The Holy Arbor, Chapter 3 · Section 10
§. 10. And lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from evil.
THis Petition in order is immediately ſubjoyned after the other, craving the pardon of ſin, to teach us, That this is not the onelyonly care of Chriſtians to ſeek to have ſins pardoned, but for the time to come earneſtly to ſtrive againſt and reſiſt it; the Chriſtian mans life being a continual warfare: So that there be two Petitions for the ſoul, but one for the body; teaching us, That our care for the eſtate Spiritual, ought to be double to our care for things Temporal.
Lead us not into Temptation, but, &c.] that is, Suffer us not to be tempted above our power, or ſo that either we ſin, or wholly revolt from thee; but ſtrengthen us in our Temptations by thy holy Spirit, and deliver us from evil as the cauſe thereof: wherein we pray, That the Lord would not ſuffer us to be carried away by the Temptations of the World, the Fleſh, or the Devil, to the committing of ſin, but that he would deliver us from the evil of all Temptations, both of ſin and damnation. Lead us not into Temptation which we cannot bear; ſo Auguſtine: Redeem us from evil, that we be not carried by Temptations; ſo Calvin. And we pray thus, not that we may always be free, which cannot be, but that we may not be overwhelmed, overcome, and made ſubject to Temptations, when we are by them aſſaulted.
But deliver us from evil] that is, Withdraw not thy Grace from us, leave us not to our own luſts, neither deliver us over to Satan to be hardned, but in all aſſaults ſtand thou by us, that our faith may not fail, and deliver us from the evil both of ſin and puniſhment: So that the meaning hereof may be this, O Lord, we are every way ſubject to Temptations, and by our ſins we deſerve to be left therein to the malice of Satan, and to the power of our own Corruptions; yet we beſeech thee not to forſake us in any Temptation, but give an happy iſſue thereto, ſtill upholding us by thy Grace. Now here we muſt obſerve, That God is ſaid to lead a man into Temptation, onelyonly as Temptation is a puniſhment of ſin, and onelyonly by permiſſion, leaving the party to himſelf and Satans malice, for ſome former tranſgreſſion: For, God tempteth no man to deſtroy him, or to cauſe him to ſin, but to try and exerciſe his Graces in him; wherefore this Petition which Chriſt taught us, ſpeaketh not ſimply of all tryal and manifeſtation of our faith and godlineſs, unto which David offered himſelf of his own accord, Pſal. 26. For, God tempteth not to evil, but man when he is tempted, is tempted by his own evil concupiſcence, Jam. 1.13, 14.
The words themſelves contain one onelyonly Petition (though ſome have thought otherwiſe) conſiſting of two parts:
1. The Petition it ſelf, Lead us not into Temptation; or a Petition of delivery from a particular future evil.
2. The Expoſition thereof, more general for delivery from all, as well preſent as future evil.
There be two cauſes of temptations, and conſequently two ſorts thereof:
1. From God, for the tryal of our faith, godlineſs, hope, patience, conſtancy, and obedience by the Croſs: So God is ſaid to have tempted Abraham, Joſeph, Job and David. This is good and holy, when as God tempts a man, which is an action of God, whereby he proveth and tryeth man, to make manifeſt unto man himſelf, and unto others, what is in his heart, for God knoweth well enough before he tryeth him. This is called Good, both in reſpect of the Author, which is God, and in reſpect of the end, which is the good of his ſervants: And this we here pray not againſt.
2. By the Devil, our Fleſh; and wicked men, which is every ſoliciting to ſin, which ſoliciting it ſelf is alſo ſin. This is evil, being a wicked motion, allurement, or perſwaſion, ariſing partly from our own corruption, and partly from the ſuggeſtion of the Devil, whereby man is provoked to ſin againſt God in the tranſgreſſion of ſome Commandment. Now by Nature man is prone to be tempted, Gen. 31. Sin is a deceitful tempter, Heb. 3.13. and Satan is a ſubtile, cruel and diligent tempter, 1 Pet. 5.8. And this is that we pray againſt in this Petition.
