The combat between Christ and the Devil displayedThe combat betvveene Christ and the Diuell displayed

But to come more particularly to the words of this temptation; If thou be the Son of God command these stones, &c. It may be demanded, why the Devil should make choice of this question wherewith to tempt our Saviour Christ, rather then any other? Answer. The reasons hereof may be these: First, he knew well, that if Christ were the true and proper son of God, then he must needs be the true Messiah; and if he were that anointed of God, then also he it was that must accomplish that old and ancient promise made to our first Parents ^afor the bruising of the serpents head: This was the thing that of all other, the Devil was most afraid of, and could not endure to hear; and therefore by moving this question he intends to infringe, yea and (if he could) quite to overthrow our Saviour Christ in the right of this title. Secondly, The Devil since his fall, bears an unspeakable deadly hatred against God himself, and according to his nature, as occasion serves, he cannot but show the same. Now in this question he doth notably bewray his malice and spite against God; for, whereas in Christs baptism a little before, God had proclaimed him to be his beloved son in whom he was well pleased, hereby the Devil goes about to prove the clean contrary, and so as much as in him lieth, seeks to make God a liar; which, because it fitted his nature so well, he makes choice of at this time.

But to come more particularly to the words of this temptation; If thou be the Sonne of God command these stones, &c. It may be demaunded, why the Diuell should make choise of this question wherewith to tempt our Sauiour Christ, rather then any other? Answer. The reasons heereof may be these: First, he knew well, that if Christ were the true and proper sonne of God, then he must needs be the true Messias; and if he were that anointed of God, then also he it was that must accomplish that old and ancient promise made to our first Parents ^afor the bruising of the serpents head: This was the thing that of all other, the Diuell was most afrayed of, and could not endure to heare; and therefore by mouing this question he intends to infringe, yea and (if he could) quite to ouerthrow our Sauiour Christ in the right of this title. Secondly, The Diuell since his fall, beares an vnspeakable deadly hatred against God himselfe, and according to his nature, as occasion serues, he cannot but shew the same. Now in this question hee doth notably bewray his malice and spite against God; for, wheras in Christs baptisme a little before, God had proclaimed him to be his beloued sonne in whom hee was well pleased, hereby the Diuell goes about to proue the cleane contrary, and so as much as in him lieth, seekes to make God a lier; which, because it fitted his nature so well, he makes choise of at this time.