A09463:76
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.
Indeed it hath been avouched mthat a man might fast months, yea a whole year together without meat or drink and yet live; but we may persuade our selves it is not true. Now our Saviour Christ (which is yet more) during this fast felt no faintness nor weaking of his body, as we ordinarily do with a little abstinence, so that his fast was not ordinary but miraculous altogether.
Indeed it hath beene auouched mthat a man might fast monethes, yea a whole yeare togither without meat or drinke and yet liue; but we may perswade our selues it is not true. Now our Sauiour Christ (which is yet more) during this fast felt no faintnesse nor weaking of his body, as we ordinarily do with a little abstinence, so that his fast was not ordinary but miraculous altogither.
- mJubart. Parad. 2. decad. 1.Iubart. Parad. 2. decad. 1.
The reasons why Christ fasted thus long in the wilderness may be these;1 First that he might perform his ministry, which now he was to begin, with more reverence and authority: for this §1cause would God have Moses to fast forty days and forty nights before he delivered the law written in two tables of stone unto the people; and so must Elijah do, before he did restore religion in his days: Secondly, that it might appear §2he was no whit inferior to Moses and Elijah: and Thirdly, that he might §3show his full consent with them. Quest. Seeing Christ did far excel Moses and Elijah, why did he not exceed them in the length of his fast, for threescore days or a whole year? Answ. He did it not through want of power to have fasted longer, but because he would not give occasion thereupon that any should call into question the truth of his manhood, which might easily have happened, if he had fasted a whole year together.