A09463:187
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 reasons why the Devil carries Christ to an high mountain may be these: first, the Devil hath a great desire to imitate God in his glorious works, that so he may disgrace the works of God, yea and God himself as much as he can. Now we readb that God took up Moses into mount Nebo, from whence he showed him all the land of Canaan; so Satan, that he might seem to go beyond God, takes up Christ into an exceeding high mountain to show him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. Secondly, he did it for the furtherance of this last assault wherewith he tempted Christ, for he meant to entice Christ with the glory of the world, and therefore brings him where he might take the fairest view thereof.
The reasons why the Diuell carries Christ to an high mountaine may bee these: first, the Diuel hath a great desire to imitate God in his glorious workes, that so hee may disgrace the workes of God, yea and God himselfe as much as he can. Now we readb that God tooke vp Moses into mount Nebo, from whence hee shewed him all the land of Canaan; so Satan, that he might seeme to go beyond God, takes vp Christ into an exceeding high mountaine to shew him all the kingdomes of the world and the glory of them. Secondly, he did it for the furtherance of this last assault wherewith hee tempted Christ, for hee meant to entice Christ with the glory of the world, and therefore brings him where hee might take the fairest view thereof.
- bDeut. 34. 1. 2. &c.
Now in that Satan transports the body of our Saviour Christ this second time,1 we see that by Gods permission, Satan may have power over the bodies of Gods children, to transport the same from place to place, or otherwise to vex them, and that not once only, but sundry times. This we must observe, and remember carefully as a stay and prop against distrust & despair, if God should suffer Satan to vex us, by such transporting of our bodies from place to place, or by any outward calamity; & that not once or twice but divers times; for that which befell the head Christ Jesus, may well befall any of his members.