A09463:197
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.
Lastly, S. Lukeb addeth this circumstance of time, that the Devil showed all these things unto Christ in as short a time as might be, even in a moment or point of time: whereby we may perceive the Devils great celerity & speed in doing any thing he takes in hand, herein he goes beyond all men in the world: for being a spirit he is able to work wonders, and though he cannot go beyond the strength and compass of nature, because his power is finite, yet by reason of his agility and speed he can go beyond the ordinary course of nature in the manner of working the things he takes in hand. And this exceeding quick speed the Devil here useth, to stir up in Christ a more eager desire after those strange & goodly things whereof he had but as it were a glimpse, that so by degrees he might work in Christ a liking of them; for the nature of man doth more eagerly affect strange things when they be sudden, and the eye of man doth more wistly behold them. And this also, as the former, must make us watchful against all Satan's crafty wiles, that we be not beguiled by him. Thus much for Satan's preparation.
Lastly, S. Lukeb addeth this circumstance of time, that the Diuell shewed all these things vnto Christ in as short a time as might be, euen in a moment or point of time: whereby we may perceiue the Diuels great celerity & speed in doing any thing he takes in hand, herein he goes beyond all men in the world: for being a spirit hee is able to worke wonders, and though he cannot go beyond the strength and compasse of nature, because his power is finite, yet by reason of his agility and speed he can goe beyond the ordinary course of nature in the maner of working the things hee takes in hand. And this exceeding quicke speed the Diuell heere vseth, to stirre vp in Christ a more eager desire after those strange & goodly things wherof he had but as it were a glimple, that so by degrees he might worke in Christ a liking of them; for the nature of man doth more eagerly affect strange things when they be sudden, and the eie of man doth more wistly behold them. And this also, as the former, must make vs watchful against all Satans crafty wiles, that wee be not beguised by him. Thus much for Satans preparation.
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