Temptations are of divers ſorts; viz.
1. Whereby God tryeth man, 1 Kings 10.11. ſearching into his heart, whether by affliction or otherwiſe, for Reaſons beſt known unto himſelf.
2. Whereby man tempteth God, as by murmuring and refuſing to believe, and to reſt on his Providence, without ſeeing evident preſent Signs of his goodneſs; ſeeking after new miracles, truſting in outward means, preſcribing God a time or maner of deliverance, impatient at his corrections, adventuring upon needleſs apparent dangers without warrant, or burthening the faithful with vain and needleſs Traditions.
3. Whereby man tempteth man, ſeeking to circumvent him, by trying him with politick devices. Thus the Phariſees are ſaid to have tempted Chriſt, Mat. 22.18.
4. Whereby man tempteth himſelf, his corrupt heart alluring and drawing him to ſin, Jam. 1.14.
5. Whereby the Devil tempteth man, and provoketh him to ſin: From theſe two laſt Temptations, of the Fleſh and the Devil, that is, corrupt and evil motions of the minde, we deſire here to be delivered; from the third we pray to be kept in the fourth Petition; from the ſecond in the ſecond Petition: From the firſt we pray not to be kept, but rather that the Lord would try us, and uſe all means he ſeeth beſt to further our Sanctification.
The four degrees of Temptation, by which it proceedeth till it bring a man to deſtruction, unleſs it be cut off, Jam. 1.14, 15.
1. Suggeſtion; when the minde conceiveth a wicked thought, put in by Satan, or ariſing from natural corruption.
2. Delight; when the evil thought conceived, and for a time retained in the minde, deſcendeth to the heart, and there pleaſeth the will, and delighteth the affections.
3. Conſent; when the will yields to the evil motion, and the heart reſolves to practice it.
4. Perfection; when a Sin is often committed, and by cuſtom becomes as it were ripe, whereupon follows deſtruction: Now a man is led into temptation, when he is left of God to an evil motion, ſuggeſted into his minde, ſo as he gives conſent unto it, and goes on to the practice of it.
To be led into Temptation, is to be poſſeſſed and held by the Temptation, after it hath aſſaulted us: For in every Temptation there be two actions; viz.
1. One of God, whereby in his juſt Judgement he leaves a man to himſelf, or to the malice of Satan.
2. Another of man himſelf, whereby being left of God, he enters into the midſt of the Temptation, as it were plunging himſelf into it.
How the Lord is ſaid to lead into Temptation:
1. By withdrawing his Grace, without which every man falleth, and is not able to ſtand in the day of Temptation, Pſal. 119.8.
2. By leaving a man to his own luſts, by which as by a violent Torrent he is carried quite away, Rom. 1.24.
3. By delivering over unto Satan, for the puniſhment of former notorious Sins, to be hardned; as in Pharaoh and Saul.
The Reaſons for which the godly may be led into temptation,
1. To keep them under, that they be not proud of Gods Grace, 2 Cor. 12.7.
2. To winnow the chaff of Sin from Gods Corn, Luke 22.31.
3. That Gods power may appear in mans weakneſs, 2 Cor. 12.9.
4. That his mercy may be ſeen in keeping them from a final fall, Luke 22.32.
5. That they may be like Chriſt their Head, Rom. 8.17.
6. That they may acknowledge that all ſtrength is from God, 2 Cor. 3.5.
7. That by this they may know themſelves to be Gods children, who alone are ſo tempted, that they recover in Temptation, Pſal. 37.24.
How many ways God is ſaid to tempt man:
1. By afflictions, as he did the Iſraelites, Deut. 9.3.
2. By Commandment, as he did Abraham, Gen. 22.1.
3. By proſperity, as he did David, 2 Sam. 12.
4. By offering objects, as he did Eve, Gen. 3.
The Graces to be deſired of God, which are helpful againſt Temptation; viz.
