Satans Temptations in Three Parts, Part 3 · Chapter 3
CHAP. III. The Third Circumſtance, the place of the Combat. The advantage given to Temptations by Solitude.
THe Third Circumſtance (next to be conſidered) is the place of this Combat, the Wilderneſs. To enquire what or where this Wilderneſs was, is not only impertinent and uſeleſs, (as to any thing we can obſerve from it in reference to Temptation) but alſo a matter of meer uncertain conjecture; Only they that would underſtand it of a place more thinly peopled, are expreſly contradicted by Mark 1. 13. where 'tis ſaid, he was with the Wild Beaſts; noting thereby a deſolate and dangerous Solitude, far remote from humane Society and comfort.
'Tis much more our concern to ſeek after the reaſons of his choice of that place, or rather among theſe many that are given to ſatisfy our ſelves with, what may have the greateſt appearance of Truth. They that think Chriſt hereby deſigned to ſhew the uncertain changes and viciſſitudes of outward things in this Life; or to point at the future low Eſtate of his Church in the World, that it ſhould ſojourn in a Wilderneſs; or to direct thoſe that have dedicated themſelves to God, to withdraw from the blandiſhments and allurements of the Earth;Spanhem dub. Evan. in loc. with a great many more hints of Inſtruction, and document of that kind: they I ſay, that offer no other, ſeem not to attend to the true deſign of the choice of this place; which notwithſtanding is evidently diſcovered to have been done in order to the Temptation. He was led into the Wilderneſs to be tempted. The place then was ſubſervient to the conflict, as the proper Theater on which ſo great a Conteſt was to be acted; And if we ſhall but mind what ſpecial conſideration was to be had of ſuch a place (a… howling deſolate Wilderneſs) which may with eaſe pitch upon theſe following reaſons.
Firſt, It pleaſed God to have an Eye to the glory of Chriſt's Conqueſt, when in a ſingle Combat he ſhould ſo remarkably foil the Devil without any the leaſt advantage on his part; there being none that might be the leaſt Support or Encouragement to him.
Secondly, The condition of the place, gave riſe to the firſt Temptation. For in that he hungred in a barren Wilderneſs, it gave occaſion to Satan to tempt him more ſtrongly to turn Stones into Bread.
Thirdly, In the choice of ſuch a place, God ſeems to offer Satan a ſpecial advantage in tempting; which was the Solitude and danger of his preſent condition.
To omit the two former Conſiderations (as not altogether ſo uſeful, further than what I ſhall be engaged to ſpeak to afterwards) this laſt affords this Obſervation:
That Solitude affords a great advantage to Satan in the matter of Temptation.Obſ. 4. This advantage ariſeth from Solitude two ways:
Firſt, As it doth deprive us of help. So great and many are the bleſſed helps ariſing from the Society and Communion of ſuch as fear the Lord, (as Counſel, Comfort, Encouragement from their Graces, Experiences, and Prayers, &c.) that the Woe pronounced to him that is alone, Eccleſ. 4. 10.is not groundleſs. Chriſtians in an holy Combination can do more work; and ſo have a good reward for their Labour. They can mutually help one another when they fall, they can mutually heat and warm one another; they can alſo ſtrengthen one another's hands to prevail againſt an Adverſary. He then that is alone, being deprived of theſe advantages, lyeth more open to the ſtroke of Temptation.
Secondly, Solitude increaſeth Melancholy, fills the Soul with diſmal apprehenſions; and withal doth ſo ſpoil and alter the temper of it, that it is not only ready to take any diſadvantageous Impreſſion, but it doth alſo diſpoſe it to leaven, and ſowre thoſe very conſiderations that ſhould ſupport; and to put a bad conſtruction on things that never were intended for its hurt.
This may warn us,Applic. to take heed of giving Satan ſo great an advantage againſt us, as an unneceſſary Solitude may do. I know there are times and occaſions that do juſtly require it, to ſeek a ſolitary place for the privacy of Duty, or for ſecret Lamentations, as Jeremiah deſired;Jer. 9. 1, 2. or to avoid the trouble and ſnare ariſing from our mixing with an Aſſembly of treacherous and wicked men; This is no more than care and watchfulneſs. But when theſe reaſons urge not, or ſome of like nature, but either out of pettiſh diſcontent, or a mopiſh reſervedneſs, we withdraw from thoſe aids and comforts which are neceſſary for our ſupport; we do ſtrengthen Satan's hands againſt us, and weaken our own.