A09463:139
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. By this we see, that men may be transported by the Devil from place to place, as the records of all ages do report: this one thing yet observed (wherein the common opinion faileth) that the Devil cannot convey a man alive so far in a little time, as many men think; as a thousand or two thousand miles in an hour; for no man is able to endure such violent motion and yet live, as experience teacheth; let a man fall from some high steeple, and his breath will be gone and he dead before he come at the ground, by reason of the violence of his motion. Indeed the Devil can carry a man very swiftly, but yet for the safety of mans life he must prolong his time far more, than otherwise of himself he needs to do.
The vse. By this we see, that men may be transported by the Diuell from place to place, as the records of all ages do report: this one thing yet obserued (wherin the common opinion faileth) that the Diuell cannot conuey a man aliue so far in a little time, as many men thinke; as a thousand or two thousand miles in an houre; for no man is able to endure such violent motion and yet liue, as experience teacheth; let a man fall from some high steeple, and his breath wilbe gone and hee dead before hee come at the ground, by reason of the violence of his motion. Indeed the Diuell can carrie a man very swiftly, but yet for the safetie of mans life he must prolong his time far more, than otherwise of himselfe hee needs to doe.
Secondly,1 hence we learn that by Gods permission, the Devil may have power over the bodies of Gods own children which are true believers, to transport them from place to place; for dealing thus with the head Christ Jesus, why may he not do so with any of his members? besides, we find (that God permitting him) he hath done more than this to the Saints of God; he may possess their bodies, as he did the woman of Canaan's daughter, Mat. 15. 22. He may torment them long, as he did exceeding grievously bow the body of a daughter of Abraham eighteen years,