A09463:58
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.
Fourthly, Christ being led by the §4spirit, did not seek to shroud himself from this combat; so likewise if a man follow his calling according to Gods will, and thereupon fall into troubles and temptations, he may not seek to escape them by neglecting his duty, but with courage and patience must inure himself to bear them, waiting on the Lord by well-doing for his deliverance. Here it may well be asked, whether a man can lawfully and with good conscience abide in those places which are certainly known 1to be haunted with evil spirits? Answ. Some indeed are so venturous & bold that they fear nothing: yet the trueth is, no man ought on his own head abide or lodge in such places, unless it be within the compass of his calling, or else have a true extraordinary motion of Gods spirit so to do; we are ⟨p. 5⟩therefore rather to avoid them, than wittingly and willingly thrust our selves into the danger of such places; for if God have given liberty unto Satan to possess such places as have been consecrated to Idolatry, or defiled by oppression and blood, or such like abominations, why should we without warrant from God, put our selves into his hands? This also may serve to reprove those men who presume so much upon their strong faith, that they never stick to thrust themselves into most lewd company: but let such persons beware, for places of bad company are places of danger by reason of that power and liberty which Satan hath among them, for there he hath a throne, Revel. 2. 13. How then can it be, that they should clean escape the infection of sin, who do usually converse with those that commit it without controlment? bHe that walketh with the wise (saith Solomon) shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be made worse: so the words signify: and therefore his counsel is,c not to consent when sinners entice us: nor to dmake friendship with the angry person, nor to go with the furious, lest we learn their ways and receive destruction to our souls: