A09463:109
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.
The use. I. In this practise of the devil we may learn what to judge of sundry false teachers; for as well in the Primitive Church as also since that time, there have been sundry men of great same for wisdom and learning, as Ebion, Cerinthus, Carpoorates, Samosatenus, and Arrius; who have all laboured severally to prove, that Jesus Christ the Son of Mary was not indeed the Son of God, very God, but only a worthy Prophet. Now of them we may safely think with the church of God in former times, that they were false prophets, heretics and seducers, yea the professed enemies of Christ, guided by the spirit of Satan, for herein they do directly tread in his steps.
The vse. I. In this practise of the diuel we may learne what to iudge of sundrie false teachers; for as well in the Primitiue Church as also since that time, there haue beene sundry men of great same for wisdome and learning, as Ebion, Cerinthus, Carpoorates, Samosatenus, and Arrius; who haue all laboured seuerally to prooue, that Iesus Christ the Sonne of Marie was not indeed the Sonne of God, verie God, but onely a woorthie Prophet. Now of them we may safely thinke with the church of God in former times, that they were false prophets, heretikes and seducers, yea the professed enemies of Christ, guided by the spirit of Satan, for heerein they doe directly tread in his steps.
II. In this his practise we may observe the malicious and contradicting spirit of Satan against God himself, for here he labours to conclude that Christ was not the Son of God, notwithstanding God himself had a little before avouched that he was. And this is his continued practise unto this day; for where God in his church pronounceth grace, mercy and love, there on the contrary will the Devil pronounce a curse, hatred, and damnation. Again, where God denounceth his curse and judgement, there will the devil seek to persuade a conceit of grace and favour. If a man be the child of God, and have received the seal of grace for his assurance thereof; the Devil will seek to weaken this assurance, and persuade him if he can, that he is the child of wrath. And if a man be void of grace, and so indeed the child of the Devil, then will Satan suggest into his heart presumptuous thoughts, and make him think he is the child of God; so that every way he shows himself contrary to God.