A Catechiflical Expojition Matth. 4· 6, 7· .Jjnd faid unto him, if thou be the Son of God cofi thy [elf dov:r.. Verfe 7· Thou fhalr nor remprrbe L.ra rhy God. Q HOUJ is God faid to tempt us ? Jl. When in the Method of his Holy Providence he brings us into fuch Circurn. fiances as will i:lifco\1er either our Graces or Corruptions. Gen. 21. t, 2 . .A.nd ;1 came to paft t~Jt~r thej_e Things tbat God did tempt Abraham, ond fa ;d unto him, Ve.rfe 2 • . Take n_ow thy Son, andoffer him for a Burnt-Offering upon one of the Moun· tqrns fJ?hzcb I wzll tell thee of 2 Chron. 32. 3 t ; God left .him to try bim that be migl;t know all that was in his Heart. . J , ' Q How dorh the Devilrempt us? ' ' Jl. A! way by Swafion 1 enducing us by )lis Art and Subtilty to rheComrniffion ofEvil. Q. What Temptatiom do we efpeciapy ,pray. againfl in this Pnition? .ll. Three Sorts. ~· Firft, Such as proceed from our own Lufts and Corruption. 2. Secondly, Such as proceed from other Mens enticing us to Evil, or enfnaring us to Danger. , 3· Thirdly, Such as proceed from the great Tempter, the Devil. • Q What learn we hence ? ~ Jl. That it is a Chrifiian's Duty not only to keep himfelf from SiQ, but alfo from Temptations to Sin. Q. What Rtafons confirm tbis? c ·, · 11. f;irfi. Becaufe it" is the of a Rotten and Corrupt Heart to be content to lye under a Temptation, , th confents not to t~e ;iiR. That Soul is not chalte to God that is well·pleafed llicirations to violate irs Duty. Secondly, Becaufe while a Temptatio.n dwells upon our Heans we are in imminent Danger of committing the Sin to which we are tempted. Thirdly, &caufe moll: Tempt~tions are not onty Temptations bm Sins too, as all Evil. Thoughts and Defires: And as long as thefe abide in us with any Compla· i:ency 'nd Ddight, fo long are we in the Aaual Cornmiffion of Sin. (t. How is God faid to !rad Men into TCmptation? ll. Three Ways. J, FirLI, When he prqvidentiaily j>refentsOotward ObjeEhand Occafions, which. ·do follidre and draw fOrrh our Inward Corruptions. 2. Secondly~ When he permits Satan, or.Wicked Men, his Inftruments, to tempt us. And in thefe Two Senfes there is no Tempu.don whatfoever that befals us but God leads us into it. >. Thirdly, When he withdraws the Influences of his Grace and Spirit from us, without which Dereli8:ion no Temptation could prevaU over u~. 2 Chron. 32. 3 I, God left him to try hrm, that be might know all that was in his He_art. • Q What tbucjore do we pray for when we pray, Lead us not mw Temprauon? Jl. We pray for Three Things. . 1. Firfl, That God by his Providence would fo order and difpofe all the Occur· rences of our Lives, as not to lay before us thofe Objeas, nor after us thof~ Occafions, which might excite or call fOrt h our 1nbred Corruptions. . 1. Secondly, That he would not permit the Devil to alfault us, nor any of hiS Infiruments. 3· That he would continue the Influences of his Grace unto us to enable us to fiand when we are tempted. Q For what Ends doth God thus lead .Men ipto Timptation? Jl . For many Wife and Holy Ends, efpecially Four. I. Firll:, To exercife and break forth ·our Graces, to teach us the Wars of the Lord, to adminifter Matter for our ViCl:ory, and Occafion for our Crowo and Tri-umph. 2. Secondly, To eng,ge us to d~pend UJlOD his Help and Affiftance, and earnefily to implore Divine Succours and Supplies. · · 3· Thirdly, To glorifiehis Juftice, and his Mercy; his Jn!lice io giving up Wicked Men to the Rages of Temptations to be hurried by them from Sin roSin, pumfh 1 ~g one lniquity with another, till at laft he ·punifheth all in Hell. And bis _Mercy,. HI fupporting his Children under them, and delivering them. QUt of all tbeJI T~mpta· tions, making his Strength _perfefl. in their Weaknefs. 2 Cor. r 2. 9· lmd he fa!d un1o '", my Grace is fuj/icient jor thee, Jrr ,.yStre>gtb is m•i< perjea in Weakneft.hl · 4 • Fourr y;
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