1. Spiritual heed and watchfulneſs to prevent Temptations, and to avoid the occaſions thereof.
2. Grace to pray in the time of Temptation, that God would leſſen and moderate the violence and force thereof.
3. That in Temptation God would be ſo far from withdrawing his Grace from us, that he would then adde Grace to Grace, even new Grace unto the former.
4. That in continuance of Temptation when it abideth long upon us, God would ſtrengthen us to hold out.
5. That he would give us patience to bear the irkſomneſs & the trouble of it.
6. That in the end of it God would give a comfortable iſſue for his glory and our own good.
The Chriſtian Armor againſt Temptation:
1. Truth or verity, whereby a man profeſſeth true Religion, and endeavoreth himſelf in the practice of all the duties of Religion in ſincerity; his ſpeeches and his actions are ſuitable, proceeding from an honeſt heart, that truly meaneth whatſoever the tongue uttereth or himſelf practiſeth.
2. Juſtice or Righteouſneſs, when a man leads his life unblameably and uprightly.
3. The preparation of the Goſpel of Peace; that is, when we finde our affections ſo cleave unto Chriſt, that by way of thankfulneſs for the glad tidings of Salvation by Chriſt revealed in the Goſpel, which promiſeth pardon of Sin and life everlaſting by Chriſt, we can deny our ſelves, take up our Croſs, and follow him.
4. The ſhield of Faith, by which a man lays hold on the Mercy of God in Chriſt for his ſalvation, and under it ſhrowds himſelf againſt the fiery darts of Satan.
5. Hope, by which we wait for that ſalvation which we apprehend by Faith.
Remedies againſt Temptation to Covetouſneſs:
1. We muſt meditate, That God hath taken upon him to be our careful Protector, Pſal. 23.1.
2. That this Sin is the root of all Evil; and that every covetous man is an Idolater, Col. 3.5.
3. That our life ſtands not in abundance, Luke 12.16. and that Chriſt and his Diſciples were poor, Mat. 8.2.
4. That we ſhall carry nothing with us, Job 1.21. and that we muſt give account of our getting, Luke 16.2.
5. That it will hinder us in the ſervice of God, Luke 14.18, 19. and make us unwilling to dye, Eccles. 41.1.
6. That our riches may ſuddenly be taken away from us, Prov. 23.5. or we from them.
7. That rich men come hardly to heaven, Luke 18.24. and many woes denounced againſt them, Amos 6.1.
Remedies againſt Temptations to Pride:
1. We muſt meditate, That we muſt not be proud, becauſe we have all things of gift, 1 Cor. 4.7.
2. That God reſiſteth the proud, 1 Pet. 5.5. and that we are but duſt and aſhes, Gen. 18.27.
3. That pride hindreth a greater largeſs of Grace, Luke 18.24. and that it caſt Angels out of Heaven into Hell, 2 Pet. 2.4.
4. That if it be in Apparel, I have more need to be humbled for my ſhameful nakedneſs, Gen. 2.25.
5. That Chriſt left me an example of humility, Mat. 11.29. but pride argues me a Son of the Devil, for it is Signum Reproborum. Hieron.
6. That pride is the cauſer of contentions, Prov. 13.10. and that by it we make others to contemn us, Eſth. 3.2.
Remedies againſt Temptations to Adultery:
1. We muſt meditate, That God ſees us, Prov. 5.21. and will puniſh us, Gen. 20.3.
2. That we are members of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 6.15. and our bodies the Temples of the Holy Ghoſt.
3. That Adulterers ſhall not inherit heaven, 1 Cor. 6.9. they ſeldom repent, Prov. 7.26, 27.
4. That for the whoriſh woman a man is brought to a morſel of bread, Prov. 6.26.
5. That we wrong the Church and Commonwealth, by obtruding on both a baſtardly generation; for neither, without evidence, know their true children.
6. That as thereby we endanger our ſouls, ſo we decay our bodies, and when we are dead, our memory is more rotten above ground, then our carcaſes under it, leaving behinde an inexpungeable blot, Prov. 6.32, 33.
