A09463:210
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.
II. Every Christian must hence learn, to pray not only for their own good estate, but also for the welfare of Gods Church every where, in the free passage of the Gospel, in the establishing of true doctrine, and in the continuance of constant obedience thereunto. For Satan's endeavour is to subvert and corrupt the truth, and to draw men from obedience; and unto him Gods children must ever oppose themselves, the rather because their welfare stands in the good of Gods Church.
II. Euery Christian must hence learne, to pray not only for their owne good estate, but also for the welfare of Gods Church euery where, in the free passage of the Gospell, in the establishing of true doctrine, and in the continuance of constant obedience therunto. For Satans endeuour is to subuert and corrupt the truth, and to draw men from obedience; and vnto him Gods children must euer oppose themselues, the rather because their welfare stands in the good of Gods Church.
Secondly, in this condition of Satan's offer to Christ we may observe that his endeavour is to bring men to worship him: for if he durst attempt a demand hereof at the hands of Christ, who shall think to escape this assault when opportunity serves him? And howsoever men think it impossible, that Satan should thus far prevail with any, as to bring them to worship him; yet doubtless (though he could not prevail with Christ) herein he attains his purpose in the world, and that with the greatest part thereof: for the three religions of the Jew, Turk, and Papist, do at this day overspread the greatest part of the face of the earth; and in them all, such a worship of God is propounded unto men,1 wherein God is not worshipped but the Devil. For the evidence whereof mark these two rules; First, that all §1doctrines devised by man in the matter of religion, which either directly or by just consequence oppugn the word of God, are doctrines of Devils: