The combat between Christ and the Devil displayedThe combat betvveene Christ and the Diuell displayed

V. Circumstance. The end why Christ went into the desert; namely, to be tempted of the Devil: wherein observe three points; How he was tempted; wherefore, and by whom. For the first; To Tempt, in Scripture is ascribed to God, to man, and to the Devil: God tempteth man, when he proveth him; that is, when he maketh manifest what is in his heart for sin or grace, which before were hid to the world: thus God tempted Abraham in the offering up of his son, Gen. 22. 1. and Christ, the ruler, Luk. 18. 22. Man tempteth God, when he proveth by unlawful means whether God be so powerful, just and merciful as the Scriptures do affirm him to be: and thus the Israelites tempted God, when they required meat for their lust, and said, can God prepare a table in the wilderness? Psal. 78. 18. 19. The Devil tempteth when he allureth unto sin, by inward suggestions or outward objects; and hereof must we understand Christs tempting in this place; to wit, that he was led into the wilderness for this end that Satan might assault him, and use what means he could to bring him unto sin. If any shall think it was too much derogatory to the dignity of Christ to be thus tempted. I answer▪ If it had so pleased him, Christ could have confounded the Devil with the least word of his mouth: for as he is Creator of heaven and earth, so Satan had no power to tempt him, for God can not be tempted with evill, Jam. 1. 13. But here Christ stood in our room and stead (as he did upon the Cross) encountering with Satan for us, as if we in our own persons had been tempted. This therefore must be understood as a part of Christs humiliation in his manhood, whereto he subjected himself for our sakes, otherwise the Devil could not have tempted him. Object. This stands not with the holiness of Christ as he is man to be tempted of Satan? Answ. Yes, he might be tempted of Satan without sin, as our first parents were before their fall: this will plainly appear by comparing Christ with other men in their temptations.

V. Circumstance. The end why Christ went into the desert; namely, to be tempted of the Diuel: wherein obserue three points; How hee was tempted; wherefore, and by whom. For the first; To Tempt, in Scripture is ascribed to God, to man, and to the Diuell: God tempteth man, when he prooueth him; that is, when he maketh manifest what is in his heart for sinne or grace, which before were hid to the world: thus God tempted Abraham in the offering vp of his sonne,