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

The use. ¹This discovereth unto us the deep policy of Satan in making choice of the fittest time for his assaults: he will not tempt all men at all times, neither always with the greatest temptations; but he forecasts for the time of mans greatest weakness, and thereto he reserveth his strongest assaults: Now usually a man is most weak, when he is under some grievous affliction; either in body, mind, or both; or when he lieth in the pangs of death: these times doth Satan observe; and keep his strongest temptations against they come, as doth notably appear by his dealing with Christ, not only at this time when he was an hungered, but also and especially at his passion; for the Scripture saith, He ^bspoiled principalities and powers upon the cross: whereby is apparent, that the Devil with his greatest power did then assault him, thinking either then or never to give him the foil, when as he did sustain the wrath of God due unto the sins of man; and so will he handle all the members of Christ; in their greatest extremities they shall be sure to feel Satan's deepest malice, unless God restrain his power. Which must teach us in the day of peace and strength, to prepare against the day of weakness by any affliction or by death ⟨p. 14⟩it self, that so we may by Gods grace be able to stand against the rage of Satan; for then he will be sure most eagerly to seek our ruin, and unless we prepare before hand, we shall never be able to stand: Now our best preparation is to come to hear the words of Christ and to do the same, for then, though the winds blow, the rain fall, the waves beat, and Satan do his worst, yet being built upon the rock Christ Jesus, we shall never fall, Matth. 7. 24. 25.

The vse. ¹This discouereth vnto vs the deepe policie of Satan in making choise of the fittest time for his assaults: he will not tempt all men at all times, neither alwaies with the greatest temptations; but he forecasts for the time of mans greatest weaknesse, and thereto he reserueth his strongest assaults: Now vsually a man is most weake, when he is vnder some grieuous affliction; either in bodie, minde, or both; or when he lieth in the panges of death: these times doth Satan obserue; and keep his strongest temptations against they come, as doth notablie appeare by his dealing with Christ, not onely at this time when he was an hungred, but also and especially at his passion; for the Scripture saith, He