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

3. Though this was a lye, yet here is the colour of the lye. God permitteth that men ⟨p. 129⟩sometimes by indirect means to become great in Honour and Dignity in this World; all which are done by the instinct of Satan, and his help: And evil men often succeed in their attempts, and from hence Satan is called the Prince of this World, John 12. 31. Now shall the Prince of this World be cast out, John 14. 30. The Prince of this World cometh, and hath nothing in me, John 16. 11. Of Judgment because the Prince of this World is judged. Yea Paul goeth higher, and calleth him the God of this World, 2 Cor. 4. 4. In whom the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them, which believe not: but this is by usurpation not just right. And the devils are called Eph. 6. 12. The rulers of the darkness of this World, as the wicked consent to his Empire and evil suggestions. But all this implieth but a limited and restrained Kingdom; and the devils impudence and falsehood lieth in this, that he interprets Gods permission for a commission, his connivance for a conveyance. Indeed there are two lies in the devils offer; one assertory, as if the power and glory of the World were at his disposal; the other promissory, as if he would invest Christ in the full and peaceable possession thereof, whereas indeed he went about to divest and dispossess the Son of God of his ⟨p. 130⟩right, or to tempt him to do a thing contrary to his Kingdom; for he knew the abasement of Christ was the way to his glory, the cause of mans happiness, and the ruin of the Kingdom of the devil, therefore he seeketh to prevent this by these magnificent promises.

3. Though this was a lye, yet here is the colour of the lye. God permitteth that men ⟨p. 129⟩