A09463:80
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. In this estate of Christ in this wilderness, we may behold the condition of Christs militant church; to wit, that it is in this world as in a wilderness and desert of wild beasts; for during their abode on earth, Gods children live with men, who in disposition and affection are like Wolves, Bears, Tigers, Lions and Cockatrices, until such time as the Holy Ghost by grace shall turn their hearts, as we may plainly see, Isay 11. 6. 7. 8. in regard whereof they must arm themselves with patience against manifold assaults and vexations, comforting their hearts with this consideration, that Christ their head hath undergone this estate before them.
The vse. In this estate of Christ in this wildernesse, we may behold the condition of Christs militant church; to wit, that it is in this world as in a wildernesse and desert of wild beasts; for during their abode on earth, Gods children liue with men, who in disposition and affection are like Woolues, Beares, Tigers, Lions and Cockatrices, vntill such time as the Holy Ghost by grace shall turne their hearts, as we may plainly see, Isay 11. 6. 7. 8. in regard whereof they must arme themselues with patience against manifold assaults and vexations, comforting their hearts with this consideration, that Christ their head hath vndergone this estate before them.
III. Circumstance. S. Lukeb observeth, that while Christ abode in the wilderness, within the space of those forty days and forty nights, he was tempted of the Devil, before the three great temptations: the words are plain: And was there forty days tempted of the devil: And when they were ended, then the devil said, &c. what these temptations were, either for matter or form, the holy Ghost hath not set down; and yet we may probably think they were more mild and gentle temptations then those three which are set down; the devil making them as it were an entrance to his strongest and most dangerous temptations; for his manner is, when it makes for his advantage, not to show his violence and extremity at the first, but to proceed by degrees, and by little & little to insinuate himself till he have gotten his best advantage, and then will he show the strength of his malice. Thus he dealt with Cain, first he provokes him to anger and malice against his brother, because his brothers sacrifice was accepted, and his rejected; then having settled hatred in his heart, he never leaves till he had caused him in his rage to slay his brother; and yet he stays not there, but after bring him to despair of Gods mercy, in so much as he cried out,