A09463:192
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.
Herein the Devil showeth great power and skill in that he can represent unto the eye in his counterfeit visions such strange and admirable sights. And it teacheth us, that the practises of sorcerers and magicians, undertaking to represent unto the eye, partly in the air, and partly in glasses, either the persons of men that lived long since, or actions done in far countries, or long before, are not mere fancies as some think, who deny altogether that such things can be showed: for the Devil can resemble things done long since and a far off; for if he could set such a sight before the eye of our Saviour Christ in vision, as the view of the whole world, and the glory thereof, then much more can he represent unto the eye of man strange and marvellous things.
Heerein the Diuell sheweth great power and skill in that he can represent vnto the eie in his counterfet visions such strange and admirable sights. And it teacheth vs, that the practises of forcerers and magicians, vndertaking to represent vnto the eie, partly in the aire, and partly in glasses, either the persons of men that liued long since, or actions done in farre countries, or long before, are not meere fancies as some thinke, who deny altogether that such things can be shewed: for the Diuell can resemble things done long since and a far off; for if he could set such a sight before the eie of our Sauiour Christ in vision, as the view of the whole world, and the glory thereof, then much more can he represent vnto the eie of man strange and maruellous things.
The Devils drift in this resemblance unto Christ is this; hereby he intended most cunningly to insinuate himself into the heart of our Saviour Christ: for before he propounds this third assault, he shows unto Christ all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, that Christ might take a liking of them, and so desire them, and at length accept of them upon Satan's offer. Thus he dealt with our first parents;a upon their first communication he shows unto Eve the outward beauty of the forbidden fruit, that it was fair to lock upon, and tells her of the good estate they should attain unto by eating of it, and so at length brings her to yield to his temptation.