A09463:103
The combat between Christ and the Devil displayedThe combat betvveene Christ and the Diuell displayed
The combat between Christ and the Devil displayed: or A commentary upon the temptations of Christ: preached in Cambridge by that reverend and judicious divine M. William PerkinsThe combat betvveene Christ and the Diuell displayed: or A commentarie vpon the temptations of Christ: preached in Cambridge by that reuerend and iudicious diuine M. William Perkins
London: printed by Melchizedek Bradwood for E. Edgar, 1606London: printed by Melchisedech Bradwood for E. Edgar, 1606
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
More particularly we are to observe that special branch of Gods word which the Devil would have Christ not to believe; even that voice of his Father, which a little before Christ heard from heaven at his baptism; This is my well-beloved Son in whom I am well pleased: And this hath the holy Ghost recorded in great wisdom and mercy to Gods ⟨p. 16⟩Church; for hereby doth appear a main drift of Satan against Christs members in his temptations, namely to make them doubt of their adoption,1 and to destroy this persuasion in them, that they are the sons and daughters of God; for if herein he spared not the head, doubtless the members shall not escape his hands. This appears by his usual assault against them, specially when God shall lay upon them any lingering cross or affliction, either in mind, in body, or in goods; then the devil will suggest this into their minds; If thou wert the child of God, he would never lay his hand upon thee so long a time and in so grievous manner; never was any child of God in this case that thou art in: But God lays his hand thus heavy on thee; and therefore thou mayest persuade thy self that thou art not the child of God.
More particularly we are to obserue that special branch of Gods word which the Diuell would haue Christ not to beleeue; euen that voice of his Father, which a little before Christ heard from heauen at his baptisme; This is my welbeloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased: And this hath the holy Ghost recorded in great wisedome and mercie to Gods ⟨p. 16⟩Church; for heereby doth appeare a main drift of Satan against Christs members in his temptations, namely to make them doubt of their adoption,1 and to destroy this perswasion in them, that they are the sonnes and daughters of God; for if heerein he spared not the head, doubtlesse the members shall not escape his hands. This appeares by his vsual assault against them, specially when God shall lay vpon them any lingring crosse or affliction, either in mind, in body, or in goods; then the diuel will suggest this into their minds; If thou werst the childe of God, he would neuer lay his hand vpon thee so long a time and in so grieuous maner; neuer was any child of God in this case that thou art in: But God laies his hand thus heauie on thee; and therefore thou maiest perswade thy selfe that thou art not the child of God.