A09463:111
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.
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 ⟨p. 18⟩Satan; for in these few words (the better to effect his purpose) he coucheth three most true and notable points in Divinity: First, that he that is the Son of God by nature, is also true and very God; for here he ascribeth unto the Son of God the true prerogative of God himself; a point wherein the Pharisees withstood our Saviour Christ, and which many heretics since have denied. Secondly, that the true God can without pain or labour, yea without all means at his very beck do whatsoever he will; and by his word only make stones become bread. Thirdly, that to work a miracle of himself, is a property and prerogative of him alone that is true God; as to turn stones into bread in this place. Now when the Devil acknowledgeth all this, a man would not think that herein he should intend any hurt to Christ or to his church; but in very trueth his drift herein is, to destroy the faith of Christ in that word of his father which spake from heaven, and to overthrow the foundation of the church, by proving that Jesus Christ the Son of Mary, was not true God.
Yet marke the diuels words a litle further;1 If thou be the sonne of God, command these stones, &c. that is, doe 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 obserue the deepe policie of ⟨p. 18⟩Satan; for in these few words (the better to effect his purpose) he coucheth three most true and notable points in Diuinitie: First, that he that is the Son of God by nature, is also true and verie God; for heere he ascribeth vnto the Sonne of God the true prerogatiue of God himselfe; a point wherin the Pharisees withstood our Sauiour Christ, and which many heritikes since haue denied. Secondly, that the true God can without paine or labour, yea without all meanes at his verie becke doe whatsoeuer hee will; and by his word only make stones become bread. Thirdly, that to worke a miracle of himselfe, is a property and prerogatiue of him alone that is true God; as to turne stones into bread in this place. Now when the Diuell acknowledgeth all this, a man would not thinke that herein he should intend any hurt to Christ or to his church; but in very trueth his drift heerein is, to destroie the faith of Christ in that word of his father which spake from heauen, and to ouerthrow the foundation of the church, by proouing that Iesus Christ the Sonne of Marie, was not true God.