Page:History of the Devil, ancient and modern (2).pdf/17

 The next ſimple ſtep the Devil took, and in

deed the moſt fooliſh one that he could ever be

charged with, unworthy the very dignity of a

Devil, and below the underſtanding that he al-

ways was allowed to act with, was that of coming

to tempt the Meſſiah in the wilderneſs; it is cer-

tain that the Devil knew our Saviour to be the

Son of God; and it is as certain he knew, that

as ſuch he could have no power or advantage

over him; how fooliſh then was it in him to at-

tack him in that manner, "If thou be the Son of

God?" why he knew him to be the Son of God

well enough; he ſaid ſo afterwards, "I know

thee who thou art the holy One of God;" how

then could he be ſo weak a Devil as to ſay, if

thou art, then do ſo and ſo?

The caſe in plain, the Devil though he knew

him co be the Son of God, did not fully know the

myſtery of the incarnation nor did he know how

far the power of Chriſt extended, and whether as

a man, he was not ſubject to fall as Adam was,

though his reſerved Godhead might be ſtill im-

maculate and pare, and upon this foot, as he

would leave no method untried, he attempts him

three times, one immediately after another; but

then, finding himſelf diſappointed, he fled.

This evidently proves that the Devil was ig-

norant of the myſtery of godlineſs, as the text

calls it, God manifeſt in the fleſh; and therefore

made that fooliſh attempt upon Chriſt, thinking

to have conquered his human nature, as capable

of ſin, which it was not; and at this repulſe

hell groaned; the whole army of regimented De-

vils received a wound, and felt the ſhock of it;

it was a ſecond overthrow to them; they had a

long train of ſucceſs; carried a deviliſh conqueſt

over the greateſt part of the creation of God;

but now they were cut ſhort; the ſeed of the wo-