A09463:96
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. I. Hence then we may behold our miserable estate by reason of sin; for thereby it comes to pass that ⟨p. 15⟩we bear about us those darts, wherewith the devil doth wound us. And sith Satan's craft and malice is such to take advantage from us, for to work our woe, we must labour the more diligently, to be throughly acquainted with our natural dispositions and inclinations, yea with our bodily infirmities, for the Devil will search us; and when we have truly found out our own estate, we must set a strong watch and guard about our own hearts in respect of our infirmities, and so shall we be the better able to break the neck of Satan's temptations.
The vse. I. Hence then we may behold our miserable estate by reason of sinne; for thereby it comes to passe that ⟨p. 15⟩we beare about vs those darts, wherewith the diuel doth wound vs. And sith Satans craft and malice is such to take aduantage from vs, for to worke our wo, we must labour the more diligently, to be throughly acquainted with our naturall dispositions and inclinations, yea with our bodilie infirmities, for the Diuell will search vs; and when wee haue truly found out our own estate, we must set a strong watch and guard about our owne hearts in respect of our infirmities, and so shall we be the better able to breake the necke of Satans temptations.
The fourth thing in this preparation is, Satan's coming to Christ; The Tempter came unto him: By which phrase it is probable, though not certain, that the Devil took upon him the form of some creature, and so appeared unto Christ; thus he came to Eve in Paradise, abusing the serpent to further his assault against the first Adam: And it is like, that in his combat with the second Adam, he came in the shape of some creature, for otherwise he could not properly be said to come and speak. Some indeed think that these temptations were inward in mind only, and by vision; others think they were altogether visible and done actually; but the safest way is to hold that they were in part actually done in bodily manner, and partly showed in vision. And thus much for the preparation to the first conflict.