A09463:231
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.
Again,1 if the divine worship of saints be here condemned, then much more is the worshipping of their relics: then also is their instituting and observing fasting days and holy days unto their saints here justly reproved. Neither can our Church herein be condemned with them, though we retain the names of such days among us, because it is for another end; out fasts are merely civill on such days; and our holy days turned from the adoration of saints to the service of God, whereon also our conscience knows her liberty given of God for honest labour in a lawful calling as need requires.
Againe,1 if the diuine worship of saints be heere condemned, then much more is the worshipping of their reliques: then also is their instituting and obseruing fasting daies and holy daies vnto their saints heere iustly reproued. Neither can our Church heerein be condemned with them, though wee retaine the names of such daies among vs, because it is for another end; out fasts are meerely ciuill on such daies; and our holy dayes turned from the adoration of saints to the seruice of God, whereon also our conscience knowes her libertie giuen of God for honest labour in a lawfull calling as neede requires.
- 1Worship of relics unlawful.Worship of reliques vnlawfull.
Further, observe how Christ here joins the worship of God and the service of God together: teaching us not to content our selves with doing the duties of Gods worship, but withal we must yield unto him absolute service and obedience. Men commonly think they have done enough, if on days appointed they come to the Church and there perform outward worship unto God in hearing the word, in prayer, and receiving the Sacraments; these, I confess be worthy works if they be well performed: but herein is the common error, that when they have performed this outward worship they make no conscience of absolute service, the thing which Christ here joins to worship; they think that in their callings they may live as they list, either idly or unjustly, by fraud and dissembling: but sever not thou service from worship, which Christ hath joined together, lest God say unto thee for thy worship as he did once to the Jews