A09463:218
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.
Thirdly, here by we also learn how to behave our selves towards satan when he is violent and importunate in his temptations, to wit, that howsoever we may reply to them out of Gods word when they are more mild, yet when Satan begins therein to show his force and violence we must not reason with him; for Christ would not endure his blasphemy, though he answered his temptations. In schools of learning it is counted a simple part to hold always to the conclusion; but in the school of Christ when the conscience is to deal with Satan, the safest way is by both hands of faith to lay fast hold of the conclusion; cleave fast to Christ, let the Devil say what he will, be not drawn thence one jot.
Thirdly, heer by we also learne how to behaue our selues towards satan when he is violent and importunate in his temptations, to wit, that howsoeuer we may reply to them out of Gods word when they are more milde, yet when Satan begins therein to shew his force and violence we must not reason with him; for Christ would not endure his blasphemy, though hee answered his temptations. In schooles of learning it is counted a simple part to hold alwaies to the conclusion; but in the schole of Christ when the conscience is to deale with Satan, the safest way is by both hands of faith to lay fast hold of the conclusion; cleause fast to Christ, let the Diuell say what he wil, be not drawen thence one iot.
After Christ hath showed his detestation to Satan's blasphemy he answers his temptation; saying, It is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, &c. And whereas he saith the third time, it is written, taking his answer from the Scripture; it teacheth us that Scripture of it self is of power sufficient to vanquish the Devil. This the Church of Rome will not admit; for they make Scripture to be of two kinds; inward and outward; By inward Scripture they mean, the universal ⟨p. 44⟩consent of all Catholics in all ages. And by outward Scripture, they understand the written word contained in the Bible. Now they say, inward Scripture is the more excellent; for the outward Scripture they call a dead letter, of little or no power; & they make general councils equal with them for substance of doctrine. If this were true, Christ would not have alleged outward Scripture, as they call it; but he knew the written word was the powerful weapon, sufficient to vanquish the Devil. And therefore herein they do shamefully blaspheme the truth of God, and so God himself.