A09463:110
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.
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.
II. In this his practise we may obserue the malicious and contradicting spirit of Satan against God himselfe, for heere he labours to conclude that Christ was not the Sonne of God, notwithstanding God himselfe had a little before auouched that he was. And this is his continued practise vnto this day; for where God in his church pronounceth grace, mercie and loue, there on the contrarie will the Diuell pronounce a curse, hatred, and damnation. Againe, where God denounceth his curse and iudgement, there will the diuell seeke to perswade a conceit of grace and fauour. If a man be the childe of God, and haue receiued the seale of grace for his assurance thereof; the Diuell will seeke to weaken this assurance, and perswade him if he can, that he is the childe of wrath. And if a man be voide of grace, and so indeed the childe of the Diuell, then will Satan suggest into his heart presumptuous thoughts, and make him thinke he is the childe of God; so that euerie way hee shewes himselfe contrarie to God.
Yet mark the devils words a little further;1 If thou be the Son of God, command these stones, &c. that is, do but say the word, and bid these stones to become bread, and it will be done. And here in the very propounding of this temptation we may observe the deep policy of