When our Saviour was tempted and the Devils thrust put by and his argument defeated, he wholly waves the assuming of it, and shifts his ground as not able to stand upon it nor to it; ⟨p. 368⟩which is one sign of his being so far conquered. He attempts the second time another way but with no better success, and therefore sounds a parle and comes to treat; which is another sign that his Forces failed him: when he can do no good (no evil) this way neither, he doth not only retreat but run away ashamed, as one that flees in Battle, as 'tis said of them, a Sam. 19.3. so that the field was left to Christ Jesus, and thereupon the Angels came and ministered to him, i.e. did him homage as to a great conqueror, singing and celebrating his praise, as we have cause to believe. After this our Saviour went in the power of the Spirit (into Galilee) like a conqueror that had won the day and night go where he would, as 'tis remarked concerning him, Luke 4.14, 15. Though the Devil attempted to invalidate the witness of the Spirit, yet he went in the power of the Spirit and that Testimony ever after, it being not at all weakened by the encounter: but went up and down teaching his Gospel and giving forth his Laws, yea delivering Captives, &c. as it follows, Vers. 18. See Luk. 11.22. But it seems the Devil departed but for a season, for he came again, Joh. 14.30. 'tis true: but pray observe that he never attempted with the former weapons again, never disputed Christs Son-ship again; but falls to down-right persecution without •inding any thing in Christ whereof to accuse, or wherefore to condemn him; as the Devils own Judge (even Pilate himself) declares in open Court, once & again. But here also Christ was too hard for him, for though the Devil bruised his heel, ⟨p. 369⟩yet Christ brake the Devils head, according to the first Promise, Gen. 3.15. by dying he did destroy him that had the power of death, viz. the Devil, Heb. 2.14. and accordingly keeps the Keys to this day, Rev. 1.18. so that the Devil was hugely out in his Politics, and was never so much defeated (as now) since he was a Devil: for when Christ was Crucified he spoiled principalities and powers, triumphing over them, Col. 2.14, 15. So that now the Saints need not fear either Law, Death or Devil, Heb. 2.14, 15.1 Cor. 15.55,—57.
When our Saviour was tempted and the Devils thrust put by and his argument defeated, he wholly waves the assuming of it, and shifts his ground as not able to stand upon it nor to it; ⟨p. 368⟩which is one sign of his being so far conquer'd. He attempts the second time another way but with no better success, and therefore sounds a parle and comes to treat; which is another sign that his Forces fail'd him: when he can do no good (no evil) this way neither, he doth not only retreat but run away asham'd, as one that flees in Battel, as 'tis said of them, a Sam. 19.3. so that the field was left to Christ Jesus, and thereupon the Angels came and ministred to him, i.e. did him homage as to a great conqueror, singing and celebrating his praise, as we have cause to believe. After this our Saviour went in the power of the Spirit (into Galilee) like a conqueror that had won the day and night go where he would, as 'tis remarked concerning him, Luke 4.14, 15. Though the Devil attempted to invalidate the witness of the Spirit, yet he went in the power of the Spirit and that Testimony ever after, it being not at all weakened by the encounter: but went up and down teaching his Gospel and giving forth his Laws, yea delivering Captives, &c. as it follows, Vers. 18. See Luk. 11.22. But it seems the Devil departed but for a season, for he came again, Joh. 14.30. 'tis true: but pray observe that he never attempted with the former weapons again, never disputed Christs Son-ship again; but falls to down-right persecution without •inding any thing in Christ whereof to accuse, or wherefore to condemn him; as the Devils own Judge (even Pilate himself) declares in open Court, once & again. But here also Christ was too hard for him, for though the Devil bruised his heel, ⟨p. 369⟩yet Christ brake the Devils head, according to the first Promise, Gen. 3.15. by dying he did destroy him that had the power of death, viz. the Devil, Heb. 2.14. and accordingly keeps the Keys to this day, Rev. 1.18. so that the Devil was hugely out in his Politicks, and was never so much defeated (as now) since he was a Devil: for when Christ was Crucified he spoil'd principalities and powers, triumphing over them,