Remedies againſt Temptations to Gluttony and Drunkenneſs.
1. We muſt meditate, That Solomon commands us at great Tables to put our knives to our throats, Prov. 23.1. That we thereby abuſe our own bodies, Luke 21.34. The good creatures of God, Eph. 5.18. and that which might do good to the poor, Mat. 14.4, 5.
2. That by them we are made unfit for Gods ſervice, 1 Cor. 10.7. and that theſe ſins are the main inſtruments of other ſins, Prov. 23.33.
3. That all civil Nations have deteſted theſe ſins; that we are unfit to keep any ſecret, and become a ſcorn to the ſober, Gen. 9.22.
4. That ſince Chriſt taſted gall and vinegar for us, why ſhould not we abſtain from ſurfetting and drunkenneſs for him?
Remedies againſt Temptations to Deſpair of Gods mercy; viz.
1. We muſt meditate, That we were by Baptiſm received into the Church, and it hath been to us the laver of Regeneration, Tit. 3.5.
2. That we once heard and believed the word, and therefore we ſhall ſtand ever by this faith, 2 Cor. 1.24.
3. That our Election is in Gods keeping, and therefore Satan can never ſteal it away, Eph. 1.4. for that the calling of God is without Repentance, and whom he loveth, he loveth to the end, Rom. 11.29. Joh. 13.1.
4. That we know by our love of the brethren, that we are tranſlated from death to life, 1 Joh. 3.14. That we deſire to believe in Chriſt, and to run the ways of his Commandments, Mark 9.24.
5. That we hate ſin with an unfeigned hatred, 1 Joh. 3.9. and that we are ſorry that we can be no more ſorry for our ſins, which to us is an argument of faith, 2 Cor. 7.10.
6. That Chriſts Merits are far greater then our ſins, and he is the propitiation for our ſins, Joh. 1.29.
7. That though the righteous fall, yet he ſhall riſe again, for God ſupporteth him with his hand, Pſal. 37.24.
8. That the Spirit doth, though very weakly, witneſs to my Spirit, that I am the childe of God, Rom. 8.16.
Remedies againſt Temptations to preſume of Gods mercy:
1. We muſt meditate, That God bids us not be high-minded, Rom. 11.20. and that Security deſtroyeth more then any Sin, Luke 17.26.
2. That he is bleſſed who feareth always, Prov. 28.14. and that we muſt work out our Salvation with fear and trembling, Phil. 2.12.
3. That as God is a God of Mercy, ſo is he alſo a God of Juſtice, Deut. 9.20.
4. That the more I preſume, the more ſubject I am to fall, Luke 22.33, 34. and Satans main weapon to vanquiſh me, is this, That God is merciful, Rom. 6.15.
5. That the longer we continue in ſins, the more hardly may we leave them, 2 Sam. 3.16.
6. That even David prayed to be kept from Sins of preſumption, Pſal. 19.13.
In praying that God will deliver us from evil, we deſire,
1. That he would ſend no evil on us, but deliver us from all evils preſent and to come, both of crime and pain.
2. That if he ſend on us any evils, that he would mitigate them in this life, and turn them to our ſalvation, that they may be good and profitable unto us.
3. That he will at length in the life to come, fully and perfectly deliver us, and wipe away every tear from our eyes.
By Evil is not meant Satan onelyonly, for it comprehendeth all our Spiritual Enemies, and that for theſe Reaſons:
1. The Title, Evil, is not onelyonly given to Satan, but to Sin alſo, Rom. 12.9. and to the World, 1 Joh. 5.19. and to the Fleſh, that is, the corruption of our Nature, for that is the evil treaſure of the heart, Mat. 12.35.
2. That advantage which the Devil hath againſt us, is by the World, the Fleſh, and Sin, as his Agents and Inſtruments in Temptation againſt us; and therefore with that evil one the Devil, Sin, the World and the Fleſh muſt be underſtood.
