A09463:243
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.
First, to keep all Gods children1 from despair in the greatest extremity of their temptations, even when they shall feel their conscience (as it were) set on an Iron rack, and the slashings of hell fire already kindled in their soul: for Christ Jesus the head of the Church was tempted by Satan in the highest degree, so as the Angels came to minister comfort unto him, and yet he still remained the well-beloved Son of God; and so may any of Gods children remain Gods deer elect, even then when the violence of Satan shall seem most to prevail against them.
First, to keepe all Gods children1 from despaire in the greatest extremity of their temptations, euen when they shall feele their conscience (as it were) set on an Iron racke, and the slashings of hell fire alreadie kindled in their soule: for Christ Iesus the head of the Church was tempted by Satan in the highest degree, so as the Angels came to minister comfort vnto him, and yet he still remained the welbeloued sonne of God; and so may any of Gods children remaine Gods deere elect, euen then when the violence of Satan shall seem most to preuaile against them.
- 1A good ground against despairA good ground against despaire
Secondly, this teacheth us to suppress all rash judgment in our selves, of all such as shall be exercised by Satan in extreme temptations: for oft it will fall out that the conscience of Gods child shall be so exceedingly tormented in temptation, that he shall cry out, he is forsaken of God, and shall be damned; when as indeed he still remains the dear child of God, as Christ our Saviour did Gods well-beloved in the deepest assaults of Satan. And therefore the relation published of Francis Spira his desperation,