A09463:169
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 true and proper meaning of that text is now briefly to be discussed. The ninety-one Psalm, from whence it is alleged, is a most heavenly part of scripture, penned for the comfort of Gods people in the time of some grievous plague or sickness; and it contains a notable preservative against the plague, and by consequent against any judgement of God, to wit, true affiance and confidence in the Lord, that is the ground of all comfortable safety; thereto, among many other, isa this gracious promise made of the protection of Gods holy Angels, (which the Devil doth here allege) who shall be as careful for the safety of Gods children in common calamities of famine, plague, pestilence &c. as the nurse is over her tender child to hold it in her hands, and bear it up in her arms, lest it should fall and hurt it self; always provided that the child of God keep himself in his ways, that is, in obedience to Gods commandments and in the duties of his lawful calling. It is true indeed, that judgement begins at 2the house of God, and the righteous are taken away from the evil to come, yea many times the same outward judgement lights upon the good, that doeth upon the bad: yet this taketh not from Gods child the comfort of this protection in common calamities, for all promises of temporal blessings must be understood with the exception of the cross: as here, Gods Angels shall guard his children in time of plague, famine and pestilence, unless it please God herewith to chasten them for some sin past, or to prevent some sin, or greater evil to come, or to make trial of their faith and patience: in which cases also the child of God doth greatly differ from the wicked; for through the fruition of Gods love in Christ the evil of the punishment is taken away, and the outward smart thereofb sanctified to the greater good of his soul: but out of this case their protection is certain: see Exod. 12. 23. Psal. 105. 16. 17. & Ezek. 9. 4. 6.