Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

How God is faid to tempt, or lead into temptation. As it cometh from God, it is either a triall or a chaftifement, which are works of mercy ; or a pu- nifhment, which is a work of ju{lice: But as it com- eth from Satan or the flefh, it is a provocation unto evil, and therefore a finne. Such is the wifdome and goodneffe of the Lord, that he knoweth by evil inftruments to effet his own good work. The tentation of Job proceeded from God and from Satan. God by that means tried his patience; the devil provoked him to impatience and defpair. When David numbred the people, it is faid that God moved him f to do, 2. Sam. 24. r. and Satan pro- yoked him to number the people, i.Chron. 2 r.t. Gods work was a chaftifement of David, and punifhment of the people; Satans work, an incitation to finne. When Pharaoh deteined the people of Ifrael, it is faid that God hardned his heart, and that Pharaoh hardned his heart, Exod.8. r 5, 32. and 9.34. As it carne from God, it was a punifhment; as from him- felf, a fruit of his own flefh,and fo a finne.Agaìn,we muff; further diilinguifh betwixt the tentation of God, and of the flefh and the devil. The flefh, when it tempteth , fendeth forth evil concupifcen- ces, which allure men to evil and withdraw from God,Jam. 1. 14. The devil, when he tempteth, cafteth into mens minds, either by himfelf or by means, ill motions and fuggeftions. God doth not WWI l into mens minds ill motions; as the devil and the fiefh do: But he is faid to tempt in thefe refpeós: i. By offering the occafion or the object of finne for our triall; howfoever we through our own cor- ruption or inftigation of Satan take occafion by the D d 4 triall 407