The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

Sect. Command that these stones be made bread.

To change the form of a Creature is the greatest miracle, as coming nearest to crea∣ting: and therefore when the power of miracles was first given, the first that was wrought was transforming, Exod. 4. 3. And such a one was the first that was wrought by our Saviour, John 2. 9. The Devil therefore assaying Christ in a work of wonder, tryeth him in one of this nature: and when he cannot move him to shew his power upon another Creature, in Changing the form of it in this temptation, he seeketh in the next to move him to shew his power upon his own body, in altering the quality of it, and making it fly.

Now to enquire what sins they were that the Devil would have perswaded him to in this temptation, in turning stones into bread, whether to gluttony, or distrust of provi∣dence, or what else, is not so material and pertinent, as to consider why he tryed him first by such a manner of temptation. And the satisfaction to this is facil and obvious; namely, 1. because he took advantage of his present hungring. And 2. because he had sped so successfully to his own mind, by a temptation about a matter of eating, with the first Adam, he practiseth that old manner of his trading with the second.

Ver. 4. It is written.

This is the first speech that proceeded from our Saviours mouth, since his entrance in∣to his Ministerial function, that is upon record; and though it be very short, yet is it very material for observation of these things:

• 1. That the first word spoken by Christ in his ministerial office is an assertion of the authority of Scripture.
• 2. That he opposeth the word of God as the properest incounterer against the words of the Devil.
• 3. That he alledgeth Scripture as a thing undeniable and uncontrolable by the De∣vil himself.
• 4. That he maketh the Scripture his rule, though he had the fulness of the Spirit above measure.