A09463:201
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.
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.
Secondly,1 note a further reach of Satan in this promise of these earthly kingdomes, euen to ouerthrow Christs spirituall kingdome. Satan knew well that if Christ were the true Messias he should be a King, and haue a kingdome, though not earthly, yet spirituall in the hearts and consciences of men, which should be the ruine of his kingdome; and therfore he labours with Christ to entertaine an earthly kingdome, that so his spiritual kingdome might not be looked after. And looke as hee seekes to deale with Christ the head, so he perseueres against the church which is his body; for Gods Church hath it ministery, which in it nature is a soueraigntie, to be exercised in the dispensation of the word: now the Diuell hath laboured by all meanes to bring this ministerie wherein the Churches spirituall soueraignty doth consist, to become an earthly lordship and dominion, that by this meanes he might ouerturne it, and make it fruitlesse in the building and vpholding of Christs spiritual kingdome: and how he hath preuailed this way the Church of Rome doth shew to all the world.
- 1Satan enmity against Christs spiritual kingdom.