Christs miracles delivered in a sermon. By Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of…Christes miracles deliuered in a sermon. By Arthvr Dent, preacher of the word of…

The second thing wherein Satan's power doth consist in his action, or his deed, which as his knowledge is great, so it is likewise great. Let us therefore see his actions. The deed of persuading is great, for he moved Cam contrary to his knowledge, and contrary to Nature, not only to revile his brother, but to kill him, he talked not with Cain, but by motions and persuasions in his heart did allure him thereunto. But it appeareth more great in his first action against mankind, as when he came to our first parents in the form of a Serpent (which argueth his great power, that he can transform himself into such a creature, and abuse the tongue of a Serpent to that end.) So we read of his actions also in Exodus, when Moses wrought miracles before Pharaoh by the finger of God. Satan also by his Enchanters did work the same miracles, yet not true miracles, because ⟨image 23⟩they did them not by the finger of God, but by the power of Satan. So also 1. Samuel. 28. Satan comes to a witch, and would also tell the witch what success Saul should have in his battle, that he took in hand, he came in the shape of Samuel, so that Saul thought he had been Samuel. So also would he talk familiarly with men: therefore the Lord gave a law, that if any one consulted with a familiar spirit, he should dye, which law had been in vain, if none had consulted familiarly with him. So he was a liar in the mouth of all the false Prophets, although they themselves did not at that time perceive it. So he possessed mens bodies, as in the Gospel, when our Saviour had cast him out of a man, he straight way went into a heard of Swine, and even so he is able to draw mens bodies after him. We may also see his power by a comparison with the good Angels. 2. Kings. 19. An Angel of the Lord slew an hundred and 85000. men of Zenacheribs Host in one night. Now the same power is in ⟨image 23⟩Satan by his creation, which hereby appeareth to be very great. So when he carried Christs body upon a Pinnacle of the Temple, and up into a Mountain to tempt him. And Acts 16. 19. there were exorcists that would cast forth Devils in the name of Jesus, but the evil spirit in the man, ran on them, and over-came them, so that they sled out of the house naked, and wounded.