A09463:62
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. This serves to confute the Papists, who teach that Christ had all fullness of spirit in his infancy, even from his conception and birth; and did not grow in grace at all, save only experimentally, as he had occasion to manifest the same more and more in practise. But. S. Luke saith plainly, that Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favour with God and men, Luk. 2. 52. Again, Christ was like unto man in all things, sin only excepted, and therefore did increase in grace as man doth in gifts from time to time.
The vse. This serues to confute the Papists, who teach that Christ had all fulnesse of spirit in his infancie, euen from his conception and birth; and did not grow in grace at all, saue only experimentally, as he had occasion to manifest the same more and more in practise. But. S. Luke sayth plainly, that Iesus increased in wisdome, and stature, and in fauour with God and men, Luk. 2. 52. Againe, Christ was like vnto man in all things, sinne only excepted, and therefore did increase in grace as man doth in gifts from time to time.
Further, Christ goeth thus furnished to this combat that he might be able to encounter with Satan hand to hand, and at the end give him the final overthrow. Thus he furnished Moses afor his embassy unto Pharaoh; andb David for his combat with Goliath; Aholiab andc Bezaliel for the work of the Tabernacle; and every one whom God employeth about any special work, is furnished and fitted thereto of God with special gifts: whereby in every age we may see whom God placeth in any calling, for they are well qualified for the duties thereof; and therefore those that want gifts meet for their callings, do thrust in themselves thereto, and are not placed therein of God.