A09463:200
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.
Now that which the Devil aimed at in Christ doth he commonly effect in the world, he makes men believe that he is the giver of all things and so brings many a one to rely upon him. Indeed with their lips men will confess that God gives them their daily bread, even all things they have; but their dealings and practises speak aloud that the devil is governor and giver of all; for how do many men get their livings? Is it not by lying, fraud, and oppression? Do not most men hereby seek to enrich themselves? Well, the just Lord never approveth such means: the devil setteth such courses a float, and him they serve, and on him they rely that walk therein.
Now that which the Diuell aimed at in Christ doth hee commonly effect in the world, he makes men beleeue that he is the giuer of all things and so brings many a one to relie vpon him. Indeed with their lips men wil confesse that God giues them their daily bread, euen all things they haue; but their dealings and practises speake aloud that the diuel is gouerner and giuer of all; for how do many men get their liuings? Is it not by lying, fraud, and oppressio? Doe not most men heereby seeke to inrich themselues? Wel, the iust Lord neuer approueth such meanes: the diuel setteth such courses a flote, and him they serue, and on him they rely that walke therein.
Secondly,1 note a further reach of Satan in this promise of these earthly kingdoms, even to overthrow Christs spiritual kingdom. Satan knew well that if Christ were the true Messiah he should be a King, and have a kingdom, though not earthly, yet spiritual in the hearts and consciences of men, which should be the ruin of his kingdom; and therefore he labours with Christ to entertain an earthly kingdom, that so his spiritual kingdom might not be looked after. And look as he seeks to deal with Christ the head, so he perseveres against the church which is his body; for Gods Church hath it ministry, which in it nature is a sovereignty, to be exercised in the dispensation of the word: now the Devil hath laboured by all means to bring this ministry wherein the Churches spiritual sovereignty doth consist, to become an earthly lordship and dominion, that by this means he might overturn it, and make it fruitless in the building and upholding of Christs spiritual kingdom: and how he hath prevailed this way the Church of Rome doth show to all the world.