§. 3. Against presumption.

THe former extreame,* which is presumption, ariseth partly from too great a conceit of our selues, and of our owne strength; and partly from too light credence and be∣leefe of that which is recorded of the Diuell.

That selfe-conceit maketh vs fondly imagine that wee are well able to resist all temptations of the Diuell,* or any of his instruments: whereupon many are ready to lay (when they are exhorted to take heed of the Diuell, and of his strong temptations) I defie the Diuell and all his wic∣ked crue, he can doe no hurt to me: I can (I thanke God) easily auoid his temptations the gates of hell cannot preuaile against mee; and yet proud silly fooles, they are ouertaken and ouercome with euery slight temptation.cPeter (though otherwise a man of good gifts) was somewhat too con∣ceited of himselfe, and too much inclined to this ex∣treame, and yet when he was to stand to it, a silly wench daunted him.

Light credence maketh vs thinke the Diuell cannot be so terrible,* as he is set forth to be; but that the things which are written and said of him and his wiles, are but as scar∣crowes and bugbeares to make men afraid, like to olde tales of the walking of spirits, of fairies, hobgoblins, &c. This incredulitie much hindereth the power of such exhorta¦tions, directions, admonitions and rebukes, which are gi∣uenPage  47 vs for our good. Both Peter and the other Disciples were somewhat tainted here with: for whend Christ told them all,* that all of them should be offended by him, and that Peter in particular should deny him, none of them would beleeue it: Peter saith, Though all should, yet he would neuer: and againe, though he should die, yet would he not de∣ny Christ: and so said all the Disciples.