for miracles: as we may see in Herod, he desired to see our Sauiour Christ worke some miracle, but he contemned his word and doctrine. And the Iewes who persecuted Christ and his Gospel, yet when he was vpon the crosse, ⟨p. 68⟩they would haue him worke a miracle, to come downe when he was nailed hand and foote. And all wicked men are of the same nature, more to regard and desire a miracle, then to heare the blessed doctrine of Iesus Christ.
Cast thy self down] The Devil having proved before the faith of Christ to be most constant, that he would not so much as doubt of his fathers providence in his greatest need, now he takes occasion from the graces and gifts of Christ to bring him to presume, and to have a vain confidence of his fathers protection. And so will the Devil deal with all the members of Christ; if he cannot prevail by our weaknesses to bring us to despair, then he will take occasion by the graces and gifts he sees in us, to make us presume: as often he prevails by this means to make men swell and think highly of themselves for some grace they have received, of learning, wit, eloquence, &c. to puff men up with satanical pride and overweening o themselves.