That which we pray for we muſt endeavor to practice; and therefore our ſpecial care muſt be
1. To reſiſt the Devil, and to keep our ſelves from the aſſaults of Satan unto Sin.
2. To beware of all Satanical practices, by uſing Charms, ſeeking to Witches, or the like, as means of help in any diſtreſs. This is groſs hypocriſie, to pray againſt the evils of Satan, and to give our ſelves to the practice of them.
3. Not voluntarily to thruſt our ſelves into ſuch a place as is haunted by the Devil, nor to meddle with it or him, without a warrant and calling from God, to whom we muſt betake our ſelves by humble and earneſt prayer.
4. We muſt avoid the company of evil perſons, Prov. 1.10. Gen. 39.10.
5. Not live in places where evil is practiſed, though we might gain much by it, 2 Cor. 6.17.
6. We muſt take heed of evil ſpeeches, which may corrupt our ſelves and others, Eph. 4.29.
7. We muſt hide Gods word in our heart, that we do not ſin againſt him, Pſal. 119.11.
In theſe words of this Petition, we pray againſt Satans ſlights & policies, which he exerciſeth againſt all men, but eſpecially againſt Gods children, for their ruine & deſtruction. They are many, but theſe ſix are moſt dangerous policies of Satan, which we are as well to watch as pray againſt:
1. When men have many good things in them, as knowledge in the myſtery of Salvation, beſide Moral vertues, then the Devil labors that concupiſcence may ſtill raign in their hearts, by their living in ſome ſin or other, whereto they are naturally enclined.
2. When Satan cannot procure ſome ſtrong Corruption to raign in the childe of God, then he labors to get him to commit ſome offence or ſin, whereby the Name of God may be diſhonored, his Profeſſion diſgraced, his Conſcience wounded, and Gods children offended.
3. When the childe of God is faln into any ſin, then the Devil labors to to caſt him aſleep therein, that he may lye in it without remorſe, and ſo never repent.
4. When the Lord vouchſafeth to men the means of Salvation, then Satan labors to make the ſame void and of no effect, that ſo they may not onelyonly miſs of Salvation, but be condemned the more deeply for the neglect and contempt of the means.
5. When he cannot work his will inwardly in their ſouls as he deſires, then he eſſays to do them miſchief by ſome outward Satanical operations. Thus he plagued Job.
6. Satan labors to bring Gods children to ſome fearful and miſerable end, not ſo much for the bodily death, as in regard of the inward horror and terror of Conſcience; for the extremity of his power and malice at a mans laſt gaſp, he hopes will be moſt powerful; and if he be not reſtrained, he will endeavor to make him dye in preſumption or deſpair.
How many ways God is ſaid to deliver us from evil; viz.
1. By preſerving us from committing ſin, Gen. 20.6. and by freeing us from Judgements due unto ſin, 2 Sam. 12.13.
2. By keeping us from the hurt of ſin and afflictions, Pſal. 91.13. and by turning all thoſe ſins which we commit, and the afflictions which we ſuſtain, to our good, Pſal. 51.1. & 119.67, 71.
3. By bridling Satan that he cannot ſubdue us, Rom. 16.20.
4. By giving us his holy Spirit, that by a lively faith we overcome all evil, Rom. 8.2.
5. By no means, Mat. 4.2. by ſmall means, 2 Kings 4.3. by ordinary means, Joſh. 5.12. by extraordinary means, 2 Kings 6.16. contrary to all means, Dan. 3.25.
6. By Chriſt Jeſus, who overcame the World, by obeying; the Fleſh, by ſuffering; and the Devil, by triumphing over him in his Croſs, Joh. 16.33. 1 Pet. 4.1. Col. 2.15.
The wants we bewail in this Petition; viz.
