Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons /

2. A word of Comfort. Whatever power God permitteth Satan to have over our bodies, or bodily interests, yet it is limited, he cannot hurt or molest any further than God pleaseth. He had power to set Christ on a Pinnacle of the Temple, but not to cast him down. He had a power to touch Job's skin, but a charge not to endanger his Life, Job 2. 6. Behold, he is in thine hand, but save his life. God sets bounds and limits to the malice of Satan, that he is not able to compass all his designs. Job was to be exercised, but God would not have him dye in a ⟨p. 68⟩cloud, his life was to be secured till better times.

2. A word of Comfort. Whatever power God permitteth Satan to have over our bodies, or bodily interests, yet it is limited, he cannot hurt or molest any further than God pleaseth. He had power to set Christ on a Pinacle of the Temple, but not to cast him down. He had a power to touch Iob's skin, but a charge not to endanger his Life, Iob 2. 6. Behold, he is in thine hand, but save his life. God sets bounds and limits to the malice of Satan, that he is not able to compass all his designs. Iob was to be exercised, but God would not have him dye in a ⟨p. 68⟩cloud, his life was to be secured till better times.

3. A word of Caution. Let not the Devil make an advantage of those troubles, which he bringeth upon our Bodies, or the interests of the bodily Life, yet let him not thereby draw you to sin. Here the devil may set Christ upon a precipice, but he can do him no further hurt; he may persuade us to cast down our selves, but he cannot cast us down, unless we cast down our selves, Nemo laeditur nisi a seipso. His main spite is at your souls, to involve you in sin. God may give him, and his Instruments a power over your bodily lives; but he doth not give him a power over the Graces of the Saints. The devil aimeth at the destruction of souls; he can let men enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, that he may deprive you of delight in God, and celestial pleasures; he can be content that you shall have Dignities and Honours, if they prove a snare to you. If the devil seek to bring you to Poverty, Trouble and Nakedness, it is to draw you from God. He careth not for the Body, but as it may be an occasion to ruin the Soul.