The combat between Christ and the Devil displayedThe combat betvveene Christ and the Diuell displayed

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:^a Let us continue in sin that grace may abound: of such Jude complaineth, saying,^b They turn the grace of God into wantonness. Such there have been ever since, & at this day they do every where abound. Secondly, some say, they are either ordained to salvation or damnation; now if to salvation, they are sure of it how ever they live; and if to damnation, they cannot escape it, though they live never so holily, for Gods decree is unchangeable; and therefore they will take their pleasure and live as they list. Thirdly others say they have ever found Gods goodness towards them, and they are persuaded he will never see them want, and therefore they will not toil themselves with labour & care as others do, but take their ease and pleasure while they may have it; and so neglect their charge and calling, and give themselves wholly to their sports and pleasures, to company keeping or such like. Yea, by this temptation to presumption, Satan oft prevails with the better sort; for if a man favour the trueth, and give himself to know religion in any sort, the Devil will straight way go about to persuade him, that that which he doth is sufficient to his salvation, & thus will keep him from using further means to come by the certain knowledge of his election, and full affiance in Christ Jesus, to become a ⟨p. 28⟩