Christ tempted: the divel conquered. Or, A short and plain exposition on a part of the fourth chapter St. Matthew's Gospel.: Together with two sermons preached before the University at Oxford, some years since. By John Gumbleden, B.D. and chaplain to the Right Honourable the Earl of Leicester.

To the Reader.

Courteous Reader,

THe Subject of this following Exposition (as you see) is the Divels tempting, and our Saviours conquering. Now, in this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or, single conflict, neither the one, nor the other, had each his se∣cond: no, not while the Combat continued: but, our Saviour had the Angels a 1.1 to minister unto him, when the duell was ended.

Again, when the Divel had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season; b 1.2 And but for a sea∣son; for though at this time he were sent away with no better farewell then this, Get thee hence Satan (c) 1.3; yet, he soon returned, and afterwards by his wicked Instruments, as subtilly as before by himselfe openly, he sets on him again; began another battell against him another way; especially some few daies before his death; mustring up from time to time, such voluntiers, d 1.4 such as he found most inclinable amongst the malicious and incredulous Jewes, to engage with him in this quarrell against our Saviour: to the end, that by his united forces, he might (if possible) at last prevaile, who at first was too weak to doe it single and by himself. And not strong enough neither to doe it to purpose joyntly by them; not any waies able to conquer our Saviour; not, though for a time, to kill (e) 1.5 him, the chief Priests, the Scribes, the El∣ders of the people, with Caiaphas, prevailed. Judas betraying him, false witnesse accusing him; Pontius Pilate condemning him, the souldiers crucifying him; yet,

all together too weak, to subdue, and conquer him, who rose again the third day from the dead; and the Divel afterwards, never in his own person assaulted him any more; who, at first, after he had tempted him, de∣parted from him, for a season; but, our Saviour will never depart from his Church, and Chosen; not, while they are Militant here on earth: Lo, I am with you al∣ways, even to the end of the f 1.6 world; and, there is no cause to fear his departing from us, when we are tri∣umphant in Heaven: where neither rust, nor moth doth corrupt, g 1.7 and where thieves do not break through, and steal: nor, Satan break through, to tempt, and destroy. But, I will not say too much by way of Preface, least the Gate become wider then the City: the Introduction, larger then the Exposition. In brief here, I say but this: or, rather the Apostle saith it, 2 Tim. 2.3. Be thou careful, as a good souldier of Jesus Christ, to fight the good fight of h 1.8 faith, against Satan; and then, in, and, by the power of thy victorious Saviour, thou shalt ob∣tain the victory over Satan; which is the dayly prayer of him, for thee, who faithfully believeth, by the same power, to be made partaker with thee, of the same vi∣ctory. Amen.

Thine, to accompany thee in the Way to Heaven. JOHN GUMBLEDEN.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Mar. 1.13.
• b 1.2

  Luke 4.13.
• (c) 1.3

  Mat. 4.10.
• d 1.4

  Omne pecca∣tum est volun∣tarium.
• (e) 1.5

  Mat. 26.4.
• f 1.6

  Mat. 28.20.
• g 1.7

  Mat. 6.20.
• h 1.8

  1 Tim 6.12.