A09463:66
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. From hence the church of Rome would fetch a ground & warrant for their monastical life; saying, that as Christ went apart into this desert, so may men sequester themselves from ordinary societies, and live as Monks and Hermits in cloisters, woods and deserts. But this collection is absurd, as may appear by these reasons: first, Christ went not thus apart on his own head, but by the instinct and motion of the spirit of God: but the Papists admit and undertake the state of Eremitical and Monastical life without any warrant in Gods word. Secondly, Christ did thus sequester himself but once for a certain time: but with them, an Hermitical estate is ordinary and perpetual for their whole life. Thirdly, our Saviour Christ fasted truly all the while he abode in the wilderness: but Papists in their Cloisters and Hermitages do plentifully enjoy the wealth of the world in great ease and liberty. And therefore howsoever solitariness for a time may be commendable in some cases, as to meditate on the works or word of God, as Isaac did, Gen. 24. 63. or for the exercise ofd prayer and fasting in more earnest manner; yet the Hermits life being a perpetual forsaking of humane societies, is neither warrantable by Gods word, nor commendable in Gods child.
The vse. From hence the church of Rome would fetch a ground & warrant for their monasticall life; saying, that as Christ went apart into this desert, so may men sequester themselues from ordinary societies, and liue as Monks and Heremites in cloisters, woods and deserts. But this collection is absurd, as may appeare by these reasons: first, Christ went not thus apart on his owne head, but by the instinct and motion of the spirit of God: but the Papists admit and vndertake the state of Eremiticall and Monasticall life without any warrant in Gods word. Secondly, Christ did thus sequester himselfe but once for a certeine time: but with them, an Heremiticall estate is ordinary and perpetuall for their whole life. Thirdly, our Sauiour Christ fasted truly all the while he abode in the wildernesse: but Papists in their Cloisters and Hermitages doe plentifully inioy the wealth of the world in great ease and liberty. And therefore howsoeuer solitarinesse for a time may be commendable in some cases, as to meditate on the works or word of God, as Isaac did,