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

I. Circumstance. Christs fasting forty days and forty nights: ¹There be three kinds of fasts, if we take the word in a general sense: first the daily fast of temperance §1and sobriety, whereby we use ⟨p. 10⟩Gods creatures for our sustenance with that moderation and abstinence, that we rather give less to natures appetite, then that which it desireth: This Christ enjoineth to every Christian,^f take heed lest at any time your hearts be oppressed §2with surfeiting and drunkenness. The second kind of fast is, the religious abstinence of Gods church from all meats and drinks for a time, for the furtherance of their prayers, when they humble them selves unto God for the preventing or removing of some heavy judgement: thus the Jews fasted,^g sometime for one day, sometime for three days and three nights, Esther 4. 16. yea sometime for^h seven days together; but then it is like they received some sustenance in the evening: for so Daniel fasted for three weeks of days, eating no pleasant §3things, Daniel 10. 2. 3. but of neither of these must Christs fasts here be understood. The third kind of fast is miraculous, done by the power of God restraining the appetite for many days together without meat or drink, beyond the power of nature: Thusⁱ Moses fasted forty days and forty nights in mount Sinai, where he enjoyed the presence of God so long. And so did Elijah^k