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

II. Circumstance. S. Mark doth further set out Christs abode in the wilderness by his being and conversing with wild beasts, Mark. 1. 13. which some think Christ did for this end, that wild beasts might come to him and do him homage due to their Creator & Governor: but this is a device of man without likelihood of truth; for howsoever Christ in himself deserved all homage and reverence of all his creatures; yet because he abode among wild beasts to be abased and humbled in the low estate of a servant, therefore it is not like he went to receive homage from them. The true cause rather is this: we find in Scripture that among the Jews were two sorts of deserts; one, in part peopled and inhabited, having here and there cities and villages; in such a desert was John Baptist borne, and did baptize and preach; that the prophecy of^a Isay might be fulfilled, The voice of a crier in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord. The other, not inhabited at all by men, being a place of abode only for wild beasts, as Lions, Bears, Tigers, Wolves, &c. which lived therein continually: Now into such a desert as this, was our saviour Christ led by the spirit, and made his abode among such wild beasts; which circumstance is therefore noted to give us to understand that in this combat, our Saviour Christ had no aid, protection, succour, help, or comfort from any man or other creature whatsoever; for by nature his companions were so far from being an help and comfort unto him, that they would rather seek to devour him. Whereby we plainly see that the praise of victory in this combat, is proper to Christ alone, and not communicable to any creature whatsoever.

II. Circumstance. S. Marke doth further set out Christs abode in the wildernesse by his being and conuersing with wild beasts, Mark. 1. 13. which some thinke Christ did for this end, that wild beasts might come to him and doe him homage due to their Creator & Gouernour: but this is a deuice of man without likelihood of truth; for howsoeuer Christ in himselfe deserued all homage and reuerence of all his creatures; yet because he abode among wild beasts to be abased and humbled in the low estate of a seruant, therefore it is not like he went to receiue homage from them. The true cause rather is this: we find in Scripture that among the Iewes were two sorts of deserts; one, in part peopled and inhabited, hauing heere and there cities and villages; in such a desert was Iohn Baptist borne, and did baptize and preach; that the prophesie of