The harmony of the Gospels in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings…

Quest. Why did Jesus Christ suffer his holy, pure, humane nature to be so far under the power of Satan, as to be transported in such an hideous manner, from the wilderness to the City, to the Temple, to the top of a Pinnacle, to the top of an high mountain, and there to be deluded with a vain sight? Satan hath a great power over the Phantasies of men, and he can (when leave is given unto him) transport their Phantasies and imaginations unto such strange notions and Temptations, and therefore still the question remaineth, why did our Lord Jesus suffer his pure mind to be afflicted with such transporting Temptations?

Quest. Why did Jesus Christ suffer his holy, pure, humane nature to be so far under the power of Satan, as to be transported in such an hideous manner, from the wilderness to the City, to the Temple, to the top of a Pinacle, to the top of an high mountain, and there to be deluded with a vain sight? Satan hath a great power over the Phantasies of men, and he can (when leave is given unto him) transport their Phantasies and imaginations unto such strange notions and Temptations, and therefore still the question remaineth, why did our Lord Jesus suffer his pure mind to be afflicted with such transporting Temptations?

Answ. 1. Because this is a great part of the punishment due unto the sin of man, to be given up unto, and under the power of Satan, unto his seductions and Temptations, Eph. 2.2. in times past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the power of the Air, the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience, &c, Act. 26.18. from the power of Satan. Mankind are lawful Captives to justice, and we are delivered up unto Satan to be our jailer, and one part of the power which the Goaler hath over us, is this, to work in our hearts, minds, Phantasies and affections, this is a deep and dreadful part of the punishment of sin, our mental bondage is a sore bondage; there is abundantly more sin committed in the minds, thoughts, and imagination, then in outward actions, There be frequent Murders, Adulteries, Fornications, Thefts, Blasphemies, and what not. There be many abominations within, that dare not look out,