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

3. With respect to the Devil and his instruments, to whose malice he sets bounds, who otherwise would know no measure.

(1.) For the devil see Rev. 2. 10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer, behold! the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Mark how they are comforted against the persecution coming upon them; partly because the cause was clearly Gods, for all this trouble was by the instigation of the devil, making use of his instruments, Eph. 2. 2. he is called the Prince of the power of the Air, the spirit that worketh in the Children, of disobedience; partly because the persecution raised would ⟨p. 196⟩not be universal, some of you, not all; and those not persecuted unto the death, but only cast into prison; partly from the end, that they should be tried, it was not penal or castigatory but probatory. The devil would destroy you, but God would suffer you only to be tried, so that they should come forth like the three Children out of the furnace, without singing of their garments; or like Daniel out of the Lyons Den, without a scratch or maim; or as Christ here, the devil got not one jot of ground upon him; partly from the duration, ten days, that is in Prophetical account ten years, reckoning each day for a year, Numb. 14. 34. It was not long the saddest afflictions will have an end. All which showeth how God bridleth and moderateth the rage of Satan, and his evil influence.

(1.) For the devil see Rev. 2. 10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer, behold! the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tryed, and ye shall have tribulation ten dayes. Mark how they are comforted against the persecution coming upon them; partly because the cause was clearly Gods, for all this trouble was by the instigation of the devil, making use of his instruments,