A09463:46
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.
The use. 1In that Christ is no sooner baptized, but he is presently tempted, we learn; that all those who are truly baptized into Christ must make account to be tempted, and prepare for a combat with the Devil, even through the whole course of their lives: for if Satan durst be so bold as to encounter with Christ Jesus the head of the Church after his baptism, then doubtless he will not spare any of his members who are but ⟨p. 2⟩weak & sinful men. Again, in baptism a man gives up his name unto God, promising therein for ever to renounce all service to the Devil, the flesh and the world; and contrariwise to believe in God, and to serve him; and this vow being thus made, it is the will of God he should be tempted, that in the school of temptation he might learn to practise his baptism. But here most men will say, they never felt by experience in themselves the trueth of this doctrine; for they have not perceived any such combat in themselves, though they have been baptized many years agone. Answ. Such men,2 whatsoever they be, have indeed the outward baptism of water, but they never yet received the inward baptism of the spirit; they wear Christs livery, but as yet they do service unto Satan; And though they have been made partakers of the seals of the covenant, yet still they abide within the kingdom of darkness; for Christ here teacheth by his own example, that all those who have received the inward baptism of the spirit, whereby they have effectually put off sin, and put on the Lord Jesus, are as sure to be tempted by Satan as himself was: therefore let such persons as never yet felt in themselves this spiritual conflict, now begin to reform their lives, and to perform their vow of baptism, and they shall undoubtedly find in themselves the truth of this doctrine, That all that are baptized into Christ, shall be tempted of the Devil. So long as the children of Israel continued under Pharaoh's bondage, they were not pursued by his army; but when they set their faces toward the land of Canaan, then presently he makes after them, with all his might and malice; even so, while men live in sin and submit themselves to Satan's spiritual bondage, he will suffer all things to be in peace with them;
The vse. 1