1. The Rebellion of our wicked Nature, by which we reſiſt the Spirit of God, Rom. 7.14, &c.
2. Our readineſs in each little Temptation to yield up our ſelves to the committing of ſin, Luke 22.45, 46.
3. That we cannot enough mourn for the remnants of our bondage, whereby we are kept in the power of Satan.
4. That ſo many fall by Satans Temptations, Pſal. 119.136.
5. That we cannot here get maſtery over our own Corruptions, 2 Cor. 12.8.
6. That we love ſo this Spiritual Sodom, in which we are ſubject to, and fall by Temptation, Gen. 19.16.
7. The Tyranny of Satan our Adverſary, going about each way to ſubdue us, Mat. 9.12.
This Petition being negative, the Deprecation thereof is firſt to be conſidered, which is
1. Againſt Temptation, as it may be a means to draw men from God to ſin, 2 Cor. 12.7, 8.
2. Againſt Afflictions, as they are puniſhments of ſin, Curſes from God, motives to impatience, or means to make us take Gods Name in vain, Prov. 30.9. Againſt grievous afflictions long continuing, to make us deſpair of Gods Mercy, or hearing our prayers.
3. Againſt Spiritual deſertion, or forſaking of Gods Spirit; which if gone, all power to ſtand, and all Spiritual comfort is gone alſo: for it is in us the new life, the Spirit of the ſoul.
4. Againſt Solicitations to ſin, either by the Devil, the World or the Fleſh.
5. Againſt Sin, even when we are moſt ſolicited and tempted, becauſe we ſhall meet with temptations, yet that we may not be overcome and made ſlaves unto Sin.
6. Againſt future relapſe into Sin; blindeneſs of minde, hardneſs of heart through cuſtom in ſinning, or through ſome notorious ſins committed.
7. Againſt backſliding from the Truth, either in part or in whole; all ſorts of Judgements, temporal or eternal; and what hurt ſoever may befal, either by proſperity or adverſity.
8. Againſt ſudden death, that we may not be prevented of Repentance for renewed treſpaſſes and eternal death, the greateſt evil of puniſhment.
The Supplication of this Petition, is for ſuch things as are beſt for us, preſerving us from Sin & damnation; as
1. The Spirit of Grace, which is threefold:
1 Light of underſtanding of the holy Scriptures, whereby we are able to uſe them.
2. Stedfaſtneſs of faith, whereby, as by a ſhield, the fiery darts of the Devil are repreſſed; which alſo is of vertue to purifie the heart.
3. Patience in bearing any croſs or affliction, whereby we are tempted at any time, that in ſtead of ſin, the iſſue thereof may be hope, Rom. 5.3.
2. The helping hand of the Lord to turn evil into good unto us; and this he doth
1. By Humiliation, and caſting us down under and for theſe things; as Nebuchadnezzar the proudeſt, and Saul the bloodieſt Perſecutor.
2. By alienating and eſtranging our affections from the world and worldly things by affliction.
3. By framing us by the Croſs to a more careful obedience for the time to come, Pſal. 119.71.
4. By prevention, the Lord puniſhing us in this world, that we may eſcape in the world to come, 1 Cor. 11.32.
3. Everlaſting life; that God for his mercies ſake in and through the meritorious ſatisfaction of our Savior Jeſus Chriſt, would beſtow this infinite good upon us.
The Thankſgiving of this Petition, is, For that in the former things which we pray for, God hath ſo enabled us to reſiſt, as that neither the corruption of Nature, enticements of the World, the policies of Satan, nor preſent Affliction, hath ſo ſubdued us, but that we are able to riſe again; as alſo for good ariſing to us by Temptations, and deliverance from the puniſhments by our ſins deſerved.
Since firſt the proud aſpiring Angels fell,
There was no want of Policy in Hell:
The Devil knows by Obſervation,
The pulſe of each mans Inclination,
The tide of all our Actions; yea, he knows
How low our Graces ebbe, how high Sin flows;
How the leaſt ſpark of any Luſts deſire
Kindles the Heart, and ſets the Will on fire.
Help, Lord; let not the World, the Fleſh or Devil
Prevail, but ſtill Deliver us from evil.