A09463:152
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.
Seeing this is a distinct temptation from the former, I doubt not but it must be thus framed with this conclusion: for if it had the same conclusion with the former it should be the same temptation. Satan's meaning then is this, as if he had said; I have made trial to see expressly whether thou be the Son of God or not, and it seems thou doest undoubtedly believe that voice of thy father to be true, which said, This is my well-beloved Son in whom I am well pleased: Now if this be so indeed, it is convenient thou shouldest confirm the same by some miracle, and the fittest place thou canst do it in, is this; therefore cast thy self down headlong from this pinnacle, and yet preserve thy self in safety without all hurt in the fall.
Seeing this is a distinct temptation from the former, I doubt not but it must be thus framed with this conclusion: for if it had the same conclusion with the former it should be the same temptation. Satans meaning then is this, as if he had said; I haue made triall to see expresly whether thou be the sonne of God or not, and it seemes thou doest vndoubtedly beleeue that voice of thy father to be true, which said, This is my welbeloued sonne in whom I am wel pleased: Now if this be so indeed, it is conuenient thou shouldest confirme the same by some miracle, and the fittest place thou canst doe it in, is this; therefore cast thy selfe downe headlong from this pinnacle, and yet preserue thy selfe in safety without all hurt in the fall.
The drift of Satan in this temptation was, to bring our Saviour Christ to a vain confidence in his Fathers protection, and indeed to flat presumption upon his extraordinary providence in the neglect of lawful ordinary means, as by Satan's conclusion, & the answer of Christ will easily appear.1 And hereby we may observe that one main drift of Satan in his ordinary temptations in Gods church, is to carry men to presumption, and vain confidence in the love, favour, and mercy of God: this appears by the strange reasonings for liberty in sin which many frame to themselves, and some are not ashamed to utter; as first, God is merciful, and Christ shed his blood for their redemption, and therefore they will not be so strict and precise in hearing sermons, and reading & conferring about the word as many are, but they will take the pleasures and seek the profits of this life. Thus reasoned some in the Apostles days: